The Regular Meeting of the Town of Eads Board of Trustees was called to order by Pro Mayor Pearson, Monday March 12, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Robin Fox took roll call:

• Mayor – Joe D. Shields- Absent 
• Trustees – Present –Dennis Pearson acting as the mayor, Stephanie Sewell, Tuck Liebl, Kathy McCracken, Justin McLoud and Fred Derby
• Absent – 
• Town Clerk- Robin Fox 
• Assistant Clerk- Mikahael Rogers
• Director of Public Works-Van Brown- Trent Rittgers, 
• Town Attorney – Lance Clark – Present

Audience present- Branden Dunlap, Betsy Barnett, Jennifer Crow and Cindy McLoud

Minutes­- Justin McLoud moved to approve the minutes after corrections. Kathy McCracken seconded, motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Bills – The finance committee reviewed the bills prior to the meeting. Kathy McCracken moved to approve payment of the bills. Fred Derby seconded, motion passed unanimously. 

New Business- 

Airport farm ground bids were opened and announced, Uhland’s bid at $25.00 an acre, Randy and Fran Larrew with a bid of $34.00 an acre, Matt Rittgers with a bid of $35.00 an acre, Branden Dunlap with $36.51 an acre. Branden Dunlap had the highest bid. He will have the 5 year contract with the farm ground. 

New swimming pool- the contract with Goco will be signed with the extension on 1 year for completion. It was discussed that we are still in need of donations and in kind donations. It is time for people to start coming forward with donations or in kind donations to get this project moving forward.  We also need to start looking at a summer time money maker.

Airport contract with Saffer Spray was discussed the attorney Lance Clark gave his thoughts on the new contract. Town clerk will send Lance the deed for the airport and Lance will work on a contract. The board and Lance will discuss some options at the next meeting. Lance also thinks that it would be a good idea to ask our engineers to look at the airport for safety reasons. He said that he could help find an engineer.

CLCEC- Betsy gave an update on wanting to finish the two buildings to the south of the theater that the town owns. They want to put the county library in part on the building. They also discussed we need a new lease with the theater and sub leasing was discussed. Lance had questions on how this all worked. He asked why the town owns all these properties and not collecting any rent for them, or why the town owns businesses. This will have to be looked at and talked about at the next meeting.

Cindy McLoud- Cindy gave update on something’s she is working on and wanting the town to join Maine street project. Van asked what this project would include; Cindy really didn’t have an answer on that. The board asked her to send all the information she has on this project to the town clerk, she agreed to send everything right over. Jennifer said this would help with things outside their store. The board will look at the information and discuss this at a later date. Kathy McCracken wondered if we should also talk to our other grant writer about this.

Adjournment- Meeting was adjourned 7:00 P.M.

Joe D. Shields, Mayor

ATTEST:

Robin Fox, Town Clerk