City Recognizes Historic First Baptist Church (HFB) Restoration From left – HFB Deacon Loyed Pruitt, Police Chief James Klingler, Alderman James Cleeve, Tami Pruitt, Alderman Debbie Kelley, Mayor Heather Filley, Stephanie Brooks, Acting Board President Scott Lesh, Alderman Tyler Hoven, Alderman Karla Stewart, and Carol Johnson, HFB restoration committee. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Pauline Masson –
Ward One Vacancy: In a 3-2 vote, aldermen said no to the mayor’s appointment of former alderman Rick Presley to fill the Ward One seat vacated by the resignation of Rafael Madrigal. With no discussions on the merits of the appointment, Aldermen James Cleeve and Tyler Hoven voted to approve the appointment. Aldermen Debbie Kelley, Karla Stewart and Scott Lesh voted no.
The absence of one of the two Ward One seats has concerned Ward One resident Michelle Bruns, who several times has publicly asked to be appointed to the seat. She worried that Ward One did not have fair advantage in aldermanic discussions and disagreements. Also, the five-aldermen board prevents a tie on ordinance votes and thereby eliminates the mayor’s ability to break a tie.
Historic First Baptist Church Proclamation: Five Aldermen and the police chief stepped down from the podium to honor Historic First Baptist Church following a seven-year project to restore the church after the 2016 flood destroyed the interior.
The mayor read the proclamation, which recognized the history of the church and the community members who helped restore it.
“We the citizens of the Pacific recognize this church is more than just a historical building. It is a living community bound by faith and love, and that this reopening signifies not only the restoration of a building, but the revival of our collective spirit,” the proclamation read.
Budget: Aldermen approved the first reading of a bill amending the FY 2025-26 budget and authorized and transferring $270,161 from contingency funds to pay for HVAC improvements.
Following the vote, acting board president Scott Lesh noted that the action balances the 2026-27 budget.
Holiday Sidewalk Decorations: Alderman Cleeve reported that a resident had contacted aldermen with a request to install an arch over the sidewalk in front of their property. It would be anchored their yard on one side of the sidewalk and in the grassy area between the sidewalk and street on the other side.
No dimensions were provided. Mr. Cleeve said the property owner had been denied the request to install an arch last year. They requested that aldermen review the decision and consider allowing the arch this year.
Followed a lengthy and rambling discussion on the difference between an easement and a right-of-way, and possible legal concerns if someone were injured while interacting with the decorations, there was no clear recommendation on the residents request.
Lower Speed Limit on LaMar Parkway: If BOA recommendations are met, motorists are going to have to slow down on Lamar Parkway. Acting board president Scott Lesh reported that citizens had attended a recent Operations Committee meeting and spoke on speeding on Lamar Parkway. The committee made a motion to ask the full BOA to consider lowering the speed limit on Lamar Parkway. After discussion, aldermen approved a motion to direct the attorney to draft legislation to reduce the speed limit on Lamar Parkway from Rose Lane to Old Gray Summit from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. This should come back before the board on November 18.
Double Traffic Fines?: Aldermen discussed the possibility of doubling traffic fines for violations in some high traffic areas of the city where the prevalence of traffic violations exist. Alderman Tyler Hoven made a motion for the city to create special fine areas.
Mayor Heather Filley said she would like to get input from additional staff and other aldermen before considering action.
“This is something we can get with Chief Klinger on and have staff give us some feedback on those key areas,” she said. “We have a municipal court this Thursday. I can talk to the prosecutor and the judge, because I think the prosecutor is the one who’s eventually going to make the decision on whether he issues those charges.”
“So we will hold off on that until the next meeting,” the mayor said.
Committee Volunteers Needed: The City Park Board has not met for several months because the Board does not have enough members to have a quorum, which is necessary for meeting. Alderman Cleeve, who serves as Park Board liaison made a public plea for citizens who would be willing to serve to come forward.
“My number one thing always is please consider volunteering with Park Board,”he said. “I know there’s a bunch of fathers and mothers and people with kids that are very interested in the parks. Please reach out to the mayor, myself, or another alderman, whenever you can serve.”
The Tourism Commission also has a shortage of members. One commission member turned in their resignation from tourism, Mayor Filley reported. And there are concerns that one member has not attended recent meetings.
“I believe there is one individual who is on the committee but has not been present for any meetings ,” she said “So with being down to four members, that makes it more difficult to get enough people present for quorum that is required.”
The mayor asked the aldermen to help.
“So I would ask that you guys be thinking about somebody who meets the qualifications for the tourism committee to replace the commissioner who just recently resigned and also think about the involvement of the one who hasn’t been active in many of the meetings,” she said.
Jeffrey White Memorial Skatepark RFP: Aldermen approved the RFP that will be forwarded to prospective builders.
Alderman James Cleeve said the full RFP will be posted on the City of Pacific website on November 10. And will be in the newspaper editions for the November 13, 20 and 27, three consecutive times. Bid opening is currently planned for December 9 at 1 o’clock.
“Everything that was in the RFP that you all approved at the last meeting is what’s going to be published,” he said.
That included renderings showing the Noonan children’s pavilion is part of the skatepark design.
Acting Board President Scott Lesh noted that excavation work necessary to prepare for the concrete is not included in the grant the city received to build the park
“There’s no specifications in that RFP for earthwork, he said. “How are we going to get that done? Because that has to precede the work this RFP contractor is doing.”
Mr. Lesh mentioned in the last meeting that with volunteer work, there’s no warranty.
Mayor Filley said she was reaching out to those that had mentioned that they would potentially volunteer or donate their services.
“And we’re talking professional companies, not me going out with a shovel and digging,” she said.”We are reaching out to those that have expressed interest. I’m going to say, pretty much since day one, to see if their interest still stands and going from there.”
There are still unanswered questions about the design and scope of work to build the park. At this point there’s not a complete set of plans for the whole project.
