Council studies mosquito spraying

With temperatures dropping to single digits at night, one might think that mosquitoes would not be a hot topic at this time of year. But an effort to find ways to eradicate the flying pests was the primary item for discussion for members of the Rector City Council at Monday night's meeting.

Council members heard from Paul Efird, mid-south sales manager for Vector Professional Mosquito Control, as they held their first meeting of 2010. Efird was on hand to offer details on a fogging program that the company offers to towns and cities.

"Our company sells London Fogger equipment and all the chemicals that are needed, but we don't do application," he explained to those on hand.

Efird advised the council members that the fogger that best meets the application for Rector costs $7,500. He added that the city also must calculate the cost of chemicals, manpower and a vehicle for the fogging effort.

"Fogging can be rough on vehicles," he said. "They have a tendency to overheat and it's hard on the brakes to keep it at around 10 miles per hour for several hours."

When asked by Mayor Ron Kemp about how often the city would have to be sprayed, Efird indicated that efforts vary.

"You've got some bad mosquitoes in Northeast Arkansas," he observed. "You may have to spray every day for several days until the mosquitoes are brought under control, then spray at regular intervals to maintain."

Efird noted the mosquito season in Northeast Arkansas generally runs from mid-May to mid-September and varies with the amount of rice that is grown nearby.

"Based on my experience, I'd say you're looking at spraying about three nights a week on average," he added.

He indicated the cost of spraying is about 30 cents an acre with the fogger set on high and about 20 cents an acre or less with a lower concentration of spray.

"The system is set up to spray a swath of about 300 feet," he noted. "With the amount of area in the city of Rector, it's going to run close to $200 each time you spray."

"Based on spraying three times a week, from May to September, we would be looking at about $9,000 plus the cost of the fogger," Kemp noted. "That doesn't include manpower, fuel and the dedicated vehicle. I think it can be done for around $20,000."

Council members thanked Efird for his input and took the matter under consideration as they look into ways to finance the effort.

Economic Development

Council also heard an update on economic development from Jacinda Welch. She reported that work is continuing on the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center. Welch also provided an update on the Chamber of Commerce membership renewal campaign and several grant applications.

"We have received about $260,000 in grant money so far, and we are also applying for a USDA grant to be used to purchase the center and the two other adjacent buildings," she noted.

"We're going to have to figure out how to buy the building, especially in light of all these improvements," Kemp added.

Council members also heard an update on the ongoing fundraising drive for the veterans' memorial and were told that several sizeable donations have been made.

In other business council members:

* Approved a new one-year lease with the Clay County Humane Society for its facility in Rector. Welch reported that Gazaway Lumber Company donated tin for the shelter and that roof repairs are being completed.

* Authorized the application for a grant from the General Improvement Fund in the amount of $54,000.

* Added one location to the list of properties in the city that are facing condemnation. The latest addition to the list is a structure at 201 McNabb. Street Superintendent Todd Watson also reported that no work has been completed in the past month on the three properties already on the watch list.

* Rescinded an earlier measure that increases the city's matching funds for employee 401(k) retirement funds. Council members approved an increase from three to five percent last year, but were told by financial advisers they would have to completely rework their system to accommodate the increase. Aldermen agreed they will attempt to find other ways to reward the employees and overturned the previous motion by a unanimous vote.

* Kemp also reported the city is working with the ADEQ on issues with the wastewater treatment system. He indicated the city is currently formulating on a plan to gain compliance. This was in light of a $1,600 fine levied against the city for non-compliance due to problems with its sand filter system.

"We're going to have to revamp and expand our sand filter system in order to reach total compliance," Kemp said.