Despite having prioritized lists from both council members and interested community members who attended a public meeting, mayor Dixon Chandler had little luck in getting council members to come to a consensus about exactly what they wanted to see included in the park.

Funding for the park comes from a $2 million bond issued based on a portion of the one cent sales tax approved by voters last August.

"Well, I think we need to build four fields with lights and irrigation," said alderman Waylon Dunn.

"I gave out [priority] forms and you were the only one who didn't turn it in," Chandler said.

"I didn't see the purpose of the form," Dunn said. "I still don't."

Alderman who did return the forms ranked irrigation and lighting for two fields as top priorities with a new water park, concession stand and playground equipment falling toward the middle. Coming up last was lighting for the two smaller fields.

Community members' rankings were virtually the same with lighting for the two larger fields topping the list and lights for the smaller fields falling as a last priority.

Based on the priorities given by both groups, Chandler and Shaw-Willoughby, who was contracted to write the 2009 parks and recreation grant for a 10 percent fee of funds received, proposed to write the grant for $500,000 in projects including a $250,000 concession stand, $150,000 splash park and $100,000 in playground equipment. However much the city receives in grant funding, they must match with funds or in-kind labor.

Miki Willoughby, of Shaw-Willoughby, explained to the council how the items for the grant were selected.

"We have a ranking of the council and from a public hearing," she said. "And they really came out the same. This is about what the people want to happen, not what the city or the mayor want."

Alderman Michael Scott asked if the price of the concession stand in the grant proposal could be reduced to allow for other items.

"Can we not cut the concession stand down to $150,000 and add $100,000 for lighting as another part of the grant proposal," he asked.

In a heated exchange, Willoughby told Scott she felt the people didn't want to do that.

"Several people [at the public meeting] didn't even want baseball fields, or they wanted to put them off until later," she said. "People have other interests."

"Well, a 2,800 square foot concession stand is ridiculous," said Scott. "$250,000 is too much."

Chandler said he didn't disagree, but thought that it shouldn't matter where the grant was concerned.

"If it's given in a grant, what difference does it make," Chandler asked.

Brad Daniels, a member of the Youth Sports Committee, told the council that he would rather not see any fields constructed if they were built without lights.

"We told you that we don't want fields without lights," Daniels said. "If you're not going to put up lights on all the fields, you're just building dead fields."

Daniels also reminded the council that the Marked Tree Youth Sports committee members were the ones who first proposed the park.

"We wouldn't be here talking about this if it wasn't for a few people who wanted something done," Daniels said.

Alderman Jerry Jones expressed his frustration with the whole process.

"We've just been going around in circles about all this," he said. "I think the parks and recreation committee ought to meet with the engineer and work some of these things out."

"The council listens to all the other committee's recommendations, but we've not had that opportunity," said Pam Wright, who clarified that she was not speaking as the city clerk and treasurer, but rather as a member of the Parks and Recreations Committee.

Chandler said he had even thought about leaving the concession stand out because of the controversy.

"You told me we were going to put in four fields with lights and irrigation and put trailers out there [in place of a concession stand]," Wright said.

With no solution reached, the council decided unanimously to apply for the grant, with the priorities as suggested, with the understanding that funding for the concession stand could later be reduced if the grant funds were not received.

"When are we going to get to vote on what we're building," Dunn asked.

Chandler said everything was still in the planning process, and the once the bids are received the council can make some decisions.

Dunn said he was anxious about not knowing what type of drainage the engineer is planning for the fields, as well as not knowing other specifications for which bids will be let.

"Brad [Daniels] talked to Mike [the engineer] last week about all that," Chandler said. "He should be able to tell you more about it."

Wright said she thought others should also have more input in the process.

"There are other people on that committee besides Brad," Wright said. "I don't even have kids playing ball, but I think I represent the community, and I resent not being a part of the process."

"I have a problem," Chandler said. "I have a problem when there's someone on a committee that says if you can't build it like I want it, then I don't want to build it."

"That's what you're telling us now," said Scott.

Daniels said he didn't want the fields built if they weren't going to be build it right.

"This is about the whole community," Chandler said. "Everyone doesn't want lights on all the fields. I guess we just need to have a town meeting and hash all this out."

When asked about receiving more input from the parks and recreation committee, Chandler reiterated that he would take a look at the committee and make a decision.

"Why form a new committee if you've got 12 people already who are concerned and already active," asked Dunn.

"Again, I have a problem with someone saying if you're not going to build it like I want, don't build it," Chandler said.

When asked who he was referring too, Chandler would not give an answer.

"There's not going to be a committee that's always going to agree with you," Dunn said.

In other park related discussion, the mayor asked if the council would spend $10,000 of the park funding from the bond to buy new playground equipment for the Carver Gym.

"I thought we passed a bond to build a park," said Dunn. "Aren't we already spreading ourselves thin. Why spend $10,000 when we're bickering about lights?"

Alderman Cleo Johnson, Jr. said he thought it was a great idea to spend some of the funds at Carver.

"They don't have anything over there," Johnson said.

The council voted 6-1 to purchase the playground pieces with Dean Tucker, Cleo Johnson Jr., Michael Scott, Shirley Moore, Jerry Jones and James Swan voting yes and Waylon Dunn voting no. Alderman Ves Smith was not present for the meeting.

In other business the council:

*Heard that the city was scheduled to receive $132,000 in grant funding for the parks, a short fall from the original $220,000 the city was told they would receive. Chandler said the difference between the purchase price of the land for the complex ($220,000) and its appraised value ($360,000) could be considered as matching funds for the grant.

*Heard from concerned citizen Kenny Phillips who complained that a trailer had been moved into his neighborhood on Division Street against city code. He presented written documentation, which was presumed to be from the city's planning and zoning book, saying that a trailer could not be moved into a Zone 2 area and be remodeled. According to the document he provided, the structure must be moved to the site in move-in condition with exceptions being minor assembly and foundation work.

"According to this, someone can't just move a trailer in there and then remodel it," Phillips said.

Philips complained that the trailer was dilapidated and said in his opinion it was unfit for occupancy. He also said the site is "junked up" and that the mobile home "smells like a hog pen."

Chandler told Phillips he should schedule a hearing before the planning and zoning committee to let them make a recommendation to the council.

Phillips said the trailer was also moved by a city employee using city equipment on a Saturday and Sunday. He presented pictures to show the equipment in use.

"Can anyone use city equipment," Phillips asked. "Cause if they can I have a lot of yard work I need to get done around my house."

Chandler said the city doesn't have a policy against city employees using equipment for personal use.

"The city has helped everyone in here," Chandler said. "If we can't help city employees, then I don't think we need to help anyone."

*Heard from William McGlothlin who asked the city to rename the Highway 149 overpass the "Marked Tree Men of Valor" overpass.

McGlothin said he wanted the overpass to bear a sign recognizing men who had received war medals, specifically Teddy Talley, John Hayse and Tyler Craft.

"These men deserve a place of honor in our city," McGlothlin said. "I feel proud to stand up here and try to do something for these guys. They certainly deserve it."

McGlothlin suggested that the sign bear the name of all men who received valor awards, but both city council members and audience members expressed concern that someone would be left out and have their feelings hurt.

The council decided to table the issue for more discussion.

*Voted after executive session to suspend police officer Glen Austin for two weeks without pay as disciplinary action. Chandler said the item will be revisited when the chief of police returns from medical leave.

*Voted to hire Finnigan and Associates at a flat rate of $1,500 to write a Trails for Life grant for the city. The fee will be paid whether the city receives the grant funding or not.

*Voted to pay the Arkansas Natural Resource loan of $103,000 rather than extending it over 20 years with interest of $60,000.