The Marked Tree City Council met in regular session Monday night with all councilmen but James Swan in attendance. The main discussion of the night, as it had been for a number of meetings, concerned the city's recreation park.

Chandler began by saying that Councilman Waylon Dunn and project engineer Mike Cameron met and came up with suggestions concerning the proposal for next year's grant for the additional work to be done on the park.

"The budget for asking for next year's grant included a water park, play grounds, lighting, a pavilion and other miscellaneous things," said the Mayor. "These things weren't in the grant this year because the other things we're doing now had to be done first."

The totals for that grant were listed as $150,000 for the water park, $75,000 each for playgrounds one and two, $50,000 for security lighting and $150,000 for miscellaneous items for a total of $500,000. Half of that will be asked for with the city matching with the other half.

Chandler then called on Cameron to address the matter and the engineer said the bids had to be turned in by August 28 so as to get in the forefront of the selection process.

"We need to get grass planted as quick as we can so they can start playing on the ball fields next year," said Cameron. "We're taking a risk on getting the money so we can get it ready by then."

When asked about the lights for the fields which are one of the highest costs in the bid package, Cameron said, "My gut feeling is that we can go ahead and take bids on the lights and everything else and can get lights for the fields, concessions stands and the rest."

"What if we took the word 'security' off the request for lighting," asked Chandler.

"Well, security lighting is just that, for security," said Cameron.

"'Security' is probably not the most advantageous term to use," said Miki Willoughby of Shaw-Willoughby, the grant writers.

Dunn asked how much was projected for security lighting and Cameron answered that it was $4,500, but added that that amount was not nearly enough.

"The worst thing I see happening is that we get lights in just one ball park not all of them," Cameron said. "But with the work that's been done and going to be done like the land, grading, gravel and other things, these cost savings can be spent on other things such as lighting."

Chandler then changed the direction of the discussion somewhat when he asked if the cities who were in the "top five" with regard to grant requests, would they receive the money by January.

"With what's in the (grant request) it should be ranked high," answered Cameron. "They go by the score when ranking the grants."

"We'll do all we can with the bids you've already done," concluded Cameron. "Then we'll come back next year with other things on bids for irrigation, seeding cover and the like. We need to get the seeding done by the first of September."

A motion was then made by Councilman Mike Scott and seconded by Councilman Jerry Jones to authorize receiving bids for seeding and mulch cover.

In other business, Eddie Brawley informed the council that he had taken bids for the city's sewer work last Friday.

"We broke it into two contracts," said Brawley. "We ran the bid in the Democrat-Gazette so it would have state wide coverage. Kajacs out of Poplar Bluff was the low bidder and we are recommending that the contract be awarded to them. They have 100 days to complete the main line sewer work and have a 100% performance bond."

The measure passed with virtually no discussion

Tree City ordinance

A motion was read concerning the possibility of establishing a committee to look at the possibility of having Marked Tree designated as a Tree City.

"Mary Ann (Arnold, who has been instrumental in the effort) asked that the ordinance be passed tonight so that we can start planting trees as soon as possible," said Suzie Williams who was speaking for Arnold.

"By being a tree city we can qualify for additional grants of different types," said Chandler.

"Will anything have to be removed anywhere to plant the trees?" asked Scott.

"Nothing except possibly a fire hydrant or something like that," said Williams.

A motion was made by Councilman Cleo Johnson and seconded by Scott to pass the ordinance, but before a vote could be obtained, a number of questions were raised from the floor.

The question of whether the city would have the authority to plant trees and alter private property caused enough discussion that Councilman Dean Tucker suggested that the matter be tabled until those questions could be answered. It was agreed to do so.

Veterans' memorial

A suggestion referred from July by William McGlothlin that the Highway 75 overpass be named for the many veterans of Marked Tree was readdressed.

"We have a memorial in town already," said Chandler. "But he wants to put specific names on the bridge if we can do it or at least have a sign out there. What do all of you want to do?"

"It would be hard to get all the names on there," said Tucker. "And we might miss someone. We could name the bridge, though."

When asked what exactly was discussed in the July meeting, clerk Pam Wright read that specific area from the previous minutes.

Finally, it was decided to ask McGlothlin to come up with a plan for implementation of his suggestion and the council would make a decision from there.

Other items discussed included:

* Different buildings in town which were in the process of being torn down once deeds were obtained.

* The upcoming Cotton Pickin' Jubilee and The Traveling Wall which will be bringing 274 veterans from 47 states to the city.

* Getting lights for The Traveling Wall location.