Keep El Dorado Beautiful is considering seeking 501(c)(3), nonprofit status to help bolster its mission of ridding the city of litter.
Judge Jack Barker, of 35th Judicial District Court, told KEB members Monday that in order for KEB to use the labor of defendants who work off court-mandated fines through community service, the group would have to form a 501(c)(3).
Barker said he has hired a team to track the hours of defendants who work to pay off fines and the amount they owe and to make sure the hours are properly recorded in his office.
He noted that defendants earn $10 an hour and the amount is credited to the balance of their fines.
“We want to make sure they get credit. We don’t want them working, and they’ve already paid off their fines,” the judge said.
KEB members previously discussed the matter after Janis Van Hook, KEB president, said she had been approached by district court defendants who were interested in partnering with KEB to work off fines.
Barker said the defendants would also have to be monitored while they are working, and monitors would have to sign off on an applicable form and ensure it is submitted to district court.
“So someone will have to stay with them the entire time?”KEB member and Alderman Dianne Hammond asked.
“Yes, to make sure they’re doing the work,” Barker said, adding that if KEB volunteers to monitor defendants, the group will have to secure nonprofit status.
Hammond said she is working with City Attorney Henry Kinslow to research the matter.
She also asked if KEB could identify problem areas to be assigned to defendants.
KEB member Jeri Ratcliff said there are several areas around town, including the spots behind Mellor Park Mall and Washington Middle School, that need daily attention.
“It would be something that would never end,” Ratcliff said.
Van Hook agreed, referring to comments that were previously made by KEB member Dan Roblee, general manager of Clean Harbors, shortly after a community cleanup in Ward Three in 2017.
“Dan said they cleaned the area behind Washington Middle School, and they cleaned that area good, and they came back four or five hours later, and it was a mess again,” Van Hook said.
Of using labor from district court defendants, she noted, “It’s something that would help us and help the city. People have cleanups, but not every day.”
In other business, Van Hook reminded the group that it’s time to conduct KEB’s annual litter index survey.
Each year, the group selects streets in each of the city’s four wards to evaluate as part of requirements to maintain certification with Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
The areas are rated on a scale between one and four, with one being the best and four the worst.
Results are based on such criteria as litter on the ground, overgrown lots, and outside storage.
The survey must be completed around the same same time each year, and KEB conducts its survey each April.
At least eight people, age 18 or older, must participate in the survey. The number excludes the driver of the vehicle in which the group rides.
The sixth annual survey is tentatively set for 8 a.m. until noon on April 28.
Ratcliff also reported the annual Plant the Town Purple event will not coincide with Earth Day this year.
Earth Day is Sunday.
KEB partners with Northwest elementary school to distribute purple plants, Purple Hearts, for students to take home and encourage their families to plant them.
The event is held in conjunction with Earth Day each year.
Because of freezing temperatures during the winter and early spring, Ratcliff said her Purple Hearts were destroyed.
“So, I didn’t have the cuttings to take to Northwest,” she said.
Several other KEB members said they experienced similar issues with their purple plants.
Ratcliff said she is working with a local nursery to purchase new plants.
She noted that promoting the event separate from Earth Day may help KEB better spread its message of anti-litter, beautification and recycling.
“Plus, it will be closer to Mother’s Day,” she said.
Van Hook said she is also creating three new positions to help raise awareness about KEB: a promotional position; an Activity Director to spearhead projects, such as Plant the Town Purple, in which KEB works with local schools; and a “speaking person” to address local civic groups, clubs, etc.
She also told the group that a local club has expressed interest in joining KEB.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.