The January monthly meeting of the Allen City council was held Monday, January 7 at the Allen City Hall. All members; Delwayne Johnson, Mike Todd, Dianna Brannan, Rhonda Skelton and Joy Anderson were present along with City Clerk Kala Stephens, City Manager Doug Stinson, Police chief Darrel Armstrong and policeman Jeff Chambers, along with 5 guest.

After the business of approving the minutes from the past meetings and paying the bills, the council in discussion only talked about setting ordinances or rules for the newly approved medical marijuana industry. After a long discussion we agreed that we do not know what the town can do legally to regulate the industry in town and each member was assigned the task of fi nding out what other towns, attorneys and state offi cials recommend for city regulations.

A resolution to call for an election for Wards 1, 3, & 5 was passed. Those seats are currently held by Delwayne Johnson, Joy Anderson and Dianna Brannan. Filing dates for those seats will be set for February 4 thru February 6, 2019. To file you must fill out an application at the Ponotoc County election board during those dates. The nonpartisan municipal general election will be held on April 2, 2019.

The Pontotoc County Emergency Management asked for the town to approve a monthly payment of $300 to help fund that office. After some discussion, the item was tabled until further information could be gathered. The county is asking for cities outside of Ada and Byng to pay a fee figured on population, which the population of Allen is listed at 930 people. The offi ce helps coordinate fire department responses, receiving officer for the department fire tax expenditures, disaster mitigation, flood plain management and other emergency logistics.

The Allen Police Chief Darrel Armstrong submitted a new fine schedule to be approved. After looking over the list the most increase would be in the speeding schedule and the amounts would be more inline with area towns. The increases were approved and after these amounts are published they will go into effect. The town currently has one full time offi cer, Chief Armstrong, part time officers Jeff Chambers, Kimberly Word and Stephen Enos.

The fire department requested for the town to apply for fire tax money to replace the air packs that fi re fi ghters use to go into structure fires and the transmission on the engine needs repair. It is currently in the shop so we can receive a quote on repair. The board approved the expenditure requests.

Town Administrator Doug Stinson reported we were awarded a $50,000 grant that will be used to replace water meters around town.