Prairie Grove Approves New Housing Subdivision

COUNCIL SUPPORTS SALES TAX FOR ONLINE PURCHASES

PRAIRIE GROVE — Prairie Grove City Council approved the preliminary plat last week for a new subdivision in the Valley View area.

Highlands Green, Phase 2, will have about 31 lots for single-family residences and is located off Richardson Road. The development is owned by Rausch Coleman and has been on hold because of a moratorium on building permits.

The sewer system serving Valley View Estates and other subdivisions has not had a valid wastewater permit from Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality since January 2016. A permit has since been approved by ADEQ and took effect June 1.

As part of the development, Rausch Coleman will have to build a road and extend utilities.

The Council also approved a final plat for Taylor subdivision on Cactus Jack Road. Basically, the property was split from two lots into three lots, said Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works.

In other business, the Council amended the city’s personnel policy due to changes in state law concerning medical marijuana.

The amended policy states employees cannot possess, smoke or otherwise use medical marijuana while on city premises or while on duty. Employees authorized to use medical marijuana under state law are not subject to discipline solely because of a positive test for marijuana.

Aldermen approved a contract with Scott Davis to video record Prairie Grove history through interviews with people who have lived in the area. Davis will receive $40 per hour and is authorized to interview up to 25 people.

The Council amended its solicitation ordinance so that canvassers do not have to register with City Hall. City attorney Steven Parker said the city cannot require canvassers to register. Canvassers are defined as people going door to door to gather information or seek signatures.

Canvassers do have to follow the No Knock list, though city officials wondered how they would get the No Knock list if they are not required to register with City Hall.

Solicitors are required to register with the city. A solicitor is defined as a person trying to sell a service or goods.

The solicitation ordinance also was amended to allow the city to revoke a solicitors’s registration for violating the ordinance. An example is a person knocking on a door to sell something past the 8 p.m. deadline. The registration can be revoked immediately and the person will not be able to register for one year.

In other matters, the Council approved a resolution supporting legislation to collect sales taxes on internet and online sales.

Mayor Sonny Hudson said the Arkansas Municipal League has asked cities to show public support in favor of the legislation.

“This is to save your downtown businesses,” Hudson said. “Their sales are dropping because people will look in the stores and then order it online so they do not have to pay the sales tax.”