Highfill council tables redistricting ordinance
HIGHFILL — According to unapproved minutes, the city council in Highfill, at its April 12 meeting, filled positions on the city’s parks and water commissions and tabled a motion to redistrict the city, pending further updating population figures.
Police Chief Blake Webb presented information to the council regarding funds needed to continue the renovation of the new Highfill Police Department in the amount of $147,000. The council approved moving $147,000 from general checking to the Police budget to continue the project. Toby Lester voted against the motion, with the balance of the council approving the measure.
After a briefing on the status of the city of Highfill vs. Murray condemnation suit, Mayor Rieff asked the council’s approval for City Attorney Jay Williams to move forward in seeking a settlement.
Appointed by resolution to the city’s parks commission were Kayla Phillips, Anna Myers and Megan Maier. Appointed to the city water commission were Bob Reams, Tim Oelke, Will Hanna, Randy Roth and Chris Holland.
Funds in the amount of $2,518 were transferred from the Highfill Water Revenue Fund to the Highfill Fire Department Equipment Fund.
A redistricting ordinance to equalize the city’s ward map in accord with new population figures gained from the 2020 census was tabled in an effort to take into account recent population growth in the city.
Jeff Hawkins, director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, addressed the council to explain the need for redistricting the city wards due to the results of the 2020 census, saying the current wards are grossly unbalanced. The NWARPC presented three different options to the city.
Current population numbers presented for the city’s three wards were Ward 1 — 336, Ward 2 — 328, and Ward 3 — 923. The proposed plans based on the 2020 census would have changed ward boundaries to balance the population numbers at approximately 525 per ward.
A discussion began regarding the city’s growth and the cutoff date for the 2020 census being two years ago on April 1, 2020. Since a significant amount of growth has taken place since that date, specifically in the Woodward Hills subdivision, council members agreed that they would like a more accurate account of the current population before adjusting the city wards. Hawkins said his staff would conduct a rooftop count.
A resolution was also passed correcting language in a previously adopted resolution authorizing the opening of a special police department bank account for funds that need to be kept separate from other operating funds.
Gary Swanson addressed the council regarding a waterline bore to his property which he requested in October 2021. Dustin Kahrl, director of water and wastewater, addressed the council, explained the issue and took responsibility for the delay. Kahrl said Swanson had two buildings on the property and he wanted to use well water for one structure and place the other structure on city water, raising concerns regarding the possibility of air gaps or cross-contamination between the two water sources. He assured Swanson and the council that he would follow up immediately.
An ordinance adopting current codes in use by the state of Arkansas — a fuel gas code and a plumbing code — was adopted on three readings, along with an emergency clause.
City director Chad Bosse reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting on March 30 to make plans for the rest of the year and explored ideas, including a summer movie in the park series, picking in the park or a song circle, establishing a baseball diamond, adding soccer goals, using Silver Meadows restricted funds and grant funds to add a city park to the Silver Meadows subdivision and more.
Dates were set for the following events:
• July 3 — First Baptist Church Freedom Celebration;
• August 2 — National Night Out;
• September 24 — Highfill Fall Festival.
Director Bosse also reported that the Community Building is receiving increased use since having the open house. Events are being held weekly at the facility.
Under the mayor’s report, Mayor Michelle Rief said the city’s spring tree giveaway will be on April 23, from 8 a.m. until noon at Mathias Ranch. She thanked the Logan 4-H Club for hosting and coordinating the annual city Easter egg hunt held on April 9 and she also thanked First Baptist Church for coordinating and conducting a city cleanup that was also held on April 9.