City Hall construction OKd by Council

Pea Ridge City Council members passed a resolution approving an agreement with Pea Ridge School District to coordinate construction of a new City Hall/ school administration building. At the meeting on Feb. 23, Mayor Jackie Crabtree said he believes the new building will be a bright spot for Pea Ridge and will show newcomers that the people of the town know how to work together.

Street Superintendent Nathan See told the council the city has been approved for state aid street funding to repair a couple of streets. Greer Street from the paved section to Washburn Drive will be widened, and Shrader Street from Greer Street to the city limits will be restored, he said.

See also received permission from the council to seek bids for a dump truck. He said one would probably cost about $65,000. He also told the council the department has a grader and a sweeper it needs to sell. The council approved declaring the items surplus and putting them up for sale.

The council heard the results of an audit of the water/wastewater department. Matt Przybysz, CPA, said the audit showed minimal changes from the previous year and no findings of significant deficiencies. He said the department’s day-to-day operations are highly profitable.

A bid for $58,000 was approved on a new multipurpose room for the Pea Ridge Library. Crabtree said the library has the funds in its budget.

Police Chief Ryan Walker reported he attended a meeting of all the police chiefs in Benton County, at which the chiefs voted to have a standard mutual aid memorandum of understanding. Each city would sign the agreement with each other city so

that, in case of emergency or natural disaster, they could request aid from one another with fewer legal worries. The council discussed a resolution on the matter but tabled it because of a problem with the wording.

Walker also told the council the police department has its new animal control truck, a 2008 model with 8,000 miles on it.

The council appointed Chris Johnson to the Planning Commission; Crabtree swore him in.