Council Considers Annexation Special Election

AREA WOULD COME IN AS AGRICULTURAL; REZONED AS REQUESTED BY OWNERS IF OK’D

PRAIRIE GROVE — The city will have to hold a special election to annex property along the new U.S. 62 Prairie Grove Bypass.

The Prairie Grove City Council placed an ordinance on first reading at its Nov. 18 meeting to call an annexation election, though the date has not been set.

Last month, city council members discussed the possibility of having an annexation election on the same day as the May 20, 2014, primary election. However, City Attorney Steven Parker said the Washington County Election Commission does not like to have annexation questions on the same day as a general election “because it messes up the ballots.”

Parker said West Fork will have a special election on April 8 to elect a new mayor and Prairie Grove could “piggyback” its annexation proposal with that election. Parker said that would save the city some money on election costs. If the council decides to go with an April 8 election, it will have to adopt its annexation ordinance no later than Feb. 7 to meet deadlines required by state law.

Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works, said special elections usually cost the city about $3,500.

Mayor Sonny Hudson presented a final annexation map to the coun- cil. The map, prepared by Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, squares off the boundaries of the city and uses quarter section lines in showing what property would be part of the annexation election.

“As with any of our annexations, we’re not trying to take anything we don’t need,” Hudson said at the council meeting.

If approved by voters, the area would come in as agricultural and be rezoned as requested by property owners.

In other action, the council approved an ordinance that requires residents to apply for a permit to burn during regular business hours. Fire Chief J.C. Dobbs said he received a call from someone on the weekend to burn and tried to accommodate the person but problems occurred with the fire.

The council also adopted an ordinance to raise fees for city permits, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Building permits for a 1,500 square foot house will increase from $495 to $585; electrical permit from $53.50 to $59.50; plumbing permit from $52 to $64; mechanical permit from $41 to $47.

A business license will cost $20, plus $2.50 per employee over three employees. Yard sale permits will increase from $2 to $5 and a dog or cat license will cost $10 per animal for neutered or spayed animals or $25 for animals that have not been neutered or spayed. The council approved annual longevity bonuses for employees. A part- time employee with less than one year receives $50. For 1-3 years of service, employees receive $75; 3-5 years receive $ 100; and employees who have worked for the city for more than five years will receive $150.

The council discussed drainage problems on Ditmars Road but did not make any decisions.

Last month, Lynn Gregson of 1111 Ditmars Rd., approached the council on behalf of neighbors about flooding. Rain from four neighborhoods drains into a declivity and when the drainage backs up, it floods the yards. Oelrich said he thought a drainage pipe could be extended and that would help the flooding. However, most of the pipe would be on one person’s property and that owner would have to grant an easement to the city. In addition, Oelrich said the work would probably damage trees and he did not want the city to be held responsible for this damage.

The council asked him to talk to everyone involved and then come back to a future council meeting with a recommendation on what to do. Oelrich said a rough estimate is that the work would cost $5,000-$6,000.

The council also approved a resolution for a new police vehicle, a 2014 Ford Interceptor, for a base price of $25,815. The police department received a $29,000 state grant for the vehicle.