Calico Rock Council considers easement request
All members but Howard Jeffery were in attendance last Monday evening when the Calico Rock City Council convened in regular June session.
As there were no comments from the public and no questions regarding the Treasurer’s Report, Mayor Hamby began his regular update to the Council advising that the city had received a ballot in the mail from North Arkansas Electric Co-Op (NAEC) sent to all customers for the organization’s Board of Directors.
Auditors had apparently advised that completion of the ballot should be presented to the Council for approval. Since these ballots are sent to all NAEC customers, the Council quickly approved authorizing the Mayor to proceed to complete and return the ballot.
Various project now underway are all moving forward, albeit slowly. Additionally, Hamby advised that the city is pursuing grant opportunities available through the National League of Cities.
There was no update on the water tower project other than a survey had been completed to identify the boundaries of the small piece of property that the city is working to acquire to enable erection of the new stand-pipe tower adjacent to the existing elevated water tank on the bluff on Chessman Ferry Road.
Izard County Chief Investigator Geoffery Watts provided the Sheriff’s report for the prior month advising the department had responded to a total of 62 calls which resulted in seven arrests (4 – drug, 1 – DWI and 2 other).
The Mayor next shared that city work crews had been dealing with a number of leaks which appeared following the loud boom heard by many local residents a few weeks earlier. He went on to say that there was no confirmed correlation, however it did seem curious. Historically, hot dry weather results in an increase in water line leaks as the soil dries and shifts, more so than cold temps affect lines in the winter months.
Moving along to Parks, Hamby shared that another fence had been installed at the side of the Earl King Park pavilion that had been donated by the King family. It matches the fence in place on the other side of the structure.
Work continues by the Street Committee in the identification of city streets in need of repair and/or resurfacing. Once identified, the committee will take a stab at prioritizing them such that work can be done first on the streets most in need of attention.
Fire Chief Jeff Sanders presented his monthly report first by stating that there was not a whole lot to report. He did highlight the fact that a water rescue had been performed on Piney Creek following recent storms.
Of course, the department continues to engage in training activities in various areas. Additionally, volunteers participated in the recent Lions Rodeo parade and also were present during the rodeo events to provide emergency aid if needed.
Sanders voiced his concern over slow response time by Vital Link during a recent situation in which had they responded more quickly the community would not have lost one of its leading citizens who suffered a heart incident at her home. All agreed that 30-45 minute response time was unacceptable, especially in the situation Sanders referenced.
Per contract with Izard County to provide emergency transportation services, Vital Link maintains only two (2) on duty ambulance teams in the county, one seven days a week in Melbourne while the other alternates between Horseshoe Bend and Calico Rock.
Sanders closed by reminding those present that the department’s annual BBQ chicken dinner fundraiser was fast approaching, scheduled for Tuesday, July 3rd prior to the Buckin’ On the Rock event at the Tip Wiseman Rodeo Arena which will again be followed by the Lions fireworks show.
Next the Council considered the amendment to existing City Ordinance 2014-02, Section 3 which defines the penalty for late payment of a city business license, a proposed change put forth by City Recorder/Treasurer Kim Simons last month.
As discussion on the merits of the change had been discussed and approved, formal approval was quickly given by unanimous vote. The amendment may be read in its entirety on page X of this publication.
Moving along to New Business, the Council heard from resident Dustin Jennings who presented a request that the city grant him an easement across city owned property to allow access to his land-locked property near Roselawn Cemetery.
The request asked that a small strip running along the edge of the cemetery be granted as an easement by the city to allow him access.
Taking questions from various Council members, Jennings advised that he was not going to be driving through the cemetery on existing roadways, but instead would have a new road to his property constructed along a small strip on the edge. He also confirmed that he did not intend to move a number of vehicles to the property. . . .”I’m not starting a junk yard,” stated Jennings.
Additionally, when asked if he had approached other property owners of land surrounding his property as to their willingness to grant him an easement, he responded that he had not. The city was the first and only property owner he had approached.
When asked for a dollar figure that he proposed to pay for the easement should it be granted, Jennings unfortunately had not yet developed one. Following a recommendation from the City Attorney, any action by the Council on the request was tabled until the next meeting.
In an off-line conversation with Mr. Jennings following the meeting, he understood the position of the Council and knew he had some additional work to do including developing and offer for an easement from the city and contacting other adjoining property owners.
