PRESCOTT – Prescott council members got down to some serious issues at the Monday night meeting after a little entertainment by a local high school student named Skyler Rusher. Rusher has auditioned for American Idol and was called back for a second time, according to Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver.
“He’s an outstanding young man. He’s a good one. We are proud of him,” Oliver said, after the meeting.
Economic Development Council President Mary Godwin, along with city authorities spoke on enacting legal consequences for properties and yards that have been neglected. They are putting into place “get tough” consequences for people who obstruct the roadways with lawn trimmings and neglect properties inside the city limits.
“We have always sent out the letters and worked with people and now we’ve got a bunch that don’t want to work with it, so we’re going to have to get the prosecutor involved, Mr. Ben Hale, and so we will start writing tickets,” Oliver said. Police Chief Angela Jordan made it clear that she will not be writing tickets to elderly or disabled who cannot get out and mow the property. “I’m not going to write tickets to old folks who cannot and should not be in this heat,” Jordan assured. “We want to help them. They can call for assistance, and we can get them help with their lawn.”
Mayor Oliver also paused and recognized those from the Prescott City Council who serve on statewide advisory councils, saying Prescott is “well known in Little Rock for its experienced council members.” Howard Austin is on the Economic Development Committee, with Satarria Williams and Ivory Curry on the Public Safety Committee. Patricia Roberts is a member of the City of the First-Class panel.
“They are experienced council people and they’re putting out the effort not only locally, but they’re trying to learn all they can. And they’ve been appointed to the statewide advisory council and that experience is showing through,” Oliver said.
A summary of the legal procedures being enforced was presented by the Prosecuting Attorney for Hempstead and Nevada Counties Hale and City Attorney Eric Hughes: They have and continue to send letters and post letters. After the steps have been taken to contact and warn those who continue to neglect the yards are then subject to the following.
Anyone who violates the ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to 100 dollars, with each day counting as a separate offense. This is in addition to cleanup costs that can be turned into a lien against the property, with foreclosure possible if unpaid. The ordinance requires property owners in the city to keep their land free from weeds, trash, junk, stagnant water, and unsanitary conditions that could threaten public health. If an owner fails to comply after written notice, the city may abate the nuisance and charge the costs to the owner, creating a lien against the property. It also sets procedures for notifying owners who cannot be found and allows the city to enforce unpaid liens through court action and foreclosure when necessary. Amendments to the ordinance strengthen enforcement by shortening the notice period from20 days to14 days and clarifying lien and collection procedures. The measure was adopted to improve neighborhood appearance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of Prescott residents, according to Hale and Hughes.
Police Chief Ann Jordan handed out flyers showing pictures of how much grass is being launched into the streets. This is a notification for citizens to see which also addressed a statewide law relating to sprinklers. Mayor Oliver commented on both issues. Jordan added they are dealing with the younger able-bodied people, repeat offenders who “just won’t get out and mow their yards.” If someone does not have a working mower was not addressed, but Jordan did say “wants to work with people.
“The grass out in the road, if a motorcycle hits a high rate of speed, it’s very slick, so it causes dangerous road conditions. If you’ve got sprinkler systems, don’t just have them going out in the road hitting cars and causing erosion on the road, but that’s statewide, that’s not just Prescott. So, for citizens they need to install and maintain a sprinkler system in a manner that does not obstruct or cause danger to motorists in their lawful public road. When it comes to grass in the streets.” Oliver said this is a simple fix. “Just turn around and mow the other way,” he said.
Godwin provided the economic development update, saying the waterline improvement project by Amrize is almost done. The Potlatch grant for $52,000 with the AEDC has been approved and work will be finished in approximately six weeks. The state signed off on the wastewater improvement grant for NewTown. A.L. Franks is in the design phase, and the project will be let for bids once the design is complete. A grant from Brightspeed, she said, for $4,000 or $5,000 will be used to paint a mural on the wall across from the Shell station.
Valerie Cobb gave the Chamber update, saying community coffees were held and several are coming up. She they are currently preparing for the Fall Festival. There will be more food vendors than before. “Several vendors at the Watermelon Festival were told, “You have to come back for the fall festival.’”
She said a children’s tea party was held in July, which required two parties, as more children than expected enrolled. A cooking class for children was also held. Cobb said every event was successful and they had even more participants than were expected also in a crochet class the Chamber organized.
Curry noted the Community Feed has had over 200 in attendance. He gave a reminder that this is the community’s way of helping those in need including disabled and elderly and providing fellowship for the entire community. He said they are held every fourth Saturday at 608 Greenlawn Street. “Everybody can just come and get a plate,” Curry said.
