PRAIRIE GROVE -- Prairie Grove's city plat for Belle Mead subdivision misspells the name of one city street and the City Council took care of that last week by passing a resolution to correct the spelling.
The correct name of the street is Citation Lane but the Belle Mead plat shows the city street as "Citiation Lane."
Streets in Belle Meade are named after famous race horses, said Larry Oelrich, the city's director of public works and administrative services. Citation, not Citiation, was the eighth winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 1948.
The resolution notes that the city desires to correct the misspelling and show the correct, official name.
The council's Aug. 15 meeting only lasted about 30 minutes and included several items of action. The rest of the meeting was mainly providing information to council members through committee reports.
Aldermen placed a sign ordinance amendment on second reading. The six-page ordinance provides different restrictions for signs, depending on the property zone. Portable and temporary signs are allowed by conditional use permit only.
Signs for elections are exempt from the restrictions during the period 60 days prior to and seven days following an election that takes place within the city limits of Prairie Grove.
An ordinance to approve an interlocal agreement with Washington County to regulate community sewer systems was placed on first reading.
The agreement gives the county authority to regulate community sewer systems operating within Prairie Grove city limits. Currently, the only community system in the city limits is operated by Washington County Property Owners Improvement District #5, which provides sewer service to Valley View Estates.
Council members passed a second resolution that was required as part of a $60,000 state grant received by Prairie Grove School District to install sidewalks around campus. The resolution says the city agrees to maintain the sidewalks if for some reason the school district dissolves in the future.
Mayor Sonny Hudson said he did not see that happening but noted the school district needed the resolution as part of the grant requirements.
In other business, Oelrich reported the city received a $14,000 grant from Boston Mountain Solid Waste District for a new recycling trailer.
The city has completed about 1.3 miles of sidewalk construction this year and Oelrich said he has received positive feedback from residents about the new walkways.
He said it cost the city $9,000 to repair playground equipment at Mock Park. A storm caused a large tree to fall on the equipment.
City officials thought Prairie Grove Aquatic Park would have a "banner year" attendance-wise but rainy days in July and August affected the total figures for the summer. This summer, 18,000 people came to the pool, not including private parties, swimming lessons or special events.
Hudson said he is still negotiating with the owners to purchase 3.5 acres located along the Muddy Fork of the Illinois River. The land adjoins city property near the sewer plant and would be used as part of a new city park. The city council gave Hudson authority in June to approach the owners about purchasing the land.
Hudson said the owners are interested in selling and have "shot us a price."
The land is not suitable for residential development but the owner is "pricing it as lots that can be developed," Hudson said.
"Negotiations is where we are," he added.
City Council member Dale Reed said the Planning Commission agreed to give a sidewalk variance to Mark Silva for a development at the corner of Little Elm Road and Heritage Parkway. Silva requested to be exempt from installing a sidewalk along Little Elm Road. The commission agreed to his request with the understanding a sidewalk may have to be constructed in the future.
General News on 08/24/2016