FARMINGTON -- City Council members gave the OK last week to advertise a request for qualifications from architectural and engineering firms for a new public works building on Broyles Street.
The Council will give final approval for a consultant selection. Once selected, the firm would be responsible for preparing construction documents to put the project out for bid.
Mayor Ernie Penn is proposing the city construct an 80-foot by 120-foot metal building on the west side of Broyles in Creekside Park. The building would be located 200-300 feet away from the street and be partly hidden by a thicket of trees located in that area of the park.
City staff is estimating the building will cost about $100,000. If approved, the project would be included in the 2017 budget using general reserve funds.
Farmington City Council also voted to grant Penn the authority to negotiate the sale of two city properties, the former library building and the current public works building, both on Rheas Mill Road.
Penn said he plans to go ahead with trying to sell the old library but will wait on the public works building. One idea, he said, is to accept sealed bids for the old library with a minimum bid. The building will be sold "as is."
The City Council would have final approval on the sale.
In other action, the Council voted 7-1 to give its approval for the rezoning of property in Fayetteville but adjacent to Farmington city limits. Council member Diane Bryant voted against the rezoning, which also was approved by Farmington Planning Commission.
The resolution states the rezoning would not adversely impact the city of Farmington.
Rausch Coleman Homes requested the land be rezoned to Neighborhood Conservation. The property is north of Colfax Loop and behind Williams Elementary School on Broyles Street. The land will be used to extend Rausch Coleman's development called The Coves.
A Rausch Coleman representative said Fayetteville City Council approved the rezoning request on its end.
Penn reported that revenue from sales tax receipts continues to increase. Revenue from the 1-cent city sales tax and county sales tax is up by $4,330 for August, compared to August 2015.
Last year, the city received $131,402 in August from city and county sales tax revenues. This year, it took in $135,722 in August.
In committee reports, Brenda Coleman, chairwoman of the City Beautification Committee, said she is looking at new Christmas lights for Creekside Park and the vacant lot next to Farmington Public Library. No action was taken on this report.
General News on 09/21/2016