CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SPECIALCOUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

 APRIL 15, 1999

 

The members of the Eureka Springs City Council gathered for a special meeting starting at the Dan and Marcia Runge property at the top of Planer Hill. The meeting was held on April 15,1999, at 6p.m.

 

PRESENT: Alderpersons Jeffrey, Sumpter, Schrader, Stoppel, Freeland and Taylor. Mayor Satori was out of town. The press was contacted but was unable to attend.

 

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk-Treasurer, and Don Matt.

 

Alderman Jeffrey showed the members of the Council where the approximate lines were and also the definite ones. He handed out copies of a written description of the property, and also the sign lease. The Council walked the property. Alderman Jeffrey showed that the back of the property could be cleared and a retaining wall put in back there.

 

Several comments were made about the amount of money being asked for the property. Alderman Jeffrey said that the general rule of thumb for highway frontage property is $1000 to $1500 per foot. He said that it would not make any difference whether there was an appraisal done on the property. This is the price that the owners want for it and they are firm. He said he asked that the 10% for the realtor’s cost be taken off and the owner said he had never listed the property. The owners also asked that the City allow them to use the property for one year from the date of closing.

 

The billboard sign brings in $3,000 annually.  The lease on thje sign has two more years to run.

 

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CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
SPECIALCOUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 15,1999

 

The first thing that the Council did was to select a Mayor Pro Tern, since the Mayor was absent.

 

Alderman Schrader rnade the motion that Alderman Jeffrey serve as Mayor Pro Tern:

Alderman Sumpter seconded. All were in favor, 6/0/0.

 

The subject of the billboard sign was brought up. Alderman Freeland said that if the

 

City kept the lease, that would be bringing in some money.

 

Alderwoman Taylor asked Mayor Pro Tern Jeffrey what he thought. Mr. Jeffrey said that for as long as he has been on the Council and before, people have talked about buying that piece of property. He said that the City is going to build a $400,000 plus sidewalk, to end at the highway. It would be nice if it could end on a pretty piece of property with some landscaping, and possibly a visitor’s welcome center at a later date.

 

Alderman Schrader asked where the money would come from. David Beauchamp said it would come out of General Capitol reserves. Alderman Schrader said he was a little uncertain about other things that might become emergencies or problems and should the City spend the money.

 

After some discussion, the motion was made and seconded to finish the discussion and vote at the regularly scheduled meeting, which followed. The meeting then ended at approximately 6:50 p.m.