CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

DECEMBER 20th, 1999

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Mayor Beau Satori called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 10 a.m., on Monday, December 20th, 1999, in the jury room of the Western District Courthouse.  The topic of discussion for the meeting was the proposed building of the Police Station and the property on which it should be built.

 

PRESENT

Mayor Satori and Alderpersons Jeffrey, Stoppel, Schrader and Sumpter.  Alderman Freeland was late.

Alderwoman Taylor was absent.

 

ALSO PRESENT

Kim Dickens, Ron and Brenda Bell, Tom Johnson, Bill Nystrom, Diane Murphy, David Rueter, Tom Laub, Chief Hyatt, and Clerk Lee.  The media was notified but no one could attend, however the meeting was televised, as are all of the meetings.

 

Kim Dickens opened the discussion by passing out last minute hand outs on properties that are available for sale.  Ron Bell offered Tract 15 on Passion Play Road, which is just behind the Exxon Station.  Genes Bland offered a list of properties, most of which had buildings on them.  Some of the properties did not seem to be as accessible.

 

The first thing that was settled was that the Council felt that a building should be built to fit the needs of the Police Department instead of paying out huge sums of money to retro-fit an existing building.  They went through the property list that Mr. Bland had presented, and were not satisfied with any of the locations or buildings to be used for this particular project.

 

They then discussed Mr. Bell’s property.  It is rolling and does not have as many trees.  It is not as level as the Johnson/Nystrom property.  There is a bit more land in that parcel, and possibility of another entrance/exit.  There were several ideas on how it could be used along with the police complex.

 

Alderman Stoppel then reminded the Council of the piece of property that is owned by the Fire Department.  He said that the property is1.36 acres and is for sale for $69,500.  Ms. Dickens said that the Council needs to look ahead and plan, and not just make a decision to save money.  The question was raised of splitting the Nystrom/Johnson lot, and they said they would consider it but that it would make two rather awkward parcels of land and the footprint of the proposed building might not fit.

 

The question was raised whether they would consider accepting the 1.3 acre parcel as partial payment for their land.  They said they would consider it, as would Mr. Bell.  They would not, however, consider  using $69,500 for the trading price.

 

Alderman Freeland asked about City-owned properties that Mayor Satori was going to check on.  Mayor Satori said that everything is less accessible and harder to find.

Alderman Freeland said he had called the McClungs and about that time there was a phone message for the Mayor that said that the McClungs would offer to extend our lease for one year.  Ms. Murphy reminded the Council that if we did that, it would cost another $40,000 plus and we still wouldn’t have anything to show for it.

 

The motion was made and seconded to read Resolution No. 470, which was written with the description of lot #5.  All were in favor to read, 5/0/0, with the understanding that Ron Bell would then have a chance to present his property.

Mr. Laub read the Resolution.

 

Mr. Bell presented his property as Lot #15.  It is 4.32 acres.  He would accept a property trade and $140,000 for the property.  He said it was not as level but that there was enough dirt in the mound on the property to fill in and level an area to build on.  He said that the dirt that has to be hauled from the street project could be dumped out there and there would be plenty of fill dirt at no cost to the City.

 

After more discussion, the motion was made and seconded to accept the proposal as it was given and approve Resolution No. 470.  The vote was 4/1/0, with Alderman Freeland voting no.

 

The motion was made and seconded to hold the Budget Meeting at 1 p.m.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

The Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

 

                                                                                    APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    Beau Satori, Mayor

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk