Seeking to purchase a .18 acre portion of land owned by Alan and Linda C. Ash on Davis Street, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and city recorder to contract with the landowners.

At the regular meeting of the Pea Ridge City Council Tuesday, May 18, three of the four council members were present. Councilman John Cody was absent.

The purpose of purchasing the tract of land on Davis Street is to advance the city’s drainage system, M.J. Hensley explained at the meeting. Usually, property owners grant permission for the city to work on their land. The lot on Davis Street, however, is bank owned, therefore requiring the purchase of the tract needed to restructure the ditch for drainage.

The Davis’ originally requested $10,000 for the tract, but afterappraisal of the land the city agreed to pay $6,600.

Two existing drainage structures will be replaced in one of the seven drainage areas in town to improve water flow from the flood plain. Straightening out the existing drainage ditch, by relocating the ditch on the Ash’s land, will also aid in water flow. Hensley said the project will be designed to last 100 years.

“(The existing corrugated pipe) is not durable, it’s rusted and fallen through the middle,” Hensley said.

In other business, council members:

◊Approved $41, 750 of impact fees for the new restroom facility at CityPark. Contrumarr, Inc., of Bentonville, will begin construction and by contract be finished within 30 working days; and

◊Approved a contract with Precision Rescue for the purchase of fire department rescue tools; and

◊Approved waiving the requirements of competitive bidding to purchase Amkus hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools.

City attorney Howard Slinkard pointed out that the bidding process is not mandated by state law, but by city ordinance.

The next meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

News, Pages 1 on 05/26/2010