Pea Ridge is officially a first-class city. The population places the city in the criteria for first-class city and City Council members approved an ordinance Tuesday approving the status.
State codes provide that all cities having more than 2,500 inhabitants shall be deemed cities of the first class. The population of Pea Ridge more than doubled from 2000 to 2010 with a current population of 4,794.
The November City Council meeting was opened with a public hearing. No one attended the hearing to contest the lien on the Bedwell property. City Councilmembers approved the $928.40 lien. Clean-up costs included $206.40 for mowing and trimming, $295 for debris clean-up, $50 for code enforcement office, postage and recording fees and $350 for attorney’s fees.
City ordinance No. 141 allows for the city to “remove and abate the unsightly and unsanitary conditions” after proper notice is given when property owners fail to do so. The property owner, Matthew Bedwell of Fayetteville has not responded to the city’s requests for payment, according to city official Tony Townsend.
In other business, council members:
◊ Approved adoption of the Arkansas Energy Code, as required by the state;
◊Appointed Richard Hardwicke as prosecuting attorney;
◊Re-appointed Jennifer Wright to the Library Board;
◊Approved the 2013 budget;
◊Approved pay for City Council and Planning Commission members;
◊Approved end of the year merit awards for city employees.
The December Council meeting was set for Thursday, Dec. 27.
News, Pages 1 on 11/28/2012