Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Annexation Approved; Appeal Possible (cont)

xit 44 at a cost of about $600,000. This, he said, would be done as business and industry came to the area.

Taylor said he doesn't know what it will cost to buy out AP&L on the electrical end of the project. "They'll do a survey and make the city an offer," he said. A bond issue could be passed in order for the city to purchase the electrical equipment from AP&L.

When asked about what business and industry is considering locating in the area, Taylor said he was not at liberty to discuss it or divulge any names.

Hale then questioned the signature of Thelma Moore on the petition. He said the name on the petition did not match the signature on her voter registration card. Taylor said he did not speak with Moore, but spoke with her daughter, who, he informed the court, had power of attorney for the elderly lady and signed it.

Vasser, in recrossing Taylor, asked if the land would be more valuable after the annexation, and was told it would. "Most of the owners agreed to use the land industrially if they get the chance," Taylor said. "There are some good sites there."

He said no one is being sold a bill of goods and the expansion will not occur overnight. "It takes time and work," Taylor said. "The revenues generated from it will help pay for it (the utility services). Everything on the plans is not essential (at this time), and we hope to add it in the future. It's not necessary for this development."

Jim Sharkey, the new director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, was initiated into his position under fire. He told the court he has about 25 years experience in economic development and has looked at the area in question, along with reviewing the characteristics of the land.

He said there are three commercial prospects and one industrial prospect interested in the region, with Hope real estate broker Janice Walker dealing with another prospect. Sharkey said one prospect is interested in about seven acres at the southwest corner, while the industrial prospect wants about 40 acres. The fourth prospect, he said, is a commercial venture with an option on approximately 80 acres owned by the Pittmans.

"These are more than pie in the sky," he said. "All are contingent on annexation. Without it, it will not become a reality." Sharkey said one of the prospects was in town recently and is interested in making an announcement. "They're ready to do business in Prescott," he continued.

In discussing the economic impact of the businesses in question, Sharkey said the truck and travel center would hire 100 people, with 98 percent being local residents. The capital investment would be about $5 million with a projected payroll of $1.2 million annually. The city and county would benefit about $150,000 per year from the additional taxes generated from it.

The business at exit 46, he said, would need about 36 people, with 95 percent of them local residents. Their capital investment would be $300,000, with $800,000 per year in net receipts, and a payroll of about $500,000 yearly. The water and sewer revenue alone would be $2,866 yearly.

"We've got to have the utilities for both projects," he said.

He said the area around Prairie DeAnn will be no problem for the annexation either. Sharkey told the court in order for the annexation to even be considered, the state historical agencies had to approve and did. The annexation will have no effect on the area's cultural resources and the agencies involved gave their clearance for it to go ahead.

The prospects, he said, need the water, sewer and electricity in place. They already have an adequate access to transportation in the area with the interstate, highways 19 and 24 and rail service. "It's an ideal location," he said. "There's great visibility. They (prospects) need the city services, especially police and fire protection.

"My job is to develop this community. This is necessary if I'm to create jobs and develop business here."

Hale asked Sharkey where he currently lived, and was told Hot Springs, but the Sharkeys are looking for a house in Prescott. He said he could not name the prospects, but they are viable.

Sharkey said all the land to be annexed is not needed for industrial growth at this time, but the frontage is necessary. The most likely area to be developed first, he said, is along Highways 19 and U.S. 371 (Highway 24 West.

Vasser, in his recross, reminded Sharkey the property to be annexed must be contiguous.

Civil Engineer Jim Rice was the fourth witness Vasser put on the stand. Rice said he's worked with the city on a number of other project over the years and has done studies for getting utilities to the annexation area.

Rice said getting utilities to the region would be done in a series of projects over a period of years, but there is a master plan to get utilities to all who live there.

He said the plans should be ready in 90 days, at which time the city will advertise for bids. Construction could begin by early spring and be completed by the end of next year for the first phase. Rice told the court the EDA requires the project be started within 300 days, which poses no problem.

According to Rice, the EDA grant and the money the city has set aside should be enough to cover the cost of Phase I. Depending on the cost of labor and material in the future, he said residences could be added onto the water and sewer line at a cost of between $110,000 and $115,000.

Rice said the way the plans have been drawn up, each phase compliments the next and makes it easier to hook onto as needed.

Under Hale's questioning, Rice said his firm, NRS, Inc. of Texarkana, is not qualified to do any electrical work and could answer no questions concerning getting electricity to the area.

He did say the plans as drawn would provide for plenty of water to the region, with two lift stations being able to handle the sewage.

Janice Walker told the court she represents members of the Hale family, though not Gene, and has an exclusive listing to sell four tracts of land for commercial development only. She said listing property exclusively for commercial development is not unusual as commercial land is worth more than farm land.

The contract, she said, is for her to get the best use at the highest price possible. "People are waiting in line," she said. "The sale is contingent on water and sewer. The annexation is vital and the offer is authentic. Contracts have been signed and earnest money put down. The close is pending on the contingencies of water and sewer."

Walker, however, would not disclose the business interested in the property.

She told the court the property was shown several times before the city received the EDA grant, with no one showing any interest in it.