Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council To Apply for More Grants

It was resolution time for the Prescott City Council Monday, June 22.

The panel approved a total of four resolutions during its regular monthly meeting, with three dealing with the senior adult center.

Resolution number one gives the city approval to apply for a $325,000 grant to help pay for a new senior adult center in Prescott.

Kathy Lee, with the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, told the council the city must have a public hearing to determine need assessment, which has been done, with a new center being one of the top priorities.

The resolution, she said, allows the mayor to apply for an Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) grant.

This, she added, will be a city project, though the current center is owned by the county. Once construction has been completed on a new center, it will also be a county-run facility, but be owned by the city.

Nevada County was unable to apply for a grant to build a new senior citizens center as it has two grants at this time.

Next up were resolutions naming Trull-Hollensworth as the architects for the project and the SWAPDD as the project administrator.

Lee said there are many federal requirements involved in complying with the administrative portion of the process, and with the SWAPDD being a non-profit entity as well as being familiar with the process, it makes it easier in the long run.

Additionally, she said, the SWAPDD is designed so the grant can have more money used for the project instead of paying for administrative costs.

This project, she continued, has been recommended for funding already, and the city could have the funds available by October.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said this project has been in the works for a long time. He added, it was learned the money was available before the paperwork had been completed.

In discussing the architect, the council was told the firm selected must be approved by the ACEDP. But, the Trull-Hollensworth firm specializes in this type of facility design and should be easily approved.

Lee said the selection of the architectural firm was based on a rating system, not the lowest bid. Trull-Hollensworth was chosen because of the firm's qualifications, not what it charges.

Three firms submitted proposals for the project, Lee said.

The final resolution for the center was to actually apply for the grant money as all other requirements have been met. This the council did without question.

With the resolutions out of the way, the council heard from Mary Godwin, executive manager of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.

Godwin gave the city's governing body an update on the success of the recently completed Chicken and Egg Festival, thanking all for their assistance.

Overall, she said, the festival went well, with the board to meet and decide if it will continue to be held in June or be moved back to July. One move will be made, however, the festival could be moved to another June date so as not to conflict with other festivals going on around the state.

Taylor said an ordinance has been passed for a new library, but a board will have to be selected. The new library board, approved by the council, will be Barry Barber, Gail Reddin, Jeanie Taylor, Elaine Williams and Linda Vansickle.

The library will have a city and county board, with a construction board to oversee the actual building.

Once the library has been constructed, a permanent board will be named. This board will be the governing panel for the library.

Councilman Steve Crow brought up baseball, saying the Little League District Tournament will be held July 9-18 in Prescott. This tourney will feature teams from 11 communities, including Prescott.

Each roster will have 12 to 14 players, making this a big project, he said, and a lot of work needing to be done.

In all there will be 21 games played, but with 11 communities being represented, it also means people coming to Prescott and spending money locally.

Crow said is there was another field in Prescott, the Prescott Baseball Association (PBA) could host a state tournament.

He then asked for funds to help purchase a protective fence guard at the top of the chain link fence behind home plate. This, he said, will add safety, visibility and beauty to the fields.

The board approved spending $890 for 1,000 feet of the netting.

Walt Denton, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, brought forth more good news.

He informed the council $208,000 had been secured from the Economic Development of Arkansas Communities organization to two road projects.

One of these projects will be to help the Rip Griffin Truck and Travel Center, to the tune of $105,000.

The remaining $103,000 will help construct a road for Hanson Gravel.

Denton said the only hold-up for Rip Griffin, at this time, is getting approval from Wendy's for site construction. A Wendy's fast-food restaurant will be built into the truck and travel center.

The company is also looking for a ne construction leader, as there have been problems with the former one.

Denton said representatives from Griffin are saying Prescott is a "front-burner" project, with construction to begin as soon as the delays have been cleared up.

"They're a very deliberate company," Denton said of Griffin. "This project is moving forward and we could see work starting this summer."

Money for the Prescott Rural Water Project will become available in July, he said. This is a $4 million project. "We didn't expect to be in this position until 2001, and have had to move our timetable up."

Meetings will have to be held throughout the county to get residents to sign up for the project.

A proposal for the new medium security facility has been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The short list could be announced at any time, Denton said, with these communities to be visited.

Selection for the facility is expected to be made by August. "I feel we have a realistic chance to land the project," Denton told the council.

Denton's good news wasn't over with at this point. He said Barbara Pardue, director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED), formerly the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, stating Prescott is the first city in the state to be certified as an ACE community under the new guidelines.

"It will help on all levels," Denton said.

He closed saying two prospects visited Prescott recently after being sent by the ADED. "I felt it went well and we could make both companies's short lists."

Neither of these companies, Denton said, is Arkansas specific in picking a final location.

Karen Ward wrapped things