Highfill advancing to city of second class

— Passed on its first reading by Highfill City Council was an ordinance amending the definitions portion of the city's zoning code and adding a definition for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

The proposed definition for a CAFO will be that of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The proposed amending ordinance was brought before the council as a recommendation of the city's planning commission following an open hearing and meeting on the need for the amendment.

Also approved (on three readings with a single vote) was an ordinance authorizing a continuation of the 5 mil tax rate on real and personal property within the city for the year 2011 (to be collected by the county in 2012).

A third ordinance passed on its first reading acknowledges the advancement of Highfill from the status of incorporated town to a city of the second class under state law and adopts all powers, authority and responsibility related to the classification change.

The status change results from the new population figures in the 2010 Census, placing Highfill’s population within the more than 500 and fewer than 2,500 category. The new Census numbers set Highfill’s population at 583, up from 379 in 2000 and just over the 500 mark, to qualify for the status change.

The change will require the establishment of wards in the city.

In other business, the council also appointed Melissa Teters as the head of the festivals committee. As such, she will lead in organizing Trunkor Treat in the park on Oct. 30, a Christmas dinner and Highfill Hay Daze in the spring.

Fire chief Jeremy Jackson reported to the council that negotiations were under way with Bentonville for ambulance service within the city. He said Bentonville planned to bill the city a little over $18,000 for service next year based on a figure of 48 runs to Highfill in 2010. Jackson said he thinks Bentonville was counting all runs to the fire district and that actual runs within the city in 2010 were closer to 29. That would significantly reduce the amount the city would need to pay, he said.

Jackson told council members that the amount received from bills to patients doesn't cover the full cost of providing the ambulance service to the city, and the additional amount to be billed to the city was to help the service recover those costs.

Jackson praised the quality of the Bentonville ambulance service and said it would cost the city $300,000 to establish its own 24-hour service. He also expressed his opinion that Highfill should have a seat on the board if it is going to be required to pay to have the service.

Kevin Higgins, the city fire marshal, addressed the council with a suggestion the city amend its business license requirements by setting deadlines for payments, with penalties, and giving the fire marshal access to inspect businesses for basic safety issues, such as fire exits. He said he would bring his suggestions back to the council next month.

He also asked the council for guidance in dealing with the bank and owners of the Silver Meadows Subdivision, saying it was an attention deficit disorder project with some things started but nothing finished. He suggested taking a hard-line approach and requiring that it either be finished or closed up with a wall and fences to keep people out of it.

Higgins also said a spook house was coming to town and suggested they tend to violate every safety code on the books. He recommended requiring the owners to pay for an assigned firefighter tobe present during operating hours to watch for fires and ensure patrons can find exits if a fire or other safety hazard were to occur. He suggested that the firefighter be from Highfill’s department rather than another outside agency so that he would have au thority to tell them what to watch for and procedures to follow if a safety issue arose.

Higgins also suggested an ordinance be prepared before next year to ensure certain safety concerns with such operations are met.

Eric Smith, the city's police chief, said the department had received a $3,500 grant from the FBI. He also said the county sheriff's office would be able to assist the city with the cleanup of most meth labs for a fraction of the cost to hire an outside business to do so.

Water and sewer supervi sor James "Butch" Wiand told council members his department had repaired a major water leak but that now all was going well, with numerous new customers signing up for service. He said the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority voted to add the $1.50 per customer fee back for capital improvements after the existing $1.50 fee sunsets. He spoke of repair work needed on the Authority's water storage tanks near Decatur.

Speaking for Vernon Reams (who could not be present), the city's street and maintenance supervisor, Wiand asked the council to approve the expenditure of up to $500 for the removal of two dead trees on city property and the removal of a large dead branch on a park tree before winter. Councilwoman Sandy Evans said the money could probably be taken out of the Park Commission funds.

News, Pages 1 on 10/26/2011