Alderman OK Land Purchase, Block Grant Plan

— Aldermen agreed Tuesday to spend more than $700,000 for park and trail land and approved the Community Development Block Grant money action plan for 2013.

Four parcels near Veterans Park was purchased for $440,000. Seven parcels, totaling 32 acres, east of Arkansas Street was purchased for $300,000.

At A Glance

Council Action

Rogers’s City Council met Tuesday and passed:

-Spending $5,000 for a desk, executive chair and three client chairs for the incoming District Court judge.

-A $4,500 contract with Hight-Jackson Associates for roof repair on the District Court building.

-Amending the Fire Department budget by $29,275. The revenue is associated with providing ambulance service to unincorporated areas in the county.

-Adopting the 2013 budget that estimates the city will receive $39,171,725 in revenue with $38,779,791 in expenses.

-A $25,000 contract with Morrison Shipley to design the Second and Locust street intersection traffic signal improvement.

-A $95,405 contract with CEI Engineering to design a Blossom Way Trail extension.

Source: Staff Report

The land near Veterans Park will be used to build three soccer fields and a concession stand with restroom facilities. Two soccer fields will be upgraded as well for a total of five lighted soccer fields.

“This will be very beneficial for our soccer program,” said Barney Hayes, park director.

The 32 acres east of Arkansas Street will be used to build trails connecting to Lake Atalanta.

“We’re planning a BMX bike trail and some natural trails that will provide better access to Lake Atalanta,” Hayes added.

The city has requested $425,000 in block grant money, said Donna Johnson, grant coordinator, in a committee meeting before the council meeting.

“We won’t know until next year how much block grant money we will receive. I suspect we get the amount we requested but I don’t know that for certain,” Johnson said.

There’s $125,000 remaining in the fund from this year. Some of that will be used to begin a sidewalk building and rehab program downtown, Johnson added.

Six houses are scheduled for rehabilitation at a cost of $100,000 under the plan. The downtown sidewalk project is budgeted at $200,000.

Transportation assistance for the elderly, the summer and after school program at the Boys & Girls Club, One Child, One Advocate, the Sunshine School, utility assistance and administration for account an additional $102,000 in block grant money.

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