BELLA VISTA — Commercial property is on its way into the city, pending any appeal, Mayor Frank Anderson said Monday night at the City Council meeting.

In the latter part of February, if an appeal is not filed, the city will annex the land south of current city limits, to include the area known as Old Bella Vista across from Lake Bella Vista, south along U.S. 71 then crossing the highway to pick up Crye-Leike, AT&T and Walgreens but not Benton County Road 40.

Six other parcels that were recently annexed voluntarily could contribute to city revenue as well, including the new Mercy clinic, Cooper Elementary, VFW Post 9063, the Veterans Wall of Honor and two parcels owned by the Bella Vista Property Owners Association.

These parcels were rezoned by ordinance Monday night, after aldermen unanimously voted to waive three required readings and adopt an emergency clause putting the zoning into effect immediately.

The lots will be zoned C-4, with the exception of the Veterans Wall of Honor and one of the POA lots, which will be set at P-1 open space.

The Police Department got the go-ahead to purchase five new vehicles, including one four-door pursuit vehicle, two Chevrolet Equinoxes, one Ford F-150 extended cab pickup and one Dodge four-door pickup.

Shawki Al-Madhoun and Dwayne Smith were appointed to the Planning Commission and Board of Construction Appeals, respectively.

Alderman Jerry Snow was elected to serve as this year’s mayor pro-tem, after Anderson voted in Snow’s favor to create a majority vote. Alderman Allen King nominated Snow for the position, while Alderman Dick Rooney nominated Alderman Jim Wozniak and Morgan nominated Rooney. Snow received three votes, including himself, King and Alderman Larry Wilson, and a vote of four was required.

The council will hold work sessions on the Monday before regular meetings. The next work session is set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, and Anderson said he hopes the meeting room at City Hall’s new location at Town Center would be finished by then. Otherwise, the meeting will be held in the Fire Department training room.