Ward 1 has no candidate, so write-ins considered

PRESCOTT – At the Monday, March 28 Prescott City Council meeting, the council approved a lease agreement with Leo’s Landing, approved a Magee Park map proposal and announced a joint workshop with the town of Oak Grove coming up in early April.

A map proposal for Magee Park adds two adjoining parcels to the park area which are not officially part of the park.

City Administrator Matt Wolf said, “The idea is taking all four parcels and working with Cedar Corp and have them put together an actual certified survey map and update our outdoor recreation comprehensive plan as part of that to combine all four parcels into one and make it one official park.”

The certified map survey proposal to be made in cooperation with Cedar Corporation was approved to not exceed the amount of $3500.

During new business, the council approved a new lease agreement for Leo’s Landing.

“Our current agreement with Leo’s Landing ended on Dec. 31, 2021,” Wolf said. “We met with them late December to discuss a two-year extension at $12,000 a year and we have come to agreement terms with them.”

Alderperson Thomas Oss made a comment during this time about his disapproval of the lease agreement.

“If I had a neighbor that on multiple occasions did not have the courtesy to notify me of significant plans to alter the landscape on or within feet of my property, I believe that I would have grounds to be upset and feel disrespected,” Oss said. “If that neighbor then proposed that I enter into a binding contract with them I would be more upset. I am not going to take the time of this meeting to fill everyone in on this … so that’s all I have to say.”

Oss voted in opposition to the motion; however, it still passed.

Representatives from Leo’s Landing were in attendance; both they and the council expressed a few concerns about the maps that were presented in the packet. But the motion passed with the assurance of up-to-date assessors plat maps to be held in the city’s files.

Mayor Dave Hovel said, “I’d entertain a motion to approve the amendment and the agreement with the understanding that we will add the assessor's plat initialed by both parties.”

Also during new business, the council unanimously approved a temporary Class B liquor license and noise permit for the Prescott Fire Department. The department will host its annual Spring Fling on April 30.

Other business The Coulee River Trails group will be removing buckthorn from Magee Park and received approval from the council to do so.

Alderperson Bailey Ruona outlined the limitations to the approval.

“The Coulee River Trails group is looking to start removing buckthorn … we would not allow any motorized equipment for the removal for liability concerns and we will be requiring a copy of the safety data sheet notification of herbicide application.”

A joint workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 between the city of Prescott and the town of Oak Grove to discuss the Coulee River Trails project.

The city council’s organizational meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 following the April 5 election. The elected major will assign council members to committees and commissions during this meeting.

Other comments made at this time revolved around the upcoming election on April 5. Currently no candidates are running to represent Ward 1, so all write-ins will be considered during the election for this position. If no one is elected, the mayor will be able to appoint someone to the open alderperson position.