Oliver’s statement said the wastewater collection system on Wildcat Road “surcharges and sometimes overflows during extensive rain events.” This is characterized as a seasonal issue.
Oliver wants the community to know that the city of Prescott has not forgotten the residents in that area and has made several attempts to fix the problems. But a lack of funds and resources has made it impossible to fix without involving contractors.
Explaining that the lift station which receives the wastewater flow is not adequate to handle the volume that comes through during heavy rain, Oliver said that there are also additional problems with the system at Wildcat Road whose sources have yet to be identified. The city is therefore working with A.L. Franks Engineers to locate the causes of those problems and determine what improvements are needed.
Oliver said the study needed on Wildcat Road is included in the larger batch of wastewater projects planned in the city which will also include an estimate of how much sewer rates need to increase to finance the needed upgrades. In closing, Oliver said, “We want to let the citizens know we haven’t forgotten them on the Wildcat Road.”
Councilman Howard Austin said he had visited residents in the area, which is in his ward, and saw that sewer waste was coming up into bathtubs and commodes. He said he would try to tell them efforts are underway to help them, but they had been dealing with the issue for a long time. “What can I tell them?” Austin asked. “I tell them I’m trying, but they don’t see anything.”
An attendee suggested that portable bathrooms be placed in the area. Discussion followed in which the necessity of alerting the Arkansas Department of Health so that emergency services can be brought to Wildcat Road for the residents.
Councilwoman Roberts asked how the residents would hear about the statement Oliver read. Oliver said a copy of the notice would be given to the media. Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office Executive Director Mary Godwin said she would be attending a conference next week in which state offices will have booths set up and she would speak to relevant agencies about declaring an emergency so that work can be done at Wildcat Road sooner.
In other business, John Noggle, pastor at Prescott United Methodist Church advocated during Citizens Questions for Prescott Water & Light to offer levelized billing to its ratepayers, so that the higher bills of summer can be averaged with other months so that bills are more manageable for lower income residents.
Electric operations manager Larry Jones said the current computer software being used to calculate bills does not have a way to process levelized billing but said a new system is needed now due to other problems so he will investigate whether a system that features levelized billing can be acquired that does not result in the city losing money. He cautioned that some systems won’t allow levelized building to customers whose electricity has been shut off in the past for late payments. Those over 65 and those who are disabled can apply for a waiver of late fees, Jones said.
Godwin reported on her conversation with A.L. Franks engineer Kyron Brown who visited an ongoing drainage project in the McRae area. Brown said the project’s timetable for completion is between 90 and 100 days from now. She said she also asked him to look at a road near the TransAmerica truck stop along I-30. She told the council the sections of a road near there needs replacing and drainage problems need addressing. This is an expense that can be covered by the current sales tax and engineering can be done in the winter and the project begun next summer.
She also said on Martin Street a sidewalk is needed for students. She said since there are empty lots and houses in the area, she would check with any property owners who could be identified to see if the land could be used for sidewalks.
Godwin also announced that a 75-25 grant is available to be applied to for damage from natural disasters and she is sending the posting announcing the grant to the mayor’s office. A $7,400 grant for Prescott Police will be awarded that will help outfit police vehicles.
Mayor Oliver said the Policeman’s Ball, held last week, which raised funds to provide necessities to children of low-income households, went better than was expected.