The Prescott City Council heard reports Monday night on downtown revitalization efforts, chamber activities and upcoming community events during its regular May meeting.

The meeting can be seen in its entirety below this story.

Valarie Cobb, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, told the council the past month “is probably the busiest one that I have had as a chamber director.”

Cobb said the chamber helped Hamilton Haven host a community coffee that drew a large crowd. “It was possibly one of the largest ones that I have had,” Cobb said.

Cobb also discussed downtown revitalization meetings that continue to attract strong participation. She said the most recent meeting filled the library meeting room to the point organizers kept bringing in more tables and chairs. “It's been good input,” she said.

Cobb said participants walked through parts of downtown following the meeting to examine the condition of several buildings. “That was an eye opener to the state of some buildings, but we didn't get discouraged,” Cobb said.

Cobb said an architect joined the walk-through and offered opinions about the condition and stability of buildings. She said he suggested contacting a Harding University group that could help Prescott develop ideas and long-term plans for downtown improvements.

City Accountant Carl Dalrymple suggested creating an organization with tax-exempt status to encourage donations for revitalization work. “Form an association and get it declared tax exempt, so people can contribute money to it,” he said.

Cobb agreed fundraising will play a major role in any redevelopment effort: “It is going to take donations if people don't want to put their own money into their own building.”

Cobb also updated the council on recent chamber events, including book signings. She also discussed the chamber’s annual scholarship banquet and Arkansas Scholars presentations at both Nevada and Prescott schools. The chamber awarded $250 scholarships to students at both districts.

Cobb later described the “Get Real on Finance” program at Prescott Schools, where students managed simulated household budgets based on assigned careers and family situations. “Some of them did really, really well,” Cobb said. “Some of them broke the bank real quick.”

During citizen's comments, Jessica Box, on behalf of the Prescott-Nevada County Health Alliance invited council members and residents to attend the community’s Juneteenth celebration June 19 at McRae Park.

Box said organizers plan to include a parade as part of the event, which will start at 10:30 a.m at the Pizza Hut.

She said State Sen. Fred Love who is the Democratic nominee for governor will participate along with other speakers and community leaders.

The council also heard comments from a resident concerning a dispute with neighbors over a barking dog.