Investment Approaches City Council to Develop Eyesore Property

The Mountain View City Council met in regular session July 12. Among old business, the council discussed moving cash deposits, owned by the city, from Simmons Bank to West Plains Bank. Alderwoman Judi Colter supported moving the funds, saying that West Plains Bank may be easier to work with, being a locally owned bank. Colter stated that contact with Simmons Bank has been difficult at times. The funds would serve as collateral for financing updates to the city’s sewer system, while the city waits on grant money. Following discussion, the council voted to move the cash deposits to West Plains Bank. 

A property at 123 North Elm, which had been donated to the city, was again discussed by the council. An investment group has proposed an entertainment facility on the property which would be geared toward video gaming. The property would be transferred to the investment group with the promise of the property being cleaned up and developed. A structure on the property has collapsed, and the property is currently seen as an eyesore by the city. A representative of the investment group told the council that the proposed business, which would be called Multiplayer, would provide activities for youth in the community, and would also bring tax revenue to the city. Since a transfer of the property is a real estate transaction, the council tabled the matter for discussion in closed session. 

A bill in June regarding a separate bank account for the city court was incorrectly numbered. The bill number of 318 was adjusted to 320 to correct the error. 

The council approved a resolution to retain the current property tax levy rate for 2021 of $0.00.

Susan Cherry gave a report on the Mountain View Community Farmer’s Market, including financial updates, community involvement plans and participation in Pioneer Days. The Farmer’s Market is now trying keep the focus of available goods to a much more local focus. With a target radius of 35 miles, Cherry says that the move puts more emphasis on growers in the Mountain View community. 

Ricky Baker gave a report on the Mountain View Youth Center. Baker is the executive director of the center and stated that the Youth Center is doing well. He gave an update on maintenance items, including new signage. When providing a financial statement to the council, Baker stated that the Youth Center is doing better financially now than it has in the past few years. While income may be lean toward the end of Summer, Baker stated that it will increase again when the football season begins. Baker was asked to sign a renewal of electrical services begin provided by the city. The city covers $7,000 in electrical service annually for the Youth Center. 

Barb Fisher approached the council with an inquiry about sick time. Fisher, a city employee, had been given sick time by a co-worker, but had not been paid for time she believed she would be paid for. Mayor Donnie Pruett cited the city personnel manual to clarify the reason for not approving the transfer of sick time from another employee to Fisher. 

The council went into closed session at the close of the meeting.