Cotter holds public hearing on $493,754 grant request to repair North Arkansas Youth Center

A public hearing heard by the Cotter City Council on Sept. 26 focused on a $493,754 grant application the city submitted to fund building improvements at the North Arkansas Youth Center, city officials said.

Mayor MacGeorge Caradine opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and introduced Chelsey Weaver of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, who described the application and the center’s priority repairs: roof replacement and new gym flooring.

"The City of Cotter is asking for $493,754.00 in grant monies with the main focus being roof repairs and new flooring in the gym," Weaver said, according to the hearing record. Mayor Caradine said he worked with Mark Kapshandy, president of the North Arkansas Youth Center, to identify the areas of most concern. Board members Bill Morris and Chris Francis were present at the hearing.

Weaver asked community members and patrons to submit letters of support for the project and confirmed a receipt deadline of Oct. 11, 2024. Councilman Joe Bass asked about that deadline during the hearing and received confirmation of the Oct. 11 date. City staff noted that grant awards are expected to be announced in December and that the city could reapply in April 2025 if this application is not selected.

No members of the public offered comments during the hearing. There was no motion to close the public hearing on the record; Mayor Caradine concluded the meeting at 6:16 p.m. The hearing record lists Council Members Chuck Sugg, Joe Bass, Carolyn Gill, Mertice Kray, and Linda McCarthy as present and Councilman Ben Woodard as absent. Recorder/Treasurer Andrea Kray attested to the minutes.

The hearing was informational; no formal vote or council action on the grant application was recorded during the session.