Walker affirms terms of 2012 sale

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Discussion at the city of Walker’s monthly meeting Tuesday evening focused on the 2012 sale of approximately 7 acres of city-owned land to Clint Swopes and his request for a modification to his business license.

Swope operates a saddle shop out of a shop on his property on West Southern Avenue and owns much of the property west of what is officially 7th street and south of Marvin Avenue.

Dealing first with the business license, Swopes requested a modification to allow him to operate a full-time business on his property. His current license is only for a part time business.

The board unanimously approved the modification to Swope’s business license.

“I’m a little bit in the dark about it myself,” Swopes said of the 2012 real estate transaction with the city of Walker.

Swopes said later, that in 2012, he purchased from the city approximately 7 acres of property formerly owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company in the southwest part of the city. The property was once part of a wye (a triangular-shaped railroad switch) that connected the rail line running through Walker with a rail line that went east to El Dorado Springs.

Swopes said that part of the purchase agreement included closing abandoned portions of 7th and 8th streets, and Leslie and Southern Avenue along with the associated alleyways.

These closures were never completed by the city of Walker.

The board unanimously agreed to honor the terms of the 2012 sale.

“I assure you it will be taken care of,” Mayor Phil Martin said.

• The board unanimously approved a resolution to renew the city’s membership with Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission.

• The board unanimously approved holding Walk Fun Day on Sept. 16.

• The board unanimously approved changing the July meeting date to July 31.

• Martin told the board a new bench has been installed in the park courtesy of Walker 4-H.

• The board voted unanimously to enter closed session for personnel matters. Details of actions taken during the closed session were not available as of press time Thursday.

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