City Hall Purchase Paid From Capital Account Fund

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

— City Council members Byron Warren and Terry King, who recently visited sewage treatment facilities in Maine, reported their findings which included a visit to Newport, ME. That city uses lagoons, coupled with a vegetation “reed bed” to neutralize phosphorus and nitrates, and sludge removal through a “beltpress’ system for its’ disposal into landfills.

“There are lots of options we’re now looking at,” King said, and Warren indicated a St.Louis engineering firm suggests Gravette’s project possibly could use a similar system.

In other action the Council approved paying the balance due Arvest Bank for the City Hall building, approximately $198,000, with money from the city’s one-fourth cent capital improvement sales tax fund. After payment approximately $66,000 will remain in the fund.

Other Action Voting for the measure were Chris Beller, Byron Warren and Forrest White. Mayor Bill Howard cast the fourth vote needed to pass the measure. Opposed were Kurt Maddox, who called the action “irresponsible” and King, who reminded the council it does not leave much in the account for future needs such as street repairs. Council member Brent Cannon was not present.

In other action the Council tabled action on an inspection fee ordinance; voted to hire a collector for delinquent water bills; gave approval for the fireworks display which involves no city funds; heard that insurance on the Civic Center and new water tower will be incorporated into existing policies; appointed Jim Floyd to the Planning Commission; and reappointed Junior Hartley as the city’s delegate to the Two-ton board for the eleventh year, with Kurt Maddox as alternate.

Following a ten-minute executive session to discuss a “personnel matter” the Council reconvened and reported no action was taken.

News, Pages 1 on 07/07/2010