GRAVETTE — The Gravette City Council Thursday night formalized its contract with EGIS, the Bentonville engineering firm which has been retained to solve the city’s wastewater treatment facility problem.
EGIS has been working for the city several weeks on an hourly-wage basis, which will be continued at the present time.
Other action taken by the council at the short meeting included declaring a fire truck, ambulance and backhoe as surplus property. All three are being replaced by new or updated units.
The action concluded with the council authorizing the purchase of a 1987 heavy-rescue pumper fire truck from the city of Dallas, Tex. The unit, which includes numerousfeatures not found on the 1984 pumper that is being retired, will upgrade the department to better serve the city and the surrounding fire district.
Fire Chief David Smith, Mayor Byron Warren and police officer Chuck Skaggs inspected the Texas truck and the negotiated $33,000 purchase price was established.
The council also agreed to purchase a new police car through the state-purchasing system. Cost of the 2012 unit is $23,500. It will replace a 1999 vehicle that is being retired. Decals and radio are other expense items which will be required on the new unit.
Approval was given to install a privacy fence behind the Gravette Museum/Library complex with those departments sharing the expense.
An ordinance rezoning property in Highland Additionfrom residential to highway commercial was approved. It will be the site of a new building for Care and Share (see separate story).
Action on a new ordinance governing the operationof Hillcrest Cemetery was tabled to allow council member and former mayor Bill Howard to research and suggest possible revisions in the document.
Warren announced paving of Lime Kiln Road is still “in the works,” with the county cooperating on the project by completing the work.
Since the road is jointcounty-city property, the city will pay for materials and the county will install the asphalt.
“Hopefully within the next few weeks,” Warren said.
Warren announced thecity swimming pool will not be open Saturday, Aug. 13, on Gravette Day. The pool schedule after the opening of school has not been finalized.
News, Pages 1 on 08/03/2011