GRAVETTE — City Council discussed possible upgrades in the city water meter reading system. A detailed presentation to the council involved a new electronic reading system. No action was taken.

Former fire chief Dean Edmondson, representing retired firefighters who are covered by a retirement plan, requested the council address the pension fund. The council indicated it will be making a contribution to the fund to make it actuarially sound.

There are only seven retired firemen and three widows covered by the system which, in more recent years, has been replaced by the Local Police and Firefighters Retirement System (LOPFI) which is supported by the city.

In other action, the council appointed Corey Reardon and Larry Buffer as representatives of the city to the Two-Ton Board, approved a resolution for a EUDS grant and gave approval for pay increases for elected officials.

Under the proposal, which must be approved at a regular council meeting, the mayor’s salary will increase from $750 to $1,250 per month, the recorder/ treasurer will increase from $250 to $500 and council members from $50 to $75 per council meeting. The council members’ regular monthly stipend will remain at its present $150per month. It is planned to combine the whole and finance committee meetings into one meeting.

The mayor’s salary was last increased in 1996 and that of the recorder/treasurer in 2001.

Various departments made reports including:

During July the fire department responded to 19 calls, six of which were for grass/vegetation blazes, three structure fires, one illegal burn and two calls to accident scenes.

The department participated in Sulphur Springs Days, safety week for the Boys and Girls Club, operated the Fourth of July fireworks program and rescued one cat from a tree. Two fire hydrants were also tested during the month.

Emergency service personnel responded to 61 calls. 42 were medical, 16 trauma and 3 public service. There were 42 transports logged.

The street department provided its daily schedule, including street maintenance, weed spraying, park cleanup, cleaning ditches/ culverts, civic center maintenance, mowing of cityproperties, removing park entrance pillars, cemetery maintenance and striping streets.

The water department showed a total flow of 14,585,220 gallons for the month of July. The maximum flow of 980,833 occurred on July 21 and minimum of 273,281 on July 3.

The public library reported serving 2,089 patrons during the month of July, with 72 new library members added. The summer reading program was termed a success, with a grand finale program presented at which 38 children were present. Library tours have been conducted, a job fair is being planned for mid-September, and GED classes are scheduled to resume Aug. 23.

News, Pages 2 on 08/17/2011