GRAVETTE — Gravette City Council acted on numerous items at its regular meeting Thursday night, including the appointment of a new council member, approval of a consent administrative order agreement to operate the wastewater treatment plant, reaffirmation of the city’s millage rate and approval of submitting a grant request to complete work on the city swimming pool.
Margo Thomas was selected to replace the late Bill Howard as a member of the city council. She represents Ward 3, the northeast area of Gravette. Thomas was the only person who provided a written request and supplied information to be considered. She will complete Howard’s two year term.
The consent order with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality outlines regulations the city must meet under terms outlined by ADEQ for operation of the wastewater treatment systemin Gravette. Gravette’s previous five-year permit expired on Oct. 31, 2010, and the city has been involved in negotiations and planning since that time to meet required discharge standards for the system.
The order outlines requirements for the city to correct violations that occurred in operation of the system between January of 2007 and May of 2011, after which new operation procedures were put into effect to meet ADEQ requirements. Additional corrective measures required include repairing leaks in the present plant lagoons and submission of a corrective plan of action.
A 14-step plan for the next 40 weeks was submitted to ADEQ on Monday of this week along with the agreement signed by the mayor, as authorized byunanimous council approval.
Other action included:
Voted to retain the current 5-mill city tax levy, an action required by law which must be affirmed by the BentonCounty Quorum Court.
Briefly discussed agri water rates for Water West customers, particularly those who operate chicken operations. This was referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
Okayed seeking a matching $15,000 Rural Community Grant which, if awarded, will be used for additional work at the municipal swimming pool.
Approved on secondreading two proposed ordinances, one defining water meter reading dates, billing and penalty procedures and deposit requirements. The other defines requirement for back-flow devices on certain sewer connections, as required by state law. These two ordinances will require a third reading and approval before they can become law.
The council also received a draft of the proposed city budget for next year. It will be discussed and possibly tweaked before it is considered for adoption.
News, Pages 1 on 11/02/2011