Gravette to consider new ordinances

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

— Gravette City Council will consider two ordinances when it holds its regular monthly meeting this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Gravette Civic Center.

Other items of business will include declaring a vacancy on the Council which was created by the recent death of Bill Howard. It is expected the Council will appoint a replacement at its next meeting after it considers applicants who may be interested in serving. Information about the position may be secured at City Hall, 787-5757.

Another item of discussion at the meeting will bea report on a visit by representatives of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality concerning the Gravette sewer system project.

To Consider Ordinances

The two ordinances were recommended by the Committee of the Whole meeting last week. One other ordinance was postponed for further discussion.

One ordinance deals with backflow prevention assemblies which prevent backflow of water from a consumer’s service into the municipal system.

Several businesses, which are required by law to have these devices installed, were found to be out of compliance andthe ordinance is to bring Gravette’s standards up to required state levels.

The requirements do not normally apply to residential services but are necessary for numerous commercial and industrial operations. A complete list is included in the ordinance.

As noted, the installation of such devices prevents backflow which might be contaminated from entering a service line and entering the municipal system.

The second ordinance on the agenda will increase the amount of fixed asset limits from the present $250 to $1,000. This is considered necessary because of inflation and emergency expenditure costs whichwould require a council meeting to approve such expenditure.

An ordinance setting limits on payment arrangements for water utilities is still under discussion. Such an ordinance will define payment arrangements for past due accounts or those which involve large bills because of leaks.

At the committee meeting, which was held last Tuesday instead of Thursday evening, various committee reports were received and a review of city finances was held.

News, Pages 2 on 09/21/2011