Council adopts planning area

GRAVETTE — In addition to approving a contract for a walking trail project, the Gravette City Council Thursday night adopted a new area planning map which provides for the city to have input involving rural land development in the designated area.

A copy of the map was published in the Dec. 21 issue of the Westside Eagle Observer.

After being filed with the county, copies of the map will be supplied to Sulphur Springs, Decatur, Centerton and Bella Vista, which join the Gravette planning area.

In a related move, the council unanimously approved an ordinance abolishing the city planning commission and establishing the city council as the city’s planning authority.

In other council action, the governing body approved a water tower maintenance contract for the city’s three water towers located at 8th Ave. N.E., 6th Ave. N.W. and at Shady Grove Road. The 8th Ave. tank, which was erected more than 30 years ago, will receive much-needed maintenance.

Pending additional information, the council tabledaction to establish a federally-mandated flood damage prevention program. Also tabled were projects to extend a water service line on 8th Ave. N.E., upsizing a waterline between Detroit St. and 8th Ave. N.E. and establishing a cemetery commission to oversee Hillcrest Cemetery. These topics are expected tobe addressed at the February meeting.

The council agreed to a lease-purchase agreement with Riggs Caterpillar for a new backhoe, paying $10,000 down and financing $54,000.

Other action involved selling the city’s out-of-use 1985 fire truck to the city of Chidester. Gravette received an initial payment of $2,000 and agreed to erase a $1,500 additional payment because the small Ouachita County town is strapped for cash. Alderman John Rambadt noted, “We’ve received help from others and this is the right thing to do (to help our sister community).”

During the 45-minute meeting, members of the history commission were administered their oaths of office by recorder Mike von Ree, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Byron Warren. Taking the oaths were Faye Gould, Louise Evans, Steve Mitchael, John Lee Mitchael and Leland Brandon. Several members were not present.