Council reaffirms trash contract

Ordinance passed allowing hydrant meters, regulating use

— The Gravette City Council Thursday night reaffirmed its existing contract with Deffenbaugh Industries, the firm which provides waste transfer service for the city.

The action follows a decision of the Council Committee of the Whole a week earlier to reject two alternate proposals which could have allowed a “blended rate” for customers in newly-annexed land.

The contract will allow the original in-town service to continue at the present rate of $9.86 per month. That contract will expire Dec. 31, 2013.

In other action, the councilapproved on three readings an ordinance which allows installation of hydrant meters which “are to be used for agricultural or construction where water is needed for a short time frame.”

The ordinance sets the rate of $7.74 per thousand gallons with no minimum. “In no case may an individual get any water from a fire hydrant without having a hydrant meter and, if caught doing so, they would be charged with theft of services.”

Hydrant meters are not for individual residences. “If an individual needs water, they need to contact city hall and pay appropriate fees for such water taps,” the ordinance states.

The council also approved an affidavit which allows destruction of records, some dating back to 1980 and which include canceled checks and receipts. The documents will be shredded.

The meeting, held at the civic center, lasted less than 30 minutes and was presided over by city recorder Mike von Ree. All members of the council were present.

Mayor Byron Warren was in Little Rock attending a meeting with officials of the Arkansas Municipal League. Also attending the meeting were Tracy Sewell, business director for the city, and Lori Leonard, assistant director.

News, Pages 1 on 11/21/2012