GRAVETTE — Gravette City Council members spent more than four hours in session Thursday night conducting business during a special council meeting and then adjourned to a non-official all-member committee discussion session.
During the special meeting, the council approved acceptance of a Consent Administrative Order from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality which provides an additional year for Gravette to complete sewer plant improvements and modifications - by Dec. 31, 2013. The former order expired Dec. 31, 2012.
The council also approved a resolution which provides requirements if the city receives funds from the Arkansas Safe Routes to School Program to build additional sidewalks. The city is applying for a $120,000 grant.
Also on the special agenda was acceptance and the swearing in of new members on a revised Gravette Planning Commission. Mayor Byron Warren presided over the special session.
Committee Meeting
Moving to the committee meeting, presided over by council member Melissa Smith, the group heard presentations involving several topics. Jeff Bonet, with Hernard Utility Services, proposed the installation of a fixed radio water meter reading system known as E-meter.
If Gravette approves, which will involve further discussion, it will serve as a pilot system in a seven-southern-state area.
Bonet explained the system is self-contained, with no mechanical parts, and can detect all flow through the meter, even a dripping water faucet. The system provides hourly and daily water meter readings, which would allow individual customers to track their own water consumption. Because of its efficiency, he predicted that Gravette could increase revenue because presently there is a 23 percent water loss ratio in the system, much of it through individual meters. The virtually weatherproof system has a 10-year replacement warranty.
The city installed electronically read meters several years ago. They have a high record of breakdowns and hand reading of several hundred of the city’s meters is required every month.
Empire Contract
Rick Hendricks, who served as Empire manager in Gravette about 25 years ago, presented a contract which requires a renewal of the city’s present 10-year document. When approved, it will also be in effect for 10 years. Empire provides and maintains the street lighting system, which includes upgrading old mercury vapor lights to the more efficient amber sodium bulbs. Empire’s franchise with the city also provides sales tax collection and a “franchise fee.” Annual cost to the city for Empire services will be $6,900.
Boys & Girls Club
Sundee Hendren, who is a member of the Gravette Boys and Girls Club governing board, provided information about the club operation. As part of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County, it is subsidized through the central office in Siloam Springs.
Her site analysis for the Gravette unit gave comparative financial statistics for the past three years which show individual, corporate donations, grants, fundraisers and various fees. Last year’s income totaled $27,819. Expenses which last year included $53,125 in salaries, a food service program, scholarships and various other expenses including supplies, repairs and maintenance showed a deficit of $39,051. Gravette provides the Civic Center rent free and provides electricity, water and most repair costs. Gravette maintains general operation of the center for scheduled use by city or others.
The club’s use of the facility is based on a contract which is set to expire in May. Some consideration has been given to moving the city library into the building.
“We want to stay at the Civic Center,” Hendren said.
Last year the club had 206 registered members who paid a $20 fee (scholarships are offered). This year, the fee drops to $10 through a grant from Walmart Foundation. There is a $20 fee per semester for an after-school program. Summer-session fee is $10 per day, with weekly discounts.
During January, the club had an average daily attendance of 48, with registered members for the year standing at 97.
Department Reports
David Smith, fire chief and interim police chief, provided information about those departments. He handed out maps of the fire department service area, which includes all of the newly-annexed land, and the emergency medical service area, which also includes areas north and west to the Missouri and Oklahoma state lines and includes Sulphur Springs, Maysville and Decatur south to Y City Road.
Smith’s report for the police department included accomplishments during 2012, including absorption of the newly-annexed service area; purchase of two cars; completed dirt work on a new gun range; upgraded office equipment, including computers, a radio base; cameras, bullet-proof vests; obtained grants for purchase of vests; sponsored the “Be A Winner” program for $12,000; purchased an Eddie Eagle costume; and provided more than 600 hours of officer training in as many as 13 classes.
Streamlining the department and completing the police station sally port are among the goals for this year.
In the fire/EMS department, purchase of a new ambulance is the number one project. Improving the departments, including the Hiwasse service area, is a continuing priority.
Tim DeWitt, who heads the street department, reported a new truck is on order, that work on Cash Springs Road has been completed, that maintenance work on streets and roads will be a continuing project. Work on the storm drainage project is beginning, reflective stop signs have been installed and bids are being sought for the skate board project in Pop Allum Park.
Corey Reardon reported that installation of a new 6-inch water main on Ridge Road has begun. He said a study concerning again using the water well/filtration plant which has been out of use for several years shows it is not economically feasible. Only the clear well is usable, he said. A cost estimate indicates it would require $350,000 to bring the system to a usable condition.
Work at the wastewater treatment facility is continuing, according to Larry Buffer.
Kim Schneider, library director, reported the Habitat Restore has given the library and museum many fixtures, which are being stored in a Spavinaw Storage unit donated by Ron Teasley. She met with Centerton Street Department, which is storing shelving donated from Crystal Bridges, and had a meeting with the library commission concerning possible relocation of the library. She reported that 1,124 patrons utilized the library during January, with 39 new library members.
Various other topics were discussed, including city planning, rezoning, a setback variance and purchase of a wide-format printer for the city.
Official action will be addressed at the regular council meeting Feb. 28.
News, Pages 1 on 02/20/2013