Council approves roof bid

Five ordinances passed, including law regarding nuisance properties

GRAVETTE - In a short Gravette City Council meeting Thursday night, the Council passed five ordinances, okayed a resolution and accepted a bid for repairing the roof at the former city hall building.

City recorder/treasurer Mike von Ree presided at the meeting in the absence of Mayor Byron Warren. Also absent was council member James Denver.

The governing body also tabled action on several other items which are expected to be discussed at a meeting of the Committee of the Whole which is scheduled Thursday, May 9.

The five ordinances adopted were all approved unanimously by reading the documents by title only for the three readings required by law. They included:

◊An ordinance adopting current editions of the following reference codes: 2011 National Electrical Code, 2006 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code, 2010 Arkansas Mechanical Code and 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.

◊An ordinance setting a fine for violations of city ordinances. This establishes a penalty for a person convicted of a repeated and willful violation of any provision of city ordinances. It applies where no penalty is provided in the applicable ordinance.

◊An ordinance for the prevention or elimination of fire hazards. This provides for the process of obtaining authorization to burn dilapidated structures.

◊An ordinance providing for the condemnation and removal of houses, buildings and structures which constitute a nuisance and providing a penalty.

◊An ordinance providing for the maintenance and removal of hazardous and nuisance trees (when they constitute a hazard to life or property, and other conditions such as diseased trees).

Other Business

The council approved a bid from Franklin and Son Roofing of Farmington to repair the roof on the old city hall building on Main Street. The bid of $16,675 includes replacement of required wood deck and insulation. Three higher bids had been discussed at the last council committee meeting.

The council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Byron Warren to designate May, 2013, as National Heritage Month in Gravette. The resolution reads, in part:

“Whereas, ‘See, Save, Celebrate!’ is the theme for National Preservation Month 2013 and “Saving Our Heritage: Arkansas’ Historic Structures” is the theme for Arkansas Heritage Month, cosponsored by the city of Gravette, the Arkansas Historical Preservation Program, the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Trust for Historic Preservation;

“Now therefore, I, Mayor Byron Warren, do proclaim May, 2013, as National Preservation Month and Arkansas Heritage Month and call upon the people of the city of Gravette to follow their fellow citizens across these United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance.”

Other items on the agenda were postponed for later action, including purchase of a van for city use; action concerning the sewer east project; expansion of the main fire house; and renewal of a contract with the Boys & Girls Club.

Also postponed was action on two items added to the agenda: Discussion of acquiring a tract of land adjacent to Hillcrest Cemetery and a tract of land adjacent to Old Town Park. No information was available for council members to consider.

The meeting, which began at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, was adjourned after 45 minutes.

News, Pages 5 on 05/01/2013