GRAVETTE - During a three-hour session Thursday evening, the Gravette City Council Committee of the Whole discussed many subjects, one of which involves trash pickup service in the city. Several of the items discussed may, or may not, involve action at the regular official council meeting Sept. 26.

A representative of Deffenbaugh, the fi rm which provides curbside service, explained that cost of the service will not increase when the firm converts to poly cart pick up. Customers will be issued a 96-gallon cart, on wheels, and the cost will remain the current $9.96 permonth. Additional carts will be available at an additional $4.10 per month he added.

New-style dumpsters are also to be provided for commercial customers. The change will apply in the Hiwasse annexed area, which will be a reduction from their rural rate. Other services, such as twice-a-year citywide clean up pick up, will continue. A fi ve-year contract, with the current cost guaranteed for two years, is being proposed.

Other items, including city department reports, included the following:

Gravette Public Library - Lisa Singleton, Library Commission member, reported an upcoming fundraising “Gala” to benefit the library will be held Oct. 8 at Horton Farms,southeast of Gravette. The dinner/entertainment will start at 6 p.m. with a catered meal. There will be a silent auction, “mum” sale and DJ music. The library is in the process of a new building project and the fundraiser will support this project. Tickets, $50 each, are available at both banks and at the library

Public Safety - David Smith, fire chief, reported the department conducted its third “house burning” training session.

Police Department - Chief Andrew Bower reported a bid to complete the sally port project, begun several years ago, will be sought. He said the department will take bids from local providers to service vehicles, the aim of which is “to keep the money in town.” Renewal of the contract with the school for partnering resource offi cer costs needs to be approved.

Street Department - Tim DeWitt, who heads this department, reported the drainage project on Second Avenue SW is completed and that repairs of rural roadsdamaged the second time by flooding, is continuing. He reported AT&T has indicated it will be relocating an underground cable on Bluebird Road. The council heard from Beau Thompson, a resident in that area, concerning fl ood damage.

Gravette Water/Sewer Department - Corey Reardon reported the Ridge Road project to enlarge the water main to six inches lacks about 1,000 feet of work to completion. He reported draw-down of water in selective sewer lagoons will be continuing to correct leakage in those holding ponds.

Michael Stout appeared before the council asking to consider creating a “Disc Park” for Frisbee players He mentioned the sport is popular and a nine-basket course could be completed on a five- to 10-acre tract. He mentioned a figure of $2,500 and said he and his sons would install the baskets. He mentioned Old Town Park as a possible site. He will supply additional information the council requested. JoeCash spoke in favor of such a project.

Gravette Museum - Committee chairman John Lee Mitchael said the museum is prepared to negotiate purchase of property north of the Museum and Civic Center, if the purchase can be negotiated with the Gravette Schools, which owns the property. The area has been considered for a multiuse city-owned property for several years with ideas for a community center, sports facilities and recreational complex in the future. Its purchase for the city would allow those projects to proceed in the future. The museum would plan to erect a pioneer cabin on an existing concrete slab. The Civil War era cabin was donated to the museum several years ago and is in storage awaiting placement. Near the museum has been considered ideal. Steven Mitchael, commission member, said an anonymous donor has pledged funds to help the city clear the property for its use and noted, “This is a very signifi cant opportunityfor the city.” The committee gave tacit approval for the museum commission to continue its efforts.

Other Items Discussed include the following:

◊Heard a report that Nov. 30 is the “light up night” for the Christmas holiday decorations.

◊Discussed dissolving the Gravette City Court with the aim of joining other westside towns in Western Benton County Court. Business director Tracy Sewell, who made the recommendation, said there would be “substantial savings” for the city.

◊Discussed establishing rules for overnight camping and other uses of Old Town Park.

◊Discussed briefly the city employee salary scale and to consider partnering with the school to conduct a Salary and Wage Scale study by The Johanson Group, an area fi rm that specializes in such studies. According to Sewell, the school is considering such a study.

◊Heard city fi nancial reports.

News, Pages 6 on 09/18/2013