GRAVETTE -- The Gravette City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 24, with all council members present except Terry King, who recently resigned.
Brandy Estep was sworn in as a new member of the library commission. Brandy is a volunteer at the Gravette Elementary School and a frequent library user.
Ken Foxx, representing the Gravette Planning Commission, gave a slide presentation at the beginning of the meeting detailing the work of the planning commission and its goal for establishing a strategic plan for the city that is realistic and workable. He expressed a desire to see the city welcome signs changed to describe Gravette as "a nice place to visit but a great place to live." He said he felt the planning commission had failed so far in achieving its goals, but commissioners were not willing to accept failure and felt their mission could be accomplished if the city council and city administration were willing to work with them.
Foxx said the commission hoped to make Gravette a destination where people would spend money, thus increasing the sales tax revenue. He pointed out that much traffic comes through Gravette and said, "We just have to find a way to get them to stop."
Some of the commission's goals are to develop a new master street plan and a board of zoning adjustment, to foster a better working relationship with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, focus on promoting Gravette business interests and adjacent area improvement projects and make the best use of the resources available to the city. He said continuous improvement should be based on traditional values and outlined 18 important ethical principles he felt should be considered.
Foxx asked the council to consider hiring an employee who would oversee planning development and be accountable to the city business director. Discussion of this item will be placed on the agenda for the May 8 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Councilman Bob Robinson noted that many residents were closely scrutinizing the budget and were concerned about the city spending money it shouldn't be spending. Both he and councilwoman Amy Rambadt commented that the budget was already approved, but Robinson said that didn't mean an adjustment couldn't be made.
Two other members of the planning commission gave brief presentations. Christie Green commented on city signage and appearance and expressed a desire to rewrite the signage ordinance. Stacy Palmer commented on the area land-use plan and said she would be working on that.
Foxx urged council members and interested citizens to come to the next planning commission meeting which will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at city hall.
In other business, the council passed two ordinances. One approved a lot line adjustment for the Gravette Church of God Holiness. The second establishes procedures for calling a special meeting of the city council following procedures outlined in the Arkansas Municipal League handbook. A resolution passed authorizing the Arkansas Highway Department to advertise for bids on street resurfacing in Gravette.
A vacancy was declared for Ward 1 on the city council. Terry King, who was representing that ward, has moved. Ken Kehler addressed the council briefly during the comment period preceding the meeting and indicated his desire to be considered for the position.
Mayor Byron Warren reported that the city had adjusted the bill for a water customer who had an extensive leak in her yard. He asked the council to consider deducting another $500 from her sewer charges and the council voted to approve the adjustment. She will still have a $1,500 bill and will be allowed to pay it in three payments.
City wage scales and cemetery maintenance bids were to be considered at a special meeting Monday, April 28, at city hall.
General News on 04/30/2014