GRAVETTE -- Mayor Byron Warren reported at Thursday night's Committee of the Whole meeting that the city had received the latest certified census figures, showing Gravette with a population of 3,113 and a total of 1,333 housing units.
The counts reflect boundary updates reported to the U.S. Census Bureau as of Jan. 1, 2013, and are the official statement of the 2010 census population and housing unit counts.
Warren said he is now awaiting a letter from the governor saying Gravette is a first class city.
In other good news for the city, business manager Tracy Sewell reported she had been asked to be a guest speaker at the annual Arkansas Municipal League budgeting seminar Sept. 11.
All department heads submitted written reports at the meeting. Library manager Kim Schneider reported plans for the library gala, Oct. 16, were progressing nicely.
Street department manager Tim Dewitt said paving was scheduled Friday to complete the street repair project in Old Town Park. He also reported the street repair bid on Dallas Street didn't cover the additional width of the street between Third and Sixth Avenues, so he would be requesting a budget adjustment of $4,000 at the Aug. 28 council meeting to cover the added expense.
Water department manager Cory Reardon said bid openings on the water line repair were about $20,000 higher than expected, so he planned to add the water line repair to bids now being let for the sewer upgrade project in hopes of getting a better price. He also reported the city's John Deere mower was at the dealership needing repair, but he had found a new John Deere mower at a sale price of $11,686 and he would be requesting approval to purchase the new mower at the August council meeting.
Police chief Andy Bower reported the city's new police car had been received and it was being equipped now and receiving reflective striping. It will be on the streets soon, he said.
Bower said one of his goals was to convert all police department documents to electronic media. The police department now has two rooms of records and he has found a scanner and all the software to interface with the present system for $10,000 to $11,000. He will be going to Farmington to see the system and hopes that, with the state police going to e-commerce, the city's police cars can all be properly equipped for about $1,500 a car. He hopes the department can be completely digital in about 12 months.
Bower also presented changes he is proposing to the city's animal control ordinance. He recommends changing the surrender fee for an animal from $50 to $75 and adding a clause saying animals that are ill or not suitable for adoption may be refused for surrender or require a surrender fee equal to the costs of euthanizing the animal. The changes will be on the August council meeting agenda.
In new business, council members reviewed lot splits for Dorothy Willoughby on Highway 279 in the Hiwasse community and for Ruth Ramey on Gordon Hollow Road. Both will be on the August council meeting agenda.
Business manager Tracy Sewell said the museum reroofing had been completed and a $29,000 reimbursement had been received from Empire District Electric for an electric bill at the sewer plant. Fire and ambulance fees are coming in and expenses in all areas have been improving, she said. A significant vehicle repair bill has been paid from the general fund. She recommended keeping a close watch on the general fund and continuing to try to hold down expenses. She said sales tax income will, hopefully, continue to increase.
Mayor Warren said he would like to start discussing a new fire station for Hiwasse. He reported he had found two acres for sale in a good location on the highway and he would like to consider budgeting for purchase of it next year. He also reported on upcoming city events, including "pickin' and spittin'" in the park Sept. 6, the Hiwasse Day celebration Sept. 20 and the annual Christmas parade Dec. 6.
General News on 08/20/2014