GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council heard from a concerned citizen preceding their one-hour Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday night.
A man representing the owner of property in Hiwasse requested that the property, now zoned R-1, be rezoned commercial. There are 1,500 square foot and 3,500 square foot buildings on the property. The representative expressed concern that the property, which is up for sale, would bring far less if it retained the residential classification. He pointed out that it has always been used as a business building and that other commercial property, a Built-Well warehouse, is just across the street.
Later in the meeting, Carol Easley, whose property adjoins the land in question, and Mrs. Doug Bertschy, another Hiwasse resident, spoke expressing concern that zoning the property commercial might lead to heavier traffic by large equipment moving in and out and more noise, which would be disruptive to the neighbors. Both Easley and Bertschy agreed they would have no problem with the property being zoned commercial if it were given the proper classification, prohibiting heavy equipment traffic and other nuisances.
Councilman Bob Robinson encouraged all council members to go out and examine the property. The third reading of the zoning map ordinance will be heard at the Dec. 18 council meeting and Mayor Byron Warren urged the council to make a motion to pass the ordinance or table it until the next meeting rather than letting it die for lack of action.
City recorder Mike von Ree reported receiving a request to run a couple of horses on a 7.4 acre parcel on Dallas Street across from Patriot Park.
At the beginning of the regular meeting, Amanda Teis was sworn in by Mayor Warren as a new member of the library commission.
Written reports were submitted by all department heads. Corey Reardon, water department manager, reported that when the wastewater plant was shut down to do planned repairs, he discovered that another filter needed repair. That repair is being done and should be complete by Jan. 15. He said that the sewer line upgrade is now going on and, when complete, new line will be in place all the way from Harris Auto down to the car wash.
Reardon submitted a state bid of $22,415 for a new 3/4 ton regular cab four-wheel-drive pickup truck. Reardon is requesting an additional $125 for all-terrain tires for the Ford F250 XL. A vote on purchase of the vehicle will be on the agenda for the Dec. 18 meeting. The vehicle would replace a 2006 vehicle which will be put up as surplus.
Mayor Warren reported that the disc golf course is now in place in Old Town Park and players were already beginning to use it. He thanked all who helped get floats together and make the Christmas parade a success.
Council members reviewed the proposed 2015 budget. They expressed concern about the increased fire department expense, and Mayor Warren explained it reflected the first full year projection for serving the expanded territory, the Hiwasse addition. He said these expenses would have to come from the general fund since the fire and police departments generate no revenue but their protection is a part of the package of city services.
Fire Chief David Smith reported the ambulance service has a high percentage of no transports, 50 percent as compared to 35 or 40 percent in neighboring towns. There is no charge for a no transport call unless some treatment is given, thus no revenue. Many patients who are transported are private pay and slower to collect from, he said. Smith reported that money coming to the department from the county will be up considerably next year, but it is unrealistic to ever expect the ambulance service to pay for itself.
Mayor Warren reported progress on updating the city website. He said he had a disc of pictures from the Christmas parade to go on the website. Councilman Bob Robinson will volunteer some time to learn more about the software and help with the site but said he was not sure he'd have enough time to do the job alone.
Mayor Warren said the city is currently on a spending freeze but money is on hand for new cameras for the police department and they may be purchased before the end of the year.
He announced that business director Tracy Sewell had resigned and the city is now accepting applications for the position. One application has been received so far. Cindy Pembleton is covering office duties in the interim.
He invited those present to the employee luncheon at noon on Friday.
General News on 12/17/2014