n Two ordinances passed in special session.
GRAVETTE -- The Gravette City Council met for its Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday at City Hall with all council members present.
A special council meeting was held just preceding the COW meeting to consider two ordinances. Both were voted on and approved unanimously. Ordinance No. 14-12 was to vacate an alley within the Gravette city limits, and Ordinance No. 14-13 was to split a parcel of land on the south side of Highway 279 Detour owned by Cassandra Bertschy.
At the beginning of the regular COW meeting, fire chief David Smith announced that three copies of the new Arkansas fire code are now available at City Hall. Updates are provided every five years. Approval of the new fire code and building inspection code will be on the agenda for the June 26 council meeting.
Mayor Byron Warren reported a bad water leak in front of the old shelling plant Tuesday night and commended the water department crew, which worked on repair until almost midnight. He also praised the police department which helped direct traffic.
Written reports were submitted by all department heads.
Street superintendent Tim Dewitt presented a recommendation that the city council authorize a budget adjustment to the capital improvement fund in the amount of $46,120 to replace the Main Street culverts at Old Town Park. He submitted photos showing extensive damage to these culverts. Total cost of the project is $106,120 but FEMA will reimburse the city 75 percent, or $79,590, when the work is complete. Work needs to be done during the summer when school is not in session. Approval of Dewitt's recommendation will be on the agenda at the June 26 council meeting.
Mayor Warren reported a crack on Main Street on the Bennett property just down from the bridge needed attention.
Business manager Tracy Sewell presented the financial reports. She said everyone was doing a good job trying to keep expenses under revenues but there were three payroll periods in May which resulted in increased expenses. She recommended that each department head review expenses in June and make needed adjustments.
Sewell reported that the video system and key-card entry system in the police department had been completed but the police chief needed $1,500 for an architect for the sally port -- a secured entrance to the police station for police vehicles when transporting prisoners. Actual construction will be paid for by a grant.
A high electric bill at the museum is being investigated. An old electric line with a $350 minimum monthly charge has been discovered at the old wastewater plant. It is no longer needed and has been disconnected. Sewell said it would be helpful if each department head could find one such wasteful item and eliminate it.
The annual city fireworks display will be held on July 4 with free food and a band. Project chairman Mike von Ree said he was hopeful donations would cover the costs but he would like to see the city put $5,000 in the budget to fund the event next year.
Building permits are up and that has helped boost city revenue. Also, the city pool is doing better than it has in the last several years, so the gap between revenue and expenses is closing.
Mayor Warren reported the last census figure for Gravette shows a population of 3,213 and a population of 2,500 is all that is required for first-class status. The city is awaiting a letter from the governor certifying Gravette as a city of the first class. The city can also opt to remain a city of the second class until it reaches a population of 5,000. Tracy Sewell distributed a list of the differences between requirements for a first-class city and a second-class city.
Mayor Warren reminded council members of the town hall meeting Tuesday night and said flip charts would be available to list citizen concerns. He said Mike von Ree would make a banner to advertise it. He thanked the three planning commission members who attended the COW meeting.
Mayor Warren, city attorney David Bailey, fire chief Andy Bower and council members Bob Robinson and Ron Theis are planning to attend a municipal league meeting in Little Rock Wednesday.
General News on 06/18/2014