Committee of the Whole meeting

GRAVETTE -- The Gravette City Council Committee of the Whole meeting was held Thursday at city hall with all council members present. Written reports were submitted by all department heads.

Corey Reardon, water/wastewater department manager, gave a brief report on problems at the sewer plant. Only one side of the filter plant is working at this time, and he said the control panel is going out so they are not able to pump all the water that is needed.

In answer to a question, Reardon reported that 580 of the 1,300 new water meters were now in the ground. He also reported that Cox Communications, in the process of burying its cable, had cut into one of the 10-inch water lines that serves OCH hospital and water on 4th St. S.E. was off a few hours. He said Cox was very cooperative and used their equipment to repair the leak. He also commended them for a good job repairing yards they had dug up.

Fire Chief David Smith presented copies of an ordinance he wanted the council to pass providing for adoption of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. This will be placed on the agenda for the May 22 council meeting.

Discussion was held regarding lawn care and maintenance at Hillcrest Cemetery. Mayor Byron Warren recommended hiring another full-time employee for the streets/parks/cemetery commission rather than contracting out the job. That person could do mowing at the cemetery and also help with the mowing at the numerous lots at abandoned homes in the city. The city hopes to recoup costs of mowing these lots by placing them on the owners' property tax bills.

Mayor Warren reported that 30,000 tons of refuse was picked up during the city's cleanup week but he felt several loads of trash had been brought in from outside the city limits and placed in residents' yards. He suggested going back to a system in which residents would use dumpsters at city locations and they would have to present a water bill receipt or other proof of residency. He also reported the city was still awaiting word from FEMA on repairing the bridge on Main Street near Old Town Park. The city crew is considering tearing it out and putting in new culverts.

City wage scales were considered, including benefits and the 2 percent increase added at the first of the year. Implementation of the new wage scale will involve a $76,069 increase over the present payroll. A vote on the matter will be on the agenda at the May 22 council meeting.

Councilman Bob Robinson said he felt the new wage scales were very competitive with wages at or slightly above other towns of similar size. He said he was uneasy about automatic pay increases and no increases on merit as that didn't encourage employees to maximize their performance. Some flexibility, with raises based at least partly on merit, would encourage higher motivation and incentive, he said. Councilman Richard Carver agreed a range was needed. He said raises to increase wage scales to competitive levels would be a "one-time hit" to the budget and then the city would need to stay current.

Council members requested that department heads should begin presenting any proposed recommendations and the reasons for their proposals in writing so councilmen could study them prior to the meeting and be better informed before they vote. They also suggested a monthly summary of the actual versus the projected budget and reports on bank account balances with month-to-month trends. Business manager Tracy Sewell explained she was using the most basic presentation, but reports were subject to revision to reflect how the council wanted the material presented.

The planning commission proposal presented at the April council meeting was discussed. Council members agreed the commission needs to get its master street plan and land-use plan documents on file and hold public hearings for input before approving the proposed changes. Mayor Warren encouraged council members to attend planning commission meetings and give feedback. He said implementation of many projects will depend on whether money is available to fund them.

Tracy Sewell gave the monthly financial reports. She said several projects were being financed through the capital improvement fund. The new police car has been ordered and the video system and key card system at the police station are rolling. The library and police department are being transferred to a new Microsoft system in which purchase orders can be signed electronically and then go on to the mayor for a physical signature. She explained this system, which is part of an internal information hub for the entire city, will be much more streamlined. Water customers can now access their accounts and pay their bills online. The new LED signs for city hall and the Hwy. 72/59 intersection have been ordered.

Sewell reported there was a slight deficit in the cemetery fund as no lots have been sold this year. There is also a $38,356 deficit in the general fund. County property tax revenues were up 33 percent last month as the Hiwasse area continues to bring in new funds, and franchise taxes are already at 45 percent of projected revenues for 2014. "This is Hiwasse in action," Sewell explained. Utilities involved are Cox Communications, Carroll Electric, Empire District Electric, Swepco and soon the new AT&T cell tower. Sewell suggested city departments just try to slow down on expenses until the deficit levels out.

Corey Reardon reported the city needs a floodplain manager. Mayor Warren said they are considering filling the vacant assistant business manager position internally and there will be an opening at the front desk for the water department customer service position.

Mayor Warren announced he is retiring from his position with the Siloam Springs Fire Department and will be able to spend more time at city hall. He also reported that Ron Theis has expressed an interest in being considered for the open seat on the city council.