Land use plan ready for public hearing

GRAVETTE -- Mayor Byron Warren displayed a completed land use plan and functional classification to Gravette City Council members at last Thursday's committee of the whole meeting.

The plan will be available for comment at a public hearing Oct. 9 at the Civic Center. Warren said the city would then move on to completing a zoning map.

In response to a question from council member Richard Carver, Warren said any land currently zoned as agricultural would remain so and would not be rezoned commercial until sold.

Mayor Warren opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of victims of the 9/11 tragedy and a prayer by councilman Ron Theis.

Mike Stout, representing the Professional Disc Golf Association, gave a presentation recommending the city install a disc golf course in Old Town Park. He said the sport, also called frisbee golf, is gaining in popularity throughout the country. Gentry, Bella Vista, Grove, Noel and Joplin all now have courses, and the game provides good exercise for persons of all ages. Stout presented a bid of $4,150 for a nine-hole course, but said a Gentry firm had told him they could deliver and install materials for the course for $4,100.

Fire chief David Smith requested a budget adjustment of $1,785.34 to pay salary for two paramedics who recently completed training.

Library manager Kim Schneider also requested a budget adjustment of $5,00 for purchase and installation of equipment for increasing computer bandwidth. This will expand computer use for the increased number of GED students enrolled this year and will be paid from general fund capital improvements. Schneider also asked for a third part-time staff person -- which was approved because it will not require an increase in the budget. Mayor Warren also reminded those present of upcoming library fundraisers -- a poker run Oct. 11 and library gala Oct. 19.

Corey Reardon, water department manager, reported Seven Valleys Construction Company of Cassville, Mo., had submitted the low bid of $24,906 for scheduled water and sewer improvements. Work on the project was scheduled to begin Sept. 16 with an estimated 120 days to completion. Reardon and Mayor Warren traveled to Little Rock the previous week to meet with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality regarding work on city sewer plant repair. They are asking for another extension on the corrective action order for the project.

Tim Dewitt, street department manager, reported the Arkansas Highway Department was installing three 4-foot culverts under Gordon Hollow Road which should take care of the water runoff. Work is also scheduled on a section of Cash Springs Road to prevent washout there.

Andy Bower, Gravette's police chief, requested a budget adjustment to buy a module which will allow the police department to go completely paperless. He is working on digitizing and indexing software for eliminating paper files and on a system of bar code tracking for evidence. Bower is also working with several agencies to create a model policy manual for the police department. He said the Arkansas Municipal League is a driving force in this effort. If a manual could be created by Jan. 1, he could start an accreditation program for the department and, when it is approved, it could lower the city's liability insurance.

Business manager Tracy Sewell gave the city financial report, saying income was down in the street and cemetery funds but said the city had three CDs which were earmarked for perpetual care of the cemetery. State and FEMA reimbursements for storm damage have been received, SRO reimbursements from January through June have been received and many payments for ambulance dues are coming in. Also the city made $1,000 more than projected from the pool this year. A revenue boost is expected after the October tax deadline and a consistent increase in revenue should occur due to the population increase, she said.

Sewell reported that all ordinances since 1899 have been sent to the Arkansas Municipal League for codification and the city will receive a CD of these ordinances. She said reroofing of the museum had been completed and, with the new vehicle recently acquired, the police department is in a much better position than five years ago. She recommended that all department heads assess their vehicles and come up with a schedule for regular replacement.

Problems are being experienced with the LED sign at city hall. The WiFi repeatedly stops transmitting, so a new transmitter has been ordered. If the new part does not correct the problem, the sign will likely have to be replaced.

Sewell reported that a small strip of property adjoining Hillcrest Cemetery has been used for years as a baby cemetery. Mayor Warren proposed determining fair market value of the plot and offering to buy the 14-by-5-foot strip of land from the current owner, Davalene Moore.

Council member Richard Carver requested a copy of the city's ordinances on bidding proposals and suggested staggering elections of council members to prevent a large number of new members coming on at one time. He also requested that proposed ordinances be sent to council members before the day of the meeting so they would have time to study them and be properly informed.

Mayor Warren reminded those present of the Hiwasse Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 20, and said fall cleanup dates would be Oct. 7 in Gravette and Oct. 9 in Hiwasse. Two dumpsters will be set up at the city shop and one at the Hiwasse fire station during that week. Warren said the annual Christmas parade would be Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., with free chili and hot chocolate at the civic center afterward.

General News on 09/17/2014