Retirement plans approved for mayor, city recorder-treasurer

GRAVETTE -- In a special council meeting preceding last Thursday's committee of the whole meeting, council members passed ordinances establishing retirement plans for the mayor and the city recorder-treasurer. In other action at the special meeting, the council approved a bid for work on the sewer plant lagoons, then approved a change order from the original bid to allow for use of an alternative sealing material. The change will result in a savings to the city of $49,635, making the revised cost of the project $305,990. When this work is finished, the entire sewer plant project will be complete.

In the citizen comment period at the COW meeting, Susan Holland urged everyone to buy tickets and attend the library gala Aug. 22 to support the library remodeling project. Peggy Bertschy inquired about use of the Hiwasse community building for the fall festival Sept. 12 and mayor Kurt Maddox said that scheduling events at the center should continue as usual until the closing date for purchase of the property.

Mayor Maddox commented on the nice Gravette Day and thanked street department manager Tim Dewitt and water department manager Corey Reardon and crews for their work in making it successful. He noted that both parks were full of people by 10 a.m.

A representative from the firm, Vibrance, addressed the council with a proposal to review the city's billing, contracts and communications. The company works with municipalities to help improve cash flow. It corrects billing errors and audit franchise fees. The cities pay for a performance program and if no money is saved they owe nothing. If savings are realized, Vibrance is paid 35 percent of the savings. A contract for a 24 month agreement will be prepared and sent to city attorney David Bailey for review.

Council members discussed golf cart usage on city streets. They decided to approve use of carts under certain conditions. Rules will be established and will be available for review at the next COW meeting.

A representative of Mercy Life Line Air Medical Services addressed the council and outlined features of the service. He pointed out that the service has been in existence more than 30 years and has a very impressive safety record. He said Mercy Life Line offers membership programs at 30 to 4o percent less than other services. The company's helicopters employ advanced aviation technology and will fly patients to several other towns, including Little Rock, Tulsa, Kansas City and St. Louis. Individual memberships are available for $59; the corporate fee is $49. Application brochures are available at city hall for persons interested in membership.

Mayor Maddox reported that new sidewalks adjacent Arkansas Highway 59 are complete except for the railings. Curbing has also been installed on the north side of the Walmart parking lot. The city is looking at grants available for sidewalks around the schools.

In reply to questions about plans for the recently-acquired Hiwasse property, Maddox said the fire department can apply for grant money right away to build a new fire station. Repair of the community building and new sidewalks are planned. He said it may be a year or two before work on the park gets started.

Planning commission chair Mike von Ree reported that the new owner of property at the corner of Arkansas Highway 72 and Stagecoach Road wants to put in a residential subdivision fronted by six commercial lots on the highway. Mayor Maddox reported the city is receiving several calls from persons interested in building subdivisions and suggested council members needed to start developing guidelines for long-term development.

Work is expected to begin soon on the new library buildings. County jail inmates are scheduled to come in and do much of the initial demolition work. The library commission has rejected the bid from Preston and Company, of Rogers, due to failure to meet criteria of the published bid notice and specs. Bids will be let on various aspects of the project on an individual basis.

General News on 08/19/2015