GRAVETTE -- The regular meeting of the Gravette city council committee of the whole was held Thursday at city hall with all council members and city attorney David Bailey present.
Bob Wright, bond underwriter for Crews and Associates, spoke to council members at the beginning of the meeting and explained that the city's outstanding bond issue, which was expected to be paid off in 2020, was now ready to be canceled and would be paid out in April. He outlined several projects which might be financed through the proceeds from the bonds, including street resurfacing, building sidewalks, parks and recreation improvements and sewer plant upgrades. Further discussion of bond issue projects was placed on the agenda for the Dec. 8 council meeting.
Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that the county judge had promised to help the city with street resurfacing, which will leave more funds available for other projects.
Council members tabled discussion of the Republic Sanitation bid for waste removal. Maddox said that, after discussion with attorney Bailey, he had decided to send letters to both Deffenbaugh and Waste Management outlining just how much each company owed and giving them 30 days to correct their service before canceling the contract with them. Bailey advised this was probably the best way to go, rather than canceling outright, since they had made some improvements.
Mayor Maddox reported the Lions Club had requested permission to place their signs, along with the logos of other civic organizations, on the Welcome to Gravette signs. No council member objected to this placement, so a vote on the subject was placed on the council meeting agenda.
Maddox said the council member vacancy had been posted in the newspaper and two persons had presented applications for the position. Both applicants, Rod Clardy and Ashley Harris, were present at the meeting and gave brief resumes of their experience and reasons for being interested in the position. Selection of a member for the position was also placed on the council meeting agenda.
A brief discussion of staggered terms for council members was held. Members agreed to bring the subject up again next year and try to get the issue on the November ballot.
Financial director Chris Speights distributed copies of the revised budget. She said she had made the changes discussed last month, including raising the fuel allowance for the police department.
Council member Melissa Burnett questioned whether more personnel were needed for the street and water departments. Mayor Maddox said necessary street upgrades would be contracted out to Morrison-Shipley rather than the work being done by city employees. Chris Speights said the fire department needed three employees but the budget can't support that many, so a part-time employee has been budgeted for and "we will take small steps."
Maddox said the current city crew could handle the work load very well at this time of year but summer was the worst time when mowing work was necessary, especially at the cemetery.
Police chief Andy Bower reported he had been appointed to the chiefs association legislative committee. He said he was ordering a new Explorer and the Tahoe he was buying from Kansas should be ready this week. Cost of the vehicle will be $19,500 and it will be ready for service when equipped with a radio. Carver requested Chief Bower provide a list of police department vehicles and that a replacement schedule be worked out.
Fire chief Rob Douthit reported that there was a lag on patient care reporting, but the department had already made over 800 ambulance runs this year and 500 fire department runs. He said the fire department was finishing hydrant testing and announced that a retirement party was being held Saturday, Dec. 19, for personnel who have retired this year. He said the FEMA grant opening was Monday and he was preparing to submit an application.
Water and sewer department manager Corey Reardon reported there were 269 water meters yet to install. He said there were still sewer issues on El Paso and Birmingham Streets. He also said the hospital has put in a 10-inch water line but it feeds into a 6-inch line and it all needs to be upgraded to 10-inch.
The meeting concluded with further discussion about possible future improvements, including Civic Center remodeling, upgrades to the ball fields in Patriot Park, sidewalks on Second Avenue S.E. from Main to Walmart and on Dallas Street S.W. to Patriot Park, and Main Street revitalization. In Hiwasse, the most requested improvement is paving Gordon Hollow Road south to Fielding Road. Other paving is planned on North Mt. Pleasant Road.
Citywide forums are planned for Jan. 14 and Feb. 9, 2016. Votes on these dates were placed on the council meeting agenda.
General News on 12/09/2015