GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council gave unanimous approval to the proposed 2015 budget at their regular monthly meeting Thursday night. The approval was given after the addition of $1,500 to cover the closing costs for the proposed purchase of the Duffield's building on Main Street.
The first motion to pass the budget failed for lack of a second. Mayor Kurt Maddox reminded council members that a budget must be approved by Jan. 31 and a special meeting would be required if approval was not given at the regular session. Alderman Ron Theis made a motion to approve the budget without the employee minimum/maximum wage scale attached. That motion passed. The wage scales will be discussed at a future meeting.
In other business, the council passed four ordinances. Ordinance 15-01 adopts a new zoning map for the city of Gravette. Ordinance 15-02 will permit city recorder/treasurer Mike von Ree to perform the duties of Gravette city planner at a rate of $600 per month. Ordinance 15-03 adjusts a lot line for property on the north side of Birmingham Street, S.E., belonging to Marvin Kripps. Ordinance 15-04 adjusts a lot line for property on the west side of Jenkins Corner Road owned by Keith Kysor, Sr., and Keith Kysor, Jr.
Council members voted unanimously to change the date of the February Committee of the Whole meeting from Feb. 12 to Tuesday, Feb. 17, to eliminate the conflict with the Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Approval was given to removing the names of Byron Warren and Tracy Sewell as signatories for the city accounts at Bank of Gravett and replacing them with the names of Kurt Maddox, Patrick Hall, Margo Thomas and Cindy Pembleton. Council members also approved closing the separate Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System (LOPFI) reserve account and putting it back in the general budget and approved allowing the mayor to make an offer on the Duffield's building.
One item was added to the agenda, discussion of the property at 701 Main Street, S.E. The two-story house and 6/10 acre of land were purchased by the owners of Shepherd's Chapel, who wish to donate it to the city. The city will be responsible for the cost of demolition of the house, up to $15,000. The property adjoins Old Town Park and would be used for park expansion. The donors requested no building or bathrooms be built on the property, but a gazebo or swing sets would be acceptable. Council members voted to accept the donation.
Three citizens addressed the council in the comment period prior to the meeting.
James Denver read a letter outlining his submission of documents to the Arkansas Ethics Commission in Little Rock. He made three complaints to the commission: 1) Mike von Ree drew a salary as city planning director without an ordinance authorizing him to do so. 2) Margo Thomas drew a salary for office work at city hall without an ordinance authorizing her to do so. 3) Melissa Smith voted to approve 2012, 2013 and 2014 budgets which included salary, bonuses and pay increases for her husband David Smith.
Stacy West asked for an extension of time to pay her $2,000 water bill resulting from a leak. The leak has been repaired but 250,000 gallons were used before repairs were made. She has agreed to pay her regular bill for monthly water usage plus an additional $100 each month. Council members voted to approve this arrangement.
Tiffany Blocker submitted a complaint that she still has not received her husband's certification papers filed with the Gravette Fire Department. She said the papers belonged to him but no action has been taken even after she has made repeated requests at previous council meetings. She was instructed to work with interim fire chief Robert Douthit to obtain the papers.
At the close of the meeting, city attorney David Bailey apologized for missing the January Committee of the Whole meeting and said he was looking forward to working with the council members in 2015. Mayor Maddox thanked council members for their work on the budget and said he appreciated all they had done.
General News on 01/28/2015