City council approves sidewalk bid

GRAVETTE -- In a special council meeting preceding Thursday night's committee of the whole meeting, city council members voted unanimously to accept a bid of $99,450 from Gen-X Contracting in Bentonville to construct a sidewalk from the former Marvin's Grocery store to Walmart along the east side of Highway 59. Street department manager Tim Dewitt and mayor Kurt Maddox have met with representatives from the Arkansas Highway Department to make sure all state requirements are met.

In other business at the special session, council members voted unanimously to approve purchase of a 2009 New Holland TS100A tractor with Tiger side boom mower. The $31,000 purchase price of the 200 horsepower diesel tractor includes two new front tires and a rear tire, new blades, repairs to the air conditioning and hydraulic system.

Mayor Maddox said a tractor is needed to help maintain the 29 miles of gravel road in Hiwasse and a few miles in Gravette. The mower will be very useful for clearing ditches and rights-of-way. Tim Dewitt said the tractor should serve the city for 20 years. Money for the purchase will come from the vehicle depreciation fund.

When the committee of the whole meeting convened, council members passed a resolution adopting an interlocal cooperation agreement between Gravette and the cities of Decatur and Sulphur Springs to provide emergency medical services. Decatur agrees to pay $18,689 for 2015 and $30,000 for 2016, and Sulphur Springs agrees to pay $1,200 for 2015 and $2,400 for 2016. Runs to Decatur make up about 25 percent of Gravette's ambulance service calls.

Corey Reardon, water and sewer department manager, reported a customer had requested the city extend its water lines to serve his dairy farm south of town. The project would involve installing 10,160 feet of water line and require easements through several other properties. After a brief discussion, council members decided not to approve the request because the estimated time to recoup the city's cost would be six years and council members said that was too long.

Police chief Andy Bower reported that the application period for the COPS grants opens about mid-May. Gravette has applied for a COPS grant the last few years and been turned down, "probably because our force is just not big enough," Bower said. He said the Gravette police department would continue applying for the grant if city officials wished it to but it takes about three weeks to prepare the application and he felt that time might be better spent. Council members agreed to forego applying for the grant this year.

Mayor Maddox introduced the city's new finance director, Chris Speights of Bella Vista, and she and Patrick Hall gave the monthly financial report, including a review of the adjusted budget to be voted on at the May 28 council meeting.

A few items discussed at a recent city council planning meeting were reviewed, including the possible purchase of several properties. Purchase of school property being used by the Hiwasse fire department and other property owned by Loren Holloway is being considered. Tentative plans include burning the house on the property and creating a park for Hiwasse residents. Fire chief Rob Douthit expressed a desire to honor the Hiwasse firefighters in that park.

General News on 05/20/2015