GRAVETTE -- A special city council meeting was convened near the end of last Thursday's committee of the whole meeting at which two resolutions were passed. The first gave approval to the city's accepting the donation of the Presbyterian Church. The second gave approval to an expenditure of $100,000 for Old Town Park improvements.
In discussion regarding the Presbyterian Church donation, Mike von Ree said he would continue to pursue getting the church placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A bid of $1,500 has been received from Josh Hurtt Construction Company to secure the steeple against leaks and recaulk the windows. The city will be eligible for an Option 1 grant from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program once the donation is final.
Soldiers of the Cross have offered to pay half the cost of the Old Town Park improvements. Plans are to install swings, which are being secured at a substantial discount, and build a pavilion and restrooms. Mayor Kurt Maddox said the building materials for the two buildings are high quality commercial equipment, like those below the dam at Beaver Lake.
Discussion was held regarding purchase of a new pickup truck for the water department. Approval of the purchase will be on the agenda for the Nov. 19 council meeting. Other items on the agenda will be approval of the 2016 holiday schedule, approval of changing the December city council meeting from the 17th to the 15th, approval of seeking grants to purchase a new fire truck, resolutions authorizing mutual-aid police-protection agreements with Decatur, Sulphur Springs and Bella Vista and a resolution permitting the finance director to combine three water department accounts.
A bid has been secured from Republic for solid waste disposal within the city and a contract with the company is being considered since no franchise fees have been received from Waste Management. Republic has said it will provide all city dumpsters at no charge and will continue the citywide cleanups twice a year.
Fire chief Rob Douthit reported applications for AFG fire grants will open this week. He is seeking permission to apply for grants for a new fire truck, for an exhaust removal system at the fire station and for LUCAS units (portable CPR units) for the firefighters. The 1988 fire engine needs an estimated $18,000 in repairs for problems with the pump. Douthit said a new fire truck would cost an estimated $500,000 to $700,000. He will seek a grant writer to help prepare grants.
Staggered terms for council members are an option now that Gravette is a first-class city. Changing council members' terms from two year to four year terms must be approved by a vote of the citizens, so arrangements will be made to put the change and staggered terms on the November 2016 ballot.
Current city bonds mature in March and Mayor Maddox announced plans to put $150,000 back into the general fund at that time.
A discussion of bond issue planning projects will be held at the Dec. 10 committee of the whole meeting. These will include street paving, sewer upgrades and Main Street projects. The 2016 city budget will also be discussed at the December COW meeting.
Street department manager Tim Dewitt said most of the Christmas lights were up and Mayor Maddox requested they be turned on the week before Thanksgiving.
General News on 11/18/2015