GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council, at its meeting last Thursday night, voted to accept a bid of $887,821.65 from RCR Construction of Claremore, Okla., for Main Street improvements. John Wary, representing Morrison-Shipley architects, reported at the committee of the whole meeting that five bids were received for the project and RCR's was the lowest. Work is expected to begin in January, and projected completion is 150 days from the beginning date.
Monthly written reports were received from all department heads. Pennie Berry, administrative assistant, reported that the police department conducted a successful No Shave November project, with $200 raised and five families assisted. Berry reported she will be starting school next month and Sgt. Chance Fink will be reporting for the department.
The fire department reported donations had been received from United Way after a significant house fire last month.
Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, reported that the 2017 holiday schedule and the 2017 committee of the whole and council meeting schedule will be voted on at the Dec. 15 council meeting. A proposal will be presented to change the January and February committee of the whole meetings from the second Thursday to the third Thursday of the month.
A special council meeting was convened during the committee meeting to vote on approving the RCR Construction Main Street bid. The project bid was approved unanimously. In other business at the council meeting, an ordinance was passed approving a lot split for property owned by Leon and Peggy Bertschy between Fielding Road and Highway 72 in Hiwasse. Another ordinance was passed approving a lot split for property owned by Victor Verlage between Banks Lane and Faux Road in Hiwasse.
Council members also voted to open an account at Arvest Bank for deposit of funds from the ladder truck grant.
After the special council meeting was closed, Patrick Hall addressed the council regarding his position. He said he knew the position was under scrutiny but he felt it was needed and valuable. He offered to answer any questions regarding the position, his qualifications or performance in the job.
Council member Margo Thomas objected that the job opening was not posted and that a job description was created after the fact. However, mayor Maddox said the job opening was advertised and there were several applicants. He also said it is a common practice to generate job descriptions in-house.
Council member Richard Carver said he had no objection to Hall, personally, but was looking at the position from a budgetary standpoint. He suggested council members ask the questions, "Are we getting our money's worth?" and "Is the position something we have to have?"
In comments following the meeting, mayor Maddox said November had been a good month for sales tax revenue despite the loss of Walmart and another business. No revenue will be received from the new CV's store until January. Property tax revenue was also higher than projected although the rate was cut in 2015.
In response to a question about when the new section of highway would be opened, Mayor Maddox said it was complete but they were waiting for the roundabout to be finished. Jim Denver asked the mayor to request that the highway department install additional lighting at each end of the new highway. He felt it was needed to help reduce accidents.
General News on 12/14/2016