GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council, at their committee of the whole meeting last Thursday night, discussed a lot split for two parcels of land owned by Glenn Perry and Michael Perry on Mount Pleasant Road. A vote on the split will be on the agenda for the June 23 council meeting.
In other business, the council discussed approving a variance for a fence on S.W. 6th Avenue which exceeds the height limit according to city code. Neighbors have been polled and three did not object to the variance. Because one neighbor reportedly disapproved of the variance, and because the city attorney did not recommend granting one, council members voted to deny the variance and enforce the current code regulations.
Council members discussed a sign permit application submitted by Joe Ellis, owner of the old Downing building on Main Street. Ellis was present at the meeting and addressed the council regarding his plans to place advertising signage on the west face of the building. Members were generally in favor of the plan but requested that preference be given to Gravette and Hiwasse businesses. A vote on granting the sign permit will be on the council meeting agenda.
Other items on the council meeting agenda include closing of an alley for Care and Share and issuance of a conditional-use permit for JoAnne Manovsky to operate a daycare center in a residential area of Patriot Park.
Mike von Ree, city clerk, discussed the planning commission. He reported five persons had applied for membership. He will continue to look for an alternate, but the commission will be organized with five members and will focus on long-range planning. All members must be approved by the city council.
He said he was working with the regional planning commission on annexation of land for Jeff Hendren and for two pieces of property owned by Spavinaw Investments. He also displayed plans for Audrey's Home of Hope, a proposed shelter for homeless pregnant women on Hatcher Hollow Road in Hiwasse.
Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, asked council members to determine what projects they would like to focus on after the Main Street revitalization project. Work on Main Street has been determined as the first priority for use of bond funds. Richard Carver, council member, suggested meeting to review possible projects and prioritize them.
Carver also encouraged the council to approve moving forward on development in the Hiwasse community. Maddox said plans were to refurbish the Hiwasse community building and construct some trails there. Fire chief Rob Douthit agreed to secure copies of plans and cost figures for the Centerton fire station, which should help in planning for a fire station in Hiwasse.
Mayor Maddox reported that Hendren Plastics is planning an expansion, and Crafton Tull architects have requested the city's guidelines for large-scale development. He also announced that Harp's Foods is purchasing the Gravette Walmart location and plans to open a store there August 3.
Kim Schneider, library manager, reported the summer reading program was ongoing with good participation and plans are progressing for the annual library gala, which will be a hog fry August 6 at The Cabins on Beaty Road.
Jodi Moore, Chamber of Commerce president, reported on upcoming Chamber events. She said Chamber members are working with Gravette Day chairman Heather Finley to help with planning for that event. Moore also announced a barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society will be held as part of the September First Saturday event and said the Chamber is planning to hold a job fair in the future.
Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department head, reported the swimming pool is open, roads are being graded and he is getting quotes from John Deere and Riggs Cat on leasing a grader for the city. He said he still had not received a report from FEMA on its assessment of the flood damage in late 2015.
Officer Chuck Skaggs reported for Andy Bower, police chief, that the department's officer appreciation week was very successful and thanked everyone who attended the hot dog and hamburger cookout.
Chris Speights, city financial director, submitted a year-to-date financial report and said that city departments are right where they need to be with expenses. Mayor Maddox said the city should benefit from increased property taxes following the county reassessment.
A public meeting will be held preceding the June 23 council meeting to identify potential outdoor park and recreation needs and priorities. Citizen input is invited to help determine priorities and, once identified, city officials will select those priorities to be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for a matching grant application.
General News on 06/15/2016