GRAVETTE -- In a short, special council meeting just prior to last Thursday's committee of the whole meeting Gravette city council members passed an ordinance adjusting a lot line at Hillcrest Cemetery. No comments were heard at an open public hearing regarding the adjustment.
In other action at the special meeting, the council passed a resolution to close out the 2015 budget and a resolution authorizing the fire department to submit an application for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The SAFER grant application with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, is for $302,296 with no local match. The grant would pay the salaries and benefits for three full-time firefighters for two years. Approval was also granted for the fire department spending $9,716.67 donated for lightweight turnout equipment for the firefighters.
At the COW meeting, monthly written reports were received from all department heads. Water and sewer department manager Corey Reardon reported that results from the last testing showed ammonia levels were back within required levels. Police chief Andy Bower reported the department had been approved for partial funding for an add-on to the police station, but the amount of the funding may not be known until July. Bower also said the two new police cars were scheduled for delivery on March 21 and the department had recently approved a new part-time hire.
Fire chief Rob Douthit said there had been no fire department report the last two months because the Firehouse program is still not working. The county is not using the program any more, so the Gravette department may have to spend money for maintenance. Douthit said he is working with the county and it may pay part of the cost.
Library manager Kim Schneider reported the library open house is Saturday, May 7, and the summer reading program is scheduled to begin June 1. The library commission is considering holding a gala in August but no date has been selected. The 2016 Renaissance festival is set for Saturday, Nov. 5. An adult coloring session attracted 11 members at its first meeting.
Jodi Moore, Chamber of Commerce president, said the chamber is holding an Easter eggstravaganza March 26. She reported the chamber would be helping with the library open house May 7 and with a museum event the first Saturday in June. A job fair is being considered for October.
In new business, mayor Kurt Maddox administered the oath, swearing in Cindy Jack and Carmen Moore as members of the library commission. Both women are former members who are returning to the commission.
Resolutions regarding cleanup of five properties within the city limits were tabled and will be considered at the March council meeting or at the next committee of the whole meeting. A resolution setting a 14-day pay period and establishing the work week will be on the agenda for the March 24 council meeting.
Nancy Feroe, president of the Benton County Cemetery Preservation Group, said arrangements had been made with a Boy Scout troop for cleanup of the Russell-Pierce Cemetery. Hunter Hawkins will be working on it for a Boy Scout project, and other groups are interested in adopting graves after the initial cleanup. Feroe said platting of the cemetery is being done now.
Mayor Maddox reported a meeting is scheduled this week with the city attorney and representatives of Waste Management regarding the city's trash pickup service. He said the company had caught up on their payments and had been doing better in resolving pickup problems since the city sent out letters to them and Inland. Council member Richard Carver pointed out that Allied Waste Management was also operating within the city and was not paying a franchise fee.
Chris Speights, finance director, presented the monthly financial reports. She said all departments were below budget and department heads are being pretty conservative and not making any major purchases. Current income is down about $200,000 from last year's income but is right at budget. Speights reported the state aid for streets application was mailed last week and documents requested for the legislative audit have been sent. A street department audit will be done soon. Speights is working with Tim DeWitt, street and parks department manager, on FEMA applications and is also working on a revision of the employee handbook.
Maddox reported he had met with representatives of CV Family Foods last week and they reported plans to start pouring a pad for their new grocery building soon, before the present building is torn down. The new 28,000-square-foot grocery will face west. The preliminary design looks good, Maddox said, and will be similar to a CV Family Foods store in Fayetteville.
Maddox noted that the city's new millage had passed but collection would not begin until July 1. He said the council should begin to set priorities soon and he thought Main Street renewal should be one of the first priorities.
"We may need engineers to come and explain what can be done with the amount of money the city has," Maddox said.
The possibility of moving city hall back on Main Street was mentioned.
General News on 03/16/2016