GRAVETTE — A proposed ordinance to permit and regulate the use of golf carts and two- and four-seat all terrain vehicles on the public streets of Gravette was the only item of new business discussed at last Thursday's city council committee of the whole meeting. After a brief discussion, council members asked City Clerk Mike von Ree to add the phrase "must have Arkansas sticker" to the vehicle requirements. The ordinance will be on the agenda for the Oct. 27 council meeting.
In the comment period preceding the meeting, Roy Perrine, chairman of the library commission, addressed the council and asked that they consider amending the recently-passed library commission ordinance to change the membership from "five members" to read "five to seven members."
A special council meeting was opened to consider four items. In the first item of business, council members passed a resolution adopting the finalized Benton County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency require communities to adopt such a plan in order to be eligible for federal disaster funding. The resolution is identical to the one passed last year.
Council members also passed a resolution setting property tax at 4.75 mills on each dollar of assessed value of real property and 4.75 mills on each dollar of assessed value of personal property for the year 2017. The Benton County Quorum Court is authorized to levy such taxes at its next regular meeting.
Three bids were received for two road repair jobs to be paid for by FEMA. Council members voted to accept the low bid of $147,122.25 from R & R Backhoe. FEMA will pay for the smaller job upfront. The city will pay for the larger job and be reimbursed later by FEMA.
Council members voted to table a motion to change the dates of the Oct. 27 council meeting and the November and December COW and city council meetings.
Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, said he had reviewed the job description for Patrick Hall, business director, and eliminated some duties he felt overlapped with those of the finance director. Council members will consider the job description at their next meeting.
When Mayor Maddox closed the special council meeting and returned to the committee of the whole meeting, there was no unfinished business to discuss and no financial report since city finance director Chris Speights has left to take another job. Maddox explained that Cindy Pembleton has been doing financials and a former state auditor will be coming in to help. Speights has expressed a willingness to come in on Saturday to help until a replacement is hired.
Brian Johnson, with the Gravette Fire Department, spoke and asked the council to pass a resolution authorizing the fire department to apply for a matching grant to fund replacement of 28 air packs that are outdated, a cascade system to fill them and replacement of an engine in one of the fire trucks.
The department has already received a $75,000 grant which it plans to use toward purchase of a ladder truck. Johnson explained that a ladder truck would cost from $75,000 to over $1,000,000. A ladder truck would be very useful though in the event of fires in such structures as the hospital and Main Street buildings and for mutual aid calls. Having one would help lower the city's ISO rating. Johnson also said they would be testing Friday for an EMT slot on the fire department.
Mayor Maddox said he would be conducting five interviews with applicants for the position of library supervisor and there were some good prospects. Council member Margo Thomas said, when a new supervisor is hired, she would like to see the library stay open later during the week and also open a few hours on Saturday. Maddox said he would have to see what the budget would allow.
In answer to a question about the new grocery store, Maddox said the completion date was still scheduled around Thanksgiving. The new store will be 8,000 square feet larger than the former Marvin's store, he said.
General News on 10/19/2016