GRAVETTE -- Fire chief Rob Douthit reported at last Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting that four Gravette firemen had gone to Hartford, Conn., and driven the department's new ladder truck back to Gravette. The vehicle is now the tallest ladder truck in Benton County. He said they are working now to get it ready for service.
There were some issues with salt buildup underneath because the truck came from a northern state, and an air switch had to be repaired. Douthit said technicians are coming from Searcy for aerial testing of the ladder, and the vehicle will be ready for the road in another week or two. He also reported the department had applied for a SAFER grant. Another grant has been applied for to fully finance five more sets of gear, continuing education for firefighters and longevity bonuses for firefighters who have been with the department the longest.
Officer Chance Fink reported that the police department is conducting an amnesty program through Friday of this week. Chuck Skaggs, police chief, explained that people with misdemeanor warrants with bonds less than $2,500 can turn themselves in and bring in a can or two of food or gently worn clothing and they will be given a citation and a new court date.
"This will prevent the individual from possibly going to jail if they are stopped someplace," Skaggs said. "We will then delete the warrant. It will save on gas mileage, wear and tear on vehicles and, most of all, it will help the person who may have a warrant they are worried they could possibly go to jail on. This is something we want to attempt to do one or two times a year. It will also help us clear warrants out of our system when someone comes in."
Fink also reported that the department had changed its reporting system to better reflect all activities of the officers and noted a new officer, Aaron Ingle from Sulphur Springs, has joined the force.
Two sanitary sewer rehab bond projects were discussed, including cost estimates from Morrison-Shipley Engineers. Mayor Kurt Maddox explained these were the two biggest sewer improvements needed in the city. They were originally scheduled to be done with 2013 bond funds but the projects got put off. The work will involve improvements on sections of sewer mains between Atlanta Street and Birmingham Street and along El Paso Street, S.E., from 6th Avenue, S.E., to 2nd Avenue, S.E., then north to Dallas Street, S.E.
Bids for road grading and snow removal from JD's Dirtwork were discussed. When bids were solicited, JD's, the current road grader, was the only one submitted. Council member Rod Clardy raised some questions about grading of Mount Pleasant Road. He was referred to a schedule of road grading contained in the packet. JD McNelly was present at the meeting. He said he was finishing a small FEMA project and would soon be free to begin further road grading.
Rezoning of property on Arkansas Highway 279 near Aaron's Landscaping was discussed. City clerk Mike von Ree said he would start the process to rezone the property from agricultural to C-1. Rezoning of the old Ralph Culver property on Arkansas Highway 59 and Boston Avenue was also reviewed. An ordinance to rezone this property from C-2, highway commercial, to R-1, single family residential, will be on the agenda for Thursday's council meeting. Also on the agenda will be ordinances to approve lot splits for property on Sixth Avenue, S.W., and just off Ridge Road.
Carl Rabey, finance director, submitted a full financial report including a January balance sheet and statements of revenue and expenditures for all departments. An ordinance approving the final budget numbers for 2016 will be on the agenda for Thursday night's council meeting.
General News on 02/22/2017