GRAVETTE -- Melissa Smith was appointed to continue as chairperson of the city council committee of the whole at the January meeting of the committee last Thursday.
In the citizen comment session at the beginning of the meeting, Paulette Austin, Main Street business owner, addressed the council and requested that extra police patrols be put on when street lights are taken down during the Main Street renovation.
Michael West spoke to the council about the condition of Gordon Hollow Road and said it had only been graded once in the last 12 months. Mayor Kurt Maddox told West the road was slated to be paved in the near future, but West said the road still needs to be maintained in the meantime. Tim Dewitt, street department manager, said Gordon Hollow Road had been graded more than once last year because he had gone out and inspected the road after each grading to make sure the job was acceptable.
All department heads presented written reports. Karen Benson, library supervisor, reported that 16 patrons had enrolled in Library 2 Go to check out e-books in December. She reported that she was working on an application for a Pilcrow grant with a $400 match.
Tim Dewitt reported that he had met with representatives of the Arkansas Highway Department about congestion at the four-way stop. They have indicated they will look into constructing a turning lane there and will also consider a stoplight and alternate routes for truck traffic through town. Dewitt also reported he was working on long-range plans for city street repair.
A spokesman for the fire department said the new ladder truck was expected to arrive on Feb. 9. He also reported the department wants to apply for a SAFER grant.
Chance Fink reported for the police department that officer Bryan Smith had been honored as officer of the year for 2016 and officer Todd Shannon had been given a commendation for resuscitating a woman who was unresponsive.
Mayor Maddox reported that the city of Decatur had paid $10,000 on Thursday as the final payment for Gravette's providing ambulance service in the city in 2016. Arrangements will be made soon to pay Decatur's fee for 2017.
Mike von Ree, chairman of the planning commission, presented two lot splits, one for Parsons on Radder Lane in Gravette and one for John Holloway in Hiwasse. Resolutions to approve both lot splits will be on the agenda for the Jan. 26 council meeting.
Mayor Maddox gave a brief report on the Main Street renovation project. Work has begun and the first item on the schedule is tearing out the old sidewalks and replacing them with new ones. A representative of Crews and Associates will be at the Jan. 26 council meeting to present the downtown revitalization bonds. A resolution for approval of the bonds will be on the agenda for the meeting.
Carl Rabey gave the finance and administration report. He submitted the 2016 income statement with final numbers all reconciled and reported some funds, including the capital improvement fund, were not in the 2015 budget that was approved by the council. He plans to talk to legislative audit officials and seek advice about whether council members need to approve an amended 2015 budget. He also said the city needs to set up a separate bank account for FEMA projects.
Mayor Maddox announced he will present his state of the city address at the Jan. 26 council meeting.
General News on 01/25/2017