GRAVETTE — Gravette city council members, at their committee of the whole meeting Thursday, July 13, considered a lot split for Matt Marrs for property on Baker Street, N.W., and replatting of the north part of the old bus barn property for David Marrs. Ordinances approving both actions will be on the agenda for the July 27 council meeting. An ordinance approving and adopting a planning jurisdiction map will also be on the agenda for that meeting.
Council members discussed the renovation of the old home economics building for use by the Gravette Historical Museum. A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a $75,000 Rural Services Block Grant will be on the agenda for the July council meeting. The city would be eligible to receive grant money for the project as long as the museum allows the building to be used as a community meeting room.
Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that the city of Cave Springs has a 2014 all-wheel-drive Charger for sale at a purchase price of $17,000. The vehicle is emergency equipped and has 70,000 miles on it. He proposed buying it to replace the 12-year-old Dodge Durango he has been driving. An ordinance authorizing surplusing the Durango will be on the agenda for the July council meeting.
Maddox gave an update on projects soon to be initiated under the bond issue improvement program. He said he would be working on the water splash park this week through the TAPS program, and 60 percent plans for the walking trails would be presented this week. Sketches of the Hiwasse community building improvements were presented this week and work will begin there as soon as the Hiwasse committee has approved the sketches. The Hiwasse project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and the splash park by next spring.
Police chief Chuck Skaggs reported cameras would be installed in the police cars and the server installed July 26-28. He said officer Jonas Edgmon is in training with Benton County to become a detective, and Brian McKenzie, who has longtime experience with the Game and Fish Commission, has been hired and will start work August 1.
As acting fire chief, Skaggs reported the fire department has a controlled burn coming up. He praised department members for being proactive in the recent windstorm and getting out early to remove limbs and clear roads. He said an injured firefighter was returning to light duty in the office so he could continue to earn a paycheck but would not be able to go out on calls for several weeks.
Karen Benson, library supervisor, reported the library staff was seeing great participation in the summer reading program, with 105 children registered. Programs for adults and teens are also well-attended. Council member Margo Thomas read a message she had received praising the library for programs brought to Imagine Before and After School Care.
Tim Dewitt, street and parks department head, reported workmen are in town refurbishing the airplane in Kindley Park. Gordon Hollow Road has been paved and striped. Dewitt said his crew has sprayed for mosquitoes and they have been busy doing a lot of brush hauling and getting ready for Gravette Day.
Corey Reardon, water and sewer department head, reported work has begun on the sewer line on El Paso Street and workmen will try to finish the project by August 14.
Mayor Maddox reported that John Lykins has offered to buy the old city stage for $250. Since the city has been renting a stage for Gravette Day the last few years and Tim Dewitt said erecting the old stage was time consuming and he felt his crews could spend their time more efficiently elsewhere, council members agreed to sell the old stage.
Maddox said he would be getting a third estimate on the dog park this week. He reported Dewitt had saved some of the old water hydrants and refurbished them for use in the dog park. The park will also feature a water fountain for humans with a dog water fountain at the base.
Carl Rabey, city financial director, presented city budget figures for the month of June and said it was a pretty average month. The budget year-to-date figures show city finances are in good shape, he said, and property taxes expected to be collected in November will improve the financial picture even more. He presented a list of proposed budget adjustments which will be voted on at the July council meeting.
City attorney David Bailey concluded the meeting with praise for Carolyn Edmondson, an employee in the city office who recently helped assign a 911 number to his property and had done research on the property's parcel number. He said Edmondson had been extremely helpful.
The regular meeting of the Gravette city council will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Gravette Civic Center, 501 Charlotte Street, S.E.
General News on 07/19/2017