GRAVETTE -- The Main Street improvement project was the main focus of reports at last Thursday's city council committee of the whole meeting. Monthly reports were received from all department heads. During verbal reports, Corey Reardon, water and sewer department manager, said that minor changes had to be made in the location of water lines because of the Main Street work. Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department manager, reported that storm drains had to be replaced because the old ones were all clay pipes and collapsed upon removal.
Chance Fink reported for the police department that the amnesty program was successful and warrants amounting to about $6,000 were settled. He said the department plans to repeat the program in the fall. Fink also reported that two new police cars, both Ford Explorers similar to the canine unit, have been put into service.
Rob Douthit, fire chief, reported that the fire department had received a $2,500 trauma grant from the state and plans to use it to purchase a manikin for training purposes. He said the department will need about $700 to go with the grant money. Another AFG grant has been applied for, to be used to replace all the firemen's air packs. Air packs cost about $6,000 each. Douthit also reported the department's new ladder truck has been placed in service and the firemen had made 43 runs in the last eight days. The department now has seven full-time firemen, including the chief, and 23 volunteers and four junior firemen.
Karen Benson, library manager, said the new library website had just been launched. Persons can access the website at www.gravettelibrary.org.
A short discussion focused on bond projects coming up after the Main Street work, including ideas for the pavilion and park in Hiwasse and the splash pad and park at the swimming pool. Mayor Maddox reported he had met with a committee of Hiwasse residents and committee members had expressed a desire to make minor upgrades, such as painting and possibly a new roof, on the exterior of the community building and focus instead on making major upgrades to the interior, including new cabinets. He said the building has been examined and is very sound, structurally.
Maddox reported that estimates have been received for paving on Gordon Hollow Road and Dickson Road and said the sewer project on El Paso Street should be finished by the time school starts this fall. The city is still waiting for a report on its grant application before doing work at Pop Allum Park.
Maddox reminded members of the Arkansas Municipal League conference June 14 and 15 in Little Rock. He said extra hotel rooms had been reserved and any council member desiring to attend should contact him.
Carl Rabey, finance director, presented the monthly financial report. He said it had been a good month, financially, with the street department showing a profit of about $8,000 and the water department showing a good profit. Finances are in good shape, considering the city has bought a new fire truck and two new police cars and pulled $40,000 of the bond money. Rabey said the general fund is up $190,000, sales tax revenue is good and he had received a $128,000 reimbursement check on Thursday.
Rabey distributed a list of proposed budget amendments which will be voted on at Thursday's council meeting and a list of resolutions needed to change names on bank signature cards which will also be on the agenda.
Mayor Maddox commented on Centerton water rights. He said the city plans to run a 12-inch water line to hook on to Centerton's lines to provide enough water pressure for future development in Hiwasse. Estimated cost is $4 million to $5 million. Maddox said Centerton was trying to sell part of its Hiwasse water rights to Bella Vista, but he had informed them that Gravette should have first option.
Council member Melissa Burnett inquired about the former Westfield Home Center property, and Maddox said the new owner plans to operate it as a boat and RV storage unit. Some council members expressed concern that he might be living in an RV on the property, and Maddox said a person was only allowed to live in an RV temporarily while building a more permanent home.
General News on 03/15/2017