DECATUR -- A full agenda awaited the Decatur City Council as it gathered in the conference room at Decatur City Hall for its monthly meeting Sept. 11. At the top of the agenda was the recent newspaper article concerning a possible contract between Gravette and Decatur for EMS service to the city residents.
But first, council members, city officials and guests gathered around the flagpole near the front entrance to city hall to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks on New York, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Penn. The flag was lowered to half-staff (as it was across the nation) to honor those who perished in the attack. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Justin White, council chaplain, offered a prayer of continuing healing for the victims, their families and the nation.
Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp brought to the council's attention a recent news article in the Aug. 30 issue of the Westside Eagle Observer concerning a contract for ambulance service between Gravette and Decatur. The article reported that the Gravette City Council approved a resolution to accept a contract between the two cities.
According to the May and June council minutes and several of the council members, no contract was ever approved; nor was the $30,000 payment which Gravette asked. The city of Decatur did make a payment of $15,000 to help the Gravette Fire Department recover some of its cost, but that was as far as this matter went. According to Tharp, there was never any invoice for payment sent to Decatur for these services.
After a lengthy discussion on this matter, the council voted to table it until Tharp can contact Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox and the city of Gravette to work out details for ambulance service between the two municipalities.
Other Business
In other council business, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, in an attempt to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer, declared Oct. 6 "Go Pink Day." In keeping with the governor's declaration, Tharp read into the council records a "Go Pink" proclamation drafted by the governor's office. The council unanimously passed this proclamation marking Oct. 6 Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Decatur.
The council also passed, on its third and final reading, an ordinance that established restrictions on parking in the new public lot located on the north side of the depot storage shed. This measure set a two-hour time limit for parking in this lot. It also designated two parking spots behind each business on the east side of the lot. One of these spaces can be used for a dumpster should the business have the need for one. The Decatur Police will patrol the lot and issue citations which include a $50 fine for anyone found guilty of violating the rules set forth in the ordinance.
The Decatur City Council meets every second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the conference room at Decatur City Hall. The first 30 minutes of each meeting is set aside for citizen comments or concerns. For more information, contact the city clerk's office at 479-752-3912.
General News on 09/20/2017