GRAVETTE -- Jeff Davis was approved as a new member of the Gravette city council and was sworn in at the January meeting. Davis will fill the vacancy in Ward 1, Position 2, created when Melissa Smith moved out of the city. John E. Lykins was approved to fill the vacancy on the planning commission created by the resignation of Patti Bertschy. Lykins was also sworn in by Mayor Kurt Maddox during the meeting.

Mayor Maddox gave his state of the city address to open the meeting, citing milestones achieved in 2017 and progress being made toward accomplishing goals for the city.

Several resolutions were passed at the meeting, held Thursday, Jan. 25, at the civic center. Council members passed resolutions approving taking out of service two old ambulances and a fire engine that are no longer used, establishing a bank account solely for community room funds and approving budget adjustments and closing the 2017 city budget.

Council members voted to accept designs submitted by BiLD Architects for two options to remodel the Gravette civic center and to seek bids for both options.

Approval was given for the purchase of 19 life paks from Republic First National for the Gravette Fire Department. Grand Savings Bank was approved as the institution to secure a 5-year note for financing the purchase. Funds will be paid from the 1/4-cent sales tax collections.

Council members voted to approve paying design and survey fees to Sand Creek Engineering for a three-phase project at the Hiwasse Community Center. Phase one would provide a new access road from Highway 72. Phase two would cover street preparation and overlay on Firehouse Lane and phase three would provide a paved circle drive, a gravel parking lot and an eight-foot walking trail. The total cost of design and survey fees for the three phases will be $14,300.

Also approved was a lease agreement with SBA Communications, the new owner of a cell tower located at 404 Akron Street N.E. An amendment to the lease agreement was approved, rescinding a 2011 resolution reducing the amount of monthly rent for former owner Jason Steele and reinstating the original rental amount.

Council members accepted the recommendation of Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department supervisor, and voted to approve the bid from Center Point Construction for replacing fences at Pop Allum Park.

Ordinances were passed approving lot splits for property owned by Phillip Fletcher at 17384 Bittersweet Road and property owned by Tony Steele at 18169 Ridge Road.

A third ordinance was passed approving the rezoning of property owned by Jerry Hawkins at 109 Second Avenue S.W. from R-1, single family residential, to R-3, multi-family residential. A public hearing regarding the rezoning was held preceding the council meeting and no one was present to comment. Hawkins proposes to build a two-story, six-unit apartment building on the property, south of Amark.

Council member Richard Carver repeated a prior request that a recommendation from the department head be submitted whenever an expenditure is to be voted on. Council member Ron Theis suggested that, if a recommendation is lacking, the department head should at least be present to answer questions.

General News on 01/31/2018