Gravette council approves disposal of light bars and reappoints planning commission members

GRAVETTE -- A short special council meeting was held at the July 12 committee of the whole meeting. During the special meeting, council members voted to approve taking out of service old police car light bars. They also voted to approve the reappointment of Ashley Harris and John Lykins to the planning commission. No action was taken following a brief executive session regarding personnel matters.

Police chief Chuck Skaggs had explained that the old police car light bars are no longer needed. He proposes to donate two to area constables who supply their own vehicles and perhaps sell one to Sulphur Springs. He recommended destroying one old halogen light.

Chief Skaggs also reported 3,446 police calls so far this year. About 50 percent of those are business checks, he said. He reported meetings were scheduled at Gravette schools for safety assessment. Meetings are also planned at Decatur, Gentry and Highfill, probably the first week in August. Benton County dispatch is upgrading its communication system and the Gravette PD needs to upgrade in order to continue to communicate with them. He said that Motorola would give the department a $200 trade-in on its old radios. He may look at retiring the canine officer next year and will be looking for a replacement prior to that time.

In response to a question from council member Jeff Davis about the benefits of school resource officers, Skaggs said the primary purpose was to provide increased safety for all teachers, students and staff, but an added benefit was the enhanced relationship between students and police officers. He said many students who are initially reluctant to relate to policemen learn to trust the officers and form a closer bond, even coming to them for advice when they have problems. Skaggs said he would like to have more SROs, ideally one on each campus.

Fire chief Lonnie Mullen reported 550 fire calls year-to-date and said turnout time has been reduced to 1.27 minutes.

Tim DeWitt, parks and street department supervisor, reported the splash pad at the city pool is up and running and more than 1,700 people have used it since its opening. He said that 81 Construction, the low bidder on the pedestrian and bike trail project, will begin work July 23 and reported that civic center renovation is progressing on schedule.

Corey Reardon, water and sewer department supervisor, reported he has met with Morrison-Shipley engineers and they are ready to send the sludge removal project out for bid. He said about 3/4 of the sewer line for Stone Crest Subdivision is complete and preliminary engineering studies are being done on the sewer project east to Hiwasse. He recommends installing a gravity system and pumping sewage back to the present plant in Gravette for treatment.

David Keck, building inspector and code enforcement officer, reported 10 permits have been issued for new homes in Walnut Creek Subdivision and explained his procedure for dealing with problem parking on streets in subdivisions.

Karen Benson, the library supervisor, reported the kickoff event for the children's summer reading program had been televised. Two sessions are being held back-to-back due to the large numbers of children attending. Seventy-seven participants attended on Tuesday, July 11. Young readers in the program have already logged 70 hours of reading. Benson reported a maki-maki demonstration will be held at the library on Gravette Day.

Council members briefly discussed a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for an Arkansas Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grant. The grant would be a 50/50 matching grant with financing coming from the bond fund. The proposed uses are for installing a basketball court and a tennis court at the Hiwasse park and the addition of a toddler playground at Old Town Park. The resolution will be on the agenda for a vote at the July 27 council meeting.

Mayor Kurt Maddox displayed photos of proposed wayfaring signs to be installed to direct travelers to local attractions such as the library and parks and a large 20-foot sign on the 549 Bypass directing traffic to Gravette and to the Hiwasse Community. Engineering will be by Sand Creek Engineering, and $75,000 set aside in the budget should be enough to complete the project, Maddox said.

Carl Rabey, finance director, submitted the June financial report. He reported a $192,000 surplus for the month of June and said this does not include a payment from FEMA which should come this month. He reported a $750,000 balance in the general reserve fund and $700,000 in the water reserve. He praised the new water system which tracks all water use, including that through inactive meters, which will eliminate anyone using water without paying for it. He said putting all paperwork online will eliminate much paper use in the office and result in cost savings.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Maddox reported the Arkansas Highway Department has agreed to redo the curve on Highway 279 in Hiwasse where an excessive number of wrecks have occurred. He thanked the city employees and council members for their willingness to address problems immediately and for "taking care of business." He said he appreciates being able to interact with a team that works together. He especially thanked council member Melissa Burnett for her service on the council, saying she did not plan to run for reelection in November. James Brown has filed as a candidate for election to her position.

General News on 07/18/2018