GRAVETTE -- A public hearing was held preceding the April 26 meeting of the Gravette city council to discuss changes in several properties in Gravette. No one was present to comment on any of the actions, so the hearing was closed.
Council members voted to take out of service three police department vehicles, a 2008 Dodge Durango, a 2008 Dodge Explorer and a 2012 Dodge Charger. A fourth vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Durango, will be transferred to city hall to be used by the city's new code enforcement officer.
Council members also voted to take out of service fire department air packs recently replaced by newer models and to take out of service a Mako air compressor that was in the Hiwasse Fire Department and trade it to EVS for a 6,000 psi cascade system with fittings and air compressor that the department needs.
Bids were approved for work on several area roads and streets. Work approved includes a bid of $296,465.10 from Hutchens Construction for chip and seal on several roads in the Hiwasse area, a bid of $28,763.20 from Hutchens Construction for chip and seal approaches on several roads in the Hiwasse area, a bid of $260,834 from Decco Contractors for asphalt overlay on several Gravette city streets and a bid of $24,473 to Decco Contractors for overlay and paving on Fire House Lane in Hiwasse. Payment for the projects will be made from the parks bond, the street bond and the street reserve account. The funds pulled from the street reserve will be reimbursed after the second drawing of the bond funds.
Ordinances were passed approving a lot split for property owned by Leon Rose on Easley Circle in Hiwasse, approving a lot line adjustment for property owned by JTZ Enterprises and John Easley on Dickson Road, approving replatting of property owned by Glenn Whitman at Dallas Street S.W. and Sixth Avenue S.W. and approving the preliminary plat for the Stone Crest Subdivision owned by Lykins Leasing LLC at 802 Dallas Street S.W.
Approval was given to spending matching grant funds for a SAFER grant for which fire chief Lonnie Mullen applied. If the grant is approved, the funds will be used to pay the city's 25 percent share and federal funds will pay a 75 percent share to hire an additional first-year firefighter.
A resolution was passed expressing the city's willingness to utilize federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to develop or improve sidewalks in the south part of town. Federal TAP funds are available at 80 percent federal participation and 20 percent local match. The resolution authorizes the city to cooperate with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to begin work on the project.
A resolution was passed approving changes in the 2018 budget. Adjustments were made in the administrative account, the fire department, the license department, the library department, the parks department, the water department and the street department.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Kurt Maddox announced that this would be the final council meeting held at the civic center. Bids on remodeling the civic center are expected to be received in two or three weeks and meetings will be held at city hall until remodeling work is complete. He also reported that final walkthroughs had been conducted for projects completed at Pop Allum Park and the Hiwasse Park. A grand opening for the Hiwasse Park and community building is planned for Thursday, May 31.
General News on 05/02/2018