GRAVETTE -- The Gravette City Council held its monthly Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday, Nov. 8, at Gravette City Hall, with all members present. No private citizens were present for comments.
Reports were given by several department heads. David Keck, building inspector and code enforcement officer, reported 40 inspections had been conducted in October, and he has already issued five new building permits for November. He said he is working with contractors doing maintenance on the exterior of the Presbyterian Church and he thinks they are doing a good job. He is also monitoring work on the new bike trail being installed in the city.
Chuck Skaggs, chief of police, reported 5,556 calls year-to-date. He said police officers had started their "No Shave November" program early and have already donated $95 to the Bright Futures program. In response to a question about the recent police chase, he reported there was no damage to Gravette police department vehicles, but it was a county unit that was struck during the pursuit. He said it would be the middle to the end of 2020 before the new radio system would be operable in the county.
Corey Reardon, water and sewer department supervisor, reported a department employee has been to the water tester course and has been certified, which should save the city money since it has been hiring someone to do this testing. He said two hydrants in the city will need to be raised during the sidewalk installation and service may have to be shut down during that project. It will be done late in the day in order to cause as little disruption in service as possible. He also reported numerous water line breaks have occurred during construction on Dallas Street S.W. and water lines may have to be replaced in that area in the future.
Lonnie Mullen, fire chief, reported 916 calls year-to-date and said 18 percent of those were overlapping calls, where more than one fire department unit was in service at the same time. He said the turnout time is currently 1.3 minutes and firefighters are working to reduce that. Mullen presented a proposal to raise the fire dues for residents of the county, saying the current fire dues are the lowest of any department in the area and do not cover the cost of service for fire responses. He proposes to raise the rate to $75 a year for developed parcels and $35 a year for undeveloped parcels. A vote on raising the fire dues will be on the agenda for the Nov. 15 city council meeting.
Karen Benson, the library supervisor, reported that nutrition classes sponsored by the library would begin Tuesday, Nov. 13. They will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays (except Thanksgiving Day) at the civic center. She reported the library gala held Saturday, Nov. 3, was a big success with proceeds of $4,172.73 which will be used to reimburse the Gravette Community Foundation for expenses and the remainder used for library programs.
In new business, council members reviewed a resolution designating the city's planning area boundary and approving the map and an ordinance approving and adopting the planning area boundary and map. Both will be considered at the Nov. 13 planning commission meeting and will be on the agenda for a vote at the Nov. 15 council meeting. Council members reviewed a lot split for Francisco Rubio for a property at Bittersweet Road and Stage Coach Road in Gravette. The lot split will also be considered at the Nov. 13 planning commission meeting and will be on the Nov. 15 council meeting agenda.
Also on the Nov. 15 council meeting agenda is a proposed ordinance for an inventory list of fixed assets owned by the city, to set the requirement for items listed at a minimum value of $5,000 and a useful life of five years. If approved, the ordinance will be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017.
Carl Rabey, finance director, presented the financial report for October, with a written summary of each fund and projections for year-end totals.
Mayor Kurt Maddox told council members he would have copies of the proposed 2019 budget ready for them at the Nov. 15 council meeting and asked if they would like to hold a special meeting afterward to consider the budget.
Maddox said newly elected council member Ashley Harris will remain on the planning commission and there are four other prospective planning commission members to be appointed. Retiring council member Melissa Burnett, who has served as council chairman during 2018, proposed Ron Theis as council chairman for 2019. Maddox said there are also new library commission members to be appointed in December because some of the current commission members will be coming off to form a Friends of the Library organization.
The November city council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Civic Center.
General News on 11/14/2018