By Susan Holland
GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council members passed a resolution condemning property owned by Kurt and Dawn Maddox in a short special council meeting preceding last Thursday's committee of the whole meeting. The property was declared a public nuisance and danger to public health after a fire destroyed the Maddox home on May 17.
Several Hiwasse residents were present at the committee meeting. Four persons addressed the council regarding the city's proposed purchase of property owned by the Gravette schools. All who spoke were in support of the purchase.
Brief reports were heard from several department heads. Library manager Kim Schneider reported that bids were being let for remodeling work on the library buildings.
Forty-six youngsters had attended that day's summer reading program. It was reported that the museum annex addition was nearing completion and over $800 was raised at the fire department's pancake breakfast.
Water department manager Corey Reardon reported water lines were being laid in Lynchburg Estates, and Mike von Ree said he was working on a requested annexation of land between Gravette and Bella Vista.
Council members considered three bids submitted for the paving of Horman Road and the south part of N. Mount Pleasant Road. They favored accepting the low bid of $84,220 from Hutchens Construction Company of Springdale. A vote to accept the bid will be on the agenda for the June 29 city council meeting.
Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that he had met with the city's bond counsel and the current bond could be paid off this year. It was expected to be paid off in 10 years and instead will be paid off in five. Maddox proposed placing a new bond issue on the ballot at the November election to help finance parks, more street paving and other projects. He said matching grants are available for building sidewalks to schools. He also reported he met with a Bentonville economic development specialist and got the names of people involved in Main Street revitalization and park development. He said he would also like to see city water rates lowered and paving of part of the 29 miles of gravel roads in Hiwasse.
Monthly financial reports were submitted by city finance director Chris Speights. She reported that expenses looked good. When questioned about overages in some areas of the budget, she said she expected them to level out. Mayor Maddox commented that the city was fortunate to get someone with Chris' experience to fill the finance director's position.
Purchase of Chromebooks for each council member will be on the agenda for the June 29 council meeting.
This purchase is being recommended in an effort to cut down on paper use.
Councilwoman Melissa Burnett commented on a pothole at the intersection which needed repair and Mayor Maddox said the state highway department was responsible.
He said they did recently get a dead tree near El Bohemio cut down.
General News on 06/17/2015