Soccer fields cause concern for residents

GRAVETTE -- Michael Evans, who lives on Persimmon Street S.W., just behind the soccer field on the east side of Pop Allum Park, attended the April 11 Committee of the Whole meeting and requested that a fence be built between the field and his property. He said he wished to prevent damage to his property and injury to his family, particularly his young daughter who often plays in the back yard. Evans said he had neighbors who also shared his concerns.

He brought several photos of soccer fields to support his claim that they are normally fenced to protect bystanders. Council member Margo Thomas asked why Evans' neighbors who had concerns did not attend the meeting. Evans said he felt there was room to move the soccer field to the north and asked if that might be done. Council chairman Ron Theis said that might be a possibility. Council members agreed to consider Evans' request and, when he asked what else he could do, Mayor Kurt Maddox suggested he discuss the matter with parks department supervisor Tim Dewitt.

Jared Weston reported for the fire department that the department has responded to 186 calls so far this year and department members have completed 1,150 1/2 hours of training. Average turnout time is now 1.35 minutes.

Chuck Skaggs, police chief, reported the police department is nearing 3,000 calls, many of them property checks. He reported active shooter response training was held at the high school during spring break. NARCA kits are being ordered to protect officers from ill effects after handling drugs.

David Keck, building inspector, reported that the water department is working on raising hydrants and valves to match the height of the trails. He said a lightning strike south of town had caused multiple leaks, and the sewer plant supervisor is completing his sanitary service with the Arkansas Department of Health.

Keck reported for the streets and parks department that the new trail in Hiwasse is now open and the parks crew is already busy with mowing. He said road grading has begun in Hiwasse, and council member Rod Clardy commented that they were doing a good job. He also reported the parks department is getting the pool ready to open. Mayor Maddox reported the pool is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend but, if the weather warms up enough, it might be opened for a couple of weekends before then.

Keck reported, as building inspector and code enforcement officer, that the remodeled home economics building is now complete and an open house is scheduled Thursday, April 18. He said he had attended an asbestos training class in Fort Smith and had attended a code enforcement training class in Little Rock.

Keck said the master street plan is almost complete and reported a property owner on Main Street wants approval to build a balcony that would extend out over city property. He said he had multiple concerns about the proposed construction, including safety issues and possible city liability. He suggested a policy might need to be established.

Karen Benson, library director, reported a program on energy savings will be held at the library Thursday, April 18. She said registration for the summer reading program begins soon and reported McKee Foods has donated $2,000 for furniture for the teen room at the library.

A representative of Arkansas Sign and Banner addressed the council with a request to remove the $6,500 penalty assessed the company for not completing the installation of wayfaring signs on time. He said the contract did not allow for delayed completion but there were rain delays and a vendor who "dropped the ball." He said the delay didn't cost the city anything and asked if a compromise might be reached and a lower amount assessed. Council member Ron Theis said council members would have to consider that they would be setting a precedent and said a vote on the matter would be on the agenda for the April 25 council meeting.

Council members discussed a proposed ordinance establishing a high consumption water rate for customers using over 50,000 gallons a month. Councilman Theis said the reduced rates would encourage high use customers to go on city water rather than digging a well and would also help attract light industry. Mayor Maddox said the 50,000-gallon point was the same cutoff used by neighboring towns, but council member Jeff Davis suggested reducing the cutoff to 35,000 gallons. Council members agreed to seek further information and consider the matter again at the April 25 council meeting.

Also on the agenda will be an ordinance establishing lot split procedures. If approved, landowners meeting the established guidelines may be granted a lot split by the planning department, with the approval of the mayor. Proposed lot splits, easements and adjustments not meeting the guidelines will still be required to come before the planning commission for approval and be considered by the city council.

Lieutenant Jared Weston presented two bids for four air packs and 30 masks for fire department use. He said this would complete a respiratory protection program the department has been working on and provide a unit for each seat on all the department's trucks. Mayor Maddox explained that the city has received a grant to pay for the supplies but it requires the department to pay for them and then be reimbursed. Weston said that he was not sure one of the bids included shipping and fulfilled all bid requirements and he would check on that before a vote on the purchase is made.

A lot split for ByPass Holdings was discussed. A representative of the company was present and answered a question about fencing on the property. He said a solid fence would be built on the front of the property and landscaping installed on the back. The planning commission has recommended approval of the lot split and it will be on the agenda for the council meeting.

Carl Rabey, business manager, gave the March financial report. He said there was a $194,000 shortfall in March due to a $94,000 bond fund quarterly payment, $54,000 expense for wayfinding signs, $35,000 museum expense and three payrolls in March.

He presented a proposed budget adjustment for a $35,000 increase in miscellaneous income, a $1,350 increase in donations for technology expense at the library, a $2,000 increase for McKee Foods donation for the teen room at the library, a $1,500 increase for cemetery plot sales and a $1,100 increase for museum professional services.

Rabey also gave a bond update, showing the amount spent and the balance remaining in each bond fund. Mayor Maddox said efforts are being made to get lights at Pop Allum Park which will require the expenditure of most of the remaining parks money.

General News on 04/17/2019