Special Gravette council meeting held Nov. 14

GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council members considered several items of business during a special meeting held Thursday evening, Nov. 14. These included a lot split, vehicle purchase, land purchase and results of a recent legal decision.

After some discussion, a proposed lot split for land owned by Aaron Burks in Hiwasse was tabled. Both Larry Boling and Burks addressed the council during the comment period with pleas to approve the property split and facilitate the sale of the land which was to sell the next day and be developed for commercial purposes. Boling presented copies of a letter from the Arkansas Highway Department showing the AHD's willingness to approve driveways on each tract and expressing only a desire to have trees in the fencerow removed for better visibility.

The Gravette Police Department did not recommend the lot split because of projected future growth and the potential increase in traffic. David Keck, city code enforcement officer, showed copies of the city's master street plan which calls for a street running through the property and connecting with old downtown Hiwasse. Council members agreed they were not against the lot split but just had concerns about safety. They were in agreement with Keck who recommended, rather than separate driveways on each tract, having one entrance with an easement so each new developer would be responsible for connecting roads.

Councilman James Brown stated, "Public safety is more important than a lot split" and expressed his concern about heavy traffic in what is already a congested area. He cited, particularly, morning traffic from drivers going to Bella Vista for work. After Brown's remarks, the vote to table the lot split was passed.

Also in the special council meeting, members voted to approve the purchase of a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe 4-wheel-drive 4-door vehicle for the police department. The vehicle, to be purchased for $36,660.64 from Superior Automotive Group, will be paid for from the 1/4 cent sales tax funds. Sergeant Chris Kelley presented a case for purchasing the Tahoe, saying the Tahoes require less upkeep and maintenance than the Explorer, get better mileage and, with a larger fuel tank, are a little more versatile.

Council members also approved the purchase of two parcels of land from Gravette Property Investments Inc., represented by Patrick Hall, for a purchase price of $14,100. The property, which runs behind the senior housing units across to the old water plant, will be paid for with funds donated by the Meade family and will provide connectivity with the present walking trail system.

Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that the city had lost its case in the Arkansas Court of Appeals to gain control of a part of the Centerton Utilities water district that is in the Gravette city limits. City attorney David Bailey recommended that, since the city had pursued the matter this far, it pay the fee and have the current appeals attorney file to appeal again before the Arkansas Supreme Court and the full Court of Appeals.

Several city department heads gave reports. Lieutenant Jared Weston reported that the fire department has answered 718 calls this year and said the joint fire department/police department trick or treat at the fire station was a big success.

Sergeant Chris Kelley reported the police department had a busy month during October. Officers had made 531 calls, resulting in 306 reports.

Karen Benson, library manager, reported the library is participating in the Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive and collecting sweaters for persons in need. Benson also reported the library has received a code club grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Science with an approximate value of $4,500. This grant, one of 50 given in the U.S., will allow the library to get more robots and offer computer coding classes for kids.

Corey Reardon, water and sewer department manager, told of his intention to take money from the department's bond funds to set a new main water line on Dallas Street S.W. near Pop Allum Park. He said he will get engineers to look at the project but he feels this is preferable to continuing to make repairs on the old line. Reardon reported that mediation on the work done on the city's equalization lagoons would be held Nov. 18 and 19 in Rogers.

David Keck, city building inspector, reported 10 more building permits have been issued this month, making about 25 for the same builder. He said home construction is not slowing down as usual in the winter months. Keck said he is working on new subdivision regulations and a new zoning ordinance. Work is continuing on the old and new sections of the walking trail. The state has made the final inspection of the old trail and engineers are about 90 percent complete with their work on the new trail.

In new business council members discussed rezoning of property owned by Jamie and Benjamin Decker on Highway 72 east of town. The 10-acre parcel is proposed as the site of a wedding and special events venue. A resolution approving the rezoning will be on the agenda for the Nov. 21 city council meeting.

Also on the agenda for the Nov. 21 council meeting will be a resolution declaring property owned by Jody Reding at 13358 Old Train Road as a nuisance and setting a condemnation hearing. Reding has failed to respond to repeated letters notifying him of property code violations.

An ordinance establishing and amending certain fees for the city will be voted on at the Nov. 21 city council meeting. The current fee structure has been reviewed and the proposed ordinance will establish suggested changes that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. The majority of the revisions are setting fees for services for which there are no current fees.

Carl Rabey, city finance director, presented the proposed 2020 budget and said it would be reviewed again before a vote in December to implement the budget beginning Jan. 1. Rabey said he had prepared a conservative budget and only included income that is certain. Rabey also presented the October financial report with a summary of revenue and expenses for the month.

Mayor Maddox reported much expense has been incurred because of repeated road repair resulting from flood damage. He said he has asked the state for assistance to pay for road repairs. City officials have met with some concrete suppliers regarding building low water bridges on some of the worst dirt roads. He said Fielding Road is partly in the city and partly in the county, so any project there will be a joint effort.

Maddox said the balance is down in the city's general fund but property tax revenue should help offset the shortfall.

Community on 11/20/2019