Gravette council members approve Casey's final plat

GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council members, in a special meeting preceding their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting, voted unanimously to approve the final plat for Casey's General Store. Casey's is expected to begin construction soon and have its store completed by the end of the year.

Several city department heads gave reports at the COW meeting. Karen Benson, library manager, reported several upcoming library events, including a "Spruce Up Your Holiday Marketing Plan" webinar for area small businessmen Thursday, Oct. 17. The Moon Over Main Street event has been rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, and book signings will be held Nov. 2 and Nov. 7.

Fire Chief David Orr reported the fire department has made 645 calls this year, including a high-risk rescue during the Oct. 6 flooding which went smoothly. Gravette firefighters were involved in Fire Safety Week activities at Glenn Duffy Elementary School and presented a HAZMAT class to fourth graders at the upper elementary school Oct. 10.

Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported the police department has made 4,010 calls this year. He said Gravette police officers were out Oct. 6 helping tape off roads that were becoming impassable because of high water. He told about plans for the joint police/fire department Halloween event with inflatables, free hot dogs, chili and candy at the fire station.

Tim Dewitt, street and parks department supervisor, reported on road damage resulting from the recent flooding. He said all area roads are open to traffic and his crews are working to put them back in shape. Stidham Lane and Buttermilk Springs Road were two of the most heavily damaged. He reported the city will have another tree giveaway from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Old Town Park.

Dewitt said only nine dumpsters were filled during the fall citywide cleanup. A gate that can be locked at the dumpster site and constant monitoring by city employees have eliminated many of the out-of-town persons who have attempted to bring disposable items to Gravette.

Carl Rabey, city finance director, reported for the water department that there has been a decrease in building insurance costs. Plans are to use the money saved to build a fence around the lift station in the Walnut Creek subdivision.

During their consideration of new business, council members briefly discussed two proposed ordinances. One would give the fire department authority to collect fees for certain medical procedures and supplies not covered in the original ambulance billing ordinance. The other defines accessory structures and establishes guidelines for building and placement of such structures. Both ordinances will be on the agenda for the Oct. 24 council meeting.

Carl Rabey presented several budget adjustments which will be on the council meeting agenda. He reviewed the September financial report and reported he had not yet received information to do a bond update. Rabey said he learned in a recent meeting in Little Rock that the city will not begin receiving sales tax from Internet sales until next year. He believes that this sales tax will be of great benefit to Gravette since items purchased on the Internet are generally not available locally and the business will not be competition for area brick and mortar businesses.

Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that Bella Vista will hold its water/sewer hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. Centerton is trying to sell water rights from the Hiwasse General Store east to Bella Vista and has refused to sell to Gravette. Maddox will attend to present Gravette's position that Centerton should sell the rights to Gravette, then let them negotiate with Bella Vista since the area in question is within the Gravette city limits.

Community on 10/16/2019