GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council held a short special meeting Thursday evening, March 12, to discuss the results of the city's 2019 audit. Carl Rabey, city finance director, reported the audit showed only three findings, much lower than previous audits, and said state auditors are going to try to do the 2017 and 2018 audits this year. Council members voted unanimously to approve the audit.
At the close of the special meeting, council members returned to the regular monthly Committee of the Whole meeting and heard reports from several department heads.
Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department manager, reported his crew has started the first low-water bridge with concrete poured on North Mount Pleasant Road and said they were doing ditch work all last month and are still working on storm drain ditches. He also reported work on Pop Allum Field. Corey Reardon, water and sewer department manager, reported his department is pulling aerators at the water plant and replacing those which have bad motors.
Fire Chief David Orr reported 115 calls so far this year and said, after investigation, the cause of the apartment fire Sunday, March 8, was ruled as undetermined. Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported 646 calls already this year and said he had received a call from another city's fire department praising Chief Orr for the professionalism of his department during the March 8 fire. Karen Benson, library manager, reported a livestream event for small businessmen, using Google analytics, was held Wednesday, March 11. Attendance was good and she hopes to host a few more such events.
Reardon submitted a report on water and sewer projects completed in the last 10 years. Mayor Kurt Maddox reported $2.93 million spent on the water lagoon, $2 million on the water tower and $900,000 on new water lines during that time period. He said his research revealed that the city crew can replace water lines without having to pay additional engineering fees.
Council members considered several ordinances that will be on the agenda for the March 19 council meeting. These include an ordinance replacing an older ordinance and establishing guidelines for responsible growth within the city. This ordinance will regulate utility expansion and prohibit sewer main and water main extensions in unincorporated areas outside the city. Thus, any potential customer desiring sewer or water service outside the city will need to have his or her property annexed first.
Other ordinances considered were ones establishing mini-storage and self-storage facility regulations; establishing procedural guidelines for the Gravette Police Department Crisis Intervention Team; and establishing standard procedures for street cuts, street repairs, street bores, permitting and related activities.
Also on the agenda for the March 19 meeting will be a resolution approving three adjustments to the 2020 budget.
Other actions at the council meeting will include a vote on approval of the closure of a short 20-foot section of alley owned by Dorothy Durgin in Hiwasse. The alley closure was considered by the planning commission on March 17. A vote will also be held on approval of rezoning property owned by Donnie Parsons at 13317 Highway 279 N. in Hiwasse from A-1, agricultural, to C-2, commercial. Parsons desires to build storage units for lease on the property.
The city is seeking development proposals for the old Presbyterian Church property at 21 Atlanta Street S.E. It has specified that proposals should complement existing commercial development and draw in visitors or employees. Interested parties may obtain specifications from the city planning department.
The Arkansas Highway Department has received a request to designate State Highway 549 from the Interstate 49 and U.S. Highways 71/71B interchange to the Missouri state line as a State Scenic Byway. The segment of highway is currently a State Scenic Highway. Designation as a State Scenic Byway may make the segment eligible for federal funds for qualifying enhancement projects and will prohibit the installation of billboards and off-premise signs along the route. Council members are requested to provide a resolution of support for the change in the designation or provide a written response that they oppose or have no official position regarding the change.
Council members will vote, at their regular meeting, on the approval of current museum commission members. Those members, once approved, will be sworn in at the April 6 museum commission meeting.
Bids have been received for new vehicles for the police department and the fire department. These include bids of $44,837.94 for a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe UV with police package for the police department; and bids of $30,454.00 for a 2020 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman 4x4 crew cab with a 6-foot, 4-inch box and $3,620.00 for a Leer 180cc short-bed truck camper shell for the fire department, all from Superior Automotive Group of Siloam Springs.
Councilmember Rod Clardy expressed concerns about rebar sticking up in an old foundation east of the recently-renovated community building. Councilmember Margo Thomas expressed concern about dump trucks and 18-wheelers exceeding the speed limit on Second Street S.W. and said she felt it endangered the safety of children living and playing along that street.
Community on 03/18/2020