GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council held their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday, May 14, at the civic center. All members were present except councilman Rod Clardy, who joined the meeting remotely.
Reports were presented by several city department heads.
Fire Chief David Orr reported firemen and first responders have made 260 calls so far this year. The number is down from this time last year, he explained, because many people have limited their calls for ambulance service since they know hospitals are restricting acceptance of new patients because of the covid-19 pandemic. Orr said the department is making progress on securing a new collection agency to do billing for ambulance calls since its previous billing company had closed without warning.
Water department supervisor Richard Sutherland said he is still transitioning into his new position after only eight weeks on the job. Sutherland has worked in the water department for several years but was only recently promoted to supervisor after the resignation of Corey Reardon.
Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported his department has responded to 930 calls so far this year, down from 2,400 at this time last year. He said the department's officers plan to do more traffic stops beginning the end of June.
Tim Dewitt, the parks department supervisor, reminded everyone that the city's spring cleanup is being held the week of May 18-23. Six dumpsters have been placed at the old bus barn property on Charlotte Street and items will be accepted until they are full. Dewitt said his workers have been getting the pool ready for opening, hopefully by Memorial Day weekend, as well as doing mowing and routine maintenance work.
Karen Benson, library manager, reported the library has resumed checking out books. Books can be requested for checkout online or by phone and picked up curbside. A summer reading program is being planned and she hopes to begin by June 1. Readers will receive backpacks with books and activities centering around classic fairy tales. Backpacks for the program, 10 for pre-K and kindergarten students and 80 for students in grades one through six, have been donated by the Bentonville-Bella Vista chapter of Altrusa. Benson also reported the library's e-rate application has been approved. This means internet speeds for library computers will increase significantly and cost will be less than half the current rate.
David Keck, building inspector and code enforcement officer, reported that the new Casey's General Store has opened and seems to have inspired other local businesses to make improvements. He said Edward Jones Investments is renovating space for a new office location on Main Street and the Bank of Gravette will be moving in furniture and preparing for reopening soon. Keck reported seven homes are under construction in Stone Crest Subdivision on Dallas Street S.W. Work is being done on phase two of the walking/bike trails and work will begin soon on the toddler playground area in Old Town Park.
Mayor Kurt Maddox led a brief discussion on a letter being distributed to solicit ideas for developing the old city-owned Presbyterian Church property. Mallory Weaver, communications director, said specifications for acceptable projects would be developed and opportunities for development would be posted in several locations.
An ordinance accepting the right-of-way and easement dedications for Stone Crest Subdivision was discussed and will be on the agenda for the May 28 council meeting. Also discussed were rezoning requests for three properties which were considered at a public hearing Tuesday, May 12. Ordinances for rezoning all three will be considered at the council meeting. They include five acres owned by Jeff and Ashley Harris at 14031 Hiwasse Road. 5.61 acres owned by RLP Development at 1108 Dallas St. S.W. and three acres owned by Jerry and Charlene Yingst at 17842 Hwy. 72.
Council members discussed the purchase of a Pentair Fairbanks water pump from ISI Instrument and Supply in Hot Springs. Purchase price would be $25,292 with an additional $12,000 to $14,000 to install. Richard Sutherland said the pump is needed to replace one that is worn out. He said two pumps are out and another is almost out and, with the recent heavy rains, they cannot keep up with needed water removal. He requested the purchase of a pump and said he would like to purchase another next year. Mayor Maddox recommended investigating purchasing two pumps at this time since there are still bond funds remaining for sewer projects. A vote on pump purchases will be on the agenda for the May 28 council meeting.
Mayor Maddox reported that the city has an opportunity to apply for a 10% matching grant for water and sewer projects. Engineering on the projects has already been partially completed by Morrison-Shipley, Maddox said. Members agreed to approve applying for the grant.
Carl Rabey, city finance director, gave the April financial report. He said sales tax collections were down $105,000 last month and city department heads are still being asked to cut down on spending and not make unnecessary purchases. Rabey reported the legislative audit will begin next month and all documents have been scanned so auditors can work remotely. The water department audit will begin in the next couple of weeks. He said there is still $22,593 remaining in bond funds for sewer projects.
Community on 05/20/2020