GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council members voted unanimously to approve Dani Madison as the new city clerk/treasurer at their regular meeting Thursday, May 26. Madison was sworn in by Mayor Kurt Maddox and took her seat at the council table. She has been a member of the city planning commission and had been serving as its secretary.
During the comment period at the beginning of the meeting, Carole Robel, treasurer of the Friends of the Gravette Public Library, addressed the council. She and Roy Perrine, president of the Friends organization, presented a check to Karen Benson, library director. Robel explained that the $1,999 donation was the proceeds from six fundraisers the Friends conducted in 2021.
Council members voted to approve the second of two ward maps being considered. Mayor Maddox said that both plans were very similar but plan two is slightly more square. An ordinance was passed adopting the new ward boundaries.
A resolution was passed declaring as surplus a 2002 Kawasaki motorcycle and a 1999 Cat 416C backhoe. The backhoe was approved as a trade-in for the purchase of a new backhoe. A second resolution was passed authorizing the mayor to negotiate a temporary contract for the services of the finance director for the city.
Council members voted to approve a lease agreement with the Friends of the Gravette Public Library for the use of two rooms in the former library building, one for a book sale room and the other for a storage room. The Friends will use at least 80% of book sale proceeds to support library collections, programs and services.
A final resolution was passed approving adjustments to the 2022 budget. Finance director Carl Rabey reported there had been no change in the financial statement or the bond fund since the May 12 Committee of the Whole meeting.
In comments at the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Maddox said "welcome aboard" to Dani Madison and expressed thanks to the Friends of the Library for pursuing an American Rescue Plan grant.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Roy Perrine (left), president of the Friends of the Gravette Public Library, and Carole Robel, treasurer of the Friends organization, present a $1,999 check to Karen Benson, the library director, at the May meeting of the Gravette City Council. The donation is the proceeds from six fundraisers the Friends conducted in the year 2021.