New planning commissioners approved

Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer Mayor Kurt Maddox swears in Jo Ellen Davis and Anthony Bertschy as new members of the Gravette Planning Commission at a special council meeting Tuesday evening, March 14. City Attorney Davis Bailey is visible in the background.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer Mayor Kurt Maddox swears in Jo Ellen Davis and Anthony Bertschy as new members of the Gravette Planning Commission at a special council meeting Tuesday evening, March 14. City Attorney Davis Bailey is visible in the background.

GRAVETTE -- Jo Ellen Davis and Anthony Bertschy were sworn in as new members of the Gravette Planning Commission at a special council meeting during the city council's committee of the whole meeting Tuesday evening, March 14.

Council members had earlier accepted the resignation of commission member Derek Estep, approved their appointments and approved Michael Deniston as a planning commission alternate. Terry Roberts was also approved as a new member of the Gravette Public Library's advisory board.

Several department heads gave reports at the COW meeting. Written reports were submitted by the building inspection/code enforcement employees, who were in training, and by Richard Sutherland, head of the water/sewer department.

Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported that February was a "great month" with new officer Curtis Mullen on patrol and new school resource officer Jeremy McGarrah now on the job. He reported the new SRO contract had been approved at the February school board meeting and said Gravette was very fortunate to have three school resource officers since many larger towns still have fewer.

Karen Benson, library manager, reported a good response to the library's gardening programs and classes that were filled to capacity. She expressed thanks to Seed Savers Exchange and the Bella Vista Garden Club, which furnished seeds for the seed swap, and to Penguin Random House, which provided gardening supplies and funded the door prizes. Benson also mentioned the upcoming great North American solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, and reported she had recently attended a solar eclipse workshop in Van Buren and has already received 2,600 pairs of solar glasses to be used by library patrons.

Fire Chief David Orr reported the fire department has responded to 137 calls so far in 2023. He said pumps on the fire trucks had been tested just that day, and he was glad that had been done to ensure the equipment is safe and being maintained properly. He also reported the department's billing company had announced an upcoming increase in its charges, so he is investigating some other options.

Tim Dewitt, streets and parks department supervisor, reported the final bond money had been spent and the new playground equipment is expected to be installed in the next two or three weeks. He announced the citywide spring cleanup had been set for the week of March 20-25 and dumpsters will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Plans are to uncover the city pool on April 10, and the spring tree giveaway is scheduled for April 29.

In old business, council members heard a brief discussion of changes in the city fireworks ordinance. Mayor Kurt Maddox said it had been analyzed by both the fire and police departments, and some changes were made in the dates and times at which fireworks can be discharged, and a ban on open burning within 600 feet of a fireworks stand was added. A vote on approving the new fireworks ordinance will be on the agenda for the March 28 council meeting.

In new business, the council considered the proposal to rezone 7.83 acres at 13090 Highway 279, owned by the Binns Joint Revocable Trust, from A-1, agricultural, to C-2, highway commercial. Mayor Maddox noted the proposed rezoning would be voted on by the planning commission at its Thursday night meeting.

In their final item of business, council members voted to approve Richard Sutherland and Tim Dewitt to continue as the city's representatives on the Benton-Washington County Regional Public Water Authority board.

Cindy Pembleton gave the February financial report, showing a $200,000 surplus in the general fund, mostly related to grant fund income, and a net surplus of $248,000. She reported there was an $11,000 shortfall in the street fund due largely to the cost of building the new parking lot at city hall.

Mayor Maddox announced the Arkansas Municipal League meeting would be held June 14-16 in Little Rock and reminded any council members interested in attending to contact him right away.

Maddox announced that this would be the last meeting for Mallory Weaver, city communications director, as she has accepted a position with a firm in Gentry. He said she would be greatly missed.

Maddox also reported the city has reapplied for a grant to extend sewer service on Highway 72 to the Highway 49 bypass and announced he would be out of town for the March 28 council meeting but will call in to join the meeting.