GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, April 9, to decide which engineer to hire for the sewer extension project to the east of town. Representatives of both RJM and OWN engineering firms had made presentations at the March council meeting, and Mayor Kurt Maddox said they both supplied good references.
Mayor Maddox noted that RJM has no local office and representatives must come from Tulsa when needed, while OWN has an office in Rogers. He also said RJM contracts out a lot of its work, while OWN does not. OWN also does its own surveying. Maddox recommended that the council hire OWN for the project. A vote was taken, and council members voted to accept his recommendation and hire OWN. Maddox said OWN would begin work right away.
All department heads gave reports at the evening's Committee of the Whole meeting except fire chief David Orr. Chief Orr submitted a written report showing 143 EMS calls and 99 fire-related calls made during March. He reported that the department saved $738,400 in property and contents.
Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported his department had a "great month" but a busy month. He said officers have been updating the kennel with new concrete runs and removing an old chain-link fence. He said he is getting estimates for a possible donation of a new metal roof.
Shannon Higgins, code enforcement director, reported for the planning department and said they had done 35 building inspections and 10 code enforcements in March. She reported that a request to rezone property at 1206 First Ave. S.W. from C-2 to R-2 to allow for two or more fourplexes has been withdrawn at the submitter's request.
Richard Sutherland, head of the water department, reported that the waterline relocation on Highway 59 south of town is on schedule and should be completed by this time next month. He said the Detroit Street lift station rehab has been completed, and an employee who has been on medical leave has just returned, so he has a full crew again.
Karen Benson, library director, reported the library distributed 2,900 pairs of solar glasses in preparation for the eclipse. She said people coming in for glasses were very pleased with the recent remodel. She said a resume writing workshop would be held on April 20. She concluded by announcing it was National Library Week and praising her staff members for their work.
Tim DeWitt, the department head of streets and parks, reported that the tennis courts and basketball court are being repainted. The city tree giveaway will be held May 11 at Old Town Park, beginning at 8 a.m. He said a walk-through will be held on the new section of the trail before the final inspection.
A copy of the city's zoning requirements for childcare homes was presented, and Mayor Maddox noted that they were very similar to those of neighboring towns.
In new business, an ordinance was presented approving the rezoning of 4.23 acres at 501 Dallas Street S.W., owned by Mayhue Revocable Trust, from R-3 and R-1 residential to R-3 residential. Also presented was a resolution to approve a large-scale development for Spavinaw Creek Senior Housing Complex, a low-income senior living unit to be built on the property, and a resolution to support an affordable housing program application for grants to fund construction of such. The ordinance and both resolutions will be voted on at the April 23 council meeting.
A resolution was presented authorizing the condemnation of a structure located at 911 Nelson Park, owned by David and Trenna Tipling. Shannon Higgins said the owners have been warned that the structure is in violation of city ordinances and have made no attempt to remedy the property's condition. After a brief discussion, council members agreed to request condemnation of the yard only so the resolution will be rewritten.
A resolution was presented to surplus street department equipment no longer in service, including a Hustler Super Z, a KubotaF2880, and a Husqvarna riding mower. The resolution will be voted on at the April 23 council meeting.
A request was presented for a variance to the city sign ordinance to allow for a 128-square-foot triangle-shaped billboard to be located on 5.14 acres one mile west of Exit 100 on Highway 72, owned by Clyde Phelps. Planning Department staff recommends approval of a 72-square-foot sign, which would be in compliance with the city ordinance. A vote on the variance will be held at the April 23 council meeting.
Finance Director Carl Rabey presented a resolution for budget adjustments for the contract request from the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 year. He gave the March financial report, which showed a $15,000 surplus year-to-date in the general fund and a $120,000 surplus in the city as a whole. He said the city's financial status is "pretty solid."