Gravette approves crisis agreement

GRAVETTE — The City Council met April 9 at City Hall to conduct the business for the March 19 council meeting postponed because of the covid-19 outbreak.

Council members Ron Theis and James Brown were present. The other four council members were tied in by telephone.

dures.

The council also rezoned 1.14-acres in Hiwasse, owned by Donnie Parsons, from R-1 single-family residential to C-2 highway commercial. The property borders Arkansas 279 on the west and Old Train Road on the north. The rezoning was recommended by the city staff and by the Planning Commission.

Council members also approved establishing a crisis intervenStory Featured Dining Guideartment and approved appointees for members of the Gravette Historical Museum Commission. Museum commission members are Steve Mitchael, John Mitchael, Jay Mitchael, Janice Deaton, Bob Kelley, Al Blair, Mike von Ree, Patti Bertschy, Betsy Meek, Lavon Stark, Randi Van Noy, Margie Van Noy and Louise Evans.

The council also decided to attempt to find the owner of property between Gravette and Hiwasse used as a school site in the early 1900s.

Also approved was appointing Richard Sutherland to the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority board. Sutherland was recently hired as head of the city’s Water and Sewer Department to replace Corey Reardon, who resigned. Tim Dewitt was approved as an alternate on the board.

Mayor Kurt Maddox asked the council to consider waiving late fees for water and sewer bills for April and May. Council members voted to approve the waiver. Maddox earlier issued an executive order service would not be cut off to any water/sewer customer during those months.