Council discusses proposal to expand Richardson Center

GRAVETTE — Members of the Gravette city council held their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting at the Civic Center on July 9.

Council members considered a proposal from the Elizabeth Richardson Center to develop the old Presbyterian Church as a site for expansion of their services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center has facilities in Fayetteville, Springdale, Huntsville and Siloam Springs and has been seeking another location in Northwest Arkansas. Mayor Kurt Maddox said the center is a well-respected service organization and its facility would be an asset to the community.

He suggested giving them time to raise money for the project and councilman Theis mentioned a six-month time period.

Council members authorized an application for a 50/50 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to install a bathroom at Kindley Park. It would be like the bathroom at the Hiwasse Park and the cost is estimated at $80,000. The resolution will be on the agenda for the Thursday council meeting.

Also considered was a request from Spavinaw Investments for a permit to construct a 190 foot AM radio tower at 1200 First Ave. S.E. The tower has already been reviewed by the Planning Commission and a public hearing on the placement of the tower was held July 14.

Carl Rabey, city business director, presented the monthly financial report and said there’s a surplus of $21,000 in the general fund. The Water Department had a good month with a surplus of $36,000 because of increased revenue and decreased spending, partly because some expenses have been paid from the bond fund.

Rabey said the city is about $40,000 below budget because of a lag in sales tax collection. He reported there is a little money left in the sidewalk bond fund and some money in the sewer bond fund but it is set aside for installation of pumps.

Rabey said work on the water audits for 2016 through 2019 was completed and the legislative audit should be complete in August.

Also on the agenda will be a request for rezoning property in Hiwasse from A-1, agricultural, to R-1, single-family residential. The property, at 13771 Holloway Road, is owned by Luther Pike, who wishes to split the parcel and build a home behind an existing residence.

Reports were heard from department heads.

Fire Chief David Orr said his department responded to 379 calls this year and firefighters did a good job containing a garage fire earlier that day. He said the new mobile radios have been received and will be programmed and installed when the radio tower is ready.

Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported 1,309 calls to date, 203 since the last meeting.

This is about 200 less than last year.

Richard Sutherland, Water Department supervisor, said the last motor was installed in the lagoons at the sewer plant. He said he’s pleased many leaks are being found and repaired and water loss is down to 12 to 13% but he would like to get it down to 10%. He said the last 19 water meters for Stone Crest Subdivision have been ordered and a possible 18 new houses to be built west of town will soon need service.

Tim Dewitt, Parks and Streets Department supervisor, said the splash park at the swimming pool was struck by lightning. The number of calls inquiring about a timeline for repair shows how heavily the park is used, he said. He reported the fence around the toddler playground at Old Town Park is complete and turf will be in soon to finalize the project.

Karen Benson, library manager, said the summer reading program is off to a great start with 227 participants enrolled. She said 133 are children and 21 are teens. This is the largest number of teens enrolled in the program. Benson also reported the library is receiving another $1,000 grant from Best Buy which will cover material for the teen program and replenish materials for the STEAM program. The library has also received a donation to purchase new public access computers.