Council rezones, sells police station, city hall properties

GRAVETTE — A short public hearing was held preceding the Aug. 27 city council meeting to consider the rezoning of cityowned property at 606 First Ave. S.E. and 604 First Ave. S.E. and hear input on an application for a community development block grant.

Two citizens were present to comment on the rezoning. Bob Kelley, who owns property on Second Ave. S.E. behind the police station, commented that he would prefer to have the police department as a neighbor rather than a fast-food place but he understood that a fast-food restaurant would be an asset resulting in greater sales tax collection. He was concerned that if the city hall and the police department move back to Main Street they will have the same problem that prompted them to move off Main in the past, limited parking space. He also asked if a privacy fence would be erected between the restaurant and adjoining residential property, and Mayor Kurt Maddox said current zoning regulations require that. Both Kelley and Vincent Welty asked about whether the alley between the two properties would remain open and Maddox replied that it would. Maddox said two letters have been received in favor of the rezoning and one in opposition.

Also at the public hearing, Cassie Elliott, grant writer with Visionary Milestones, presented information about eligibility requirements for the community development block grant. She encouraged the city to apply for a CDBG to fund the extension of sewer service along Highway 72 east of town. Grants are available for up to $1,000,000 for such projects. She said having a certain percentage of low- and moderate-income citizens is a requirement for eligibility and Gravette currently qualifies. Since this is a census year, those figures could change so they should apply as soon as possible. Applications are due in the spring.

In business at the council meeting, members passed an ordinance correcting the dates for utility billings and payment, setting dates for water meter reading and providing for appeals or penalties for non-payment.

A resolution was passed declaring property at 13358 Old Train Road in Hiwasse a nuisance and setting a condemnation hearing for Sept. 24. The owner, Jody Reding, was present and said he had “fixed up” the property and dealt with some of the objectionable issues. Mayor Maddox told Reding to talk to code enforcement officer David Keck about it.

In preparation for the application for a CDBG for sewer service on Highway 72 east of town, council members approved the engineering proposal from Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, the citizen participation plan, the residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan, the excessive force policy and a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an application for CDBG funds.

Council members voted unanimously to accept the offer of $400,000 from K-MAC Enterprises for the purchase of city hall and the police station. They also passed ordinances rezoning the two properties, 604 First Ave. S.E. and 606 First Ave. S.E., from O, open, to C-2, highway commercial.

A conditional use permit was granted allowing a RazorBox Storage facility to be constructed at 12970 Highway 72 West.

Carl Rabey, city finance director, distributed copies of the July financial statements. He said balances in the accounts had not changed since the Aug. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting and there was no change in bond funds.