Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Weihe sworn in as newest member of Gravette council
GRAVETTE —During a special meeting Aug. 13, Larry Weihe was appointed to fill a vacant position on the City Council.
Weihe, who had written a letter asking to be considered for the position, is pastor of the Hiwasse Church of the Nazarene and a former fire chief at Hiwasse. He’ll fill the position vacated by Ashley Harris, who recently moved to Bentonville.
Mayor Kurt Maddox swore Weihe in and he began serving immediately.
Council members considered a proposal from K-Mac Enterprises, a Missouri corporation, to purchase city hall and the police station for $400,000. The city would be required to tear down the current buildings and David Keck, building inspector and code enforcement officer, said he has two firms offering to do demolition.
The city is considering purchasing the former Main Cafe building for $248,000 and remodeling it for housing city offices and the Police Department. The Bank of Gravette has offered to lease its data center and former drive-through bank facility for use in the meantime.
Rezoning of property at 604 and 606 First Ave. S.E., the current city hall and police station, from its current zoning, O-Other, to C2, Highway Commercial, will be on the agenda at the Aug. 27 council meeting. This will place it in the proper zoning category if the purchase offer from K-Mac is accepted.
Carl Rabey, city finance director, presented the July financial report. He reported a $46,000 shortfall in the general fund, partially because of two extra payrolls during the month, and an $86,000 shortfall in the building and vehicle fund because of the purchase of new vehicles for both the Police and Fire departments and payment of insurance on city buildings.
He said it was “a fairly decent” sales tax collection month and he expects city finances to be in good shape again by year-end. He said there is still $20,000 in sewer bond funds and commented that city department heads have done a good job of controlling expenses.
An ordinance was presented regulating parking in the city.
Maddox asked council members to study the ordinance and plan to discuss it at September’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Police have received several complaints about parking on the street and vehicles parked on the street have created a hazard by making it difficult for fire trucks to get through, he said. Maddox said some regulations are needed but he didn’t wish to be too restrictive.
Council members voted to table a request for a rate increase from Republic Trash Services. Maddox pointed out Republic is already receiving an automatic 2.9% increase each year.
Council members discussed a proposed water ordinance which will correct a date in the current ordinance, set procedures for water meter reading, utility billing and payment. The ordinance will be on the agenda for the Aug. 27 council meeting.
A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for community development block grant funds to be used for sewer installation on Stagecoach Road was presented. The resolution will be voted on at the Aug. 27 council meeting.
Council members considered moving forward with condemnation of property owned by Jody Reding at 13358 Old Train Road in Hiwasse. Faced with condemnation proceedings in December 2019, Reding was given additional time to clean the property but hasn’t followed through with the work he proposed to do.
The property is still in disrepair, with overgrown vegetation and abandoned vehicles, resulting in multiple code violations.
Council members considered a lot split for land owned by Jimmy and Anita Turner at 19178 Saunders Lane. The property has already been split, but the owners desire to split into five more parcels. Councilman Jeff Davis recommended following current subdivision regulations. The lot split will be voted on at the Aug. 27 meeting.
A permit for property owned by Scott Richburg at 12970 W. Arkansas 72 in Hiwasse was considered. The former owner was granted a permit but the current owner proposes to construct a RazorBox Storage unit and regulations for storage units have become stricter since the property has sold. The building Richburg proposes would be an upgrade, based on the city’s new regulations.
Reports were heard from several department heads. Police Chief Chuck Skaggs reported a busy two weeks but reported no details since he had just returned to work after being off two weeks because his wife had been in contact with a person who tested positive for covid-19.
Fire Chief David Orr said his department has answered 457 calls so far this year. He reported an incident in which his firefighters extinguished a fire just after it ignited. The blaze was a result of broken electrical wires caused by a falling tree. Orr said the pre-incident value of property saved by the department has reached $1.2 million, with estimated losses of a little over $60,000.
He said the department’s new radios should be installed and operating by Sept. 8.
Keck reported work on Stone Crest Subdivision is progressing. Work has begun on phase two of the walking/ bike trail, and the new toddler playground area at Old Town Park is complete.
Tim Dewitt, Parks and Streets Department head, reported a successful Gravette Day, with no complaints received.
Dewitt also submitted a report for the Water and Sewer Department, saying 38 new water meters were installed and three leaks repaired in July. Water loss in July was 14%. All aerators have been installed and are working and the big pump for the main lift station is expected to arrive on Sept. 11.