GOSNELL -- Members of the Gosnell City Council approved a resolution Tuesday giving Mayor Dick Reams authority to sign a grant application for new playground equipment for the city's park.
Councilwoman Melissa Sellers submitted the information for the grant and worked on obtaining the prices of equipment. She said the spiral slide in the park needs to be replaced because of safety issues. Other equipment, such as the swings, can be refurbished, and other equipment can be repainted.
The grant, from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, can only fund $160,000 worth of requests statewide, Sellers said. Because of that, the city was asked to prioritize their requests.
The most-needed item is a play structure that costs $12,000, she said. It includes a climbing wall, a spiral slide and other features.
"I tried to get things different that those that the school has," Sellers said.
The grant will also ask for four new picnic tables for the park.
"It sounds like y'all have put a lot of effort into this," said Reams. He thanked Sellers and others for working on the grant application.
The council also approved appointments to the city's planning commission. Those appointments were Johnny Pate, Kent Raspberry, Eric Whitman, Carolyn McNeely, David Blount, Ray Harms and Roger Roeman.
Councilman Eric Blount spoke to the council about his New Year's resolution. Blount resolves to lose weight this year. He also wants to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Gosnell High student Mackenzie Kelly, who is a patient there. Blount is soliciting pledges to support St. Jude.
"I'm asking for pledges for every pound I lose. All donations will be given to St. Jude's," Blount said.
City Clerk Kathy Hodge agreed to "certify" Blount's starting weight and to keep track of the pledges to make sure there is no discrepancy. Sellers agreed to join Blount's effort. Both Blount and Sellers stepped on a scale during the meeting to allow Hodge to record their weights.
Reams pledged to contribute $5 for ever pound each lost, up to 20 pounds each, or $200. Persons wishing to make pledges should contact City Hall at 532-8544.
Reams told the council that city employees have been completing paperwork to make sure this year's Census is accurate.
"I think the population has increased" since the 2000 Census, Reams said. An increase would be good, because the city's funding from the state is based on its population.
State auditors are also in town performing the annual legislative audit, Reams told the council.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com