COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 2025

Date Posted: 05/21/2025

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 15, 2025

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Gassville Community Center. Mayor Braim began by paying tribute to Mr. Shawn Lane, who was the Mayor of Yellville and who recently passed away after an illness. Police Chief Mayfield then offered a word of opening prayer, followed by saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was then formally called to order by Mayor Braim, Presiding Officer.

Upon the calling of the roll, those in attendance were Council Member Kenneth Smith, Council Member Tim McFarland, Council Member Anita Seaman, Council Member Naomi Lassen, Council Member Ernest Adkins, Mayor Jeff Braim, and Recorder-Treasurer Jeff Lewis. Council Member Ralph Bird was absent. Department Heads in attendance were Police Chief Tim Mayfield, Fire Chief Michael Glotzl, and Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey.

The minutes from the March 18, 2025 regular meeting were presented to the City Council for consideration. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the minutes as submitted, which motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. There were no corrections or additions called for, whereupon the motion was put to a vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The financial report for the month of March, 2025 was then presented to the City Council for consideration. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the report as submitted, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim stated that the vehicle seized by the police department that was sold at auction actually brought $322.50 rather than $321.50 as reported last month. The motion was then put to a vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Police Chief Mayfield gave the police department report for the month of March, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. Chief Mayfield reported that the new camera system will be installed in the police vehicles this month.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of March, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Mayor Braim gave the building inspection report for the period of March 15th through April 11th. It was accepted into the record without objection as well. Mayor Braim also reported that he had met with the management team of Gassville Gardens. They have plans to build fourteen new units between the Gassville Gardens and the Mountain View Phase I units. The area is already properly zoned for that purpose.

Council Member Seaman gave a report from the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission. The report included:

1. Operations at the Wastewater Treatment Facility are normal. The recent heavy rainfall of approximately 10.1 inches was handled successfully.

2. Mr. Jim Plumlee has been appointed to be the new facility plant manager. He is in the process of obtaining his Class III operator license.

3. Mr. Daniel Moore is a new hire at the facility.

4. Hog Wild Septic Co has requested to dump waste from two area marinas at the facility. This is being considered.

5. Updated details on various aspects of the ongoing renovation projects with the wastewater collection system were given.

6. Grease trap inspections were made at local businesses.

The Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission has not met.

Moving to unfinished business, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-02 was up for consideration on its third reading. Council Member Lassen moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its third and final reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, the Mayor read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-02. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2024-05 FOR PERSONAL TIME USE POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF GASSVILLE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Council Member McFarland then moved to adopt the proposed ordinance as read. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried and Ordinance No. 2025-02 to be adopted.

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The next item was consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-04 on its second reading. Council Member Seaman moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion to be carried. Thereupon, Mayor Braim read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-04. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ARKANSAS STATE PLUMBING AND GAS CODES, REPEALING ORDINANCE OR PARTS THEREOF THAT CONFLICT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

This proposal will return for a third and final reading in May.

Moving on to new business, an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission was addressed. Gassville resident Sheila Wingard expressed interest in the position. She came to the podium, introduced herself, gave a brief background of herself, and took any questions that members of the City Council had. Council Member Seaman then moved to appoint Sheila Wingard to the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Upon calling for the vote, Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Continuing under new business, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-05 was up for consideration on its first reading. Council Member Lassen moved to present the proposed ordinance and place it on the first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Adkins voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Mayor Braim read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-05. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE SALE AND TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE LOTS AND SPACES IN THE GASSVILLE CEMETERY, AFFIXING THE MONETARY PRICE FOR THE SALE AND TRANSFER OF SAID LOTS AND SPACES, REPEALING ORDINANCE OR PARTS THEREOF THAT CONFLICT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

This proposal will return for a second reading in May. The City Council also intends to consider abandoning several grave spaces on one end of the cemetery that are within the area of an easement.

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Mayor Braim then provided the following updates to the City Council, viz:

1. Legislative Audit will be picking up city records on April 21st to commence the audit of Gassville's books for 2024.

2. Baxter County will be taking bids to potentially replace eleven tornado sirens in the county. Gassville owns the two sirens that are inside the city limits.

3. The Arkansas Municipal League's summer convention will be held in June.

4. The Mayor will be out of office on April 18th and April 21st.

5. The Mayor will be calling meetings of the Public Safety Committee and also a City Council work session. Members will be notified of the dates.

Prior to adjournment, Mayor Braim announced that he will be retiring at the end of his current term of office and will not be seeking reelection. He reflected on his time in office as both first a City Council Member and then as Mayor, and he indicated that he will continue to work diligently for the benefit of the city during the remainder of his term.

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting then adjourned at 6:54 PM upon motion of Council Member Adkins, seconded by Council Member Lassen, with all members in favor.

Submitted by: /s/ Jeffrey Lewis,
Recorder-Treasurer

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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