COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST, 2025

Date Posted: 09/17/2025

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2025

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the Gassville Community Center. The Mayor led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a word of prayer offered by Police Chief Mayfield. The meeting was then called to order at 6:00 PM.

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

Mayor Braim first presented an appreciation plaque and a "key to the city" to Mr. Jason Kincade, son of long time City Attorney Ronald Kincade, who could not be present. Mr. Ronald Kincade had served as City Attorney since the 1970s and has recently retired. The award was received by Jason Kincade on his behalf.

The minutes from the July 15, 2025 regular meeting were up for approval. They had previously been provided to each Council Member. Council Member Bird moved to approve the minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. The Mayor called for corrections or additions. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The financial report for the month of July, 2025 was then presented for review and approval. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the financial report as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor noted that new pumps for the lift stations had been ordered, received, and paid for. Also, the city administration vehicle had experienced a mechanical issue that had to be repaired at a cost of over $400. Mayor Braim then called for corrections or additions to the financial report. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird 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 July, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of July, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. He also noted that Gassville is now under a burn ban order because of the extreme dry conditions.

Fire Chief Glotzl also informed the City Council that the fire department has outdated or redundant equipment that is no longer being used and that other area fire departments have offered to purchase those items. Specifically, the Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Department has offered $250 for a Motorola XPR 4550 mobile radio, Inventory #0652, and the Norfork Fire Department has offered $250 for a Hurst M32 extrication spreader. After discussion, Council Member Bird moved to accept these two offers and authorize the sale of the equipment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The Wastewater Committee met on July 31st and has made recommendations to the City Council, which will be brought to the City Council at a later date. A copy of the minutes of that meeting are attached hereto. Council Member Adkins moved to approve the minutes from the Wastewater Committee as prepared and presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The Personnel Committee met on August 7th to discuss cybersecurity issues and review a draft of a new cybersecurity policy for the city. A copy of the minutes of that meeting are attached hereto. Council Member Bird moved to approve those minutes as prepared and presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission met on August 14th. The report from Council Member Seaman included:

a. WWTF manager Jim Plumlee has obtained his Class III Operator License. Operations at the WWTF are normal, with routine cleaning and maintenance ongoing.

b. Line crew supervisor Tim Kelley will be retiring soon. A new line crew employee has been hired. The line crew has been performing regular maintenance and grease trap inspections at local businesses.

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c. Lift station #2 has been experiencing issues caused by excessive sludge buildup, which had to be cleaned out.

d. The final phase of the collection system renovation project will commence after Labor Day and should take about 30 days to complete. The project will then be completely finished.

e. There are still wash-out issues as "Magness Pond" involving a manhole that had to be surrounded by boulders as a temporary fix.

The Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission has not met, however a petition for re-zoning for special use for a new communications tower has been filed. A public hearing will take place on September 9th at 6:00 PM on that petition.

Mayor Braim gave the building inspection report for the period of July 12th through August 14th. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Moving on to unfinished business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-07, dealing with business license fees, on its third reading. Council Member Adkins 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 Seaman. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-07. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEES FOR BUSINESSES OPERATING IN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF THAT CONFLICT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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

Transitioning to new business, the City Council reviewed sealed bids that had been received for street paving and overlay work, which had been duly advertised for in the manner prescribed by law. Mayor Braim, in random order, opened the three sealed bids that had been received. The bids were as follows:

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TRICO, INC., State License No. 0198520326
A. 2" hot mix compacted in place over base rock - $118 per ton
B. 2" hot mix overlay, including tack coat - $118 per ton
C. Hot mix leveling course - $128 per ton
D. Asphalt milling and disposal - $31 per ton/cubic yard

ATLAS ASPHALT, State License No. 0004290426
A. 2" hot mix compacted in place over base rock - $102 per ton
B. 2" hot mix overlay, including tack coat - $103 per ton
C. Hot mix leveling course - $102 per ton
D. Asphalt milling and disposal - $31 per ton/cubic yard

MARION COUNTY PAVING, State License No. 0011840426
A. 2" hot mix compacted in place over base rock - $143 per ton
B. 2" hot mix overlay, including tack coat - $120 per ton
C. Hot mix leveling course - $120 per ton
D. Asphalt milling and disposal - $37 per ton/cubic yard

After discussing the bids with the Street Superintendent, Council Member Adkins moved to accept the sealed bid submitted by ATLAS ASPHALT, which motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. There is currently $175,000 in the budget for street paving. Mayor Braim also noted that there will be one more funding cycle this year through the state aid street committee, but bids for any work that gets approved will likely not be let out until next Spring.

The next order of business was the consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-08, which would establish the duties of the City Attorney position. Council Member Bird moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-08. AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY ATTORNEY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER OF COMPENSATION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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The Mayor then introduced Mountain Home Attorney Christopher Floyd, who has expressed interest in the City Attorney position. Mr. Floyd stated he is 37 years old and is a partner in a general law practice firm. He is married with two children. Council Member Bird moved to retire into executive session to discuss this personnel matter. The motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Council Members then retired behind closed doors at 6:48 PM. They emerged a short time later, at 6:53 PM, and Council Member Lassen moved to resume normal session. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Council Member Bird then moved that the Mayor be authorized to proceed with conducting negotiations with Mr. Floyd with respect to hiring him for the City Attorney position if compensation arrangements can be agreed upon. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-09 then came up on the agenda for consideration. This measure would provide for Council Members to continue being elected at large, as has always been the case in the past. A new state law requires an ordinance to be in place to decide that question, a copy of which must be provided to the County Clerk by August 31st. Council Member Bird moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. The motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-09. AN ORDINANCE DECLARING COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ELECTED AT LARGE IN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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Council Member Lassen moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance.

Council Member McFarland moved to further suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its third and final reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance.

The proposed ordinance was then ready for consideration of passage. Council Member Seaman moved to adopt the proposed ordinance as read three times. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Council Member McFarland then moved to adopt the emergency clause that was included in the text of the ordinance. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried as well.

Updates from the Mayor were then forthcoming, to-wit:

1. The city-wide master plan needs to be updated and reworked. An expert on the topic with the Arkansas Municipal League advised that the project would require professional services, which would have to be bid out. The Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) in Harrison no longer does this kind of work. Mayor Braim stated he would be looking into the possibility of an inter-local cooperation agreement with other cities in need of the same services as a cost-sharing measure.

2. Mayor Braim will be traveling to Greenwood, Arkansas tomorrow for an AML planning meeting.

3. The Gassville Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store has obtained a new beer and wine permit due to a change in store managers.

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4. The Rendezvous Event Center, formerly the Gassville branch of the Baxter County Library and a city-owned building now leased by Danny Montgomery, has had new flooring installed. Mr. Montgomery asked if the City of Gassville would reimburse him for one half of the cost of the new flooring since this is a city building. Half the cost would be $5,302.71. After a period of discussion, Council Member Adkins moved to approve this expenditure and to appropriate an additional $5,302.71 from General Fund to General Fund budget expense line item no. 6870 - Municipal Building Repairs - to pay for it. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Mayor Braim did indicate he would tell Mr. Montgomery to consult the City Council first from now on before any such renovations or remodels took place on that building.

5. Returning to the street paving bids, the Mayor recommended that an additional appropriation of $25,000 be made from the Street Fund to be sure there was enough in the budget to pay for the work. Council Member Adkins moved to appropriate an additional $25,000 from the Street Fund into Street Fund budget expense line item no. 7350 - Street Paving. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

6. The new city seal has been ordered, and the new "In God We Trust" banner will soon be ordered, both for display in the Council Chambers.

Council Member Adkins brought up the possibility of cooperating with the Cotter Schools on a community service work program with the city for high school seniors and about the possibility of the school placing a cell phone lock pouch opener at the city hall for students to have access to.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:26 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member McFarland, with all members voting in favor.

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

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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