COUNCIL MINUTES JULY, 2025

Date Posted: 08/20/2025

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

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Gassville Community Center. The Mayor led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a word of prayer. The meeting was then called to order at 6:00 PM.

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, Council Member Ralph Bird, Mayor Jeff Braim, and Recorder-Treasurer Jeff Lewis. Department Heads in attendance were Police Chief Tim Mayfield, Fire Chief Michael Glotzl, and Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey.

The minutes from the June 24, 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 Lassen. The Mayor called for corrections or additions. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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 June, 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 Seaman. Mayor Braim called for corrections or additions. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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 June, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

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

The Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission has not met since the last meeting of the City Council, however the Mayor did indicate that according to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Plant Manager operations at the facility are normal with only routine maintenance issues ongoing. The Mayor also spoke briefly about ongoing progress with the renovations to the collection system.

The Mayor gave the building inspection report for the period of June 25th through July 14th. It was also accepted into the record without objection.

The Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 14th. According to Chairperson Lassen, topics discussed included information on Arkansas House Bill 1503 dealing with Accessory Housing Units, changes to the property set-back regulations for construction, and the updating of the city's planning and zoning ordinances, with assistance from the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District. The Commission also had training on the process required to handle re-zoning petitions and requests. With respect to the set-back regulations, the Commission is recommending that the City Council revise the regulation from a 15 ft setback being required to only a 10 ft setback being required, which would be consistent with other locals. A copy of the minutes from the meeting are attached hereto.

Under unfinished business, the City Council took up Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-07 on its second reading. This proposal deals with business license fees. Council Member Adkins moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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."

Moving on to new business, approval was sought to transfer and appropriate funds to allow for the purchase of new lift station pumps. Quotes from a vendor had been sought to purchase a Hydromatic 5 hp flanged pump and a Hydromatic 7.5 hp pump. The cost with sales tax for the 5 hp pump would be $7,647.50, while the cost for the 7.5 hp pump would be $8,849.25 with tax. Freight fees in an unknown amount would also have to be paid. Mayor Braim recommended transferring $1,384.49 from the Sewer Improvements Account #03352 to the Sewer Lift Station Fee Account #68247 and then closing Account #03352. Thereupon, Council Member Lassen moved that the Sewer Improvements Account #03352 be closed and the balance thereof, being $1,384.49, be transferred into the Sewer Lift Station Fee Account #68247. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird.

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Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim then asked that the City Council approve the transfer of $9,000.00 from the Sewer Operation and Maintenance Account #68263 into the Sewer Lift Station Fee Account #68247 to allow for the purchase of both pumps. Council Member Adkins moved to authorize this $9,000.00 transfer and to appropriate the necessary funds from the Sewer Lift Station Fee Account #68247 to provide for the purchase both pumps. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim announced that Superintendent Dewey had gone door to door in Mountain View Estates distributing written notices from the city to warn that lift station fees may be increased for customers if non-disposable materials continue to be flushed into the sewer collection system from that area. The manager of the property is also notifying residents of this possibility.

Mayor Braim then announced that he would like for the City Council to move into executive session to discuss the resignation of a city employee. Council Member Bird moved to retire into executive session, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Upon calling for the vote, Council Members Smith, 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 moved behind closed doors to executive session at 6:29 PM.

The Council Members returned to the Council Chambers at 6:46 PM and, upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member McFarland, with all members voting in favor, returned to open session. At this time, the Mayor read a letter from City Attorney Ronald P. Kincade announcing his retirement from that position after decades of faithful service to the City of Gassville. Council Member Lassen moved to accept the resignation of City Attorney Kincade, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. The search for a new City Attorney will now commence.

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Mayor Braim then updated the City Council on various matters, to-wit:

1. The solicitation for bids for street paving work have been let out. Any bids received will be opened at the new City Council meeting.

2. Five new signs for the Gassville Cemetery will be placed to designate the different sections of the cemetery, including designating the two oldest sections as "Historic 1" and "Historic 2".

3. Applications are being reviewed for a new employee for the sewer system line crew. Tim Kelley will be retiring at the end of September.

4. The Mayor and Superintendent Dewey met in Batesville today with the attorney representing Gassville in the lawsuit filed by the city pertaining to the new city water well on Houser Ave. The Mayor will be responding to interrogatories that have been filed.

Council Member Lassen announced that the City Building Inspector will be working on potential changes needed to city ordinances with respect to the permit fee amounts being charged and other issues. The Mayor stated that a work session will need to be called once the proposed changes have been prepared.

Council Member Bird asked about the status of the state seal and motto that were approved for placement behind the City Council bench. Mayor Braim stated he has been working with a local company on obtaining something suitable. The Mayor also mentioned the possibility of a city-wide contest to come up with a new design for a city seal.

Council Member Smith asked about the status of two properties that have been considered for condemnation proceedings. Mayor Braim stated he is still working with Attorney Kerry Chism on these matters.

Prior to adjournment, Mayor Braim recognized members of the Gassville Tree City USA Committee in attendance, being Chairperson Patricia Murphy, Council Member Naomi Lassen, and Council Member Ralph Bird. Gassville has again, for the third year, been approved for Tree City USA designation and received a plaque as well as a proclamation from the Arbor Day Foundation.

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There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting then adjourned at 7:04 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member McFarland, with all members voting for the motion.

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

Approved by /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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