COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE, 2025

Date Posted: 07/16/2025

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 24, 2025

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, June 24, 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 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, Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey, and Wastewater Facility Plant Manager Russell Duggins..

Mayor Braim called Mr. Russell Duggins forward and announced that he was retiring. The Mayor presented Mr. Duggins with a plaque in recognition of his 11+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the City of Gassville. Council Members congratulated him on his retirement and extended their best wishes.

Mayor Braim then recognized Mr. Brian Haas, CPA, who audits the water and sewer department financial records. Mr. Haas stated that mandatory changes are coming that will limit his role strictly to that of performing an independent audit of the city's water and sewer financial records that are prepared by other parties, either city employees with the knowledge of preparing those reports on an accrual basis or by an outside accounting firm that can do so. Mr. Haas can no longer be involved in preparing any of those reports himself, only reviewing what has been prepared by other parties for the purpose of an independent audit. It was suggested that Doshier accounting firm, which the city had previously contracted with to perform certain accounting functions, be used to review and/or prepare the necessary reports. The Mayor, Mr. Haas, and a representative from Doshier accounting will meet together to discuss the matter further.

At this time, the minutes from the May 20, 2025 regular meeting were up for approval. They had previously been provided to each Council Member. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. 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 May, 2025 was then presented for review and approval. Council Member Bird 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 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 May, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. He also reported that two police vehicles had recently been damaged due to collisions with deer.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of May, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. He announced that the recently purchased fire truck has been received and will soon be in service. He also reported that the Gassville FD, Cotter FD, and Gassville-Cotter Rural FD are moving forward with the "Knox Box" program that has been discussed several times in the past.

The Mayor gave the building inspection report for the period of May 10th through June 24th. It was also accepted into the record without objection.

Council Seaman gave a report on the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission meeting from June 12th. Her report included, but was not limited to, the following:

· The wastewater treatment facility recorded eight inches of rainfall in May.

· Jim Plumlee, who will be the new facility plant manager, has successfully obtained his Class III operator license.

· Hog Wild Septic dumped waste at the facility during May without issues.

· There is no excess water leaking at the facility.

· Usual maintenance by the line crew is ongoing.

· Lift station no. 1 on Denton Ferry Rd is completed. Two trees had to be removed.

· The Ryan Road component of the collection system project was discussed.

· A needed historical/archaeological site study is still pending.

· Baxter County Road and Bridge Dept. has been assisting with brush hogging.

· The backhoe is in need of repairs.

· Line crew manager Tim Kelley will be retiring in September. There is also currently an opening for a new line crew employee.

· Several other projects were discussed.

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· Superintendent Dewey spoke with regards to the Mountain View lift station being continuously clogged and has had to be pumped out several times. The manager of Mountain View estates had been informed of the issue with non-disposable items being flushed into the system causing the clogging. He was informed that if it continues then lift station fees may be increased to compensate for all the pumping that is needed.

The Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission did not meet in May.

Under unfinished business, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-05 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 Bird. The Mayor 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. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud 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."

Council Member McFarland then moved to adopt the proposed ordinance as read. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor 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 Mayor declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 2025-05 to be adopted.

Moving to new business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-06 on its first reading. Council Member Bird moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. 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 Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

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"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-06. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR THE PURCHASE, SALE, OR EXCHANGE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN COMPLIANCE WITH ARKANSAS CODES ANNOTATED (A.C.A.) 14-58-303 AND 14-54-302; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Council Member Bird moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was 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 Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance.

Council Member Lassen then 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. The Mayor 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. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance.

Council Member Seaman then moved to adopt the proposed ordinance as read, which motion was 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 Mayor declared the motion to be carried and Ordinance No. 2025-06 to be adopted.

Ordinance No. 2025-06 contained an emergency clause. Council Member Bird moved to approve the emergency clause contained in the ordinance in order that it take effect immediately. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor 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.

The next order of business was consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-07 on its first reading. Council Member Lassen moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. 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. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

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

This proposed ordinance will return for a second reading at the July regular meeting.

The matter of city street overlays was next discussed. Superintendent Dewey presented a list of city streets that he is recommending for overlays and repairs. This list is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. An estimated cost for these projects is approximately $257,080. The city would be required to solicit sealed bids for the work. Council Member Lassen moved that the city advertise for and solicit sealed bids for this street work. The motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor 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.

Mayor Braim informed the City Council that in accordance with a mandate made by the Arkansas General Assembly the city must post the motto "In God We Trust" in the City Council Chambers by August. The Ten Commandments, King James Version, is also permitted to be displayed at the option of the City Council. Council Member Bird indicated he would also like to see the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas displayed along with the motto. Mayor Braim pointed out that there is an unused and unnecessary window behind the City Council bench. He recommended that the window be removed and sheet rocked over. The motto and seal could then be displayed on the wall behind the City Council bench. Council Member Bird then moved that the Mayor proceed with making the necessary arrangements to have this done. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor 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 Mayor declared the motion carried.

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Superintendent Dewey made a request to the City Council for authorization to abandon and prohibit the sale of certain lots in the Gassville Cemetery because they fall within the boundaries of street and sewer easements. These lots are in the Redbud addition and are specified as Lot numbers 307, 308, 309, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, and 645. He also asked for authorization to re-align certain other lots in order to provide uniformity. Council Member Lassen moved to approve this request made by Superintendent Dewey, with Council Member Bird seconding the motion. 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 Mayor declared the motion to be carried.

Prior to adjournment, Mayor Braim updated the City Council on several matters, to-wit:

1. The state aid city street committee adopted new rules to increase funding for overlay projects from $300,000 to $400,000 and for construction projects from $400,000 to $500,000. However, the committee did not seek ratification from the Arkansas General Assembly, and the Governor has since made it known that she believes she has authority over such matters, not the committee. The next committee meeting will be on December 10th, by which time the matter will hopefully have been resolved. Gassville has the potential to be awarded funding next year.

2. The city is still in the process of transitioning over to a "dot gov" domain from the current "dot.org" domain. The website provider, Brooke-Jeffrey Marketing, and Yelcot Telephone Company are working on it. The change was mandated by law.

3. With respect to the property at 237 E. Factory Place that has been under discussion for condemnation proceedings for some time, Mayor Braim stated that the potential buyer has backed out due to the purported owner not acting in good faith. All clean-up efforts at the property have ceased. The property is apparently in probate, and Attorney Kerry Chism is involved with the Mayor and City Building Inspector in monitoring the proceedings and taking further action on behalf of the city. A condemnation resolution may be presented to the City Council for consideration in the near future. The derelict property with the dilapidated house structure on Highway 62 was also discussed.

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4. Mayor Braim and others recently attended the Arkansas Municipal League's convention, as did approximately 800 other officials from across the state. The Mayor has achieved Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 certifications and has accrued 70 hours toward his Level 4 certification. He was also chosen to be the District 1 Vice President for the Arkansas Municipal League. He will be participating in a planning meeting in Greenwood, Arkansas in August.

Council Member Seaman thanked the City Council for allowing her to attend the convention as well, and reported she has achieved her Level 1 and Level 2 certifications thus far.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:33 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member McFarland, with all Council Members voting in favor.

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

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor