COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY, 2023

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2023   

     A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at the Gassville Community Center.  Mayor Braim led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and in offering a word of prayer.  The meeting was then called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Jeff Braim, Presiding Officer. 

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

     The minutes from the December 20, 2022 regular meeting had been provided to each Council Member.  Council Member McFarland moved to approve the minutes as presented.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman.  Mayor Braim stated one correction needed to be made regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission report.  The matter of the potential RV Park for short-term occupancy was for property located across the highway from The Brass Door, not across from Letty's as recorded.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen then voted for the motion to pass, with that one correction to be made.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.

     The financial report for the month of December, 2022 was presented to the City Council.   Council Member Lassen moved to approve the financial report as presented.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman.  The Mayor called for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be passed.

     Police Chief Mayfield gave the police department report for the month of December, 2022 as well as the report for calendar year 2022.  They were accepted into the record without objection. 

     Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of December, 2022 as well as the report for calendar year 2022.  They also were accepted into the record without objection.  Chief Glotzl then announced the nominees for the subordinate officers of the fire department for 2023, being:

Assistant Fire Chief - Garrett Tucker Fire Captain - Andrew Jackson Fire Captain - Patrick Campbell Lieutenant - Jonathan Roller

     Council Member Adkins moved to approve the nominees for the officer roster as presented.  This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland.  The Mayor called for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

     Fire Chief Glotzl then broached to the City Council the matter of providing a type of scholarship grant to a member of the fire department who is currently taking classes to become certified as an EMT.  The person is ineligible for financial aid through the college.  The request was for $400 at this time, with the possibility of additional amounts in the future.  Chief Glotzl advised there is currently $1,500 budgeted for education in the fire department expense line item 1571 - Fire/Education.  After a considerable amount of discussion on the request, Council Member Lassen moved to approve a $400 scholarship grant for the fire department member in question, to be taken from fire department expense line item 1571.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins.  The Mayor called for discussion, then the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.  Should an additional request be made for funding in the future for this purpose, the City Council will take up the matter again at that time after consultation with the City Attorney. 

     The Mayor then gave the building inspection report for the period of December 21st through January 16th, as well as the report for calendar year 2022.  Both were accepted into the record without objection.

     There was no report given from the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission, which has not yet met this month.  It will meet on January 19th.

     No report was given from the Planning and Zoning Commission, other than to say that a public hearing will be held on February 6th on a re-zoning request. 

     Under unfinished business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance 2022-10, relating to District Court matters, on its third reading.  Council Member Lassen moved to place the proposed ordinance on its third reading by title only via suspension of the rules.  This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland.  Mayor Braim called for the vote.                                                                 -2-       Council Member Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.  Recorder-Treasurer Lewis then read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2022-10.  AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS COURT SESSIONS VENUE FOR THE GASSVILLE DEPARTMENT OF THE BAXTER COUNTY DISTRICT COURT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

     Council Member Seaman then moved to adopt the ordinance as read.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen.  The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 2022-10 to be adopted.

     Moving on to new business, the City Council first took up consideration of Proposed Resolution 2023-01, the 2023 budget resolution.  Council Member McFarland moved to have the proposed resolution read aloud, which motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins.  The Mayor then called for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.  Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:

"RESOLUTION 2023-01.  2023 BUDGET RESOLUTION."

     Council Member Adkins then moved to adopt the resolution as read, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland.  The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote.  Council Member Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Resolution 2023-01 to be adopted.

     The next item on the agenda was consideration of Proposed Resolution No. 2023-02, the 2022 budget reconciliation resolution.  Council Member McFarland moved to have the proposed resolution read aloud, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman.  The Mayor then called for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.  Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:                                                                   -3-

'RESOLUTION NO. 2023-02.  A RESOLUTION RECONCILING THE PROJECTED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2022 WITH THE ACTUAL INCOME AND EXPENSES."

     Council Member Adkins then moved to adopt the resolution as read.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen.  The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2023-02 to be adopted.

     The City Council then took up consideration of Proposed Resolution No. 2023-03 regarding the waiving of competitive bidding for the purchase of a police vehicle.  Council Member Adkins moved to have the proposed resolution read aloud.  This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland.  The Mayor called for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.  Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:

'RESOLUTION NO. 2023-03.  A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION STATE VEHICLE CONTRACT PRICING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A POLICE VEHICLE FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

     Council Member Seaman then moved to adopt the resolution as read.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen.  The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote.  Council Members Adkins, McFarland, Seaman, and Lassen voted for the motion.  There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2023-03 to be adopted.  The final cost for the vehicle as specified and allowed for in the resolution is $67,055.75, most of which was previously budgeted for.

     The organization of the City Council with respect to meeting dates, times, and committee appointments for 2023 was next discussed.  Regular City Council meetings will remain on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Community Center, with special meetings called as necessary.  The Mayor is responsible for notifying the press of any special called meeting and committee meetings.  Committee assignments were confirmed.  A copy of the organization chart and committee assignments is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.                                                                    -4-

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

1. Mr. Steve Lawrence, the District Engineer with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), sent a letter acknowledging the City Council's request for a traffic survey to consider reducing the speed limit on U. S. Highway 62/412 from the East city limits back to the area of Picker's Flea Market.  The matter has been referred to the ARDOT Maintenance Division.  The most recent traffic count record on file at ARDOT indicated that approximately 16,000 vehicles per day traveled through the area in question.
2. The City has received a notice to proceed with the walking trail project at Lancaster Park.
3. Construction of the new pavilion for at the city park is underway. The red iron has been delivered and installed.  Work is now in progress on installing electric.
4. Gassville's banking agreement with Farmers & Merchants Bank will expire in April, The Mayor will be soliciting new proposals.  Two new depreciation accounts need to be opened for the Water and Sewer Department as required by state law.
5. Work is progressing on the new city water well on Houser Avenue. The depth is now at 1,100 feet.  The Arkansas Department of Health will begin drawing and testing water samples when the work is complete.  There will be a 24 hour pump test conducted.

     Council Member McFarland commented on a number of houses that are under construction in Gassville but that work had apparently ceased on. 

     Council Member Seaman posed the suggestion of a "No Mow May" program that would allow residents authorization to not have to mow their yards during the month of May.  The purpose would be to provide additional habitat for our vital pollinators.  She suggested that city regulations regarding mowing and the allowable height of grass be held in abeyance during the month of May to help provide food and habitat for our pollinators.

     Council Member Seaman also asked about what was going to be built behind Sonic where land has been cleared.  Mayor Braim could only say that a building permit has been issued to TMG Construction Management.

     Council Member Lassen would like the Mayor to consider giving "Good Citizen Awards" to honor and recognize Gassville residents who consistently perform community service type work, such as trash pick-up, around Gassville.                                                           -5-

     Council Member Adkins brought up an idea that the City Council consider moving away from all paper documents to a digital format, with Council Members being supplied with iPads or tablets to use for city business.  Mayor Braim said he would look into the costs and other details associated with going digital.

     There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:10 PM upon motion of Council Member Adkins, seconded by Council Member Seaman, with all members voting in favor.     

    

 

 

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

 

Approved by:  /s/ Jeff Braim,
                           Mayor                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                 -6-