COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY, 2023

Date Posted: 04/19/2023

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 21, 2023

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, February 21, 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 6:27 PM by Mayor Jeff Braim, Presiding Officer, following a public hearing that was held to offer public commentary on proposed rate increases in the Water and Sewer Department.

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

The minutes from the January 17, 2023 regular meeting had been provided to each Council Member. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the minutes as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for additions or corrections. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The financial report for the month of January, 2023 was presented to the City Council. Council Member McFarland moved to approve the financial report as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be passed.

The minutes for the special called meeting held February 9, 2023 had also been provided to each Council Member. Council Member Lassen moved to approve those minutes as submitted, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for additions or corrections. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith 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 January, 2023. It was accepted into the record without objection. Council Member Lassen asked how many of the motor vehicle traffic accidents in January had occurred on U. S. Hwy 62/412 between the traffic signal at Hwy 126 and the East city limits. Chief Mayfield replied there had been three accidents in that location. This prompted the Mayor to present the response provided by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) with respect to the traffic study that the City Council had requested in that same area with the hope of getting the speed limit lowered to 45 miles per hour. ARDOT conducted the requested traffic study. Their decision is that the speed limit on U. S. Hwy 62/412 will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph in the area from 7300 Hwy 62 West (Picker's Flea Market) to the East Gassville city limits.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of January, 2023. It was accepted into the record without objection. Chief Glotzl also asked for City Council approval to remove three items from inventory, being inventoried items #128, #129, and #158. These items were said to be obsolete and no longer of any benefit or use to the fire department. They could possible be offered for donation to one of the rural departments that might be able to make use of them. Council Member McFarland moved to authorize the removal of these items from inventory and for them to be properly disposed of, including donation to another department. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council Member Seaman gave a report from the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission. Highlighted points of their meetings were:

a. The Joint Commission had met on January 19th and on February 9th.

b. The wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) is functioning smoothly.

c. A permit was recently renewed.

d. Repair of the gear box for an elevator lift station is still pending. If the equipment has to be replaced outright rather than repaired, the cost will be between $8,000 to $10,000.

e. One of the WWTF employees, Mr. Plumlee, obtained his Class I License.

f. Inventory is in process at the WWTF.

g. A water leak has been detected behind the shop at the WWTF, which will be repaired.

h. WWTF operations were down for a period of time during the recent ice storm.

i. The line crew has been performing grease trap inspections.

j. The old work truck that is going to be disposed of is expected to have a value of between $9,500 to $10,000 with equipment included. The new replacement truck that has been on order for the last three years may finally be received by June.

k. The line crew is also conducting an inventory of parts and materials.

l. The ductile iron pipe along the Cotter walking trail is being inspected regularly for leaks. Clamps are on hand for temporary repairs as needed until replacement.

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m. All property easements for the renovation project to the collection system that the City of Cotter is working on have been obtained. Funding is being discussed. The project should go to bid soon, with the project having an 18 month timeline for completion.

n. The sewer system expansion project in Gassville has been wrapped up.

o. Steve Leisey has been appointed to the Joint Commission as the new member-at-large, and he has also been voted in as Chairperson.

Council Member Lassen then gave a report from the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission. A public hearing had been held on February 6, 2023 on a petition submitted by Vincent and Sharon Maranto to re-zone vacant lots located at 620-A East Main Street from Residential R-1 to Commercial C-2. At the conclusion of the public hearing and commentary, the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission members voted to deny the request for re-zoning for various reasons, and it transmitted that decision to the City Council. Council Member McFarland moved to confirm the decision of the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission with respect to its decision to deny approval for the re-zoning request in question. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays. The motion was declared to be carried, and the denial of the re-zoning request was thus affirmed

The Water and Sewer Committee had met on February 7th. Council Members had been provided with a copy of the minutes from that meeting, and the Mayor asked for approval. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the minutes from the committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim then gave the building inspection report for the period of January 17th through February 17th. It was also accepted into the record without objection.

There was no unfinished business.

Under new business, the City Council took up consideration of several ordinances relating to the water and sewer department.

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Proposed Ordinance No. 2023-01 regarding water rates was first for consideration. Council Member Seaman moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2023-01. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2017-02 ESTABLISHING WATER RATES FOR THE WATER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF GASSIVLLE, ARKANSAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMPLIANCE OF ACT 605 OF 2021 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Proposed Ordinance No. 2023-02 regarding sewer rates was then up for consideration. Council Member McFarland moved to place this proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO.. 2023-02. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7 OF ORDINANCE 2019-03 ESTABLISHING A NEW USER CHARGE FEE PER 1,000 GALLONS OF SEWER USAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RATE STUDY COMPLETED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ACT 605 OF 2021 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Proposed Ordinance No. 2023-03 regarding water and sewer connection fees then came up for consideration. Council Member Lassen moved to place this proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2023-03. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2017-04 ESTABLISHING WATER AND SWER CONNECTING FEES IN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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Proposed Ordinance No. 2023-04, regarding re-connect fees, was next on the agenda. Council Member McFarland moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2023-04. AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING RECONNECT FEES FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS WATER SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Council Member McFarland then moved to suspend the rules and place this proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith 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 further suspend the rules and place this proposed ordinance on its third and final reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith 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 adopt the proposed ordinance as read. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 2023-04 to be adopted.

Council Member McFarland then moved to approve the emergency clause contained in Ordinance No. 2023-04, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried and the emergency clause duly adopted. The ordinance shall take effect immediately.

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Proposed Ordinance No. 2023-05 regarding the reconciliation of police citations was then up for consideration. Council Member Lassen moved to place this proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith 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. 2023-05. AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECONCILIATION OF CITATIONS ISSUED BY THE CITY OF GASSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE GASSVILLE DIVISION OF THE BAXTER COUNTY DISTRICT COURT."

The final agenda item under new business was a request by the Mayor to consider adding a new expense line item to the street department budget and a new appropriation to that line item. The expense line item would be called "CC Drive and Crest Way Base Work". The Mayor asked for an appropriation of $15,000.00 into this expense line item and explained the reason for it, being repair work. Council Member Lassen then moved to authorize the creation of a new expense line item in the street department budget to be called "CC Drive and Crest Way Base Work" and to appropriate $15,000.00 from the Street Fund into this new budget line item for the purposes stated by the Mayor. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor called for discussion on the motion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim next updated the City Council on various topics, to-wit:

1. The drilling of the new city well is completed. The depth is 1,445 feet. A pump test was conducted, which indicated a flow of 350 to 400 gallons per minute. The final pump has not yet been installed. Well drilling came in $7,000 under budget, and the savings will go toward a higher powered pump. A 70 x 70 security fence will be built around the well and pump house per the contract.

2. The sesquicentennial celebrations marking the creation of Baxter County will begin on Friday, March 24th at the Baxter County Court House from 2PM to 4PM. Additional celebratory events will take place throughout this year.

3. The Gassville In The Park Committee will meet this Thursday at 3:00 PM. Additional volunteers are needed.

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Mayor Braim then asked that the City Council moved into executive session to discuss an employment issue. Council Member McFarland moved that the City Council go into executive session for that purpose, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was deemed to be carried. The Mayor and Council Members then retired behind closed doors for their executive session at 7:23 PM.

At 7:40 PM, the Mayor and City Council returned to the Council Chambers. Council Member Lassen moved to return to regular open session, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. All members voted in favor.

Council Member McFarland then moved that the part time office position created earlier this month during a special meeting be changed to a full time position at $15.50 per hour with full city benefits. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, and Smith voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Prior to adjournment, Council Member McFarland discussed peddlers going door to door selling "solar energy" products, and Mayor Braim advised he has been in communication with Entergy with respect to replacing/repairing city streets lights that are not working.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:48 PM upon motion of Council Member Lassen, 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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