COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 2024

Date Posted: 07/17/2024

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 18, 2024

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Gassville Community Center. Mayor Braim led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and 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 Kenneth Smith, 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 Tim McFarland was absent. Department Heads in attendance were Police Chief Tim Mayfield and Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey.

The minutes from the May 21, 2024 meeting were presented to the City Council for consideration and approval. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the minutes as submitted. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for corrections or additions. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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, 2024 was submitted to the City Council for review and approval. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the financial report as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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, 2024, and in the absence of Fire Chief Glotzl the Mayor gave the fire department report for the month of May, 2024. Both were accepted into the record without objection. Mayor Braim also asked the City Council to review some recommended changes to the fire department's standard operating guidelines they had received and be prepared to take action on that matter at the next meeting.

Sierra Tumey, a Gassville resident, had submitted a letter of interest in being appointed to fill one of the vacancies on the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Braim introduced her and asked her to come to the podium to speak and answer any questions that the Council Members might have. Council Member Smith then moved to appoint Sierra Tumey to the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission, which motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim then reported on activity with the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission. There was no meeting in June, however work began today on the 2nd lift station on the Phase II project. Document signing for the final loan will occur on June 26th. Operations at the wastewater treatment plant are normal according to the superintendent.

The building inspection report for the period of May 15th through June 14th was given by Mayor Braim. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Under unfinished business, the City Council heard updates on various properties that are being considered for condemnation proceedings or had already been condemned. The Mayor reported that the 30 day process following the condemnation resolution that was approved on 104 Hopper Street has lapsed. The owner had been sent a copy of the resolution. The city has been working with utility companies at the property. The electric lines have been disconnected, and the gas meter will be removed. The city will then proceed with demolition of the delipidated structure, and a lien for all expenses related thereto will be attached as an encumbrance on the property with the tax collector's office. A Mr. Palmer was present. He questioned why the condemnation of this property had, according to him, been fast-tracked since it was known that he had expressed an interest in purchasing the property. The City Council heard his objection but took no action to stay the proceedings or otherwise alter current demolition plans.

Moving on to the property at 237 Factory Place, Mr. Andy Smith was present and gave Council Members a copy of a "Letter of Intent to Purchase" the property that was signed by himself and Katlyn Marler, heiress to the property. This letter contained a number of conditions and specifications. Mr. Smith discussed his potential plans for the property and stated he was at the meeting to gauge the mood of the City Council with respect to this property. He has placed a dump trailer at the property, and progress is being made with clean-up. The structure itself is uninhabitable and would require extensive renovation in order to salvage it. Mr. Smith indicated he is willing to proceed with plans to purchase if the City Council will grant additional time for him to gain clear title to the property and take further steps toward remediation.

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After a good deal of discussion, Council Member Bird moved to grant a thirty day extension before action is taken on condemnation, provided that Mr. Smith and the Building Inspector tour the property and provide an updated report to the City Council next month, also with the understanding that progress continue to be made on cleaning up the site. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for further discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

With respect to the Pemberton Property on Lakeview Drive, it was reported that Fire Chief Glotzl inspected the property today. All floor joists are broken down, and the stability of the load bearing walls is also in question. Austin Pemberton indicates that he is in the process of finding someone to demolish the structure and remove it. No action was taken. The Mayor will ask Mr. Pemberton to come to the next meeting and give an update.

Council Member Adkins asked about the situation with the property at 516 Hwy 62, which has also been under consideration for condemnation. The property has been purchased by Jamie Mann. Mr. Mann placed two dump trucks on the property after purchasing it, but they have not moved. Mayor Braim stated he will ask Mr. Mann to attend the next meeting and give a report.

Continuing under unfinished business, the City Council next took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance 2024-03 on its second reading. 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 Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2024-03. AN ORDINANCE SETTING WATER METER DEPOSIT FEES, ESTABLISHING SEPARATE DEPOSIT AMOUNTS FOR WATER CUSTOMERS THAT OWN OR RENT/LEASE IN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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Next, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance 2024-04 on its second reading. Council Member Adkins moved to place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, 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 title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2024-04. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2018-03 ESTABLISHING THE DUE DATE FOR WATER/SEWER SERVICE BILLING, SETTING THE DISCONNECT DATE FOR PAST DUE BILLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Under new business, the Mayor asked the City Council to authorize the creation of a new budget expense line item in the General Fund for condemnation expenses being incurred. Council Member Lassen moved to create a new General Fund budget expense line item entitled "Condemnation Expenses", which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. No appropriation was subsequently made for that line item.

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

1. There will be a meeting held Thursday at 1PM with a representative from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to discuss state-aid street paving. A total of 112 projects have been funded. Some of those projects will take place this year, while others will not happen until next Spring.

2. The design work on the South Johnson Street reconstruction project is almost complete. Engineers will be meeting with the Mayor and Street Superintendent, after which the design project will be presented to the City Council for review and consideration. There is currently $77,000 available in the South Johnson Street savings account.

3. The 90th Convention of the Arkansas Municipal League just concluded. The Mayor, Council Member Lassen, and Council Member Seamans participated. More than 120 vendors were on site. Various workshops and break-out sessions on a variety of topics were attended.

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4. The new ½ cent sales and use tax for the water and sewer department will start being collected on July 1st. The first remittance to the city should come in September.

5. The City Council was presented with a new OSHA proposal pertaining to fire department personnel and equipment that would be very detrimental to the operation and structure of local fire departments if put into place.

6. Gassville in the Park was a success this year.

7. As a reminder, fireworks can only be discharged in the city from June 29th through July 5th, 10AM to 10PM except for July 3rd and 4th, which extends until 12:00 AM (midnight). This is per Ordinance No. 2022-04.

8. The Mayor has scheduled a meeting of the Public Safety Committee and the Personnel Committee for Friday morning, June 28th beginning at 9AM.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 6:58 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member Lassen, with all members voting in favor of the motion.

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

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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