COUNCIL MINUTES MAY, 2024

Date Posted: 06/19/2024

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 22, 2024

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, May 22, 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 Tim McFarland, Council Member Naomi Lassen, Council Member Ernest Adkins, Council Member Ralph Bird, Mayor Jeff Braim, and Recorder-Treasurer Jeff Lewis. Council Member Anita Seaman was 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 April 26, 2024 meeting were presented to the City Council for consideration and approval. Council Member Lassen 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, McFarland, 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 April, 2024 was submitted to the City Council for review and approval. Council Member McFarland Bird to approve the financial report as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, 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 April, 2024, and Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of April, 2024. Both were accepted into the record without objection.

Council Member Lassen reported that the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission had met and decided to have a booth at Gassville In The Park together with the City Tree Committee to answer public inquiries and solicit suggestions. She also reported that Kyle Tardiff has resigned from the Planning and Zoning Commission. There are now two open positions that need to be filled.

Mayor Braim stated that the Wastewater Superintendent reports no problems or issues at the treatment plant. Issues with the new lift station are being taken care of.

The building inspection report for the period of April 13th through May 14th was given by Mayor Braim. It was accepted into the record without objection.

The Water and Wastewater committee had met. Council Members had been provided with a copy of the committee minutes. The committee made several recommendations to the City Council, which were brought forward later in the meeting. Council Member McFarland moved to approve the minutes from the committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Moving on to unfinished business, the City Council took up further discussion on potential condemnation proceedings on properties located at 516 Hwy 62 and 237 E. Factory Place.

With respect to 516 Hwy 62, Mayor Braim reported that Jamie Mann is the purported new owner of the property, and stated that work appears to already be underway to abate the nuisance caused by the dilapidated structure on the property. The City Council took no further action on this property.

With respect to 237 E. Factory Place, an updated written report from the building inspector was provided to the City Council on the condition of the structure and property. The City Council had been approached by the property owners approximately 90 days ago. They had agreed to begin clean-up of the property to abate the nuisance, and they had assured the City Council that they would appear and make monthly updates on the situation. That has not occurred. Mr. Justin Tolliver was present at the meeting to speak in regards to this property. He requested a further thirty day continuance before the City Council takes any action on condemnation. He reported that all the windows have now been boarded up and a lock put on the door, as well as other clean-up efforts having been undertaken. He also reported that there is a potential buyer for the property, being Mr. Andy Smith. Mr. Smith was in attendance. Mr. Smith confirmed that he is involved in negotiations to purchase the property, but there is no contract at present. Mr. Smith stated he could immediately begin providing support in the clean-up efforts by means of placing a dump trailer on the premises to place debris. If he purchases the property, then he will evaluate whether to raze the structure or to rehabilitate it and bring it up to code.

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Under the circumstances, Council Member Bird moved to authorize an additional thirty day continuance on a condemnation consideration, provided that substantial progress is made during that time. If substantial progress is not made, to then proceed with official condemnation proceedings at the next meeting. This motion was seconded by Council Member Smith. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion to be carried.

Under new business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance 2024-03 pertaining to water meter deposit fees. This proposal was based upon a recommendation made by the Water and Wastewater Committee. Council Member Lassen moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, 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 in its entirety 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."

In a related matter, Proposed Ordinance 2024-04 pertaining to due dates and disconnect dates for water department billing was also presented to the City Council for its consideration. This matter was also referred by the Water and Wastewater Committee. Council Member Adkins moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Smith. The Mayor called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, 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 in its entirety 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."

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Continuing under new business, the Water and Wastewater Committee had reviewed the qualification statements for engineering services that had previously been solicited and provided to the City Council. The committee recommended that the qualifications received from Civil Engineering Associates of Conway, Arkansas be approved. That firm does work in the local area and is highly recommended. Council Member Bird moved to approve the engineering qualifications proposal from Civil Engineering Associates as recommended and to authorize the Mayor to enter into contract negotiations for that purpose. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

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

1. The trail paving project at Lancaster Park has been completed at an approximate cost of $74,000 by means of the recreational trails grant program. Chelsea Weaver with NWAEDD served as the grant administrator. The Mayor wants to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the walking trail.

2. The Arkansas Municipal League convention will be held June 11th thru June 14th.

3. The Gassville City Hall offices will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. The Mayor will be taking vacation and out of the office June 6th thru June 10th.

4. The city's accounting processes will soon begin transitioning over to the new CenterPoint Fund Accounting and Payroll software recently purchased from CSA software solutions as per authorization of the City Council.

5. Mayor Braim recognized Mr. James Schisler with Boy Scout Troop No. 165, who was in the audience learning about local government as part of earning his government badge.

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Council Member Adkins suggested placing signage at the new pavilion at the city park notifying the public that the pavilion is subject to reserved use and to contact city hall for availability before occupying the pavilion. He also noted that Google maps GPS does not provide accurate directions for vehicles to arrive at the city park at the proper area.

Prior to adjournment, the City Council watched video footage of the well shaft at the new city water well site on Houser Ave. that the city is currently engaged in litigation over. The camera footage indicated a break in the casing at approximately 227 ft depth. According to Superintendent Dewey, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is weekly water samples now be submitted for the next 12 weeks and the well pump must be run at least 4 hours per day. The decision on the future of the well is in the hands of ADH and the court.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:19 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member Smith, with all members voting in favor.

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

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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