COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER, 2024

Date Posted: 12/18/2024

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 2024

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, November 19, 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 Ralph Bird, Mayor Jeff Braim, and Recorder-Treasurer Jeff Lewis. Council Member Anita Seaman and Council Member Ernest Adkins were absent. Department Heads in attendance were Police Chief Tim Mayfield, Fire Chief Michael Glotzl, and Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey.

The minutes for the public hearing held October 15, 2024 were presented. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The minutes from the October 15, 2024 regular meeting were presented to the City Council for consideration and approval. Council Member McFarland moved to approve the minutes as submitted. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. There were no corrections or additions called for regarding the minutes, whereupon Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The minutes from the special called meeting held November 5, 2024 were then presented to the City Council for consideration. Council Member Bird moved to approve those minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, 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 October, 2024 was presented to the City Council for approval. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the report as submitted, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for corrections or additions, neither of which were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, 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 October, 2024. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of October, 2024. It was accepted into the record without objection. The Mayor advised that the sale of the tanker truck as per the accepted sealed bid was finalized last week.

With respect to the 1990 Pierce pumper truck for which the City Council rejected the sealed bids previously received, it was suggested that this fire truck might be listed for sale through the Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus Dealership, which is the largest broker of used fire apparatus in the nation. They do not charge for listing the vehicle for sale, but do charge a 10% fee if the vehicle is sold through their company listing. Fire Chief Glotzl believes this truck to be worth between $15,000 and $20,000. The options available are to either advertise for a third time for sealed bids, list the truck with Brindlee, or do nothing further at present. Council Member Bird moved to list the 1990 Pierce pumper truck for sale with Brindlee for $19,800. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Continuing with fire department issues, the Mayor stated that he and the Fire Chief have had discussions with the City Attorney in regards to implementing fire code requirements and regulations on mobile food trucks that operate in the city. Fire Chief Glotzl stated that the current state fire code provides regulations for mobile food trucks, but it requires approval by local governing bodies before they can be implemented and enforced. Chief Glotzl stated he already inspects the food trucks, but he currently lacks authority to enforce the regulations because the City Council has never voted to adopt and implement those regulations. This will be brought back before the City Council for consideration of adopting at a later meeting.

Mayor Braim gave the building inspection report for the period of October 12th through November 13th. It was also accepted into the record without objection.

The Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission met recently. The wastewater treatment facility was able to handle and cope with the recent heavy rain events, and all operations are now functioning normally. He also gave an update on the progress of the lift station constructions.

The Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission now has two vacancies that need to be filled.

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The Parks Committee recently met and discussed the original city park and the Lancaster Park. Discussion included the installation of cameras at Lancaster Park, construction of restroom facilities at Lancaster Park, replacement of the slide at the original city park, and restroom rehabilitation and renovation at the original city park. Mayor Braim will be looking into the possibility of securing grant funding toward these projects.

In unfinished business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2024-06 on its second reading. Council Member Lassen 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 the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, 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, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2024-06. AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH NEW COMMERCIAL WATER USER RATES AND COMMERCIAL WATER METER DEPOSIT FEES FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE WATER SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

The companion ordinance for commercial sewer rates, Proposed Ordinance No. 2024-07, was then up for consideration as well on its second reading. Council Member McFarland moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, 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. 2024-07. AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH NEW COMMERCIAL SEWER RATES FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE WATER SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Moving on to new business, Mr. Brian Haas, CPA, was present to deliver his draft of the 2023 water and wastewater audit report to the City Council. He explained several sections of the audit report and offered to take any questions. The final audit report will be presented at a later date.

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The employee insurance plan for city employees was then discussed. The Arkansas Municipal League must have a decision from the city by November 25th as to what insurance coverage the city will provide to city employees for 2025. Options had previously been discussed during a budget work session. Council Member Lassen moved to continue the same insurance coverage for city employees for 2025, to include the rate increase required for the same coverage. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim then presented to the City Council his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 for review. He announced that he would be scheduling another budget work session in December.

Superintendent Dewey stated that the sidewalk renovations at the city park are approximately 70% complete, but he has no remaining funds in his budget to continue the work. He asked that the City Council re-appropriate funds from the 2024 Lancaster Park budget into the 2024 city park budget in order that he can continue the work. It was noted that in the proposed 2025 budget, $15,000 has been allocated to Lancaster Park and $30,000 allocated to the original city park. Council Member Bird moved to amend the 2024 budget by re-appropriating $5,000.00 from Lancaster Park expense line item #6780 to City Park O/M expense line item #6990. This motion was seconded by Council Member Smith. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

A budget work session will be called for Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:00 PM.

Mayor Braim then provided the following updates:

1. With respect to the ongoing litigation over the new city water well project, Mayor Braim stated he has met with legal counsel. The new well is pumping, and water samples from it have been approved by the Arkansas Department of Health. The city's attorneys are recommending that the case go to mediation in December, and the City Council has been asked to approve giving the Mayor the authority to accept or reject mediation offers. After discussion, Council Member Lassen moved that the Mayor be authorized and empowered to accept or reject any offer or offers laid on the table at the mediation meeting. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.
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2. The revenue from the recent sale of the fire department tanker truck was recorded as miscellaneous income in the fire department budget. Mayor Braim asked that the City Council approve the transfer of this revenue, $45,000.00, into the Fire Department Truck Fund #03344. Council Member Smith moved to authorize this transfer of funds as requested, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Smith, McFarland, Lassen, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

3. Mayor Braim announced he would be out of office from November 21st until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Prior to adjournment, a Rev. Ferguson made a statement concerning the condition of property, abandoned vehicles, etc., which is just outside the city limits on Highway 62 E. She indicated she was aware that she would need to contact Baxter County about the situation, but wanted the City Council to be aware of it as well.

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting then adjourned at 7:00 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member Lassen, with all members voting in favor.

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

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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