COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER, 2025

Date Posted: 10/22/2025

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at the Gassville Community Center. Prior to the meeting, Mayor Braim asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Council Member Kenneth Smith, who had passed away on August 28, 2025, followed by a word of prayer offered by Police Chief Tim Mayfield. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, after which the meeting was then called to order at 6:00 PM.

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

The minutes from the August 19, 2025 regular meeting were up for approval. They had previously been provided to each Council Member. Council Member Bird moved to approve the minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. The Mayor called for corrections or additions. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, 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 August, 2025 was then presented for review and approval. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the financial report as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. The Mayor noted that the generator at the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) had needed repairs, the cost of which was outside the budget appropriation and would need to be covered from the WWTF Capital Reserve Fund #03506. The Mayor then called for a vote on the motion to approve. Council Members McFarland, 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 August, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of August, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. He also noted that Gassville continues to be under a burn ban due to the prevailing very dry conditions. In addition, the "KnoxBox" equipment previously discussed has been installed and will be operational tomorrow. It is available for both commercial and residential use.

Mayor Braim gave the building inspection report for the period of August 15th through September 11th. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Council Member Seaman gave a report from the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission, which had met on September 11th. The report included the following:

· The Commission approved repairs to the generator at the Wastewater Treatment Facility.

· The WWTF is operating normally with ongoing routine maintenance.

· Repairs to the backhoe have been made.

· Erosion issues and rock issues at certain new manholes are being addressed.

· Replacement generators for the ageing units at the lift stations need to be thought about.

· The issues at "Magness Pond" have been temporarily addressed by Mallet Construction Company at a cost of $3,600.

· Line crew supervisor Tim Kelley is retiring at the end of this month.

Council Member Lassen gave a report from the Gassville Planning and Zoning Commission, which had met on September 9th to conduct a public hearing on a re-zoning permit request for the erection of a new communications tower. The Commission rejected the application, and the petitioner now has a fifteen day window in which to file an appeal of the decision to the City Council. If an appeal is filed within that time frame, then the City Council would take up the appeal at its next regular meeting in October. A copy of the minutes from the public hearing, as well as the sign-in roster sheets, are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Mayor Braim also noted that he is continuing to reach out to other Mayors to see if there is an interest in collaborating on the development of new city master plans with cost sharing between the municipalities involved.

Moving on to unfinished business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-08 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 Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, 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 the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-08. AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY ATTORNEY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER OF COMPENSATION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

-2-

This proposal will return for a third and final reading at the October meeting.

Under new business, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-10 was up for consideration on its first reading. Council Member Seaman moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, 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 the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-10. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MONTHLY FEE TO EACH PROPERTY THAT UTILIZES A SEWER LIFT STATION IN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, REPEALING ANY ORDINANCE THAT CONFLICTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-11 was then up for its first reading. Council Member Bird moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. The Mayor called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, 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 proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-11. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ELECTRONIC TRANSER OF FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A.C.A. 14-59-105, PROVIDING INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS FOR SAID TRANSFERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-12 was next up for its first reading. Council Member McFarland moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Recorder-Treasurer Lewis then read aloud in its entirety the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-12. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2024-05 ADDING A CYBERSECURITY POLICY AND INTERNET POLICY TO THE PERSONNEL HANDBOOK OF THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

-3-

Lastly, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-13 was up for consideration on its first reading as well. Council Member Seaman moved to place the proposed ordinance on its first reading, which motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Lewis read aloud the proposed ordinance in its entirety, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-13. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2025-05 SPECIFICALLY SECITON 6 EXCEPTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

Continuing under new business, the matter of the property tax millage rate to be assessed in 2025 and collected in 2026 was discussed. Council Member Bird moved to request the Baxter County Quorum Court to assess a general millage rate of five (5) mills to be assessed in 2025 and collected in 2026 for the City of Gassville, and to authorized the Mayor to inform the County Judge in writing of this decision. The motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

The draft of a fee agreement between the City of Gassville and new City Attorney Christopher Floyd was presented to the City Council for review and approval. Council Member Lassen moved to approve the agreement as written and presented. This motion as seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion as declared to be carried. A copy of the agreement is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

The next order of business was declaring a vacancy in the Ward 1, Position 2 Council Member position that was held by Kenneth Smith before he passed away. Mayor Braim declared the position to now be vacant, and he indicated that any person residing in that ward who is interested in the position should make it known. The City Council will consider filling the vacant position at the October meeting.

An audit engagement letter was received from Brian Haas, CPA, concerning the 2024 water/wastewater audit.

-4-

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

1. Preliminary budget meetings are being held with the department heads.

2. There is a need for the water/wastewater committee to meet in October.

3. The Arkansas Municipal League's winter conference will be held January 14-16, 2026.

4. The Mayor would like to place a bench and memorial at Lancaster Park in remembrance of Kenneth Smith. The City of Gassville can pay for a bench for public use, but a memorial marker would need to be paid for with private funds.

5. The Mayor will be out of state September 29th through October 2nd.

6. Street overlay and milling work in Arkansas Estates will be commencing soon.

Council Member McFarland asked about the status of the delipidated property at 516 Main Street now owned by Jamie Mann. The property had been up for consideration for condemnation proceedings before Mr. Mann purchased it. He indicated he would either repair the structure or tear it down. There has not been any noticeable work done on the structure in quite some time now, and action of some kind needs to be undertaken to resolve the situation.

Prior to adjournment, Mr. Vincent Cusomano addressed the City Council about his desire to obtain, keep, and transport venomous reptiles for viewing and educational purposes. He has been in communication with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which has administrative regulations governing the permit process needed to keep venomous reptiles. One of the requirements is that no municipal or county ordinance would be violated by doing so. (AGFC Administrative Regulation No. F01-08, Venomous Reptile Possession Permit Requirements). Council Member Bird suggested that Mr. Cusomano verify with AGFC all requirements and conditions that first have to be met, and then come back before the City Council again to see if there are any city ordinances that would be in conflict with them.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting then adjourned at 7:07 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member McFarland, with all members voting in favor.

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

Approved by:_ /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

-5-