Gainesville City Council takes up full agenda for September meeting

The Gainesville City Council met for its regular monthly meeting Sept. 10 at City Hall. 

Councilmen Lana Bushong, Renee Schmucker, Teri Edades and Dana Crisp were in attendance. Councilwoman Treva Warrick was absent. Also attending the meeting was Mayor Gail Reich, City Clerk Lisa Goodnight, Water Specialist Jessi Price, Maintenance Supervisor Mike Davis, Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Sherman, tree trimmer Todd Plank and Ozark County Times Editor Jessi Dreckman.

The council approved the minutes of the last month’s meetings, which included the regular Aug. 13 meeting and an Aug. 27 special meeting in which the city’s tax levy was set at .4185. Goodnight explained that at that meeting, the council voted to take a voluntary deduction so that the city tax rate would remain the same. The ceiling is .4262.

City law enforcement

The meeting opened in open forum, and Deputy Sherman addressed the city council. Sherman serves as an Ozark County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and a K9 handler for the sheriff’s department’s two dogs, Karo and Rye. 

Sherman said that the sheriff’s department has decided to have one deputy as the point-person for each municipality that the OCSD contracts with, and it was decided that he will be the liaison for the city of Gainesville, as he lives within the Gainesville city limits. 

“We’re trying to revamp and have a two-way street with those we have contracts with… that way if there is anything you need to address with us, you can come to me. 

“Hootin an Hollarin is coming up… We’ve already addressed staffing issues for that. We have more reserve officers coming in [on the] night before, morning of… making sure vendors and everyone is taken care of… making sure we aren’t going to have someone going 70 miles an hour down court square again,” Sherman said. 

“But maybe there are some other things we haven’t thought of. If you let me know directly what those are, we could try to knock those out in a five minute discussion rather than trying to go between 38 people during the week.”

Currently, the City of Gainesville has a contract in which it pays the OCSD $50,499.96 per year to provide law enforcement within the Gainesville City limits. The contract includes officers enforcing state laws as well as city ordinances within the city limits. 

Sherman said that the OCSD is currently in discussion with the other two municipalities in the county (Theodosia and Bakersfield) about providing contracted services there, and if agreements are reached there, other officers will serve as the liaisons in those districts.

“We have ongoing discussions [about the city] all the time with the [OCSD] staff, but hopefully with this change, you all will feel like more of a part of the planning process as well,” Sherman said. 

Bushong said she liked the idea of having one deputy to go to when there is an issue, because when the city has called the OCSD to follow up on various reports, often the dispatcher or officers on duty were not familiar with the case or the most recent updates with it. With having Sherman as the city’s liaison, it will be easier to streamline that communication, Bushong said.  

Sherman gave a short report on sheriff’s department activity, explaining that the OCSD placed additional officers in Ozark County schools last week when a threat was shared to social media. Sherman said the threat was dispelled and was not credible, but “we still had a high presence at Gainesville School and other area ones just in case.”

Tree trimming

The next order of business during open forum was a bid presentation by Todd Plank about trimming trees alongside city streets. 

The council had shown interest in hiring someone to do the tree trimming work because there are currently several streets with low-hanging branches that drivers have said hit their vehicles when they drive. The city council members mentioned that it was brought to their attention that area drivers, school bus drivers and workers with the electric company have had a lot of trouble getting down some streets because of the tree limbs. 

Davis explained that the city doesn’t own the right equipment to trim the trees high enough to make an impact on drivers. 

Plank offered the Gainesville city council three different tree trimming package options. 

The first option included trimming brush and overhanging limbs and cleaning up the debris from the work afterward for $18,500.

The second option included trimming roadsides only (no overhanging limbs or clean-up afterward) for $10,500. 

The third option as a straight hourly rate at $300 per hour for trimming brush, overhanging limbs and clean up. 

The council voted to hire Plank with the most inclusive service of trimming overhead trees, roadside brush and cleaning up, for $18,500. It was expected that he will begin that work this month. He said that usually the service is only needed once every two or three years. 

Fire department report

Gainesville Fire Chief Kevin Piland was not in attendance at the meeting, but Goodnight provided a fire department report in his absence.

She said a donation request was made to the company Harbor Freight, and the company approved a $200 donation for the Gainesville fire department. The donation was made in the form of an electronic gift card, which the fire department can use for tools or other items needed. 

Goodnight said that the city also applied for a grant through MFA in which they’ve requested $7,900 to purchase eight SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) bottles. She said that the grant program has a ceiling cap lower than that, but an official with the grant program said to leave the total amount needed with the description of what it was being used for. The official said there is a chance it may be awarded in full, if the proposal is chosen as one of the winning applications.

The grant is a 100 percent grant, meaning the GVFD would not have to provide any kind of monetary or in-kind match to secure the award if they are chosen. 

Piland also relayed an update on the rescue truck repairs that were approved at last month’s meeting. The truck is now at American Truck Repair in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The mechanic originally thought that the truck would need the back brake drums replaced, but once the truck was there, they found that they do not need to be replaced, which saved about $2,000. The shop has repaired some of the other issues including a motor mount problem, and Piland believed the cost was going to be somewhere around $5,000. He said he was hoping that, with the money that was saved from not replacing the back drums, the city could pay for the fire truck be serviced.

The council had approved up to $4,500 in repair bill last month, but they agreed that the truck did need to be serviced since it hasn’t been serviced before. They agreed to now allow up to $5,500 for repairs and service.

Maintenance report

Davis gave the council a maintenance report, saying that they’ve been working hard to get things ready and looking nice for Hootin an Hollarin including cutting grass around the city and filling potholes in the city streets. 

Davis said that the city received its mower back with the new motor that was installed at 160 Lawn & Garden in Gainesville, and it’s been running great. That purchase of $3,459 was approved at last month’s meeting. 

He also said they’ve been fixing water leaks, but as soon as they fix one, another one or two pop up. So, it’s been a constant battle. At the time of the meeting, there were five leaks on the west side that needed fixing. 

The maintenance department also installed the new sign at the city’s RV Park, which sits next to the Gainesville Saddle Club and is used frequently during Hootin an Hollarin. 

Crisp asked Davis if the city employees could start mowing the grass that lies on the right side of the Hoerman City Park loop. Davis said he would mow it this week.

The striping around the outer edge of the Gainesville square was completed recently by DEP Asphalt of Mountain Home, Arkansas. The work included striping all parking spots, adding three handicap spots, crosswalks and “STOP” in two areas of the street. The cost was $1,850.

Water department report

Price told the council that the center water loss had went up from last month, but a leak had been found and fixed, which should take care of the loss. In the east district, the loss has went all the way down to the city’s normal running standards. In the west district, it has gone up but they have several leaks to fix. 

Price said the city did get some of the Hymax couplings in the mail last week that will allow city workers to fix some of the leaks. Price said they are still waiting for some of the other parts they’ve ordered, which has slowed progress on the leak repairs. 

Wastewater treatment report

In the wastewater treatment report, Davis said that a sewer grinding pump down at the Airport Trailer Park went down the week before the city council meeting. 

A repair person determined that the motor was locked up in the pump, and it would need to be replaced. 

Davis got an estimate for the replacement, which includes parts and labor, which totaled $3,675. The last pump was put in that location in 2018 and cost $4,500 total, although it was another brand. 

The council voted to proceed with the replacement for $3,675. 

Davis said that the wastewater treatment facility has a water leak that they have not been able to find. They had someone come down with the organization Missouri Rural Water, who pinpointed where he thought the leak was, but when they got to it, there was no leak. They do know that a significant amount of water is being lost at that point though. The issue is complicated by electrical lines that run through that area as well. They will continue to try and locate the leak. 

Gainesville Saddle Club contract 

The council revisited the topic of the city’s contract with the Gainesville Saddle Club about the use of the city-owned property that the saddle club uses for the Saddle Club Grounds, as well as the club’s use of the RV sites during saddle club events. 

City attorney Jessica Blackburn drafted a new contract last month, which was given to the saddle club for input on revisions before the contract is to be signed by both parties. Reich said that Monty Hambelton with the Gainesville Saddle Club brought in a different contract from 2015 that he said the club was under the impression they were operating under currently. Reich said he thought that the city had signed copies of the older contract, which was drafted before Hambelton was involved with the saddle club. 

Goodnight said that she remembers that there was a contract drafted up in 2015 between the city and saddle club, but that the first draft of the contract did not address some personal property that was on the grounds. When that was brought up, the contract was redrafted that year to include the information about the personal property. Goodnight said that she never received signed copies of that contract back, therefore, she does not have copies of the contract or believe the contract is active. The 2015 contract was written to be effective until Dec. 31, 2024. 

Goodnight asked the council if she could contact Kerrie Zubrod with the saddle club to see if she can get a little more information or clarification on what she remembers about the 2015 contract. The council agreed that was a good first step, and the topic was tabled, to be revisited in the future when more information is available. 

Nuisance ordinance 

The city received its draft of a nuisance ordinance back from the city attorney. The ordinance involves rules for property owners within the Gainesville city limits to keep their properties neat, tidy and safe for neighbors or passersby. The drafted ordinance was several pages long, so it cannot be printed in full here; however, those interested in the ordinance can request a copy from City Hall by stoping in or calling 417-679-4858.

Bushong, Edades and Crisp voted in favor of implementing the ordinance. Schmucker chose to abstain from the vote, citing that she thought the ordinance was excessive and too detailed. With the majority voting in favor of implementation, the ordinance passed. 

Conflict of interest ordinance

Goodnight explained that the city has to have an ordinance that pertains to elected officials and conflicts of interests when the municipality’s budget exceeds $1 million. Because the budget does pass that threshold this year, the city attorney drafted an ordinance to comply with the rule. The ordinance was passed unanimously. 

Request for light pole

A letter was submitted to the city council by Donnis Taylor, manager of Harlin Heights, an apartment complex for disabled residents in the city limits. The council members each received a copy of the letter. At the end of the letter, Taylor asked the city to install a street lamp on the road near the apartment complex. 

Davis said that he has noticed a light pole located across the street from the apartment complex, but he was unsure if it worked or who owned it. The council noted that the city’s responsibility is to light the city streets, not necessarily the apartment complex.

 The topic was tabled until more information could be gathered about who owned the light pole, if it works and if there are any other available options.

City park trash

The council visited about trash issues at the Hoerman Memorial Park, a city-owned park on Highway 160 next to Gainesville Elementary School. There have been reports that trash is spread across the park on multiple occasions over the last several months.  

The council noted that in the past the park had a dedicated dumpster which was available for park patrons or groups using the pavilion who needed to throw away trash. However, the dumpster was being misused by others who were filling it with their own household trash, leaving no room for those who needed to use it at the park. 

The issue was compounded last year when vandals lit the dumpster on fire (along with a string of other damage at the park), burning and severely damaging the metal dumpster container. At that time, the trash company told the city it would not longer allow its dumpsters to be placed at the park because of the damage it sustained. In response, the council decided to remove all trash receptacles and instead asked patrons to take their trash home with them to dispose. 

However, it’s become apparent that trash isn’t always going home with park patrons, and some groups have left bags of trash hanging at the pavilion, which then has been scattered by animals. 

Goodnight said that although the trash company will not allow a dumpster to be placed at the park, they have agreed to allow two trash carts to be parked there. The carts will be checked on and emptied by city employees on weekdays to hopefully solve the trash issue. The carts are installed now and available for use. 

Wastewater treatment improvement bids

The city advertised for bids for a large-scale wastewater treatment system upgrades that are being funded by $6 million in grant funds through the Department of Natural Resources American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  

John Adams Construction of West Plains was the only contractor to submit a bid. They bid the project at $1,115,018.15. It involves purchasing and installing a generator that is capable of providing power for the entire wastewater treatment facility in case of a power outage, building a lab building, installing a 6-foot chain link fence and gates to go around the lagoon cells, replacing 13 grinder pumps, purchasing a refrigerator for wastewater treatment samples to be stored, laboratory scales, restructuring of the current control cabinet and other associated work.

The council voted unanimously to accept the bid. 

Tiny houses not allowed

Goodnight said that the city was recently made aware that a woman had purchased a 36-foot by 12-foot pre-fabricated storage shed-type building, had it installed on a relative’s property in the city limits and planned to use it as a home. 

The city has an ordinance that states that residents may not live in mobile homes, pre-fabricated homes of any sort or homes of less than 900 feet. However, there are some residences in the city limits that were “grandfathered in,” meaning they were placed before the ordinance was enacted. 

Because the storage shed building was both pre-fabricated and less than 900 feet, the council confirmed that it cannot be used as housing inside the Gainesville city limits; it also cannot be hooked into the city’s water or sewer systems. 

Goodnight explained that the woman did not know there was an ordinance about the matter until she was contacted by the city. Sometime after the meeting, she informed City Hall that she would place the shed on another relative’s property that is located outside the city limits. Therefore, the issue has been resolved. 

But it is worth noting that if anyone is planning to build a home within the Gainesville city limits, they should contact City Hall  (417-679-4858) to ask for the ordinances pertaining to building inside the city. 

Next meetings

The Gainesville City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at City Hall for a special meeting pertaining to the city’s budget. They will then meet for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. Both meetings are open to the public.