Gainesville city council approves cost-of-living raise

Editor’s note: The Times was unable to be at last month’s Gainesville City Council meeting. These preliminary minutes, which have not been approved by the council yet, were provided by the city clerk. The next city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at City Hall.  

The City Council of Gainesville met in regular session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in the Gainesville City Hall. The following members were present: Aldermen Renee Schmucker, Dana Crisp, Teri Edades, Treva Warrick and Lana Bushong, along with Mayor Deanna G. Reich were in attendance. 

Also attending were Terry Goss, Damion Goss, Josh Sherman, Mike Davis and Lisa Goodnight.

1. Call meeting to order – Called meeting to order by Mayor Deanna Reich at 6 p.m.

2. Roll call – Five Aldermen were present. Mayor Reich present. Quorum achieved. 

3. Consent agenda – Treva Warrick made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Lana Bushong seconded. All yeas. Motion passed. 

4. Open forum – N/A 

5. Fire department report – 

a. Report supplied. 

b. Shirt request – No Action.

6. Maintenance and water department reports

a. Maintenance department – Mike Davis reported his department has bladed streets following the recent significant snow event, along with fixing leaks and regular maintenance. 

b. Water department – Jessi Price stated that the water loss remained about the same. 

The transition to the city’s new billing system, MuniLink, is almost complete. The budgeted amount was $6,000, but because much of the work was done in-office the cost will be approximately $1,700. 

7. Wastewater treatment facility – Mike Davis advised that they need one more gate and posts for the treatment facility. This will involve speaking with Toth & Associates to see if this cost can be paid for by the ARPA DNR WasteWater Treatment Facility Grant.

8. Old Business – 

a. Saddle Club Contract – N/A

9. New Business – 

1. Century Bank of the Ozarks – Signatures are needed by the council on the depository contract. Council members were asked to please provide signatures before adjournment. 

2. Airport Trailer Park entrance maintenance – Lana Bushong volunteered to speak with the Ozark County Commissioners regarding maintenance of Runway Loop. 

3. Nuisance Ordinance – Lana Bushong made a motion to proceed with the necessary steps to force cleanup of properties. Renee Schmucker seconded. All yeas. Motion passed. 

4. Domestic utility refunds – N/A

5. Delinquent sewer billing – Lana Bushong made a motion to have a contract between the city and a resident that has not paid their sewer-only bill for several years. Further, allowing the resident to hook to the city’s water system with the understanding that $100 per month must be paid over the water/sewer charge amount each month until the balance for the sewer-only balance is satisfied. Treva Warrick seconded. All yeas. Motion passed.

10. Equipment

a. Maintenance department – 

1. Studded tires for dump truck (2), 2016 Ford (4), repair costs-spare salt spreader (up to $800) – Treva Warrick made a motion to approve the costs listed for purchase and repair. Renee Schmucker seconded. All yeas. Motion passed. 

b. Fire Department – N/A

11. Enter Into closed session – Treva Warrick made a motion to enter closed session. Renee Schmucker seconded. All yeas. Entered Closed Session at 6:49 p.m..

12. Cost of living wage increase – Treva Warrick made a motion to increase employee pay by 2.5% cost of living adjustment. Renee Schmucker seconded. All yeas. Motion passed. 

13. Resignation – The resignation of Alderman Renee Schmucker was accepted. The resignation was due to health-related issues.

14. Exit closed session – Exited closed session at 7:12 p.m.. 

15. Adjourn – Dana Crisp made a motion to adjourn. Teri Edades seconded. All yeas. Motion passed. Adjourned at 7:13 p.m..