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accept the bid from Scott Wood Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram. Councilmember T. Bryant seconded and all voted for. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR AN AEDC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT ON BEHALF OF BATESVILLE PRESCHOOL Councilmember T. Bryant introduced a resolution to authorize the Mayor to submit an application to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission on behalf of Batesville Preschool Central Campus. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Ms. Johnston read the resolution by title only. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2019-03-01-R. G) STATE OF THE CITY Mayor Elumbaugh gave the State of the City address as follows; As I begin my thirteenth year as your mayor,I am both humbled and honored that you have chosen me to lead our great city for one of the longest mayoral tenures in our city's history.As we approach the 200t1 year anniversary of the birth of our city in 1821,1 wonder what those who platted Batesville would say about it now. I believe they would not only approve,but also be marveled that Batesville has not only survived but flourished.While many early cities wilted like flowers being permanently relegated to history,Batesville would not go quietly.The citizens of the oldest continually inhabited city in Arkansas have persevered through good times and bad,refusing to back down from any challenge our city has faced to become one of the most admired cities in Arkansas today.I see that same tenacity and determination in our present day citizens and I attribute it to the fact that many of them can trace their heritage all the way back to those first settlers.While some cities seem to search for their identity, Batesville's strong historical roots have given it purpose and direction throughout its long history. In those early days settlers came for the opportunities the new frontier west of the Mississippi offered.Paraphrasing from the August 4,1866,Batesville Immigration Society article:"No portion of the state,and in fact,no portion of the country west of the Mississippi, presents superior inducements to actual settlers.No country more attractive is to be found in the West.In short,we have a good country, one rich in natural resources and it needs but the laborer,the practical mechanic,and the man and means of energy to develop these resources and render it prosperous and wealthy.To these we say"Come"and you will be kindly received!" They came and were kindly received,both the educated and uneducated,both the laborer and the entrepreneur,both the skilled and unskilled. All became the fabric that has made Batesville what it is today. Today,many of those who choose to make Batesville their home have done so because of the quality of life offered here and the small town atmosphere conducive to rearing families. One of the most important quality of life requirements a community must have is access to quality health care.We are fortunate that local health care visionaries understood the importance this would play in the future of our community. We were recently reminded when the White River Medical Center was named as one of the"Top 100 Rural&Community Hospitals"in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Another extremely important requirement is quality educational opportunities.We are blessed with great primary and secondary schools and we are fortunate to have not one,but two,institutions of higher learning in Lyon College and UACCB.Their collaboration with the Impact Independence Strategic Plan's educational initiatives in cooperation with Forward Arkansas has made our