Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JUNE 24, 2008 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 24, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Councilmember Krug gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following councilmembers answered present: R.L. Carpenter, Fred Krug, Matt McDonald, David Shetron, Stephen Smart and Paula Terrell. Also present were the City Clerk and the City Attorney. Councilmembers Paula Terrell and Doug Matthews were absent. Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and Councilmember McDonald seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) CHIEF DEPUTY STEVE JEFFERY REGARDING SAFETY ISSUES AT KENNEDY PARK AND THE SANDBAR Chief Deputy Steve Jeffery and Parks Director Randy Palmer addressed the council regarding safety issues at Kennedy Park and the sandbar. Mr. Jeffery asked the council to consider passing an ordinance similar to the one adopted at the kiddy park, setting certain hours of availability. He gave the council a report of crimes reported at or near Kennedy Park. He said if the City set certain hours for the park to be open, they would have the authority to arrest people who were there after hours and hopefully stop most of the vandalism. Mr. Jeffery said thousands of dollars of property at the park and adjoining businesses have been vandalized. Mr. Palmer said the boat ramp and bathrooms would not be affected in closing the park. The council discussed if they had the authority to pass any laws concerning the sandbar. City Attorney Stalker said it was his understanding that the Corp of Engineers and the County actually owned the sandbar therefore the council would not have any authority. Mayor Elumbaugh asked to form a committee to come up with a solution for the next meeting. The committee will consist of Chief Deputy Jeffery, Parks Director Randy Palmer and Councilmember Krug, McDonald and Shetron (chair person). B) CONSIDER SEWER HOOK-UP IN SPRING VALLEY Mr. Nick Baxter with the Water Utility Department and Mr. Elijah Johnson, owner of the property located at 18 Pearl Lane addressed the council requesting a sewer hood-up at Mr. Johnson's property. Mr. Johnson bought the property from Mr. Harold Crider who gave the Utility Department an easement across his property for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a sewer trunk line. In granting the easement, Mr. Crider was guaranteed the right to connect to the Batesville wastewater trunk line crossing his property without a connection fee. The agreement also states that the agreement is transferable to any heirs and assigns. Mr. Baxter said Mr. Johnson's property contained two lots and he only wanted to connect one lot now and the other lot sometime in the future. Councilmember Smart moved to honor the agreement and allow the hookups. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and all voted for. C) BECKY REGAN REGARDING SEWER PROBLEMS IN HER HOME Ms. Becky Regan addressed the council regarding sewer problems in her home. She lives at 2015 Carol Street and on Thanksgiving Day, 2007, she said her sewer backed up in her bathroom which resulted in her having to replace the carpet in her hall. Because of the holiday it was a few days before she could get a plumber to her home. Ms. Regan said in March 2008, the city came and replaced the sewer line and fixed the problem. She had two estimates to repair her bathroom, the least one being $1,800.00 and asked the city to pay for the damages. Sewer construction supervisor Red Davis addressed the council and said he had a few call on Carol Street and the line that was replaces was a service line belonging to the home owner not the City's main line. He said the main line had been checked and it was clear. City Engineer Damon Johnson said the houses on Carol Street were all built about the same time and probably the lines were all beginning to deteriorate. Before approving Ms. Regan's request, council asked Mr. Davis and Mr. Johnson to investigate the problem and determine if it is a City or homeowner problem. D) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson gave his scheduled report to the council. He said the Wastewater Treatment Plant had the annual ADEQ inspection. He said the plant was out of permit on one occasion due to rain and there were no violations. The last two new filters at the Water Treatment Plant should be installed by mid next week. They will then wait for the approval after a water sample test to be put into operation. The plant upgrade should be completed by mid July. The WTP also had their annual EPA audit. Mr. Johnson said there were a few issues to correct but no major findings. The construction on College is nearly complete with about one block left. Mr. Johnson thanked the County for all the work they have done on the property for the new fire station in West Batesville. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Shetron moved to going into executive session and Councilmember Smart seconded. All voted for. Upon returning from execution session, Councilmember McDonald moved to reappoint Mr. Michael Fagan and Mr. Brian Langston to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. The new appoints will continue through June 10, 2013. F) REVIEW MAY FINANCIALS The council reviewed the May 31, 2008 financials. CEMETERY RESOLUTION The council considered a cemetery resolution for Deborah Goldberg, #2008-176-1 for$400.00. Councilmember McDonald moved to accept the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. All voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL Councilmember Smart announced that he was moving outside his ward and effective tonight was handing in his letter of resignation. Mr. Smart said it had been a pleasure serving the Citizens of Batesville and hoped to do so again in the future. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember McDonald moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK