HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
APRIL 24, 2007
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 24, at 5:30 PM at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Councilmember
Carpenter gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following Councilmembers answered
present: R.L. Carpenter, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Matt McDonald, David Shetron,
Stephen Smart and Paula Terrell. The City Clerk was also present. Councilmember
Pectol and City Attorney Scott Stalker were absent.
Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting and Councilmember Carpenter seconded. All voted for.
Councilmember Matthews moved to approve the prepared agenda.
Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
"DISCUSSION REGARDING FARMERS MARKET
Mr. Ed Mabry and Ms. Debby Stroud addressed the council regarding the
Farmers Market. Mr. Mabry said that currently we have about 4 locations where local
farmers set up to sell their goods and basically have no rules or regulations and no one
to go to with problems. He said that he recently visited the Jonesboro's Farmers Market
that is under the umbrella of Arkansas State University. He said their facility is located
on the ASU campus and is under a tent that was donated by a local business and their
market sells food and crafts. Mr. Mabry and Ms. Stroud asked the council to take the
Farmer's Market under their non-profit umbrella and help in finding a good location and
good set of rules. The council agreed and the Mayor asked for volunteers for a steering
committee. Councilmembers Terrell, Smart, McDonald and Shetron all volunteered to
serve on the committee. They set their first meeting for Monday April 30th at 4:30 PM at
City Hall.
"REVIEW REPORT FROM UTILITIES
Utilities manager Larry Tharnish addressed the council regarding their monthly
financial reports. Mr. Tharnish told the council that he met with the Mayor and City
Clerk to explain their financials and felt it would be best to meet individually with the
council to explain them. The council agreed. Councilmember Matthews said that he
wanted to merge the water's financial with the City's financial program so they would
only have to learn one financial program. He asked the Clerk when she thought that
could be accomplished. The Clerk said she thought she could begin doing the utilities
payroll on July 1 but would probably wait until the end of the utilities fiscal year,
September 30, to completely merge the financials.
"DISCUSSION OF WASTEWATER ISSUES
Mr. Jim Ulmer, Dr. Parker and Mr. Richards all with McGoodwin, Williams and
Yates addressed the council and gave a report on which wastewater proposal they
thought would be the best for the City to build. After a lengthy discussion, the council
decided to wait until the I & I study is completed to make any decisions.
"EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Matthews moved to go into execution session. Councilmember
Smart seconded and all voted for.
Upon returning from the executive session, Councilmember Smart moved to
place the Cemetery/Landscaping Supervisor, Johnny Abbott, from an hourly position to
a salaried position. Councilmember McDonald seconded and all voted for.
"REVIEW CITY FINANCIALS FROM MARCH 31, 2007
The council reviewed the City's financials for the Quarter ending March 31, 2007.
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Elumbaugh announced that the Citizens Bank has donated a 1990 bucket
truck to the City. The City will have to do a little maintenance on the vehicle but it will
certainly be a great asset for changing out stoplights, trimming trees, etc.
The Mayor thanked several city and county employees who worked
approximately 13 hours straight to install a temporary stoplight at the intersection on top
of Ramsey Mountain. An accident completely took out the north bound stoplight.
LIAISON REPORTS
Councilmember Smart gave a summary of the Interlocal Meeting on April 18.
Councilmember McDonald also gave a summary of the last Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Matthews announced that the Batesville Municipal Airport was
working with UUCP to offer an aircraft and engine school this coming fall semester.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Krug moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember
Terrell seconded and all voted for.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK