HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
DECEMBER 13, 2006
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on December 13, at
5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting.
Councilmember Matthews gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following
councilmembers answered present: R.L. Carpenter, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews,
David Shetron, Stephen Smart and Paula Terrell. Also present were the City
Clerk and the City Attorney. Councilmembers Dana Mynatt and Jerry Pectol
were absent.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS
Mayor Biard opened the floor for comments from the citizens. Mr. Larry
Guenzel approached the council. Mr. Guenzel, a former city employee, asked
why the city had an employee with a heart defibrillator who had a CDL license
and drove a city vehicle. Mayor Biard told Mr. Guenzel that this portion of the
agenda was for comments only and not a dialogue with the council. Mr. Guenzel
asked to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Mayor Biard denied the
request stating that Mr. Guenzel's issues were administrative not legislative for
the council to handle. With no more comments, the floor was closed.
ROUTINE BUSINESS
Councilmember Krug moved to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting and Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
***SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mayor Biard presented the family of the late Councilmember Jim Mitchum,
Jr. with the plaque that has been on display at City Hall since Mr. Mitchum
passed away.
Councilmember Matthews presented Mayor Biard with a plaque for his 12
years of service as Batesville's Mayor.
***BATESVILLE WATER UTILITIES REQUEST FOR METER OUTSIDE CITY
Mr. Larry Tharnish and Mr. Jerry Jeffery with the Batesville Water Utility
addressed the council with a request for a water meter outside the City limits.
Mr. Paul Harrison on 80 Dry Run Circle has requested the meter.
Councilmember Terrell moved to accept the meter and Councilmember Krug
seconded. All voted for.
***DISCUSSION WITH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CONCERNING BULLET
PROOF VESTS
Councilmember Smart said he has been approached by some concern
citizens that said the bullet proof vests that the officers wear are expired and
need to be replaced. Chief Deputy Steve Jeffery said the vests are warranted for
5 years and should be replaced soon after the expiration but just because the
warranty has expired does not mean the vests are not in good condition. Chief
Jeffery said they are in the process of purchasing 30 new vest with at 50/50 grant
and expect to have them by January or February, 2007.
***APPLICATION FOR TAXI FRANCHISE
Mr. James Thomas approached the council to ask for a Taxi Franchise in
Batesville. Mr. Thomas said his actual business will be located in Desha but he
will run the service in Batesville on a 7 day a week, 24 hour a day schedule.
With all the paper work in order, Councilmember Krug moved to grant the
franchise and Councilmember Carpenter seconded. All voted for.
***REQUEST BY MAYOR ON ANIMAL SHELTER
Mayor Biard asked the council to put an addition $4,500 in next years
budget to complete the Animal Control Shelter. Councilmember Shetron moved
to place the requested amount in the budget and Councilmember Krug
seconded. All voted for.
***REQUEST FOR EMPLOYEE PAY INCENTIVE
Mayor Biard asked the council to approve an incentive pay for the city
employees. He requested $500 for full time employees and $250 for permanent
part-time employees. Councilmember Krug moved to approve the incentive pay
and Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for.
***DISCUSSION OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
Mayor Biard told the council that the City received several bids for
employee health insurance and suggested that the council meet at another time
to hear from the different agents who submitted bids. The bids are complex and
need lots of reviewing. The council decided to meet Thursday, December 14 at
3:00 PM to start reviewing the bids. Councilmember Shetron then made a
motion to exclude all elected officials from membership in the city's group health
insurance plan, except elected officials who meet the requirements of a "Class B"
employee as defined in the City of Batesville Employee Handbook. A "Class B"
employee is defined as a full time employee whose normal work schedule is a
minimum of 30 hours per week more specific defined (as for elected officials) the
Mayor and City Clerk only. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the roll call
count was 3 for (Shetron, Krug and Matthews) and 3 against (Smart, Terrell and
Carpenter). The motion failed.
Councilmember Smart moved to have a special meeting Wednesday,
December 20th at 5:00 PM to consider the recommendations for employee health
insurance and consider employee raises for 2007. Councilmember Krug
seconded and all voted for.
There being no further business, Councilmember Krug moved that the
meeting be adjourned and Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK