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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-27 MINUTES OF COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on September 27, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Krug gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following councilmembers answered present: R.L. Carpenter, John Cooke, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Dana Mynatt, Jerry Pectol, Stephen Smart and Paula Terrell. The City Clerk was also present. The City Attorney was absent. Councilmember Pectol moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and Councilmember Cooke seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Cooke moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Terrell seconded and all voted for. REPORT ON EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS — O.E.S. Mr. Glen Willis, Director of the Office of Emergency Services addressed the council and told them of their procedures in case of an earthquake. Mr. Willis said unlike hurricanes and tornados, there are no watches or warning for earthquakes. He said most schools and some businesses have taken precaution and strengthened their buildings for the event of an earthquake. The schools have earthquake drills for their students and facility. Mr. Willis said each fire department within the county has been trained and will respond within their own districts with the main purpose of saving lives. After a few questions from the council, Mr. Willis invited the council to visit the O.E.S. office anytime for further information. DISCUSSION WITH A.H.T.D ON HARRISON STREET WIDENING Mr. Dean Farris with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department again addressed the council regarding the acquisition of the White Rodgers property. Mr. Farris said he re-evaluated the fencing on the property and increased the length of the fencing to be replaced from 700 feet to 848 feet. The amount the Highway Department has offered for the fence is $11,900.00 and $1.50 per square foot for the land totaling $51,100.00 for a total of$63,000.00. The White Rodgers representatives are asking for $3.00 per square foot. Councilmembers Carpenter and Cooke along with the Mayor met last week with White Rodgers and they agreed that $3.00 per square foot was a fair asking price for the land. After a lengthy discussion, Councilmember Cooke moved that White Rodgers and the Highway Department to set down and negotiate the price and the City will accept the price that they decide on. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and all voted for. REPORT ON SIGN ORDINANCE IF AVAILABLE Councilmember Matthews said that Mr. Giles was reviewing the ordinance and thought he would have it ready for the next meeting. DISCUSSION ON DRIVE OVER CURBS AS REFERRED BY PLANNING COMMISSION Mr. Max McElmurry addressed the council and asked them to consider adding "drive-over curbs" to the zoning codes in residential sections of the City. Mr. McElmurry explained the benefits for the drive-over curbs and said he has visited several cities that use the curbs and has not found any disadvantage to them. Mr. McClure said the Planning Commission looked at the proposal and had no objections to the curbs and forwarded it on to the council for consideration. Councilmember Cooke moved that the City Attorney review the prepared ordinance and have it ready to consider at the next meeting. Councilmember Terrell seconded and the roll call count was 3 for (Matthews, Mynatt and Terrell) and 5 against. The motion failed. After further discussion Councilmember Smart introduced the ordinance and the Mayor read it in full. The ordinance, if passed, will allow "drive-over curbs" in residential neighborhoods in Batesville. Councilmember Carpenter moved to suspend the second and third readings and Councilmember Pectol seconded. The roll call count was 6 for and 2 (Mynatt and Terrell) against. Councilmember Krug moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Pectol seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 1 (Terrell) against. The ordinance was given #2005-9-3. Councilmember Carpenter moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Krug seconded. The roll call count was 6 for and 2 (Mynatt and Terrell) against. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor gave the council a copy of the proposed ballots for the special elections regarding business license and A & P tax for their approval. Councilmember Carpenter read the ballots and Councilmember Terrell moved to accept them as presented. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. Mayor Biard asked that Councilmembers Matthews and Terrell head up effort to get the word out to the public to vote in favor of the Business License. The City Clerk asked the council to consider changing the council meetings in November because of a conflict that she had on those dates. Councilmember Cooke moved to change the November meetings to the 1St and 3rd Tuesdays (November 1St and 15th). Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. The council set the date for the next budget meeting for October 13th at 5:00 PM. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The council was given a copy of the financial statement for the month ending August 31, 2005. CEMETERY RESOLUTIONS The council considered two cemetery resolutions; Susan Crosser Stumbaugh, #2005-270-2, for$500.00 and Betty Duncan, #2005-270-1, for$300.00. Councilmember Terrell moved to approve the resolutions and Councilmember Smart seconded. 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