HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-22 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
JUNE 22, 2004
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 22, at 5:30 PM at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Ford
gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following Councilmembers answered present:
Jim Cargill, R.L. Carpenter, Robert Ford, Gerald Gaither, Jim Mitchum, Jerry Pectol,
Paula Terrell and Jim Watkins. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and
the City Attorney Scott Stalker.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting.
Councilmember Watkins seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended.
Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for.
RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC SERVICE GROUP
Mayor Biard recognized several members of the Master Gardner's Club for their
work they have done around Batesville and Independence County.
REPORT ON 1909 PORTER STREET
Mrs. Doris Inman addressed the council and told them that they had cleaned up
the front and back yards at 1909 Porter Street and had hauled off a lot of junk. Mrs.
Inman said she talked to the current tenant and told her she needed to be out by the end of
last week but she was still there and had not made any attempt to vacate the property.
Mayor Biard said he would try to help the lady find some government housing.
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OPINION ON PROPERTY IN GOFF ADDITION
The council was given a copy of the opinion by Municipal League Attorney
David Schoen regarding the Goff Addition issue. Councilmember Carpenter asked City
Attorney Scott Stalker to explain to the council Mr. Schoen's opinion. Mr. Stalker said
he just received a copy of the opinion and did not feel comfortable trying to explain the
opinion. Again, the council discussed the problems as to whether Chadwick Street
should be paved, if Dylan Street is a street or private drive and if the selling of the land
by Mr. Charles Goff to Gary Vinson and Chris Anderson who in turn divided the parcel
created a subdivision according to the City's zoning code. Mr. Carpenter moved that Mr.
Charles Goff pave and gutter the 50 X 150 stretch of Chadwick Street. The motion failed
for the lack of a second. After further discussion, Councilmember Cargill moved to
accept the City Attorney's opinion (copy attached to minutes) issued August 1, 2003
regarding the above issues. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and the roll call count
was 6 for and two (Carpenter and Terrell) against.
DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE FOR CAR LOTS, ETC. BEING HARD-
SURFACED
The council discussed the proposed ordinance that would require public or private
open sales and storage areas to be improved with a paved or concrete surface. The
council said they would like the ordinance to also include the word commercial and also
to add the wording that all current businesses that the ordinance would effect must
comply within 7 years. Mr. McClure said he would make the changes and have the
ordinance ready for the next meeting.
DISCUSSION ON GRASS CONTROL ORDINANCE
Mr. McClure gave the council copies of ordinances of three other cities in
Arkansas who have ordinances for grass control. Councilmember Mitchum gave the
council copies of grass heights to consider. The council said they would like to have time
to read the other ordinances and discuss it at the next meeting.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
The council discussed 2060 College Street. Mr. McClure said the City had gone
through all the appropriate stages of condemnation and is now ready to demolish the
structure. The council asked the City Attorney if he found out if the City can demolish
the property if it is tied up in bankruptcy court. Mr. Stalker said he forget to research that
and would try to find out by the next meeting.
Denise Johnston told the council that she contacted the County Tax Collector to
see if any of the three liens that the City has placed on properties have been collected.
She said that Mr. Kelly checked and said that none of the liens have been collected and
one of the pieces of properties has been sold with the lien attached to the property. The
council discussed matter and asked the City Attorney to see what the law says about
selling properties that have liens attached to them.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The council was given a copy of the financial statement for May 2004.
There being no further business, Councilmember Terrell moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK