HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-27 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
JANUARY 27, 2004
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on January 27, at 5:30 P.M. at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Ford gave
the invocation. Upon roll call the following members 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 City Attorney Scott Stalker.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting and
Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended.
Councilmember Watkins seconded and all voted for.
CONSIDER WATER METER OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS
Mr. Jerry Jeffery with the Batesville Water Utility addressed the council with a request
to hook up to city water outside the city limits. The hookup will be on Mitchell Road off Hwy
69 N. Mr. Jeffery said there is currently a 12" line running down Mitchell Road and there will
be no volume or pressure problems. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the hookup and
Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE
Mrs. Pat Dunegan addressed the council regarding the planned homeownership initiative
also known as affordable housing project. Mrs. Dunegan said the Batesville Housing
Authority has applied for funding to build or buy 15 homes to offer to sell to low and
moderate-income families. The homes will be 3 bedrooms and 2 baths homes. Mayor Biard
had prepared a letter of support to be mailed to the Housing Authority with the Council's
approval. Councilmember Ford moved to mail the letter of support and Councilmember
Watkins seconded. All voted for.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF GRANT
Mayor Biard announced that the City has been approved for a $35,000 grant to be
used for software for the dispatching 911 system upgrade. Office of Emergency Services
Coordinator Bill Hicks explained to the council how the upgrade will enhance the system.
The entire county will be mapped and downloaded into the computer. When a 911 call
comes into dispatch, all the current information will come on the screen as well as the exact
address will blink. This will aid the dispatcher to give the responding unit exact directions.
Mr. Hicks said the mapping will take about a year to complete.
AMEND 2003 BUDGET
Councilmember Watkins introduced an ordinance to amend the 2003 budget. Mayor
Biard read the ordinance and Councilmember Watkins moved to dispense the rules for the
second and third readings. Councilmember Ford seconded and the roll call count was 8 for
and 0 against. Councilmember Watkins moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember
Cargill seconded and the roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given
#2004-1-2.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Biard told the council that Marty Thompson and Johnny Coles needed to attend
a school in Decatur Alabama for stop light repair. The school will give them their Level 1
Certifications. Councilmember Cargill moved to approve the out of state schooling and
Councilmember Terrell seconded. All voted for.
The Mayor gave the council a copy of a letter he has drafted to Mr. Lyndal Waits with
the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. At a prior meeting it was mentioned
that a right turn lane needs to be added on 30th Street at the intersection of 30th and Harrison
Street. The letter was asking the Highway Department to consider making the improvement
during their Harrison Street widening project. Councilmember Ford moved to mail the letter
and Councilmember Mitchum seconded. All voted for.
UNSIGHTLY PROPERTY
Code Enforcement Officer showed the council several pieces of properties to consider
for condemnation. A piece of property located on South Elsie Street owned by the deceased
Jessie Smith in is need of condemnations. Mr. McClure said that Attorney Butch Ketz is
handling the estate but believes there are no living family members. Councilmember Watkins
moved to start condemnation proceedings. Councilmember Cargill seconded and all voted
for. 120 Cherry Street owned by Mr. Jerry Post is also in need of condemnation.
Councilmember Cargill moved to begin condemnation proceedings and Councilmember
Carpenter seconded. All voted for. The council discussed property at 1284 Grace Street.
They instructed Mr. McClure to write a letter to the owner to clean up the property. An
abandoned truck owned by Mr. Dave Hughes on Davis Lane was discussed. Mr. McClure
said he was waiting on a ruling from the City Attorney whether the City could have the vehicle
towed. The truck is on the street and city right-of-way. Chief Deputy Steve Jeffery said he
thought the vehicle could be towed but the City Attorney did not give his approval.
There being no further business, Councilmember Watkins moved that the meeting be
adjourned. Councilmember Terrell seconded and all voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK