HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-11 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
MARCH 11, 2003
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on March 11, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal
Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Watkins 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. City Attorney Scott Stalker was absent.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember
Cargill seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember
Gaither seconded and all voted for.
UTILITY MANAGER -BUILDING ACROSS UTILITY LINES
Utility Manager Larry Tharnish said that occasionally there is a problem with a new construction
being built across utility lines and easement encroachments. Mayor Biard passed out a recent memo he
had given to the code enforcement office requiring "anyone applying for a building permit shall submit
proof that any structure is not to be build across a utility line and additionally there is not an
encroachment across a utility easement." Code Enforcement Office Chad McClure said that they
currently review all commercial construction with the utility department to make sure this does not
happen and he thought it was a good idea to also do this with all construction. Mayor Biard said that they
had met with the utilities attorney and he said that a motion from the council to make the memo policy
would be sufficient. Councilmember Watkins moved to make the memo standard policy within the code
enforcement procedures and Councilmember Ford seconded. All voted for.
CHANGE LAST COUNCIL MEETING IN MARCH
Mayor Biard said that there are potential new sub-leasers for the Lockhouse Restaurant. However,
in order to meet with the attorneys involved, the next council meeting needs to be changed from Tuesday,
March 251h to Monday, March 24th. Councilmember Cargill moved to change the meeting date and
Councilmember Ford seconded. All voted for.
PRESENTATION FROM FRIENDS OF INDEPENDENCE COUNTY
Mr. Rick Reed representing the Friends of Independence County committee asked for the councils
support in the proposed 7/8 cent countywide sales tax initiative. Mr. Reed explained how the tax would
be collected and disbursed and how it would be spent. He said that there would be a board made up of
city and county residents and elective officials. Councilmember Cargill introduced and Mayor Biard read
a resolution to support a public vote for the sales tax. Councilmember Cargill moved to adopt the
resolution and Councilmember Carpenter seconded. All voted for except Councilmember Gaither. The
resolution was given 42003-3-1-R.
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING VISIBLE NUMBERS ON RESIDENTIAL,
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
Mayor Biard read an ordinance that would require visible numbers to be placed on all residential,
commercial and industrial buildings. After a short discussion, the council decided to place the ordinance
on the next agenda for the second reading.
CONSIDER BIDS FOR THE 1954 AMERICAN LAFRANCE PUMPER TRUCK
Mayor Biard told the council that they opened bids last week for the 1954 American LaFrance
Pumper Truck. The two bids were $725.50 and $1,456.99. The council agreed to accept the bid for
$1,456.99. Mayor Biard asked the council to increase the miscellaneous line item in the Fire Department
by $1,457.00 in order to buy new mattresses for the two fire stations. Councilmember Cargill moved to
increase the miscellaneous line item and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for.
TRANSFER 1980 RESCUE TRUCK
Mayor Biard said at the February 11 meeting, the council approved the disposal of several items
from the city's fixed assets report. The Batesville School District has asked for the 1980 Chevrolet
Rescue Truck. Councilmember Cargill moved to give the truck to the school and Councilmember Terrell
seconded. All voted for.
SIGN FOR EAGLE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
Mayor Baird said he talked to the Batesville Schools Superintendent to ask what signs that they
need to help with the traffic flow at the schools. They said the only sign they need now is two "No
Parking" signs on the north side on Eagle Mountain Blvd. in front of the school. Councilmember
Mitchum moved to place the signs and Councilmember Watkins seconded. All voted for.
CONSIDER CEMETERY RESOLUTION
The council considered a cemetery resolution for Shirley Oyler, Resolution 42003-56-01 for
$400.00. Councilmember Cargill moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Gaither seconded.
All voted for.
There being no further business, Councilmember Watkins moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilmember Mitchum seconded and all voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK