HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-31-SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 31, 2003
The Batesville City Council met in special session on July 31, at 10:00 A.M. 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, Robert Ford, Jim Mitchum, Jerry Pectol, Paula Terrell and Jim
Watkins. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and the City Attorney Scott
Stalker. Councilmembers Carpenter and Gaither were absent.
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. Councilmember
Watkins seconded and all voted for.
DISCUSS HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM IN MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Mayor Biard introduced Craig Williams, Mark Waterwitch, Chad Hefton, James
Moore and Mike Webb all with Arkansas Mechanical Services. The Mayor and council
discussed the problems that the city is having with the heat and air unit in the Municipal
Building. Mayor Biard informed the council that the tenants were also complaining
about the unreliability of the system. The current system is 23+ years old and needs to be
replaced. Mr. Williams told the council that the chiller loses its load during the heat of
the afternoons. The type of chiller that is installed causes the compressors to go out.
Arkansas Mechanical has had to replace 8 or 9 compressors. Last year the City got an
estimate of approximately $135,000 to replace the system. The city currently has a
contract with Arkansas Mechanical Services for the maintenance on the unit. The council
discussed the problems of the system with the men and possible solutions. Mr. Williams
told the council with a digital system, the air flow will be controlled better and could save
the city approximately $20,000 per year in utility costs. Mr. Waterwitch said that for a
fee of approximately $10,000, Arkansas Mechanical would draw up the specifications for
a new system to be placed out for bids. If Arkansas Mechanical gets the bid, the spec fee
will be waved. The council also discussed the means for paying for a new system.
Mayor Biard said the city has enough in Capital Expenditure monies or could borrow the
money from White River Planning and Development District at a low interest rate.
Councilmember Ford moved to proceed with the steps to purchase a new heat and
cooling system by drafting specifications and running an ad for bids. Councilmember
Watkins seconded and 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