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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-26 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MAY 26, 1998 The Batesville City Council met for its regular meeting on May 26, at 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Carpenter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, all the council answered present, except Councilmember Cargill who was absent. The Deputy City Clerk and the City Attorney were also present. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Insell seconded. All voted for. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PROFESSIONAL DENTAL TECHNOLOGIES TO ISSUE BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING IN THE FINANCING OF AN INDUSTRIAL FACILITY TO BE LOCATED NEAR THE CITY OF BATESVILLE Mayor Biard read a resolution that would enter the City of Batesville and Professional Dental Technologies into an agreement for the purpose of issuing bonds for the assisting in the financing of new construction of an integrated office/manufacturing/warehousing operation consisting of around 150,000 square feet of floor space. This new construction would be located in the new Industrial Park, which is located about 3 miles north of Batesville on Hwy. 167. The estimated cost of the new construction would be around $7 million. Mr. Derrick Davidson of Batesville, general counsel for Pro-Dentec, and Mr. Gordon Wilbourn with Kutak Rock Bond Counsel, told the council the company hopes to receive a grant to extend the City's current sewer system to the new property. The construction of the new facility would be contingent upon the sewer grant. The council wanted reassurance that the City would not be responsible to pay for the bonds if Pro-Dentec should default. The council was informed that no liability would be created for either the City or the County. Councilmember Bone moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution passed and was given #98-5-1. PUBLIC HEARING ON CONDEMNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 525 WYCOUGH STREET AND 450 LILLY STREET A public hearing was conducted for condemned property located at 525 Wycough and 450 Lilly Streets. This property was condemned at the council meeting held on April 28, 1998. Ms. Geneva Ferrell Barlow the, owner of the property located at 525 Wycough, addressed the council. Ms. Barlow asks the council to postpone the public hearing until she could have her attorney present. Chad McClure, Code Enforcement Office showed the council a video of the property taken that same day. The council viewed the tape and asked Ms. Barlow some questions. The council denied Ms. Barlow her request for a continuation and instructed Mr. McClure to proceed with the condemnation order. Ms. Barlow will have 30 days to comply. Mr. McClure told the council that he had received a call from a lawyer for the organization that owns the property located at 450 Lilly Street. The lawyer told Mr. McClure that the organization Habitat for Humanity was unaware that they owned the property. The property was apparently willed to them years ago. Mr. McClure told the council that they would either sell the property or remove the structures and clean up the property within the 30 days. RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTFUNDS The Mayor read a resolution expressing the willingness to utilize Federal-Aid monies through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for a 80% federal and 20% local match for the enhancement of Pedestrian Access (sidewalks). The total projected cost would be about $164,000 with the City's share being around $34,000. Councilmember Bone moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Insell seconded and the row call was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution passed and was given #98-5-2. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor updated the council on the repaving on St. Louis Street. He told the council he hoped the paving would begin sometime late next week. He said the City will have to replace some cable for the traffic lights and lay some wire at a cost of around $1500.00 to $2000.00. He told the council that Southerland Drive from St. Louis to the railroad tracks will be paved first with the "super pave", to prevent rutting and scooting. WATER UTILITIES APPOINTMENT Mayor Biard told the council that Mr. Henry Jones, a commissioner on the Batesville Water Utilities Commission has moved. He recommended that Mr. Dick Bernard be moved from his current position to fill his unexpired term, which would be until 5/10/99. He recommended that Jim Reid be appointed to fill the vacancy for a 5- year term, which would run from 5/10/98 — 5/10/03. Councilmember Ford moved to make the appointments. Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. CEMETERY RESOLUTION The council considered cemetery resolutions for Kenneth & Helen Furgason, #98-146-1, for $200.00, Leigh Schmidt, #98-146-2, for $100.00 and Terry & Glenda James, #98-146-3, for $200.00. Councilmember Insell moved to accept the resolutions and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember David Insell, Chairman of the Council's newly formed parking lot committee, reported on a recent meeting of the committee. Mr. Insell told the council that the committee believes the Courts are causing the parking problems in downtown Batesville. He offered a few suggestions including looking at some property at 4t" & Water Streets for possible parking. He also mentioned that the Landers Theater on Main Street is falling down & could be torn down for more parking space. The parking problems at the Post Office also need to be addressed. The council asked Mayor Biard to write a letter on their behalf to the United States Postal Service expressing their concerns. There being on further business Councilmember Mitchum moved to adjourn. Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR BRENDA RILEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK