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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL APRIL 13, 1999 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 13, at 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Pectol gave the invocation. Upon roll call all the council answered present except Councilmember Insell. Also present were the City Clerk and the City Attorney. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for. PRESENTATION BY TOMMY BRYANT ON HARRISON STREET TRAFFIC Mr. Tommy Bryant gave a presentation to the council regarding Harrison Street traffic. He gave the council a copy of 346 signatures in favor of making Harrison 3 lanes, 2 travel lanes with a center turn lane. Mr. Bryant prepared several charts showing accidents on Harrison Street and possible solutions to correct the traffic problem. Several citizens spoke regarding the problems with Harrison Street. Councilmember Cargill stated that the council has no jurisdiction over a state highway, but they could ask the highway commission to do a study regarding the traffic problems on Harrison Street. Mr. Cargill suggested that the council invite the engineers from the highway commission to meet with the council and discuss the problem face to face. Mayor Biard said he would write a formal letter to Mr. Dan Flowers, State Highway Commissioner, and ask that a study on the safety conditions on Harrison Street be performed. The commission will respond in writing. DISCUSSION CONCERNING STATUS OF LANDERS THEATER Mayor Biard said he learned today that Mr. Langston contacted his attorney today and said he planned to start the work on the theater April 24. The Mayor asked the council to wait until this time before taking action on the theater. The council agreed to allow the additional time. DISCUSSION OF 4-WAY STOP SIGNS AT 23RD AND NEELEY STREETS Ms. Bone said she has had several phone calls regarding the new 4-way stop signs on 23rd and Neeley Streets. She said all her calls have been opposed to the 4-way stop and want the signs on Neeley removed. Ms. Bone and Mr. Cargill said they feel that Neeley Street should be a through street. Mr. Ford said it takes no longer than 15 seconds to stop at a stop sign and he thinks that the 15 seconds is worth the safety that it provides. Ms. Bone moved to remove the stop signs on Neeley Street and Mr. Carpenter seconded. The roll call count was 1 for (Bone), 5 against (Cargill, Carpenter, Ford, Gaither and Pectol) and 1 present (Mitchum). The motion failed. DISCUSSION OF THE SKATEBOARD RAMP The Mayor passed to the council recent pictures of the skateboard ramp taken by the City's Safety Director. Ms. Bone said she has several complaints about the condition of the skateboard ramp. She said that the City's Safety Director said the skateboard ramp is a safety hazard. Councilmember Cargill moved to have the skateboard ramp removed as soon as possible. Councilmember Bone seconded and all voted for. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Biard said the City has been approved for a $200,000 grant to build an amphitheater. The Mayor said he is in the process of looking at sights for the theater. Mr. McClure showed the council several pictures on the structure located at 548 Broad Street. Mr. Dave Hughes owns the property. Mr. Hughes, who was at the meeting, asked the council to allow him a week to ten days to present a proposal on a time frame of restoration of the house on Broad Street. Mr. Hughes said the house is an historical house and he would like to restore it instead of tear it down. The Mayor asked that he have the grounds picked up by the next meeting and report back to the council with a time of completion. VEHICLE DAMAGE CLAIMS Mayor Biard said the City had two claims for vehicle damage. The first claim was from Mr. Bryce Stephens. Mr. Stephens' vehicle was dented from a rock thrown from a lawn mower at Riverside Park. The low bid for the repair on Mr. Stephens' vehicle was $490.28. The second claim was from Mr. Nick Spivey. Mr. Spivey's vehicle was parked at a repair shop next to the Gray's Addition of Oaklawn Cemetery. A rock went through the rear and front windows of his vehicle. The low bid for repair on Mr. Spivey's vehicle was $328.21. Councilmember Cargill moved to pay the low bids of both claims. Councilmember Bone seconded and all voted for. APPOINTMENT TO HOUSING AUTHORITY Mayor Biard asked the council to approve the re-appointment of Mr. Charles George to the Housing Authority. Councilmember Mitchum moved to re- appoint Mr. George and Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for. Mr. George's term will be 5/27/99 — 5/27/04. DISCUSSION OF GATEKEEPERS HOUSE Mayor Biard asked the council if they wanted him to pursue the plans of leasing the Riverside Park Gatekeepers House for the purpose of a restaurant. The Mayor said he would advertise for bids, specifying the type of business and ask for proposals on lease terms. The council would have complete control over the lease. The council agreed to have the Mayor advertise for bids. CONSIDER CHANGING THE NAME OF SCHOOL ROAD TO PIONEER DRIVE The Mayor asked the council to consider changing the name of School Road to Pioneer Drive. The council had no objections. The Mayor said he would have an ordinance ready for the next meeting and would have the new streets signs erected. MAYOR'S STATEMENT ON ANNEXATION "For the past 4 years, we have had a task force studying annexation. Assuming we feel sufficiently prepared, and I believe we will be, we will bring to you at our next meeting on April 27 an annexation ordinance for the first reading. Let me say now this will be an area to the north of Batesville and does not include either the Southside or Ruddell Hill areas. What I will bring to you is the following: 1. A map of the area proposed to be annexed. 2. An ordinance calling for the election for first reading purposes only and for discussion. 3. 1 will propose a public hearing on May 11 and a second reading on the ordinance. 4. 1 will propose on May 25 a third reading of the ordinance and a full public hearing. In all, a total of about 6 weeks will elapse to decide if you agree on the proposal. If our timetable holds true and you agree, an election will be called for October 12. 1 wanted you to be the first to know of the timetable and generally what to expect. CEMETERY RESOLUTION The council considered five cemetery resolutions; Alfred E. Reynolds, #99-103-1 for $800.00, Josephine Coon, #99-103-2 for $400.00, Don Winkle, #99-103-3 for $200.00, Jack C. Kearby, #99-103-4 for $200.00, Dr. John Dolenz, #99-103-5 for $800.00. Councilmember Bone moved to accept the resolutions. Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for. FINANCIAL REPORTS The councilmembers were given a copy of the January and February financial statements. REVIEW BILLS After a review of the bills, Councilmember Gaither moved that they be paid. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and all voted for. There being no further business, Councilmember Mitchum moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Gaither seconded and all voted for. JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK