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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JULY 13, 1999 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 13, at 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Gaither gave the invocation. Upon roll call, all the council answered present except Councilmember Carpenter who came in late. Also present were the City Clerk and the City Attorney. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Insell seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. AL JOHNSON: STAFF ENGINEER FOR THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE TO DISCUSS LOCAL WATER DRAINAGE PROBLEMS Mr. Al Johnson, staff engineer for the Arkansas Municipal League, addressed the council regarding drainage problems in Batesville. Mr. Johnson, Mayor Biard and Special Projects Director Jim Woods toured the City today where most of the drainage problems are occurring. Mr. Johnson said there are three ways to effectively control drainage and they are collection, transport and disposal of water. Mr. Johnson said Batesville has the worse drainage problem that he has ever seen. Geographic problems are a major factor and are not easily fixed. He also said the city should consider addressing drainage problems in the City's Building Codes. Mr. Johnson said it would take millions of dollars and many years to fix the problems. Mr. Johnson also said an engineering study should be preformed before any project is done, regardless of the size. Mr. Al Miller and Mr. Wayne Beard with Miller-Newell Engineering, Ltd. in Newport also talked to the council regarding engineering studies they have preformed for other cities with drainage problems. Mr. Miller said that the city of Blytheville recently passed a one- cent sales tax and dedicated 1/4 to drainage. Mr. Miller also stated that these problems take lots of money and many years to fix. Mayor Biard said he will come to the council in five or six months with a proposal for possible funding to help the City's drainage problems. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE RE-ZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY OF CHARLES GOFF FROM R-1 RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL C-2. Mayor Biard read an ordinance that would re-zone certain property belonging to Charles Goff from R-1 Residential to C-2 Commercial. The property is located between the 2600 and 2800 block of Harrison Street. Councilmember Cargill moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the second reading. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and the roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mayor Biard read the ordinance for the second reading. Councilmember Carpenter moved to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the third reading. Councilmember Cargill seconded and the roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The Mayor read the ordinance for the final reading and Councilmember Gaither moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Insell seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance passed. Councilmember Carpenter moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for. The ordinance was given #99-7-1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR THE PARKS SYSTEM Mayor Biard read a resolution that would authorize the Mayor to submit an application to the Department of Parks and Tourism to seek improvements to the recreation facilities in Batesville. Councilmember Bone moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Insell seconded. All voted for. The resolution was given #99-7-1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT WITH WRPDD REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF THE FORMER RADIO STATION PROPERTY AT RIVERSIDE PARK The Mayor read a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an administrative agreement with the WRPDD to provide funds to purchase the former radio station property at Riverside Park. Councilmember Cargill moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for. The resolution was given #99-7-2. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Biard said the new stop light at 20th and Harrison should be flashing a caution light by tomorrow afternoon. The Mayor said the caution will flash for 5 working days. The light should be working next Wednesday. The Mayor asked the council to consider starting a new liaison position to the Independence County Law Enforcement. Councilmember Insell said he would resign his position as Liaison to the Parks and Recreation since Councilmember Cargill is a liaison to the Parks and take the appointment as a liaison to the Law Enforcement. Councilmember Carpenter moved to appoint Mr. Insell and Councilmember Pectol seconded. All voted for. CEMETERY RESOLUTIONS The council considered the following cemetery resolutions; Jo Stroud, #99-201-3, for $200.00, Thomas W. Melton, #99-201-2, for$200.00, and George and Carole Harrison, #99- 201-1, for $400.00. Councilmember Insell moved to approve the resolutions and Councilmember Carpenter seconded. All voted for. REVIEW BILLS After a review of the bills, Councilmember Insell moved to pay the bills. Councilmember Mitchum seconded and all voted for. EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Mitchum moved to go into executive session. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, the council had the following commission appointments. David Insell moved to appoint Mr. John Hayes and Mr. Dewey Rowe to the Parks and Recreations Commission. Mr. Hayes will have a five year term from 5/10/99 through 5/10/04. Mr. Rowe will fill the unexpired term of Mrs. P.J. Dingler. Mr. Rowe's term will be through 5/10/01. Councilmember Bone seconded the appointments and all voted for. Ms. Bone moved to appoint Mr. Jimmy Douglas to the Utility Commission. Mr. Insell seconded and all voted for. Mr. Douglas' term will be 5/10/99 through 5/10/04. CONSIDER RESOLUTIONS TO CONDEMN VARIOUS PROPERTIES IN BATESVILLE Mayor Baird read 4 resolutions condemning various properties in the City of Batesville. A motion was made and seconded to adopt each resolution. All voted for. The numbers were as follows; 380 Lilly Street, owner Dexter White, No. 99-7-3, 763 State Street, owner Henry Clement, No. 99-7-4, 2455 Neeley Street, owner the State of Arkansas, No. 99-7-5, and 332 E. Main Street, owner Payton Landers, No. 99-7-6. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Carpenter asked if the City had considered having an Internet home page. The council discussed the idea. Councilmember Mitchum moved that Mr. Carpenter look into a City home page and Councilmember Insell seconded. All voted for. There being no further business, Councilmember Mitchum moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Insell seconded. All voted for. JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK