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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 24, 1999 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 24, at 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Ford gave the invocation. Upon roll call, all the council answered present. 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 Insell moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Ford seconded and all vote for. REPORT FROM CHAD McCLURE — PART 1 Code Enforcement Office Chad McClure showed a video of a piece of property on 20th and Maple Street which burned this last spring. The Mayor said the fire was arson and has been cleared of any active investigations by the insurance company. Fire Chief Bob Davis said the fire department along with the Sheriff's Department responded to a fire at the same location last week. Mr. Ballard, the owner of the property was at the location and had deliberately set the fire. Chief Davis asked him to put the fire out which he did. Neighbors of the property spoke in regards to the health and safety problems with the property. Mr. McClure said the city has to give Mr. Ballard a 20 days notice of the public hearing to condemn the property. Councilmember Bone moved to begin condemnation proceedings on the property. Councilmember Cargill seconded and all voted for. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO RE-ZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE FAIRGROUNDS ON HIGHWAY 69 FROM C-2 TO C-3 — CARL BIGGERS Mayor Biard read an ordinance that would re-zone certain property located across from the Fairgrounds on Highway 69 from C-2 to C-3. The property is owned by Carl Biggers. The ordinance was brought before the council at the last meeting but was tabled until this meeting. Mr. Biggers said he would like to re-zone his one acre piece of property to C-3 to increase the value of his property. The C-3 zoning would allow apartments to be built on the property. Mr. Biggers said he has had several persons contact him about the property but does not have a contract with anyone at the present time. Mr. Buck Riggs addressed the council as a spokesman for the neighborhood located next to the property. The neighbors are opposed to apartments being built by North Arkansas Human Services and asked the council to deny the request for re- zoning. A petition was presented to the council with approximately 80 signatures opposing the re-zoning. Councilmember Cargill and the other Councilmember said the decision they make regarding the re-zoning request has nothing to do with the petition presented to the council. Councilmember Pectol said the property is not a safe place for apartments since it fronts a state highway and is the 3rd most traveled street in Batesville. Councilmember Carpenter moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the second reading. There was no second therefore the motion failed. CONSIDER A REQUEST TO CUT IN THE BOULEVARD SECTION IN EAGLE MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD Dr. Brad Griffin addressed the council with a request to cut a section in the boulevard on Eagle Mountain Boulevard. Dr. Griffin is going to build an office on Eagle Mountain Boulevard and would like the cut for his patients to get to his office. Currently, patients would have to make a U-turn to get to his property. The Mayor and council asked to postpone the decision until they can look at the proposed area. The request will be on the September 14th meeting. FURNITURE GALLERY: REQUEST FOR A STREET NAME Furniture Gallery of Batesville ask the City to approve the name of an undedicated street within the City as Furniture Lane. The street will run to Furniture Gallery's new furniture store. Councilmember Cargill moved to name the street Furniture Lane. Councilmember Ford seconded and all voted for except Councilmember Bone. PROPERTY CONDEMNATION REPORT: CHAD McCLURE Mr. McClure showed the council video's of the properties that were condemned on May 25th. The property located at 763 State Street has been torn down and removed. The property located at 380 Lilly Street has been torn down and removed except for the floor and some debris. No work has been done on the properties at 2455 Neeley and the Landers Theater. Ms. Carol Pinkston addressed the council and said her son, who is in the service, has made an offer to the State of Arkansas to purchase the property at 2455 Neeley Street. She asked the council to wait until her son returns from the service to proceed with the condemnation of the property. Her son is due to return in September. Councilmember Gaither moved to postpone any action on the 2455 Neeley property until the September 28th meeting. Councilmember Ford seconded and all voted for. The Mayor asked the council to wait until the September 28th meeting to make a decision on the Landers Theater property. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor asked the Radio Station property committee to make a decision soon regarding the building on the property. Councilmember Bone asked the council to consider an information station for visitors to the City. The Mayor asked the council if they were interested in planning any Year 2000 festivities such as a New Year's Eve event and possibly a parade on January 1, 2000. The council showed some interest and the Mayor said he would bring up the issue again at a later date. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The council was given a copy of the City Financial Statement for month ending July 31, 1999. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Pectol said he was concerned about the vandalism and fighting going on at Riverside Park. Mayor Biard said he feels that it is a law enforcement problem. Councilmember Ford suggested placing the large rocks all around the parks to keep vehicles off the grass. Two trees were demolished this past week by vehicles. Mr. E. D. Childress addressed the council and asked to be put on the next council agenda to discuss the recent racial problem that have taken place in Batesville. Mayor Biard said he would place Mr. Childress on the next agenda. There being no further business, Councilmember Mitchum moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember seconded and all voted for. JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK