HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-22 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
AUGUST 22, 2000
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 22, at 5:30 P.M. at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Pectol 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 Gaither seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended and
Councilmember Insell seconded. All voted for.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE
Mayor Biard gave Certificate of Appreciations to Ms. Lindsey Estes, Mr. Rick Elumbaugh
and Dr. Mark Travis for a recent rescue at the Batesville City Pool. Mr. Elumbaugh, Pool
Manager, Ms. Estes, Pool Lifeguard and Dr. Travis, a City Volunteer Firefighter rescued and
successfully preformed CPR on a 6 year old boy who drown. at the pool.
CONSIDERATION OF THREE RESOLUTIONS REGARDING CHILD CARE CENTER AT
EAST SCHOOL
Mayor Biard informed the council that three separate resolutions needed to be adopted in
order to receive funding from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development to construct
a child care center at the Kindergarten Center to be operated by the Batesville School District.
Mayor Biard read the first resolution establishing a residential anti-displacement plan in
connection with the Batesville ADED Project. Councilmember Bone moved to adopt the
resolution and Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for and the resolution was given
#2000-8-1.
The Mayor read the second resolution establishing a non-violent civil rights policy for
Batesville. Councilmember Bone moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Gaither
seconded. All voted for and the resolution was given #2000-8-2.
Mayor Biard read the third resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an
administrative agreement with the White River Planning and Development District for the
construction of a Child Care Center at the Kindergarten Center to be operated by the Batesville
School District. Councilmember Gaither moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember
Pectol seconded. All voted for and the resolution was given #2000-8-3.
DISCUSSION OF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION AND ANIMAL
CONTROL ORDINANCE WITH REMARKS FROM OFFICER BILL BURRUS
Animal Control Officer Bill Burrus addressed the council to respond to comments made at
the last meeting by Ms. Anne Luster. Safety Director Sharon Taylor also addressed the council
and addressed Ms. Luster's concern regarding the ACO wearing a sidearm. Ms. Taylor said the
less that a firearm is handled, the less chances for accidental discharge. Mr. Taylor also said
that Mr. Burrus is highly trained in every area of his job. Councilmember Ford moved that the
Animal Control Ordinance be amended to state that every warning given by the Animal Control
Department be in written form. Mr. Burrus said he would get with council and have an
amendment at the next meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPERTY AT 1331 EAST COLLEGE
Mayor Biard opened the floor for a public hearing regarding the property located at 1331
East College. Ms. Mandy Kelley, granddaughter of the Ms. Jewel Beel, the property owner, was
present and asked the council what improvements needed to be made to the property in order
to stop the condemnation proceedings. The council agreed that the vines needed to be
removed from the side of the house, the roof repaired and the holes in the foundation repaired
and the house should be made habitable. The council instructed Code Enforcement Officer
Chad McClure to keep the council updated on the progress on the improvements.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
Chad McClure addressed the council regarding a couple of properties in the city. 235 '/2
Ester has a mobile home on the property that has been vacant since early spring. Mr. McClure
said the property owner plans to ask the planning commission for a various in order to remove
the mobile home and build a house on the property. The lot is around 5500 square feet and the
code requires 7700 square feet to build a house. Councilmember Bone moved to begin
condemnation proceedings on the property. Councilmember Mitchum seconded and all voted
for.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Insell moved to go into executive session and Councilmember Gaither
seconded. All voted for.
Upon returning from executive session, no action was taken.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Biard informed the council that he check on the City having a Legislative Audit
preformed instead of an Independent Audit. The Mayor said there are pros and cons on both
sides of the issue. He said that Mr. Ron Cantrell, a CPA who used to work for Hughes, Welch
and Milligan and preformed the audit for the city in the past said he would come to the next
meeting and answer any questions the council might have regarding a Legislative Audit and
Independent Audit. Councilmember Ford moved to invite Mr. Cantrell to the next meeting and
Councilmember Cargill seconded. All voted for except Councilmember Carpenter.
UTILITY RATE HEARING
Mr. Jim Ulmer and Mr. Larry Tharnish continued their presentation regarding the
probability of a utility rate increase. After a discussion, the Mayor said the utilities will be placed
on the agenda at the next meeting to further the discussion.
There being no further business, Councilmember Mitchum moved that the meeting be
adjourned. Councilmember Insell seconded and all voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK