HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-27 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
MARCH 27, 2001
The Batesville City Council met on March 27, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building.
Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Cargill gave the invocation. Upon
roll call the following Councilmember answered present; Dana Bone, Jim Cargill, R. L.
Carpenter, Robert Ford, Gerald Gaither, Jim Mitchum, Jerry Pectol and Jim Watkins. Also
present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Scott Stalker.
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 Cargill seconded. All voted for.
DISCUSSION OF FUNDS BUDGETED FOR SHERIFF'S RESERVE
Mayor Biard told the council that he and the City Attorney have looked at the new way the
Sheriff's Department is handling the funds for the reserve officers. The City is still holding two
checks from last year because of an ongoing investigation into the reserve funds.
Councilmember Gaither moved to release the funds budgeted this year on a quarterly basis to
the sheriff's department. Councilmember Bone seconded. All voted for.
DISCUSS EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Councilmember Cargill moved to place the discussion of the handbook on the next
agenda. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and all voted for.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Biard said the 2000 censes have been counted. Batesville gained 258 people for
a total of 9,445.
CEMETERY RESOLUTIONS
The council considered two cemetery resolutions; Hazel D. Loggins, #2001-86-2 for
$100.00 and Lois Brazil, #2001-86-1 for $600.00. Councilmember Cargill moved to adopt the
resolutions and Councilmember Watkins seconded. All voted for.
LIAISON REPORTS
Mayor Biard said the Interlocal Board met and recommended two minor changes in the
Interlocal agreement. The first change was in section J to delete the word felony from the
following sentence. "The Sheriff is authorized to use any employees as the Sheriff deems
necessary which are a part of the Metropolitan Branch for the purpose of investigating alleged
felony offenses of the Arkansas Criminal Code which may occur in either the County or the
City. The Sheriff said if an officer is being dispatched, it is not always clear at the time if it is a
felony or not. The second change is in section L that states that the Interlocal Board will meet
twice a year on the third Tuesday of March and the third Tuesday of September. The Mayor
said the City Clerk and the County Clerk, who are both required to attend the September
meeting are out of town attending schools at that time. The board recommended the second
Thursday of September for the annual meeting. Councilmember Cargill moved to approve the
recommended changes and Councilmember Pectol. An ordinance to incorporate the changes
and a revised Interlocal Agreement will be presented at the next meeting.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Pectol said he would like to see the city start condemnation proceedings
on the property that lies just West of the Bayou Bridge. Code Enforcement Officer Chad
McClure said the owner lives in Kansas. Councilmember Pectol moved to start the
condemnations proceedings by setting a public hearing for the May 8t" council meeting.
Councilmember Cargill seconded and all voted for.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The council was given a copy of the financial statement for the month ending February
28, 2001.
TOUR OF NEW QUARTERS FOR DISPATCH IF DESIRED BY COUNCIL
Mayor Biard said the new quarters for the dispatch department was complete and those
who would like could go after the meeting and tour the facility may do so.
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