HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 13, 2001
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on November 13, at 5:30 PM at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember Pectol gave the
invocation. Upon roll call the following Councilmembers answered present: Dana Bone, Jim Cargill,
R.L. Carpenter, Robert Ford, Gerald Gaither, Jim Mitchum, Jerry Pectol and Jim Watkins.
(Councilmember Bone left for a few minutes to attend a Quorum Court meeting and later returned)
Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and the City Attorney Scott Stalker.
Councilmember Pectol moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember
Watkins seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Gaither moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Watkins
seconded and all voted for.
MONTHLY SHERIFF'S REPORT
Sheriff Dan Johnson gave his monthly report for October 2001. Parks Director Randy Palmer
joined Sheriff Johnson to discuss the recent vandalism at the city golf course. The council was given a
copy of pictures of the destruction to the four greens at the golf course which amounts to about
$11,000 in damages. Councilmember Cargill moved to offer a $1,000 reward for the prosecution of
the person or persons involved in the vandalism of the golf course. Councilmember Watkins seconded
and all voted for. Mayor Biard said he would write Attorney Mark Hayes with the Municipal League
to get an opinion if the city can offer such an award. If approved by Mr. Hayes, the Mayor said the
reward would be taken for the discretionary fund.
PRESENTATION BY ARKANSAS MECHANICAL SERVICES REGARDING
IMPROVEMENTS ON HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR BATESVILLE
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Mr. Larry Thompson and Mr. Author Delanno with Arkansas Mechanical Service addressed
the council with the possibility of installing a new heating and cooling system. The council was
informed that if approved, Arkansas Mechanical Services will perform a preliminary analysis on the
system at no charge to the city. After the analysis, Arkansas Mechanical will come back to the council
with a recommendation and approximate cost. If the city chooses to have Arkansas Mechanical
perform the work, all engineering fees will be waived. If the city chooses not to have the work done,
the city will be responsible for the engineering fees. Councilmember Bone moved to have Arkansas
Mechanical Services perform a preliminary analysis on the system and Councilmember Cargill
seconded. All voted for.
RECONSIDERATION FOR WIDENING CROSSOVER ON EAGLE MOUNTAIN BLVD
Dr. Robert Hatfield addressed the council to request a reconsideration of his request to widen
the crossover on Eagle Mountain Boulevard to enter his property. Ms. Bone said she had received
calls from property owners in Eagle Mountain sub-division and they said they have not been asked to
vote on this request and they do not want any additional cuts or widening of the boulevard. The
widening will be approximately 24' and the entire cost will be paid by Dr. Hatfield. Councilmember
Watkins moved to allow the boulevard cut. Councilmember Ford seconded. The motion carried with
Councilmembers Bone and Carpenter voting against.
PRESENTATION BY MAIN STREET BATESVILLE
Mrs. Selina Anderson and Mr. Robert Carius with Main Street Batesville gave the council a
fiscal accounting and accomplishments for the year 2001. They also gave the boards goals and
objectives for 2002.
ORDINANCE TO ADOPT EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Councilmember Cargill introduced and Mayor Biard read an ordinance to adopt the employee
handbook. Councilmember Pectol moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the second
reading. Councilmember Watkins seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The
Mayor read the ordinance for the second reading and Councilmember Cargill moved to further suspend
the rules and place the ordinance for the third and final reading. Councilmember Watkins seconded
and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The Mayor read the ordinance for the final reading and
Councilmember Watkins moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Cargill seconded and the roll
call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given 42001-11-1. Councilmember Cargill
moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Watkins seconded. All voted for.
CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Mr. Ed Lumpkin, owner of the Marvin Hotel which burned approximately two weeks ago,
addressed the council in regards to the approximate time as to when he will have the property cleaned
up. Mayor Biard said he talked to Mr. Lumpkin this morning and could not get a time from him as to
when he could have the property cleaned up. Mr. Lumpkin said the area arts council has asked him not
to do anything with the remains of the building until they see if they can get funds do something with
the stone of the historical building. Ms. Bone said she would invite a representative of the arts council
to come to the next meeting.
Mr. McClure brought the council up to date with several properties in town. Councilmember
Ford moved to grant Mr. Daniel Smith an extra 30 to 45 days to tear down and remove the debris from
the property located at 828 Vine Street. Councilmember Gaither seconded. All voted for.
Councilmember Cargill moved to proceed with the removal of the property at 180 Craig Street
if it is legal to do so. The property is in bankruptcy. City Attorney Stalker said he would get with the
Mayor this week on the legality of removing the property. Councilmember Carpenter seconded the
motion and all voted for.
The council set a public hearing for February 12, 2002 to place liens for the cost of the
demolition of 2455 Neeley and 1108 15th and mowing a lot on Wycough Street. The total cost for the
three properties is $4,350.00.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REQUESTING PARTY PRIMARIES FOR MUNICIPAL
ELECTIONS
Mayor Biard read a resolution requesting party primaries for municipal elections for the 2002
elections. Councilmember Gaither moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bone seconded.
All voted for. The resolution was given#2001-11-1-R.
CEMETERY RESOLUTION
The council considered a cemetery resolution for Phillip O'Daniel, Certificate No. 2001-317-1,
for $700.00. Councilmember Gaither moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Cargill
seconded and all voted for.
PAID BILLS REPORT
The council was given a copy of the paid bills report for October 2001.
There being no further business, Councilmember Mitchum moved that the meeting be
adjourned. Councilmember Watkins seconded and all voted for.
JOE M. BIARD, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK