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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-09 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 9, 2016 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 9, at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Cemetery/Landscaping supervisor Johnathan Abbott gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Margaret Henley, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Sonya Crafton and Paige Hubbard were absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Ms. Dorianne Dias from 20 Chamblee Drive (outside the city limits of Batesville) addressed the council regarding the proposed fees for the new Community Center and Aquatics Park. Ms. Dias gave the council financial statistics for our area and said she was concerned that the fees were too high and therefore would prevent families from being able to join the facility. Mr. Bob Dugger addressed the council regarding Agenda item C, which is a request from Ms. Christina Lazear for a water meter to be installed at 77 Mitchell Road. Mr. Dugger asked the council to delay their action on the request due to an active lawsuit regarding the property. Mr. Dugger said Ms. Lazear has placed a mobile home on the property, which violates their neighborhood covenant. The council explained to Mr. Dugger that a neighborhood covenant is solely between the neighbors and does not have any bearing on the council decision. OLD BUSINESS A) SECOND READING OF THE ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AND AMEND FEES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF CITY OWNED PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES Councilmember Bryant moved to read the second reading by title only. Councilmember Henley seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a brief discussion, Mayor Elumbaugh said the ordinance will be on the next meeting's agenda for the third and final reading. NEW BUSINESS A) MONTHLY POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report for July, 2016. The Chief said everything is running smooth within his department. Mayor Elumbaugh said he had a gentlemen come into his office this morning and wanted to brag on a police officer who stopped and helped him get his trash to the curb. He said he did not get the officer's name but was very thankful for the help. Chief Cockrill said the officer was Cody Headley. The Mayor said he has received other calls regarding acts of this nature and commented on how proud he is of our Batesville PD and the great job they are doing protecting our city as well as community involvement. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly engineer's report. Mr. Johnson said the street and construction crews are working hard to complete the work on Pine and Neeley Streets before school starts. The new boat ramp at the river is now paved. Striping is scheduled for Main and College Streets. C) HEAR A REQUEST FOR A METER TO BE SET OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS Water Utility Billing Manager Nick Baxter and City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council regarding a request for a water meter at 77 Mitchell Road, outside the city limits of Batesville. Ms. Christina Lazear, who submitted the request, was not present at the meeting. The council discussed again that the fact that there is an ongoing lawsuit regarding a covenant in the neighborhood should have no bearing whether or not to grant the water meter. The City has a set of rules in order to get a meter. One of the requirements is to be present, or have a representative on your behalf, at the meeting. Since Ms. Lazear was not at the meeting and had no representation, Councilmember Shetron moved to table the request for the water meter. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT GIF FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution to accept GIF funds for the purchase of an emergency generator for the new Community Center and Aquatics Park. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2016-08-01-R. E) REVIEW PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the July, 2016 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh asked Cemetery/Landscaping Supervisor Johnathan Abbott to come forward to address the council. Mr. Abbott gave the council an update of new additions to the Christmas Light display for 2016. He said he is working on having a large arch of lights over Myers Street near the intersection of St. Louis. He said the display will help visitors to know where to go to see the large display at Riverside Park. He also said Parks Director Owens has order more footage to enlarge the staking rink. Mr. Abbott said he has already been contacted by some new businesses that want to contribute to the display and of course welcomes any individual or business that want to contribute. Mr. Abbott said talking about the Christmas lights, which he and his crew will start installing in September, he now has a problem since one of the bucket trucks is no longer safe and is not in service. Mr. Abbott gave the council copies of proposals of four used bucket trucks ranging from a 2009 to a 2012. The proposals included financing options. Mr. Abbott said it would be nearly impossible to install all the lights we have with only one bucket truck. A question was asked if they could rent a lift for this season. Mr. Abbott said they could but it would be difficult and time consuming to have to load the lift on a trailer and move it from and to each location. After a lengthy discussion, the council asked for the clerk and mayor to look at the finances and see if there is a way to purchase the truck. Mayor Elumbaugh asked the council to drive out to Mt. Ridge Road at night. There are several new homes and possible the need for a new street light. Ms. Johnston informed the council of a fixed asset disposal. Unit#712, a 1990 Ford pickup was sold on GovDeals for$645.00 on August 9, 2016. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Beller moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK