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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-23 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 23, 2016 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 23, at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Nick Baxter, Utility Billing Supervisor, gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margaret Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Corter. Councilmember Chris Beller and City Clerk Denise Johnston were absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None OLD BUSINESS A) THIRD 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 third reading by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Shetron commented that a prospective employee visiting from Kansas, was impressed with the new community center facilities and stated that membership fees were considerable less at our facilities than in his area. Mayor Elumbaugh said he had recently received similar positive comments from the owner of a new mortgage company in town. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2016-08-01. NEW BUSINESS A) RECOGNIZE MS. ALISA LANCASTER FOR HER PART IN SECURING TRAUMA BAGS FOR THE POLICE CARS Mayor Elumbaugh asked Mr. Scott and Ms. Alisa Lancaster to come forward. Mr. Lancaster, Batesville Police Department Community Relations Officer, gave a detailed report of programs that have been provided to the community over the last 8 months. This impressive list would not have been possible without the help of Public Safety Partners which include local businesses and local banks. Ms. Lancaster talked about the commitment level of the police officers. They volunteer their own time, sometimes after working a full shift only to return to another shift following the volunteer hours. She also stated that because of support from the Public Safety Partners, the CRT has also been able to upgrade the bike patrol with LED lights and sirens and purchase trauma bags for each police car. Mr. Lancaster gave full credit for building the trauma bags to Alisa. He said she spent many hours researching the most beneficial items and in the most compact way, so that the bags could be worn by the officer. Mayor Elumbaugh then asked Chief Alan Cockrill and Lieutenant John Scarbrough to come forward and help him present Ms. Lancaster with an appreciation certificate for her hard work and dedication to the Community Relations Team and to the City of Batesville. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh asked City Engineer Damon Johnson and Utility Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter come forward to address the council. Several of the utility customers have received letters concerning a special insurance for their service lines. The insurance offers coverage for the customer's service lines from the street to the residence and also gives options for lines inside the home. This company has asked for an endorsement by the City of Batesville. Mayor Elumbaugh said the National League of Cities had previously endorsed such companies, but the Arkansas Municipal League chose not to endorse. At the recommendation of both Mayor Elumbaugh and Mr. Johnson the council decided not to take action towards endorsing such companies. Mr. Johnson addressed a backhoe that was recently damaged. He said insurance money totaling $35,000.00 has been received and wanted Council's direction on purchasing a new or used backhoe. A new 590 Case would run approximately $85,000.00 and purchasing a used one would save less than $10,000.00. Councilmember Bryant moved to purchase the new backhoe. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. Mr. Johnson also discussed the issues of being down to one bucket truck. This type of truck is usually a high maintenance piece of equipment and it is very beneficial to have a backup. The trucks are used frequently to change stop lights, outdoor lighting, tree trimming and Christmas lights would be impossible without these trucks. Even though the trucks are used a lot, there is not enough usage to justify buying new. Mr. Johnson said the City should be receiving some FEMA funds in the next few weeks which will be around $35,000.00. Mayor Elumbaugh added there is about $39,000.00 in the cemetery expendable account and there could possibly could be money left in the special projects line item from the budget. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to buy a 2012 bucket truck from the FEMA refund and the remaining balance be taken from the cemetery fund. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh noted the Mayor's Community Update Meeting will be starting back up on September 1St. The meeting will be held at Josie's and be from 5:00-6:30 p.m. He invited the public to attend. Mayor Elumbaugh said Batesville Pioneer football season is starting up and they will be playing next week in Red Wolves Stadium in Jonesboro. He encouraged fans to attend this game, as half of the gate admission will be returned to the Batesville Booster Club. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant noted there are still some street lights out around town. Councilmember Hensley asked mayor Elumbaugh to comment on fee structures from other community centers. Mayor Elumbaugh said it is hard to compare apples to oranges, but other cities have also discounted rates for citizens living inside the city limits. Some of the cities have a higher percentage of tax money that goes directly to the operation and maintenance of their facilities so they are able to charge less for memberships. He explained the City of Batesville's tax goes for more than just the parks and recreation department. A portion of the tax money also spent for public safety and streets as well. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR JENNIFER CORTER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT