HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-09 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
APRIL 9, 2002
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 9, at 5:30 PM at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Joe Biard presided over the meeting. Councilmember
Watkins gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following Councilmembers answered
present: 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 the City
Attorney Scott Stalker.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting.
Councilmember Pectol seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Ford moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember
Cargill seconded and all voted for.
PROPOSAL TO RECONVEY PROPERTY NO LONGER NEEDED BY
BATESVILLE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Mr. Jerry Post addressed the council on behalf of Mr. Gary Leonard and the
Batesville Water Utility concerning a proposal to reconvey property no longer needed by
the Batesville Water Utility Department. Mr. Post reminded the council that they
previously passed an ordinance giving the Mayor and Clerk authority to execute deeds of
reconveyance to the donors, their heirs, and assigns, for the donated land no longer
needed for public use. Councilmember Watkins moved that the Mayor read the warranty
deed, excluding the reading of the property description, and Councilmember Ford
seconded. All voted for. The Mayor read the deed and Councilmember Watkins moved
to approve the signing of the deed and Councilmember Ford seconded. All voted for.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO GIVE SUPPORT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF AN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER IN BATESVILLE
Mr. Gary Bebow, administrator of the White River Medical Center, approached
the council with a resolution asking the City of Batesville to commit to work with White
River Health System and UAMS through an Area Health Education Center in Batesville.
Mr. Bebow said the center would help meet the educational needs for health professionals
in North-Central Arkansas which will improve the quality of health care for all of its
citizens. Councilmember Ford introduced the resolution and the Mayor read it in full.
Councilmember Ford moved that it be approved and Councilmember Watkins seconded.
All voted for. The resolution was given#2002-4-1-R.
REFERRAL FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO CHANGE ZONING
OF A TRACT OF LAND IN EAGLE MOUNTAIN FROM R-2 TO R-1
Councilmember Ford introduced an ordinance to re-zone 3.06 acres of property
located in Eagle Mountain owned by MDM Corporations and/or Mr. Leonard Wiggins
from R-2 to R-1. Mayor Biard read the ordinance, excluding the property description,
then opened the floor for discussion. Mr. Bill Walmsley spoke on behalf of several
property owners in the Eagle Mountain sub-division. Mr. Walmsley said there were
approximately 130 home owners in the Eagle Mountain sub-divisions and all but the
property in question and 4 other acres are zoned R-1. Mr. Wiggins and his attorney Mr.
Jerry Post also addressed the council. Mr. Wiggins said he did not receive notice from
the city regarding the re-zoning. He said he bought the property in the late 80's and was
planning to build an Assisted Living Facility on the property. After a lengthy discussion,
Councilmember Carpenter moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the
second reading. Councilmember Cargill 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 on the third reading.
Councilmember Carpenter seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 1 (Mitchum)
against. The Mayor read the ordinance for the final reading and Councilmember Cargill
moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Carpenter seconded and the roll call
count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given 42002-4-1. Councilmember
Carpenter moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Cargill seconded.
All voted for. Councilmember Gaither moved to take a 10-minute break and
Councilmember Ford seconded. All voted for.
BATESVILLE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR A BOND
ISSUE
Mr. Jim Whitson and Mr. Larry Tharnish addressed the council with the options
for funding the purchase from the Rockmoore Water System and improvements to their
current system. Mr. Whitson said they could use their current reserves or issue bonds.
The council agreed that financing with bonds would be the best route to take. Mr.
Tharnish said they would keep the council up to date on their progress.
PAID BILLS REPORTS
The council was given copies of the paid bills report for March 31, 2002.
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