HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
JANUARY 24, 2017
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on January 24th at 5:30 pm at the
Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Councilmember
Matthews gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered
present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margaret Henley, Paige Hubbard,
Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Clerk
Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen.
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
Hubbard seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
A) CITY ENGINEER REGARDING AN EASEMENT
City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council regarding the acquisition of
an easement on lower College Street. Mr. Johnson said he has been working for
several months with the Union Pacific Railroad Company trying to get an
easement for the Cities continuing sewer rehab. He said the negotiations were
not going well and was going to be very expensive. He said there is a possibility
of purchasing the property which consists of approximately 3 '/2 acers. Mr.
Johnson said is an easement is granted from the Railroad, they, the Railroad will
require the City to do approximately $500,000 to $700,000 in improvements to
the property which would include boring under the property for the sewer lines.
Mr. Johnson said he thinks the City could purchase the property for considerably
less and asked for the council's permission to negotiate with the Railroad to
purchase the property. Councilmember Matthews so moved and Councilmember
Beller seconded. All voted for.
B) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING NON-CITY RESIDENT OWNERS
AND MANAGERS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY TO SERVE ON THE
BATESVILLE A&P COMMISSION
Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance that will authorize non-city
resident owners or managers in the tourism industry to serve on the Batesville
Advertising and Promotion Commission. Councilmember Bryant moved to
suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Beller
seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen
read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant
moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings.
Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and
0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and
Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and
0 against. The ordinance was given #2017-01-05. Mr. Meitzen read the
emergency clause and Councilmember Bryant moved for its adoption.
Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0
against.
C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF FITZHUGH
STREET CONNECTING IT TO HOSPITAL CIRCLE
Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution authorizing the extension of
Fitzhugh Street, connecting it to Hospital Circle. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution
in full. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution.
Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and
1 (Poole) abstained. The resolution was given #2017-01-01-R.
D) EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session. Councilmember
Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from the executive session,
Councilmember Matthews moved to appoint the following to the Batesville
Advertising and Promotion Commission; Debbie Harrison with Comfort Inn and
Super 8 hotels for a 1 year term; Chris Deutsch with Ramada and Holiday Inn
hotels for a 2 year term; Chintan Patel with Economy Inn motel for a 3 year term;
Cathy Drew with Ozark Gateway Advertising for a 4 year term; Haley Stephens
(at large) for a 4 year term. Recommended for the City Council Liaison positions
were Chris Beller and Tommy Bryant. All terms, once completed will be 4 year
terms. Councilmember Poole seconded the motion and all voted for.
LIAISON REPORTS
None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Beller said there is a large "sink hole" on North Heights Street in
West Batesville and would like the City to help with the problem. The Mayor said Mr.
Johnson and the Street Department have already been to the location and are working
on how to remedy the problem.
Councilmember Bryant expressed his concern with the number of accidents on
Harrison Street at the intersection of Thunderbird Lane and the Batesville Landing
Apartments. He said he is working on a letter to send to the Highway Department to
ask for a study regarding the issue.
Councilmember Matthews said he still has people stop him and comment on how
pretty the Christmas light displays were. He wanted to again thank Mr. Abbott and his
crew.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no more business, Councilmember Matthew moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK