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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-28 MINUTES OF COUNCIL FEBRUARY 28, 2017 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on February 28 at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margaret Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews and David Shetron. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Chris Poole was 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 as amended. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Mayor Elumbaugh said Chief Cockrill was called out on an emergency and would have his report at the next meeting. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson, City Engineer, addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said the concrete portion of the Main Street Streetscape is nearing completion. The next phase is adding an irrigation system and then the final paving. Both treatment plants are running well and he is progressing with the upcoming painting of the Eagle Mountain water tank. Mr. Johnson said he is still negotiating with the Railroad Company on a price to purchase the land where a new sewer line is going to be laid. Mr. Johnson said they received 2 bids for the replacement of 3 dump trucks with 3 new trucks. The low bid was Tri-State with a bid of$147,566.00 and a $120,000.00 buy back. Councilmember Bryant moved to accept the Tri-State bid and Councilmember Beller seconded. All voted for. The Utilities department advertised for bids for a hydraulic hammer for a trackhoe. Only one bid was received from Scott Equipment for $44,604.98. Mr. Johnson said the bid meets all the qualifications and recommends that it be accepted. Councilmember Beller moved to accept the bid for the hydraulic hammer. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Lastly, Mr. Johnson said the City's engineering firm for the recently completed Wastewater Treatment Plant, McGoodwin, Williams & Yates, as well as the City of Batesville are being recognized by the Governor. He encouraged all the council (and their spouses) attend the dinner and presentation which will be held on March 16th beginning at 6:00 PM. Mayor Elumbaugh asked the council to contact Mrs. Corter no later than Thursday if they were going to be able to attend C) JEFF OWENS, PARKS DIRECTOR WITH AN UPDATE ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER Parks Director Jeff Owens presented to the council a slide show of the Community Center and Aquatics Park. After the presentation, Mr. Owens answered questions from the council. He said the Turkey Federation event that is booked for the last weekend of March is ready. He said other than a few small paint repairs, the gymnasium if ready for business. Mr. Owens said that even though it looks like a lot is left to do, the indoor pools will be ready for a swim meet scheduled for the end of April. He also said he hopes to have the outdoor pools ready to open by Memorial Day. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AHTD TO CONDUCT A SAFETY STUDY ON HARRISON STREET TRAFFIC Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution requesting the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to conduct a safety study on Harrison Street, primarily on Harrison Street between Gap Road (Hwy 394) and Mack Street (Hwy 233). Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. After a discussion, Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2017-02-01-R. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant made a motion to go into executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promoting or demotion, of one or more employees. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Bryant moved to appoint Mr. Chris Milum to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Mr. Milum's term will expire 6/10/2022. Councilmember Matthews moved to re-appoint Ms. Robin Brock to the Public Facilities Board. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Ms. Brock's term will expire 11/10/2022. F) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the January, 2017 paid bills report for review. G) FIXED ASSET DISPOSAL Unit#523, 2000 Ford —VIN# 45221 was sold on GovDeals for $936.32. The asset will be deleted from the Police assets. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh introduced Mr. Charles Jordan who was in the audience. Mr. Jordan is a member of the Independence County Quorum Court. The Mayor said the International Performers are coming again to Batesville in April. He said they were well received last year and he is hoping for an even better turnout this year. He asked the same members of the committee to serve again this year. The members are Sonya Crafton, Paige Hubbard, Margarett Henley, Denise Johnston and his assistant Jennifer Corter. The Mayor says he has a conflict with the first meeting in March. He will be out of state for the National League of Cities Conference. After some discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to cancel the March 14th Meeting and only have one meeting on March 28tH Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked the Wallace Fowler family in Jonesboro for their generous donation of used kitchen equipment for the Community Center. He said the equipment was valued around $4,000.00 was will work well our kitchen. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant reminded everyone of the Mayor's monthly meeting. The March meeting will be held on the 2nd at 5:00 PM at Josie's. First Community Bank representatives will be the speakers for this meeting and he encouraged everyone to attend. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK