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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-27 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JUNE 27, 2017 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 27 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, Margaret Henley, Doug Matthews and Chris Poole. City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen were also present. Members absent were Councilmembers Sonya Crafton, Paige Hubbard and David Shetron. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to reverse items A and B and approve the agenda. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) PRESENTATION FROM WHITE RIVER HEALTH SYSTEMS White River Health Systems CEO/Administrator Mr. Gary Bebow and Dr. Jeff Angle, Orthopedic Surgeon, addressed the council regarding the proposed expansion of White River Medical Center. Mr. Bebow informed the council that White River Health Systems is our largest employer with approximately 1,700 employees with an annual payroll of$120,000,000.00. He emphasized that they are still growing and are looking for ways to improve their services. The newest addition is a residency program. Mr. Bebow said the proposal before the council is to close a portion of Broad Street lying between 15th and Sidney Streets in order to build a new 40,000 square feet facility that will house the orthopedic doctors. Dr. Angel said he has been practicing in Batesville for 31 years and they have completely outgrown their facility. Currently they have 3 Orthopedics' and a 4th partner will be joining them in August or September next year. He commented on their current location, most of their patients have problems even getting into the office because of their ailment and very limited parking. He also mentioned because of the doctors constant calls to the emergency room, it is vital that their new facility have easy access to the ER. B) PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER VACATING AND ABANDONING PART OF BROAD STREET Mayor Elumbaugh opened the public hearing at 5:45 pm. Ms. Lucy Williams addressed the council with her concern with closing the street. Ms. Williams said she has lived on Broad Street for 57 years and travels Broad Street every day. She said she avoids St. Louis and Harrison Streets as much as she can. She is also concerned that closing the street will devalue her home and also make her trip to the hospital considerably longer. Ms. Williams said she is not trying to stop progress but is worried about the affects to her property. There being no further comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 5:48 pm. C) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING PART OF BROAD STREET BETWEEN 15TH AND SIDNEY STREETS Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to vacate and abandon a portion of Broad Street lying between 15th and Sidney Streets. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against (Mayor Elumbaugh voted to pass the motion). Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a brief discussion, the ordinance will be placed on the next meeting's agenda for the second reading. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO SEEK A 50/50 MATCHING GRANT FROM THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM'S RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM Parks Director Jeff Owens addressed the council regarding the application of a 50/50 grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's Recreation Grant Program. He said the funds will be used to update the old wooden playground equipment located at Riverside Park. Councilmember Bryant noticed the resolution did not contain a title. Mr. Beller moved to add the second paragraph of the resolution as a title and read the resolution by such title. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against (Mayor Elumbaugh voted in order to pass the motion). Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Beller seconded. The electronic roll call count was 5 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2017-06- 02-R E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO FINANCE 3 DUMP TRUCKS WITH BANCORPSOUTH EQUIPMENT FINANCE Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution authorizing and approving the execution of an equipment lease-purchase agreement with BanCorpSouth Equipment Finance for the purchase of 3 new dump trucks for Utility Construction department. Councilmember Beller moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic roll call was 4 for and 0 against (Mayor Elumbaugh voted to pass the motion). Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 5 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2017-06-03-R. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh commented on the great work being done on the new Maxfield Park. He said even though the park is not complete, it is already a beautiful place and encouraged those who have not yet visited the park to do so. He recognized Mr. Danny Dozier, Ms. Suzanne Magouyrk and employees of the City and County for all their hard work to bring this park to a reality. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant said that the Mayor of Little Rock, Mark Stodola, is the incoming president of the National League of Cities. Mr. Bryant said it has been many decades since anyone from Arkansas has been the President of NLC. He said the NLC is hoping for a large turnout from our State in support of Mayor Stodola and encouraged all the council who can attend to do so. The conference is scheduled for November 15-18. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK