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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-07 MINUTES OF COUNCIL NOVEMBER 7, 2017 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on November 7t" at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Billing Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Margaret Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. City Clerk Denise Johnston was also present. Councilmember Sonya Crafton and City Attorney Tim Meitzen were absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Beller moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS A representative from the Batesville Postal Service addressed the council asking for a street light to be placed by the postal boxes across the street from the Post Office. She said the boxes are emptied at 6:00 PM and after the time change it is very dark by the boxes. She said the sidewalks are in bad shape and the chance of falling while gathering the mail if an issue and for safety issues in general a light is needed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE CLOSING OF AN ALLEY LOCATED IN THE RAMSEY ADDITION OFF BROAD STREET Mayor Elumbaugh opened the floor at 5:30 PM for a public hearing to consider the closing of a 10 feet wide alley located between Lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 of Block 3 of the Ramsey Addition, Broad Street. Mr. John Gregg, Attorney for the petitioners, addressed the council to answer any questions from the audience. There being none, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 5:35 PM. B) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO CLOSE AN ALLEY LOCATED IN THE RAMSEY ADDITION OFF BROAD STREET Councilmember Beller introduced an ordinance to close a 10 feet wide alley located between Lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 of Block 3 of the Ramsey Addition off Broad Street. Mr. John Gregg, attorney for the petitioners, was present to answer any questions the council may have. Councilmember Matthews moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Beller seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. City Clerk Johnston read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. After a brief discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2017-11-01. Ms. Johnston read the emergency clause. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. C) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. He updated the council on the condition of Officer Michael Dickinson who was recently shot in the line of duty. He said Officer Dickinson is still hospitalized and will remain so for several more days. He has had a fourth surgery and will have to have extensive rehabilitation. Chief Cockrill said Officer Dickinson will remain on administrative leave with pay until after he has been interviewed by the State Police, at which time he will be on the City's Workers' Compensation. The Chief also said a crisis teams from the Arkansas State Police and the Law Enforcement Standards and Training will be in Batesville Thursday to assist our officers during this time. D) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said he didn't have much to report this month as all departments are working hard as usual. He said power outage last night and this morning had the street crews scrambling to keep the stoplights running. Wastewater Treatment Plant is working to finish up the warranty items at the new plant. He also said a new 5 year plan for the Utility Department will begin soon. E) MAIN STREET BATESVILLE TO PRESENT A GRANT REQUEST FOR 2018 Ms. Suzanne Magouyrk — Main Street President / Organization Committee Chair and Shannon Haney, Main Street Director addressed the council with a grant request for the 2018 budget. Ms. Magouyrk briefed the council on 2017 accomplishments and plans for 2018. Mayor Elumbaugh told Ms. Magouyrk and Ms. Haney that we were currently working on the budget and their request will be considered. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more city employees. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning Councilmember Shetron moved to re-appoint Mr. Bobby Hughes to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Mr. Hughes term will end 11/09/2022. G) REQUEST FROM RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Retired Firefighters Larry Guenzel and Bobby Davis addressed the council regard the condition of the Batesville Firemen's Pension Fund. Mr. Davis said they were at the meeting to ask if the council had made any decision on how to help fund their pension fund. Several options were discussed, however, no decisions were made. H) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the October, 2017 paid bills report for review. 1) 2016 AUDIT The council was given a copy of the 2016 audit report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS None LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Beller said Officer Dickinson has been a longtime friend and neighbor of his and he is very lucky to be alive. Dr. Beller said accounts have been opened up at Centennial Bank and First Community Bank in Batesville for the Dickinson family. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK