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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-26 MINUTES OF COUNCIL FEBRUARY 26, 2019 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on February 26th at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Office Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Ronda Bryant, Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember R. Bryant seconded and all voted for. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None NEW BUSINESS A) RECOGNIZE THE BATESVILLE PIONEER SWIM TEAM Mayor Elumbaugh recognized and gave Certificates of Achievement to Swim Coach Alfredo Aleman and members of the Batesville Pioneer swim team for their 1St Runner-up placement in the State swim meet. B) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Cockrill addressed the council for his monthly report. Chief Cockrill apologized to the council for not having a monthly report, then explained that his department is finalizing their move into their new building. Computers are still in the process of being setup therefore he was unable to print his report. He said the public is having a slight problem of locating the new location primarily because of the lack of signage. He said the new signs should be up soon. C) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said the street department was staying very busy repairing pot holes and cleaning out culverts and ditches. He said they were expecting to receive hot mix in the next couple of weeks and would be prioritizing the areas to patch. Mr. Johnson said they finally got the last easement for Contract Section III. This job is an 8 to 10-million-dollar sewer line replacement that begins at Riverside Park and ends at Charles Street in West Batesville. He said they are working on the specs and hopes to go out for bids in late spring. Mr. Johnson said he hopes to have a recommendation at the next meeting for a bid to accept on the Eagle Mountain Water Tank. The 18" water line on White Drive is complete and in service. He said the contractors only have a bit of clean-up left to do. The Water Treatment Plant is in the process of replacing their filter medias. Mr. Johnson said the filters are changed every 10 years. He also said he is working on the plants long range plan for upgrades. The sanitation department is still waiting on their residential automation truck. He said they are expecting it any time. Mr. Johnson said the issue on Harrison Street (Hwy 69) is due to the collapse of a 80-100 year old infrastructure that failed and caused the large sink hole. The highway department is doing the majority of the work but is having to wait on utilities including gas and communication lines to be moved. He said it is a very large job and will take time to repair. He added the large amount of rain has slowed down the progress and asked the public to please be patient with the repairs are being made. D) HEAR A REQUEST FOR A WATER METER FOR OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS Utility Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter appressed the council with a request for a water meter outside the city limits of Batesville. The petitioners Jeffery and Vicki Stephenson live at 275 Mitchell Road. Mr. Baxter said the water line is there and the Stephenson's have completed all the necessary paper work. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to approve the water meter. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. E) HEAR FROM MR. JOHNATHAN ABBOTT, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR DISTRICT 9 Mr. Johnathan Abbott, Justice of the Peace for District 9 and City Cemetery and Landscape Supervisor addressed the council. Mr. Abbott read a prepared speech and informed the council that at his first Quorum Court meeting, a discussion was had regarding the District Court and Jail expenses and it was mentioned that the City of Batesville was no longer helping with these costs. Mr. Abbott said he has since done a lot of work, visiting with the City Clerk, District Court Clerk and County Clerk gathering information and history on the regarding expenses and reimbursements. Mr. Abbott said he would like to see the Quorum Court and City Council meet in the near future and try to work out an understanding and agreement regarding district court and jail expenses. Mayor Elumbaugh said he could not speak for the council but believes they would welcome a meeting with the county. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember T. Bryant moved to go into executive session and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. All voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember T. Bryant moved to appoint Taylor Jones to the A & P Commission. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. G) PAID BILLS REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT The council was given a copy of the January, 2019 Paid bills report and financial report. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he and the city clerk have a conflict with the next meeting on March 12t". He asked to cancel the meeting and just have the last meeting on the 26t" Councilmember T. Bryant so moved and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. All voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh asked Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn to address the council. Chief Gleghorn asked for Lieutenant Bill Johnson to join him. Chief Gleghorn said city was in need of some new AED's and Lieutenant Johnson took it upon himself and found and applied for a grant to help in the purchase. The city received a $1,000.00 check and the Chief wanted to recognize Lieutenant Johnson for his work on acquiring the grant. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember T. Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK