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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-23 COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 23, 2018 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on October 23rd 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; Margaret Henley, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Tommy Bryant was absent. Councilmember Ronda Bryant arrived at 6:00 pm. Councilmember Henley moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) HEAR A REQUEST FROM MAIN STREET BATESVILLE FOR 2019 FINANCIAL SUPPORT Main Street Batesville Board of Directors President Ms. Suzanne Magouyrk and Ms. Mandy Curtwright, Main Street Executive Director addressed the council requesting $20,000.00 from the City for 2019. Ms. Magouyrk gave a brief talk on all the new businesses downtown and events that have taken place. Ms. Curtwright said their request for 2019 is the same as this year (2018) and outlined to the council how the funds will be spent. Mayor Elumbaugh commented on how good downtown is looking and said their request will be considered during the budget process. B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ENDORSING ARROWHEAD STEEL COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK PROGRAM Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution certifying the City's endorsement of Arrowhead Steel Company, Inc. to participate in the tax back program. Councilmember Shetron moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic vote was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Shetron moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Henley seconded and the electronic vote was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-10-02-R. C) HEAR FROM RETIRED BATESVILLE FIREFIGHTERS Retired firefighters Larry Guenzel and Jerry Osborne addressed the council with questions on how the increase or decrease of the millage works. Mayor Elumbaugh explained how the process works for the levying of the tax millages. Mr. Osborne said he would like to know how the city was going to help them with their pension fund. Councilmember Poole said the city council did what the members requested by passing an ordinance to place the question of increasing the fire pension millage from .4 to 1 mill on the upcoming election. The citizens of Batesville will decide on the fire pension millage. Councilmember Henley said the people need to be informed about the situation that the pension fund is in and asked if they, the pensioners, have been trying educate the public. Pensioner Bob Davis said he had an interview on the local radio station today and it was supposed to run again tomorrow. Mayor Elumbaugh said he heard the interview and thought it was very informative. Mr. Davis said depending on how the election turns out, they may be asking for an AG's opinion regarding the city's responsibility funding of their retirement fund. D) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Shetron moved to go into executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more city employees. Councilmember Poole seconded. All voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to reappoint Mr. Kirk Warden to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Mr. Warden's term will expire November 9, 2023. Councilmember Shetron moved to reappoint Mr. Rob Roberts to the Public Facilities Board. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Mr. Roberts' term will expire November 10, 2023. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he was invited to go to Germany to visit several cities with a delegation to tour bike freeways and walking paths. He said the expenses are paid for with the exception of the travel costs. The Mayor said he is unable to go because of a conflict with the National League of Cities, however, he would like the council to approve Jeff Owens to go in his place. Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the travel for Mr. Owens and Councilmember Henley seconded. All voted for. The Mayor said the airport again has the opportunity to apply for a grant to work on the runways. The grants are on a reimbursable basis and in the past the city has loaned the airport the funds for the grant and they have promptly paid us back. Mayor Elumbaugh asked for the council to approve approximately $200,000.00 to loan to the airport for the grant. Councilmember Matthews so moved and Councilmember R. Bryant seconded. All voted for. The Mayor said he has a conflict with the November 13th council meeting and asked to move it to the 20th. Councilmember Matthews so moved and Councilmember Henley seconded. All voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Matthews said the airport grant will be used to sealcoat the taxiway and main runway. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK