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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 14, 2018 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 14th 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; Ronda Bryant, Tommy Bryant, 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 T. Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. Chief Cockrill reported that the Dowell family has accepted the City's offer for the purchase of the land north of town for the police department. He said the City Attorney was working on the offer and acceptance letter and he is in the process of getting estimates for some remodel work, office furniture, moving equipment, etc. The council was given a copy of his July monthly department report. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson, City Engineer, addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said everything was going as usual with both plants. The street department is still working with about half of their budgeted crew which slows down the production. Mr. Johnson said he lacked 2 easements for the Contract Section III project but hoped to have them soon. The White Drive water line replacement is progressing as expected. C) CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR A WATER METER OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS Mr. Nick Sloan is requesting a water meter at 688 Bethesda Road. Mr. Johnson said Mr. Sloan had met all the requirements to place the water meter. Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the new water meter and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. All voted for. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE FOR THE APPROVAL OA AN APPLICATION FOR A PRIVATE CLUB PERMIT Councilmember T. Bryant introduced an ordinance for the approval of an application from Pesto Dining club d/b/a Mi Ranchito of Batesville for a private club permit. Mr. H.T. Moore, attorney for Cecilio Jasso Pina, owner of Mi Ranchito of Batesville, addressed the council regarding the application. Mr. Moore said Act 1112 of 2017 requires the City Council, for the city where the proposed private club will be located, to approve the application before it is submitted to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control Division. He said there is a lot of controversy regarding the act and even discussion whether the city is required to pass such an ordinance, however, currently the ABC Board will not consider applications without the approval from the governing body. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance in full. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause and Councilmember T. Bryant moved to adopt. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2018-08-01. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO PLACE THE QUESTION OF INCREASING THE MILLAGE TO ONE MILL FOR THE FIREMEN'S RETIREMENT AND PENSION FUNDS Councilmember T. Bryant introduced an ordinance to place the question of increasing the millage to one (1) mill upon each dollar of assessed value to taxable real and personal property for the Fire Retirement and Pension Funds. Councilmember Matthews moved to read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Henley seconded and the electronic vote was 6 for and 2 (T. Bryant and Shetron) against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember T. Bryant seconded and the electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2018-08-02. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM Councilmember T. Bryant introduced a resolution to authorize the Mayor to make an application to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The 50/50 grant will be used to construct a splash pad in West Batesville at the corner of Hill and Carter Streets. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember T. Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The electronic vote was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-08-01-R. G) EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Elumbaugh said he had requested an executive session to consider an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission, however, after visiting with Parks Director Jeff Owens they have decided to wait as the Commission is currently considering making changes to their current by-laws. Therefore, an executive session is not needed for tonight's meeting. H) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the July, 2018 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he would like to formally introduce Mrs. Ronda Bryant to the Batesville City Council. Mrs. Bryant is a life long resident of West Batesville and teaches school at West Magnet. She and her husband Josh, have three children. Mrs. Bryant replaces Dr. Chris Beller who reigned after moving out of his ward. Mayor Elumbaugh said he has a scheduling conflict with the next council meeting. He asked if the meeting could be moved from the 28th to Monday the 27tH Councilmember Matthews so moved and Councilmember R. Bryant seconded. All voted for. The Mayor reminded everyone that school starts tomorrow so please allow more time for traveling due to increased motorist on the roads and of course watch out for school busses and children on the streets. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Henley asked if the council was going to receive a financial report from the community center now that it has been operating for a year. Mayor Elumbaugh says Parks Director Jeff Owens is currently working on a financial report and should have it ready to present to the council at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember T. Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK