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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-26 MINUTES OF COUNCIL FEBRUARY 26, 2018 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 Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margaret Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) MR. TED HALL WITH AN UPDATE FROM WHITE RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING Mr. Ted Hall with White River Area Agency on Aging addressed the Council and said before talking about the agency, he wanted to thank the Batesville Fire Department for their help in delivering Christmas Brings Hope food boxes. He said over 400 boxes were delivered in the City of Batesville and without the help from the Fire Department it would have been almost impossible. Mr. Hall also bragged on the City for the new community center and how vital it is for the senior community in Batesville and Independence County. Mr. Hall updated the council on the current programs through WRAA. He highlighted a new program called Seniors in Isolation Program. Mr. Hall said Batesville and Independence County has a large number of senior citizens who have no local family members to check on them and this program will do just that. After a few questions from the council, Mr. Hall again thanked the City for its support and encouraged the Mayor and Council to continue the good works they have started. B) MS. PEGGY McCALL WITH A PRESENTATION REGARDING MIRACLE LEAGUE Ms. Peggy McCall with Miracle League Arkansas addressed the council and presented a short video explaining Miracle League. Miracle League is an organization that, through donations and volunteers, builds custom baseball fields for handicapped children. The custom fields allow kids in wheelchairs, walkers and who are visually impaired to play baseball and for their parents to cheer on their kids while they play. Ms. McCall said they are wanting to put a Miracle League ballfield in Batesville and are looking for a site for the field. She said she hopes to get the land donated and then Miracle League will raise the funds to build the facility. Parks Director Jeff Owens said he and Ms. McCall had visited and they are looking for some land. Councilmember Matthews moved for the city to continue to work with Ms. McCall and help make the construction of a Miracle League ballfield a reality in Batesville. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ENTER IN TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT WITH WHITE RIVER PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, INC. Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution to enter into an administrative agreement with White River Planning & Development District, Inc. for the purpose of applying for an Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program grant. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Ms. Mitzi Morris was present to answer any questions the council may have. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Henley seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-02-02-R. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply to the State of Arkansas for an Arkansas Community and Economic Development Grant for improvements to the Batesville Preschool Complex at the Central School Campus. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Ms. Mitzi Morris was present to answer any questions the council may have. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Beller seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-02-03-R. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2018 BUDGET Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to amend the 2018 budget. City Clerk Denise Johnston explained that several items had accidently been omitted from the adopted budget and needed to be added. Councilmember Beller moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Henley seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-02-04- R. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO LEASE/PURCHASE TWO RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE TRUCKS Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to approve the lease/purchase of two new residential garbage trucks. Councilmember Beller moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic roll call vote was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The electronic roll call vote was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-02-05-R. G) PROCLAMATION TO BECOME A PURPLE HEART CITY Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation honoring those who serve and have served to keep our country free and proclaimed the City of Batesville to be a Purple Heart City on February 26, 2018. H) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the January, 2018 paid bills report. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said a volleyball tournament is scheduled for this weekend which should bring in between 1,000 to 1,500 players and parents into Batesville. The Mayor said he, Street Supervisor Johnny Coles and City Engineer Damon Johnson surveyed the intersection at Baker and State Streets. They are recommending a 4-way stop at the intersection. Councilmember Matthews so moved to make the intersection of Baker and State Streets a 4-way stop. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant reminded everyone of the next Mayor's Meeting. The meeting will be held March 1St at 5:30 at the Community Center. Special guest speaker will be Mr. Steve Bryant to discuss to possibility of making a dog park in Batesville. Councilmember Matthews said due to the recent rains, the city's drainage problems have come to light. Dr. Matthews said the city needs to start to consider a drainage plan for the city. 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