HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-23 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on September 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; Tommy Bryant, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred
Krug, Pete Musgrave and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise
Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Scott Fredricks and Doug
Matthews were absent.
Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended.
Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
Mr. Dan Reed of 2450 Franklin Street addressed the council regarding the
proposed ordinance to regulate open burning inside the city limits. Mr. Reed said he is
not against having regulations on open burning but feels like this proposed ordinance
would be vary hard to enforce and burdensome for the residents of Batesville. Mr.
Reed sent a revised ordinance that he prepared to the Mayor who sent it to the council.
He mentioned several items that he felt it should be changed or omitted from the
proposed ordinance. Councilmember Bryant said the State of Arkansas has a no open
burn law, which this ordinance enforces, but also set specifics on residential yard waste.
Mr. Bryant said there are people who burn often and makes it difficult for neighbors to
open their windows because of constant smoke from the burns. Mr. Reed thanked the
council for their time and was dismissed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT REGULATIONS
FOR OPEN BURNING INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF BATESVILLE
Mr. Meitzen read the proposed ordinance in full for the second reading.
There being no discussion, the Mayor said the ordinance will be placed on the
next meetings agenda for the third and final reading.
NEW BUSINESS
A) PARKS DIRECTOR JEFF OWENS AND MR. MIKE DAILY WITH A
PROPOSAL FOR AMENDING FEES AT THE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
Parks Director Jeff Owens and Mr. Mike Daily addressed the council with a
proposal to amend fees at the Municipal Golf Course. Mr. Owens gave a little
background on what prompted the proposed fee changes. Earlier in the year
there were several meetings regarding the municipal course after rumors
started that the city was going to close the course. Not wanting the course to
close, a group of approximately 60 people started the Batesville Municipal
Golf Association. The association came up with a mission to grow and
improve the municipal course and pledged to help with fundraisers and other
means of support. They also gave a recommendation to raise membership
fees. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved for Mr. Owens to
move forward with an ordinance to change the membership fees effective
1/1/2020. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR
AN ARKANSAS COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANT
Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply
for an Arkansas Community Assistance Grant. Mayor Elumbaugh said the
$50,000.00 grant will be used for better accessibility for the Independence
County Library and various other locations on Main Street. Mr. Meitzen read
the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution
and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for
and 0 against. The resolution was given #2019-09-01-R.
C) PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER 4, 2019 AS GO PINK DAY FOR
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation declaring October 4, 2019 as Go Pink
Day for breast cancer awareness.
D) PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DISABILITY
EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation declaring October as National
Disability Employment Awareness month.
E) EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider an
appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and a
personnel matter. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Hinkle moved to
reappoint Mr. Johnathon Burgess to the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Mr.
Burgesses' term will expire September 30, 2022.
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Elumbaugh said the community meeting recently held at the Community
Center was a great success. Over 200 people attended the meeting including all 8
council members. He said he has met with Crystal Johnson from the Chamber of
Commerce and there were lots of good suggestions that came form the meeting.
The Mayor said his monthly meeting next month will be on the 3rd of October at
the Steakhouse on the river and will include Mr. Kevin Fitterling, Manager of Batesville
Wal-Mart.
LIAISON REPORTS
None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Poole reminded the council of the Public Safety Meeting set for
this Thursday at 5:30.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Hinkle moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK