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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-08 MINUTES OF COUNCIL OCTOBER 8, 2019 rd The Batesville City Council met in regular session on September 23, 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, Fred Krug, Pete Musgrave and Chris Poole. Also present were the Admin. Assistant Jennifer Corter and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. City Clerk Denise Johnston was absent and Councilmember Paige Hubbard joined the meeting while in progress. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT REGULATIONS FOR OPEN BURNING INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF BATESVILLE Mayor Elumbaugh asked Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn to address the council. Chief Gleghorn said that after further research of the Arkansas State Fire Code, he discovered that the State Codes has a more aggressive standard than the proposed ordinance, therefore, he didn’t think it was necessary for a local ordinance. Councilmember Fredricks moved to read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded. Mr. Meitzen read the proposed ordinance by title only. There being no more discussion, the Mayor asked for a motion to adopt the ordinance. There being no motion, the ordinance failed for lack of a motion. NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Cockrill addressed the Council with his monthly report. There were 42 accidents, 58 incidents and 27 arrest, 9 of those being felony arrests during September. Chief Cockrill said he has filled all of the vacant patrol positions and only has one vacancy for an investigator. At this time the case load does not require this position to be filled so it will be looked at again after the first of the year. He also said the 5 new trucks are in and being equipped this week and hopefully will have them on the road starting next week. There are 5 more 2019 Rams on order for the 2020 budget and he has been assured that if the ‘19s are not available, we will receive ’20 models for the same price. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson addressed the Council with his monthly report. Both Water and Wastewater plants are running with no significant changes. The Construction Department has been busy with water leaks over the last week or so, possibly due to a minor earthquake a few weeks back. The recoating of the Eagle Mtn. tank has started and will take 4-6 months to complete. The Street Department is finishing up a job on College Street and one on Moss Street. The job on Juniper is still in progress with replacing old culverts with new concrete ones. *Councilmember Paige Hubbard joined the meeting. C) CONSIDER TWO REQUESTS FOR WATER METERS OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS Mayor Elumbaugh asked Mr. Nick Baxter and Mr. Nicholas Sloan to come forward. Mr. Sloan is requesting 2 new meter services to be set at 930 and 940 Dry Run Circle. There is currently a main line close to the property and Mr. Sloan agreed to petition to annex if the property ever becomes contiguous to the city limits. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to approve the new meters. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. D) CONSIDER THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2019, PAYABLE IN 2020 Councilmember Matthews made a motion to levy millage rates for the City General 5 Mills and Firemen’s Pension 1 Mill for the year 2019, payable in 2020. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE GRANTING THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH AND AMEND FEES Mayor Elumbaugh said he was going to pull this ordinance from the agenda to allow more time for review. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE AWNING LOCATED AT 148 E. MAIN STREET Councilmember Bryant made a motion to introduce the resolution. Mayor Elumbaugh asked Code Enforcement Officer Chad McClure to come forward to discuss the resolution. Mr. McClure said the Historic District Commission is requesting that under Municipal Code Chapter 7:60 Section 14, the awning be condemned and removed. Councilmember Poole commended the HDC for all of their hard work dealing with this issue over the last several months. After some discussion, Councilmember Bryant made a motion to adopt the resolution as written. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic 8 for and 0 against. The Resolution was given #2019-10-01-R. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh invited everyone out to the ribbon cutting for Maxfield Park on th Friday, October 11 at 10:30 a.m. th He also announced the next Mayor’s Meeting will be November 7 at the Steakhouse on the River with Mr. Ricky Smith from Access Arkansas as the guest speaker. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Poole said the Public Safety Meeting set for this Thursday would th be moved to next Thursday, October 17 at 5:30. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR Jennifer Corter, Admin Assistant