Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-28 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JANUARY 28, 2020 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on January 28, 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, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Pete Musgrave was absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Poole seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) TOURISM UPDATE FROM MR. KYLE CHRISTOPHER Tourism Director Mr. Kyle Christopher and Chamber CEO Ms. Crystal Johnson addressed the council with an update regarding tourism. Ms. Johnson thanked the council for the opportunity to come before them with information from the Chamber. Mr. Christopher gave the council statics from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission for 2018 as well as information that he had for 2019 events. He reminded the council that the A & P tax started in 2017 with a 3% tax on lodging. Since that time, the tax is increasing approximately 3% per year. Mr. Christopher talked about the impact tourism makes on our community and said that he talked to the manager of the new Hampton Inn and he was told that all the rooms, 80 total, were booked for tonight, a Tuesday night. Some of the projects funded with the A & P tax in 2019 were $21,000.00 in event grants specifically for tournaments in our area, 130 local employees were trained on guest and customer service and 4 new Way-Finding signs were purchased. Mr. Christopher said the A & P Commission met last night and prepared their 2020 budget which included an increase in the event grant line item. Mayor Elumbaugh commented that the A & P Tax has been a game changer for our community. B) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville Employee Handbook. Mayor Elumbaugh said most of the changes were just clean up items plus additions for the airport. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2020-01-04. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO INITIATE CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS NEEDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BATESVILLE GREENWAY TRAIL Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution to authorize the Mayor to initiate condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of easements needed for the continuation of the Batesville Greenway Trail. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-01-02-R. D) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to discuss a city employee personnel matter. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Mayor Elumbaugh said no action was taken and the matter will continue to me monitored. MAYOR COMMENTS th Mayor Elumbaugh said the next Mayor’s Community Meeting will be February 6 at the Steakhouse on the River. The program will be presented by Access Arkansas. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK