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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-14 NUMMONNOMMMM MINUTES OF COUNCIL July 14, 2020 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 14th, at 5:30 pm at the Batesville Community Center. 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, Scoff Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Pete Musgrave and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Coiter. City Clerk Denise Johnston was absent 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. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. He reported that there were 41 accidents and one homicide. The suspect in that case was apprehended and the investigation is continuing. We currently have two officers in the academy, who are in week 4 out of 14 weeks of training. 13) ENGINEER'S MONTHLY REPORT 0090� City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson reported the Eagle Mtn. tank project is nearing completion. The tank will be disinfected and inspected next week along with some clean up work. Once that is complete the temporary water storage tanks will go away. He reported the Hwy 106 job is complete and all of our crews are working as normal. The Street Department will be working on some pothole repair in the next few weeks. C) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING DISTRICT MAP AND OTHER PURPOSES Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville Zoning District Map. Councilmember Bryant also made a motion to read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Fredricks second and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. City Attorney Tim Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Property owner Landon Reeves spoke to the council and said this property is located behind Sonic on Harrison Street and would be to rezone approximately 7 acres from Harrison Street back to Dogwood from R1 to C1. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll count was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Fredricks second. The electronic roll call was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given number 2020-07-01 D) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USE OF FACE MASK Mayor Elumbaugh took a moment to discuss the current Covid-1 9 pandemic. Health and wellness and economic development has always been a high priority and with the pandemic growing in our area, other cities are passing ordinances and resolutions requiring the wearing of face mask or coverings. Mayor Elumbaugh asked Dr. J.D. Allen to speak from a medical community perspective. Dr. Allen said this is an unprecedented pandemic and the virus is highly contagious. Unfortunately, we have more questions than answers at this point. Currently there have been 73 active cases in our area with 5 of those being hospitalized as of today. None of those patients are currently on a ventilator. Dr. Allen continued by saying the medical community wants to encourage the use of mask and social distancing. The repercussions of not doing these things are evident in states such as Florida. He wanted to ask our residents to participate in these tasks to help slow the spread. Councilmember Matthews talked about the changes he has seen in his dental practice. Councilmember Fredricks asked Dr. Allen if wearing a mask daily caused problems for medical professionals. Dr. Allen responded that most health care officials acclimate to their environment well. Councilmember Poole stated the wearing of masks protects others more than just the wearer. Councilmember Hubbard wanted to emphasize that wearing a mask is just a portion of the solution. Proper sanitizing of the mask and personal hygiene such as frequent hand washing and sanitizing are also very important. Mayor Elumbaugh recommended a resolution be passed at this time and if numbers start to spike, an ordinance could be passed with stricter guidelines. Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution directing the wearing of face coverings during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic emergency. City Attorney Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call was 8 for and 0 against. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks made a motion to go into executive session to consider an appointment to the Batesville Housing Authority. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Fredricks made a motion to reappoint Ms. Nancy Phillips to the Batesville Housing Authority Board. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Ms. Phillips' term will expire May 27, 2025. Councilmember Fredricks also made a motion to appoint Ms. Connie Cash to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Patti Cash who is resigning due to health reasons. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Ms. Connie Cash's term will expire May 27, 2022. F) PAID BILLS AND FINANCIAL REPORT Councilmembers were presented a copy of the June paid bills report and the May Financial report. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh presented a request from the Batesville Regional Airport. The airport is in need of a loan for approximately $126,000.00 to complete some work that will be reimbursed by a state grant. The airport was awarded a 90/10 state grant to fund a project in 2019 and it has reached the point to draw on the grant money but must pay the contracted agencies before doing so. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to MONNIVINVANN loan the airport the money needed until the grant monies can be awarded. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh reminded everyone that it is not too late to fill out your 2020 Census. Census workers will begin knocking on doors August 11th. Batesville is currently at a 62.3% self-response rate. He encouraged residents to fill out their census. Mayor Elumbaugh also said earlier in the day several department heads and employees attended a zoom meeting presented by Mr. David Baxter from the Arkansas Municipal League on leadership and diversity. LIAISON REPORT None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Musgrave said with the passing of the resolution regarding the wearing of face masks, he would like to ask the Councilmembers to lead by example and wear their masks. The next meeting was set for August 18, 2020 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved for the meeting to be adjourned. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR JENNIFER CORTER. ADMIN ASST.