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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MAY 14, 2024 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on May 141h, 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; Brittany Bennett, Scott Fredricks, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Julie Hinkle and Landon Reeves were absent. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the minutes from the previous two meetings. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Several Citizens Comments were made before the council regarding the VFW property and Gay Pride Month scheduled for June, 2024. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council with his monthly report. Chief Scarbrough gave the council a copy of his department's monthly report for April. He also said he received the wrong parts for the new vehicle computers so he is still working on getting the computers installed in the vehicles. Chief Scarbrough said he had visited with the Mayor about replacing his department's firearms. The Chief said the pistols are around nine years old. He wants to replace the current pistols with Glock 47's. The cost will be approximately $50,000.00 and the Mayor said the purchase could be made with ARPA funds. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the purchase with ARPA funds and Councilmember Bennett seconded. All voted in favor. Chief Scarbrough also said his department worked with the DEA to confiscate 24 pounds of Methamphetamine inside the city limits of Batesville. Lastly, the Chief asked the council to consider letting his officers drive their police vehicle home as long as they meet certain requirements, primarily if they live within a 15-mile radius. Mayor Elumbaugh said he visited with several Mayors regarding the request and they all allowed the officers to drive their units home and recommended the policy. The Chief said that currently all but 3 or 4 would quality to drive a vehicle home. The Mayor also asked the council to give him discretion on the mile range. Councilmember Krug moved to allow the officers to drive their police vehicles home with the requirements set by the Police Chief and the Mayor. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said the design work for the new Water Treatment Plant is complete. He also said the State Health Department is looking over the plans and there is a possibility of some changes that can be made that could reduce the cost by approximately $2,000,000.00. Mr. Johnson said the City has been approved for State Aid paving of approximately $600,000.00 that should start soon. C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Fire Chief Mark McCollum gave the council his departments report for April. The report showed 49 calls responded to, 117 inspections and 450 hours of training. Chief McCollum said the new pumper truck has been ordered and hopes to get in within the month. D) REQUEST FROM EAGLE MOUNTAIN PROPERTY ASSOCIATION Mr. Kyle Christopher, a resident in Eagle Mountain, addressed the council regarding speed tables within the neighborhood. Mr. Christopher said the Eagle Mountain Association has been working on a proposal for the city in which 4 "speed tables" would be placed throughout the Eagle Mountain subdivision. He said there are several residents that walk the neighborhood with no sidewalks, therefore, the walkers have to walk in the streets. The speeding is an issue therefore putting the wa►kers at risk. The speed tables will be paid for by the Eagle Mountain Association and will be at no cost to the City. Not decision was made. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to discuss the hiring, firing, prometon or demotion of one or more city employees. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted in favor. Upon returning from executive session, Mayor Elumbaugh said 3 employees were discussed but no decision was made. F) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was given a copy of the April, 2023 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said the next council meeting will be May 281h. He also reminded the councilmembers to drive by 445 Bluff View Drive regarding a street light. Mayor Elumbaugh asked the council to remember the Steve Bryant family in the thoughts and prayers. Steve Bryant, a longtime resident and Pharmacist in Batesville and his wife Sharon were killed in a plane crash. Mr. Bryant was the pilot of the plane. Mayor Elumbaugh read a letter of resignation by Councilmember Doug Matthews. Dr. Matthews has been on the council since 2005. The Mayor thanked Dr. Matthews for his years of service to the City and said his wealth of knowledge will be missed. Dr. Matthews talked briefly about the many changes that have occured since he has been on the council and how he has enjoyed his time as a councilmember. Mayor Elumbaugh declared the vacancy and said he will be taking applications for Ward 2, Position 2 on the Batesville City Council. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Each Councilmember expressed the thanks to Dr. Matthews for his time on the council. Councilmember Bennett also said she wanted to thank the Batesville Police Department for the fast and professional response to a recent incident she had. She said she was very thankful and proud of the department. ADJOURNMENT There be no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. RIC AUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTO , CITY CLERK