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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-08 (2) MINUTES OF COUNCIL MARCH 26, 2024 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on March 26, 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, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and Landon Reeves. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Bennett seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Reeves seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Marvin Gates who resides at 487 N. Central Avenue addressed the council with his concerns of the growing homeless population in Batesville. Mr. Gates said he wants the City to do what is right and sometimes that is to just say no. He said he and his wife travel a lot but when they are home his wife is now afraid to stay by herself. Mr. Gates said studies show the primary reason for homelessness is due to mental illness or addiction. He said he agreed that they need help, but what kind of help do they need is the question. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FFA) ON BEHALF OF THE BATESVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT Councilmember Matthews introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) on behalf of the Batesville Airport Commission. The grant is for a new PAPI System and replace runway end identifier lights for approximately $600,000.00. Councilmember Matthews moved suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-03-04-R. B) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO TEMPORARILY CHANGE THE HOURS AND DATES FOR ANY CITY ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Councilmember Reeves introduced an ordinance authorizing the mayor to temporarily change the hours and dates for any city entertainment district for the City of Batesville. The reason for the temporary change is for the planned th activities during the upcoming eclipse on April 8. Mr. Bob Carius and Mr. Todd Autry addressed the council and informed the council of the planned activities thth starting on April 5 and continuing up to the eclipse on the 8. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Reeves moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Poole seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-03-01. C) PROCLAMATION DECLARING A TEMPORARY CHANGE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN BATESVILLE FROM APRIL 5 THROUGH APRILl 7, 2024 Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation that the Entertainment District in Downtown Batesville shall be activated and operational from 10:00 a.m. until ththth 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on April 5, 6, and 7, 2024. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR THE SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED WEST OF OAKLAWN CEMETERY Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution authorizing the sale of the property to Grow More Financial Investments, LLC. The property is located South of EMS th Drive, East of 14 Street and Chaney Drive. Councilmember Hinkle moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-03-05-R E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FROM EASY STREET LEASING, LLC Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution authorizing the purchase 1.34 acers of OMP right-of-way for the Trails Project. The purchase price is $10,000.00. Councilmember Reeves moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-03-06-R. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Hinkle moved to go into executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more City employees. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to appoint Mr. Scott Lancaster to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Mr. Poole seconded and all voted for. Mr. Lancaster will fill the unexpired term of Mr. Lindsey Castleberry. His term will expire November 9, 2025. G) 2024 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Below is the 2024 State of the City address by Mayor Elumbaugh. It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today to deliver the State of the City address. As your mayor, of 18 years, I am honored to represent a community that embodies resilience, unity, and progress. Batesville has always been more than just a place on the map; it is a home where generations thrive and I have called it home my entire life. As I have stated so many times, “It’s always a great day to be in Batesville, Arkansas. In the realm of economic development, Batesville continues to shine as a beacon of opportunity. Our local businesses have persevered, are adapting to ever changing circumstances and demonstrating unwavering commitment to our community. From Main Street Batesville to our industrial parks, we celebrate the dedication of our new businesses and pledge our support to ensure their continued success. Our city remains a hub of opportunity, and I am confident that we will continue to progress in the years to come. Our local economy continues to prosper. The city of Batesville sales tax collection has remained strong. In 2023, our sales tax increased from 2022 by approximately 5.81%. Currently, the city is up 6.68% over last year. In August, our citizens voted to refinance bonds and extend the sunsetting wastewater tax to allow for major upgrades to the current water intake and construction of a new state of the art water treatment plant. This would not have been possible without you, our citizens, to recognize the importance and necessity of infrastructure. I am thankful and optimistic that the passing of this project will not only maintain our current water supply, but also provide quality water for our current and future industries. Infrastructure is the backbone of any successful community, and Batesville is committed to maintaining and improving our roads, utilities, and public spaces. Our citizens also voted to refinance the current Parks and Recreation tax allowing for a 25-million-dollar quality of life upgrade to Riverside Park! This project will include enhancements such as a new events center, an inclusive playground, splash pads, pickle ball and tennis courts, and a skate and cycling park. In May, the city was presented a check for $21,149.06 from Ms. Haley Stephens who represents All Hands On Deck, a local organization. This group worked hard raising funds which will greatly complement our funding for the Skate Park. As our parks are being revitalized, our commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever. These investments will ensure that Batesville remains a vibrant and livable city for generations to come. A quick look at our Parks and Recreation numbers for 2023 show that our facilities are being used more than ever. 2023 Program numbers were as follows: (2,018 Participants) Adult Basketball 168 Youth Basketball 88 Pickleball League154 Pickleball Tournaments140 Spring and Fall Youth Soccer 712 Adult Softball 255 Youth Baseball, Softball & T-Ball 413 Adult Volleyball40 Roepcke Golf Tournament 48 Community Center Rentals- (905 Facility Rentals) Basketball Tournaments 8 Banquets 18 Birthday Parties in Gym 28 Court Rentals for Practice 25 Pickleball Tournaments 1 Other Dinners in Gym 6 Volleyball Team Camp 1 Volleyball Tournaments 2 Indoor Pool Rentals Swim Meets 5 Pool Parties 66 Outdoor Pool School Rentals 14 Private Rentals 7 Party Rentals 258 Meeting Rooms Rentals 458 Horse Arena 8 Horse Shows Through strategic investments and collaboration with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, we continue to enhance the quality of life for all residents, ensuring that Batesville remains a safe, accessible, and attractive place to live, work, and play. Many thanks to Crystal Johnson and her team at the Chamber, for their insight, focus group collaboration, and hard work on this election. Public safety is a priority in Batesville. Our city police department has relocated to a new location on St. Louis Street. The new office will allow us to stay focused on community policing and allow for a more central location. Our officers will resume back to bike patrol and be more visual and accessible to the public. Our fire department continues to complete many hours of training each year. The firemen also run a rescue truck when called to service both our city and county. In January of 2023, Fire Captain Mark McCollum was promoted to Fire Chief after the retirement of Chief Ronnie Painter. We greatly appreciate Ronnie’s many years of dedicated service. Education remains a cornerstone of our city's foundation. As we invest in education, we invest in the future of Batesville, empowering our youth to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. It’s my honor to acknowledge the continued successes of the Batesville’s school groups throughout the year in our council meetings. The students excel academically and in all areas of sports and the arts. UACCB and Lyon College also continue to stay involved with community programs and events. Both are always striving to improve and complement our local and future workforce. Our White River Wonderland Christmas display is a magical spectacle that captures the spirit of the holiday season and brings joy to residents and visitors alike. This has become our largest tourism draw for people of all ages. Over 150,000 visitors experienced the “Christmas Capital of Arkansas”. Many thanks to Johnathan Abbott and his work crew. They spend numerous hours starting in September and continue until well after the new year. This display could not continue without the overwhelming support of our sponsors, businesses and citizens. The Batesville Regional Airport continues to grow. In 2023, 6 additional T-hangers were constructed to rent out to the public. The project total was $592,000, with $489,000 of that coming from grants received by the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics. This brings the total number of hangars at the airport to 62, 40 of these are owned and rented out by the airport. There were 16,111 take-off or landings for 2023, which averages 1,343 per month. Of this yearly total, 11,379 of those were visiting aircraft and 4,732 were from locally based aircraft, of which there are currently 68 based at the airport. Even as we celebrate our successes, we acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. We remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing issues such as affordable housing, healthcare accessibility, and community well-being. White River Health continues to build for the future. A new state-of-the-art, orthopedic clinic was opened and celebrated by all. The addition of this clinic is a tremendous blessing for our community. It not only enhances access to specialized healthcare services but also signifies a substantial investment in the well-being of our residents. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated employees and supervisors of our city. Your unwavering commitment, hard work and tireless dedication are the driving forces behind our community’s success and prosperity. Each and every one of you plays a vital role in making our city great! I want to also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our City Council members. Their steadfast leadership has been instrumental in guiding our city through both triumphs and challenges. With a shared vision for progress, our city council members work to enact policies, allocate resources, and advocate for the needs of our residents. Their collaborative work and passion for public service does not go without notice. 2023 welcomed Councilmember Landon Reeves who was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mr. Tommy Bryant. Mr. Bryant retired from the position after 14 years of dedicated service to the City of Batesville and our citizens. As we look to the future, let us draw inspiration from our past accomplishments and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. This year we will be moving into our new Public Works Facility located on 60 General Street. This new structure will house the Water Utility Construction, Purchasing, Sanitation, Street, Landscape, and IT Departments. Also, new bike and pedestrian paths will be implemented on Main Street, as well as from the boardwalk on Aberdeen Drive to Harrison Street. This will provide a much safer alternative for our increasing numbers of walkers and bikers. The Riverfront Trail, located on Stadium Drive, will be completed in the near future. As funding is available, the plan is to connect the trail to the downtown area. Approximately $650,000 in over-lay projects to city streets will be implemented this coming year. $300,000 of this amount will be provided by the state aid funds. Together, we will continue to build a Batesville that is inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable—a city where every resident can thrive and fulfill their aspirations. With unity, determination, and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Thank you, Batesville, for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared journey. God bless you all, and God bless Batesville, Arkansas MAYOR COMMENTS th Mayor Elumbaugh said the next scheduled meeting is April 9. Also, the Mayor said there was an E-1 2024 Pumper Fire Truck outside if they would like to look at it. The Fire Department is considering purchasing a new Fire Truck. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bennett said she has recently bought a new property and has had to call the police to the location a couple of times. She said the police responded quickly and have been patrolling daily and she is thankful for their dedication. ADJOURNMENT There be no further business, Councilmember Bennett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK