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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-13 (2) MINUTES OF COUNCIL FEBRUARY 13, 2018 th The Batesville City Council met in regular session on February 13 at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Corter. Councilmember Margarett Henley and City Clerk Denise Johnston were absent Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Beller moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his 2017 year-end report. He said overall the number of response calls were close to the same as last year. Between full and part time officers, the department logged over 5000 hours covering extra events. Chief Cockrill thanked the council for the approval of 4 new officers in the 2018 budget, all of which have been filled. Councilmember Beller noted that Batesville has been named the sixth safest city on the state. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked Chief Cockrill and his department for a job well done. Chief Cockrill also noted that a local DTF Officer passed away this morning and members of his department were in the escort of the body from the hospital to the funeral home in West Plains, MO. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He said the sewer line project on College Street is the largest project at this time and will be on going for the next few months. Both plants are running good at this time. Street Department has several projects going. A French drain will be installed at the tennis court soon and the work on the Fitzhugh extension by the hospital is progressing as planned. C) RECOGNITION OF MR. VAN THOMAS FROM WHITE RIVER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Mayor Elumbaugh read a short biography outlining the years of service and contributions that Mr. Van Thomas has made to the office of Executive Director of White River Planning and Development District. Mr. Thomas has made great strides in Economic Development not only in Batesville and Independence County but in the 10 county area in which he served as director for 42 years. Mayor Elumbaugh presented Mr. Thomas with a letter from Governor Asa Hutchinson, a citation from Representative James Sturch and a plaque from the City of Batesville to celebrate his recent retirement. Independence County Judge Robert Griffin, Woodruff County Judge Charles Dallas and Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips were all on hand to speak about Mr. Thomas’ accomplishments and thank him for his contributions to each of their counties. D) PRESENTATION FROM MR. PAUL PHILLIPS WITH CREWS AND ASSOCIATES Mr. Paul Phillips with Crews and Associates presented each member present with a copy of the Arkansas Business Trendsetter City publication. The City of Batesville recently won 4 out of 6 categories at the Trendsetter City awards ceremony held at the Arkansas Municipal League winter conference. Mr. Phillips said this program is definitely a competition and he feels it is important to be recognized locally as well as on the state level. Mr. Phillips presented Mayor Elumbaugh with framed copies of each article announcing Batesville as award winners in Public Safety, Infrastructure, Wellness and Environmental. Batesville was also awarded the Pinnacle Award, of which mayor Elumbaugh said is a direct reflection of a great city. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE LAND ABUTTING THE CITY YARD Councilmember Bryant introduced and resolution to purchase approximately 8.68 acers of land located next to the City Yard property at 40 General Street. City Attorney, Tim Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Beller seconded. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2018-02-01-R. F) TOURISM DIRECTOR KYLE CHRISTOPHER WITH A TOURISM UPDATE Tourism Director, Kyle Christopher and Chamber CEO Crystal Johnson updated the Council on the A & P tax, gave some year to date stats and discussed the new brand “Experience Independence” to promote tourism in our area. Ms. Johnson discussed the new website that was recently launched, which should become a “doorstep to the future” allowing visitors to view dining locations, upcoming events and attractions. Mr. Christopher gave a short video presentation and also discussed the future installation of “Way Finding” signs to make locating attractions easier to find. The signs will be installed in stages. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked both Ms. Johnson and Mr. Christopher for all of their hard work. G) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO REVISE THE 2018 BUDGET Mayor Elumbaugh said the resolution was still in progress and would be postponed until the next meeting. H) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider the promotion, demotion, hiring or firing of one or more employees. Councilmember Shetron seconded. All voted for. Upon returning form executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to reappoint Mr. Ron Lewallen to the Historic District Commission. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. His term will expire 01/08/21. Councilmember Beller moved to reappoint Mr. Greg Mohlke to the Parks Commission. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. His term will expire 01/08/2023. Councilmember Bryant moved to reappoint Ms. Debbie Harrison to the A & P Commission. Councilmember Shetron seconded. All voted for. Her term will expire 01/24/2022. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he has received some complaints about traffic at the intersection at State and Baker. A 4-Way Stop has been requested to slow traffic and the need will be assessed. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant requested the Mayor visit with the District Engineer from the Highway Department about intersections at 69B and 106 and also at 167 and Myers. Councilmember Beller agreed there is an issue at 106 and 69B. Councilmember Matthews said with the current sewer line replacement project on College Street, it was found that the asphalt is approximately 16 inches thick. He would like to look into having it ground down once the project is complete and ready to be repaved but also wants to make sure drainage will not be an issue. ADJOURNMENT There being no more business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR JENNIFER CORTER, ADMIN. ASST.