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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-18 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JUNE 18, 2024 th The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 18, 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, Fred Krug, Chris Poole, Landon Reeves and Robb Roberts. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Julie Hinkle and Paige Hubbard were absent. Councilmember Bennett moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Bruce Winston with the Independence County District Court DWI Court program introduced himself to the council and gave a brief background of Independence County’s DWI Court. District Judge Chaney Taylor started the States first DWI court back in 2009. The program has proven to be very successful and continues to grow. He said that Independence County Sheriff’s department recently donated a transport vehicle to the DWI Court to help in the transport of participants to and from court and for home visits. Mr. Winston said he would like to get on the agenda at a future meeting to request financial help in operating and maintaining the transport vehicle. District Judge Chaney Taylor also addressed the council regarding the DWI Court. Judge Taylor said the number one deterrent for a DWI Court participant was the home visits. He said they randomly visit the homes and look for any alcohol they might have. He said this form of accountability is crucial for a successful program. Mr. James Scales addressed the council and said he has started a group called Beautify Batesville. The concept is to use volunteers to donate 4 hours a week to go around and clean and beautify the city. He said several business have donated equipment and Sherwin Williams Paint is giving a discount on a new product that can be painted on areas that are prone for graffiti and the graffiti can be power washed off. Mr. Scales said he will be asking big businesses and the City to help with the volunteers by allowing a number of employees to donate 4 hours every other week in the clean up but still be paid by their employer. Mr. Scales said he will keep the City posted on the progress of his endeavor. Ms. Karen Beller addressed the council with a report from the past weekend’s Batesville Pridefest in downtown Batesville. Ms. Beller said in spite of the heat they had a good turnout. She also said there were some protesters at the event but it was primarily name calling and no physical interaction. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council with his monthly report. The Chief gave the council a printout of May’s activity and said they are still waiting on equipment for the new vehicle computers. Councilmember Roberts asked if they could get a printout from the 3 Speed Monitors placed around town. The Chief said he could print reports and will provide them at the next meeting. B) ENGINEER REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson reported all departments were running smoothly. The work on the new Water Treatment Plant is progressing as expected. Mr. Johnson said they have promoted Mr. Brice Barnes to Chief Operator at the Water Treatment Plans and he would like to allow him to drive a Utility vehicle home for emergency call-outs. Councilmember Krug moved to allow Mr. Barnes to drive a utility vehicle home. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Mr. Johnson also reported that a large truck hit the traffic light pole on the corner of St. Louis and Harrison Street in the parking lot of Subway. The Street department is in the process of stabilizing the pole until a new pole can be installed. He said the police did track down the individual who hit the pole and obtained his insurance information for reimbursement. C) CONSIDER A REQUEST FO A WATER SERVICE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS Utility Office Manager Nick Baxter addressed the council with a request for a water meter outside the city limits. The address is 99 Mitchell Road and the requester is Mr. Eric Nast. Mr. Baxter said Mr. Nast signed the agreement to annex into the city if and when his property becomes contiguous with the Batesville city limits. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the meter request. Councilmember Roberts seconded and all voted for. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF BATESVILLE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM Councilmember Bennett introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor of Batesville to submit an application to the Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism for assistance to develop recreational facilities. Councilmember Reeves moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-06-01-R. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR FUTURE FUEL CHEMICAL COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK PROGRAM Councilmember Reeves introduced a resolution allowing Future Fuel Chemical Company to participate in the Tax Back Program as authorized b y Section 15-4- 2706(b) of the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-06-02-R. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE ABANDONING OF A CITY STREET Councilmember Roberts introduced a resolution to set a public hearing to discuss the abandoning of a city street. The location is a section of Industrial Drive between Grand Dr. and Sherrell Lane and is being petitioned by Bad Boy Mowers, LLC and Eurark, LLC, d/b/a LifePlus International. The proposed public hearing will be scheduled for July 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at Batesville City Hall. Councilmember Reeves moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Reeves moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Fredricks seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-06-03-R. G) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution authorizing the purchase of real property located at 300 Blossom Drive owned by BN Simpson Holdings, LLC. The purchases price being $225,000.00. Councilmember Poole moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Reeves moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-06-04-R. H) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more city employees. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Fredricks moved to appoint Ms. Debbie Jones to the Advertising and Promotion Commission. Councilmember Roberts seconded and all voted for. Ms. Jones will replace Mr. Chintan Patel and her term will expire 1/24/2028. I) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was given a copy of the May, 2024 monthly financial report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS th Mayor Elumbaugh said the next council meeting with be July 9. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Roberts thanked everyone for the warm welcome as the city’s newest Councilmember. He said he is thankful for the appointment and excited to be working for the city he loves. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bennett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK