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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-09 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JULY 9, 2024 th The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 9, 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; Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Chris Poole and Robb Roberts. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Brittany Bennett and Landon Reeves were absent Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Roberts seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None 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 June, 2024 report which also included the speed monitor reports as requested by Councilmember Roberts. Chief Scarbrough said the new computers are finally being installed into the police vehicles and he hopes to have them working by the end of the month. The Master Gardeners have completed the beautification project of the new Police Department under budget. The Chief said several officers have gone to continuing education classes and he bragged on all his officers for the jobs they do. Chief Scarbrough and Mayor Elumbaugh recognized 3 police officers for outstanding service. Sargent Larry Ring was recently recognized by our local Rotary Club for his outstanding service to the Batesville Police Department. Chief Scarbrough and Mayor Elumbaugh presented Sargent Ring with a Service th Award plaque for this recognition. Chief Scarbrough said on June 17, a citizen was at the local Burger King restaurant when he started choking. Patrol Officers Hutton Grace and David Rowe responded and administered CPR that saved the gentleman’s life. Both Officers Grace and Rowe were given Life Saving Awards. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson reported both plants are running as expected. He said they have had to spend some money to keep the Water Treatment Plant producing good water for our citizens. The loan closing for the new WTP has been postponed until November. The City has received a lot of rain in the last few days, which always creates problems, but all is running well. Mr. Johnson said he is waiting on a quote to replace the stoplight pole at St. Louis and Harrison. He reminded the council it was going to be quite costly, however, the city will receive insurance from the policy holder’s insurance. C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Fire Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council with his monthly report. The Chief gave each councilmember a copy of the report. Chief McCollum commented on his department and the work his firefighters do, day in and day out. The Chief gave the Mayor a letter to read from a resident that had fallen in the parking lot at Colton’s. Several firefighters were at the restaurant celebrating a birthday and saw the gentleman fall in the parking lot. The letter praised the firefighters for quickly rendering aid and thanked them for their service to our community. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AND AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER OF THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS AND THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT WATER TREATMENT PROJECT Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution designating and authorizing the water and sewer systems manager and City Engineer to execute certain documents in connection with the current water treatment project. Councilmember Roberts moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Poole 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 Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-07-01-R. E) PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE VACATING AND ABANDONING PART OF INDUSTRIAL DRIVE BETWEEN GRAND DRIVE AND SHIRRELL LANE. Mayor Elumbaugh opened the public hearing for the discussion of vacating and abandoning a part of Industrial Drive. The Public Hearing opened at 5:44 p.m. No one spoke regarding the street closing and the Public Hearing was closed at 5.45 p.m. F) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING PART OF INDUSTRIAL DRIVE BETWEEN GRAND DRIVE AND SHIRRELL LANE Councilmember Fredricks introduced an ordinance vacating and abandoning a part of Industrial Drive between Grand Drive and Shirrell Lane. Councilmember Poole moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Fredricks then moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Roberts moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-07-01. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. G) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Poole moved to go into executive session to discuss the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more city employees. Councilmember Roberts seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Roberts moved to appoint Mr. Pete Roulier to the Historic District Commission. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Mr. Roulier will replace Councilmember Roberts and his term will expire January 8, 2027. H) FINANCIALS The council was given a copy of the June 30, 2024 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS rd Mayor Elumbaugh said the next meeting is scheduled for July 23. The council was asked to approve an expenditure from the Community Center Perpetual Maintenance Fund for a Recumbent Bike from Advanced Exercise. The total expenditure is $6,310.00. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the expenditure and Councilmember Poole seconded. All voted for. The Mayor said he would like the council to approve the request for a police officer to take a police vehicle home, past the allowed 15 miles outside the city limits. The officer lives 26 miles beyond the city limits, an additional 11 miles (22 miles both ways). After a discussion, Councilmember Poole moved to approve the request with the officer reimbursing the City through payroll deduction at ½ the IRS allowable travel reimbursement, for the additional 22 miles. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. The council was informed of a fixed asset disposal. Fire Truck Engine 1, Unit 604 was sold to Cord, Arkansas Fire Department for $100,000.00. Ms. Johnston said the funds will be used to pay on Fire Department Loans from the Utilities Department. LAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Fredricks moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK