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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL FEBRUARY 13, 2024 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on February 13, at 5:30 p.m. 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, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and Landon Reeves. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Brittany Bennett was absent. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the minutes from the previous two meetings. Councilmember Reeves seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Matthew moved to approve the prepare agenda. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Assistant Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council for the Police Department monthly report. The council was given the January 2024 department report showing 44 accidents, 17 arrests and 38 incident reports. He also reported that he has applied for a grant to equip all police vehicles with computers to help in reporting. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson gave an overview on the water and wastewater plants and said the design for the new water plant should be ready to send to the Health Department for review. He said they are still waiting on Atlas Asphalt to do the paving on Broad Street. Mr. Johnson said he and the Mayor visited with Enterprise Fleet Management about the possibility of using them in order to keep our fleet in good working condition. He said he can schedule a zoom or an in-person meeting with an Enterprise rep if they would like more information. C) FIRE CHIEF MARK McCOLLUM WITH HIS MONTHLY REPORT AND BADGE PRESENTATION Fire Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council with his monthly report. He reported 52 calls, 4 structure fires and 3 vehicle fires. Chief McCollum also announced the promotion of three firefighters; Logan Gleghorn and Michael Ring both promoted to Lieutenant and Randy Jones to Captain. Mayor Elumbaugh pined the men and congratulated them on their promotions. D) MS. AUTUMN RAVISCIONI TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLY LOCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT PERMANENT SHELTER Ms. Autumn Raviscioni addressed the council on behalf of a group of individuals and organizations to address the homeless population in our area. She said there are two pieces of property, one on lower College owned by the City and one on lower Main owned by the County. Ms. Raviscioni said the City’s property is approximately 4 acres and would be ideal for the homeless community. She stated they are working on a proposal for the city to house a maximum of 15 tenants who will be allowed to place tents on the property. They would like the City to run water to the property and provide restrooms and trash service. Councilmember Fredricks moved to allow the Mayor to proceed in negotiations with the groups and report back to the council with their progress. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING FEES AND RATES TO BE CHARGED BY BATESVILLE WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES FOR WORK RELATED TO WATER AND SEWER SERVICES Councilmember Reeves introduced an ordinance that will modify fees and rates to be charged by Batesville Water and Sewer Utilities for work related to water and sewer services. Councilmember Hubbard moved to read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Krug seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Fredricks further moved to waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Poole moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Krug seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-02-04. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK OF BATESVILLE TO ENTER INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT WITH WHITE RIVER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an administrative agreement with White River Planning and Development District for an Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program grant to be used to purchase equipment for Bad Boy Mowers, LLC. Councilmember Hubbard moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Reeves seconded and the electronic roll count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Poole moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-02-01-R. G) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN APPLICATION FOR CDBG FUNDS Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign an application for CDBG Funds to benefit Bad Boy Mowers, LLC to purchase various pieces of equipment. Councilmember Fredricks moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and the electronic roll count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Reeves seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-02-02-R. H) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH SCENIC HILL SOLAR FOR ENERGY SERVICES AND PROJECT AGREEMENT Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into negotiations with Scenic Hill Solar for energy services and project agreement. Councilmember Reeves moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Poole moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-02-03-R. I) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to discuss the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion on one or more city employees. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Mayor Elumbaugh announced no decision were made. J) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was given a copy of the January, 2024 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he has a conflict with the next scheduled council meeting th and asked if it can be moved to March 5. Councilmember Fredricks so moved and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. All voted for. The Mayor said the new playground equipment at the splash pad in Westside should be completed by the end of the week and he will be announcing a grand opening soon. Mayor Elumbaugh said he needs guidance from the council on how to proceed on the proposed purchase of the VFW property located next to Riverside Park. The Mayor said that the Post is using Mr. Blair Arnold for their negotiations. Councilmember Hubbard moved to authorize Mayor Elumbaugh to negotiate with Mr. Arnold for the property and report back to the council. Councilmember Reeves seconded and all voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Fredricks moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. ________________________________ RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR _______________________________________ DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK