HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-23
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
MAY 23, 2023
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on May 23, 2023, at 5:30 pm
at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting.
Councilmember Doug Matthews gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following
Councilmembers answered present; Brittany Bennett, Tommy Bryant, Julie Hinkle,
Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the
City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Scott
Fredricks was absent.
Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember
Hubbard seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2011-
12-05 IN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE NET COLLECTIONS OF THE 0.5%
SALES TAX LEVIED WITHIN THE CITY OF BATESVILLE AND SECURE THE
REPAYMENT OF BONDS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS
Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title
only for the second reading. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic
roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the third
reading. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7
for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and
Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2023-05-02.
B) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION
IN THE CITY OB BATESVILLE ON THE QUESTIONS OF ISSUING BONDS
UNDER AMENDMENT NO. 62 TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
ARKANSAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING AND REFINANCING ALL OR
A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Councilmember Bennett moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by
title only for the second reading. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the
electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance
by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive
the third reading. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count
was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and
Councilmember Poole seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2023-05-03.
C) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION
IN THE CITY OF BATESVILLE ON THE QUESTION OF ISSUING BONDS
UNDER THE AMENDMENT NO. 62 TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
ARKANSAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE
COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS: LEVYING A ONE PERCENT (1%)
SALES AND USE TAX TO COMMENCE ON APRIL 1, 2024 FOR THE PURPOSE
OF RETIRING SUCH BONDS
Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title
only for the second reading. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic
roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the third
reading. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7
for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and
Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2023-05-04.
D) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE PROPERTIES
INCLUDING IN THE BATESVILLE COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title
only for the second reading. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic
roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Bennett moved to further suspend the rules and waive the third
reading. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7
for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and
Councilmember Bennett seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2023-05-05.
NEW BUSINESS
A) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON AUGUST 8, 2023 TO REFER TO THE VOTERS FOR APPROVAL OR
REJECTION OF ORDINANCE 2023-05-02
Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to call for a special election to be
held on August 8, 2023 to refer to the voters for approval or rejection of ordinance
#2023-05-02. Councilmember Bennett moved to suspend the rules and read the
resolution by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call
count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only.
Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Hubbard
seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution
was given #2023-05-01-R.
B) CHECK PRESENTATION FROM MS. HAILEY STEPHENS ON BEHALF OF ALL
HANDS ON DECK
Ms. Hailey Stephens, on behalf of All Hands on Deck, presented the Mayor with a
check in the amount of $21,149.06 for the construction of a Skate Park at Riverside
Park. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked the group for the donation and said a Skate Park
in included in the proposed Parks Master Plan being presented to the citizens of
Batesville in an upcoming election.
C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY
OF BATESVILLE TO UTILIZE FEDERAL AID TRANSPORTATION
ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM
Councilmember Bennett introduced a resolution to participate in a federal-aid
transportation program 80/20 grant to expand the Batesville Greenway walking trail.
Councilmember Hubbard moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by
title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7
for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember
Bryant moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the
electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2023-
05-02-R.
D) EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider an
appointment to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Bennett seconded and
all voted for.
Upon returning from Executive Session, Councilmember Bryant moved to re-
appoint Mr. Kyle Christopher to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Poole
seconded and all voted for. Mr. Christopher’s term will expire 6/10/2028.
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Elumbaugh said he has a conflict with the first meeting in June.
th
Councilmember Bryant moved to change the first meeting to June 20 and cancel the
second meeting in June. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for.
LIAISON REPORTS
None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Bennett said she had received several complaints about all the
leaves and limbs in Westside. Mayor Elumbaugh said the problem is all over town and
our new grapple truck should be here this week which will help the crews to get caught
up with the brush pickups.
Councilmember Hinkle said the trees and shrubs at the intersection of Main and
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12 Streets, at the Revenue Office, need to be trimmed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. The meeting was
adjourned at 5:45 pm.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK