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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-13 MINUTES OF COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2020 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on October 13, at 5:30 pm at the Batesville Community Center. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Office Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Pete Musgrave and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. 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 NONE NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. The Chief reported that accidents were up slightly as were incidents, due primarily to fraudulent unemployment claims during COVID-19. Chief Cockrill also reported one officer is at the police academy and he is in the process of filling his one vacant slot. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said he hopes they will be ready to go out for bids by the end of the year for Contract Section III which is a large sewer replace and repair project. Mr. Johnson reported the street and sanitation departments are staying busy cleaning up class 4 as well as leaves and limbs. The crews are also working on an erosion project at the Airport. Crews had to be pulled of the sidewalk project downtown to work on other jobs but will hopefully be back soon to work on College and Boswell Streets. Councilmember Bryant asked if they were starting the Contract Section III project at Riverside Park in hopes the construction will be completed before next year Christmas light display. Mr. Johnson said they will be starting in Riverside Park. C) HEAR AN UPDATE FROM THE INDEPENDENCE COUNTY LIBRARY Ms. Venessa Adams, head librarian with the Independence County Library, addressed the council with an update for the library. Ms. Adams said the th County Library has been closed since March 18 due to COVID-19. She said the second floor has been open for computer use. They have been doing curb side pickup and have approximately 77,000 audio books for checkout. Ms. Adams said they are also offering free library cards to primary school and college students. Ms. Adams read a resolution of appreciation from the Library Board for the city’s contribution to the construction of the new steps in front to the Library. D) HEAR AN A&P REPORT FROM MRS. CRYSTAL JOHNSON WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mayor Elumbaugh said Mrs. Johnson had a conflict in her schedule and will be put on the next meeting’s agenda. E) LEVY OF TAXES The council was given a copy of the proposed millage rate for the city for the year 2021. The rate remains unchanged with 5.0 mills going to city general and 1.0 mills going to the Firemen’s Pension Fund. Councilmember Matthews moved to approve the above-mentioned millage and Councilmember Krug seconded. All voted for. F) DISCUSS ISSUE 1 THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT Mayor Elumbaugh said he wanted to encourage all voters to vote in favor of Issue #1 when voting in the November election. Issue #1 is not a new tax, it is simply voting to continuing the tax that is already in place for road and highways. If the motion fails, the tax will sunset in 2023, leaving all cities and counties as well as the state with considerable fewer funds for our street departments. Independence County stands to lose approximately $1,000,000. per year and the City of Batesville will lose approximately $240,000. This will devastate our street department, so again Mr. Elumbaugh encouraged everyone to vote for Issue #1. G) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session and Councilmember Bryant seconded. All voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Musgrave moved to appoint Mr. Greg Byler to the City Tree Board. Mr. Byler will replace Mr. Kenny Smothers whose time has expired. Councilmember Fredricks seconded. All voted for. Mr. Byler’s term will expire September 8, 2021. Councilmember Krug moved to appoint Mr. Ronnie Hampton to the Batesville Appeals Commission. Mr. Hampton will replace Mr. Butch Duncan who recently passed away. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Mr. Hampton’s term will expire September 9, 2025 H) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the September, 2020 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS th Mayor Elumbaugh said our next council meeting will be November 10 and should be back at the Municipal Building. th The Mayor reminded everyone that early voting begins on October 19. Mayor Elumbaugh said the City Attorney along with the Municipal League Attorneys have been working on a proposal for the City Council to consider regarding Independence County District Court. Mr. Meitzen gave the council a copy of the document. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved for the city attorney to send the document, which basically said the city and county will share any and all expenses and revenues with the District Court. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh asked for approval to purchase a one-ton dump truck out of the Cemetery Fund. The vehicle will be approximately $60,000.00. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the purchase and Councilmember Bryant seconded. All voted for. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant reminded everyone to be careful while on Harrison Street during the overlay construction. The work is being done at night and it is hard to see where to drive. Councilmember Matthews asked for any information about the Christmas Parade and Christmas light ceremony. A Christmas Parade is planned and another meeting is scheduled to work out the details on how to social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Christmas lights will be turned on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. The City’s Facebook page will have details regarding the lights. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:18pm. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK