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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-10 MINUTES OF COUNCIL NOVEMBER 10, 2020 th The Batesville City Council met in regular session on November 10, 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; Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Pete Musgrave and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Paige Hubbard was absent. Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Paul Draper of 1250 Arch Street addressed the council regarding the City’s Bi- Centennial in 2021. Mr. Draper presented the council with a resolution requesting that Charles F.M. Noland (A.K.A. ‘Pete Whetstone’) be made an honorary Arkansas Traveler (post mortem). Mayor Elumbaugh said the council would consider the resolution for the next meeting agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. The Chief reported 39 accidents, 86 incidents and 4 felony and 12 misdemeanor arrests. Chief Cockrill said he has one officer attending the police academy and recently hired a new officer which makes his department fully staffed. The Chief also reported while patrolling the streets of Batesville, his officers noted approximately 200 street lights with bulbs burned out or not working. Mayor Elumbaugh also encouraged citizens to report street lights that were not working, saying that regardless if the lights are burning or not, the city has to pay a standard fee for the lights. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said he didn’t have much to report. He said he is waiting on one more easement for the contract section III project and hopes to go out for bids soon. The street and construction departments are working repairing leaks and street repairs and both plants are running well. Councilmember Musgrave asked if there was a problem obtaining the final easement for the contract section III project to which Mr. Johnson said no, that it was a corporate issue that just takes time. C) ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER ROSS NELSON Animal Control Officer Ross Nelson addressed the council to inform them of a new animal registration tag that the city will be transitioning to shortly. The tag will have a QR code on the back which will allow anyone with a scanner application on their cell phone to able to scan the code. The code will show the name of the animal, owners name and phone number. The owner of the animal will have the option to put more information about the animal such as address or veterinarian preferences. Mr. Nelson said this could help decrease the number of animals in the shelter and may save the citizens from having to pay an impound fee. He said the tags will cost the city $1.58 per tag. The company, Pet Hub, has many cities in several States, however, the City of Batesville will be the first city in the State of Arkansas to use the “smart tag”. D) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider an appointment to Public Facilities Board. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Musgrave moved to re- appoint Mr. Scott Fredricks to the Public Facilities Board. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the vote was 6 for and 1 (Fredricks) abstained. Mr. Fredricks term will end November 10, 2025. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE TO PARTNER WITH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to partner with the Arkansas Department of Transportation along with the City of Southside and Independence County to improve Hwy 167 along Ramsey Mountain with a second set of travel lanes, protected by a barrier wall from the existing lanes, as a parallel emergency route to be used in the event of an incident that results in a closure of Highway 167 at the curve on Ramsey Mountain. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. After discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-01-R. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO CLOSE A PORTION OF AN ALLEYWAY Councilmember Matthews introduced a resolution to close a portion of an alleyway. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Mr. Ronnie Painter, a resident on Bates Street, said the upper portion of the alleyway was closed several years ago and he and his neighbors, of whom he has signatures, are requesting to close the remaining alleyway. The alleyway is between 529 and 551 Bates Street. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The th resolution was given #2020-11-2-R. The public hearing will be December 15 at 5:30 pm. G) PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CONDEMNATIONS OF 8 SEPARATE PROPERTIES Mayor Elumbaugh announced that it was 5:51 pm and the public hearing regarding 8 separate properties was open. The Mayor said he would call out the properties one at a time and allow anyone who would like to address the council, regarding the condemnations, be recognized. The properties considered were; 263 Ramsey Street – No public response. 1395 Davis Lane – William and Luiza Harper, owners of the property addressed the council. Ms. Harper said she is currently cleaning up another property and asked st the council for an extension until December 31 to clean up and make improvements to the property. The council agreed to postpone the condemnation of the property. th 725 26 Street – A man and woman, who did not give their names, addressed the council regarding the property. They said they were in the process of purchasing the property. The owner of the property Mr. Anthony Lyons has passed away and they recently gave Mr. Lyon’s brother $2,500.00 as a down payment and were paying him $400.00 per month as a rent to own payment. Code Enforcement Officer Chad McClure said he has had numerous complaints on the property, that there hasn’t been any utilities on in over two years and recently there were tents set up in the yard that people were living in. The lady responded that they were making improvements, however, the man they were paying was now incarcerated. City Attorney Meitzen recommended they file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office and possibly hire an attorney to help recoup the money they have invested. 1905 Neeley Street – No public response. 441 River Street – No public response. 577 Bayou Street – No public response. 1188 Grace Street – No public response. 345 Boggs Street – No public response. Mayor Elumbaugh closed the public hearing at 6:06 pm. H) CONSIDER RESOLUTIONS TO CONDEMN 8 SEPARATE PROPERTIES Mayor Elumbaugh said we would consider each resolution separately. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 236 Ramsey Street. The property is owned by Terrance and Sheila James. Councilmember Matthews moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle 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 and Councilmember Fredricks seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020- 11-3-R. The resolution to condemn the property located at 1395 Davis Lane was not introduced. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property th located at 725 26 Street. The property was owned by Anthony Lyons. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle 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 and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-4-R. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 1905 Neeley Street. The property is owned by James McReynolds. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle 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 and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-5-R. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 441 River Street. The property is owned by Sharon Sanders. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle 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 and Councilmember Fredricks seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-6-R. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 577 Bayou Street. The property is owned by Sharon Sanders. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle 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 and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-7-R. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 1188 Grace Street. The property is owned by Kim Clark. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks 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 and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-8-R. Councilmember Bryant moved to introduce a resolution to condemn property located at 345 Boggs Street. The property is owned by Kim Clark. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Fredricks 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 and Councilmember Fredricks seconded. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2020-11-9-R. I) PAID BILLS REPORT AND 2018 AUDIT REPORT The council was given a copy of the October, 2020 paid bills report and the 2018 audit report for review. MAYORS COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh invited the public to join him at Kennedy Park, tomorrow, Veteran’s Day, at 10:00 am for a program to remember and honor the veterans in our area. The Mayor also invited the public to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, th Friday, November 13 at the new Sara Low Memorial Dog Park. The new dog park is located on Chaney Drive across from the Golf Pro Shop. The ceremony begins at 4:00 pm and dogs are welcomed. Mayor Elumbaugh said the he, City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Engineer Damon Johnson have been working hard on the 2021 budget. The Mayor said the council will be emailed a copy within the next couple of weeks. th The Mayor said the next council meeting will be December 15 at City Hall. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked Utility Office Manager Nick Baxter and his administrative assistant Jennifer Corter for their hard work in getting the council area COVID-19 compliant. The Mayor said the pandemic is not over as the case numbers in Arkansas and most states are on the rise. He encouraged everyone to continue wearing their masks and be safe. The Mayor announced that we are going to have the Christmas lights this year and they will be better than ever. We have been approved by the Arkansas Department of Health and are doing all that is required to have a safe venue. The th lights will be turned the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 25. New this year is a large ferris wheel sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The ride will thrd be at Riverside Park from November 27 – December 3. You must reserve you seat by calling the Chamber. The ride is $5.00 per person. The Mayor said to check the City’s website, Facebook page and Winter Wonderland Facebook page for more information. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant also commented on the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Bryant said his aunt contracted the illness and had mild symptom for a couple of days then suddenly passed away. He said this pandemic needs to be taken seriously and pleaded with everyone to listen to the experts and stay safe. Mr. Bryant also commented on the new Dog Park and the beauty of the white lights that illuminate the area. He said the park is a nice addition to the area. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 pm. ___________________________ RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR ______________________________ DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK