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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-06 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JULY 6, 2021 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 6, 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; Brittney Bennett, Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, and Doug Matthews. Also present was the City Clerk, Denise Johnston. Councilmembers Fred Krug and Chris Poole and City Attorney Tim Meitzen were absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hubbard 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 gave the council the June, 2021 Monthly Police report. Chief Cockrill said he has 2 officers at the police academy. He also reported that th he had 20 officers working throughout the day for the July 4 event at Riverside Park. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said the Contract Section III work is making progress at Riverside Park. The Water Treatment Plant study is us still underway. The Street Department is working on several issues, primarily drainage problems. Mr. Johnson announced the retirement of Wastewater Treatment Plant manager th Eugene Townsley on June 30. Mr. Townsley retired with 46 years of service to the Batesville Utility Department. Mr. Michael McDaniel was promoted to plant manager. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A MATCHING GRANT THROUGH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE AND TOURISM FOR A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT RIVERSIDE PARK Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution to apply for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for a pedestrian bridge at Riverside Park. Mayor Elumbaugh explained to the council, the proposed resolution will replace the resolution adopted at the June meeting for a RV park at Kennedy Park. The Mayor said after discussing the two projects and since the sewer work at Riverside Park took out the existing pedestrian bridge he decided that a new bridge was more important for our parks system. Councilmember Hubbard moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle seconded. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Clerk Johnston read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hinkle moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2021-07- 01-R. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING EXCAVATIONS ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAYS Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville Municipal Code regarding excavations on City Right-of-Way’s. Councilmember Hinkle moved to suspend the rules and read ordinance by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Clerk Johnston read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Hubbard moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2021-07-01. Ms. Johnston read the emergency clause. Councilmember Hubbard moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to consider appointments to the Housing Authority. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to appoint the following to the Housing Authority; Ms. Janice Benton, to full the unexpired term of Connie Cash. Ms. Benton’s term will expire May 27, 2022; Ms. Carol Crosby, to fill the unexpired term of Sylvia Crosby. Ms. Crosby’s term will expire May 27, 2023; Ms. Luanne Gregory, to fill the unexpired term of Nancy Phillips. Ms. Gregory’s term will expire May 27, 2025 and Ms. Willie Strong to be reappointed for another 5 years. Ms. Strong’s term will expire May 27, 2026. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the all voted for. F) JUNE PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the June Paid Bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh gave his best wishes to Eugene Townsley upon his retirement. The City received 3 bids for the construction of a new golf shed. The Mayor said after review of the bids, he was recommending the low bid by M & A Jones of $115,040.00. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the low bid for the golf shed. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. Ms. Johnston informed the council of the trade-in of the side arm sanitation truck, unit 232. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant asked the Mayor to request from the Arkansas Highway Department to study the intersection of Hwy’s 106 and 69 and also the possibility of installing a yield sign at the right turn lane at the intersection of St. Louis Street (Hwy 167) and Southerland Drive and Myer’s Street. Councilmember Matthews said the COVID cases are picking up and encouraged everyone to take necessary precautions. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Hinkle moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The meeting was adjourned at 6.00pm. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK