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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 24, 2021 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 24, 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, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Brittany Bennett was absent. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve prepared agenda. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN BATESVILLE Mayor Elumbaugh opened the floor for citizens comments regarding the proposed ordinance. Several citizens addressed the council regarding the proposed ordinance. Mr. Jeremy Anders spoke against the ordinance. Mr. Bill Olsen, Mr. Dale Cole, Mr. Terrell Tebbetts, and Mr. Ron Autry all spoke in favor of the ordinance. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the second reading by title only. Councilmember Pool seconded and the roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. There being no additional discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the third reading. Councilmember Krug seconded and the roll call voted was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. The roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2021-08-01. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Krug seconded and the roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. Chief Cockrill gave the council the numbers for July, which consisted of 43 incidents, 17 arrests and 43 accidents. Chief Cockrill said he recently visited with Mr. Phil Brissey, with Stanley Wood Dodge. The Chief said he needs to replace 4 cruisers. Because of the COVID pandemic, it takes several months to get a vehicle and as of now, the vehicle dealers do not know if they are going to able to sell with a government discount. He said he expects the price to be approximately $8,000.00 more than last year. The Mayor said he is checking to see if any of the American Rescue Plan funds can be used to purchase new police vehicles. Councilmember Matthews moved for the Mayor to looking into paying for new vehicles out of the American Rescue Plan funds and to order the vehicles now. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. B) Executive Session Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to consider appointments to the Public Facilities Board and the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Fredricks moved to appoint Mr. Chris Milium to the Public Facilities Board to fill a vacancy. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Krug moved to re-appoint Mr. Mike Schmidt to the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Bryant seconded the motion and all voted for. Mr. Milium’s term will expire on 11/10/2025 and Mr. Schmidt’s term will expire on 8/24/2026. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh reminded everyone that school is back in session and encouraged the public to be cautious when driving in school zones. Mayor Elumbaugh asked Mr. Damon Johnson, City Engineer, to address the council with the status of the Round-a-bout. Mr. Johnson said the design plan has been in the works for 2 years. He said he realizes the public being hesitant with a round-a-bout but the statics are positive. Because you do not stop in a round-a-bout, the traffic moves 20% faster and there are 40% fewer accidents. Improvements to Myers Street include widening the street, and installing curbs and a sidewalk. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None 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 6:20 pm. __________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk