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Home My WebLink About2021-09-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on September 14, at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Councilmember Matthews gave the opening invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Brittany Bennett, Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Hubbard was absent. Councilmember Bennett moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Bryant seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council for his monthly report. After a review of the monthly statistics, Chief Cockrill informed the council of the two major incidents, both resulting in the loss of life. Independence County Sheriff’s Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish assisted in the search and rescue on the White River. During the process the lower unit motor of the Sheriff’s Departments large boat was damaged. The Chief said he believes the cost to repair the motor would approximately $1,100.00. Mayor Elumbaugh said there is sufficient funds in the Alcohol fund to cover the repair of the motor. Councilmember Poole moved to repair the motor with funds from the Alcohol fund. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson gave an update on the Contract Section III project. A portion of Southerland Drive is closed due to the construction but should be reopened soon. He said the Railroad is holding them up somewhat. The portion of the work on the Bayou should be completed soon. The engineering work for the Water Treatment Plant is nearing completion. Councilmember Bryant asked if the State dictated the capacity to which the water plant had to produce. Mr. Johnson said the State does regulate the production of the plant. Currently our plant produces approximately 12 million gallons a day. He said with the consideration of expected growth, our plant is near capacity. Mr. Johnson said all of these questions will be answered when the engineering work is completed. Mr. Johnson said the Street Department is still working with only 3 men. The department is budgeted for 12 positions. Mr. Johnson said there are open positions in the Street and Sanitation departments as well at the Utility Construction. C) PROCLAMATION TO PROCLAIM THE CITY OF BATESVILLE AS A R.I.S.E. COMMUNITY Mayor Elumbaugh asked Ms. Jennifer Douglas, Assistant Superintendent for Batesville School District, to say a few words regarding a R.I.S.E. Community. Ms. Douglas said R.I.S.E. stands for Reading Initiative for Student Excellence. She said a R.I.S.E. community can encourage the love of reading and can bring people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints together, through the shared experiences and develop literacy in our community. Mayor Elumbaugh invited the school personnel as well as the children and parents in attendance to join him around the council table as he read and signed the R.I.S.E. proclamation. D) MS. CRYSTAL JOHNSON WITH AN ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION REPORT Chamber CEO Crystal Johnson addressed the council with a report on the Batesville Advertising and Promotion Commission. With Ms. Johnson were Chris Hill, Jamie Rayford and Evie Clauss. Ms. Johnson gave the council a graph that shows annual collections from hotel stays as well as year-to-date for 2021. 2018 and 2019 collections were $95,375 and $96,928, respectfully. 2020, due to COVID dropped to $65,483. The year-to-date for 2021 is $111,106. Ms. Johnson talked about strategies for marketing to continue tourism for the City of Batesville. Councilmember Bryant asked if the local hotels are happy with the rebound of COVID. Ms. Rayford said she has visited with the management of Hampton Inn and they are staying very busy, occasionally with full capacity. She said she has not had time to check with the others hotels but will soon. E) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the August paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh commented on the recent event at Maxfield Park in conjunction with our Bicentennial celebration. A Time Capsule, to be opened a hundred years from now, was buried and a monument placed on top. The festivities could not have happened, the Mayor said, without all the volunteers that donate their time and talent to put on such a well-attended festivity. The Mayor also said the splash pad for West Batesville is under construction and should be complete in 3 to 4 weeks. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Fredricks reminded those who have not yet voted on the proposed mileage increase for Batesville Public School District, that the poles will be open to 7:30 pm. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted in favor. The meeting concluded at 6:15. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK