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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-11 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JANUARY 11, 2022 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on January 11, 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 Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill was unable to attend due to a conflict in his schedule. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said the project referred to as Contract Section III was currently ahead of schedule with a few 100 feet of main line remaining as well as the railroad and highway bores. The preliminary draft for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade is almost complete. Wastewater Treatment Plant is running well, even with the large amount of rain that the city has recently received. The Street Department is working diligently to repair potholes and drainage issues. The Street Department as well as other departments are working with a skeleton crew due to recent COVID outbreaks and the lack of a labor force. C) MS. CRYSTAL JOHNSON WITH A COMPREHENSIVE A&P REPORT Ms. Crystal Johnson, CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, addressed the council with a quarterly report on the Advertising and Promotion Commission. Ms. Johnson reminded the council that the city has a 3% lodging tax that funds the A&P Commission. In 2021, the commission granted “event grants” that resulted in 2600 hotel stays and brought in approximately $1,000,000. to our community. Ms. Johnson said the commission is always looking for new way to bring tourism to our community including “vacation packages” that include discounts to local businesses. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to adopt the rules and procedures for the transaction of business of the council. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Matthews moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Hinkle seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2022-01-01. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING ON CERTAIN ITEMS FOR 2022 Councilmember Matthews introduced an ordinance to waive competitive bidding on certain items for 2022. Councilmember Poole moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Poole seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2022-01-02. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Poole seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The motion carried. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session to consider the appointment to a commission. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Bryant moved to appoint Ms. Beth Christian to the Advertising and Promotion Commission. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Ms. Christian’s term will expire 1/24/2026. G) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the December, 2021 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh gave the council a list of the recent street overlays and streets that were scheduled for repair as soon as possible. The Mayor also told the council that the City has been approved for $300,000.00 in street aid for 2023. The Mayor said he wanted to assure our citizens that he is still in contact with our local poultry industry regarding the smells that come from the plants. He said he is hopeful that a resolution can made that will satisfy both the city and our two poultry plants. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:12pm. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK