HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-19
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
JULY 19, 2022
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 19, 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; Brittany Bennett, Tommy Bryant, Scott Fredricks, Paige Hubbard,
Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise
Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Julie Hinkle was absent.
Councilmember Hubbard moved to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Poole moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember
Bennett seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
Ms. Theodora Hightower, whom lives at 1041 College Street, addressed the
council again regarding the property located at 1065 E. Boswell Street. Ms. Hightower
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said the property located at 220 11 Street backs up to the back yard of the Boswell
property which is covered in trash and the grass is grown up. Ms. Hightower said the
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property owner of the 11 Street property asked her to bring the issue to the council.
Mr. Nathan Tabor, a local Batesville Pastor, addressed the council regarding the
recent Gay Pride festivities on Main Street. Mr. Tabor said he was sorry how some
Christians treat fellow citizens if they don’t agree with their beliefs. He said he and his
family attended the Gay Pride festival a couple of years ago and for the most part didn’t
have a problem with anything. However, he did say that there was one man “dressed
like a peacock in pink underwear” that was totally inappropriate and most likely illegal,
sighting Arkansas code § 5-14-110.
Ms. Karen Beller addressed the council also in regards to the recent Gay Pride
festivities. Ms. Beller read a prepared statement saying that she attended this year’s
festivities and was there for the entire day. She said there were no incidents or
problems at all and she didn’t see anyone dressed inappropriately.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly report. Accidents
were down slightly from last year; however, incidents and arrests were up slightly.
B) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED
NEAR THE CORNER OF PORTER AND ST. LOUIS STREET FROM
RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL.
Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to rezone certain property located
near the corner of Porter and St. Louis Streets from residential to commercial.
Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title
only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0
against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion,
Councilmember Bryant 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.
Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against.
The ordinance was given #2022-07-01.
C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR
SLUDGE REMOVAL FROM THE BATESVILLE WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PLANT
Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to waive competitive bidding for
sludge removal from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Councilmember Bryant
moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember
Bennett seconded and the roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read
the resolution by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to
adopt the resolution. Councilmember Poole seconded and the roll call count 7 for
and 0 against. The resolution was given #2022-07-01-R.
D) EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to discuss the hiring,
firing, promotion or demotion of one or more employees. Councilmember Poole
seconded and all voted for.
Upon returning from executive session, no decisions were made.
E) PAID BILLS REPORT
The council was given a copy of the June, 2022 paid bills report.
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Elumbaugh informed the council of the approximate 12 acres of land
donated to the city by the Grace family. The land lies on both sides of Pioneer Drive
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from 20 Street to Stillhouse Branch. The Mayor said if any of the council sees a
member of the Grace family, to please thank them for their generous gift.
LIAISON REPORT
None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Fredricks moved that the
meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Hubbard seconded. All voted for. The meeting
was adjourned at 6:16pm.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK