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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-08 MINUTES OF COUNCIL NOVEMBER 8, 2022 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on November 8, 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, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, and Chris Poole. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Brittney Bennett and Julie Hinkle were absent. Councilmember Hubbard moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Councilmember Bryant 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 was unable to make tonight’s meeting. B) ENGINEER’S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson said he is requesting the approval for Michael Patrick to drive a Utility vehicle to and from work with the Construction department. Mr. Patrick is now doing line locates among other things that require him to be called out at night and weekends. Councilmember Poole moved to approve the vehicle request. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Mr. Johnson then updated the council on the Contract Section III (sewer line replacement) project. The majority of the sewer lines are installed. Of the 4 tunnels, the one under Hwy. 167 is complete and ready for the line to be installed. Tunnel #2 is under construction. The final two tunnels are under the railroads and will be more difficult primarily due to working with the railroad company. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is working well. They are preparing for a Bio Monitoring for ADEQ which occurs periodically. The Water Treatment Plant is still making good water. The demand is still high but with the cooler weather, demand should start to drop. The design work for the new water plant is approximately 30% complete. He said instead of bidding the job out, they are advertising for RFQ’s (Request for Qualifications) from contractors. Mr. Johnson said this is a more efficient way for large projects and is being used more and more by government agencies. Councilmember Fredricks asked what role the council will play in the project. Mr. Johnson said he and Olsson Engineering will bring requests when needed and keep them informed on the project. Councilmember Krug asked Mr. Johnson for a time-line on the Broad Street line replacement project. Mr. Johnson said all the water lines have been installed. There are still a few tie- ins to be completed and some sewer line repairs. Mr. Krug said the residents living on Broad Street are concerned about all the gravel still on the street and if it will all be repaired before winter sets in. Mr. Johnson said the project will not be completed before winter weather but said all of the gravel should be removed and repaired before bad weather arrives. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS PREMIUM PAY FOR CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN GRANT Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to address premium pay for certain city officials from the American rescue plan grant. Mayor Elumbaugh said the resolution is “housekeeping” for the Rescue / ARPA funds received and distributed in 2021. Councilmember Bryant moved to read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to abopt the resolution and Councilmember Poole seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2022-11-01-R. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION WAVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT Councilmember Fredricks introduced a resolution to waive competitive bidding for snow removal equipment. Mr. Johnson said they requested 3 bids and have selected the low bid of $41,880.00. However, the machine needs be ordered soon to get it in a timely manner. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2022-11-02-R. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MEYERS AND ST. LOUIS STREETS Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution authorizing the purchase of property located at the corner of Meyers and St. Louis Streets. The property is more commonly known as Riverside Gardens and Riverside Conoco. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Poole seconded. The electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2022-11-03-R. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Hubbard moved to go into executive session to consider a re- appointment to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from Executive Session, Councilmember Fredricks moved to reappoint Mr. Bobby Hughes to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Mr. Hughes term will expire 11/09/2027. G) FINANCIAL STATEMENT The council was given a copy of the October, 2022 financial statement for review. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh requested a payment authorization from the Community Center Preputial Care Fund. The Mayor said they have ordered a large LED sign for approximately $100,000.00 for the Community Center and the request is for $43,122.12 for a down payment. The Mayor reminded the council that any funds paid out of the preputial fund has to be approved by the council. However, he also said First Community Bank has committed to give the City $10,000.00 for the next 10 years to pay for the sign and those funds will be put back into the Community Center Preputial Care Fund. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the fund request. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. The Mayor said he wanted to let the council know that he has been visiting with the poultry plants regarding their treatment facilities and OMP / Georges is in the planning phase of construction a new pretreatment plant. The Mayor said it will probably take about a year for the construction to start but it is a step in the right direction. He said PECO is also looking at improving their pretreatment facility as well. Mayor Elumbaugh said we recently had two gentlemen from Ireland visit our Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said it speaks well of our facility and community to have such visitors. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant said he just wanted to recognize Mr. Abbott and his crew for their hard work in getting the Christmas lights ready. He said they are there early in the morning till late and night and their work had not gone unnoticed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Fredricks moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19pm. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK