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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-17 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2024 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on December 17th, 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, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Fred Krug, Chris Poole, Landon Reeves and Robb Roberts. Paige Hubbard was absent. Also present were Deputy City Clerk Jessica Davis and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bennett moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council for his monthly report. He stated they have finished all of the computer installations in the police vehicles and they are up and running. Councilmember Roberts requested an additional report in 2025 that includes issued speeding warnings and speeding tickets. Chief Scarbrough stated that is already in the plans for January's report. Chief Scarbrough requested an approval to use an estimated $47,000.00 for a couple different programs and pieces of equipment that aides them in criminal investigations. These funds would come out of the alcohol tax. A motion was made by Councilmember Krug, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to approve the use of alcohol tax funds for the needed equipment. All voted for. Councilmember Hinkle asked for a status update on the new reflective safety vests. Chief Scarbrough stated all of them should be in within the next two to three weeks. B) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A&P COMMISSION UPDATE FROM MS. CRYSTAL JOHNSON Ms. Crystal Johnson addressed the council and gave an overview of strategies used to track and increase community engagement, tourism and restaurant recruitment for the city. She stated they will focus on economic development and housing needs as well as a robust workforce development strategy in 2025. C) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Mr. Johnson started with the sewer rehab project that is in the bidding process and another project on East Main St. needing utilities for future development. He recommended the council approve the bid to move forward with the contract with a guaranteed maximum price of$2,112,140.00 to get the utilities onto the East Main property site. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Krug to move forward with the proposal. All voted for. Mr. Johnson stated there are pipes being installed by the dog park to relocate some sewer lines in preparation for the upcoming projects for that area. The Riverside Park project is in the final development stages and contractors will be ready to proceed at the first of the year. He stated things are running well operationally at the Water Treatment and Waste Water Treatment plants and there are no significant reports to be made to the council regarding them. He also reminded the council to complete the required water board training certification. He will need to provide ANRD with the completed certifications by the end of January. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A PRIVATE CLUB PERMIT APPLICATION FOR "THE BOARD ON 3RD" Councilmember Fredricks introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. A motion was made by councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Poole to adopt the ordinance and the electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause. A motion was made by Councilmember Poole, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to adopt the emergency clause and the electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-12-1. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE COMPETETIVE BIDDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPLASH PAD BY ACS PLAYGROUND ADVENTURES Councilmember Roberts introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Poole, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to adopt the resolution and the electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-12-1-R F) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING DISTRICT MAP-ADE SUBDIVISION Councilmember Fredricks introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Chad McClure addressed the council and provided a brief overview of the proposed re-zoning. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Krug to adopt the ordinance and the electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-12-2. G) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING DISTRICT MAP- PRAUGHT MAIN STREET FLATS Councilmember Poole introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Poole, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Mr. McClure addressed the council and gave a brief overview of the proposed re-zoning. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings of the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to adopt the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-12-3. H) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to enter executive session to consider the hiring, firing, promotion or demotion of one or more city employees. All voted for and the council entered executive session at 6.13 pm. Upon returning from executive session at 6.28 pm, a motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to reappoint Mr. David Thompson, Mr. Ron Autry, and Ms. Mayfan Thomas to the Historic District Commission. All voted for. All three reappointment terms will expire 1/8/2028. 1) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK/TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF BATESVILLE Councilmember Reeves introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to adopt the resolution. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-12-2-R. J) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK/TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF BATESVILLE Councilmember Bennett introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to adopt the resolution. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-12-3-R. K) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CITY OF BATESVILLE BUDGET BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025 Councilmember Poole introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Poole to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Poole to adopt the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency clause. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to adopt the emergency clause. The electronic roll call was 7 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-12-4. L) FINANCE REPORT The council was given a copy of the November, 2024 Financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh announced the next two council meetings are scheduled for January 14t" and January 28t" ,2025. He then asked Mr. Chris Poole to come forward and be recognized for his 14 years of service on the city council. Mayor Elumbaugh expressed a heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Poole and presented him with a plaque and a key to the City of Batesville. Mr. Poole stated it has been an honor for him to serve his city and he was happy to be a part of helping move the city forward during his time on the council. LIASION REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Fredricks said he and Mr. Reeves had both been contacted by a concerned citizen regarding a dog tethered in the back of a truck. Mr. Krug brought up the city ordinance concerning animals being tethered and gave his interpretation of it to be an animal may not be tethered to anything within the city limits. To him this would include the back of a vehicle as well if it is in city limits. Mr. Meitzen agreed with that interpretation. Mayor Elumbaugh asked Mr. Meitzen to check into it and consult with the police department and animal control to assist in providing an answer to the citizen. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Poole moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Rick El , ayor iJ Jessica Davis, beputy City Clerk