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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-08 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 8, 2025 The Batesville City Council met in regular session April 8th, at 5.30 pm at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Bryce Cash gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Brittany Bennett, Fred Krug, Lackey Moody, Scott Fredricks, Landon Reeves, and Robb Roberts. Julie Hinkle and Paige Hubbard were absent. Also present were City Clerk Jessica Davis and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Bennett moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Reeves seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Reeves seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council with his monthly report. Chief Scarbrough informed the council the department's policy review is ongoing with the Municipal League. He also announced the graduation of two officers from academy. They both performed exceptionally well. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He informed the council the park's project has received a construction cost of $22,056,000.00. This amount does not include some additional fees and costs outside of the construction cost. The original contract was in the amount of$0.00. He stated the Mayor will be receiving an amended contract in the amount of $22,056,000.00 and requested the council approve the Mayor move forward with the contract. Councilmember Bennet made a motion to approve the amended contract. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. Mr. Johnson reported the Water Treatment Plant was making good progress. The contractor is preparing to begin pouring concrete slabs. He also stated the water treatment ponds are brimming full from the recent flooding events but the plant had no problems treating water. The flood waters peaked at just under 25 feet and there was no major damage to report. Employees were out working all day Friday and Saturday. The installation of the flood walls was successful. He also mentioned the Safe Streets 4 All grant was wrapping up and a resolution to adopt the plan will be presented to the council at the next meeting for their consideration. C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief McCollum addressed the council with his report. They assisted with filling and handing out sandbags to citizens. There was some roof damage at station 3 from the storms. It was repaired and some pipe covers were replaced. He mentioned the city has tornado sirens that will be getting repaired as well how to turn on the notifications option for weather events on any smartphone. Chief McCollum will be contacting Peco, Inc. who has a tornado siren on their property to coordinate siren testing times. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Councilmember Fredricks 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 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the resolution and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2025-04-01-R. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT WITH WHITE RIVER PLANNING DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, INC. Councilmember Fredricks introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to approve the resolution and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2025-04-02-R. F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF CITY OF BATESVILLE TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM OR RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM Councilmember Reeves introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to approve the resolution and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2025-04-03-R. G) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING FEES AND RATES TO BE CHARGED BY BATESVILLE WATER & SEWER UTILITIES Councilmember Roberts introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Moody to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A brief discussion was held. The Ordinance will be placed on the next agenda for further review and consideration. H) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET ADOPTED DECEMBER 12, 2023 FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 Councilmember Fredricks introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks seconded by Councilmember Bennett to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. The electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Moody to adopt the ordinance and the electronic roll call was 6 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2025-04-01. 1) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to enter executive session. All voted for. The council entered executive session at 6:10 pm. Upon their return at 6.30 p.m., a motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to appoint Luanne Gregory to the Batesville Housing Authority Board with a five-year term expiring in 2030. J) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was given a copy of the March, 2025 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh announced the next council meeting is scheduled for April 22"d 2025. He expressed this thanks to all city employees for their efforts in managing recent flood events and their assistance with the past tornado events. The Mayor welcomed the new Parks & Rec Superintendent, Mr. Lowen Lermitte. He also informed the council of an invoice needing payment out of the perpetual maintenance fund account in the amount of$28,348.00. The invoice is for waterslide repair and restoration. Councilmember Fredricks made a motion to approve the invoice for payment. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. The Mayor informed the council of a fixed asset transfer for unit C430, a Sprinter van to the IT Department. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bennett inquired on the kiddie pool at the community center. Mayor Elumbaugh informed her it was operational again. She also thanked everyone for their help with recent weather events. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bennett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. AJ Rick Elu baugh essica Davis, Cit Clerk