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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-20 A HISTORIC .1ASCRL' N S�L1 CITY OF BATESVILLE COUNCIL REGULAR CALLED MEETING City Hall May 20,2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS: OTHERS: Landon Reeves, Ward]Position I Rick Elumbaugh,Mayor Scott Fredricks, Ward 1 Position 2 (Absent) Jessica Davis, City Clerk Fred Krug, Ward 2 Position I Tim Meitzen, City Attorney Robb Roberts, Ward 2 Position 2 Julie Hinkle, Ward 3 Position 1 Brittany Bennett, Ward 3 Position 2 (Absent) Paige Hubbard, Ward 4 Position I Lackey Moody,Jr., Ward 4 Position 2 CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. INVOCATION Bryce Cash ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK The clerk verified the roll. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Councilmember Hubbard, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to approve the minutes from the April 22°d, 2025 regular called meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Moody to approve the prepared agenda. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS James Scales addressed the council and introduced his proposals. Mr. Scales has visited with over 25 cities regarding his proposal for a small-town Christmas in Arkansas. He has received the support of Delany Thomas, Director of Arkansas State Parks& Tourism. He also mentioned another project he'd like to begin in July at the Old Town Independence Museum involving teaching kids about kettle cooking over an open fire. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None City C0111e61 Meeting may 20,2025 Page 2 of 4 NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council for his monthly department report. Chief Scarbrough informed the council of an increase in calls and higher traffic citations due to an active step grant with the state. He stated the officers are receiving training in breaching to better assist citizens. There was a speed monitor sign stolen and at this time there are no leads. B) ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He discussed the addition of two new storage buildings. One for water construction department and the other for street department. He requested the council's approval for the lowest bid from Bullard Construction in the amount of$592,456.00. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to approve the bid. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Johnson provided an update on department operations and various projects including repairs to the boat dock on the White River, moving water and sewer across East Main St. for the industrial site, and the progression of the Water Treatment Plant and Parks projects. C) REPORT FROM CEMETERY/LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT Mr. Johnathan Abbott addressed the council and provided a proposal of a Christmas light display relocation due to ongoing construction at Riverside Park. He discussed the logistics of traffic flow, carriage and train rides as well as the addition of a new portable slide attraction. He requested the council's approval to proceed with the purchase of a slide. A motion was made by Councilmember Krug, seconded by Councilmember Hubbard to proceed with the process of the purchase. The motion passed unanimously. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING & DIRECTING THE MAYOR& CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH INDEPENDENCE COUNTY Councilmember Reeves introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Moody to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third reading. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Hubbard to adopt the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Hubbard, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to adopt the emergency clause. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. The ordinance was given#2025-05-01. City Council Meeting Matt 20,2025 Page 3 of 4 E) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Council member Hinkle, seconded by Council member Hubbard to enter into executive session. The motion passed unanimously. The council entered executive session at 6:02 p.m. Upon their return at 6:22 p.m., Councilmember Roberts made a recommendation to appoint Todd Autry to the Historic District Commission. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to approve the appointment. The motion passed unanimously. On behalf of Chief Scarbrough,the mayor requested the council approve the police department's new policy manual for implementation on June Pt which is the department's ten-year anniversary. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the policy manual. The motion passed 5/1 (Opposed- Councilmember Roberts). The mayor discussed the police department's wages in regards to time earned for a change in shift hours during COVID that was never compensated. Approximately 20 employees have time earned, comp time or K9 hours due to them totaling $172,879.62 more or less. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the payment plan. The motion passed unanimously. F) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was provided a copy of the April financial report. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR The mayor discussed scheduling the next council meetings and a ground breaking ceremony for the Riverside Park project. Dates to Remember: • Council meeting on June 10th, 2025 • Council meeting on June 24th, 2025 • Groundbreaking of Parks project on June 23rd, 2025 at 10.00 a.m. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Brittany Bennett—Absent Scott Fredricks—Absent Julie Hinkle—None City Council Meeting may 20,202,5 Pape 4 of 4 Paige Hubbard—None Fred Krug—None Lackey Moody,Jr.—None Landon Reeves—None Robb Roberts -None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Councilmember Hinkle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Hubbard to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Rick` yor Jessica Davis, it�yC l