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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-08 A 1415TORTC 1xascxc S'OLD C,�Y CITY OF BATESVILLE COUNCIL REGULAR CALLED MEETING City Hall July 8,2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS: OTHERS: Landon Reeves, Ward]Position 1 Rick Elumbaugh,Mayor Scott Fredricks, Ward I 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 Paige Hubbard, Ward 4 Position 1 (Absent) 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 Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the minutes from the June 10,2025 regular called meeting and the June 26, 2025 special called meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None City Council'Meeting 3uly 8,2025 Page 2 of d NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Captain Fred Friar addressed the council with the monthly department report. Captain Friar informed the council service calls were up a bit. They wrote several citations over the holiday weekend. Officers were dispatched to a county call for a gentleman suffering from a heart attack where they performed CPR and were successful in bringing him back. He was transported to White River Medical and is doing good. The mayor commented on their outstanding job with the fireworks event. B) CITY ENGINEER REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He stated work continues on all projects. The sewer rehab project will be tying in water lines and installing an additional meter soon. The traffic lights at Saint Louis and Harrison Streets were upgraded which will yield a better flow of traffic. A grant was awarded for three additional traffic signals. Funding has not been received for them yet. White River Materials is progressing with the roundabout and are shooting for completion in the Fall. Councilmember Bennet inquired on the citizen's AT&T issue from a previous meeting and Mr. Johnson informed her there were no updates to share. C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council for his monthly department report. He stated there were 37 calls in June, 1 vehicle fire and 100 inspections. They will be performing a final inspection on the high school soon. They have applied for a grant to get eight new air packs. He has not heard if they have been approved for it yet. Councilmember Roberts asked about the tornado sirens and Chief McCollum informed him they were all operating. They will test them on Mondays around 9:00— 10:00 a.m. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE,& TOURISM The mayor discussed the Walton Foundation's involvement in the process. The trail building company is working on a comprehensive master plan. The mayor invited Parks Director, Lowen Lermite up to address the council and provide some additional information. Mr. Lermite stated it was an exciting opportunity for the city to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and those of surrounding communities. The trails in Northwest Arkansas are an excellent example to use and model off of. There would be funding coming from the foundation as well as the possibility of a five-year interest free loan that could be up to one half million dollars. The mayor opened the meeting up to the council and public for comments and questions. A citizen asked if the trails would connect with trails already in place. The mayor informed him that was the future goal. Councilmember Bennett City Council Meeting July N.2025 Papc 3 of d suggested looking into implementing a bike rental service similar to what she had seen in Gulf Shores. Councilmember Moody mentioned the possibility of property values going up as he has seen in Northwest Arkansas. Another citizen agreed about it raising property values and offering opportunities for additional businesses or housing developments due to the trail connectivity. Councilmember Reeves also agreed and added it would enhance mobility and land opportunities. Councilmember Moody introduced the resolution. A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the resolution. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. The resolution was given# 2025-07-01-R. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Moody to enter into executive session. The motion passed unanimously. The council entered executive session at 6:06 p.m. Upon their return at 6:22 p.m., the mayor called for a motion to approve the updated amount for the police department's payout in the amount of$187,340.98. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Moody to approve the pay amount. The motion passed unanimously. F) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was provided a copy of the May financial report. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR The mayor discussed scheduling the next council meeting for July 22nd. He informed the council of a fixed asset transfer for a 2011 Chevy Silverado from water construction department to the public works department. He also called for a motion to allow employee, Jamae Morgan to drive his employee vehicle home each day. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the request. The motion passed unanimously. Dates to Remember: 0 Council meeting on July 2216, 2025 City Council Meeting Jnh-8.2025 Page 4 of 4 LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Moody stated the Planning & Zoning Commission held a meeting the previous night and they continue to streamline their processes to align with the written policies. He looks forward to bringing the council updates in the coming weeks. COUNCIL COMMENTS Brittany Bennett—She thanked everyone that helped with the 41h of July event. She was initially apprehensive about moving it to the golf course but thinks it went very well. Scott Fredricks—Absent Julie Hinkle—None Paige Hubbard—Absent Fred Krug—None Lackey Moody,Jr.—None Landon Reeves—None Robb Roberts—He thanked everyone that had involvement with the Levitt Concert Series. This was the first year it was held downtown. He said it was a successful event with a great atmosphere that brought a lot of people together of all ages. The mayor also extended a thank you to Billy Corter,Jason Jones, Brandon Wood, and Randy Swafford who made sure the stage was set up and taken down for each concert. He also thanked fellow mayor, Mr. Harry Brown for letting the city use their stage. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Councilmember Hinkle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Rick Elumb ayor Jessica Davis, (Aty Clerk