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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-12 A 1115 RTC 1 ItCASURE � ,YS<19'OLD&S'S CO CITY OF BATESVILLE COUNCIL REGULAR CALLED MEETING City Hall August 12, 2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS: OTHERS: Landon Reeves, Ward]Position I Rick Elumbaugh,Mayor Scott Fredricks, Ward 1 Position 2 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 I Brittany Bennett, Ward 3 Position 2 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 Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the minutes from the July 22, 2025 regular called meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the amended agenda. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS Reverend Gerald Heineke addressed the council and commended city employees he has had interactions with. He said they have been very courteous,responsive and easy to work with. He asked about the city's involvement with the National Guard. The Mayor stated the city has no ownership or involvement with the National Guard. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None City Council'Meeting .-August 12,2025 Page 2 of 4 NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Scarbrough addressed the council with the monthly department report. He informed the council that officers were able to utilize their forced entry training and tools to assist a citizen in need of medical aid. There are four officers participating in a peer counseling team. They have received approximately 30 hours of training and have assisted other officers numerous times. The department is receiving many FOIA requests. He stated some of the body cam footage requests can take many hours to edit for release and is costing the department money to fulfill the requests. The department has received 2 of 3 radars that will hopefully go in next week. He announced he had some presentations to make. He called Officer Miguel Romero up to accept an award for Officer of the Year. Sergent Larry Ring and Corporal Stephen Schlotzhauer were recognized for saving a citizen's life. Officer Jeffery Tate received recognition for his valiant efforts to save a life. B) CITY ENGINEER REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He provided updates on various projects including the roundabout and the installation of a new meter ball box for water distribution. The parks project is moving forward with concrete work beginning on the event center. There is also significant concrete work being done on the water plant project. Traffic light issues on Saint Louis and Harrison St. are being evaluated for potential damage from a thunderstorm. C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Mark McCollum reports on the fire department's activities including 51 calls, 158 inspections and 136 training hours. A fire on Central Avenue resulted in the rescue of two out of three dogs. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE REGARDING COMPOSITION OF THE BATESVILLE AIRPORT COMMISSION Councilmember Fredricks introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Reeves, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 8 for,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 reading. The electronic roll call was 8 for,0 against.A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to adopt the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 8 for,0 against. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Reeves to adopt the emergency clause. The electronic roll call was 8 for,0 against. The ordinance was given#2025-08-01. City Council Meeting August 12,2025 Page 3 of 4 E) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Krug, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to enter into executive session. The motion passed unanimously. The council entered executive session at 5:56 p.m. Upon their return at 6:10 p.m., Councilmember Roberts called for a motion to appoint Clint Howard to the Airport Commission to finish out a term expiring November 2029. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to approve the appointment. The motion passed unanimously. F) FINANCIAL REPORT The council was provided a copy of the July financial report. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR The mayor discussed the need for additional electrical work to accommodate Christmas lights at a new location. He called for a motion to approve the payment to Entergy in the amount of$24,636.93 that will be borrowed from the water department. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Hubbard to approve the payment. The motion passed unanimously. He also called for a motion to proceed with the application process for a Brownfield Grant for the old Gray's Hospital which will be donated to the city. A motion was made by Councilmember Roberts, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the request contingent upon receipt of grant funding for the assessment and abatement. The motion passed unanimously. The Mayor mentioned the next council meeting is scheduled for August 26ffi. Dates to Remember: • Council meeting August 26, 2025 LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Brittany Bennett—None Scott Fredricks—None Julie Hinkle—None Paige Hubbard—None Fred Krug—None City Council Meeting August 12,2025 Page 4 of 4 Lackey Moody,Jr.—He mentioned the old bayou bridge going into West Side has a lot of gravel and grit on it. He feels we should address cleaning it as the Farmer's Market is located there. It also has some insulation around a pipe that need to be cleaned up as well. The Mayor said he would contact the Fire Dept. to see what they could do. Landon Reeves—None Robb Roberts —Nonc ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Councilmember Bennett made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Fredricks to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Rick E baugh, M Jessica Davis, ity Clerk