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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-07-AGENDA PACKETRick Elumbaugh, Mayor Jessica Davis, City Clerk Timothy Meitzen, Attorney A HISTORIC TREASURE �h AGENDA CITY OF BATESVILLE CITY COUNCIL 500 EAST MAIN BATESVILLE, AR 72501 October 7, 2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS Brittany Bennett Scott Fredricks Julie Hinkle Paige Hubbard Fred Krug Lackey Moody, Jr. Landon Reeves Robb Roberts 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. INVOCATION 3. ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 6. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) Second reading of an ordinance to authorize the City to conduct business with certain individuals who serve as member of the City Council, City Employees, various commissions and boards of the City of Batesville - Hinkle B) Second reading of an ordinance to authorize the City to conduct business with certain individuals who serve as member of the City Council, City Employees, various commissions and boards of the City of Batesville - Roberts 8. NEW BUSINESS A) Consider a resolution adopting a redevelopment plan for former Gray's Hospital location B) Consider the Levy of Taxes for 2025 payable in 2026 C) Consider a resolution authorizing the purchase of property located at 1495 20tt' Street in Batesville D) Police Department Report E) Engineer's Report F) Fire Department Report G) Financial report 9. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR 10. LIAISON REPORTS 11. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (by roll call) 12. ADJOURNMENT Batesville- My Hometown... Make it Yours! ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BATESVILLE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY EMPLOYEES, VARIOUS COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, the City of Batesville, Arkansas recognizes the importance of certain financial services provided to the City by the Bank of Cave City ("BCC"); and WHEREAS, a certain member of the City Council also serves in an executive role at BCC, which provides financial services to the City; and WHEREAS, Ark. Code Ann. § 14-42-107 requires the governing body of a municipality to approve by ordinance any contract or business arrangement between the municipality and an entity in which a Council member, employee, board or commission member profits from directly or indirectly through their position at said entity; and WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges the following affiliations and finds it to be in the City's best interest to continue its financial relationship with BCC and approves the following individuals' roles within the City: Name Position with City Role with Bank of Nature of the Entity Cave City Bank of Cave City Business Julie Hinkle City Council Vice President of Financial Services Member Batesville Branch NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT: SECTION ONE: Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 14-42-107, the Council of the City of Batesville hereby approves and authorizes the City to conduct business with the Bank of Cave City, acknowledging the positions held by Julie Hinkle, who serves on the City Council. SECTION TWO: The City Council affirms that it is in the best interest of the City to receive the financial services provided by BCC, and that the involvement of this individual does not impair their ability to serve or act in the City's best interest. SECTION THREE: The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any section, clause, or provision is found to be invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION FOUR: All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance are repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION FIVE: Emergency Clause. Due to the need to ensure uninterrupted financial services and maintain continuity of operations for the benefit of the citizens of Batesville, an emergency is hereby declared. Therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025. CITY OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR ATTEST: JESSICA DAVIS, CITY CLERK ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BATESVILLE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY EMPLOYEES, VARIOUS COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, the City of Batesville, Arkansas recognizes the importance of certain financial services provided to the City by First Community Bank ("FCB"); and WHEREAS, a certain member of the City Council also serve in an executive role at FCB, which provides financial services to the City; and WHEREAS, Ark. Code Ann. § 14-42-107 requires the governing body of a municipality to approve by ordinance any contract or business arrangement between the municipality and an entity in which a Council member, employee, board, or commission member profits from directly or indirectly through their position at said entity; and WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges the following affiliations and finds it to be in the City's best interest to continue its financial relationship with FCB and approves the following individuals' roles within the City: Name Robb Roberts Position with City Entity City Council Member and Public Works Commission Member Role with First Community Bank Senior Vice President for Commercial Lending Nature of First Community Bank City Business Financial Services NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT: SECTION ONE: Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 14-42-107, the Council of the City of Batesville hereby approves and authorizes the City to conduct business with First Community Bank, acknowledging the positions held by Rob Roberts, who serves on the City Council, and as member of the Public Works Commission. SECTION TWO: The City Council affirms that it is in the best interest of the City to receive the financial services provided by FCB, and that the involvement of this individual does not impair their ability to serve or act in the City's best interest. SECTION THREE: The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any section, clause, or provision is found to be invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION FOUR: All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance are repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION FIVE: Emergency Clause. Due to the need to ensure uninterrupted financial services and maintain continuity of operations for the benefit of the citizens of Batesville, an emergency is hereby declared. Therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025. CITY OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR ATTEST: JESSICA DAVIS, CITY CLERK RESOLUTION # A Resolution Adopting a Redevelopment Plan for Former Gray's Hospital Location WHEREAS, the Batesville City Council has declared the Former Gray's Hospital location as a blighted structure; and WHEREAS, the city is seeking federal funding through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to demolish the building; and WHEREAS, a Redevelopment Plan has been developed recommending the location be returned to green space for the development of a park; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Batesville adopts the Redevelopment Plan. ADOPTED in regular session of the City Council on this 141h day of October, 2025. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR BLIGHTED PROPERTY 477 EAST MAIN BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS O CTO B E R 2025 Introduction The Batesville City Council has designated the Former Gray's Hospital building located at 477 East Main Street as a blighted property. An asbestos inspection report was completed by Snyder Environmental. The property has been approved for funding for asbestos abatement from the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality as well as a Phase I Environmental Assessment. The City is applying to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for funds to demolish the building. The CDBG application addresses the National Objective of the Elimination of Slum and Blight. The City must submit a proposed Redevelopment Plan with the application. Purpose of Plan Arkansas Code §14-168-31 is a state law that defines terms used in the Arkansas Redevelopment Act, specifically what constitutes a "blighted area" for the purposes of redevelopment. The law outlines conditions such as deteriorating structures, poor layout, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, or other factors that negatively impact growth, economy or public welfare. The City Council declared the former Gray's Hospital as a blighted structure at the September 9, 2025, Council Meeting. The Building has been abandoned approximately five years and is regarded as a nuisance. The building is dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, and is vermin - infested. The building is being used by vagrants and often vandalized. City police frequently have to remove persons from the building. Blighted structures create safety concerns for the community including fire hazards. Stray animals, rats, and bugs make such structures their home. Broken glass, nails and other debris can cause cuts, puncture wounds and other injuries. Photos of the building are attached. Environmental Considerations: The following agencies were notified concerning the project: Arkansas Historic Preservation Program USDA Rural Development Regarding Prime Farmland Arkansas Game and Fish U S Fish and Wildlife Corps of Engineers Department of Health Department of Environmental Quality Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism No negative comments have been received requiring any further investigations. Proposed Redevelopment Use: If the funds are obtained, the building will be demolished. All debris will be removed and the site returned to green space. Future uses of the area include the development of a park. The back half of the lot will remain in private ownership with plans for housing development. The property is zoned T1 which is Traditional Housing District. No zoning changes will be necessary to convert the site to a park. RESOLUTION # A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1495 20th STREET IN BATESVILLE WHEREAS, the City of Batesville desires to purchase property located at 1495 20th Street which is contiguous with other city property and will be needed for the City's Street Master Plan. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS SECTION 1: That the City of Batesville hereby authorizes the purchase of 1495 20th Street, Batesville, Arkansas for the purchase price of $20,000, more or less to from Ryan and Shelby VanHorn. PASSED AND APPROVED this th day of October , 2025. Rick Elumbaugh, Mayor City of Batesville ATTEST: Jessica Davis, City Clerk City of Batesville