HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-15MINUTES OF COUNCIL
OCTOBER 15, 2024
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on October 15, at 5:30 pm at
the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Utility Office
Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers
answered present; Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Chris
Poole, and Robb Roberts. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City
Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmembers Brittany Bennett and Landon Reeves were
absent.
Councilmember Fredricks moved to approved the minutes from the previous two
meetings. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Hinkle moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember
Roberts seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
Ms. Savannah Warren with the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project addressed the
council requesting a street light. First Ms. Warren gave the council a summary of the
programs offered through the Literacy Project including free and confidential adult
education. Ms. Warren said she is requesting the city to place a street on the corner of
property located at 184 N. 5th Street. She said the area is extremely dark and a street
light would help in the safety of their clients. Mayor Elumbaugh said the council wi ll
view the area at night and come back to the council with a recommendation.
Mr. James Scales gave the council an update on his Batesville Cleanup Project.
Mr. Schales said several events are planned to help in awareness and funding. The
next cleanup is planned for November 9th starting at 7:00 a.m. beginning at Maxfield
Park.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Police Chief John Scarbrough addressed the council with his monthly report.
The Chief gave the council his monthly statics report for review. He said they had
received the last of the equipment for installing the new computers into all the vehicles
and he hoped to have the up and running by the next meeting. Councilmember Roberts
said that according to the Chief’s report, we may have missed out on part of a grant
reimbursement, in which he asked for clarity. Chief Scarbrough said there was a
misunderstanding and some wrong equipment was ordered and had to be returned and
reordered, we missed the time window for the grant. Mr. Roberts asked how much the
grant was and the Chief said $750.00 per unit. Chief Scarbrough said he is pleading his
case with them and asking for a grace period but can not promise that we will get any of
the funds. Mayor Elumbaugh added that the department has ordered new uniforms and
once they are in, he will schedule an open house. The Chief also said he has one of
the new vehicles with the new logos in the parking lot for the council to see after the
meeting is over.
B) ENGINEER’S REPORT
City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report.
Mr. Johnson said the Eagle Mountain HOA have decided on the rubber speed tables
they wish to have installed. Mr. Johnson said he has reviewed the request and does not
have a problem with it. The tables are removable if need to be and the HOA is paying
for all the expenses including the labor to install if the City votes to approve them. The
proposed locations are on Aberdeen at the boardwalk and Woodmont before the first
intersection. After a discussion, Councilmember Roberts moved to approve the Eagle
Mountain HOA to purchase and install the two rubber speed tables with no expense to
the City. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for.
Mr. Johnson said in their council packet is the Guaranteed Maximum Price
(GMP) from Tolm for the new Water Treatment Plant. The GMP is $99 ,080,046.00. Mr.
Johnson reminded the council that we were approved for a $110 million loan from
ANRD that will be paid back with the recently approved sales tax. However, the GMP is
not how much it will cost. This GMP is for the maximum price with the current scope of
work. If the scope doesn’t change, this is the most it will cost. If the scope changes, the
GMP will increase or decrease, depending on the change. He also told the council the
complete, very large, document is in his office for further review. After a lengthy
discussion, Councilmember Roberts moved to accept the GMP from Tolm.
Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for.
C) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Fire Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council with his monthly report. The
Chief gave the council his monthly written report. Chief McCollum said he received
word that the City will maintain its ISO rating of Class 2. He also talked about the recent
fire at Eagle Mountain Elementary School.
D) CONSIDER THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2024 PAYABLE IN 2025
Mayor Elumbaugh said it is time again to levy the taxes for the year 2024,
payable in 2025. The proposed amount has not been changes from the last few years.
City General 5 Mills and Fire 1 Mill. Councilmember Fredricks moved to approve the
proposed millage for 2024. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for.
E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN TO THE
END OF DOGWOOD DRIVE EAST.
Councilmember Poole introduced a resolution to amend the Batesville
Comprehensive Plan at the end of Dogwood Drive East. Councilmember Fredricks
moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Poole
seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read
the resolution by title only. After a discussion, Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt
the resolution. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count was
6 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-10-01-R.
F) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING
DISTRICTS MAP – WHITE RIVER INDEPENDENT LIVING LLC
Councilmember Poole introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville
Zoning Districts Map at the end of Dogwood Drive East from C-1 to R-S.
Councilmember Roberts moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title
only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0
against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion,
Councilmember Fredricks moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second
and third readings. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count
was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Fredricks moved to adopt the ordinance.
Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2024-10-01.
G) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING
DISTRICTS MAP – KIMMER PROPERTY 150 W. CHESTNUT STREET
Councilmember Fredricks introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville
zoning Districts May for the property at 150 W. Chestnut Street to be re-zoned from R-2
to C-1. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance
by title only. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6
for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. After a discussion,
Councilmember Fredricks moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second
and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count
was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Poole moved to adopt the ordinance.
Councilmember Roberts seconded and the electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0
against. The ordinance was given #2024-10-02.
H) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING
DISTRICTS MAP – BALL 2ND ADDITION
Councilmember Fredricks introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville
zoning Districts Map to correct a mistake from 1984 and amend the zoning of a portion
of the Ball’s 2nd Addition from R-1 to C-1. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend
the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the
electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title
only. After a discussion, Councilmember Fredricks moved to further suspend the rules
and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Roberts seconded and the
electronic roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Fredricks moved to
adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count
was 6 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024 -10-03.
I) FINANCIALS
The council was given a copy of the September financials for review.
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Elumbaugh reminded the council of the next scheduled meeting is
October 29th. The Mayor asked for the council’s approval for him to negotiate the price
for the 2.8 acers of land next to Vital Link. He said he could not be specific on who is
interested in buying the property but it will be a great addition to our city.
Councilmember Fredricks moved to authorize the Mayor to negotiate on behalf of the
City for the property next to Vital Link. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted
for. The Mayor said the work in continuing at the new location for the Shelter Work
Shop and should be completed soon. Mayor Elumbaugh said he is talking to the
County Judge about reinstating the District Court Fines to the City and the City’s cost
sharing with the court costs. He asked Councilmember Poole, who is very
knowledgeable on the court issues, to join him and Mr. Meitzen on the negotiations. Mr.
Poole agreed. And lastly, the Mayor said we are in the budget process and he would
like to form a committee to evaluate the Elected Officials salaries. Councilmember’s
Hinkle, Poole and Roberts agreed to set on the committee.
LIAISON REPORTS
None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Poole said he reported a street light out on 3233 Peggy Street to
the City through its “Text My Gov” app. Mr. Poole said he was very impress with the fast
response from the city and hope more of our citizens use the app.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Hinkle moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. The Meeting was
adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK