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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-23MINUTES OF COUNCIL APRIL 23, 2024 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 23rd, 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; Brittany Bennett, Scott Fredricks, Julie Hinkle, Paige Hubbard, Fred Krug, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and Landon Reeves. Also present were the City Clerk Denise Johnston and City Attorney Tim Meitzen. Councilmember Bennett moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Hinkle seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Reeves moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Hinkle seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) UPDATE FROM FIRE CHIEF MARK McCOLLUM Fire Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council regarding the proposed purchase of a new pumper fire truck. Chief McCollum said he has been pricing fire trucks exactly like the one that was at the last council meeting that was priced at $787,000.00. The Chief said he went to Atlanta to look at an identical truck that the council viewed but for a much lower price of $578,000.00. He also so said if approved to purchase, he will be selling a 2011 pumper and is expecting to get approximately $100,000.00 for it. He said he has a little over $600,000.00 in his Act 833 and County Fire Tax funds but does not want to completely drain those two funds. He would like to possibly pay for about half of the cost between the two accounts and finance the remaining either in -house or through a bank loan. Councilmember Krug moved to purchase the 2024 Spartin-Fouts pumper truck for $578,000.00. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF INTENT REGARDING THE BATESVILLE WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Councilmember Matthews introduced a resolution of intent regarding the Batesville Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project. City Engineer Damon Johnson said the intent of the resolution is to be able to request reimbursement for expenses paid for the project prior to the issuance of the Bonds. Councilmember Reeves moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bennett moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Reeves seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-04-02-R. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE MANAGER OF THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM TO EXECUTE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH FUNDING ADMINISTERED BY THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Councilmember Bennett introduced a resolution designating and authorizing the Mayor and the Manager of the Water and Sewer System, City Engineer Damon Johnson, to execute certain documents in connection with funding administered by ANRC. City Engineer Damon Johnson, said the resolution will allow him to sign certain documents for the new Water Treatment Plant project in the event the Mayor is unavailable. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Reeves seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Reeves moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2024-04-03-R. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING DISTRICTS MAP, CENTRAL AVENUE AND ROSS STREET Councilmember Fredricks introduced an ordinance that would re-zone from R-2 to C-1, property located at 910 North Central Avenue. The property is located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Ross Street. Councilmember Fredricks moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Reeves moved to further suspend the rules and waive the se cond and third readings. Councilmember Bennett seconded and the electronic roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bennett moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-04-01. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BATESVILLE ZONING DISTRICTS MAP, FORMER COUNTRY CLUB PROPERTY Councilmember Fredricks introduced an ordinance to amend the Batesville Zoning Districts Map on the former Country Club property. Land developer Lance Lamberth said of the approximate 75 acres of land, 27 acres will be commercial and 48 acers residential. He said his plans for the property will enhance the area and will be an asset to the city. Councilmember Reeves moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bennett moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bennett moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and the electronic roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2024-04-02. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Fredricks moved to go into executive session to consider a commission appointment. Councilmember Krug seconded. All voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to re-appoint Ms. Lisa Dame to the Batesville Housing Authority. Councilmember Fredricks seconded and all voted for. Ms. Dame’s term will expire May 27, 2029. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said the next scheduled council meeting will be May 14th. He also invited the council as well as the public to a retirement party for Fire Captain Brandon Magness on Thursday, April 25th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Community Center. The Mayor also informed the council that a resident at 445 Bluff View Drive has contacted Entergy and asked to have a street light removed. Since the light belongs to the City, Entergy has contacted him to get approval before removal. He also said the removal expense will be homeowners. Mayor Elumbaugh asked the council to drive by the property after dark to see if the pole (light) is needed in the area. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Hinkle asked if anyone has checked on the possible dog breeding (puppy mill) on Pine Street. The Mayor said he will check on it and get back with her. Councilmember Krug said he sat in on this morning’s department head meeting and was astonished on the work that is going on around the city. Mr. Krug complimented the department heads and recommended that each councilmember occasionally attend one of the weekly meetings. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Hinkle moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bennett seconded and all voted for. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK