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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-10 A AISTORTC '[REASURC A S,OLDFS� CITY OF BATESVILLE COUNCIL REGULAR CALLED MEETING City Hall November 10,2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS: OTHERS: Landon Reeves, Ward lPosition I Rick Elumbaugh,Mayor Scott Fredricks, Ward I 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 Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the minutes from the October 28, 2025 regular called meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Hinkle to approve the amended agenda. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS Mark Greenwood from 600 Miller Creek Road addressed the council regarding the article written in White River Now on the city's decision to pause involvement with ICE. He encouraged a cautioned cooperation with ICE and expressed the need to target only those that break the law to ensure local resources focus on protection, not division. Joshua Foss from 25 Rosewood Rd. addressed the council in support of immigration reform. He stated we should not tie the hands of our local law enforcement City Council Meeting Novem leer.10.2025 Page 2 as 4 to deal with criminals. He encouraged the city to reverse its decision and allow the police department to partner with ICE. Brian Norris of 109 Big Pine Rd addressed the council.He gave statistics pertaining to`human trafficking and the benefits of partnering with ICE for training and resources. Jacquelin Hennepin from 2010 Clearwater addressed the council in support of partnering with ICE. She believes there is a problem with illegal immigrants and would like to see it corrected. Patsy Smotherman whom resides on Hill St. addressed the council. She expressed a concern for the introduction of new diseases from illegal immigrants. She would like to see the city partner with ICE. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Captain Fred Friar addressed the council on behalf of Chief Scarbrough. He reported their service calls more than doubled last month. The have also completed 449.5 hours of gun training: The department received 20 FOIA requests. The police department application is currently-up and running and is available on Apple and Android devices. The Mayor asked what the app is capable of doing. Officer Rowe addressed the council and explained it basically mirrors the department's website and also has messages from the chief,press releases, and a list of registered sex offenders. It provides a way to update and notify the public. B) FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Mark McCollum addressed the council and reported the department received 50 total calls in October. They performed 93 inspections and 200 training hours. They tested their fire hoses and fire hydrants. C) CITY ENGINEER REPORT Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He requested the council allow an employee from the street department to drive his city vehicle home to better assist with traffic light issues. A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Roberts to approve the request. The motion passed unanimously. He reported the budget should be forthcoming next month to present to the council.Numerous city projects are moving forward. The Event Center is coming along as well as the Water Treatment Plant. There is a meeting scheduled with ADEQ to review the consent administrative order that was placed sometime around 2008. All requirements have been met and he feels there is a good chance they will be released from the order. City Council Ni feeting ? oVember 10.2025 Page 3 of 4 D) MS. CRYSTAL JOHNSON WITH AN A&P AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Ms. Crystal Johnson and Mr. Chris Hill were present to address the council with their economic development update. Ms.Johnson discussed the three major challenges they face including the need for more affordable housing, the impact of housing shortages in the workforce and retail attraction. Currently there is a need for approximately one thousand housing units and one thousand houses to fill the gap in housing. Workforce development issues include the need for affordable childcare and the ability of the emerging workforce to identify and pursue a career path that.provides a decent living wage. There are limited sites along major thoroughfares to attract more retail opportunities at this time. She mentioned getting the word out to individuals that own property along those roads to encourage them to list it if possible. Mr. Hill discussed the success of the Experience Batesville App and the impact of tourism-on the local economy. The app has been used by 18,000 people so far this year with about 75%being out of town users. He stated it is a great resource for our community. He also gave an update on the lodging tax collection. They are 7.5% ahead of where they were the same time last year. He hopes the trend continues. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Bennett, seconded by Councilmember Moody to enter into executive session. The motion passed unanimously. The council entered executive session at 6:30 p.m.,upon their return at 6:43 p.m.,the Mayor announced there are three openings on the Parks & Rec Committee. Any residents interested in filling one of those positions can contact Mr. Lowen Lermitte at the Community Center. The Mayor requested a motion to approve the employee incentive pay. Councilmember Krug made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve incentive pay at $1,000.00 for full time employees with the remaining employees receiving pay according to their hours worked. The motion passed unanimously. F) FINANCIAL REPORT The council as provided a copy of the October financial report. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR The Mayor mentioned the next council meeting is scheduled for November 25th but he will poll the council on other possible dates due to the holiday. He announced the city is partnering with Nova Joe's to collect food donations for Hope & Help until November 21 st The Mayor requested a motion to approve two invoices to be paid from the perpetual fund. The first was an invoice from CAS Blue Water/Walden Chemical in the amount of$8,800.00. A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the payment from the perpetual fund. The motion passed unanimously. City C:0e11e61 Iteeting November 10,2025 Page 4 of 4 The second request is to replace cardio equipment totaling approximately $150,000.00. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Hubbard to approve the request and payment. The motion passed unanimously. There is a Veteran's Day celebration at Lyon College at 11:00 o'clock tomorrow. He thanked Councilmember Fred Krug for his service. The city will be closed for the holiday but there will be trash pickup. Dates to Remember: • Council Meeting November 25th • Food Drive collection at City Hall until November 21st • Veteran's Day Celebration at Lyon College November 11t" at 11:00 • City Hall is closed November 11tn LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Brittany Bennett—None Scott Fredricks—None Julie Hinkle—None Paige Hubbard—None Fred Krug—None Lackey Moody,Jr.—None Landon Reeves—None Robb Roberts—None 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 6:51 p.m. Rick bau yor Jessica Davis City Clerk