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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-25 A _ HISTORIC MEASURE ��LtiSgS'OLDEN GAY CITY OF BATESVILLE COUNCIL REGULAR CALLED MEETING City Hall August 25,2026 5:30 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS: OTHERS: Kyle Christopher, Ward 1 Position I Rick Elumbaugh,Mayor Scott Fredricks, Ward I Position 2 Jessica Davis, City Clerk Fred Krug, Ward 2 Position 1 (Absent) 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-(Absent) 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 Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Moody to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2026 regular called meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Hinkle, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None City Council%feetiu" A ugust 25,2026 Page 2 of 4 NEW BUSINESS A) PARKS &RECREATION DEPARTMENT REPORT Parks Director, Lowen Lermitte addressed the council to present a Parks Department update. He reported on various programs including the Fall youth and adult programs. There will be a Fall soccer program with over 400 kids signed up. There will also be a Fall baseball program with over 100 kids. They will be introducing a skills and drills clinic for the softball program coached by the Batesville Highschool softball team.members. He announced the outdoor pool-season will officially end on September 91h. There are currently 3,153 active members at the Community Center. The Golf Course has 83 active members. He is looking into switching golf cart companies once the lease is up. Mr. Lermitte provided a quick update on the Riverside Park Project including a 25,000 square foot event center, splashpad, and inclusive playground. Target completion is still set for December 2026. He reported the new Mountain Bike Trail Project will be 4 miles of trails funded by a$850,000.00 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, & Tourism grant. Design plans for the trail include a single track,pump track, and beginner and expert trails. The trails will run through Riverside Park, Pioneer Drive, and East Main Complex with the project set to begin in November of this year. Councilmember Hinkle asked about the graffiti at the skatepark. He announced the creation of a committee to address options for the skatepark.- They will consider ideas to possibly create a space to accommodate that type of artwork. Councilmember Christopher asked-about security options. Mr. Lermitte is considering the addition of cameras. B) SANITATION DEPARTMENT REPORT Sanitation Director, Jason Jones addressed the council and reported the department had 2 trash trucks down which created the need to obtain rentals to cover operations. The repairs have been completed and the rentals returned. His department is at full staff. He reported an uptake in Class 4 (large item pickup)requests. The average monthly disposal fees for Class 4 are about $1,400.00. Currently they are closer to $2,500 which shows an increase in pickups. Regular refuge disposal is also up from an average of$52,000.00 per month to $5-5,000.00. The landfill has increased the disposal fee by 16% for the county. He stated there may be an increase in disposal fees after the first of the year if the county decides to pass some of that cost to the city. Leaf,pickup season has started early due to the hot temperatures. Citizens are already beginning to bag their leaves. Councilmember Christopher asked what the department's biggest obstacle was.Mr. Jones addressed the challenges with public awareness and the issues with contractors and remodel projects. City Con►zcil 1feeting August 25,2026 Page 3 of 4 C) CEMETERY/LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT REPORT Cemetery Supervisor, Jonathan Abbott addressed the council and gave an overview of properties the department maintains on a regular basis. He estimates it to be around 200 acres of property. They assist with building maintenance at City Hall and assist other departments with bucket truck operations. They also help with event barricades and are responsible for all of the Christmas lights. He discussed staffing challenges and the maintenance of over 10,000 graves at Oaklawn Cemetery. Councilmember Roberts asked if there was anything that needed replacement. Mr. Abbott responded the elevator and bucket trucks would need to be considered in the near future. He provided an overview of the Christmas lights display plans, including modifications due to the lack of space at the Community Center. The Mayor explained the city would focus on bringing an exceptional display in 2027 once the park project is complete. D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING HEARINGS AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES CAUSED FROM WATER OR SEWER SYSTEMS Councilmember Roberts introduced the ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded�by Councilmember Bennett to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. The electronic roll call was 6 for, 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. A motion was made by Councilmember Moody, seconded by Councilmember Christopher to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third reading. The electronic roll call was 6 for, 0 against.A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to adopt the ordinance. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0.against. The Mayor called for Mr. Meitzen to read the emergency clause. Mr. Meitzen read the emergency. clause. A motion was made by Councilmember Fredricks, seconded by Councilmember Bennett to adopt the emergency clause. The electronic roll call was 6 for,0 against. The ordinance was given#2026-08-01. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR The next council meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026. Dates to Remember: • Council Meeting September 8tn City Cnuueil Meeting August 25,2026 Page 4 or4 LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Brittany Bennett—She asked that citizens slow down for students now that school has started. Kyle Christopher—None Scott Fredricks—None Julie Hinkle—None Paige Hubbard—Absent Fred Krug_Absent Lackey Moody,Jr.—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 6:15 p.m. i n Rick ^Elumba or W O� Jessica Davis, City Jerk