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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL OCTOBER 14, 201 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on October 14th at 5:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Utility Billing Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following councilmembers answered present: Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margarett Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry and City Clerk Denise Johnston. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Kevin Kling from the Desha Community addressed the council with his opposition of the proposed annexation election. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) RECOGNIZE MR. GEORGE BENTZ FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE OAKLAWN CEMETERY COMMITTEE Mr. Bentz was unable to come to the meeting due to an illness in his family. B) RECOGNIZE MR. DARREN WILKES, BATESVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT MANAGER, FOR RECEIVING THE 2014 ARKANSAS AIRPORT OF THE YEAR AWARD Mayor Elumbaugh recognized Mr. Darren Wilkes, Manager of the Batesville Municipal Airport, as well as the Batesville Airport for being chosen the 2014 Airport of the Year by the Arkansas Airport Operators Association. The award is in recognition of the Airport's contribution to the overall Arkansas Airport System and the local community's efforts to expand and improve the facility. C) RECOGNIZE MR. MARK McCOLLUM FOR HIS RECENT PROMOTION TO FIRE CAPTAIN WITH THE BATESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn announced the promotion of Mr. Mark McCollum to Fire Captain with the Batesville Fire Department. Chief Gleghorn pinned Captain McCollum's uniform and praised him for his service to the department. D) MR. BOB CARIUS WITH A MAIN STREET BATESVILLE UPDATE Mr. Bob Carius and Mr. Danny Dozier addressed the council regarding current projects with Main Street Batesville. Mr. Carius said it has been just over one year since the reorganization of Main Street Batesville. Mr. Carius gave a brief update to the council and talked about the progress of the new Streetscape on Main Street. Mr. Dozier gave the council information about the new Maxfield Park project. He said the '/2 acre lot has lots of potential and he is about ready for an artist rendering of the area to present for funding requests. Mr. Dozier said he will be applying for a grant from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism, which will have to flow through the City, and with White River Planning and Development District as well as corporate sponsorship. The park will be in remembrance of Meredith and David Strahl, the deceased children of Anne Strahl who donated the property. In other issues, Mr. Carius said the Farmer's Market in the Pocket Park has been a great success and may increase to twice a month or even weekly next year. They have recently applied with the IRS to be a 501 C3 organization which will allow tax deductible donations. Councilmember Henley said she would like to thank Mr. Carius and the Main Street board for all their hard work to vitalize our downtown. E) SHERIFF DEPARTMENT'S REPORT Chief Deputy Jeremy Qualls addressed the council with the Sheriff Department's monthly report. Chief Qualls briefly went over the report and touched on the recent ladies self-defense awareness class offered by the Sheriff's Department. F) FINANCIAL REPORT FROM THE CITY CLERK Before the City Clerk gave a financial report, Councilmember Bryant gave a slide show of the progress at the Community Center and Aquatic's Park. The City Clerk, Denise Johnston, then gave a brief financial report on the City. As of late, there have been rumors that the City if broke and cannot complete projects under way in the City. Ms. Johnston assured the council and public that the City is not broke. She also said the $50 million dollar Wastewater Treatment Plant renovation is 80% complete and the $25 million dollar ball parks, Community Center and Aquatic Park are on schedule as well. She said projects of this size are not completed overnight but be assured the funds are there. Ms. Johnston indicated that the sales tax revenues are down slightly, less than a half of a percent, and is probably contributed to the bad winter in 2014 and tax back refunds. Ms. Johnston encouraged the public to come to her office to review the finances of the City for accurate information. G) LEVY OF THE 2014 REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES The council considered the millage rates for the 2014 real and personal property taxes payable in 2015. The City's current rates is 5 mills for City General and .4 for Firemen's Pension. Councilmember moved to adopt the current rates and Councilmember Shetron seconded. All voted for. H) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATES Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution for the intent of adjusting the property tax millage rate from the current 5.4 mills to 4.4 mills at the next millage assessment if the proposed annexation of certain lands lying south of White River is approved by the voters on November 4t" and becomes final. Before reading the resolution, Mayor Elumbaugh asked City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry to explain the difference between an ordinance and a resolution for the audience. After doing so, Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Henley seconded and the roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2014-10-01-R. 1) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED INCORPORATION OF LANDS SOUTH OF THE WHITE RIVER Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution opposing the petition for incorporation filed by residents of the area known as Southside. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Mr. John Casey asked for permission to address the council. With permission granted, Mr. Casey asked the council to "stop the madness" and stop the annexation process. Then, Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 1 (Matthews) against. The resolution was given #2014- 10-02-R. J) REVIEW OF SEPTEMBER PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the September, 2014 paid bills report for review. MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh commented on how well the 3-way stops were doing on Main Street. He said he has had several requests to also remove the stop light at Broad and College and replace with 3-way stops as well. Councilmember Bryant so moved and Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. The stop light will flash red in all directions for 30 days before being removed. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Matthews said after the recent utility repairs and paving of College Street and 22nd Streets, there is a sharp drop off that needs to be repaired. Dr. Matthews said if a car dropped off the side, they would be stuck and possibly damage their vehicle. They Mayor said he would have the Street Department Supervisor look at the problem and make the repairs. Councilmember Shetron commented on the Clerk's financial report regarding tax back refunds. Mr. Shetron said accepting tax back request from businesses who are expanding their facilities and increasing their employees is an economic development tool for the City. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK