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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL J U LY 14, 2015 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on July 14 at 5:30 P.M. in the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Utility Billing Supervisor Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. City Clerk Denise Johnston was also present. Councilmembers Sonya Crafton and Margarett Henley were absent. 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 and Councilmember Shetron seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) MONTHLY POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Police Chief Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his first monthly report for the new Batesville Police Department which started officially June 1. Chief Cockrill said with the exception of a few minor dispatching issues, which were expected, the department is off to a great start. He said the department is receiving great responses from the general public. The Chief said the officers are on constant patrol and highly visible. The Chief also noted that even with the officers patrolling 24/7, the June fuel cost was $966.63 compared to February and March bills that were over $3,000 and $4,000. He said keeping the police cars inside the city limits of Batesville should make a large impact on the department's fuel bills. B) MR. STEVEN LEWIS WITH CENTERPOINT ENERGY TO AWARD THE CITY WITH A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT Mr. Steven Lewis presented the City with a Community Partnership Grant designated for safety equipment in the amount of$1,394.00. Mayor Elumbaugh thanked Mr. Lewis and CenterPoint Energy for the grant and said the City will match the funds and buy 2 AED's for the new community center. C) OPEN DISCUSSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION CONCERNING THE BATESVILLE SIGN ORDINANCE Planning Commission members Joe Shell, Cord Davidson and Steven Lewis addressed the council to answer questions regarding proposed changes to the City's sign ordinance. Commissioner Shell said one of the main changes involves electronic signs. He said some of the electronic signs have very bright illumination and can be very distracting at night. Also lights that flash red or blue from a distance appear to be some sort of emergency vehicle. The council discussed several of the proposed changes and praised the commission for their hard work in preparing the document. After a lengthy discussion, the Mayor recommended that a few of the council meet with the commissioners who have worked on the proposed changes and try to come up with a business friendly proposal. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A 50/50 MATCHING GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM'S OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for assistance to develop recreational facilities in Batesville. If approved, the 50/50 grant will help with the installation of Softball lights at the Terry Sims Diamond Sports Complex, recondition the tennis courts at Fitzhugh Park and water fountains installed along the Greenway walking path. The City Clerk read the resolution in full. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Beller seconded. All voted for and the resolution was given #2015-07-1-01-R. E) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT CURRENT FIRE, BUILDING AND CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC CODES Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to adopt the current Fire Codes, Building Codes and Criminal and Traffic Codes. Councilmember Matthews moved to read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Beller seconded. The roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2015-07-01. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. The roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. F) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to adopt the standard operating guidelines for the Batesville Fire Department. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Matthews seconded and the roll call count was 6 for and 0 against. The council discussed with Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn if it was necessary to adopt their guidelines by ordinance. Councilmember Beller voiced his concerns saying if adopted by ordinance, every time the department changed any of their guidelines, they would have to do so by ordinance. After a discussion, Councilmember Shetron moved to table the ordinance and have the Chief seek legal counsel before adopting the ordinance. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. G) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed council with his Engineer's Report. Mr. Johnson updated the council on the progress of the new wastewater treatment facility. He said although things are slow, they are progressing. He said the Westside project is also progressing. When complete, the crews will have replaced 3,500 feet of sewer lines and '/2 again that amount of water lines. The street department is about to install a box culvert on Bogey Street. The project will take about a month to complete. H) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Beller moved to go into executive session to consider the appointment for the City's vacant City Attorney position. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. After returning from executive session, Councilmember Beller moved to appoint Mr. Tim Meitzen to the City Attorney position. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. The appointment will expire December 31, 2016. The remaining two years of the term will have to be elected at the General election in November, 2016. 1) REVIEW PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the June, 2015 paid bills report for review. J) REVIEW FINANCIALS The council was given a copy of the May and June, 2015 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said he has a conflict with the scheduled council meeting on July 28th. After a discussion, Councilmember Bryant moved to cancel the July 28th meeting. Councilmember Poole seconded and all voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Matthews asked the council to look at the possibility of placing a street light in the middle of the block between Boswell and 17th Streets. He said the area is dark and probably needs a light. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK