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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-08 MINUTES OF COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2015 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on December 8, at 5:30 P.M. in the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Landscape supervisor, Johnathan Abbott gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following Councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margarett Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Corter. Councilmember Chris Pool and City Clerk Denise Johnston was absent. Mayor Elumbaugh explained that due to Ms. Johnston being sick the minutes from the November 10th meeting were not ready for tonight's meeting due to Ms. Johnston's medical leave. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the November 24th meeting. Councilmember Crafton seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Hubbard seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) PRESENTATION OF LIFE SAVING AWARD FOR FIREFIGHTERS RANDY JONES AND NICHOLAS ADE Mayor Elumbaugh asked Chief Brent Gleghorn to come forward to present Firefighters Randy Jones and Nicholas Ade with a Life Saving award for their acts of bravery in rescuing a gentleman from a fire on November 27th. Chief Gleghorn said the gentleman is still hospitalized but alive due to the acts of these fireman and the grace of God. B) BATESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Chief Cockrill presented his monthly report to the council which included the number of incidents, arrest, felonies, and misdemeanors. Chief Cockrill also commended his department for their quick response and actions in solving the recent homicide case. C) RECOGNIZE MR. JOHNNY COLES AND MR. DON MARTIN FOR THE COMPLETION OF LEVEL 1 OT THE T2 ROADS SCHOLAR PROGRAM Mayor Elumbaugh recognized Mr. Johnny Coles and Mr. Don Martin for the completion of 24 hours of training with the ROADS Scholar Program through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. D) ENGINEER'S MONTHLY REPORT Mr. Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. Sewer line projects on 20th Street and on State are still progressing. The new wastewater treatment plant went online last week officially making it a nine million gallon per day plant. The project is nearing completion. The water plant is operating as usual. The Section 3 Contract work is progressing but slower than he would like. Over all the infrastructure has vastly improved. The street department is taking advantage of the nice weather and repairing potholes before cold weather sets in. They are also preparing the snow removal equipment so it will be ready when needed. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE PARK AT 1255 GRACE STREET Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution to name the park located at 1255 Grace Street the Virginia Moser Memorial Park. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Parks Director Jeff Owens said that the recommendation for the naming of the park comes from the significant contributions Ms. Moser has made to the City of Batesville and its citizens. Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2015-12-01-R F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Shetron moved to reappoint Ms. Gail Harley, Mr. Ron Autry and Ms. Mayfan Thomas to the Historic District Commission for three year terms. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. The term for each will expire on January 8, 2019. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh recognized Judge Robert Griffin who approached the Council to propose leaving dispatch as it is currently with the same distribution of cost and revenue as they have been for 30 years or so. There was much discussion about what "equitable division" of the department cost actually is. Mayor Elumbaugh concluded by saying that after the first of the year, a meeting needs to be set to finalize an agreement of the numbers. No action was taken by the Council but a meeting will be scheduled for some time in January. Mayor Elumbaugh commended Mr. Johnathan Abbott and his crews for the lighting display. Mayor Elumbaugh has talked with local business owners who say their businesses are doing well from the increase of traffic to see the lights. He also thanked First Community Bank for the ice skating rink and noted that the carriage rides are going so well the company will be sending more carriages to decrease the wait time. Mayor Elumbaugh also noted the change in the holiday garbage schedule. This year Christmas Eve and Christmas Day garbage (Thursday and Friday) will be picked up on Thursday before noon so the employees can enjoy Christmas with their families. Mayor Elumbaugh said the next scheduled council meeting is the week of Christmas and asked about moving it to Tuesday, December 29th. Councilmember Beller made a motion to change the meeting. Councilmember Crafton seconded. All voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Beller thanked the Parks Department for their hard work at Riverside Park. He noted that the Landscape Department gets most of the credit for the lighting display but the Parks Department works long hours making sure the ice rink runs smoothly. Councilmember Bryant said that the Municipal League Fall Conference was probably one of the best of the 14 conferences he has attended since he was elected and was proud to have the opportunity to attend. Councilmember Henley asked for an update on the Community Center. Mr. Jeff Owens said the site is drying up and several crews are on site working on all different aspects of the facility. Gutters are being installed on the pools and the slides are set to be installed next week. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh wished everyone a Merry Christmas. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR JENNIFER CORTER, ADMIN. ASSISTANT