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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-08 MINUTES OF COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on September 8, at 5:30 P.M. in the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Cemetery/Landscape Supervisor Johnathan Abbott gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following councilmembers answered present; Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margarett Henley, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Corter. Councilmember Paige Hubbard and City Clerk Denise Johnston were absent. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous two meetings with one correction that had already been made. Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda and Councilmember Matthews 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 the Police Department's August Monthly Report. He reported that we currently have 3 patrolmen that are in the Police Academy and are doing very well. He also reported that the White River Water Carnival was a success and the Labor Day holiday was without major incidents. B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR THE NAMING OF CERTAIN BASEBALL FIELDS Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution for the naming of certain baseball fields. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full which states the fields used by the American Legion and the Batesville High School Baseball Programs will be named Dianne House Lamberth Field. Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the roll call was 7 for 0 against. The resolution was given #2015-09-01-R. Mayor Elumbaugh then presented Mrs. Lamberth with a plaque to thank her for her hard work and personal sacrifice in making this field so great. Mrs. Lamberth thanked the City for the honor and also noted that the fields would not be what they are today without the time and dedication of the late Mr. Terry Sims and Mr. Randy Palmer. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A GRANT TO PURCHASE CARDIAC CRITICAL CARE PATIENT MONITORS FOR WHITE RIVER MEDICAL CENTER EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Councilmember Matthews introduced a resolution to authorize the Mayor to apply for a grant on behalf of White River health System's White River Medical Center Emergency Department. Ms. Amanda Roberts addressed the council with the need for new patient monitors. When the Emergency Department was remodeled in 1997 it was designed to treat 20,000 patients annually. They are currently treating more than double this amount. A renovation of the ER department is in the works and new equipment will be needed. These monitors are able to be integrated with the hospital network serving as a sophisticated information manager for critical care areas. They will be most useful with cardiac patients, but can be used for any patient. Councilmember Matthews moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the roll call count was 6 for 1 abstain (Poole). Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll count was 6 for and 1 abstain (Poole). The resolution was given #2015-09-02-R D) CONSIDER AN AGREEMENT WITH INDEPENDENCE COUNTY REGARDING JAIL COST Councilmember Bryant addressed the Council stating he could not support the Memorandum of Understanding sent by Independence County because the code referenced does not apply in this particular case. Councilmember Bryant asked to replace the memorandum with an actual resolution at which time he introduced a resolution regarding payment of jail expenses. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Matthews seconded. The roll call count was 7 for 0 against. The resolution was given 2015-09-03-R E) ENGINEERS REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his Engineer's Report. Mr. Johnson said the Street Department is nearing completion of the drainage culvert on Bogey Street. The Street Department is currently behind on projects due to the large amount of big projects that they have had to deal with. Most of the big projects are near completion which should allow time to catch up on some of the smaller projects that need attention. Water and Sewer crews are making good progress in the 20th Street area and are having to repair several leaks caused from the extreme hot and dry weather. The WWTP is very close to acclimation and the WTP is running smooth at this time. Mr. Johnson said that it may be possible that he would need to travel to Omaha to get a needed easement from Union Pacific Railroad for a large sewer project that is in the works. Councilmember Matthews made a motion to grant the travel request if needed. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. F) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant made a motion to go into executive session to consider a reappointment to the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. After returning from executive session, Councilmember Bryant made a motion to reappoint Mr. Butch Duncan to the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. His term will expire September 8, 2020. G) REVIEW OF PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given the August 2015 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh asked for out of state travel for Mr. Marty Thompson and Mr. Don Martin to travel to Decatur, AL for stoplight school November 17th -19th. This is a yearly training to keep up to date on their stoplight certification. Councilmember Beller moved to approve the out of state travel. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh asked for out of state travel for Ms. Denise Johnston and Ms. Jennifer Corter to travel to Long Beach, CA January 10th -15th, 2016 for Laserfiche Institute. Laserfiche is a new program that the city has already purchased but has had very limited training. Councilmember Bryant made a motion to approve out of state travel. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. Mayor Elumbaugh said that he has been invited to travel to Ghana, West Africa with Sister Cities International. Mayor Elumbaugh, as League President along with the League's Vice-President will be meeting with the Prince of Ghana and other dignitaries to discuss trade opportunities between Africa and Arkansas. The Municipal League will be paying for the travel expenses. Councilmember Shetron made a motion to approve out of country travel. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR Jennifer Corter, Administrative Assistant