Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-12 MINUTES OF COUNCIL APRIL 12, 2016 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 12, 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, Sonya Crafton, Margarett Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Tim Meitzen and City Clerk Denise Johnston. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended and Councilmember Beller seconded. All voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Officer Mike Mundy addressed the council with the Police Department monthly report. Officer Mundy gave the council stats for month on felony and misdemeanor reports and arrests. He also informed the council about an upcoming event put on by the Batesville PD, Fire Department, White River Medical Center and local schools. Car Rodeo is an event for 13-19 year olds and their parents. The kids will go through 8 stations including driving habits, railroad crossings and auto insurance. Scott Wood Chrysler is going to teach the kids how to change a tire and check car fluids. If the kids go through all 8 stations, they will be given an emergency kit for their auto. Local banks will be giving away hot dogs and drinks. The council asked the press to do a story to help promote the event. B) REPORT FROM THE ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER/AQUATICS PARK Mr. Mizan Rahman with ETC Engineering and Ryan Edwards with G.A.G Construction addressed the council with an update on the Community Center/Aquatics Park. Mr. Rahman said a lot of work has taken place since the last update on February 9t". He said his time-line has not changed and the project should be completed by June 10tH Mr. Edwards said his time-line is showing completion of early July. Mr. Edwards said there were no outstanding RFI's and they are currently meeting over a couple of change orders. Mayor Elumbaugh said he and Parks Director Jeff Owen's recently approved a change order regarding roof drains. The roof drains were not included in the drawings. Councilmember Poole asked Mr. Rahman why the city should have to pay for a change order when it was a mistake by the engineers. Mr. Rahman said he understands Mr. Poole's frustration, however, mistakes happen. Mayor Elumbaugh insured the council that there are sufficient sales tax revenues to cover for the change orders. Mr. Edwards said he would like to say that maybe some of the delay in completion is due to the fact that all of the sub-contractors working on the project take great pride in their work and if it slows down the project a day or two to fix an area they think needs to be redone, they make it happen. At the end of the day, he said, we are going to have a first class facility and best and only one like it in the State. C) PROCLAMATION AND CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION FOR NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation proclaiming April 5, 2016 as National Service Recognition Day. He then gave several certificates of appreciation to local citizens who volunteer their time to our community. D) NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH PROCLAMATION Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation proclaiming the month of April, 2016 as National Safe Digging Month. The proclamation encourages excavators and homeowners throughout the country to always call 811 before digging. E) PROCLAMATION HONORING NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation proclaiming May, 2016 as National Preservation Month and Arkansas Heritage Month and called upon the people of Batesville to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance. F) PROCLAMATION HONORING GOODWILL INDUSTRIES WEEK Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation proclaiming May 1 through May 7, 2016 as Goodwill Industries Week, in and for Batesville, and urged all citizens to give support to Goodwill Industries in recognition of its ability to maximize an individual's contribution to self, family and community. G) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF THE OLD INDEPENDENCE REGIONAL MUSEUM Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a grant on behalf of the Old Independence Regional Museum. The GIF Community Enhancement Grant of$78,610.00 will be used to replace the roof on the museum. Councilmember Shetron moved to suspend the rules and read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Poole seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the resolution by title only. Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2016-04-01-R. H) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT STREETS IN THE RIVERWOOD ESTATES SUBDIVISION Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinance to accept the extension of Flagstone Road, Jovi Drive and Riverwood Drive, all located in the Riverwood Estates subdivision, into the City's street maintenance program. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Beller moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Code Enforcement Officer said Mr. Brandon Holmes, owner of Riverwood Estates has completed all the requirements to except the streets with the exception of completing the sidewalks. Mr. McClure said Mr. Holmes has an Irrevocable Letter of Credit from First Community Bank and has two years to complete the sidewalks. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Beller seconded. The electronic vote count was 7 for and 1 (Shetron) abstained. The ordinance was given #2016-04-01. 1) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT CHANGES TO THE CITY OF BATESVILLE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Councilmember Bryant introduced an ordinances to adopt a revised Batesville Employee Handbook. Councilmember Shetron moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinace by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Beller seconded. The electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2016-04-02. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Beller seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. J) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT CHANGES TO THE CITY OF BATESVILLE POLICY FOR A DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE WORKPLACE Councilmember Beller introduced an ordinance to adopt changes to the City of Batesville policy for a drug and alcohol free workplace. Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Crafton seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Meitzen read the ordinance by title only. Councilmember Bryant moved to further suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given 2016-04-03. Councilmember Beller moved to adopt the emergency clause. Councilmember Bryant seconded and the electronic vote count was 8 for and 0 against. K) CONSIDER COUNTY PROPOSAL REGARDING 911/DISPATCHING Mayor Elumbaugh asked Councilmember Poole to give the council a synopsis of the meeting last week between the city and the county regarding 911/Dispatching. Mr. Poole said all the council was present at the meeting as was all the quorum court members. He said that throughout the entire process, all the city was asking for was an equitable sharing of expenses for 911/Dispatching. At the meeting, Independence County Judge Robert Griffin, offered to take over the 911/Dispatching departments including all of the expenses and revenues and will dispatch for the city's police department and fire department for $63,900.00 a year. Mr. Poole said he has looked over the Judge's numbers and thinks that it is a good offer for the City. He said he recommends the City offers to give the County a 3% cost of operations increase every year to help in rising costs. Also, if the City has any equipment that can help the county defray their start-up costs, to loan the equipment to the county. Mayor Elumbaugh said he has asked Dispatch Supervisor Bill Hicks to produce an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) to help guide the county in this endeavor. Councilmember Bryant moved to accept the proposal from the county to dispatch for the City for$63,900.00 per year. Councilmember Beller seconded and all voted for. After more discussion, Councilmember Beller further moved to accept the county's proposal subject to a finalized agreement between the county and the city. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant said he wanted to thank Councilmember's Poole and Beller for the hundreds of hours they have put into finding a solution for the rising costs of 911/Dispatch. L) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his monthly report. He said the old sewer pipe along Polk Bayou has been removed and had greatly improved the looks of the area. Mr. Johnson said he is looking for a generator to use as a power backup for the Water Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is running smoothly with a few minor warranty items being replaced. He said he is still collecting easements for the line replacements throughout the city. M) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the paid bill report for March, 2016 for review. N) FINANCIALS The council was given a copy of the January and February, 2016 financials for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said work has begun on the new Maxfield Park. The county spent a couple of days there and the city has begun pouring the footing for the rock wall. The Mayor said the City will have an Arbor Day celebration at 8:30 AM at the Cemetery. The Steve and David Bell families have donated 40 mature trees for the event. The Mayor told the council that the City will be hosting a group of international IBLA Grand Prize performers, May 3-5. The 20+ artists will perform at West Magnet School in Batesville with an evening performance for the public. Host families in Batesville will house the performers. Mayor Elumbaugh said he has gathered the help of Councilmembers Crafton, Hubbard and Henley as well as his administrative assistant Jennifer Corter and City Clerk Denise Johnston. The city will host a reception for the group after the evening performance on May 4t" at the Barnett Building. LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Bryant said an aircraft had to abort a landing at our airport due to the runway lights not working. He said he visited with Airport Manager Daren Wilkes who said the lights have a short in them that is being repaired at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Beller said there are numerous piles of brush on Westside, especially on Chestnut and Bayou Streets. Councilmember Bryant asked for the Police Officers to check the street lights on Main Street as they patrol. He said there are several that need to be replaced. Councilmember Crafton said she has had a few calls regarding a lot at the intersection of Pine and Hill Streets. Mayor Elumbaugh said he is aware of the problem and has turned it over to Code Enforcement. Councilmember Henley said about 6 weeks ago she brought up a house on Lyon Street that was lots of clutter and this time of year, being so windy, the debris is scattered all over the neighborhood. Mayor Elumbaugh said he was also aware of the problem and according to the landlord, the current tenants have been evicted and have until April 18th to move. Councilmember Poole said he thought it would be a good idea to form a committee to study the homeless situation and determine what kind of problem, if any, there is in Batesville. He said he would be glad to chair the committee. The Mayor said that was a good idea and the committee should consist of possibly school counselors, local clergy and businessmen. Councilmember Shetron said he the announcement by OMP of a $65,000,000.00 expansion is projected to bring 400 new jobs is great news for our community. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK