HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-26 MINUTES OF COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
The Batesville City Council met in regular session on November 26, at 5:30 PM
at the Municipal Building. Mayor Elumbaugh called the meeting to order.
Cemetery/Landscape Supervisor Jonathan Abbott gave the invocation. Upon roll call,
the following council answered present; Tommy Bryant, Margarett Henley, Paige
Hubbard, Davy Insell, Fred Krug, Douglas Matthews, Chris Poole, and David Shetron.
Also present were the City Clerk and the City Attorney.
Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for.
Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the prepared agenda.
Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
A) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EXTENSION OF THE 2008
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX
Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution in support of the extension of the
2008 Independence County Economic Development Tax. Mr. Castleberry read
the resolution in full. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution
and Councilmember Insell seconded. The roll call vote was 8 for and 0 against.
The resolution was given #2013-11-1-R.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Elumbaugh asked Chamber of Commerce CEO Crystal Johnson to
address the council regarding upcoming events in the City. Ms. Johnson told the
council that the annual Christmas Parade and lighting ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM
on December 2nd. She also said they have purchased one month of advertising on a
billboard just South of Searcy advertising our Christmas Light Displays. Ms. Johnson
then asked the council to consider a resolution in support of the Chamber applying for a
grant with the Department of Arkansas Heritage to host a festival that focuses on
historic foods and foodways within the Batesville area. Councilmember Matthews
introduced the resolution and Mr. Castleberry read it in full. Councilmember Bryant
moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Henley seconded. The roll call
count was 8 for and 0 against.
At the last meeting, Mayor Elumbaugh asked the City Engineer to look at the
traffic flow situation on Stadium and Allen Streets. Mr. Johnson said he did look at the
intersection and his recommendation is to remove the Stop and Yield signs on Stadium
and make it a through street and leave the Stop sign on Allen Street. Councilmember
Matthews moved to accept Mr. Johnson's recommendation. Councilmember Bryant
seconded and all voted for.
LIAISON REPORTS
Councilmember Bryant said there was a lot currently going on at the Airport. He
said they were in the process of going out for bids to construct 6 new hangers. The
construction will be partially paid by a grant.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Krug said he would like to recommend Christmas bonuses again
this year as we have done for the past couple of years. Last year full time employees
were given $500.00 and permanent part-time employees were given $250.00.
Councilmember Shetron said he did not know that bonuses were going to be discussed
and would like more information regarding the City's financial status before making a
decision. The Clerk said the City is about where it always is this time of year but
hesitated to say the City would end up in the "black". Mr. Krug said it looks like there
are not going to be any raises in the 2014 budget and he would like to give the bonuses
as soon as possible so the employee's could take advantage of the Black Friday Sales.
After further discussion, the vote was 3 against (Henley, Shetron and Poole) and 4 for
(Bryant, Insell, Krug and Matthews). Hubbard abstained which led to a tie vote. Mayor
Elumbaugh said he could not vote for the pay incentives at this time but hopefully we
would have more information at the next meeting to consider the request.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Insell moved that the meeting
be adjourned. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for.
RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR
DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK