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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-11 MINUTES OF COUNCIL JUNE 11, 2013 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 11, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Cemetery/Landscape Supervisor Johnathan 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 Denise Johnston and the City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry. Councilmember Insell moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Bryant moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Deputy Alan Cockrill addressed the council with his monthly Sheriff's Department Report. He said the new 45 Glock's were in and in use. The new firearms were purchased with the City's Alcohol Tax. He also mentioned that they have a suspect in the recent burglary and suspected arson of the Office of Probation and Parole. He also thanked the Batesville Fire Department for the quick response to the fire and the fact that it was extinguished quickly. The Probation Office is in the process of setting up a temporary office upstairs at Fire Station #1 on College Street. B) MR. LARRY JONES WITH AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Mr. Larry Jones addressed the council with his Economic Development update. Mr. Jones said he was working diligently in recruiting a new gun manufacturer to locate in Independence County. He said Batesville is in the running along with 3 other cities in Arkansas and 6 in Texas. If located in Batesville, the plant would generate between 250 and 500 new jobs. He also said they have approved the construction of a new warehouse operation for Flowers Bakery that will be located in the new Business Park. The facility will be leased to Flowers for 20 years and the new production will employee 60 new jobs. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AN ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM GRANT Councilmember Insell introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for a 50/50 grant for development of the North Complex. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Shetron moved to adopt and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2013-06- 01-R. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO UTILIZE STATE AID STREET MONIES FOR 20TH STREET WIDENING Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for state aid in the widening of 20th Street from Meyer's Street to Harrison Street. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2013-06-02-R. E) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Matthews moved to go into execution session. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Matthews moved to reappoint Mr. Cord Davidson and Dr. Scott Roulier to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. Both terms will expire 6/10/2018. F) ENGINEERS REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his Engineer's Report. He said he didn't have much to report. He said utility construction was chasing a few leaks on Hwy 106 and the City is picking up brush from the small storm this past Sunday. Other than that, business as usual. G) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the May, 2013 paid bills report for review. MAYOR COMMENTS The Mayor said the City had received a check for $24,880.00 for the first portion of Phase 3 of the Greenway Trail. He said the expansion will extend to Douglas Street. The Mayor mentioned that the City's Health Insurance premium was increasing in July. He said the increase for the remaining of the year will be approximately $34,000.00 for all departments in the City. The Mayor said the City did anticipate an increase and budgeted for such. He said the city will absorb the increase at this time but would look at possibly passing some of the cost on to the employees during the 2014 budget process. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Shetron asked Mr. Castleberry the status on the burned-out house on College Street. Mr. Castleberry said it has been set for trial. It is his understanding that a settlement could not be reached so a trial has been set. 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