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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-09 MINUTES OF COUNCIL APRIL 9, 2013 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on April 9, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Cemetery 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 Denise Johnston and the City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry. 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. Councilmember Hubbard seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORT Mayor Elumbaugh said Chief Deputy Alan Cockrill was out of town therefore unable to attend tonight's meeting. The Mayor asked Code Enforcement Officer Chad McClure to come forward to discuss a possible proposed ordinance that would regulate door to door solicitation within the city limits of Batesville. The Mayor said Chief Cockrill has had several complaints from citizens regarding solicitation and without an ordinance setting regulation, there is not much the Sheriff's Department can do about the complaints. Mr. McClure said he got a copy of Maumelle's ordinance, which according to their City Clerk is working well for their City. He said we would need to mold the ordinance for our city but thought it was a good starting point. The council was given a copy of the ordinance which will be discussed again at a later meeting. B) PROCLAMATION NAMING APRIL 9T" AS NATIONAL SERVICE RECOGNITION DAY Mayor Elumbaugh read a proclamation naming April 9t" as National Service Recognition Day. The Mayor then recognized several local citizens who serve in our community. Those recognized were Ms. Nicole Stroud, Ozark Foothills Literacy Project Director, Ms. Kayla Wood, Ms. Armilda Stokes and Mr. Matthew Carpenter all with Literacy Project AmericaCorps. With the Foster Grandparents Program, Ms. Sheila Goff, Director, Ms. Juanita Davis and Ms. Betty Huff from Central School, Ms. Vonda Johnston, Ms. Verena Herrin, Ms. Carol Herrin and Ms Judy Pittman with West School, Ms. Sandra Roby with Southside School and Mr. Jeff Schuman Director of White River Area Agency on Ageing. C) RECOGNIZE Mr. David McQuary for his fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Mayor Elumbaugh recognized Mr. David McQuary for his fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics. Mr. McQuary raised $4,300.00. D) MS. MOLLY RUMMEL WITH A REPORT FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Ms. Molly Rummel addressed the council with a report from Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Rummel said a group of Lyon College students started Habitat for Humanity in Batesville in 2004 and they received the official affiliate in 2007. Since then, they have completed 2 houses, one housing a family of 7 and one a family of 3. They are currently working on their 3rd house. House number 2 and 3 are constructed on a lot purchased in West Batesville and there will be room for two more houses. She said the lot is located near the new park in Westside which is used a lot by the neighborhood. Ms. Rummel said 90% of the work is done by volunteers and they are always needing more help. They meet every Saturday from 7 AM to 12 PM and no experience is needed. Mayor Elumbaugh asked to be put on their mailing list and he will forward it to all of the council. E) MR. LARRY JONES WITH AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Larry Jones with the Economic Development Commission addressed the council with his monthly Economic Development Report. Mr. Jones encouraged the council to contact him with any questions or suggestions. F) CHIEF BRENT GLEGHORN WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn addressed the council with a 2012 year end report and first quarter 2013 fire department report. The Chief went over the highlights of the reports and entertained questions from the council. G) PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the March, 2013 paid bills report for review. H) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his engineer's report. He said he was going to the Little Rock Health Department next week to discuss what must be done at the Water Treatment Plant in order to meet the new water regulations. Construction at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is progressing good. The plant did not make permit for March and probably will not make permit in April. The Utility Construction department is still working on the Westside sewer line rehab. They are also repairing sporadic water leaks. Mr. Johnson said they were having problem with people stealing manhole lids. He said if anyone sees this happen, please call the authorities. The Street Department is working on a street/sidewalk deterioration on Water Street. They are also working on a drainage issue on Lomond Street. He also mentioned several paving projects were about to begin. 1) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Bryant moved to go into executive session. Councilmember Insell seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, Councilmember Shetron moved to appoint Mr. Larry Lilly to the Batesville Appeals Commission. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for. Mr. Lilly's term will expire 9/8/2017. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said there were two openings for the Cemetery Committee for anyone interested. The Mayor asked for out of state travel approval for Mr. Robert Bales to attend a meeting in Missouri for a Chaplin disaster seminar. Mr. Bales is a Volunteer Fireman and the Chaplin for the Fire Department. The Mayor said city will receive a $25,000.00 matching grant from Arkansas Parks and Tourism Trails for Life to extend the walking trail from 20th & Pioneer Drive to Douglas Street. Mayor Elumbaugh said Citizens Bank has donated two houses to the City. The properties join each other, one facing Bayou Street and the other facing Charles Street. The Mayor said he would like to visit with Habitat for Humanity and possibly donate the properties to them. Councilmember Insell moved to authorize the Mayor to talk to Habitat for Humanity and Councilmember Bryant seconded. All voted for. The Clerk informed the council of several fixed asset disposals. Metro traded in a Toshiba E Studio 350 copier for a new Toshiba Studio 356 Digital Copier. Metro sold three vehicles on GovDeals; Unit 524 - $646.18, Unit 526 - $1,720.00 and Unit 525 - $1,532.97. Parks sold Unit 415 on GovDeals for $1,201.01. LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Henley, Liaison for the Cemetery Committee, said the Cemetery Department is trying to rehab and beautify the old monument stones in the old portion of the Cemetery. She encouraged the council to go to the cemetery and look at the work that has already been done. She also mentioned that the City does not have extra funds for the Cemetery Department so anyone from the public that would like to donate or make a memorial to the monument restoration fund could do so by contacting City Hall. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Matthews commented on the number of kids that were playing at Riverside Park now that the weather is warming up. He said he hoped the City could add some additional playground equipment in the near future. Councilmember Shetron encouraged everyone to come to Riverside Park this Friday night at 8:15 for our first "Movies in the Park" event. Mayor Elumbaugh said the City purchased a 24 foot screen to show the movies and is expecting a large crowd. Mr. Shetron also expressed his concern about the burned out house on College Street. City Attorney Castleberry said the property is tied up in litigation and he didn't think the City should get involved with the property while the dispute is in progress. Mr. Shetron said he thought the City should at least have the homeowners put a temporary fence around the property to keep young children out. Mr. Castleberry said he would contact the attorney involved in the case and express the City's concerns. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Insell seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK