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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-14 MINUTES OF COUNCIL AUGUST 14, 2012 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on August 14, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Councilmember Matthews gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following councilmembers 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 Insell moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Matthews seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Chief Deputy Alan Cockrill addressed the council with the Sheriff's Department's monthly report. The Chief asked if Meyers Street would be open for travel before school starts on Monday. The Mayor said the street may not be paved but should be open for travel before school starts. B) RECOGNIZE SAFETY EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER Mayor Elumbaugh and Safety Director Chris Cash recognized Mr. Leo Medina as the City's Safety Employee of the Quarter for his suggestion to improve safety in his department. Mr. Medina was given a certificate from the City and a $25.00 gift card donated by Wal-Mart. C) RECOGNIZE MR. JAMES HUBBARD ON HIS RETIREMENT Mayor Elumbaugh recognized Mr. James Hubbard and congratulated him on his recent retirement. Mr. Hubbard worked for the Sanitation department for 35 years. The Mayor praised Mr. Hubbard for his work ethic and presented him with a plaque of appreciation. D) RECOGNIZE MS. NINA WOMACK FOR HER SERVICE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION Mayor Elumbaugh presented Ms. Nina Womack a certificate of appreciation for her years of service on the Planning Commission. E) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW THE CITY OF BATESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOW TO HIRE HEROES PROGRAM Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution allowing the City of Batesville Fire Department to participate in the VOW to Hire Heroes Program. City Attorney Castleberry read the resolution in full. Fire Chief Brent Gleghorn explained to the council that participating in the VOW program increases the department's chances to receive grant monies to hire additional firefighters. He said he should be notified by the end of September if his department will be awarded any grant funds and if so, they will advertise and try to hire qualified veterans. Councilmember Mathews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given # 2012-08-01-R. F) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his engineer's report. He said the Water Treatment Plant was doing good and the contractors are on site assessing the needs of the plant to correct electrical and equipment communications problems. Phase 2 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is progressing well. The contractors for Phase 1, Oscar Renda, are now 180 days post completion date. Mr. Johnson said this is now becoming a problem and is beginning to interfere with the work for Phase 2. He said he has visited with the contractors and engineers and they are working to rectify the situation. The Construction department is fixing sporadic water leaks throughout the city as well as completing the Meyer's Street project. The Street Department is working on the new pedestrian bridge for phase 2 of the walking trail from Row Lake/ Fitzhugh Park to Riverside Park. Mr. Johnson was asked about the progress of the Levee Improvement District. Mr. Johnson said he had put the proposed Levee Improvement District on the back burner but will start working on it again soon. G) EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilmember Matthews moved to go into executive session. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Upon returning from executive session, the Mayor said there is an opening on the Planning Commission and asked the media to notify the public of the opening and ask them to contact City Hall if they are interested in the position. The Mayor asked the Clerk to explain to the Council the request to hire a consultant to help with the financial statements primarily for the Utility funds. Ms. Johnston said she would like the council to approve contracting with Mr. Stephen Davis with Davis Business Planning to help her with the financial statements and preparing for the annual audits. She said our auditing firm, Frost, said the City has grown to the point where it would be very beneficial for the City to hire a finance director. She said that would be very costly for the city so the auditors said the next best thing would be to hire a consultant. The proposal from Mr. Stephen Davis with Davis Business Planning will cost the City approximately $15,000.00 per year. Ms. Johnston said the complexity of the GASB form of reporting for the Utilities is what she needs help with. Councilmember Insell moved to contract with Davis Business Planning and Councilmember Krug seconded. All the council voted for except for Councilmember Shetron. H) REVIEW OF THE PAID BILLS REPORT FOR JULY, 2012 The council was given a copy of the paid bills report for July, 2012 for review. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh reminded the public that school starts Monday so everyone needs to drive cautiously and be aware of children crossing the streets. The council considered a cemetery resolution for Joann Maxwell, #12-227-1 for $400.00. Councilmember Insell moved to accept the resolution and Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for. LIAISON REPORTS Councilmember Bryant said that Senator Pryor was in town last week and had a long visit at the Airport with most of the Airport Commissioners. He said the meeting was very good as they discussed their current FAA grants and long term plans for our airport. COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Insell seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK