Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-12 MINUTES OF COUNCIL June 12, 2012 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on June 12th, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building. Mayor Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Councilmember Henley 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 Deputy Clerk Brenda Riley, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Corter and the City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry. City Clerk Denise Johnston was absent. Councilmember Shetron moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. Councilmember Matthews moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) INTRODUCTION OF NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, MR. LARRY JONES Mayor Elumbaugh welcomed Mr. Larry Jones, new Economic Development Director to the City of Batesville. Mr. Jones gave a brief history of his background and talked about his objectives to help the community grow and to recruit new industry to the area. He then answered questions regarding a Tax Back Resolution for Peco Foods of AR. B) CONSIDER A TAX BACK RESOLUTION FOR PECO FOODS OF ARKANSAS Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution certifying the endorsement of Peco Foods to participate in the Tax Back Program. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Bryant seconded. The roll call was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2012-6-01-R C) HEAR A PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATE FROM JEFF OWENS, PARK DIRECTOR Jeff addressed the council with an overview of the sports programs and financials over the past year. With some reorganization and new approaches to advertising, most of the sports programs have grown in size by a considerable amount. On the financial side, revenues are up 104% for the first 5 months of 2012 as compared to the first 5 months of 2011. D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO OBTAIN A 50/50 MATCHING GRANT FROM THE ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS AND TOURISM'S OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit an application for a 50/50 matching grant to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. The grant is for assistance to develop outdoor recreational facilities in the parks. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Insell seconded. The roll call was 8 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2012-6-02-R. E) ENGINEER'S REPORT City Engineer Damon Johnson addressed the council with his Engineer's Report. Mr. Johnson gave the council an update on all the city departments. He said the WWTP construction is still progressing. He reported that a new pump motor has been installed at the Water Plant to help the plant run more efficiently and safely. Crews are working on the overflow structure at Row Lake in preparation for AR Game and Fish to come in to remove the silt. Mr. Johnson also reported that the stop light at Eagle Mtn. has been repaired and due to the knowledge of our employees & their labor, the cost was about half of the expected amount. Mr. Johnson also asked for permission for out of state travel for Mr. Eugene Townsley and himself, to visit a plant in North Dakota. It is mandated that they view the MBBR, supplied by Headwork's, Inc., of another plant and this would be the closest one to visit. Councilmember Matthews made a motion to grant out of state travel, seconded by Councilmember Bryant. Motion carried. F) REVIEW MAY, 2012 PAID BILLS REPORT The council was given a copy of the May 2012 paid bill report. MAYOR COMMENTS The Mayor asked for permission to allow Jeff Owens to drive his City vehicle home. Councilmember Bryant made a motion and Councilman Krug seconded. Motion passed. He also said that since Jeff is a firefighter his vehicle will be equipped with emergency lights which will help with the ISO rating for the Fire Dept. The Council and City Engineer were asked to look at a location by Terri B's Resale Shop at 2503 Harrison. There has been a request for a stop sign due to the way the parking lot and Tanglewood intersect, and would like input from the Council on how to fix the problem. An Inter-local meeting has been scheduled for June 19th at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. The City will be hosting "Charlie Strong Appreciation Day" on July 7th at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall. Coach Strong is a graduate of Batesville High School and is now the Head Coach for the University of Louisville. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant said that he had been asked about the black cables across the streets and assumes that they are traffic counters used by the Highway Dept. He also said that he recently had the opportunity to visit with Katherine Holstrom from AEDC and take her on a tour of the WWTP expansion. Councilmember Matthews asked where we are on the surveys of new property. Mayor Elumbaugh said that Pete Musgrave is currently working on those and they should be ready in the next 2 months. Councilmember Shetron asked if a signed copy of the revised Inter-local agreement had been received. The agreement was submitted several months ago and has not been received back at this time. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Matthews moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR BRENDA RILEY, DEPUTY CLERK