Minutes of Council s1

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MARCH 25, 2008

The Batesville City Council met in regular session on March 25, at 5:30 PM at the

Municipal Building. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh presided over the meeting. Councilmember

Carpenter led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the invocation. Upon roll call the following councilmembers answered present: R.L. Carpenter, Fred Krug, Doug

Matthews, Matt McDonald, Trula Pectol, David Shetron, and Paula Terrell. Also present were the City Clerk and the City Attorney. Councilmember Stephen Smart was absent.

Councilmember Matthews moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and Councilmember Pectol seconded. All voted for.

Councilmember Matthews moved to approve the prepared agenda as amended.

Councilmember Terrell seconded and all voted for.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A) JOHNNY ABBOTT REGARDING THE LEASE OF A NEW MOWER

Cemetery/Landscape supervisor Johnny Abbott and Mr. Tom Williams with

Williams Equipment addressed the council regarding the financing of a new John Deere

Mower. First Mr. Abbott told the council that he mowed the Levee field last week with the mower and it took about 30 minutes. He said with their current mowers it usually takes an hour to an hour and a half to mow the field. He said the grass was slightly damp and the mower did great. As far as financing, Mr. Williams gave the council several different financing options. After some discussion, the Mayor said he would have an Ad Hoc meeting on Thursday, April 3 at 5:15 pm to further discuss the financing options.

NEW BUSINESS

A) REQUEST FROM STEVE CARPENTER FOR WATER HOOKUP OUTSIDE THE

CITY LIMITS

Mr. Steve Carpenter approached the council with a request for a water hookup just outside the city limits. Mr. Carpenter said he purchased 35 acres West of Davis

Lane and North of Broadwater Lane. He initially intended to break the land into 5 acre lots but now has no plans to do that in the near future. City Engineer Damon Johnson spoke in favor of Mr. Carpenter’s request. Councilmember Terrell asked Mr. Carpenter if he would at some point request to be annexed into the city. Mr. Carpenter said at some point he would like the property to be annexed into the city. Councilmember Krug moved to approve the water hookup and Councilmember Pectol seconded. All voted for.

B) RECOGNIZE DEPUTY BRET WARD FOR AT OF HEROISM

On March 19, 2008, Deputy Bret Ward saved Mrs. Angela Dugger and her 5 year old daughter Mary Elizabeth from the rising flood waters of the White River. The Mayor first showed a video, put together by Gene and Paula Stewart, from a Channel 11 news clip about the incident. The Mayor presented Deputy Ward and the Dugger family a copy of the video and gave Deputy Ward a certificate commended his heroism. Sheriff

Keith Bowers also commended Deputy Ward and noted that Deputy Ward was a full time employee of the Independence County Detention Center and worked as a volunteer Sheriff’s deputy. Ms. Mary Elizabeth Dugger presented Deputy Ward with a picture she had drawn for him and Mrs. Dugger read a letter of appreciation and presented the letter to him as well. Deputy Ward said he was acting out of instinct and was humbled by all the attention.

C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR PILGRIM’S PRIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

TAX BACK PROGRAM

Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution that endorses Pilgrim’s Pride to participate in the Tax Back Program of Arkansas. Atty. Stalker read the resolution in full and Councilmember Krug moved to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Shetron seconded and all voted for. The resolution was given #2008-3-2-R.

D) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR THE FINANCING OF THE NEW SANITATION

Councilmember Shetron introduced a resolution authorizing and approving the execution of an equipment lease-purchase agreement with BancorpSouth Equipment

Finance. Atty. Stalker read the resolution in full. Councilmember Shetron moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Matthews seconded. All voted for and the resolution was given #2008-3-3-R.

E) REVIEW CITY FINANCIALS

The council was given a copy of the February, 2008 financials.

F) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR BEEBE’S

SEVERANCE TAX INCREASE ON NATURAL GAS RATES

Councilmember Mathews introduced a resolution in support of Governor Beebe’s

5% severance tax increase on natural gas rates in Arkansas. Atty. Stalker read the resolution in full. Councilmember Matthews moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Carpenter seconded. All voted for. The resolution was given #2008-3-

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR

Mayor Elumbaugh said the city again has the opportunity to apply for a recycling grant. He asked for the council’s approval to apply for the 25/75 grant to purchase a new wood and brush chipper. Councilmember Matthews moved to apply for the grant and Councilmember McDonald seconded. All voted for.

The Mayor expressed his thanks to all the city employees who worked around the clock during the March 19th flood. He also recognized several individuals and business that also helped.

LIAISON REPORTS

COUNCIL COMMENTS

The council also expressed their thanks to the employees and community for their help during the flood.

Councilmember Matthews also said that all emergency personal should know how to swim and carry flotation devises in their vehicle for emergency cases.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Councilmember Terrell moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Krug seconded and all voted for.

RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK