By Andrea Bruner, White River Now (Image of Batesville Municipal Building by Gena Tate, White River Now)
With tornado season here, the Batesville Fire Department has already put the city’s siren system to use. In addition, the fire department offers a tornado shelter at Fire Station 3 that has already seen some use.
The Batesville City Council met Tuesday night, and during council comments, Alderman Lackey Moody said he’d received three phone calls from citizens in appreciation of the fact that the tornado sirens are up and running after years of being out of service.
Moody said he also wanted to acknowledge that Fire Chief Mark McCollum “was the driving force that got that done, and we really appreciate his work on that.”
Alderman Robb Roberts echoed Moody’s statements, adding that the sirens are more than an alert to seek safety due to tornado activity in the area – they are also a reminder that there are emergency personnel standing by to help others.
Alderwoman Brittany Bennett said someone had asked her about tornado shelters, so she wanted to announce that the fire department posts on its Facebook page locations of tornado shelters in the area, as well as when the shelter at 590 White Drive will open to the public.
“It was actually full last night,” Mayor Rick Elumbaugh told the council. “We had a lot of folks, so we’re just glad we have it.”
Other tornado shelters in the area include Southside Elementary, Southside Preschool and Charlotte Fire Department.
Moody continued with his remarks, saying that they also appreciate the Batesville Police Department as well as the Independence County Sheriff’s Department for the work to keep the community safe during a recent bomb threat at a local business.
In other business Tuesday night:
* The council heard the second reading of an ordinance regarding the removal of appointed commissioners.
The ordinance would allow for the removal of commission members by a vote of 3/4 of the city council members. Before reading the ordinance, City Attorney Tim Meitzen said there had been one minor change to the ordinance as presented, specifically, removing the words “for cause,” which he said was to align more closely with the state law.
The ordinance will be placed on the agenda of the next council meeting for the third and final reading.
* Stacey Bennett, president of the Arkansas City Clerks, Recorders & Treasurers Association, presented Batesville City Clerk Jessica Davis with a certificate for her becoming a certified municipal clerk. Bennett said Davis also serves on the ACCRTA’s audit committee and has offered valuable input.
“To achieve this certification, countless hours are spent attending educational programs, completing rigorous coursework, and gaining valuable experience in municipal government,” Bennett said. “It represents a commitment to professionalism and a deep understanding of the responsibilities entrusted to municipal clerks.”
* Former Alderman Landon Reeves was recognized for his service on the city council prior to his resignation, which the council formally accepted on March 10.
This was also the first council meeting for the newly appointed Ward 1 alderman, Kyle Christopher. With Christopher joining the city council, that leaves a vacancy on the planning and zoning commission. The council appointed a former alderman, Chris Poole, to serve the remainder of Christopher’s term on the commission.
Christopher will also serve as the city council’s liaison to the advertising and promotion commission.
* The council reappointed Robb Roberts and Tommy Bryant to the industrial development commission.
* Elumbaugh also announced that on June 6, there will be a Jeff Owens Memorial Ride to honor Batesville’s parks director, who died last year after a battle with cancer.
Elumbaugh said this will be an 18-mile bicycle ride on paved surfaces, but “for the folks who really want to get into it, there’s going to be a 31-mile ride.”
The ride is being organized by the Batesville EAST lab, with Chloe Massey as chair. “She came to me about six or eight months ago and wanted to do something (for Owens),” Elumbaugh said.
He said the ride will start at 325 E. Main St., and there will be music and entertainment that day as well.
All proceeds will go toward supporting the ongoing development and maintenance of the city’s greenway and trail systems.
To learn more or to register, visit The Jeff Owens Project on Facebook.
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Aldermen Scott Fredricks and Paige Hubbard were absent from the council meeting. There were no comments from citizens.
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