The Batesville City Council met in a large space to allow for appropriate social distancing on Tuesday evening in a second-floor meeting room at the Batesville Aquatics Park and Community Center.
Prior to the meeting, it was announced that attendees aside from the Council and other governing officials would be limited to only a few members of local media. The meeting was live-streamed via the City of Batesville’s Facebook page and will later air on local cable channel six.
Three ordinances and one resolution were approved during Tuesday’s meet.
First, an ordinance to update the Batesville Master Street Plan was adopted followed by the adoption of an ordinance to revise and update Batesville Subdivision Regulations, and the final ordinance adopted was an ordinance to amend a few items on the 2019 budget.
The solo resolution approved by the council was the establishment of a protocol for public meetings during times of declared emergency due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19. The resolution was amended in the meeting to clarify that only City Council meetings will be available for live viewing per section five of the linked document.
During the Mayor’s Comments portion of the meeting, Elumbaugh discussed how rapidly things have changed due to the Coronavirus, potential impacts on sales tax revenue, encouraged citizens to keep up with Governor Asa Hutchinson and his COVID-19 response and information from his office and collaborated with the Council on how to tackle meeting for the duration of this public health emergency.
The Council voted to meet on an “As Needed” basis for as long as social distancing measures are in place.
Councilmembers Dr. Matthews and Mr. Poole commented on the importance of following public health directives and continuing to heed the instructions of governing bodies and healthcare officials.
