Townsend, Tennessee |
History | Services and Local Government | City Council Minutes | Links
|
CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On October 20th, 2009 |
|
Attend: Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins; Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Recorder Shelia Moss, Don Headrick, Mary Ann Ashworth, Marilyn Byrd Myers, Jeff Dockery, Jackie Suttles and Richard Litz. Pledge: Mayor Jenkins opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:03pm. Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the September 15, 2009 meeting was made by Commissioner Skidmore and a second was made by Vice Mayor Palewski. The September minutes passed with three (3) yea votes. Commissioner Wietlisbach and Commissioner Tippitt abstained from the vote. Finance Report: Recorder Shelia Moss gave the finance report for the month of September. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve the finance report. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Vice Mayor Palewski spoke about the letter written to City Council from the Townsend SRO, Jonathan Baker requesting one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the purchase of a medical bag and eight radio's. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that Chief Stallions would help with the requested medical bag. Vice Mayor Palewski asked Chief Stallions if he would also be able to help with the request for radio's. Chief Stallions, also the Risk Manager for Blount County, stated that the County usually asks the school to pay half. Chief Stallions mentioned that if the City wanted to pay the school's half, the County would pick up the other half. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to donate four hundred dollars ($400) for the purchase of radio's for the Elementary School. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Police Report: Chief Suttles reported the Police have been very busy. He mentioned that there are a lot of people in town and requested everyone drive safely. Maintenance: Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell is catching up on the last of the weed eating and mowing, specifically in the ditches. Chief Suttles requested permission for him and Mr. McCampbell to take the City bucket truck to the Church of God off Webb Road and help change the bulbs in the parking lot lights as they would be having a Halloween Event in their parking lot. The Commission unanimously agreed to allow Chief Suttles and Glen McCampbell permission to help the Church of God. Commissioner Tippitt asked Chief Suttles about the trees that died that were a part of the Entrance Beautification Project. Chief Suttles responded by stating that Home Depot issued gift cards to purchase replacement trees once they are available. Commissioner Skidmore spoke about the leak in the auditorium and stated that he does not think Mr. Richard Litz should be working on the roof. Vice Mayor Palewski spoke about the state of the city roads. There was a brief discussion regarding patching and recapping. Chief Suttles stated that Asher Howard and Smoky Drive are busting up bad. Mayor Jenkins stated that he wants to develop a plan and Commissioner Skidmore stated that they need to know how many ton's per road would be needed to develop a plan. Fire Department: Chief Stallions reported that State certification classes are in progress. He reported that the Fire Department responded to a chimney fire and that the number of runs was average. Recreation: Commissioner Wietlisbach reported that the theme for the Christmas parade was "A Patriotic Christmas - Celebrating Our Gift Of Freedom". He also reported that the Parade Marshall's would be Veterans. Mayor Jenkins mentioned to Commissioner Wietlisbach that he might want to contact the Heritage Center for help locating Veterans. Chief Stallions mentioned that Assistant Fire Chief Stan Totten was a Korean War Veteran. Commissioner Wietlisbach ask if anyone had a bullhorn. Chief Suttles stated that he would get one. Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that he was getting bids for the Carriage and that everyone who wants to participate must fill out the entry form. Chief Stallions stated that enforcement, regarding the entry forms, would be the key. There was a brief discussion regarding the entry forms. Commissioner Skidmore ask about using the Visitor Center's newly purchased lot as the starting point so there would be one entrance and one exit and end at Nawger Nob. Chief Stallions agreed to ask Blount County Mayor, Jerry Cunningham, for permission to use the Visitor Center Property. Commissioner Skidmore ask if Mr. Proffit had given permission to use the field at Nawger Nob and Commissioner Wietlisbach confirmed we have permission. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that the bike trail lights are on at 1:30 am and should be set to go off at 10:00 pm. Chief Suttles reported that they are on a twenty four hour timer and he would have Mr. McCampbell back them up to shut off at 11:00 pm. Old Business: Church of God, The Eternal; Richard Litz; request for use of the auditorium: Fire Chief and County Risk Manager Don Stallions stated that the building is a public building and there need to be some things worked out. He stated that the Blount County School Board is putting this on their agenda, as there is concern regarding the lease. Risk Manager Stallions stated that clearly liability rest on the School Board. He stated that he had spoken with the County Attorney and there are several options on the table. Risk Manager Stallions informed the Commission that only the School Board has the authority to sublet. He reported that the School Board Meeting was scheduled for the first Thursday in November at 7:00 pm. Commissioner Skidmore volunteered to attend the School Board Meeting as the Mayor felt a Council Member should be present to represent the City. There was further discussion regarding the building. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to table this request, as well as Palm Ministries request, for use of the auditorium. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Palm Ministries; Sue Duchow; request for use of the auditorium: This item was tabled at the same time as the previous auditorium request. Marilyn Byrd Myers, Myers Cemetery: Mrs. Myers informed the Commission that a six member Board of Trustee's has been established and their first meeting is November 5th at 7:00 pm. She mentioned that there has been a great interest over the past two months including a few people from the Visitor's Center. Mrs. Myers stated that they are working on a 501 C3 status. Mrs. Myers mentioned that they would appreciate any help from the City in regards to maintenance. Mrs. Myers stated they are doing all they can to raise money and get volunteers. She reported that Glen Myers and someone from the Fire Department have been helping with the mowing. She also reported that 300 have been buried in the Cemetery since 1797. Mrs. Myers mentioned that there is a two year wait for a replacement marker due to the economy and that the marker read Tuckaleechee Church. Personnel Policy, Schedule Workshop: Workshops were scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm and Wednesday December 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm. Special Events Policy, Schedule Workshop: A workshop was scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:00 pm. New Business Vice Mayor Palewski, City Council Meeting Location, Discussion: Vice Mayor Palewski spoke about the comments that citizens are not coming to the meetings due to the environment. Chief Stallions asked about using the auditorium. The Commission voted unanimously to have the November 17, 2009 City Council Meeting in the Auditorium. Other Business: Mayor Jenkins reported that the new bridge is being named Tuckaleechee Veterans Memorial Bridge. He also mentioned that the next meeting regarding the old bridge would be held in the first week of November. Mayor Jenkins reported that he received a letter from Tim Berry regarding Dollywood's 25th Anniversary. Mayor Jenkins reported that Mr. Berry was putting together an idea for banners and would like Townsend to display them next year. There was a brief discussion regarding the letter from Mr. Berry and banners. Commissioner Tippitt mentioned the Safe Route's to School grant and volunteered to attend the required meeting in December if the Commission wanted to apply. The Commissioner unanimously agreed that Commissioner Tippitt should attend the December meeting and apply for the grant. There being no further business to discuss, Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to adjourn at 8:47pm. Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
| Return to the Minutes Index |
| For More Information on any of the Townsend City Meetings please contact the City's Administrator |