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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On November 17th, 2009 |
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Attend: Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins, Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Recorder Shelia Moss, Jackie Suttles, Iva Butler, Mary Jon Morgan, Jeff Dockery, Ruth Caines, Jennifer Moore, as well as several other community members. Called Beer Board Meeting: Vice Mayor Palewski opened the Beer Board meeting at 7:00 pm. Vice Mayor Palewski instructed the beer board that Wings R Us was the business applying for a beer permit. He mentioned that the background check was done and that the application fee was paid. Mayor Jenkins made a motion to approve class 1, on premise beer permit. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Mayor Jenkins made a motion to close the Beer Board meeting. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Commissioner Skidmore was not present for either vote. Regular Commission Meeting Pledge: Mayor Jenkins opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:02pm. Minutes: Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 20, 2009 meeting. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Commissioner Skidmore was not present for the vote. Police Report: The Police Report was given prior to Finance due to Recorder Moss having to make a copy for Mrs. Caines regarding her Beer Permit. Chief Suttles spoke about the Police pursuit that began in Pigeon Forge and came across Wears Valley Road into Townsend. Mayor Jenkins stated that he was very impressed with and proud of Officer Frank Shearl's response to the chase including making the call to lock the school down. Finance Report: Recorder Moss gave the finance report for the month of October. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the finance report. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes. Maintenance: Chief Suttles mentioned that Glen McCampbell had taken all the flags down except on the upper end and that half the Snowflake lights were up. He also mentioned that Mr. McCampbell is working on cleaning up the City's property behind the municipal building. He mentioned that the City equipment was ok. Chief Suttles informed the Commission that another sink hole has developed. Chief Suttles reported that Mr. Ingle from Ingle paving was quoting a price of $10,000 for Asher Howard and a price of $13,000 for 1&1/2 inch on Smoky Drive. Chief Suttles also reported that Mr. Ingle was giving a quote of $100 per ton installed. Vice Mayor Palewski asked what the earliest date would be to start paving. Chief Suttles responded by saying next spring. Commissioner Skidmore came in at the end of the Maintenance report and Mayor Jenkins brought him up to date on the paving discussion. Commissioner Skidmore ask how many ton would be needed for Smoky Drive and Chief Suttles responded by stating 140 ton. No action was taken. Fire: Chief Stallions reported that they were wrapping up the sixty four hour training tonight. He mentioned that the live burn training will have to be done in Nashville. Chief Stallions reported that he had worked with Commissioner Skidmore regarding the lease for the Building. He mentioned that there are three deeds to the land (three tracts). Chief Stallions reported that one of the deeds has a reversion clause. Chief Stallions stated that to transfer ownership to the City of Townsend would be a violation of the 1967 reversion clause. He reported that the Blount County School Board was working on a contract which will be more detailed that the last lease. He mentioned that two and a half acres was donated by the Little River Lumber Company without a reversion clause. He mentioned that the property on which Townsend Elementary is on has a reversion clause by the company that owned that property. Fire Chief and Blount County Risk Manager Don Stallions was informed that Mayor Jenkins will be the contact for the new lease. Recreation: Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that the parade was coming along. He reported that there is a change to the start and end location which will help create better access control and create a better traffic flow. Vice Mayor Palewski asked if participants will enter off Myers road and then exit onto Highway 321. Chief Stallions responded by saying he felt that was the best way. Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that the Heritage High School Band and ROTC were coming. He also mentioned that Rick Myers would be supplying the carriage for Santa. There was some discussion about check in and other aspects of the Parade. No action was taken. Old Business 1. Richard Litz, Church of God the Eternal - request for use of the Auditorium: This item has been deferred until a new lease agreement can be agreed upon. 2. Sue Duchow, The Palm Church - request for use of the Auditorium (Sunday Mornings & Evenings): This item has been deferred until a new lease agreement can be agreed upon. Other Old Business: Mayor Jenkins reported that he had contacted the State regarding the historical marker for the Myers Cemetery. He reported that this particular marker is listed as 1E21 and that Ms. Linda Winn has order a new marker and that it should be here next spring. Mayor Jenkins also mentioned that marker 1E20 was missing from Walland at the bridge and that Ms. Winn was going to try to replace that marker as well. Mayor Jenkins stated that this had not been communicated to Ms. Byrd yet. New Business 1. Nomination for BZA, Meghann Byrd Erhart, 3 year term: Mayor Jenkins explained there is a vacancy on the BZA and would like to nominate Meghann Byrd Erhart. Vice Mayor Palweski made a motion to nominate Meghann Byrd Erhart for a three year term on the BZA. Commissioner Skidmore seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes. 2. Discussion about Proposed Cell Tower, Jennifer Moore: Mayor Jenkins introduced Ms. Jennifer Moore and stated that she would like to discuss the proposed cell tower for property off Fox Hollow Road. Ms. Moore stated that the Blount County BZA was requested to table the vote on this tower until further research could be done. Her concern is that the proposal is for a 180 foot tower which would be able to have five carriers. She mentioned that AT&T has committed to be the first of five. There was further discussion regarding the proposed tower. Mayor Jenkins informed her that the Townsend Planning Commission agreed to author a letter to the Blount County BZA. 3. Other Business: Recorder Moss asked the Commission about Christmas Bonuses for the City Employee's. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to do the same as last year. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
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