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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On December 16th, 2008 |
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Attend: Attending the meeting were Mayor Pat Jenkins; Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore; Police Chief Ron Suttles, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Recorder Shelia Moss, Planning Commissioner Mike Talley, Jerry and Travis Grant, Don Headrick, as well as several other community members. Pledge: Mayor Jenkins opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes for the November 18, 2008 was made by Vice Mayor Palewski and a second was made by Commissioner Wietlisbach. The November minutes passed with four (4) yea votes and one (1) abstain. Finance Report: Shelia Moss gave a financial report. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the financial report and Commissioner Skidmore seconded the motion. The financial report passed with five (5) yea votes. Police Report: Chief Suttles reported that it has been quiet. He also reported that he got the door repaired on the truck. He also mentioned that the ten (10) week in-service for each officer will start around the end of January. Maintenance: Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell had spoke with someone from Sevier County Electric System and was told that they would not be able to put up the Christmas Lights next year since the number of lights had doubled. Chief Suttles also stated that Sevier County Electric System was getting a new Director. Commissioner Skidmore asked if our truck would handle it. Chief Suttles stated that there were not any ground stabilizers and that we need to think about a new bucket truck. There was a brief discussion regarding the lights. Chief Suttles mentioned the property and crime insurance for the City. Recorder Moss stated that if there ever was an incident that warranted replacements, we would have a deficit in coverage for replacements. Fire Department: Chief Stallions reported that they have had a few small fires. He requested that next year there be a meeting prior to the parade to coordinate with everyone involved. He also mentioned that Doug Sofa had donated the old Kinzel House Property to the Fire Department. He stated that they planned to build a two bay facility with a training area but, not a bunk house. Chief Stallions reported that they would not be moving, that this would be an extension. Recreation: Commissioner Wietlisbach reported that there were over one hundred forty (140) entries in the parade, the weather was wonderful, and that there were more horses and less large floats this year. He stated that there were no four wheeler incidents. He mentioned that Congressman Duncan was not able to come due to being in DC. Commissioner Wietlisbach also reported that Santa did not have a sleigh and had to be put on one of the floats and that the roads were closed for one and a half hours. He said that they had lots of help and would have a meeting with the Fire Department and all Volunteer's in October for next year's parade. Library Report: Commissioner Tippitt gave the library report. He reported that J. D. Jenkins was at the Library to sign his new book on the eleventh (11th). He also mentioned that each Thursday the Library has a preschool program. Old Business: * Entrance Beautification: Commissioner Tippitt reported that the City has received the required signed approvals. He also mentioned that the trees would be Dogwood's and/or Redbud's and the shrubs would be Nandina's. He reported that TDOT had given permission and had chosen the types of trees for liability reasons. Commissioner Tippitt stated that the City has to have a signed contract with starting and ending dates. He also mentioned that according to the companies that he had quotes from, the planting needs to be done before the ground freezes. He reported that the quotes are from McMahan's, Popes, and a person who works with Tommy Enos. There was a brief discussion about this project. Mayor Jenkins requested that Commissioner Tippitt get updated quotes. The dates set to put on the application were January 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009. * Bridge Construction Project Update: Mayor Jenkins stated that he attended a meeting that TDOT had at the Chamber of Commerce where they talked about this bridge project. He mentioned that they showed the plans for this bridge, stated that the funding was in place, and would be started soon except that there is one issue with a property owner on the other side of the bridge. Mayor Jenkins reported that the new bridge will be two (2) lanes and that each lane will be eleven (11) feet wide. He also mentioned that they discussed the outcome of the one lane bridge. He reported that there is money still in escrow to make the old bridge a covered bridge for bicycle's and pedestrians. There was a brief discussion about the bridge project. * Free Standing Sign Ordinance 237-08-1C: Mayor Jenkins mentioned that last month the Commission reviewed a sign ordinance from the Planning Commission that raised the maximum allowable height for free standing signs and changed the formula for calculating wall signs. He also stated that the Commission reviewed this ordinance and voted it down. He said the Planning Commission felt that maybe it was voted down because both things were in the one ordinance. Mayor Jenkins stated that the Planning Commission took it upon themselves to divide it into two separate ordinances and if the Commission was in favor, to schedule a public hearing. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that the reason the Planning Commission recommend this change was that they felt like with twenty five (25) foot signs in town and then dropping it down to fifteen (15) feet, it made the twenty five (25) foot signs more noticeable. He stated that twenty (20) feet seemed like a happy medium. There was a brief discussion about free standing signs. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to call for a public hearing for ordinance 237-08-1C. Mayor Jenkins seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. * Wall Sign Ordinance 238-08-1C: Mayor Jenkins stated that the other half of this changed the formula for Wall Signs. Commissioner Skidmore explained the old regulations for wall signs compared to the new regulations mentioned in Ordinance 238-08-1C. There was a brief discussion about Wall Signs. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to call for a public hearing for ordinance 238-08-1C. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. * Wine by the Drink 239-08-1C: Mayor Jenkins stated that there are two parts of the Tennessee Code that allows the Municipality to have some input on Wine by the drink. He stated that one half is to have a privilege tax and the second half is to allow the municipality to have an inspection fee, which for our county is five (5%) percent of the wholesale price of the wine. Mayor Jenkins also mentioned to take advantage of both of those opportunities the City has to pass an ordinance saying they want both. Commissioner Skidmore asked what was required of the City for the Inspection. Mayor Jenkins stated that he had the City Attorney working on this ordinance. He mentioned that the Inspection doesn't require us to do anything according to State Law. Mike Talley asked if the inspection fee would be one time or continual fee and also asked the rate of the annual privilege tax. Mayor Jenkins instructed him that the inspection fee is five percent (5%) on every wholesale and a one hundred twenty dollar ($120) privilege tax for a facility with forty seats. Commissioner Skidmore asked if the City could deny someone from getting their ABC Permit. Mayor Jenkins said no but, the City can have input on removal of a permit. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to call for a public hearing for ordinance 239-08-1C. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. New Business: * Planning request for zoning recommendations for newly annexed property: Mayor Jenkins explained that we have an annexation that takes place on January 5, 2009. He stated that by our ordinances, property that comes into the City, by default, comes in as R1. Mayor Jenkins stated that he asked the Planning Commission to develop recommendation for the newly annexed properties so the City Commission will be ready to act on the recommendations. Don Headrick stated that most of the time property owners are asked how they want to be zoned. Mayor Jenkins stated that the Planning Commission is free to contact property owners. Mr. Headrick also commented that it is not right for the Planner to give input on what we want here, that she is just a helper. *In Lieu of Property Tax Contract, Sevier County Electric System: Mayor Jenkins explained the contract the City has with Sevier County Electric System. There was a brief discussion about the Contract. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to accept and sign the contract. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Misc: Jerry Grant asked when he will get lights on his end of the City and about drinking on the river. Mayor Jenkins stated that the ordinances that control alcohol consumption have not changed since he became Mayor. There was a brief discussion about alcohol. Travis Grant stated that they just wanted clarification before tubing season opens. Commissioner Skidmore stated that the Police, the Commission and he have asked for clarification and we haven't gotten it so we need to get it one way or another. Further discussion ensued regarding alcohol. There was a brief discussion on street lights, bike trail lights, and grants. Mayor Jenkins mentioned Preserve America Grants. Further discussion ensued regarding lighting. Commissioner Tippitt agreed to check on Grants for lighting. Vice Mayor Palewski mentioned a Christmas Bonus for City Employee's. There was a brief discussion regarding past bonuses. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve a three hundred fifty ($350) Christmas Bonus for each employee. Mayor Jenkins seconded and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
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