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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On February 16th, 2010 |
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Attend: Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins, Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Recorder Shelia Moss, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Jackie Suttles, Jeff Dockery, Mike Talley and Mary Jenkins. Commissioner Shannon Skidmore and Commissioner David Wietlisbach were absent. Pledge: Mayor Jenkins opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:02pm. Minutes: Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 19, 2010 meeting. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with 2 yea votes. Mayor Jenkins abstained. Finance Report: Recorder Moss gave a financial overview for the month of January 2010. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the finance report for the month of January 2010. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with 3 yea votes. Police Report: Chief Suttles reported that everything is going ok. He mentioned that the tiles had been delivered. Vice Mayor Palewski inquired on the tires that Chief Suttles had spoke about at the January 19, 2010 meeting. Chief Suttles responded by informing the Commission that it would be about one more month before he begins purchasing tires for the Police vehicles. He stated that he is watching the current tires closely and will maintain safety. Maintenance: Chief Suttles reported that the downrigger on the backhoe had a blown pack. Mayor Jenkins inquired about the hole surrounded by yellow tape at Family Dollar. Chief Suttles reported that they were waiting to add fill. Chief Suttles reported that he was unsure when all the Christmas lights would be taken down due to the weather. Fire: Fire Chief Stallions reported that everything is going well and that they were really busy. He reported that medical calls were down but, fire calls had increased. Chief Stallions stated that they are still waiting on funding for the fire hall. He stated that they are not abandoning any station but, are adding to what they have with the new fire hall. Chief Stallions mentioned that he thinks that it will look good and that it is well designed. He also mentioned that they are going to try to keep the fire place in the plans. Vice Mayor Palewski inquired about the radio's for the school and the medical bag. Chief Stallions reported that he is working with Dr. John Dalton (Principal at Townsend Elementary) on the radio's but, believes that they do not need the bag as no one is qualified at the school as a first responder. Recreation: Vice Mayor Palewski stated that Commissioner Wietlisbach contacted him to give him the theme for the 2010 Christmas Parade for the recreation report for this meeting. Vice Mayor Palewski reported that the theme would be " The Gift of Life" and mentioned examples of organ donors and/or recipients. Old Business 1. Lease Agreement, Property at 133 Tiger Dr: Mayor Jenkins stated that he had passed this responsibility to the Vice Mayor due to his job. Chief Stallions stated that he has answers. Chief Stallions reported the following: (paragraph 2) the County does not have a policy due to self insurance but, they have a fund to cover liability incase they were found liable; (issue 3) tenants would be responsible for repair and capital improvements but, doesn't believe it will be required unless there is a danger or public safety issue; (issue 4) in regards to hold harmless, no issue but, the language was changed to include Tennessee Tort Liability Limits ($300,000); (issue 5)no issue, the City of Townsend could be released from the lease in thirty days; and that the School Board would only commit to ten years. Vice Mayor Palewski asked if the only problem the School Board had was in regards to thirty years. Chief Stallions stated that he does not think it is not the Board's intent to ever occupy the building. He also stated that due to the current climate of the County, they are very reluctant to either let go of something or to commit to a long term commitment. Mayor Jenkins stated based on the answers given to them it would be nice for the Board of Education to revise the lease and bring it back next month for a vote. New Business Other Business: Street Lights: Vice Mayor Palewski stated that he talked to Jeff Headrick at Sevier County Electric Service (SCES) regarding street lights at the upper end of town. Vice Mayor Palewski reported Mr. Headrick stated that the poles could not be installed without Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) approval. He also reported that Mr. Headrick quoted a price of $25 per pole per year. Mayor Jenkins stated that the upper end is very dark. Chief Suttles mentioned that this topic has come up several times mostly in reference to intersections. He also mentioned that to add lights to existing poles would just require the City to notify SCES. Mayor Jenkins asked Chief Suttles to come back with a number for the Commission to vote on next month. Mr. Mike Talley asked if they were only talking about public intersections. Mayor Jenkins responded by stating that they were not going to intentionally illuminate specific businesses. Traffic Light: Vice Mayor Palewski asked if the green light was out. Chief Suttles stated that it was out but that he did not want to call Mr. Glen McCampbell in on a holiday to change the bulb. Election Commission: Mayor Jenkins informed the Commission that he had received a letter from the Election Commission confirming the Municipal election of the City of Townsend to be held Tuesday, May 4th and the purpose is to elect three members of the Board of Commissioners to serve for four years. Commissioner Tippitt mentioned that our election is August and that May is the County Primary. Recorder Moss agreed to contact the Election Commission to request this information be corrected. Roadscape Grant: Recorder Moss updated the Commission on the status of the Grant. She explained that the environmental study had been done by the East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) and submitted to the State. Recorder Moss stated that Mr. Mitch Loomis, with ETDD, was going to follow up with the State again. She also mentioned that Mr. Loomis he had asked if the City had chosen an engineer or did the Commission want ETDD to choose one for them. Mayor Jenkins stated that he would like ETDD to pick the engineer. Code of Ordinances: Recorder Moss informed the Commission that there are three Cities in front of ours who have not turned in their information. She reported that if the two did not have their information turned in by the time MTAS finishes the two they are working on, we would be next. Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS): Recorder Moss informed the Commission that she had attended the class in Sevierville that was instructed by TCRS personnel. She explained that the letter the City received was explained in the class. Recorder Moss informed the Commission that the letter was just detailing the rate the City had to pay for retirement. She instructed the Commission that Townsend was one of the lucky cities due to the fact that our rate going down from 14.85 to 12.65% for the next fiscal year. Red Cross and the Townsend Church of God: Mr. Jeff Dockery informed the Commission that he had moved out of the City and was the new Pastor of the Townsend Church of God. He stated that the Church could be used if Townsend Elementary had to be evacuated. Pastor Dockery also mentioned that the Red Cross came by and asked if the Church could be used in a time of emergency. Pastor Dockery informed the Commission was equipped with restrooms, showers, a kitchen, and plenty of space. Chief Stallions instructed Pastor Dockery to give him the information and he would coordinate for the school and the Red Cross. Cades Cove Loop Closure Sign: Mr. Mike Talley asked about Cades Cove Closing and the large sign being placed at the traffic light. Mr. Talley stated that he believes that this will hinder upper end businesses. Chief Suttles reported that the sign would be right at the traffic light due to the fact that TDOT didn't want to bottleneck at the Y. Vice Mayor Palewski mentioned that he believes that the motel's and cabin rental's will be the least affected. Mr. Talley asked the Commission to suggest alternatives for the location of the sign or the wording. Mayor Jenkins stated that he will call Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald, who is with the Park Service, and speak with him. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
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