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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On February 17th, 2009 |
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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, Iva Butler, Pete Maples, Don Headrick, Mike Talley, Alma Lindsay, Mary Ann Ashworth, and Ernie Lancaster.
Pledge: Mayor Jenkins opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes for the January 20, 2009 meeting was made by Commissioner Skidmore and a second was made by Commissioner Tippitt. The January minutes passed with four (4) yea votes. Commissioner Wietlisbach abstained from the vote. Finance Report: Shelia Moss informed the Commission that she had added the previous year's totals on the Monthly Summary Report as requested and made a copy of last year's budget for comparison for each of them if they wanted a copy. Recorder Moss then gave a financial overview for the month of January 2009. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the financial report and Vice Mayor Palewski seconded the motion. The financial report passed with five (5) yea votes. Police Report: Chief Suttles reported that he, Officer Frank Shearl, and Officer Tony Rayburn had completed their in-service and that Officer Bill Allen would complete his next week. Chief Suttles stated that it has been fairly quiet. He mentioned that traffic picked up during Valentine's and he is expecting a busy summer. Mayor Jenkins mentioned that there is a lot of Dump Truck traffic due to the new bridge, the Parkway extension and soon the National Park. Mayor Jenkins asked how fast the trucks are moving. Chief Suttles stated that they are maybe five (5) to seven (7) miles over and that Officer Shearl was keeping a close eye on them. There was a brief discussion about the Dump Truck Traffic. Commissioner Skidmore asked if there was a project going on in the Park other than the Parkway at Parson's Branch or somewhere and where the Quality Trucks were going. Chief Suttles reported that he was not sure about another project but that the Quality trucks were going straight into the Park. Maintenance: Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell touched base with Sevier County to see when they could come take the Snowflake lights down. He reported that the Ford Ranger was down and needs repair. Chief Suttles stated that he would be requesting a check for around $200 to be written for the gentleman who was allowing the City to use his auger, since it would have cost one hundred eighty dollars ($180) per week to rent. Chief Suttles also mentioned that the Bobcat being used was Mr. McCampbell's and would like the Commission reimburse him as well. He stated that Bill Dunlap has been covered up but he will check back in three (3) to four (4) weeks. Fire Department: Chief Stallions reported that this month was a little easier than last month. He also reported that the building was on schedule and was trying to incorporate the fire place into the building. Recreation: Commissioner Skidmore stated that they needed to approve the money for the Tball registrations. He stated that he thought they would have twelve (12) children and that each registration was sixty five dollars ($65). Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve up to one thousand fifty ($1,050) for Tball registrations. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a second and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Ordinance 238-08-1C, Wall Signs, Second Reading: Mayor Jenkins read the first portion of the ordinance. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve and Commissioner Skidmore seconded. The motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Ordinance 239-08-1C, Wine by the Drink, Second Reading: Mayor Jenkins read the first portion of the ordinance. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve and Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded. The motion passed with five (5) yea votes. Old Business: * Entrance Beautification: Commissioner Tippitt reported that Glen McCampbell had about two thirds (2/3) of the tree's set out. He mentioned that all would have been the whole amount but, we had a little snag which has been resolved. Commissioner Tippitt stated that the next day the weather is where Mr. McCampbell can work on it, he will finish it up. Alma Lindsay stated that she thinks that it looks very nice and that Mr. McCampbell is doing a great job. Commissioner Tippitt stated that once the dirt settles, Mr. McCampbell will be putting mulch around the trees. Mayor Jenkins asked if the planting would be complete by the end of the month. Commissioner Tippitt stated that it would be complete. Mary Ann Ashworth asked if we were ever going to do anything with the concrete wall and if it was always going to be a weed wall. There was a brief discussion about the concrete wall but, no action was taken. * Commissioner Tippitt stated that if we were going to spend the other $7,500 that was approved for street repair, he recommends beginning on Mountain Avenue and then adding gravel to the road going to the City park. Commissioner Wietlisbach asked if the road to the park needed more gravel or grading. Commissioner Tippitt said more gravel and asked Chief Suttles if he agreed. Chief Suttles stated that it would need to be graded and then have gravel added. *Banners: Vice Mayor Palewski stated that he felt like the Commission needed to start moving on the banners. He also stated that we would have to supply our own brackets and mentioned that he got three quotes. The three quotes were as follows: Bacon & Company, $145 per each single set without the banding; Display Sales $75 per each single set with banding. Vice Mayor Palewski reported that the price of the banners is $77.50 each. He also mentioned that he wanted to order twenty five (25) banners and place them throughout town on the poles listed on the Probable Locations report he and Chief Suttles created. Vice Mayor Palewski also stated that we had the flyers made up to hand out to the residents and businesses. Mayor Jenkins mentioned that the flyers were to attract sponsors, which he stated was Iva Butler's idea. There was a brief discussion about the banners, brackets, and pricing. Mayor Jenkins reported that the banners were 24x48 14oz vinyl with the same digital image on both sides printed with UV inks for longer life. Commissioner Skidmore asked what would be allowed on the brackets once they go up. Mayor Jenkins stated that there needs to be a mechanism to monitor what goes up. There was a brief discussion about other banner possibilities. Mayor Jenkins stated that there are two (2) schools of thought: either buy the banners ahead of time or get sponsors first and then order. There was a brief discussion about sponsorship. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to order the twenty five (25) brackets as soon as possible, spend the next two weeks looking for sponsors for the banners, and will order a minimum of twenty five (25) banners but possibly more if there are enough sponsors. Commissioner Tippitt made a second and the motion passed with five (5) yea votes. New Business: * Bike Trail Lighting Power Box near Pete Maples new facility: Mr. Maples stated that he had asked Commissioner Skidmore last year about relocating the box and that he was told it wouldn't be a problem. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he did not remember the conversation but did recall that City tried to get it out of the way the best they could when it was set. Mayor Jenkins confirmed that it is setting adjacent to a power pole now. Mr. Maples mentioned that that particular pole was going to be moved. He also mentioned that he would like to move the box toward the park. Mayor Jenkins asked if anyone had an idea of how much it would cost to move a box. There was no response. Vice Mayor Palewski asked Mr. Maples if he was suggesting that he would pay to have the box moved. Mr. Maples responded by saying no. He also stated that on his site plan for the new building, it showed the driveway going through where the box is located. There was a brief discussion. Mayor Jenkins stated that he wanted to find out how much it was going to cost to move the box. Mr. Headrick asked Mr. Maples if he had talked Sevier County Electric into moving all power from in front of his facilities. Mr. Maples confirmed that he had asked them to relocate it to across the road. Mr. Headrick then said that the box would have to be moved to the next pole. Mr. Maples stated that he didn't care which way the box was moved. Mr. Headrick stated that he resented Mr. Maples moving the box in front of his place just to benefit himself. Mayor Jenkins asked Vice Mayor Palewski to get us a price and to with Mr. Maples on this issue. *First Read and Motion for a Public Hearing - Ordinance's 240-09-1C (rezoning): Recorder Moss instructed the Commission that Planner Nikki Petty requested that she put these on the agenda as First Read and Motion for a Public Hearing. Commissioner Skidmore asked if this was recommended by the Planning Commission. Mayor Jenkins responded by saying that it was recommended by the Planning Commission. He also stated that City Council voted to table this ordinance because they new that some of the properties that came into the city by Annexation would need to be rezoned as well and they wanted to deal with this all at one time. Commissioner Skidmore asked if it was parcel's 167, 168, and 169. Mayor Jenkins replied yes and that the requestor that started this whole thing was 169. He also reported that the requestor has it for sale and wants to make it commercial but, there is someone living in the home. Commissioner Skidmore asked if all three parcels touched the highway. Mayor Jenkins stated that the one that touched the highway the least was 169 but that it did touch. Mayor Jenkins also stated that a B1 zone does not allow for a primary residence unless it's associated with a business on the property. He mentioned that the recommendation from the Planning Commission was to rezone the front portion. Mr. Headrick questioned the drawing of parcel 168 and stated that it does not look accurate. Mayor Jenkins said that it's his opinion to send it back to Mrs. Petty. Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that he feels like there is enough confusion this. Commissioner Skidmore asked what bearing it would have to send it back. Commissioner Wietlisbach stated that it looks like we are taking a 5 X 20 piece of 169 and making it B1. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to call for a public hearing for Ordinance #240-09-1C. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with three yea votes. Mayor Jenkins and Commissioner Tippitt voted nay. Ordinance 241-09-1C (rezoning, newly annexed property): Mayor Jenkins explained that the property that came into the City as of January 5, 2009 came in as Residential. He mentioned that the Planning Commission looked at these properties and found that some should have come in as Commercial so they have made a recommendation. Mayor Jenkins stated that the attached map shows all properties with no distinction of their recommendation. Commissioner Skidmore stated that 241-09-1C reference Parcels 167 and 168. Recorder Moss was instructed to obtain the correct map for the annexation rezoning and to clear up the Ordinance numbers. Mayor Jenkins made a motion to send Ordinance 241-09-1C back to the Mrs. Petty. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he thinks we have a little problem with the agenda. He mentioned that he did not have one in his box yesterday and that we need to have a cut off. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to cut off the agenda one week before the meeting. Commissioner Tippitt made a second and the motion passed with four (4) yea votes. Mayor Jenkins abstained. Mayor Jenkins asked if they all agreed to send this ordinance back to the Mrs. Petty. There was not a vote but all conceded. * City Council and Planning Commission Sign Workshop: Mayor Jenkins reported that the sign ordinances are continually critiqued, modified, and improved. He also stated that the Planning Commission is looking at it again and would like to schedule a workshop with the City Council and the Public. Mayor Jenkins also reported that no decisions would be made during this workshop. Mayor Jenkins asked the City Council if they would be interested. Vice Mayor Palewski asked if the State could be included to determine what is allowed on the Right of Way. Mayor Jenkins responded by stating that this workshop would be geared more toward the City's regulations. There was a brief discussion about this workshop. Commissioner Skidmore and Vice Mayor Palewski stated that they wanted to be involved. Mayor Jenkins stated that he and Commissioner Tippitt would already be at the workshop. Commissioner Wietlisbach stated that he was still at a loss for the purpose of this meeting. Mayor Jenkins, Commissioner Wietlisbach, and Planning Vice Chairman Talley discussed the purpose of the meeting. Commissioner Wietlisbach stated he would be there. * Commissioner Tippitt reverted back to ordinance 240-09-1C. He mentioned that he had two different maps and two pages over was an ordinance without a number. Commissioner Skidmore stated that we were just missing a number on the one. Mayor Jenkins stated that we need to clear it up. Recorder Moss stated that she would take care of it. Commissioner Wietlisbach questioned having the public hearing. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he thought we still needed to have the public hearing. Recorder Moss stated that she would contact Mrs. Petty for clarification and correction and mail copies of the corrected ordinances to each Commission Member prior to the Public Hearing. Mayor Jenkins stated it was embarrassing that it was messy. * Street Lighting for the Reserve & Mrs. Tompkins: Recorder Moss stated that each have asked for a street light and that she was not sure if the Council had to approve adding lights. Mayor Jenkins reported that he instructed the individuals that live there that it is the responsibility of the Developer, not the City, to add these lights. He also instructed them that if the Developer wanted to submit a new lighting plan to the Planning Commission, Planning would be glad to hear the Developer. Vice Mayor Palewski asked Mayor Jenkins if he was referring to the reserve and he responded yes. There was a brief discussion about street lights at the Reserve. Mayor Jenkins stated that there was a request for lights on the other end of town last month and he felt that if we were going add a light at the Reserve we needed to be fair and think about the other request too. There was further discussion about street lighting. Chief Suttles agreed to come back with a proposal of how many street lights are needed. * League of Women Voters: Recorder Moss distributed the information sent by the League of Women Voters to each Commission Member. She stated that they have requested we keep the booklet's here in the City Office for people to pick up. Recorder Moss stated that the booklet had information on how to register to vote. Mayor Jenkins stated that he would like to read the booklet first. He also stated they would have a short discussion next month and decide whether or not to allow it. * Office Staffing for Planned Vacation, Unplanned Illness and Classes: Recorder Moss asked if the Commission was open to the idea of having a part time person in addition to herself. She stated that she thought the purpose of having the office open every day was to have someone here. Recorder Moss mentioned that she had quiet a few classes coming up. She also mentioned that former Recorder Gwen Jordan had stated she would like the part time opportunity if it was available. Recorder Moss stated that she knew it was a stretch to even bring it up due to budget cuts. Mayor Jenkins stated that we have two options, lock the door when Recorder Moss was out or have someone to be here. Recorder Moss stated that the problem is that whoever is here has to be bonded. Commissioner Skidmore stated that if it was something planned we put a notice on the door a week ahead of time. He also stated that they had made it for twenty two years before hiring someone full time, which was a big step. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
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