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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On March 16th, 2010 |
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Attend: Attending the meeting was Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Recorder Shelia Moss, Jackie Suttles, Tim Byrd, Mary Ann Ashworth, Wesley Tyson, and BJ Powell. Mayor Pat Jenkins and Fire Chief Don Stallions were absent. Called Beer Board Meeting: Vice Mayor Palewski opened the Beer Board meeting at 7:00 pm. Vice Mayor Palewski explained that there are two applicants, Tim Byrd/Teresa Culp for Trailhead Steakhouse; and James Scott Franklin for Riverside Restaurant. He stated that both had passed their background checks which were performed by Chief Suttles. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve an On Premise beer permit for Trailhead Steakhouse. Commissioner Tippitt Seconded and the motion passed with 3 yea votes. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve an On Premise beer permit for Riverside Restaurant. Commissioner Tippitt Seconded and the motion passed with 3 yea votes. (Commissioner Skidmore was not present until the finance report). There being no further business, Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to adjourn the Beer Board. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm. Regular Commission Meeting Pledge: Vice Mayor Palewski opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:07pm. Minutes: Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the minutes pending the corrections mentioned by Vice Mayor Palewski and Commissioner Wietlisbach. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 3 yea votes. Finance Report: Recorder Moss gave the financial report for the month of February 2010. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve the finance report. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Recorder Moss asked the Commission about moving the BB&T CD's as they come up for renewal to the Citizens Bank (CBBC) Money Market account, which is paying two percent. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that originally the idea was to solicit each bank in the community by diversifying the City of Townsend's funds. He also mentioned that the difference would only be one to two percent and that the CD's should remain the same. Vice Mayor Palewski, Commissioner Tippitt, and Commissioner Wietlisbach all agreed. Police Report: Chief Suttles reported that the vehicles now have new tires. He mentioned that everything is going pretty good and reminded the Commission that the new Police Cruiser purchase would be coming up before the end of the 2009/2010 budget. Chief Suttles stated that Officer Bill Allen's cruiser has between 140,000 and 150,000 miles. Vice Mayor Palewski asked Chief Suttles if he was seeing a lot of traffic from the parks such as dump trucks. Chief Suttles stated that there is an increase in traffic but, don't believe it will take a big toll on the roadways. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that the truck drivers pay a lot of money to be able to use the roads. Maintenance: Chief Suttles reported that Sevier County Electric System (SCES) has Wolfe Tree Service taking down a bunch of trees that have been in question for a long time. The trees in question are around the Mary E Tippitt Memorial Library and behind the IGA. He also mentioned that the trees are cut to Arbor Day specifications and that Wolfe can not cut anything bigger than eight inches without consulting with Sevier County. In regards to the Entrance Beautification Project, Chief Suttles reported that Home Depot had issued cards for the City to obtain replacement trees for the ones that died. Fire: No Report **Commissioner requested to move the Maryanne Tyson Memorial Breast Cancer Walk up as the requestors were present. Maryanne Tyson Memorial Breast Cancer Walk: Vice Mayor Palewski stated that there was literature about this event in each packet. Commissioner Skidmore inquired if the Commission had to approve this event. Recorder Moss stated that in the past, she has provided the Commissioners with required documentation, for events scheduled in the City of Townsend, for the Commission to review and ultimately approve or deny the event. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve this event. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Mrs. Powell introduced Mrs. Maryanne Tyson's widower, Wesley Tyson to the Commission and all attending the meeting. Mrs. Powell mentioned that she was spearheading this event and that she had also obtained permission from the Visitor's Center to begin the walk at that location. Recreation: Commissioner Skidmore reported that only two people were interested in TBall this year so, there will be a 7-8 year old boy's baseball team. He mentioned that the entry fee for each of thirteen children this year is $75. Commissioner Skidmore stated that each child will receive a shirt and hat. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve sponsorship of the 7-8 year old baseball team in the amount of $975. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Commissioner Wietlisbach reported that the parade theme for 2010 would be "The Gift of Life". He mentioned that what prompted the theme were organ recipients as well as possible organ donor's within Townsend. Commissioner Wietlisbach mentioned that the float does not have to be about organ donation but rather anything relating to the gift of life. There was a brief discussion about fireworks however, no action was taken. Library Report: Commissioner Tippitt gave the Library report. Commissioner Tippitt mentioned that the artist of the month exhibit at the Library for this month is the miniature art prints. He reported the Friends of the Library Golf Tournament is scheduled for April 23, 2010 at the Laurel Valley golf course. Commissioner Tippitt mentioned that this is one of the largest fund raisers and that the funds raised will be donated to library operation expenses. Mrs. Ashworth inquired about new best seller books. Commissioner Tippitt explained that the library applies for grants to purchase adult best sellers however; they were unable to obtain that grant last year due to applying for a matching grant for computers. Old Business 1. Lease Agreement, Property at 133 Tiger Dr: The Commission took a minute to review the final draft of the lease agreement between the City of Townsend and the Blount County School Board. Commissioner Skidmore asked if this was the final draft that is ready for execution and if the City's Attorney had seen it. Recorder Moss replied by stating that the City's Attorney had not seen the final draft and that at the last meeting, the Commission and Chief Stallions addressed all the questions, concerns, and recommendations brought up by the Commission and the City Attorney for the first draft. She also mentioned that at the last meeting the Commission made a motion to have Chief Stallions prepare a final draft, based on all the responses to the questions and recommendations, for the March meeting for a vote. Commissioner Tippitt asked if the Mayor had seen the final draft. Recorder Moss responded by stating that the Mayor had seen the final draft and that each Commissioner had a copy in their packet. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve the lease agreement. Vice Mayor Palewski stated that the Commission could approve the lease today and could still do some video taping. Recorder Moss stated that she would not recommend approving the lease if the Commission did not agree to all the terms in it as it would be legally binding once it is signed. Commissioner Skidmore ask about video taping and Vice Mayor Palewski stated that on page 3 number 12, the lease states that the Board shall have no responsibility for any maintenance, repair, or capital improvements to the premises. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he believed that was part of the original lease. There was a brief discussion regarding the terms on page 3 number 12. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he believed that that section was a standard agreement. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. 2. Financial Advisor Overview, Commissioner Skidmore: Commissioner Skidmore reported that he met with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) Financial Advisor, Gail Cook, who is also a CPA. He reported that he spoke to Karen Edwards with Ingram, Overholt, and Bean on the phone but, did not have a meeting with her. Commissioner Skidmore stated that Mrs. Cook projected us to have a deficit by 2014. Commissioner Skidmore stated that we will either have to tighten our belt or increase revenues in the next few years to afford what the city has now. Commissioner Skidmore mentioned that Mrs. Cook's projections showed conservative revenues and aggressive expenses. Commissioner Tippitt stated that the revenues have always increased since he's been on the Commission. Commissioner Skidmore stated the reason for the meeting was to determine what we need to do to build a city building. He also reported that based on Mrs. Cook's recommendations the city should maintain twenty percent, which is about $106,000, in reserves if the City chose to use $150,000 to make a principal payment toward the loan. There was further discussion regarding paying down the property loan, a new building, and the City's budget. Commissioner Skidmore requested that Recorder Moss develop a plan which would include maintaining 20% in reserves, a principal payment on the property, and a payoff timeline which could be called goal one. He mentioned goal two would be planning and goal three would be building the building. New Business 1. Ordinance Allowing Residential Uses in B1 General Business District: Commissioner Skidmore asked if there was a rush for this ordinance. Recorder Moss instructed the Commission that if they wanted to have a first reading, this Ordinance could be assigned a number immediately. She informed them that any time an Ordinance is numbered it has to go in the Ordinance book even if no action is ever taken. Commissioner Tippitt mentioned that he felt this ordinance should be delayed because there might be a change at the next Planning Commission. Commissioner Skidmore asked Commissioner Tippitt if he remembered him coming to a Planning Commission meeting and voicing his concerns regarding this Ordinance. Commissioner Skidmore then explained his concern, which is businesses would be penalized twenty five extra feet (in regards to setbacks) due to allowing a residential building in a B1 district, to the rest of the Commission. There was further discussion regarding setbacks in residential and business districts. No action was taken on this ordinance. 2. Ordinance to revise Business Permitting Process: Commissioner Skidmore asked what changes were being made. Recorder Moss explained that the State law has changed and that she attended a class taught by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. She informed them that the instructor of the class referred her to the City's Attorney in regards to whether or not we would have to comply with the new laws. Recorder Moss informed the Commission that the Attorney reviewed the new laws and drafted this Ordinance. She mentioned that the difference in the ordinance is "one time fee" opposed to "annual fee", which is the current process. Recorder Moss informed the Commission that renewals would be issued based on when businesses file their taxes with the State however, she was having trouble getting a list from the State of who is filing their taxes and when. There was further discussion regarding the business permit process. This ordinance was then assigned number 247-10-1C and Vice Mayor Palewski read the ordinance in its entirety aloud. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve Ordinance 247-10-1C. Commissioner Skidmore seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. 3. Digital Recorder, Previous Commission Meeting Tapes, and City Website - Commissioner Skidmore: Commissioner Skidmore reported that he had asked Recorder Moss to research converting old meeting tapes to compact disks. Recorder Moss reported that she found three companies, all of whom are in Washington (state), who specialize in this type of transfer. She reported that each of the companies handles the process a little differently and that we should be concerned with which one will give the best service and quality and not choose based on price alone. Commissioner Wietlisbach stated that he would be in favor of having the tapes transferred. The other Commissioners agreed they would be on board with the idea of spending $1,000 to $2,000 for this project. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he will bring all of the tapes he obtained (prior to destruction at the office) to be counted so a solid bid from each company could be requested. There was a brief discussion regarding purchasing a digital recorder to prevent further tape recordings. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to allow a purchase of a digital recorder up to $250. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Commissioner Skidmore asked Commissioner Wietlisbach to contact Wes Siegrist, who maintains the City of Townsend website, and ask him what his price would be to handle additional items for the website. 4. Maryanne Tyson Memorial Breast Cancer Walk: Moved up on the agenda (following the Fire Report) per the request of Commissioner Skidmore. 5. Other Business: Budget workshops were set for April 13, 2010 at 7:00pm and immediately following City Council on April 20, 2010. There being no further business Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted by: Shelia Moss |
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