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CITY OF TOWNSEND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On June 19th, 2007 |
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Attend: Attending the meeting were; Mayor Skidmore; Commissioners Ron Palewski, Charles Tippitt, Mark Chipperfield, and David Wietlisbach, arrived at 7:30. Police Chief Ron Suttles, Recorder Gwen Jordan, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Iva Butler, Mary Ashworth, Don Headrick, Pat Jenkins, Gary Baker, William Tipton and several community residents. Pledge: Mayor Skidmore opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ord.#230-07-1C: Mayor Skidmore reviewed the ordinance for the 2007-2008 budget with the Commission. Commissioner Chipperfield made a motion to approve the second reading and Commissioner Palewski seconded. Motion carried with 4 yea votes.(Wietlisbach not present). Ord.# 229-07-1C: Mayor Skidmore read the Code of Ethics Ordinance title for the second reading. Commissioner Palweski made a motion to approve the second reading and Commissioner Chipperfield seconded. Motion carried with 4 yea votes. Minutes: Minutes from the prior month meeting were reviewed by the Commission. Commissioner Chipperfield made a motion to approve them as written and Commissioner Tippitt seconded. Motion carried with 4 yea votes. Library: Amy Wietlisbach gave the statistics for the quarterly report of April 18th, to June 19th, 2007. Two special items Amy mentioned were; the Summer Reading Program schedule for the four Thursdays in July, and the three grants the library received being: Jane L. Pettway Foundation , $1,000.00 dollars; Technology grant from the State, $800.00 dollars,(library must match funds by August 1, 2007); and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for $4,811.00 dollars, for upgrading computers in public libraries. Finance Reports: Recorder Jordan reviewed the monthly report and the budget analysis with the Commission. Commissioner Chipperfield made a motion to approve the reports as prepared and Commissioner Palewski seconded. Motion carried with 4 yea votes. Police Report: Chief Suttles stated that the traffic flow has been heavy and that citations have increased. Ron then mentioned that he would like for the Commission to be considering about hiring another police person fulltime. He added that it's about time to increase the force. Commissioner Tippitt asked Ron about the mailbox incident in Chestnut Hills, and a brief discussion occurred amongst the Commission and Ron. The discussion ended with no motions or decisions being made. Maintenance: Ron reported that Glen has been working on the driveway and parking area behind the Municipal building, getting it ready for the church group for this fall. Ron added that Glen has had several hoses break on the mower and tractor, and he has had to take the time to replace them. Ron also added that he's in the process of talking with the residents in Chestnut Hills pertaining to the stop signs. Commissioner Tippitt stated to the Commission that he received a letter from the State on May 31st, that stated there were 78 applications for the walk way grant money. He added that only two applications were from Blount County, of which Townsend was one of them asking for $73,000.00 dollars. Commissioner Tippitt said it would be 3-4 months before a determination is made of who will receive the grants. Fire Dept. Report: Chief Don Stallions reported the statistics for the past month, and explained how the bull dozers are used to encircle the pine tree fires, and then allowed to burn out. Don added that during the month of May they responded to 11 fire alarm fires and 19 first responder calls, for a total of 293 man hours for just those 30 calls. Recreation: Commissioner Tippitt reported that the T-Ball team had lost their last game, but won all the other games. William Tipton: Mr. Tipton addressed the Commission concerning his wish to be allowed to vote in the City elections, since he owns land within the City limits, but does not reside in the City. He and the Commission had a brief discussion and Mayor Skidmore explained that the City Charter has the voting rights outlined in it. The Mayor asked Don Headrick to explain to Mr.Tipton how the voting guidelines were entered into the Charter, since Don was on the Commission when the Charter was revised. Mr. Tipton still gave a rebuttal comment and expressed his desire to vote in the City. Mayor Skidmore stated that Mr. Tipton's concerns are so noted and asked the Commission for any comments or suggestions. Mayor Skidmore then informed Mr.Tipton that no motion was made to amend the Charter. Street Lights: Ron Suttles informed the Commission that Sevier County Elec representative came and met with Ron last Friday, and TDOT will have to be contacted by Sevier County Elec to determine if the wooden poles can be used. Annexation update: Mayor Skidmore explained that Attorney's Will Carver and Tom Hale had met with the Commission, merely to update, plus answer questions from the Commission, on how the annexation proceedings are moving. The Commission was not allowed to voice any opinions or have any basic discussion on the annexation. Tonight, at this meeting, Mayor Skidmore stated he would like for the Commission to open the subject and discuss whether the City should continue with the annexation knowing there would be additional cost, or should things just stop at this point? Commissioners Tippitt and Chipperfield stated the City has already went a long way and spent many dollars. Commissioner Palewski stated the City should go forward. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to continue with the annexation proceedings and Commissioner Tippitt seconded the motion. Motion carried with all 5 yea votes. Pat Jenkins: Pat addressed the Commission with his problem of tubers getting out of the river and walking on his and other private property. His complaint was directed at the results given at the Planning Commission BZA meeting last Thursday. Mayor Skidmore directed Vice Mayor Ron Palewski to talk on the matter since he was at the BZA meeting and on the BZA Board. Commissioner Palewski explained to Pat that property owner Sharon Morgan was called this morning from the Recorder's office and she informed the Recorder that no $3200.00 dollars was given to her and she does not intend to lease her property as Gary Baker indicated earlier. At this point in the discussion, Gary Baker spoke up and stated he had talked with Sharon Morgan and her sister and Gary stated he will not rent her property and his tubers will not be getting out on Pat Jenkins land. The discussion ended with Commissioner Palewski making a motion to have the tube ordinance amended. Commissioner Tippitt seconded. No Vote was taken as Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to table that motion and to have Midge Jessiman put the tube ordinance on the July planning Commission agenda. This Motion carried with 4 yea votes and 1 abstained from Mayor Skidmore. There being no further business the meeting promptly adjourned. Respectfully submitted by; Gwen Jordan, Recorder City of Townsend |
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