City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 6,2013 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, August 6,2013, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Michelle Dolan, Vice-Mayor Lea Powers, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, and Councilman Chad Keen. Others Present: Interim City Manager William L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; Secretary Megahn Eads; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF' ALLEGIANCE: Vice-Mayor Lea Powers gave the invocation, and Vietnam Veteran John Fogherty led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: Interim City Manager William Sorah removed Resolution 13-68 from the agenda. As part of the agenda additions and changes, a new Council member was selected to replace Councilman Ben Zandi who resigned his position through the passage of Resolution 13-87 - A Resolution Filling a Vacancy on the City Council. The position is required to be filled within 30 days. Ben Zandi represented the At-Large seat on the Council. A nomination was made by Councilwoman Feierabend to nominate Jack Young, and Vice-Mayor Powers seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Tennessee State Accreditation Award for Professional Law Enforcement Mayor Dolan - recognized Chief Wade to address Council regarding the Tennessee State Accreditation Award for Professional Law Enforcement received by the City. Chief V/ade stated that this was a very significant achievement for Bristol. Lt. Terry Johnson also spoke specifically regarding the standards that have to be met in order to achieve this award. Bristol Farmer's Market Week - Councilwoman Feierabend read a proclamation recognizing August 5th through 1lth as Bristol Farmer's Market V/eek. The proclàmation was preseãted tó Mike Musick, Recreation Superintendent.  City Council Meeting August 6,2013 Page2 of 6 - South Holston Lake. and River Cleanup Day Councilman Keen read a proclamation recognizing August lOth as South Holston ffue an¿ River Cleanup Day. This proclamation was presented to Jody Dutcher, of Keep Bristol Beautiful. Honoring Judge Shelton B. Hillmano Jr. - Vice-Mayor Powers read a proclamation honoring Judge Shelton B. Hillman, Jr. and his services as City Judge. This proclamation was presented to Gay Hillman, wife, and Kay White, daughter. PRESENTATIONS: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, addressed Council concerning the shutting down of an abortion clinic located within the Bristol City limits. Mr. Sorah did address Mr. Heibel's concerns stating that local governments do not have the power to regulate abortion clinics. Mr. Jason Booher, Sullivan County Administrator of Elections, addressed Council concerning the recent elections. Mr. Booher stated that he provided all recently elected Council members their certificate of election pursuant to State law. He also thanked Council, Interim City Manager Sorah, and staff for assistance provided for the election process. Mr. Booher closed by stating that this election was less cost per participant than the prior election. APPOINTMENTS: Board of Zoning Appeals - Mr. Grady Hensley was unanimously appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve a five year term ending June 30, 2018. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance 13-5 - An Ordinance to Establish the Property Tax Rate for the Fiscal Year July 1,2013 through June 30,2014 Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance, which will establish the property tax rate for Fiscal Yeat 2014. This rate will reflect an automatic increase of $.06 which represents the equalized rate to maintain the current revenue stream based on the current assessment values. Interim City Manager Sorah also noted that this rate is still less than the tax rate that was levied in 2008. Vice-Mayor Powers noted that this was less than the original proposed budget increase. Councilwoman Feierabend stated that it was prudent to pass the rate and budget and that expenses could be watched this year and going forward.  City Council Meeting August 6,2013 Page 3 of6 Mayor Dolan also spoke stating that she would not be supporting the tax increase. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Councilman Keen Yes Vice-Mayor Powers Yes Councilman Young Yes Mayor Dolan No Councilwoman Feierabend Yes Ordinance 13-6 - An Ordinance to Amend Section 308.C.3 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Setback in the Established Residential Neighborhood (R-E) District Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which would amend section 308.C.3 of the Zoning Ordinance relating to setback. This amendment would adjust the setback requirements for neighborhoods to reflect more cuffent times. The original Ordinance was created for older neighborhoods. This amendment will allow for an average setback for the front yards and 5 feet for the side yard. The Planning Commission approved this ordinance. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Vice- Mayor Powers seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): None. C. Resolutions: Resolution 13-86 - A Resolution Designating Members of the City Council to Serve on City Boards and Quasi-Municipal and Non-Municipal Agencies Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that will designate members of the City Council to serve on City boards and Quasi-Municipal and Non-Municipal Agencies. Interim City Manager Sorah noted that this item would normally be on the consent agenda. However, it was placed on the regular agenda for review due to the resignation of former Councilman Zandi and the appointment of Councilman Young. Councilman Keen requested that a change be made to the Resolution to switch Councilman Keen's and Councilman Young's positions on the Industrial Development Board and the Believe in Bristol Board. Councilman Keen moved to approve the Resolution as amended, and Councihvoman Fcicrabcnd sccondcd. Thc motion passcd by unanimous roll call votc. Resolution 13-91 - A Resolution Filling the Municipal Judge Vacancy Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that will fill the Municipal Judge position left vacant by the passing of Judge Shelton Hillman. He informed Council that it is the responsibility of Council to appoint a new Municipal Judge. While there is no explicit Mayor  City Council Meeting August 6,2013 Page 4 of6 time limit, it is recommended a replacement be appointed. Mr. David Tipton, who has been filling the position temporarily, was recommended. Vice-Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Resolution 13-99 - A Resolution Approving the Donation of Real Property Interim City Manager Sgrah reviewed this Resolution that would approve the donation of a vacant property at 36 24'n Street to Alliance Business and Training. The property would be used as part of the Youth Build program. A home will be built by this program that will be sold to a low income family. The home will also be built to be eco-friendly. All proceeds from the sale will be used to fund a new future project. Councilwoman Feierabend stated that the City of Bristol, Virginia has hosted this program before and that the Youth Build Program is a national program. Mayor Dolan also stated that this was a great start to future things and that it would be great to document on the TV station. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: Interim City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilman Zandi moved to approve, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: Minutes - July 2,2013, City Council Meeting; o Minutes - July 16,2013, City Council'Work Session; a Resolution 13-88 - A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the TML Risk Management Pool Safety Partners Loss Control Matching Grant Program; a Resolution 13-89 - A Resolution Approving Agreements with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant Fund and Northeast Tennessee/Virginia HOME Consortium Funds; a Resolution 13-90 - A Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of a Byrne Grant Application for Enhancing Local Law Enforcement; a Resolution 13-92 - A Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of an Application for Grant Funding to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Under the Green Development Project; a Resolution 13-93 - A Resolution Authorizing Payment in Support of County-Wide Radio System for Fiscal Year 2014;  City Council Meeting August 6,2013 Page 5 of6 a Resolution 13-94 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Ballistic Vests; a Resolution 13-95 - A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the YWCA and Providing Funding Support; a Resolution t3-96 - A Resolution Approving Agreements with Believe In Bristol, Inc., for Funding Support; Resolution 13-97 - A Resolution Approving Submission of an Application to Tennessee Department of Transportation for Assistance in Construction and Completion of a Connector Route under the Local Interstate Connecting Route Program for Pinnacle Parkway; and a Resolution 13-98 - A Resolution Awarding Bids for the Purchase of Sanitary Sewer Flow Meters. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Interim City Manager Bill Sorah reminded Council about the upcoming luncheon at the Train Station for State of the Cities. He also noted that the fall race festivities would soon be in progress. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council recognized Dr. Lilly to give an update on the Schools. Dr. Lilly stated that the Schools had their first full day of classes on August 5'n and everything went very smoothly. Councilman Young stated that he is appreciative and grateful of the opportunity to participate in Council. He also thanked his family, friends, and all others who helped in the election. Councilman Keen welcomed Councilman Young to Council. He also thanked and acknowledged the good job of staff during race week. Councilwoman Feierabend thanked Mr. Kevin Triplett for all the work that BMS does. She noted the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Steele Creek Park next year. Councilwoman Feierabend also mentioned the first downtown neighborhood watch meeting had been organized and was scheduled to take place. She closed in noting the upcoming first anniversary of Family Promise of Bristol. Vice-Mayor Powers congratulated the School System on a great start to the year. In closing, she offered her thanks to Interim City Manager Sorah for making it incredibly comfortable to be a new Council member.  City Council Meeting August 6,2013 Page 6 of 6 Mayor Dolan thanked all those in attendance and thanked all staff. In closing, she mentioned the upcoming racing events, There being no further business, the meeting \üas adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Michelle Mayor E. City Recorder