City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOLO TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 1,2013 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, October 1,2013, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Michelle Dolan, Vice-Mayor Lea Powers, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend,Councilman Chad Keen, and Councilman Jack Young. 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: Councilman Chad Keen gave the invocation, and Councilman Jack Young led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: None. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Fire Prevention 'WeekProclamation Councilwoman Feierabend read a proclamation recognizing October 6th - l3th as Fire Prevention Week. The proclamation was presented to Assistant Fire Chief Jack Spurgeon. False Alarm Policy Recognition The City of Bristol, Tennessee Police Department was - recognized by Mr. Glen Mowrey of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition. Mr. Mowery stated that the Coalition wanted to recognize the City of Bristol, Tennessee for their efforts in the reduction of false alarm calls. Chief Blaine Wade accepted this award. 'Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Excellence Award Recognition -Mayor Dolan presented the award for Vy'astewater Treatment Plant Operational Excellence to Mr. Matt Dake, Plant Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant, a joint venture between the City of Bristol, Tennessee and BVU Authority, is managed by Severn Trent Environmental Services. Planning Implementation Award Mayor Dolan presented the award for Planning Implementation from the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association to Ms. Shari Brown, Community Development Director. This award was presented to the Community Development Department for their work on the Fairmount Neighborhood Plan.  City Council Meeting October 1,2013 Page2 of 6 PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS:None. APPEARANCE OF' CITIZENS: Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, addressed Council concerning the use of zoning ordinances to regulate and create requirements for local businesses. Ms. Susan W'olfe, Avoca Branch Library, addressed Council concerning upcoming and recent events at the Library. Mr. John Cartwright, 650 Pennsylvania Avenue, addressed Council concerning the collection of delinquent taxes. He stated that it was brought to his attention that a number of citizens had not paid their property taxes. He requested that the City increase collections before increasing fees and making other fiscal changes. APPOINTMENTS: X'armer's Market Advisory Committee - Ms. Peg Statonwas unanimously appointed to the Farmer's Market Advisory Committee to serve a four year term ending August 31.,2016. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance 13-8 - An Ordinance to Abandon a Portion of English Street as a Public Right-of-Way Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance, which would abandon a portion of English Street as a public right-of-way. The portion recommended to be abandoned would be the northern dead-end portion. This request was made by the new property owner who desires to control access to the site for business activities and will provide access easements. There is no possibility for expansion of this road. The Planning Commission reviewed last year and recommended approval to City Council. This Ordinance will only bebrought back for second reading if the o\ilner takes the appropriate steps to do a combination plat. Vice' Mayor Powers made a motion to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting October 1,2013 Page 3 of6 Ordinance 13-9 - An Ordinance to Amend Sections 203 and 216.D.7 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Interstate Oriented Signs Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance, which would amend the current sections of the Zoning Ordinance relating to Interstate oriented signs. The current Zoning Ordinance only allows those businesses within 660 feet of the Interstate corridor to appear on Interstate oriented signs. The proposed amendments would change that as well as the requirements for those signs. The amendment as proposed would allow the 660 foot rule to be extended and all major directional signs to be up to 60 feet in height, a minor directional sign up to 40 feet, and a minor sign to be up to 30 feet. These amendments would also allow free standing signs to be up to 10 feet in height. The Planning Commission favorably recommended this to the City Council. The developers for the Pinnacle Project were consulted on this change and are in agreement.Councilman Keen made a motion to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Councilwoman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance l3-7 - An Ordinance to Abandon Certain Portions of Pennsylvania Avenue and Beechwood Drive as Public Rights-of-Way Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which revisits an old issue. This issue was brought before Council in 2008 but did not go to Councilfor a second reading due to failure to combine lots on behalf of the owner. The issue is being brought before Council again to advance an asphalt shingle recycling facility. The matter was approved by the planning commission in 2008. Vice-Mayor Powers made a motion to approve the Ordinance on second reading, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. C. Resolutions: Resolution 13-113 - A Resolution Requesting the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to Amend Section 20-9 of the Private Act Charter of the City of Bristol Relating to the Filling of Vacancies on the City Council Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that requests the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to amend section 20-9 of the Private Act Charter of the City relating to the filling of vacancies on the City Council. If enacted, this amendment would allow a Council appointee to serve until the next municipal election as opposed to the next election, whether general or municipal as currently stated. This change was recommended by the Sullivan County Election Board to address issues related to the voting process. Due to the nature of this Resolution and the direct impact it may have on his term, Councilman Young recused himself from the vote. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Resolution, and Vice-Mayor Powers seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting October I,2013 Page 4 of 6 Resolution l3-ll7 - A Resolution Designating the Name of A Private Street Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that will designate the name of a private street. The City was recently contacted by a medical office in the Renaissance Park complex regarding the recent name change of the street that leads to their office complex. The medical office requested that the name of the private drive leading to the complex be changed to the old name of Bristol West Boulevard to provide some relief in the name change process. The Planning Commission approved and favorably recommended this change to the City Council. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Resolution 13-118 - A Resolution Approving an Amended and Restated Appropriation Agreement with the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would amend the original appropriation agreement made with the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. as it relates to the Country Music Museum. The original agreement accounted for $300,000 in early payments with a possible $300,000 after the opening of the Museum if evidence could be shown that it was necessary. The second part of the original agreement also stipulated that in order for those payments to occur a professional venue management firm had to be hired. The proposed amendment and restatement would remove the stipulation of hiring a venue management firm and change the terms of the appropriation to a total of $500,000 appropriation to be made in annual payments of $100,000 for five years. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve this 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 Young moved to approvethe consent agenda, and Councilman Keen seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: ¡ Minutes - September 3, 2013,City Council Meeting; . Minutes - September 17,2013, City Council V/ork Session; a Resolution l3-ll4 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Tactical Ballistic Vests; a Resolution 13-115 - A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Automated Meter Reading Equipment; a Resolution 13-116 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Emergency Repairs to the Water Treatment Plant Motor Control Center;  City Council Meeting October 1,2013 Page 5 of6 a Resolution 13-119-A Resolution Awarding Bid for Microsoft Exchange 2013; a Resolution t3-120 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for GammaTechDurabook Laptops; Resolution l3-l2l - A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Highway Safety Grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Offrce; and a Resolution 13-122 - A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the TML Risk Management Pool Driver Safety Grant Program. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Interim City Manager Bill Sorah thanked all staff for their hard and successful work during the Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. He also mentioned the upcoming Citizens Municipal Academy and noted the recent awards of three local industrial facilities by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. In closing, Interim City Manager Sorah provided Council with information pertaining to Form CT-0253 for the Series 20138 General Obligation Bonds which were issued in August20l3. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: The Council recognized Dr. Gary Lilly who gave an update on the Bristol Tennessee City Schools. Dr. Lilly reminded Council of upcoming events and noted that the new Legacy Wall at the Castle had been unveiled. Lastly, he noted that next week would be fall break and the School System was offering an intersession during the break for those students seeking remedial and enrichment courses. Councilman Young stated that while school buses do not run during intersession that it was a great opportunity for students. Councilman Keen stated that he was very excited about the upcoming digital integration in the School System and about the first edition of the City's electronic newsletter. He also stated that he would like a stronger effort taken to help local businesses be able to find out how to bid on projects, services, etc. Councilwoman Feierabend commented on the award for the City's false alarm policy and the progress made in this area. She stated that she had recently attended a meeting regarding the Beaver Creek stabilization project and that itwas slated to begin soon. Councilwoman Feierabend noted that the United V/ay would be conducting a Community Needs Assessment and the importance of the project. In closing, she noted upcoming events in the City during the month of October.  City Council Meeting October I,20I3 Page 6 of6 Vice-Mayor Powers spoke briefly about the recent presentation from Terry Napier, Director of Parks and Recreation, and plans to increase eligibility and seek additional grant monies. Vice- Mayor Powers thanked the Community Development department for the education services they provide. She also thanked Terrie Talbert, Community Relations Director, and Greg Cross, Information Technology Manager, for all of their work with the City's website. Mayor Dolan recognized Mrs. Talbert for her idea that helped qeate what is now known as the Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. She also encouraged all employees to use City businesses whenever legally possible for procurement purposes. Mayor Dolan briefly spoke about her goal to increase the education rate of the citizens of the City through either training or the furthering of education. Lastly, Mayor Dolan noted that the City Manager search had begun and the services of The Mercer Group had been acquired. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m Michelle Dolan, Mayor TaruE City Recorder