City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 17,2013 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, December 17,2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bristol Train Station. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Michelle Dolan, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Chad Keen, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: Interim City Manager V/illiam L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; Secretary Megahn Davis; and members of City staff. Also present were the following members of the City of Bristol, Virginia City Council: Mayor Guy Odum, Vice-Mayor Catherine Brillhart, Councilman Don Ashley, Councilman Ed Harlow, and Councilman Jim Steele. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. Resolutions: Resolution 13-142 - A Resolution Supporting the Extension of Passenger Rail Service to Bristol and Encouraging Its Further Extension in the State of Tennessee. A joint meeting of both the City of Bristol, Tennessee and the City of Bristol, Virginia City Councils was held to discuss and pass a joint resolution in support of passenger rail service. Mayor Bowers of Roanoke, Virginia joined the meeting via Skype to discuss the impact of their recent extension of Amtrak to Roanoke. Mayor Bowers noted that the last passenger rail service to come to Roanoke was in 1979. He stated that there was a great deal of work involved but the train is a very beneficial time saver to those in the region. Mayor Bowers stated that their efforts to gain the attention of Amtrak began with a bus service to the Lynchburg station to catch the train. This was so popular that extra service had to be added and gained the attention of the railway company. The extension of rail service to Roanoke will begin in2016. Mayor Bowers suggested thata bus service to Roanoke be apotential starting point for the Cities of Bristol as well. He also suggested that the City of Bristol, Tennessee push for a multi-state line to further expand. The Bristol Virginia/Tennessee Rail Coalition also made a presentation to both Councils encouraging the passage of the Resolution in support of the rail service. The Coalition noted that there would be a large influx in economic development associated with the development of train service. They also noted that due to the location, Bristol could become a major multi-line station.  Special City Council Meeting December 17,2013 Page2 of2 Mr. John Gaines, a citizen of the City of Bristol, Tennessee, stated that this rail system would have fantastic political and economic advantages for the Cities. Councilman Keen asked the coalition representative the estimated cost of the studies required. According to the Coalition representative, the cost for the ridership study would potentially be $100,000 to $150,000. However, the representative did note that Amtrak may be willing to bear some costs of the study as well as the costs of buses. Councilwoman Feierabend noted the historic level of the occasion and stated that the meeting was called in order to get the information to the representatives before the upcoming legislative session. Councilman Keen moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous ro11 call vote. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m. Dolan, Mayor ør, f.,v/rÁ TaraE. Musick, City Recorder