City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 7,2014 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, January 7,2014, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Michelle Dolan, Vice Mayor Lea Powers, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: Interim City Manager William L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; Secretary Megahn Davis; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Pastor Austin Cook of Victory Baptist Church gave the invocation, and Cub Scout Troop I2I led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: NONE PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: School Board Appreciation Week - Vice Mayor Powers rcad a proclamation recognizing 'Week. January lg'n - 25'n as School Board Appreciation Mr. David Welch, Chairman of the School Board, accepted the proclamation. He noted that this is a very exciting time for the School System and the School Board. Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park - Mayor Dolan recognized and thanked the Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park for their recent donation of property to the City. The Friends donated a fiact of land measuring approximately 2,96 */- acres that connects with the park. Ms. Becky Wilkerson represented the Friends and thanked the City for the recognition. Mr. Kevin Hammock also spoke of the ecological significance of the property stating that it possibly contains the best population of a very rare fish in the Southern Appalachian Region. PRESENTATIONS: None.  City Council Meeting January 7,2014 Page2 of 6 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance 13-10 - An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 6, Article III, of the Code of Ordinances Relating to Beer and to Impose an Inspection Fee for High Alcohol Content Beer Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would establish a pgrm!1 for the manufacturé of beer-. This Ordinance would also permit retail sales of both on and off premise consumption, establish a 150'buffer for schools and churches, establish hours for retail sales, and estáblishaI5Yo inspection fee. It is stipulated that all sales would have to take place in a Tennessee ABC licensed establishment. This item was opened for public comment. Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, stated that ordinances like-this helped businesses and spoke in favor of the Ordinance. There being no further comment, the public hearing was closed. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, discussed the state of the economy within the City. In closing, he stated that the modifying of zoning ordinances should continue to promote business and remove unwanted businesses. Mr. Charles Shipley, THemlock Street, addressed Council concerning the parking at Slater Center. He stated that many seniors have to walk fuither to enter the facility due to public.s?ryty utilizing the closer parking areas. In closing, Mr. Shipley stated that he was not pleased with his interaction to discuss the issue with management or the availability of Council. Ms. Isabelle Ladd, 125 Lick Branch Road, addressed Council concerning the recent passage of the resolution regarding guns in the parks. She expressed concern for the parks on either side of Anderson school. APPOINTMENTS: Beer Board Mr. Michael Ketron and Mr. Walt Vernon were both unanimously appointed to - the Beer Board to serve four-year terms ending December 31,2018. Community Development Advisory Board - Ms. Carmen Johnson was appointed to.the Community Development Advisory Board by thç following roll call vote to serve an unexpired term ending August 3I,2015. Vice Mayor Powers Carmen Johnson Councilman Young Carmen Johnson Mayor Dolan Carmen Johnson Councilwoman Feierabend Joseph Rhymer  City Council Meeting January 7,2014 Page 3 of6 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance l4-l - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee by Designating Certain Properties as B-3, General Business District (1201, 1203, l2ll, 1213, and 1237 Virginia Avenue) Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would designate certain properties to B-3, currently designated as R-2. This Ordinance particularly addresses five parcels on Virginia Avenue. Councilwoman Feierabend asked staff why the B-3 designation was seletted as opposed to B-2 or Planned Business District (PBD). Ms. Shari Brown, Community Development Director, stated that the B-2 designation was not considered because of the lot size and parking stipulations. She also stated that the PBD designation was not appropriate for the size of the lots in question. Councilman Young made a motion to approve ttre Ordinance on first reading, and Vice Mayor Powers seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance 13-10 - An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 6, Article III, of the Code of Ordinances Relating to Beer and Impose an Inspection Fee for High Alcohol Content Beer Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which was the subject of the public hearing. This Ordinance would establish a permit for the manufacture of beer. This Ordinance would also permit retail sales of both on and off premise consumption, establish a 150' buffer for schools and churches, establish hours for retail sales, and establish a I5Yo inspection fee. It is stipulated that all sales would have to take place in a Tennessee ABC licensed establishment. Vice Mayor Powers made a motion to approve the Ordinance on second reading, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. C. Resolutions: Resolution l4-l - A Resolution Amending the Debt Management Policy Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would amend the City's current debt management policy. This amendment would exclude Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) revenue debt. Any revenue debt issued by BTES would be managed under the BTES debt management policy. All debt would still require Council approval. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting January 7,2014 Page 4 of 6 Resolution l4-Z - A Resolution to Establish a Finance Committee for the City of Bristol, Tennessee Interim City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution which would establish a Finance Committee to be comprised of two members of City Council, who will be appointed annually, and three citizen members to be appointed for three year terms. The Finance Director will serve as staff liaison for the committee. Vice Mayor Powers stated that it is important to have the input of citizens in the finances of the City. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Upon passage of this Resolution, Council decided to nominate and vote on appointments. Vice Mayor Powers and Councilman Young were nominated for the Council appointments. Ms. Nell Bieger was nominated for a three-year term, and Ms. Carla Vaughn was nominated for a two-year term. Vice Mayor Powers requested the third position to be tabled until the February meeting. Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, addressed Council concerning the nominations. He asked who those being appointed were and why applications were not requested. Vice Mayor Powers and Councilwoman Feierabend addressed Mr. Heibel's question stating the citizen nominee's qualifications and clarifying that the citizens serving on the committee would need to be qualified to review and make decisions on the City's finances. A motion was made by Councilwoman Feierabend to appoint Vice Mayor Powers and Councilman Young for one year terms, Ms. Nell Bieger for a three-year term, Ms. Carla Vaughn for a two-year term, and to table the third nomination until the February meeting. Mayor Dolan seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: Interim City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilman Young moved to approve the consent agenda, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: . Minutes - December 3, 20l3,City Council Meeting; . Minutes - December 17 , 2013, Special City Council Meeting; . Minutes - December 17,2013, City Council Work Session; . Resolution L4-3 - A Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture under its TAEP Farmers Market Grant Program;  City Council Meeting January 7,2014 Page 5 of6 a Resolution l4-4 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Police Sport Utility Vehicles; a Resolution l4-S - A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for Transit Operating Assistance; a Resolution 14-6 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the North Industrial Drive Drainage Modifications; and a Resolution l4-7-A Resolution Awarding Contract for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Process Equipment Study. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Interim City Manager Bill Sorah reminded Council of the quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Group on January 14th in the Annex. He also stated that the Parks and Recreation department is proceeding with the strategic plan and an online survey would soon be available. He noted that paper suveys would be available as well. In closing, Interim City Manager Sorah was pleased to announce the issuance of over $30 million in construction permits and 58 new home permits to date for the 2014 Fiscal Year. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council recognized Dr. Gary Lilly. He discussed the issuance of 550 laptops to students at Vance Middle School as part of the first phase of the personalized learning experience. Vice Mayor Powers reminded all citizens to check on friends, neighbors, and the elderly during extreme cold weather. She also stated that she had received many emails concerning the chaining of animals. Vice Mayor Powers voiced interest in the creation of a committee of citizens to work together to find greater understanding and appreciation on this issue to aid in going forward. Police Chief V/ade will be staff liaison to the committee. Councilman Young recognized Mr. Bob Neil, 3'd District Sullivan County Commissioner, for all that has done for the City on the County level. Councilwoman Feierabend recognized former mayors Joel Staton and Kelly Graham. She also thanked the Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park for their work and contributions. Councilman Feierabend also briefly spoke on the passenger rail meeting as well as the Birthplace of Country Music Museum recognition by the Tennessee Tourism Guide. In closing, she reminded all citizens of the multiple social media links to the City and BTN-TV.  City Council Meeting January 7,2014 Page 6 of 6 Mayor Dolan briefly spoke on the recent Tri-Cities Legislative Luncheon with the area's local representatives. The Mayor encouraged participation of citizens in Council meetings. She also stated that she was very excited to see an increase in permits issued and growth in the community. In closing, Mayor Dolan stated that over 50 applications had been received and interviews would begin soon in regards to the City Manager search. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Michelle Do f ^h zh*'{ TaraE. Musick, City Recorder