City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF'BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 4,2014 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristoi, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Lea Powers on Tuesday, February 4,2014, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center A.uditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice Mayor Lea Powers, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Chad Keen, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: 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: Councilman Jack Young gave the invocation, and Councilman Chad Keen led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: None. PROCLAMÄ.TIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week - Councilman Chad Keen read a proclamation reco[nizing February 7th - llth as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Mr. Rhodes, in the absence of Ms. Lonnie Rhodes, accepted the proclamation. He spoke briefly about the Mended Little Hearts Organization and their work throughout the Tri-Cities. Richard Venable, CEO of NET\ilORKS Sullivan Partnership - Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend read a proclamation recognizing Mr. Richard Venable, CEO of NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership. Mr. Venable has served as CEO of NETWORKS since 2006. During Mr. Venable's time of service, he worked to create 4,280 jobs, received 8 million of grants for infrastructure development, and worked to achieve 250 million of investments in Sullivan County, Tcnncsscc. Mr. Venable briefly spoke and thanked the Council for their recognition.  City Council Meeting February 4,2014 Page 2 of5 PRESENTATIONS: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30' 2013 Mr. Joel Black, Partner at Mauldin and Jenkins, LLC, addressed Council concerning the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. Mr. Black stated that the audit had an unmodified opinion and that the City had very good accounting policies. Mr. Black also noted that City staff have a very open and cooperative relationship with the audit firm. He presented several ratios and graphs noting very positive key financial data. In closing, Mr. Black stated that the audit was very successful and positive with his only recommendation being a look at information technology controls within the City. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance l4-l - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee by Designating Certain Properties as B-3, General Business District (l20lr l203r l2ll, 1213, and 1237 Virginia Avenue) City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would amend the Zoning Map to designate certain properties on Virginia Avenue as B-3. These properties are currently designated as R-2. This reioning was brought about at the request of Marathon Realty, property owners, and staff. All believe that this rczoningis necessary due to the change in the landscape of this area. There being no public comment, this public hearing was closed. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, addressed Council expressing concern for the economic development of the City. He stated that he would like to hear more regarding the future marketing and development plans for the City. APPOINTMENTS: Beer Board - After a split vote, this item was defened until next month when all five Council members could be present. Library Board - Mr. Eric Cuddy was appointed to the Library Board by unanimous roll call vote to serve an unexpired term ending December 31,2015. Finance Committee - Mr. Patrick Hickie was appointed to the Finance Committee by unanimous roll call vote to setve a one year term ending February 28,2015.  City Council Meeting February 4,2014 Page 3 of5 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance l4-2 - An Ordinance to Amend the A ppropriation of Funds and Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1,2013 through June 30,201 4 City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which rvould amend the appropriation of funds and budget for the Fiscal Year July 1,2013 through June 30, 2014. This amendment would increase- the Community Development Grant Fund appropriation by $200,000. The Community Development Department was recently awarded a granl. totaling $630,000 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The grant money is to be used to provide homeowner grants of up to $15,000 each to fund residential housing improvements. Councilman Keen moved to approve this Ordinance on first reading, Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): 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) City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which was the subject of the public hearing. This Ordinance particularly addresses five parcels on Virginia Avenue. This rezoning would designate the properties currently designated as R-2 to be B-3. Councilwoman Feierabend made a motion to approve the Ordinance on second reading, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. C. Resolutions: Resolution l4-9 - A Resolution Approving the Conveyance and Transfer of the Assets of Tri-Cities Regional Airport to the Tri-Cities Airport Authority City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would approve the execution of a Quitclaim Deecl relinquishing the City's title and interest in the assets of the airport. City Manager Sorah noted that the reason behind this relinquishing of assets was the creation of the Tri-Cities Airport Authority. Since the mid 1930's, the Airport has operated as a joint venture between six entities. ln 2012, the six owners approved the establishment of an Airport Authority that would operate as a separate legal entity; therefore the assets would need to be moved to the Authorities' ownership. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting February 4,2014 Page 4 of 5 Resolution 14-11, - A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement for the Collection of Delinquent Property Taxes City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would approve a professional service contract with Mr. Paul A. Harr for assistance in the collection of delinquent property taxes. Mr. Harr also works for Sullivan County as a delinquent tax attorney. As fee for his services, Mr. Harr shall receive the attorney's fees collected by Chancery Court. This fee consists of 10Yo of the base tax that is added to the delinquency upon commencement of proceedings in Chancery Court. In addition to the attorney's fee, Mr. Harr shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for such expenses that he has incurred and as may be fixed by the Chancellor from the amounts collected by the Chancery Court. Councilman Young moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the consent agenda, and Councilman Keen seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: . Minutes - January 7,2014, City Council Meeting; . Minutes - January 21,2014, Called City Council Meeting; . Minutes - January 21,2014, City Council V/ork Session; a Resolution 14-8 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Firefighting Turnout Gear; a Resolution 14-10 - A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Boone Watershed Partnership and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for a City Hall Parking Lot Rain Garden; a Resolution 14-12 - A Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for Residential Energy Efficiency and Home Energy Reduction; Resolution 14-13 - A Resolution Approving a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for Re-Insurance for Self-Funded Health Insurance Plans; and Resolution 14-14 - A Resolution Designating the Official Zoning Map of Bristol, Teruressee as of January 1,2014.  City Council Meeting February 4,2014 Page 5 of5 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Bill Sorah stated that the recent Parks and Recreation survey was a great success with 350 participants. City Manager Sorah noted that the Year-End report would be posted February.9th on the City's website. . He also noted that the budget work session would be on April 15th and continued to April 16tn if necessary. In closing, he stated that the City has issued construction permits with a value of 52.9 million. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Keen addressed a concern about the marketing of the City by stating that the Economic Development team and the Convention and Visitors Bureau were making a coordinated effort to discuss marketing of the City. In closing, Councilman Keen congratulated City Manager Sorah on his new role. Councilman Young thanked employees for their work during the inclement weather. He also briefly spoke about a recent trip to Chattanooga to visit the Volkswagen facility and small business incubator with the Infrastructure Council of the Industrial Development Board of Bristol. Councilwoman Feierabend recognized former mayors Joel Staton and Kelly Graham. She briefly spoke about a new Anderson Elementary School reading program. In closing, she congratulated City Manager Sorah on his new position. Vice Mayor Powers stated that Mayor Dolan was greatly missed and would hopefully be able to join them at their next meeting. She also encouraged all citizens to attend work sessions. In closing, she congratulated City Manager Sorah on his new role. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Dolan, Mayor I Tara E. Musick, City Recorder