City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 4,2014 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, March 4,2014, 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: 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 PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: 150th Anniversary of First Tennessee Bank - Vice Mayor Powers read a proclamation to honor the 150"'Anniversary of First Tennessee Bank and proclaim March 25,2014, as First Tennessee Bank Day. Mr. Gerald Hallenback, First Tennessee's Northeast Market President, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. He stated that First Tennessee was very proud to be 150 years old and they love the community they serve. 40th Anniversary of the James H. Quillen College.,of Medicine - Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend read a proclamation recognizing the 40"' Anniversary of the James H. Quillen College of Medicine. Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, Vice President of Health Affairs and COO of ETSU, and Dr. Patricia Connor, ETSU Physician and once a Student of James H. Quillen College of Medicine, were in attendance to accept the proclamation. Dr. Bishop thanked Council for the recognition and also noted that through the College of Medicine and ETSU Physicians that there are almost 38,000 patient visits seen by students, residents, and physicians. PRESENTATIONS: None.  City Council Meeting March 4,2014 Page2 of6 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance l4-2 - An Ordinance to Amend the Appropriation of Funds and Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1,2013 through June 30, 2014 City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which would amend the appropriation of funds and budget for the Fiscal Year July I,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 grant 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. There being no public comment, this public hearing was closed. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Mr. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, addressed Council concerning the lack of action to bring families to the region. Mr. Heibel again addressed the abortion clinic and the disbursement of contraceptives in the school as bad business for the City. In closing, he noted that regulations on advertising might need to be addressed. Ms. Peg Staton, 922 Beechwood Drive, addressed Council concerning a recent incident in her neighborhood. Ms. Staton wanted to formally recognize the Police Department who were incredibly responsive in finding a special needs child that went missing. APPOINTMENTS: Beer Board - Mr. Spike Tickle was appointed to the Beer Board by a majority vote, with Councilwoman Feierabend voting for Mr. Grady Hensley. Mr. Tickle will serve a four year term ending December 31, 2018. Bristol Housing Board - Mr. Gerald Holmes was appointed to Bristol Housing's Board by unanimous roll call vote to serve a five year term ending March 31,2019. ORDINAIICES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance l4-3 - An Ordinance to Amend Sections 203 and 216 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Billboard and Sign Regulations City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which would amend Sections 203 and 216 of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Billboard and Sign Regulations. City Manager Sorah explained that this Ordinance was the result of efforts or a committee appointed by the Planning Commission in response to temporary signage.  City Council Meeting March 4,2014 Page 3 of6 This Ordinance would amend the definition of a sign, extend the promotional signage period, awning signs would be permitted, wall mounted flag banners would be permitted, and one Now Hiring sign without a permit would be permitted. Council members noted this as an effort to make Bristol more business friendly. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve this Ordinance on first reading, Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance l4-2 - An Ordinance to Amend the Appropriation of Funds and Budget for the Fiscal Year July lr2013 through June 30,2014 City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance which was the subject of the public hearing. This Ordinance would 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 appropriation would change from $468,398 to $668,398. The Community Development Department was recently awarded a grant 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. 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 t4-24 - A Resolution Expressing Opposition to the Proposed Legislation Ilouse Bill 1909 and Senate Bill2059 Relating to Daylight Saving Time City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would officially express the opposition of Council in regards to the proposed legislation relating to Daylight Saving Time. This would also allow staff to notify the representatives of this action. The proposed legislation would alter Daylight Saving Time from that of the national standard and this would greatly affect border cities. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Resolution 14-19 - A Resolution Prohibiting the Possession of Handguns in Two Municipal Parks City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would prohibit the possession of handguns in Morning Rotary Centennial Park and Patterson Park. Both of these parks are in close proximity to Anderson Elementary School and were left off of Resolution 13-135 originally naming City parks that would not allow handguns. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by majority vote, with Councilman Young voting nay.  City Council Meeting March 4,2014 Page 4 of 6 Resolution 14-18 - A Resolution Approving Tax Equivalent Payments City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that would approve tax equivalent payments in a total of $2,457,094 from BTES. The City will receive a total of $1,894,721 from those payments, an increase of $130,185 from the prior fiscal year. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilman Young moved to approve the consent agenda, and Vice Mayor Powers seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: . Minutes - February 4,2014, City Council Meeting; . Minutes - February 18,2014, City Council Work Session; a Resolution 14-16 - A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the Utilization of Federal Transit Administration Section 5303 Funds for the Bristol Metropolitan Planning Organization; a Resolution 14-17 * A Resolution Approving an Agreement for Ambulance Billing and Collection Services; Resolution 14-20 - A Resolution Approving the Purchase of Real Property; Resolution 14-21 - A Resolution Awarding Bids for Water Plant Treatment Chemicals; a Resolution 14-22 - A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Refuse Containers; Resolution 14-23 - A Resolution Awarding Bids for the Purchase of Traffic Control Materials; a Resolution 14-25 - A Resolution Approving an Application for Housing Trust Funds from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency; and a Resolution 14-26 - A Resolution Awarding a Bid for a Roof Replacement Project.  City Council Meeting March 4,2014 Page 5 of6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Bill Sorah thanked Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff for their hard work managing the winter storms. He also recognized Fire and Police staff for their professionalism during a tragic traffrc accident that closed the interstate in Bristol. City Manager Sorah also noted the upcoming race and the support that Bristol Motor Speedway brings to the community. In closing, City Manager Sorah mentioned that the Mayor's Award of Distinction is now accepting nominations. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Gary Lilly, Superintendent of Schools, spoke briefly about the Virginia Duff Fine Arts Festival at the Paramount. In closing, he mentioned the available intercession events that would be occurring during spring break. Councilman Keen stated that the City is subject to purchasing laws and is always trying to pursue the best deal. He would like staff to make a conscious effort to buy local or as closest to it whenever possible. Councilman Young thanked citizens who participated in the City's park survey. He also noted that there are a number of factors that have to be considered when a purchasing decision is made. In closing, Councilman Young encouraged citizens to learn as much about the candidates in the upcoming local election as possible to be informed voters. Councilwoman Feierabend recognized those in attendance from the Chamber of Commerce as well as the manager of the Bristol Pirates baseball team. In closing, she spoke briefly about the new multi-family development that was approved at the Planning Commission as well as the sidewalks that would be a part of that development. Vice Mayor Powers expressed her condolences to Judge Watson's family. She also spoke briefly about the upcoming Downtown Bristol Showcase. Vice Mayor Powers noted the works of the Planning Commission with the approval of a 125 unit multi-family complex. In closing, Vice Mayor Powers stated that the Council would be meeting with the Board for Bristol Tennessee City Schools in the near future. Mayor Dolan stated that in her absence she had a lot of time to reflect on the many things that she liked about Bristol. She also noted the importance of the people of Bristol in making it a community. In closing, Mayor Dolan stated that Bristol is home because of the people.  City Council Meeting March 4,2014 Page 6 of6 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Michelle Dolan, Mayor Tara E. Mus City Recorder