City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING M:ay 6,2014 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Michelle Dolan on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 7:00 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 Williarn L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: David St. John, Bible Truth Baptist Church, gave the invocation, and Vice Mayor Powers led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: NONE PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: National Police Week - Councilman Young read a proclamation designating the week of May ll - l7 ,2014, as National Police Week. Blaine Wade, Police Chief, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. Chief Wade thanked Council for their support and discussed the history of Peace Offrcers Memorial Day that honors fallen officers and their families. Emergency Medical Services Week - Councilman Keen read a proclamation designating the week of May 18 -24,2014, as Emergency Medical Services Week. Stephen Wagner, Bristol, Tennessee Firefighter/Paramedic, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. Mr. Wagner thanked Council for the recognition and mentioned the positive aspects of serving the public as a member of the response team. Drinking Water Week - Councilwoman Feieratrcnd rcad a proclamation designating the week of May 4 - 10, 2014, as Drinking Water Week. David St. John, Utilities Services Manager, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. Mr. St. John discussed safe drinking water and the limited amount of this resource.  City Council Meeting May 6,2014 Page2 of 6 Water System Sanitary Survey - Mayor Dolan recognized the entire Utilities Services Division of the Public Works Department for recently receiving a rating of 99 out of 100 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply, for this year's sanitary survey of the City's water system. This rating is one of the highest in the state. David St. John, Utilities Services Manager, thanked Council for the recognition. PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance l4-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee by Designating Certain Properties as B-2 Central Business District and M-2 General Industrial District (200 . State Street, l2l Mzrtin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Railroad Right-of-Way, and 213'o Street) City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would amend zoning for several buildings. This Ordinance would reclassify 200 State Street, l2I Mafün Luther King Jr. Blvd., and portions of Norfolk Southern Railroad Right-of-Way from an M-1 (Light Industrial/Businesp District) to B-2 (Central Business District). Tl're Ordinance also reclassifies a portion of 21 3'" Street from M-l (Light Industrial/Business District) fo i|l4-2 (General Industrial District). Rezoning of the property at200 State Street was requested by the owner. The remaining properties to be rezoned are at the recommendation of staff. All impacted property owners are also in agreement with the proposed rezoning. This item was brought before the Bristol Tennessee Regional Planning Commission and recommended for approval. The hearing was closed after no public comments. Resolution 14-42 - A Resolution Adopting a Community Development Block Grant Action Plan and Approving the Submittal of a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for CDBG Grant Funding in2014-2015. Shari Brown, Community Development Director, reviewed the Resolution that will adopt a Community Development Block Grant Action Plan for the 2014-2015 year. The purpose of the CDBG action plan is to state the proposed uses of the CDBG Grant funding and distributions. This action plan also states the federal program objectives with which the plan must comply. No person in attendance spoke during the public hearing. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Tom Heibel, 1716 Bluff City Highrva¡,, thanked Council for the recent changes in the beer ordinance. Mr. Heibel also discussed the local elections and expressing support for the candidates.  City Council Meeting May 6,2014 Page 3 of6 APPOINTMENTS: Community Development Advisory Committee - Joseph Rhymer was appointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee by unanimous roll call vote to serve a term of office ending April 30, 2017. Emergency Communications Board of Directors - Thomas Muncy was appointed to the Emergency Communications Board of Directors by unanimous roll call vote to serve an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2016. Park and Recreation Commission - Jason Booher and Erin Hyde were appointed to serve unexpired terms on the Park and Recreation Commission by a unanimous roll call vote. The termi of office were for varying time periods which required a draw in order to determine which appointee would serve for the longer term. Councilwoman Feierabend drew Ms. Hyde to serve the unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2016. Mr. Booher will serve the unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2015. Sullivan Counfy Board of Equalization - Raymond Morrell was appointed to the Sullivan County Board of Equalization by unanimous roll call vote to serve a term of office ending April 30,2016. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS : A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance l4-5 - An Ordinance to Close a Portion of Holiday Drive as a Public Street City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would abandon a portion of Holiday Drive from a point 500 feet east of the Highway 11-W intersection to the eastern end of the existing roadway as a public street. Holiday Drive was originally constructed as part of the Interstate 81 Exit 74 interchange and provided access to properties that are now part of The Pinnacle development. A new public right-of-way has been approved that will allow for the connection of the western portion of Holiday Drive to Pinnacle Parkway. While the public street is proposed for abandonment, the public right-of-way will be retained as part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation Interstate 81, Exit 74 interchange. In addition, existing utility easements would remain unaffected. The public street abandonment would allow for the removal of existing pavement, street lights, etc. in support of the Pinnacle development plan. This item was brought before the Bristol Tennessee Regional Planning Commission and recommended for approval. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve this Ordinance on flrrst reading, Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Ordinance t4-6 - An Ordinance to Amend the Appropriation of Funds and Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1,2013 through June 30, 2014  City Council Meeting I|l4ay 6,2014 Page 4 of6 Cify Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that would amend the curent budgets of two funds to reflect the projected amounts in excess of that originally budgeted. City Manager Sorah stated that this was a result of expenditures resulting from unanticipated grant funds and higher than anticipated program expenditures. The General Purpose School Fund is proposed to increase by $500,000 to $36,315,000. The Capital Facilities Fund is proposed to increase by $2,000,000 to $3,793,500. Councilman Young stated that the amendment to the Capital Facilities Fund was required to reflect the receipt and payment of grant funds. However, the amendment is still required and will be reflected in the financial statements. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Councilman Young seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Ordinance l4-7 - An Ordinance to Establish the Property Tax Rate, Adopt a Budget, and Appropriate Funds for the Fiscal Year July lr2014 through June 30,2015 City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance that will establish a property tax rate and adopt a budget and appropriate funds for Fiscal Year July 1,2014 through June 30,2015. City Manager Sorah explained that this budget totals $98,366,271, which is a decrease of $7,988,164, overall. The property tax levy established will remain at the current rate of $2.25 pu $100 of assessed value. The municipal portion of the budget totals $57,568,27I which is a decrease of $8,104 ,736, from the prior year. A signifrcant portion of the change is attributable to the completion of the public infrastructure commitment associated with The Pinnacle project. The proposed budget includes a cost of living increase of l.60/o and a reduction in City staffing of 6.25 positions. The force reduction will occur through attrition and the elimination of vacant positions. The budget is predicated on the establishment of a stormwater utility, an increase in the solid waste fee, and user fees for various parks and recreation facilities and programs. The school system portion of the budget totals $40,798,000 which is an increase of $1 16,572, from the prior year. Each Council member thanked the City Manager and staff for all of the hard work during the budget preparation process. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Ordinance on first reading, and Councilman Keen seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance l4-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee by Designating Certain Properties as B-2 Central Business District and M-2 General Industrial District (200 State Streeto l2L Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Railroad Right-of-\Way, and à1 3'o Street) City Manager Sorah reviewed this Ordinance as part of the public hearing portion of the agenda and the public also had an oppoltunity to speak at that time. Councilman Young moved to approve this Ordinance on second reading, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.  City Council Meeting Ill4ay 6,2014 Page 5 of6 C. Resolutions: Resolution 14-40 - A Resolution Approving Private Chapter No. 36, House Bill No. 21l9,as Enacted by the 108th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee City Manager Sorah reviewed this Resolution that approves Private Chapter No. 36, House Bill No. 2ll9 so as to amend Section 2-9 of the City Charter relating to the filling of vacancies on City Council. The amendment allows a Council appointee to serve until the next municipal election as opposed to the next election, whether general or municipal as previously 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. Vice Mayor Powers moved to approve the Resolution, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members voting. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilwoman Feierabend rnoved to approve the Consent Agenda items, and Councilman Young seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: a Minutes - April 1,2074, City Council Meeting; a Minutes -April 15,2014, Special Called City Council Meeting; a Minutes - April 15,2074, City Council Work Session; a Resolution 14-36 - A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of In-Car Video Systems; a Resolution 14-39 - A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Software Support for Computer Aided Dispatch System; a Resolution 14-41 - A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the Emergency Communications District of the City of Bristol, Tennessee; and o Resolution 14-42 - A Resolution Adopting a Community Development Block Grant Action Plan and Approving the Submittal of a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for CDBG Grant Funding in 2014- 2015.  City Council Meeting l1ay 6,2014 Page 6 of6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Bill Sorah reported to Council that the construction contract for Belk's at The Pinnacle had been signed. The City has now issued permits for the shell buildings. City Manager Sorah also discussed upcoming community meetings to review the Parks and Recreation survey and master plan. In closing, he reminded Council and citizens of upcoming events. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Dr. Gary Lilly, School Board Superintendent, addressed Council and discussed TCAPs and work on the Stone Castle project, including the synthetic turf. Vice Mayor Powers mentioned attending several internal and external meetings over the past month. She expressed her hopes to continue community involvement in government and economic development. Councilman Young discussed the importance of the City having a long-term vision and changes being made now to ensure success and the strategic plan. Councilwoman Feierabend spoke briefly about upcoming events and the local elections in Sullivan County, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia. Mayor Dolan discussed the Drive to 55 Program and the education initiative to help add manufacturing jobs to the area. She also mentioned the graduation of her daughter and her excitement over seeing the City developing in a manner that will reap benefits for the future generations. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Michelle Dolan, Mayor Tara . Musick, City Recorder