City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 3, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Lea Powers on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Lea Powers, Vice Mayor Chad Keen, Councilwoman Dolan, Councilwoman Feierabend, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: City Manager William L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Lead Pastor Michael Booker of Covenant Fellowship Church gave the invocation, and Councilman Jack Young led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: None. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Proclamation of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week – Councilwoman Feierabend read a proclamation designating February 7-14, 2015, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Recognition of Bristol First Program Award – Mayor Powers recognized Troy Horrigan and Alex Webb, Solid Waste/Public Works Department, as the Bristol First Program Award winners for December. The two employees were working on their solid waste route when the wife of a customer motioned them over to her husband who was lying in their driveway. The gentleman was rolling his trash receptacle back to his house from the street and collapsed. Mr. Horrigan and Mr. Webb happened to be directly in front of their home and parked the garbage truck to assist the gentleman who was in cardiac arrest. Chest compressions were administered until a Bristol Tennessee Fire/Rescue Crew arrived. Mr. Horrigan and Mr. Webb were in attendance to receive their awards.  City Council Meeting February 3, 2015 Page 2 of 5 PRESENTATIONS: Bristol Public Library – Library Director Jud Barry presented information regarding how the resources at both the Avoca Branch and Main Library Branch could be utilized to answer questions or assist with research. He also discussed how access to computers and the interlibrary loan program were available for support of the general public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Resolution 15-04 – A Resolution Amending the Official General Plan for Land Use City Manager Sorah presented this resolution to Council. As Council is aware, over the past year staff completed a planning effort known as the Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan. The plan is a cooperative work effort of the Parks and Recreation Department and the Department of Economic and Community Development. He recognized Blake Ailor, Department of Economic and Community Development, to discuss the project in greater detail. Mr. Ailor discussed that the development of the plan encompassed a partnership with the community to determine future demand for park facilities and recreation programming needs. Their research included population trends and areas of growth; evaluation of existing facilities; and identification of future needs based upon input from surveys, community meetings, and dialogue with stake-holder groups. The information gleaned from this research was used to develop a long range parks and recreation plan. Mr. Ailor presented several recommendations from their research which included additional signage, trash cans, benches, fencing, trails, walkways, etc. Potential capital projects were also discussed including expanded places for children to play, additional sport fields, opportunities to use nature and new outdoor facilities, and an indoor swimming pool. The process also indicated that a comprehensive trails and greenway plan is needed. Project prioritization, implementation steps, and potential funding sources were the last areas of the plan covered in his presentation. City Manager Sorah stated the plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Bristol Regional Planning Commission at a joint meeting held on December 15th. Staff recommends adoption of the plan as presented to Council. The hearing was closed after no public comments. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Tom Vaughn, 1152 Pemberton Road, requested that left hand turns be studied at the intersection of East Cedar Street and Virginia Avenue. City Manager Sorah clarified that the East Cedar Infrastructure Project should address this matter.  City Council Meeting February 3, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Jamie Greeson, 101 Mimosa Road, spoke about the old Rosemont building and potential uses of the property as a homeless shelter for families. She discussed potential funding from the City or partnerships with several community agencies. Tom Heibel, 716 Bluff City Highway, discussed that medical facilities needed to be ambulatory. He also discussed the formation of an Information Technology (IT) Committee to study the local needs and how to pool resources. APPOINTMENTS: Parks and Recreation Commission – Two candidates were discussed in regards to one vacant position for an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2017. Randall Frye received votes from Vice Mayor Keen, Mayor Powers, and Councilwoman Dolan. Richard Heller received votes from Councilwoman Feierabend and Councilman Young. Mr. Frye was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission by a majority vote. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: None. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): None. C. Resolutions: Resolution 15-04 – A Resolution Amending the Official General Plan for Land Use City Manager Sorah reviewed this resolution as part of the public hearing portion of the agenda and the public also had an opportunity to speak at that time. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve this resolution, and Councilwoman Dolan seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilman Young requested that the January 6, 2015, City Council Meeting Minutes be removed from the consent agenda.  City Council Meeting February 3, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Vice Mayor Keen moved to approve the remaining items, and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote:  Minutes – January 20, 2015, City Council Work Session,  Resolution 15-01 – A Resolution Approving the Title VI Program for Bristol Tennessee Transit,  Resolution 15-02 – A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Guardrail Materials for the King College Road Guardrail Project,  Resolution 15-03 – A Resolution Adopting Amended and Restated Rules and Procedures for the City Council,  Resolution 15-05 – A Resolution Designating the Official Zoning Map of Bristol Tennessee as of January 1, 2015, and  Resolution 15-06 – A Resolution Awarding Bid for the Purchase of Police Sport Utility Vehicles. Minutes – December 2, 2014, City Council Meeting: City Manager Sorah reviewed this item and stated that revised minutes had been distributed to each member of the Council. Councilman Young removed this item to recognize that Council was voting to approve the revised version of the minutes. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the minutes as distributed, and Vice-Mayor Keen seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. BOARD OF EDUCATION LIASON REPORT: Ed Depew discussed progress on the Stone Castle Project in regards to phase II and the bleachers. The concrete is being fixed for new seats to be installed. With a contribution from a local citizen, the bathrooms and Tennessee High School Auditorium are also being renovated. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Sorah congratulated the City of Bristol, Virginia on their 150th Anniversary. He mentioned that the most searched for word last month on the website was business license, which is good for development.  City Council Meeting February 3,2015 Page 5 of5 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Young thanked citizens for public/private partnerships. He stated that success is a journey and not just a destination. City Council serves to represent the people in the community. Vice Mayor Keen congratulated the Bristol First winners and thanked City employees for the work that they do. He discussed plans for East Cedar Street and hopes that a good use for the Rosemont building is found. He commented on the schools and the benefit of using technology in the classroom. Councilwoman Feierabend stated that communication in regards to the East Cedar Street Project is very important. She also discussed community efforts in regards to homelessness and upcoming events in the community. Councilwoman Dolan mentioned that the East Cedar Street improvements would go a long way to fixing ahazardous road. She thanked citizens for their contributions and was glad to see that business licenses were growing. She discussed the level of service provided by local governments versus what other partners in the community should address. She pushes to keep government small in order to prevent a tax increase. She stated that she had heard many good ideas tonight, but she questions if it is the government's role to be involved. Mayor Powers mentioned meeting with the City of Chattanooga and the City of Knoxville to discuss passenger rail service. Success is the community embracing positive change and moving forward. She thanked City staff for working with Council. She also encouraged everyone to keep the individuals frghting for our freedom in our hearts and prayers. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Lea Mayor f" þh,."á Tara E. Musick, City Recorder