City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 1,2015 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Lea Powers on Tuesday, September 1,2015, at7:00 p.m. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Lea Powers, Vice Mayor Chad Keen, Councilwoman Michelle Denise, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, and Councilman Jack Young. Others Present: City Manager V/illiam L. Sorah; City Attorney Jack Hyder; City Recorder Tara Musick; and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Officer James Graham gave the invocation, and Councilwoman Denise led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/OR CHANGES: None PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Fire Prevention Week Proclamation - A proclamation designating the week of October 4 -10, 2015, as Fire Prevention Week was read by Vice Mayor Keen. Jack Spurgeon, Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshall, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. He discussed events occurring during this week, including an open house at the Main Fire Hall. Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation - A proclamation designating the month of September 2015 as Suicide Prevention Month was read by Councilman Young. Harold Leonard, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. He discussed the importance of public awareness of this issue and available programs for those in need. Recognition of Bristol First Program Award - Community Relations Director Tenie Talbert recognized Billy Rhymer and Jonathan Vanover, Streets Division of Public Works Department, as the Bristol First Program Award winners for September.  City Council Meeting September I,2015 Page} of 6 They were nominated by Michael O'Connor for finding his wallet during their daily work and their efforts to return the lost item to him. Mr. Rhymer and Mr. Vanover were in attendance to receive their awards. Recognition of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Excellence Award - The Wastewater Treatment Plant has been recognized by the Kentucky-Tennessee Chapter of the 'Water Environment Association for operational excellence during the calendar of 2014. Matt Dake, Plant Manager, accepted recognition of the award for the City of Bristol, Tennessee. He thanked Council for the recognition and stated that it was nice to be recognized. Recognition of Wastewater Distribution System Operational Excellence Award - The Utility Services Division has been recognized by the Kentucky-Tennessee Section of the American Water Works Association for outstanding water distribution system operational excellence during the calendar of 2014. David St. John, Utility Services Manager, accepted recognition of the award for the City of Bristol, Tennessee. He stated that it was an honor to receive the award. He commented that all employees in the distribution system work very hard and appreciate this recognition and support of both Council and the City Manager. PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: None. APPOINTMENTS: None. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: None. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): None. C. Resolutions:  City Council Meeting September 1,2015 Page 3 of6 Resolution 15-73 A Resolution Approving an Agreement for Professional Architectural Services City Manager Sorah reviewed this resolution to award a contract agreement for design of the new Fire Station 5 to Thompson & Litton, Incorporated, Bristol, Tennessee, for their proposal of 5172,548. Bid notifications were sent to numerous firms with fourteen responsive proposals received. Thompson & Litton, Incorporated was the highest qualified firm submitting a proposal and award of the contract is recommended accordingly. Funding fbr the design was appropriated in the FY 2016 budget. Councilman Young stated that this investment located near the hospital would keep fire ratings high which would lower the cost of insurance for all. This station will also provide support to The Pinnacle. Councilwoman Denise pointed out that the winner of the contract is from Bristol, Tennessee She thanked the City Manager and staff for their support of local procurement. Councilwoman Feierabend moved to approve the resolution, and Councilman Young seconded the motion. The resolution was approved by a unanimous Council vote. Resolution 15-77 - A Resolution Authorizing an Application for Grant Funding to the U.S. Economic Development Administration under the Economic Development Assistance Program City Manager Sorah reviewed this resolution that authorizes the submittal of an application to the U. S. Economic Development Administration under its Public Works Grant Program. The City has two grant eligible projects. The first is an upgrade to the electrical motor control center at the water treatment plant with an estimated cost of $1,200,000. The second project is the wastewater treatment plant aeration basin upgrade with an estimated cost of $2,820,000. The City will request a grant in the amount of $2,010,000 as a 50%o local match is required. The First Tennessee Development District will assist the City with the grant application and, if awarded, with the administration of the grant. Councilwoman Denise discussed that she supports this resolution though it is funded by taxpayer dollars. She knows that the City Manager runs a tight ship and controls spending. It is the duty of local government to provide infrastructure as needed. Councilwoman Denise moved to approve the resolution, and Vice Mayor Keen seconded the motion. The resolution was approved by a unanimous Council vote.  City Council Meeting September t,2015 Page 4 of 6 Resolution 15-78 A Resolution in Support of Tennessee Department of Transportation State Industrial Access (SIA) Grant for Roadway Improvements at NET\ryORKS Partnership Park II City Manager Sorah reviewed this resolution that authorizes the City to submit an application to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for a State Industrial Access grant (SIA). The grant application is in support of a planned expansion of an existing industry located within NETV/ORKS Partnership Park II. The expansion is projected to have an estimated capital investment of $14,900,000 and will result in an additional sixty employees over a three to four year period. The industry has requested improvements to the existing roadway system within Partnership Park II to accommodate the anticipated increase in truck volume resulting from the planned expansion. The $1.53M grant application involves the construction of 3,128 linear feet of 28-foot wide two-lane roadway. The project, if approved, will be funded in its entirety by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The grant application will be evaluated based upon the cost of the project and the capital investment and value of the jobs created by the business expansion. Councilman Young stated that the State of Tennessee pays for projects as it goes and debt should not be needed. Mayor Powers commented that this expansion would make the Park more presentable and attractive to the surrounding area. Councilwoman Denise stated that the City's potential combined with additional infrastructure should help the Park to grow and benefit everyone for a long time. City Manager clarified that upon a successful grant award that construction should begin next spring. Councilman Young moved to approve the resolution, and Councilwoman Denise seconded the motion. The resolution was approved by a unanimous Council vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilman Young stated that there was a clerical error in the minutes for the August 4, 2015, City Council meeting. City Attorney Hyder clarified that it would be okay to pass the consent agenda as is with the understanding that the minutes would be corrected. Councilman Young moved to approve the consent agenda, and Councilman Keen seconded the motion. The following items were approved by unanimous Council vote: a Minutes - August 4,2015, City Council Meeting; a Minutes -August 18,2015, City Council Work Session;  City Council Meeting September I,20t5 Page 5 of6 a Resolution 15-74 - A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for Transit Operating Assistance; a Resolution 15-75 - A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the TML Risk Management Pool "Driver Safety" Matching Grant Program; a Resolution 15-76 - A Resolution Authorizing the City of Bristol to Participate in the TML Risk Management Pool "Safety Partners" Loss Control Matching Grant Program; a Resolution 15-79 - A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Decorative Street Lights; o Resolution 15-80 A Resolution Approving the Purchase of Geographic Information System Technology Software and Related Support Services; a Resolution 15-81 - A Resolution Accepting a Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and a Resolution 15-82 - A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the 2016 East Tennessee LIDAR Project. BOARD OF EDUCATION LIASON REPORT: Director of Schools Gary Lilly mentioned the five year strategic plan and actions to improve having a work ready community. He informed Council that the most recent ACT scores of Bristol Tennessee City Schools were higher than the average State ACT scores. The goal is to continue to improve scores with additional planned initiatives. Mr. Steve Playl was recently hired as the Director of Career Technical Education (CTE) to assist with training students to help meet the needs of local businesses and industries. CHAMBER OF' COMMERCE REPORT: Beth Rhinehart, Chamber of Commerce CEO, thanked the Council for their support and for attending all of the ribbon cuttings over the past few months.  City Council Meeting September 1,2015 Page 6 of6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Sorah discussed that there is $60,000,000 of construction projects currently underway in the City in some form. There is also over $13,000,000 in permit applications currently under review. Several of these permits are related to The Pinnacle area but there is also other growth within the City. He thanked staff for all of their hard work during the Bristol Motor Speedway fall race. He also provided information regarding upcoming events. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Vice Mayor Keen stated that it is football time in Tennessee and thanked staff for all of their hard work during the August race. Councilwoman Feierabend discussed upcoming events. She mentioned the Reading Buddies Program and that staff from the Fire Department had volunteered to help children learn to read by the end of 3'd grade. Councilman Young discussed recent events occurring nationwide where various groups were targeted and stressed that all lives matter. The good apples outweigh the bad ones. We should thank those that serve in public service, including the staff that is not always seen. Councilwoman Denise spotlighted Suicide Prevention Month and discussed the impact that this can have on families and friends. She encouraged others to reach out and encourage people and remind them that they will be missed. She mentioned a local tragedy and thanked our Police Department for their service and for what they see and do in their jobs. She also discussed that the provision of infrastructure gives a means for a better quality of life, economic growth, etc. She also thanked staff for all of their hard work during the August race. Mayor Powers thanked the community and citizens who live here for working together to make the City a better place. She said that a lot of new ideas had been mentioned over the past 2 to 3 years, but she also appreciates prior Council members for putting projects in motion for current successes, such as The Pinnacle. She mentioned the Conference Center feasibility study and new school project. She encouraged all citizens to be mindful of their neighbors and to keep their eyes and ears open. There being no further business, the meeting was adj ourned at7:57 Lea Mayor Tara E. M City Recorder