City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 9,2019 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Margaret Feierabend on Tuesday, July 9,2019, at7:00 P.M. in the Slater Center Auditorium. OATH OF OFF'ICE: Tara Musick, City Recorder, administered the oath of office to new Council member Mahlon Luttrell and then to new Council member Vince Turner. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Chad Keen, Councilman Mahlon Luttrell, Councilwoman Lea Powers, and Councilman Vince Turner. Others Present: City Manager William Sorah, City Attorney Danielle Smith, City Recorder Tara Musick, and members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Blaine Wade, Chief of Police, gave the invocation and Jill Hanison, School Board Chair, led the pledge of allegiance. SELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR: Mayor Margaret Feierabend explained the City Charter requires City Council to select one of its members to serve as Mayor and Vice Mayor each year at the first meeting in July. Mayor Feierabend asked for a motion for nomination of a Council member to serve as Mayor for the coming year. Councilwoman Lea Powers made a motion to nominate Margaret Feierabend to continue to serve as Mayor. Councilman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Councilwoman Powers made a motion to nominate Councilman Mahlon Luttrell as Vice Mayor. Councilman Keen seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Feierabend thanked her fellow Council members for their trust in her abilities and she will strive to exceed their expectations. She thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve and commented on the change in dynamics that occur whenever there is a new Council member. She looks forward to working with the new team toward the common goal of keeping the City moving forward. She also thanked the citizens of Bristol for the honor of serving and the City staff for working with her. Vice Mayor Luttrell said he appreciates and humbly respects the position and does not take the responsibility lightly. He looks forward to working with the Council, staff, and the citizens over the next four years.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page2ofll A brief recess was taken for a reception to welcome the new Council members and recognize the new Mayor and Vice Mayor. The meeting was called back to order by Mayor Feierabend at approximately 7:25 P.M. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND / OR CHANGES: None PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Parks and Recreation Month - Councilwoman Powers read aproclamation designating the month of July 2019 as Parks and Recreation Month. Mr. David Akard, III, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. Mr. Akard spoke about the different parks in the City and complimented Teny Napier, Director of Parks and Recreation, on the role he plays in managing and improving the City parks. He encouraged the community to use the parks and help take care of them. He thanked Council for recognizingthe important role of parks in the community. Bristol TraffÏc Safety Ambassador - Major Matt Austin of the Police Department stated this community is recognized by the state as one of the safest traffic areas in Tennessee. He explained that Bristol has safe roadways because of the partnership that exists utilizing the three E's-Engineering, Education, and Enforcement-in a program that helps create safer roadways. This award is a result of one of the strongest educational elements of three E's, the Traffic Safety Ambassador Program. This program helps put a local face on traffrc safety. The national campaigns are well known but this program helps to make it personal to our community. Each year, the youngest and newest drivers are encouraged to develop a slogan relating to traffic safety to help keep that in the forefront of the mind of every person each time they start to drive. The local school students are encouraged to participate in a poster contest relating to the slogan. This year, there were over 30 entries from Vance Middle School. The winning poster for 2019 says, o'Honk if you love Jesus...text if you want to meet Him," and helps make the new state law against texting and driving more personal. Major Austin and Officer Nathan Greene presented the award to the creator of the winning poster, Layne Richardson. Bristol First Program Award - Janet Ross, Crew Chief for Public Works Division of Development Services, was nominated for the Bristol First Award twice within the same award period, by two different people, for two different actions in two different parts of the City. The first nomination came from Ms. Patty Lee who was having trouble loading groceries into her car one evening. After working all day trimming vegetation throughout the City in the hot sun, Janet still took time to provide assistance to Ms. Lee. Janet showed consideration and responsibility while also being positive and motivational. The second nomination was by Ms. Nancy DeFriece who saw Janet working with an overgrown shrubbery problem in her neighborhood. She stopped as she observed Janet taking the time to carefully explain to the women with her the proper way to cut and trim trees and vegetation. The women seemed to respect Janet and were carefully working with her. The vegetation in this area had been problematic making it difficult to see and Janet seemed to also be genuinely concerned about the safety issue. The next day, Ms. DeFriece saw Janet at the same location with different equipment personally trimming more of the shrubbery and thick growth to enable two vehicles to easily pass without any issue. Ms. DeFriece stated Janet showed true leadership ability. Terrie Talbert, Director of Community Relations, presented the award to Janet Ross.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page3ofl1 Councilwoman Powers commented she also saw Janet working in the same location as Ms. DeFriece as she worked diligently to trim the large stand of bamboo that took several days to remove. She has seen Janet working in other areas throughout the City and said she does a phenomenal job. Mayor Feierabend expressed her appreciation for Janet and the positive role model she provides for the young people in the community, especially the young girls and women, for doing a job that is traditionally seen as for males. PRB,SENTATIONS: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mayor Feierabend opened the Public Hearing. Ordinance l9-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristolo Tennessee by Designating Certain Property as R-E (Established Residential Neighborhood) 1101 Anderson Street City Manager Bill Sorah explained Ordinance l9-4 amends the zoning map for the City of Bristol, Tennessee to address the proposed rezoning of property located at 1101 Anderson Street. The current zoning is B-1B (1.{eighborhood Shopping / Office Zone). Staff received a request from Appalachian Service Project to rezone the property R-E (Established Residential Neighborhood). The company plans to construct a single family home on the property by taking advantage of the setback requirements of the R-E zone. The proposed rezoning was considered by the Bristol Regional Planning Commission at their May 20th meeting and received a unanimous favorable recommendation. Ordinance 19-4 was approved during first reading on June 4,2019. This item is for formal consideration for approval later on the agenda this evening. City Manager Sorah requested Cherith Young, Planning Services Manager, provide fuither details. Ms. Young showed a map of the area indicating the zoning of the subject parcel as well as the surrounding neighborhood. She presented a chart summarizing the zoning and existing land use of the surrounding parcels, which is residential and shopping office zone of B-18. The R-E zoning provides lesser restrictions in terms of setbacks for developing property, especially for residential property. In a B-18 zone, the setback requirement for a front yard is thirty feet. In an R-E zone,it is only five feet in the front and thirty feet in the rear. Some of the uses allowed in an R-E zone are single family and duplex dwellings and some minimal uses by special permit such as churches, daycare centers, swimming, golf, and tennis clubs as opposed to the B-18 zone which allows for business uses that are supportive of the neighborhood such as professional offrces, health care uses, finance and insurance, and limited trade uses among others that are similar. The Future Land Use Plan indicates the parcel is in a low density residential use area, which matches up with the Future Land Use Map for the City. In addition, staff considers several policies when reviewing requests before sending a recommendation to the Planning Commission including two key elements with one being to protect the character of the residential neighborhoods. The second element is to encourage development of underutilized land and buildings to capitalize on existing infrastructure and services. Based on these criterion, staff gave a favorable recommendation to the Planning Commission. At their meeting on }y'ray 20th, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation for the rezoning to City Council. There was no public comment on this item.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page4of11 Mayor Feierabend closed the public hearing portion of the meeting APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Shane Herron, 205 Little Valley Drive in Dogwood Acres, spoke on behalf of several the residents of Dogwood Acres. A local brewery is holding concerts next to their neighborhood. The music is loud and the concerts are laced with profanity. There are many small children in the neighborhood so the residents requested the brewery move the concert stage to another location on their 138-acre property. The reply from the brewery was for them to contact the police. APPOINTMENTS: Beer Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of two seats on the Beer Board, one for an unexpired term of office ending January 31, 2020 and the other for an unexpired term of office ending January 3 1, 2022. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will serve the longer term of office. In case of a tie, the decision will be made by lots drawn by the Mayor. The vote was as follows: Vice Mayor Luttrell Jason Booher and Miles Vance Councilman Turner Jason Booher and Miles Vance Mayor Feierabend Miles Vance Councilman Keen Jason Booher and Miles Vance Councilwoman Powers Jason Booher and Miles Vance Since Mr. Miles Vance received the most votes, he was appointed to the Beer Board to serve an unexpired term of office ending January 31,2022. Mr. Jason Booher was appointed to the Beer Board to serve an unexpired term of office ending January 31,2020. Better Property Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Better Property Board. Mr. George Noll was unanimously appointed to the Better Property Board to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2022. Board of Code Appeals - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Board of Code Appeals. Mr. Ted Koehner was unanimously appointed to the Board of Code Appeals to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2024. Board of Zoning Appeals - City Council addressed the vacancy of two seats on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. John Cartwright and Mr. Ted Koehner were unanimously appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2024. Library Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Library Board for an unexpired term of office ending December 31,2020. Ms. Melissa Mullins was unanimously appointed to the Library Board to serve an unexpired term of offrce ending December 31,2020. Parks and Recreation Commission - City Council addressed the vacancy of five seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission, one for an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2020; one for an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2021; and three for a term of ofhce ending June 30, 2022. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will serve the longest term of offrce. In case of a tie, the decision will be made by lots drawn by the Mayor. The vote was as follows:  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page5of11 Vice Mayor Luttrell David Akard, Bennett Cowan, Clyde Downs, Miles Vance, and Shenil'Willinger Councilman Turner David Akard, Ronda Baker, Clyde Downs, Miles Vance, and Shenil Willinger Mayor Feierabend David Akard, Ronda Baker, Bennett Cowan, Clyde Downs, and Shenil Willinger Councilman Keen David Akard, Ronda Baker, Bennett Cowan, Clyde Downs, and Shenil V/illinger Councilwoman Powers David Akard, Ronda Baker, Bennett Cowan, Clyde Downs, and Shenil Willinger Mr. David Akard, Mr. Clyde Downs, and Ms. Sherril V/illinger each received five votes and were appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2022. }i4s. Ronda Baker and Dr. Bennett Cowan each received four votes. Mayor Feierabend drew lots to determine which candidate would fill the longer of the two remaining unexpired terms. Dr. Bennett Cowan was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission to serve an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2021, and Ms. Ronda Baker was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission to serve an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2020. Planning Commission - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Planning Commission. Mr. Kevin Buck was unanimously appointed to the Planning Commission to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2022. Power Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Power Board for a term of offrce ending June 30, 2023. Councilwoman Powers made a motion to table this appointment until the Council has an opportunity to discuss it in more detail at the next work session later this month. Several have mentioned the Council needs a more developed process to take a comprehensive look at the BTES Board. She would like to become better informed in an effort to ensure skills sets are not duplicated and that a void of skill sets is not created. She does not want to continue the appointment process until the Council has been able to have full discussion on the matter at the next work session. Councilwoman Powers made a motion to table this appointment until the August Council meeting. Mayor Feierabend conferred with City Attorney Danielle Smith about the proprieties of the motion. City Attorney Smith stated this is a Council process and they can table the appointment by voting on the motion that has been made. Mayor Feierabend seconded the motion. Councilman Turner asked for clarification as to why the motion to table the appointment was made. Councilwoman Powers explained in previous years, a few of the appointments to the Power Board have been somewhat contentious and became political resulting in those appointments being tabled for two or three months. This is the beginning of a new era as there are now two new Council members and she would like for this Council to establish a conversational process that takes a comprehensive look at the board and the skill sets. Each year, thousands of dollars are spent training the board. It is a very important board that involves a lot of legislation and the members have gained areas of expertise that are far reaching. In the past, Council has tried to ensure the appointed board members had the appropriate skill sets but at times that has been lost in the process. Transparency of the board has been questioned by some and she wants a process established to maintain the integrity of the board. To table the appointment has been done in prior years so it is not a new process. The open position remains open until an appointment is made at a future Council business meeting.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page6ofll Councilman Keen continued by stating an appointment to any board requires a candidate to receive a minimum of three votes. As mentioned earlier, in prior years some of the candidates simply did not receive the required minimum of three votes. He feels the current three candidates are all good candidates and would rather continue with the vote to see if one of the cunent candidates receives three votes. If no one does, then table the vote until the next meeting. However, if the majority of Council prefers to wait, that is okay with him as well. Mayor Feierabend said she normally calls each of the candidates prior to voting for any appointments and was unable to make those calls this time. In addition, the upcoming work session is when the Council member appointments are discussed. The Council member appointed to the board will also provide another skill set to be considered when appointing someone to fill the current vacancy. As there was no further discussion, a roll call vote was taken on the motion to table the appointment to the Power Board until the next regular Council meeting. The motion passed four to one by roll call vote as follows: Vice Mayor Luttrell Yes Councilman Turner Yes Mayor Feierabend Yes Councilman Keen No Councilwoman Powers Yes Discussion then ensued as to whether additional candidates could apply for the Power Board. City Manager Sorah explained normally, had a vote been taken and the position remained unfilled the candidate would have to reapply if they were interested and additional candidates would be able to apply as well. However, since a vote has not been taken the current slate of candidates would roll until a vote actually takes place. However, as this is a Council process, Council can decide how to handle the situation. Councilman Turner asked if the prior deadline would still be in effect for the next meeting and hence, only the cunent candidates be considered. There was further discussion among the Council members as to whether additional applications for the Power Board would be accepted prior to the vote at the next meeting. The City Manager and City Attorney read aloud the appropriate section of the "Rules and Procedures of the City Council." After additional Council discussion, Councilwoman Powers made the motion that no further applications be accepted for the Power Board and the cunent three applicants be the only ones eligible for consideration; however, those three current candidates must reapply. Councilman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Tree Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of two seats on the Tree Board. There was one applicant and Ms. Karen McSharry was unanimously appointed to the Tree Board to serve a term of office ending June 30, 2023. The position for a term of office ending June 30, 2021remains unfilled. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance 19-5 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol, Tennessee by Designating Certain Property as M-2 (General Industrial) I Centre Drive  City Council Meeting Iuly 9,2019 Page7ofl1 City Manager Sorah said this is the proposed rezoning of property located at 1 Centre Drive. Staff received a request from the owner to rezone the property from B-3 (General Business) to M-2 (General Industrial District). The uses permitted in the I|l4-2 zone include manufacturing and warehouse uses as well as avaúety of more intense uses not permitted in the current B-3 zone. Staff presented this request along with staff recommendation to the Bristol Regional Planning Commission at their June 17th meeting. A favorable recommendation is forwarded to Council from the Planning Commission. If this ordinance is approved on first reading there will be a public hearing prior to second reading for consideration at the August 6th meeting. He then requested Ms. Cherith Young, Planning Services Manager to present further details. Ms. Young stated this request is to rezone the property from B-3 (General Business District) to M-2 (General Industrial District). She presented maps of the area including the current zoning and surrounding structures and properties. The uses permitted in the B-3 district allows more of the highway and commercial type businesses such as retail businesses, banks, funeral homes, dry cleaners, daycare, single family and two-family residences. The i|l4-2 zone includes manufacturing and warehouse uses as well as a variety of more intense uses not permitted in the cunent B-3 zone and does not include single family and two-family residences. In reviewing the parcel, staff noted some of the features are it fronts on Highway 421, is a 37-acre parcel, the building has been utilized for different purposes in the past, and there is a large parking lot and a warehouse building on the site. Given the location of the subject parcel and the surrounding zoning, staff feels the rezoning request is suitable in this situation. Staff also considered the policies of the City's Future Land Use Plan with one of the key principles being to secure the City's economic future by strengthening cultural tourism and arts, motor sports, medical arts and healthcare, diversified manufacturing, and destination retail. The policies state that we should sustain existing commercial areas while providing for adequate and compatible growth and expansion, and provide land and infrastructure to sustain and promote industrial growth. Given the observance of these policies included in the City's Future Land Use Plan; the property surrounding the parcel is zoned asM-2; it is accessible by an arterial roadway designed for truck traffic; and the impact of M-2 uses to adjacent property would be minimal as the parcel is isolated, staff feels this rezoning is suitable. The Planning Commission heard and discussed the request at their June 17th meeting and voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation for rezoning the property from B-3 to M-2. Councilwoman Powers made a motion to approve the ordinance on first reading and Councilman Turner seconded. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. B. Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading): Ordinance l9-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol, Tennessee by Designating Certain Property as R-E (Established Residential Neighborhood) 1101 Anderson Street The details of this ordinance were presented during the public hearing earlier on this agenda. Councilman Keen motioned to approve Ordinance l9-4 and Vice Mayor Luttrell seconded. As there was no further discussion, a roll call vote was taken and the ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page8ofll CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilwoman Powers made a motion for approval and Vice Mayor Luttrell seconded the motion. The following items were approved by unanimous Council roll call vote: ¡ Minutes June 4, 2019 City Council Meeting r Minutes June 25,2019 City Council V/ork Session r Resolution 19-68 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of Delivered Stone and Sand r Resolution 19-69 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of Stone and Sand on a Picked-Up Basis r Resolution 19-70 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of In-Place Asphalt r Resolution 19-71 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of Bulk Asphalt Products r Resolution 19-72 A Resolution Awarding Bids for the Purchase of Bulk Concrete Products r Resolution 19-73 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Software Support for the Financial Software System r Resolution 19-74 A Resolution Awarding Bids for the Purchase of Water and Sewer Supplies r Resolution I9-75 A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the YWCA and Providing Funding Support r Resolution 19-76 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Software Support for Computer Aided Dispatch System r Resolution 19-77 A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for Pharmacy Administration Services for Group Health Benefits Program r Resolution 19-78 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for Ambulance Remount r Resolution 19-79 A Resolution AuthorizingPayment to the Sullivan County Election Commission r Resolution 19-80 A Resolution Approving the Transfer of Property to the State of Tennessee r Resolution 19-81 A Resolution Authorizing Entry into an Agreement for Consulting Services with McGill Associates, P.A.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page9ofll BOARD OF EDUCATION LIAISON REPORT: Ms. Jill Harrison, Chair of the School Board, congratulated the two new Council members. For those who were not aware, she mentioned Dr. Lilly resigned to take a position with the Collierville School District and Dr. Annette Tudor has been appointed Interim Director of Schools. A search firm has been engaged and the position has been advertised. The School Board has been advised it will probably take 90 to I20 days before an individual can be identified to fill the position. In addition, that individual will need time to give notice to their present employer and, depending on their current location, may need time to move to this area. Applications will be taken until the last Friday in July and all résumés are being gathered by the search firm to compile the initial first draft. The firm stated the Bristol Tennessee School District is one of the best school districts in the state and the community offers a good quality of life and should attract desirable candidates. She then introduced Dr. Annette Tudor. Dr. Tudor was unanimously selected as the interim director. Her prior position was Supervisor of Secondary Cuniculum and Instruction. She has been with the school system since 2000, has served in a number of different positions, and has the full support of the board. Dr. Tudor will present the monthly liaison report to the City Council. Dr. Tudor thanked Council and congratulated the new members. She reported they have held a number of elementary summer camps. All of the elementary schools offered Read to be Ready summer reading camps which were grant funded through monies set aside by the previous governor for the Read to be Ready Initiatives, but that money may not be available in the future. The program has also provided several professional development opportunities for teachers throughout the last two years so they are hopeful funding for these programs will be reinstated by the state. In addition, two elementary schools, Avoca and Anderson, held STEAM camps (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). The other three elementary schools have had open library time which allows time for students to complete their summer reading requirements. Summer reading requirements were implemented by the district some time ago, but is now also a requirement of the state. All students K- l2have a responsibility to do some summer reading and Tennessee High and Vance Middle Schools are also open in addition to the elementary schools to provide student support for that task. They have been able to offer summer meals this year serving over 10,000 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks thus far to students in the community up through the age of 18. The schools have partnered with the Bristol Public Library in offering a summer book bus which was utilized by over 250 students in June with two more dates remaining for the summer, today and July 16th. Students who utilize the book bus on July 16th will be able to keep the book they select to add to their home library. Site preparation has commenced for the new middle school construction and renovation of the gymnasium has begun as well. Back to school dates: 1) laptop distribution July 25th,30th, or 3l't so all of the families are invited Tennessee High School for orientation to receive their laptops and backpacks on one of those dates; 2)teacher wide in-service July 29th where the teachers are welcomed back and the teachers will present to each other so it is a teacher-lead initiative; 3) teachers return to work August l't; and 4) students return August 5th. Mayor Feierabend welcomed Dr. Tudor and offered her the support of Council and City staff. She then acknowledged several persons in attendance and thanked them for their participation.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page 10 of 1 1 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Sorah expressed his appreciation to City staff for their assistance with the Fourth of July Celebration, specifically Teny Napier, parks and recreation staft and public works staff, and their hard work to make the event a reality for the downtown community. He then thanked Council for funding the effort. Demolition of 6th Street has started. Construction will commence tomorrow and should be completed quickly. Mark Mamantov is the guru across the state in incentivizing projects using pilots, TIF, etc., and has also served as our bond counsel for a number of years. He has been invited to be with Council at Noon on Monday, July 29rh atthe Nature Center where a light lunch will be served. As with previous Councils, he will review development incentives that are available. Simply stated, he will discuss the 'tools in the toolbox', when they are appropriate to use, how they are used, and as a point of comparison and contrast what other communities are doing. The Industrial Development Board will be invited to participate as well as the County Commissioners. The regular Council work session has been moved from the fourth Tuesday to the fifth Tuesday, which will be July 30th at 5:30 P.M. in the Annex Conference Room. The City Manager then thanked Margaret Feierabend for serving as Mayor the past year and for continuing to serve this year as well. Staff recognizes the efforts, time, and energy that is put into the role and she has served the community well and taken the responsibilities seriously. She was presented with a book of the accomplishments of her tenure as chronicled and compiled by the Community Relations staff. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Turner expressed his excitement at being able to serve and is looking forward to the next four years. Councilman Luttrell feels privileged to serve on the Council and looks forward to working with everyone over the next four years. Councilwoman Powers enjoyed working with the prior Council and she is looking forward to serving with the new Council and the opportunities to work cooperatively together for the community. Councilman Keen congratulated Eric Cuddy for being elected to the School Board and thanked all the members. They spend money to be elected to this important board, but they are unpaid positions and consume a large amount of time. He then thanked Janet Ross for the wonderful job and excellent customer service she provides. He also thanked all the employees who provide great customer service to the community. Mayor Feierabend congratulated Janet Ross on the Bristol First Award and thanked Terrie Talbert and Community Relations for creating that method recognition. It also gives Council the opportunity to learn more as well as publicly acknowledge what the employees do for the City and community. She mentioned the budget process and that she was happy the City was able to increase salaries some. The budget process is difficult and she expressed support for Sullivan County as they are currently working through that process. She stated her appreciation to the prior Council and said she is also looking forward to working with the new Council.  City Council Meeting July 9,2019 Page 11 of11 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. eierabend, Mayor ( TaraB. Musick, City Recorder