City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL,TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 1,2020 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Mahlon Luttrell on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held electronically via Zoom. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Mahlon Luttrell, Vice Mayor Vince Turner, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Chad Keen, and Councilwoman Lea Powers. Others Present: City Manager William Sorah, City Attorney Danielle Smith, City Recorder Tara Musick, and other members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Mahlon Luttrell introduced Scott Emerine, Associate Pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church, who gave the invocation. Major Mark Tipton, United States Air Force (retired) and President of the Mountain Empire Chapter of the Military Officer Association of America, led the pledge of allegiance. DISCUSSION OF NECESSITY FOR CONDUCTING ELECTRONIC MEETING: City Attorney Danielle Smith explained the requirements for holding an electronic meeting. The electronic meeting is necessary to protect public safety, health, and welfare due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Luttrell asked for a roll call vote for approval to continue the meeting electronically, which passed unanimously. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND / OR CHANGES: None. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - Councilman Chad Keen read the proclamation designating September 2020 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Ms. Brandy Maltsburger, Behavioral Health Educator for Frontier Health and a representative for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, expressed appreciation for bringing awareness to the issue of suicide in our community as well as throughout the State of Tennessee. In addition, Molly Colley, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network Director for Northeast Tennessee, expressed appreciation to Bristol for supporting their efforts in addressing this issue. Child Passenger Safety Week - Councilwoman Lea Powers read the proclamation recognizing September 20-26, 2020 as Child Passenger Safety Week and September 22"'' as Buckle Up for Life Day. Hunger Action Month -Councilwoman Feierabend read the proclamation recognizing September 2020 as Hunger Action Month. She thanked Second Harvest Food Bank for their work in the community. PRESENTATIONS: None.  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 2 of7 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Annexation Plan of Services for 1003 Highway 126 - Six-Month Report City Manager Bill Sorah explained the annexation of 1003 Highway 126 was formally approved by City Council on March 3,2020. A part ofthat process is the Annexation Plan of Services, which is the City's commitment to that property owner to deliver the services, and the associated timeline, that are required as part ofthe annexation. State statues require the City publicly provide a progress report on the Plan of Services at six-month intervals following the effective date ofthe annexation, an element of which is the public hearing tonight. This report will give an update on the required services that have been provided as well as the status and timeline of services yet to be provided. After the first six-month review, the City is required to provide an update on an annual basis until provision of all the services is complete. Currently, all City services are available with the exception of sanitary sewer service. He then requested Ms. Cherith Young, Planning Services Manager, give an update on the Plan of Services. Ms. Young reviewed the Plan of Services and reported on the status ofeach service, most of which were effective immediately upon completion of the annexation. There were two short term services, one of which was an additional street light on Highway 126. The City worked in coordination with BTES and the light was installed in March. The other short term service is sanitary sewer service which is to be provided within one year ofthe date of annexation. The sanitary sewer extension has been designed and an application for a permit from the Tennessee Department of Transportation has been submitted. The permit was just approved so installation will be scheduled as soon as possible allowing for provision of this service to be complete well within the required one-year timeframe. The public hearing for tonight was advertised as required and no comments, questions, or concerns have been received from the public prior to this public hearing. There were no comments and the public hearing was closed. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: None. APPOINTMENTS: Better Property Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Better Property Board for an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2022. Councilman Keen spoke on behalf of Lonnie Barrett. Councilwoman Feierabend spoke on behalf of John Linke and Steven Willinger and expressed appreciation to all the candidates for their interest in serving. Mr. Lonnie Barrett was unanimously appointed by roll call vote to the Better Property Board to serve an unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2022. Industrial Development Board - City Council addressed the vacancy of two seats on the Industrial Development Board for a term of office ending August 31, 2026. Vice Mayor Vince Turner and Councilman Keen spoke on behalf of both candidates. Councilwoman Feierabend spoke on behalf of Nancy Cook. Councilwoman Powers said this board is integral to our success in moving forward with commercial development. It acts as a firewall in working with the state on various incentives and the doggedness exhibited by the committee members has served the City well. She expressed appreciation to the candidates for their prior service and their willingness to continue to serve. Ms. Nancy Cook and Mr. David Wagner were unanimously appointed by roll call vote to the Industrial Development Board to serve a term of office ending August 31, 2026.  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 3 of 7 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance 20-11 — An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Bristol, Tennessee by Designating Certain Property as B-3(General Business)- 2620 Volunteer Parkway City Manager Sorah stated this item was discussed at the August work session. Staff received a request from the owner, Mr. Larry Preston, Executive Vice President ofPowell Valley National Bank, regarding the potential rezoning of a portion the property located at 2620 Volunteer Parkway. The parcel totals approximately 2.45 acres and currently has a split zone designation with 1.68 acres zoned as B-3 and 0.77 acres zoned as R-3. The request by the owner is for the 0.77 acres to be rezoned from R-3 to B-3. This would provide a uniform zoning designation for the entire parcel. At their August 17th meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the request and voted unanimously to send a recommendation supporting the rezoning request. If approved on first reading, a public hearing and second reading will be scheduled for the October 6"^ Council meeting. He requested Ms. Cherith Young, Planning Services Manager, to give further details. Ms. Young showed a picture and maps of the property and the surrounding area detailing the current flood plain and zoning information. The area adjacent to the property on the north is zoned R-3 (Multi- family Residential) and the area adjacent to the property on the south, east, and west are zoned B-3 (General Business). She reviewed the current uses of the properties in the area, the permitted uses for R-3 and B-3, and presented the Future Land Use Map of the area while explaining the Future Land Use Plan and Policy is a tool which is always used to analyze a zoning request. Public notice ofthe rezoning request was given and to date, five written responses have been received in opposition to the proposed rezoning. There were two attendees at the August 17"^ Planning Commission meeting that spoke in opposition to the request and one caller in the past few days that also expressed their opposition. Due to the commercial zoning on part of the subject parcel and on surrounding parcels, combined with the commercial corridor that the parcel is located on,and agreement with policies ofthe Bristol Future Land Use Plan, the Planning Commission voted unanimously during their meeting on August 17, 2020, to send a favorable recommendation to City Council for this request. Vice Mayor Turner asked about the original zoning ofthis parcel and Ms. Young reviewed the previous zoning requests / changes of the subject property. Councilwoman Feierabend motioned to approve Ordinance 20-11 and Vice Mayor Turner seconded. Councilwoman Feierabend also serves on the Planning Commission and she stated the decision by the Planning Commission came after discussion with staff and included that this is one parcel with two different zonings, frontage on the Volunteer Parkway which is zoned B-3, and the recommendation of staff. It is unfortunate the multi-family dwelling is situated on higher ground behind this parcel making their view somewhat problematic, regardless ofthe re-zoning decision. However, the Plarming Commission felt this decision was the best possible given the circumstances. Councilwoman Powers asked who requested the rezoning and the City Manager replied it was requested by the property owner. She clarified the request was not because there was something specific already planned for this property, but to make it more marketable. First reading of Ordinance 20-11 passed unanimously by roll call vote. B. Second Reading of New Ordinances: None  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 4 of7 C. Resolutions: Resolution 20-84 A Resolution Awarding Bid for East Cedar Street Reconstruction The City Manager summarized this resolution, along with the companion Resolution 20-85 later on this agenda, are both associated with the reconstruction of East Cedar Street. Resolution 20-84 awards a bid for the East Cedar Street Reconstruction. This project involves approximately 1.21 miles of East Cedar Street from 5th Street to the intersection of King College Road. The project includes two 12-foot travel lanes with 5-foot wide sidewalks along both sides of the roadway. In addition, intersection improvements providing additional turn lanes will occur at 5th Street and Virginia Avenue. The intersections of Georgia Avenue and Kentucky Avenue will have improved sight-distance provided by alterations to the vertical curves at these locations. Lastly, the "S" curve located between Golf Street and Halverstadt Drive will be realigned to lessen the horizontal curvature of the roadway. This project has been about ten years in the making. As City Council is aware, the Tennessee Department of Transportation(TDOT)recently authorized staff to proceed with the bidding of construction services to perform the long awaited reconstruction of East Cedar Street. Construction bids were opened on July 9"^ with two bids being received. Baker's Construction Services, Inc. of Bluff City, Tennessee submitted the low bid in the amount of $8,989,041.73. The bid submittal has subsequently been reviewed and approved by TDOT. TDOT is responsible for 80%, or $7,191,233.38, of the project costs with the City being responsible for the remaining 20%, or $1,797,808.35. Bond proceeds totaling $1,494,520 are available to fund a substantial portion of the City's share of the project costs. The balance ofthe funds needed to advance the project, $381,088, will be provided from the General Fund Reserve. This amount is inclusive of Resolution 20-85 which deals with the engineering services for inspection. This project is estimated to have a two-year construction timeframe. Upon approval of the bid, there will be a preconstruction meeting after receiving the notice to proceed. Our Community Relations staff is keyed into the public communication aspect ofthis project and there will be a number of COVID-friendly meetings and updated information available on the City website throughout the construction project. Councilman Keen motioned to approve Resolution 20-84 and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. Councilwoman Powers talked about how exciting it was to be moving forward with this project which will improve the area aesthetically, address safety issues by straightening the curves, and adding sidewalks and lighting. Councilwoman Feierabend mentioned this may be the largest City street project in several years and has taken many years to come to fruition. There was no additional discussion, a roll call vote was taken, and the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 20-85 A Resolution Authorizing Entry into an Engineering Services Agreement for East Cedar Street Reconstruction The City Manager mentioned this is a companion resolution to Resolution 20-84. As with any TDOT project, there has to be an element of independent inspection service and it is the responsibility of the City to retain those services. As with the construction project, the cost is shared with TDOT on an 80/20 basis. Mattem & Craig, Inc., of Johnson City, Tennessee was the successful firm selected to provide construction engineering inspection services for the East Cedar Street Reconstruction to ensure quality assurance. The firm was selected following a competitive Request for Proposal process with each proposal reviewed by City staff, evaluated, and ranked based upon a set of criteria. This firm is also on the TDOT list of approved engineering firms to provide inspection services and they concur with the selection of Mattem & Craig, Inc. The scope ofservices will include progress estimates, project completion punch list, material testing and sampling, final project inspection, and preparation of final records for a not-to-exceed sum of$389,000.  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 5 of7 This engineering firm will be completing all phases of the project process per TDOT local programs requirements. TDOT will be responsible for 80%($311,200)ofthe costs associated with the inspection services and the City will be responsible for the remaining 20%($77,800). As detailed with Resolution 20-84, bond proceeds totaling $1,494,520 are available to fund a substantial portion of the City's share of the total project costs. The balance of the funds needed to advance the project, $381,088, will be provided from the General Fund Reserve. Councilwoman Feierabend motioned to approve Resolution 20-85. Vice Mayor Turner seconded. Councilwoman Feierabend expressed appreciation that the cost for such a large project would be 80% funded by the state. The resolution passed unanimously by roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Councilwoman Powers made a motion for approval and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. The following items were approved by unanimous Council roll call vote: Minutes August 4, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes August 25,2020 City Council Work Session Resolution 20-86 A Resolution Authorizing Entry into an Agreement with the South Fork Utility District in Accordance with Title 7, Section 35, Chapter 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated Resolution 20-87 A Resolution Adopting a Restated Plan Document for the City's Group Health Plan Resolution 20-88 A Resolution Adopting a Restated Plan Document for the City's Group Dental Plan Resolution 20-89 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of a New Ambulance Resolution 20-90 A Resolution Awarding a Bid for the Purchase of Chest Compression Devices for the Fire Department Resolution 20-91 A Resolution Authorizing the Emergency Purchase of Temperature Screening Kiosks Resolution 20-92 A Resolution Authorizing the Emergency Purchase of Professional Electrostatic Backpack Sprayers Resolution 20-93 A Resolution Authorizing the Emergency Purchase of Ultraviolet Disinfecting Equipment Resolution 20-94 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Mobile Restroom Trailer  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 6 of7 BOARD OF EDUCATION LIAISON REPORT: Dr. Amy Scott, Supervisor of Seeondary Education, updated Council on the Career and Technology Education(CTE)program. The schools have received a Perkins Reserve Regional Career Pathway Grant for $118,727 which along with another partnership allowed the schools to start a welding program. Also, a Perkins Reserve Secondary Grant of another $50,000 eombined with the other grant monies allowed the system to add five different CTE programs at Tennessee High School. Cyber security, hospitality and tourism, sport and human performance, teaching as a profession, and welding are the new programs for the 2020-2021 school year. They have also added a few industrial certifications such as certified pharmacy technician, Adobe certified associate, and emergeney medical responder along with about ten others. High school students can obtain their certification prior to graduation. The work-based learning partnership program now has over thirty partnerships which will allow participating students to have hands-on learning in the workplace. Dr. Scott expressed her appreciation for all the support of Council. Councilwoman Powers asked of there were any spacing issues with the addition of these new certification programs. Dr. Scott replied yes, they have had to change a lot of things around and anticipate more challenges if the program continues to grow at the current pace. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Sorah mentioned that Wednesday, September 9"^ is an important NETWORKS discussion on regionalism and he anticipates it will be held electronically. The agenda for the Council work session on September 22"'' will include Clay Walker and Bill Summer with NETWORKS to provide opportunity for discussion about regionalism with all Council members. He then commended the staffofCommunity Relations and Parks and Recreation for the creative video 'Thank You for Wearing a Mask' which encourages everyone to wear a mask for the protection of the community and the video was shown. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Couneilwoman Powers talked about the cancellation of the Rhythm and Roots Festival and the loss of revenue. She said some of the downtown merchants have pledged their support by donating 10% of their sales September 10'''-12''^ to the Bristol Country Music Association which was the weekend the Festival was scheduled to take place. She also mentioned the super raffle tickets and thanked the schools for all they are doing. Councilman Keen commented on the races, economic development, the programs being offered in our schools, and the direction the City is heading with housing. He would like for the action plans to be finalized soon. He commended staff for all the hard work on these plans. Vice Mayor Tumer commended stafffor always being available to help answer questions and deal with issues. Councilwoman Feierabend said kudos to the COVID Girls. She mentioned the monies received and appreciates how the City is using it. She also expressed appreciation for the events in celebration of Women's Suffrage Centennial and the schools, teachers, parents, employers and employees all working together to keep each other safe and wear masks. She reinforeed wearing masks and keeping everyone safe and mentioned the problem of hunger in our local community. Mayor Luttrell discussed the three appointments to the boards this evening and how Council takes these appointments seriously as they are very important to the operation of the City and for the eommunity as  City Council Meeting September 1,2020 Page 7 of 7 a whole. He thanked staff, the employees, Council, and City Manager Sorah for working together to make this a great place to live. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 P.M. ^ O Mahlon Luttrell, Mayor j€iA/C( ^ //uu>^^ Tara E. Musick, City Recorder