City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 4, 2022 CALL TO ORDE R: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Mahl on Luttrell on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Slater Center A uditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Mahlon Luttrell , Vice Mayor Vince Turner, Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, Councilman Hutton, and Councilwoman Lea Powers. Others Present: City Manager William Sorah, City Attorney Danielle Smith, City Recorder Mary Lee Williams, Director of Planning Cherith Young, Director of Parks and Recreation Terry Napier, Fire Chief Mike Carrier, Police Chief Matt Austin, Director of Economic Development Tom Anderson, Director of Community Relations Jon Luttrell , Director of Finance Holl ie Verran, Senior Director of IT Shane Varney, Director of Operations Dave Wilson, Director of Utility Services Will Witcher, and other members of City staff. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Fire Chief Mike Carrier gave the invocation and Mayor Mahlon Luttrell led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND/ OR CHANGES: None PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Fire Prevention Week - Councilman Mark Hutton read a proclamation designating October 9-15, 2022 as Fire Prevention Week. Battalion Chief Alan Howard was in attendance to accept the proclamation and thanked City Council fo r their support. He gave an overview of the history of Fire Prevention Week and listed the associated scheduled local events. National Community Planning Month - Mayor Luttrell read a proclamation designating the month of October 2022 as Community Planning Month in Bristol, Tennessee. Ross Peters, Development and Zoning Administrator was in attendance to accept the proclamation. He thanked Council fo r their recognition and support of the staff and the comm unity. He listed the Planning staff and acknowledged the other groups that all work together to help make Bristol a good place to live. Celebrate Babies Week - Councilwoman Lea Powers read a proclamati on designating October 17-2 1, 2022 as Celebrate Babies Week. Beth Huber, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN), was in attendance to accept the proclamation. Ms. Ison thanked Council for the recognition and shared some information about their organization and Celebrate Babies Week. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Vice Mayor Vince Turner read a proclamation designating the month of October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Brittany Fleenor, Coordinated Community Response Specialist of Branch House Family Justice Center was in attendance  City Council Meeting October 4, 2022 Page 2 of 6 to accept the proclamation. Ms. Fleenor thanked Council for the recognition and bringing awareness to the community about victims and survivors of domestic violence. She also acknowledged some of the organizations that partner with Branch House in their endeavors to empower and support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault because everyone deserves to be safe at home. Recognizing Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness / Action Month - Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend read a proclamation designating October 2022 as Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness I Action Month. Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of Bristol's Promise, was in attendance to accept the proclamation. She thanked the Council, City, and other partner organizations for bringing awareness to this issue and helping to provide opportunities for positive experiences in our community. Bristol First Award - For this month's award, a nomination was received from a community member expressing appreciation for a Bristol Tennessee Police Department (BTPD) officer' s response during a particularly difficult domestic situation involving her sister that arose nearly one year ago. On October 20, 202 1, officers responded to a Bristol apartment where a male suspect had reportedly poured gasoline on a female victim and was attempting to set her on fire. Without hesitation, Officer Cody Peters intervened, and following a considerable struggle, was able to tackle the suspect and remove the lighter from his hand. The suspect was arrested and the victim was treated for her injuries. In the months that followed, Officer Peters continued to assist the victim by answering questions and providing information about the community resources available to her and providing support as the case progresses through the court system. Officer Peters was nominated by the sister of the victim who was thankful for his quick action and has witnessed the continued kindness to the victim. Not only did his initial actions potentially save her life, but his ongoing service makes it possible for the victim to once again enjoy a feeling of safety. Officer Peters expressed his appreciation for the opportuni ty to be a part of the BTPD and for the award and stated he wi ll continue to serve the community. Police Chief Matt Austin gave some details of the situation and explained the perspective from the officer' s view at that point in time. He went on to say how proud he was of the not only of the way Officer Peters addressed that situation, but how he has continued to be an advocate for the victim in the months following the incident. PRESENTATIONS: None BOARD OF EDUCATION LIAISON REPORT: Director of Schools Dr. Annette Tudor presented an overview of how the schools and the district as a whole are evaluated as result of questions from Counci l last month concerning accountabi lity. She explained the evaluation process for the areas of achievement, growth, ready graduate, chronic absenteeism, and English as a second language (English proficiency), and then presented these evaluation scores for each school in the system. A compi lation of the scores from each school determines the score for the district as a whole. Discussion fo llowed concerning reading proficiency issues. Mayor Luttrell said he presumed Kingsport, Johnson City, and Sullivan County were evaluated on the same criterion which Dr. Tudor confirmed. Mayor Luttrell asked how did the other school systems receive a score of five and BTCS received a score of one. How can this be addressed and fixed? Dr. Tudor replied the information she just presented shows they have already addressed some of the issues and they are working on the others. Dr. Tudor reviewed the ADA accessibi lity si tuation at the Stone Castle and Council members asked various questions concerning the options, the best way to proceed, and the timeline to address the  City Council Meeting October 4, 2022 Page 3 of6 problems. She stated this past Sunday was Nati onal Custodial Workers Day and she acknowledged the custodial staff. This is also National Principal s Month and she thanked the principals in all of the BTCS. Tennessee Promise mentors are needed. October 26th from 3 to 6 P.M. will be the community reveal of the Friendship Career Center. Councilwoman Feierabend thanked Dr. Tudor for providing all of the information. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Mr. George Linke, 307 Rutledge Street, thanked Council for welcoming Tiersten, the young adult advocate for Skate Bristol. He was in attendance and is willing to learn about City government. There has been a lot of positive acti vity in the community. The group is partnering with a number of local businesses to do fundraising. They are thankful to the City and Director of Parks and Recreation Terry Napier for providing a space to meet and skate, and the skate community is learning they must be good stewards of that space. Mr. Linke then gave a brief update on the activities of Skate Bristol. APPOINTMENT: Board of Zoning Appeals - City Council addressed the vacancy of one seat on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Councilwoman Feierabend spoke on behalf of the candidate. Ms. Katherine Stigers was unanimously appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve a term of office ending September 30, 2027. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A. First Reading of New Ordinances: Ordinance 22-14 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 4, Business Districts, and Chapter 5, Industrial Districts, by Moving Certain Permitted Uses (Truck Terminals and Wrecker Services) from General Commercial to Industrial Districts City Manager Bill Sorah mentioned that over the past several months, Council and the Bristol Regional Planning Commission have reviewed conditions within the zoning ordinances, especially B-3 (General Business) District where use by rights might not be a desirable outcome along some of the commercial corridors. At their September 19th meeting, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation to Council that truck terminals and wrecker services be removed from the B-3 zone and placed in the M-1 and M-2 zones. The City Manager asked Cherith Young, Director of Planning and Community Development, to provide additional information. If approved by Council on first reading, a publ ic hearing and second reading will be scheduled during the November meeting. Ms. Young explained this has been a discussion point for the Planning Commission as they look to refine the B-3 permitted use list governing the permitted uses along the commercial corridors. This request is for minimal change in terms of the language. The proposed text amendment eliminates truck terminals and wrecker services as permitted uses from the 8 -3 zone and amends Chapter 4, Business Districts, and Chapter 5, Industrial Districts, to maintai n them in the industrial zones. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation for approval to Council. This item was presented to Council at the September 27th work session.  City Council Meeting October 4, 2022 Page4of6 Vice Mayor Turner asked if existing businesses would be grandfathered in and Ms. Young replied they would. Vice Mayor Turner motioned to approve and Councilwoman Feierabend seconded. Ordinance 22- 14 passed unanimously by roll call vote. B. Adoption of New Ordinances (Second Reading): None C. Resolutions: Resolution 22-114 - A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Strategic Government Resources, Inc., for Executive Recruitment Services for the Position of City Manager City Manager Sorah summarized that since his announcement last month of his forthcoming retirement, Council has the opportunity in the coming months to conduct a search and select someone to fill the position of City Manager. Resolution 22- 114 authorizes the City to engage the executive recruitment services of Strategic Government Resources, Inc., of Keller, Texas to assist in the recruitment and selection of a new city manager. It is important to select a qualified candidate, which is typically done through a national search. Retaining a firm to assist with that process is the normal action taken by a governing body. During the September 27th work session, Director of Administration Mary Lee Williams provided Council with several options of firms that provide this type of recruitment service along with the services offered by MT AS to assist with a candidate search. As result of Council discussion, Ms. Williams contacted MTAS and Strategic Government Services, Inc. (SGR), about working together on this task and both were receptive of thi s opportunity. If this resolution is approved by Council, hopefully SGR will be available to schedule time in October to spend with Council and others that Council deems appropriate to discuss the types of attributes and skill set desired for the next City Manager. The firm wi ll build a recruitment brochure around that and begin the national search process. They will also provide initial screening and review of applications, selection of up to twelve semi-finalists, assist in the selection of five finalists, background checks on finalists , assist in the development of questions for interviewed candidates, and assist in the negotiation of an employment agreement with the successful candidate. They will provide the executive recruitment services fo r a not- to-exceed cost of $24,900, plus advertisement placement costs estimated to be between $1 ,750 and $2,500. Vice Mayor Turner motioned to approve and Councilman Hutton seconded. Councilwoman Feierabend said this is huge and choosing a City Manager, working with them, and working on the vision of Council and the City are key responsibilities for th is Counci l. She thanked Ms. Williams for providing this information quickly and Mr. Sorah for his expertise and suggesting procurement of outside assistance. The Vice Mayor asked about a timeline fo r the initial process and Ms. Williams replied the contract would be signed after this meeting and she will contact the firm to schedule the two and one-half days to meet with Council and any others as Council directs. However, she needs information on Council avai lability to be able to schedule the appropriate times between Council and SGR. There was no further discussion and the resolution passed unanimously by roll call vote. CONSENT AGENDA: City Manager Sorah presented the Consent Agenda to Council. Counci lwoman Feierabend motioned to approve and Counci lwoman Powers seconded. The fo llowing items were approved by unanimous Counci l roll call vote: • Minutes September 6, 2022 City Council Meeting  C ity Counci l Meeting October 4, 2022 Page 5 of 6 • Minutes September 27, 2022 City Counci l Work Session • Resolution 22-115 A Resolution Authori zing Entry into an Agreement Related to Bristol Business Park and Bristol Industrial Park • Resolution 22-1 16 A Resolution Authorizing Purchase of AMR Equipment • Resolution 22-1 17 A Resolution Authorizing Entry into Engineering Services Agreement with CDM Smith for Motor Control Improvements at the Raw Water Intake • Resolution 22-118 A Resolution Authorizing Entry into Engineering Services Agreement with J.R. Wauford for Improvements to the Shelby Street Water Booster Station • Resolution 22-119 A Resolution Authorizing the Bristol Tennessee Municipal Regional Planning Commission to Delegate its Authority to Approve Certain Subdivision Plats to Planning Staff • Resolution 22-120 A Resolution Adopting Amendment #4 to the City of Bristol Tennessee Group Health Plan • Resolution 22-12 1 A Reso lution Authorizing Submittal of Application to TOOT for State Industrial Access Funding • Resolution 22-122 A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Highway Safety Grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office • Resolution 22- 123 A Resolution Authorizing Purchase of In-Car Video Systems with Body Cameras • Resolution 22-124 A Resolution Authorizing Payment to Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP for Legal Fees CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Sorah acknowledged the efforts of all of the safety and operational departments which included Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation for all of their hard work in September with the 2 1st Annual Rhythm and Roots Festival September 9th - 11 th and all of the related events, the Annual Night Race event at Bristol Motor Speedway September 16th - 17th, and the Country Thunder Music Festival. The countless hours expended by City employees to support such events are often overlooked. The eastern end of East Cedar Street is open from King College Road to Virginia A venue. This month will also start the process from Virginia Avenue to 5th Street. The first two phases are complete and this is the third and final phase. He reminded Council of the October work session in the Annex on October 25th at 5 P.M. He suggested November 15th 5:30 until 7 P.M. as a possibility to resume the Boards and Commissions reception after the two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 provided there are no confl icts with Council schedules.  City Council Meeting October 4, 2022 Page 6 of 6 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilwoman Powers mentioned there is a Council forum tomorrow for the school board and Council candidates with a reception followed by a meet and greet session from 5: 15 until 7 P.M. Sunday, October 9th at 5 P.M., there is a Bring Your Own Boat event on Steele Creek Lake where yo u can learn about the plant and wildlife surrounding the lake. The Fire Station Open House is October 15th. November 3rd is a community meeting at 7 P.M. at the Train Station coordinated by the Bristol Ministerial Association to encourage public dialogue concerning the Bristol Virginia Landfill. November g th is Election Day and she encouraged everyone to vote. Councilwoman Feierabend also talked about the election and encouraged everyone to participate and thanked the election commission for working on this important event. She mentioned there is an arts event on Saturday, October gth at 10 A.M. Wildlife Weekend at Steele Creek Park is this coming weekend and she listed a few of the associated activities. On October l l 1h at Summit Companies, there will be a film concerning opioid issues at 6 P.M. Family Promise of Bristol is participating in a national event, A Night Without a Bed, the week of October 17th during which they suggest people choose a night during that week where you do not sleep in your bed to have that experience to have a better understanding of what others struggle with on a regular basis. Vice Mayor Turner mentioned a press release was sent out announcing BTES will begin vegetation maintenance in some problem areas. In July, BTES surpassed the outage goal for the year so to improve reliability, there must be some tree trimming / removal. BTES has notified the public via emails, letters, and site visits in addition to the press release. Councilman Hutton welcomed David Akard and the other County Commissioners in attendance. He also thanked Dr. Tudor for the Stone Castle update she provided. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 P.M. 111.J~~~ Mahlon Luttrel~