City Council

CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION JUNE 8, 2017 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the Clarksville City Council was called to order by Mayor Kim McMillan on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. A prayer was offered by Councilman Richard Garrett; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Jeff Henley. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Richard Garrett (Ward 1), Deanna McLaughlin (Ward 2), Ron Erb (Ward 3), Tim Chandler (Ward 4), Valerie Guzman, Mayor Pro Tem (Ward 5), Geno Grubbs (Ward 7), David Allen (Ward 8; arrived 4:38 p.m.), Jeff Henley (Ward 9), Mike Alexander (Ward 10; arrived 4:51 p.m.), Bill Powers (Ward 11), Jeff Burkhart (Ward 12) ABSENT: Wanda Smith (Ward 6) FY18 BUDGET WORK SESSION NOTE: The following transcriptions are listed in alphabetical order for convenience, but are not necessarily in the order they were recorded. ATHLETIC COMPLEX In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Mayor McMillan said the requested $6.5 million would provide funding for land acquisition at Exit 8 and said the property owners had expressed willingness to sell for appraised value. Councilman Allen felt the complex should be located near Exit 1 because of existing gas markets and restaurants. He said the owner of the Tiny Town Road property said there was no sink hole on the land that had been proposed for a sports complex.  Councilman Chandler and Councilman Powers expressed support for the Exit 8 site. Councilwoman Guzman felt the facility should be open to the public every day and not reserved for organized sports only. Councilman Garrett requested a letter from the property owners stating their intent to sell for appraised value and a letter from the minor league baseball team stating their willingness to contract for use of the facility. DEBT In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Chief Financial Officer Laurie Matta said the department was evaluating new options for issuing debt for major capital projects. EMPLOYEE INSURANCE In response to Councilman Chandler’s question, Mr. Wyatt said an increase in employee co-pay of premiums would help sustain the health fund. LEGAL DEPARTMENT Councilwoman McLaughlin asked City Attorney Lance Baker for a comparison of costs for outside counsel and costs for employee salaries and benefits. GENERAL WAGE INCREASE In response to Councilman Chandler’s question, Human Resources Director Will Wyatt said a pending compensation study may indicate some pay ranges should be adjusted which could result in some employees’ receiving more than the recommended 1.5% general wage increase. MULTI-MODAL ACCESS In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Project Manager Hatem Shah said the two-phase project, 95% state-5% local funds, would provide sidewalk access to 41 bus shelters on Highway 41A. PART-TIME SALARIES Councilman Allen asked for a review of part-time salaries. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Mayor McMillan said the requested $1.5 million would provide funding for acquisition of the Roxy Theater property and the Brenner Building property, but she did not have estimates for demolition of either structure. Mayor McMillan said the consultant has recommended fronting the building on Franklin Street instead of First Street.  POLICE PRECINCT 3 Councilwoman McLaughlin asked that consideration be given to including the Police Precinct 3 project in the FY18 budget. Mayor McMillan said the Clarksville- Montgomery County School Board may donate land for a precinct, but no agreement had been reached. STREET LIGHTS In response to Councilman Garrett’s question, Mr. Shah said the Street Department was not ready to proceed with installing solar street light panels. WATERWORKS BUIDLING In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Mr. Shah said the building (on Riverside Drive) had been cleaned and the smoke stack was structurally sound. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.