City Council

CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION JUNE 12, 2017 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER A special session of the Clarksville City Council was called to order by Mayor Kim McMillan on Monday, June 12, 2017, at 4:35 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. A prayer was offered by Councilman Tim Chandler; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Guzman. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Richard Garrett (Ward 1; arrived 4:37 p.m.), Deanna McLaughlin (Ward 2), Ron Erb (Ward 3), Tim Chandler (Ward 4), Valerie Guzman, Mayor Pro Tem (Ward 5), Geno Grubbs (Ward 7), Jeff Henley (Ward 9), Mike Alexander (Ward 10; arrived 4:44 p.m.), Bill Powers (Ward 11), Jeff Burkhart (Ward 12) ABSENT: David Allen (Ward 8), 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 Councilman Alexander’s question, Mayor McMillan said National Sports Services, LLC, had contacted the City directly regarding the possibility of a minor league baseball team using a local complex. Mayor McMillan introduced Chris Camp, Lose & Associates, who previously completed a study of land options. Mr. Camp said a facility of this type would definitely impact surrounding properties with increased night time traffic, noise, and lighting. He stated that a complex of this nature would create a positive  economic impact and could also serve the local citizens. He said a minor league baseball operation could co-exist with local baseball activities and mentioned that both interstate exit sites could provide walking trails. In response to Councilman Powers’ question, Mr. Camp said most sports stadiums are public property and are not owned by a sports team. Mr. Camp noted his firm had recommended the Exit 8 site because of its distance from existing residential developments, lower traffic counts, better visibility, good water drainage, Blueway access, a recently installed traffic signal, and the possibility of utility cost sharing. He said even with baseball fields, this location would have sufficient land for other sports. In response to Councilman Burkhart’s question, Mayor McMillan said extensive topographical and environmental studies had been performed on the Exit 8 land. In response to Councilman Garrett’s question, she said property owners would not submit a letter of intent to sell at the appraised value, but she had received a memorandum of understanding from National Sports Services to locate and operate a baseball franchise. Mr. Camp said the Exit 1 site had sink holes and was adjacent to residential subdivisions and recommended a smaller community center or park at this location. Councilwoman McLaughlin said local sports activities should have priority. EMPLOYEE INSURANCE In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question, Human Resources Director Will Wyatt distributed a report comparing current employee insurance rates to proposed new rates. In response to Councilman Chandler’s question, Mr. Wyatt said employees’ cost of premiums had not been adjusted in nine years and said the rate percentages are different to allow an equal share of costs between individual and family plans. POLICE PRECINCT 3 In response to Councilwoman McLaughlin’s question regarding the effect on the debt if the Police Precinct 3 project was added to the FY18 budget, Chief Financial Officer Laurie Matta said if all requested projects are approved and finished, adding the precinct project could create an annual debt service of approximately $14 million. SIDEWALKS In response to Councilman Alexander’s question regarding use of the Road Improvement Fund, Ms. Matta said she did not consider sidewalks as part of road construction. Councilman Burkhart said it would cost millions to install sidewalks in older subdivisions because of relocation of utilities. Councilwoman McLaughlin said installing sidewalks on major roadways should have priority. MAYOR REPORTS Mayor McMillan distributed the following reports for informational purposes: Care Here Annual Report, Memorandum of Understanding with National Sports Services, and Greater Nashville Regional Council benefits.  Mayor McMillan shared a copy of an email from Councilwoman Smith to the Street Department regarding turn lanes at the intersection of College Street and 9th Street which she considered a violation of the Official Charter. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.