City Council

CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION FEBRUARY 9, 2021 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER A special session of the Clarksville City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Pitts on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. A prayer was offered by Councilperson Trisha Butler; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilperson Vondell Richmond. This meeting was conducted in person, via Google Meets, and live streamed on cityofclarksville.com. ATTENDANCE IN PERSON: Wallace Redd (Ward 4), Jason Knight (Ward 5), Travis Holleman (Ward 7), Wanda Allen (Ward 8), Karen Reynolds (Ward 9), Stacey Streetman (Ward 10), Ashlee Evans (Ward 11), Trisha Butler (Ward 12) VIA GOOGLE MEETS: Richard Garrett, Mayor Pro Tem (Ward 1), Vondell Richmond (Ward 2), DaJuan Little (Ward 3), Wanda Smith (Ward 6) APPROVAL OF ELECTRONIC MEETING “In order to comply with the technical aspects of the Governor’s Executive Order regarding holding open meetings in a forum other than in the open and in public, this governing body determines that meeting electronically is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens due to the COVID-19 outbreak.”  Councilperson Evans made a motion to approve this electronic meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Redd. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Allen, Butler, Evans, Garrett, Holleman, Knight, Little, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to approve the electronic meeting unanimously passed. FT. CAMPBELL NATURAL GAS AGREEMENT RESOLUTION 52-2020-21 Repealing RESOLUTION 49-2018-19 and authorizing a revised new interlocal agreement between the City of Clarksville and the US Department of the Army/Fort Campbell, Kentucky for transport of natural gas Councilperson Streetman made a motion to adopt this resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Holleman. Gas-Water-Sewer General Manager Mark Riggins said the City currently as two contracts with Fort Campbell, one for transportation of natural gas and one for staffing for running the gas system at Fort Campbell. He said the original contract was signed in 1958 for purchase of gas from the City, then Fort Campbell began purchasing directly from Tennessee Gas Pipeline in 2011with the gas transported through the City’s gas infrastructure. A new contract was subsequently agreed upon between the City and Fort Campbell in 2019 for firm transportation of natural gas to Clarksville. Mr. Riggins said this contract does not provide for interruptible service so Fort Campbell will pay a different rate than an interruptible customer. He said this contract will prevent any payments from becoming past due and will also establish a maximum daily quantity that Fort Campbell can purchase. He noted the contract will be reviewed annually. He said the effective date should be March 1 instead of April 1. Mr. Riggins said this contract must be approved no later than February 19. Councilperson Allen and Councilperson Reynolds both stated they would abstain from voting on this resolution because of their working relationship with Fort Campbell. Councilperson Redd made a motion to amend the contract to change the effective date from April 1, 2021 to March 1, 2021. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans, Garrett, Holleman, Knight, Little, Pitts, Redd, Richmond, Smith, Streetman  ABSTAIN: Allen, Reynolds The amendment passed. The following vote on the original motion as amended was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans, Garrett, Holleman, Knight, Little, Pitts, Redd, Richmond, Smith, Streetman ABSTAIN: Allen, Reynolds The motion to adopt this resolution as amended passed. TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY 2020 + PLAN Mayor Pitts said presentation of this Transportation Strategy 2020+ Plan had been delayed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic and noted this version was not final. He said it will be shared with members of the City Council and the citizens of their wards possibly resulting in revisions. Mayor Pitts said planners estimate the population of the City of Clarksville will increase 40% over the next 20 years and this plan can be used to guide the City through the process to prepare for future transportation needs. He said the Plan addresses not only roadways, but also pathways, crosswalks, and sidewalks, prioritized to serve schools and public facilities, all to make the City more walkable, livable, and healthier. Core Values were noted as accessibility, healthier outcomes, and prudent decisions for equitable projects. Mayor Pitts said the three-tier Plan has an estimated full completion cost of $462,300,000. He said the Plan does not include currently budgeted sidewalk and intersections improvement projects and emphasized the Plan will change as it is reviewed, shared, and discussed. He said some projects will require state and federal funds. Tier 1: Improvements to Rossview Road improvements, Dunbar Road Realignment, Whitfield Road widening, 101st Parkway & Needmore Road intersection improvements, Tylertown Road & Oakland Road improvements, Exit 1 improvements, Spring Creek Parkway, Cunningham Bridge rehabilitation, Tiny Town multi-use path, Greenwood Avenue & Edmondson Ferry Road sidewalks, North Senseney Circle and Barkers Mill School sideways, and Main Transit Station Relocation. Tier 2: Hazelwood Road improvements and sidewalks, Needmore Road improvements, Memorial Drive Extension, Old Farmers Road, Trough Springs Road, and SR-76 improvements, sidewalks and pathways for Riverside Drive, Vulcan property, Richview Road, Memorial Drive, Peacher’s Mill Road, Dale Terrace, and a St. Bethlehem transit hub. Tier 3: Pea Ridge Road, Kraft Street, and N. Second Street improvements and sidewalks, Tracy Lane realignment, Union Hall Road, Kennedy Lane and Powell Road connectivity, Highway 48-13, Madison Street, Outlaw Field Road, Ringgold Road sidewalks and crosswalks, and northside transit hub. Mayor Pitts said projects included in Tier 2 and Tier 3 may be reprioritized according to cost, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, design, and construction. Funding resources for the proposed projects were identified as fuel taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. Mayor Pitts said community presentations were being planned and noted the Plan would not be finalized until all elements have been considered. He said the City Council will be asked to vote on the final plan. In response to Councilperson Holleman’s question, Mayor Pitts said cost estimates of Tier 2 and Tier 3 projects were in present money value. In response to Councilperson Streeman’s question, Mayor Pitts said results of the 2020 Census would be considered with regard to funding the projects. In response to Councilperson Reynolds’ question, Mayor Pitts said bike paths will also be considered along with the sidewalk system. He said the Cunningham Bridge project would require state and federal funding and noted the City already had plans for new police precincts, salt sheds, and fire stations. In response to Councilperson Knight’s statement regarding the Governor’s recent proposal for local recovery and rebuilding funds, Mayor Pitts said the Tennessee General Assembly must approve the state’s budget before any funds are available for local governments. In response to Councilperson Butler’s inquiry, Mayor Pitts said recent repairs to the Downtown bus transfer station were necessary and relocation of the facility would require approval and funding by the Federal Government. Councilperson Allen said the City Council will have to make serious decisions for funding this Plan for the benefit of the City’s future. Councilperson Garrett said the City should consider selling property as a revenue source to fund the Plan. Mayor Pitts said consideration will be given to property tax revenues for parcels that will change from and agricultural use to a residential or commercial use.  Councilperson Garett recommended consideration of implementing special revenue districts. In response to Councilperson Evans’ question, Mayor Pitts said additional buses and bus routes will be considered which would in turn create the need for transit hubs throughout the City. Councilperson Little and Councilperson Smith said additional bus facilities are needed in many areas. Responding to Councilperson Richmond, Mayor Pitts said cosmetic elements are being reviewed for current bus facilities including solar powered shelters. Regarding Coucilperson Redd’s statement relative to fuel tax and sales tax increases, Mayor Pitts said in either situation, the public must be made aware of what the additional revenue would be designated for. In response to Councilperson Smith’s question, Mayor Pitts said this Plan does not include extension of any services to the Google site on Hwy 79 according to state and federal guidelines. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. ADOPTED: March 4, 2021