City Council

CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION JUNE 15, 2021 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER A special session of the Clarksville City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Pitts on Tuesday, June 15, 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. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Vondell Richmond (Ward 2), DaJuan Little (Ward 3; arrived 4:40 p.m.), Wallace Redd (Ward 4), Jason Knight (Ward 5), Wanda Smith (Ward 6), Travis Holleman (Ward 7), Wanda Allen (Ward 8), Karen Reynolds (Ward 9), Stacey Streetman (Ward 10), Ashlee Evans (Ward 11), Trisha Butler (Ward 12) ABSENT: Richard Garrett, Mayor Pro Tem (Ward 1) TRANSPORTATION 2020+ STRATEGY RESOLUTION 83-2020-21 Accepting and endorsing the Transportation 2020+ Strategy, a public improvement program for construction of roads, sidewalks, transit facilities, and other transportation system infrastructure during Fiscal Year 2021-2022 through Fiscal Year 2025-26 In response to Councilperson Reynolds’ question, Mayor Pitts said revenues collected from the proposed 20 cent property tax increase would be collected over a full fiscal year and the City Council would determine which projects would take priority. Also answering Councilperson Reynolds, he said the Street Department will submit a monthly progress report for each project to the City Council.  Mayor Pitts responded to Councilperson Smith stating the tax increase will be dedicated to funding the Transportation Plan. Councilperson Butler inquired about the process for requesting a public referendum pertaining to a tax increase. FY22 BUDGET WORK SESSION Chief Financial Officer Laurie Matta offered a review of the budget process and highlighted each proposed budget. She noted some comparisons between FY21 and FY22 could be misleading because of the originally adopted FY22 Status Quo budgets and the actual monies spent. She gave an overview of the governmental funds, enterprise funds, and component units. Ms. Matta’s highlights included the proposed property tax rate of $1.23, 2.5% employee general wage increase, 35 new positions, no cost increase for employee health insurance, unchanged Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System contribution rate, and a proposed retiree insurance plan for persons who were hired after July 2006. She reviewed General Fund revenues as well as special revenues and COVID relief funds. Ms. Matta said some capital projects may be eligible for grants. She also shared a summary of debt projections. Ms. Matta restated her opinion that the current property tax rate of $1.026 was not sustainable and said the proposed 20 cent tax increase would be budgeted toward a new Street Department crew to support the Transportation Plan 2020+ road improvements. In response to Councilperson Richmond’s question, Ms. Matta said the 2020 Census results have not been received. In response to Councilperson Butler’s question, Ms. Matta said the Parking Commission’s expenditures currently exceed revenue and noted revenues were drastically affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. She said the recent “first hour free” program was not successful and many meters did not function properly because of faulty software. Ms. Matta said some American Rescue Plan funds may provide assistance for non-profit agencies and water and sewer infrastructure. Ms. Matta answered Councilperson Streetman stating the Government Finance Officers Association recommends a fund balance equal to three months or 20% of budgeted expenditures to cover extraordinary circumstances. Responding to Councilperson Reynolds, Ms. Matta said the funding for the Arts & Heritage Development Council is for the director’s salary. Ms. Matta explained the need to separate the Building & Facilities Maintenance Department from Parks & Recreation. She said proposed funding for the new department is greater than the reduction for the Parks & Recreation Department because it has not been fully staffed in recent years. Ms. Matta said no department other than Streets will receive any funding from the proposed 20 cent tax increase. She said the separation was necessary to appropriately charge non-parks related work orders to the correct departments. She noted the City Forester and City Forester Assistant would transfer to the new department. In response to Councilperson Smith, Ms. Matta said the appropriation of $100,000 for the Assessor of Property for appraisal services will be formalized in an interlocal agreement. The City Council recessed at 6:28 p.m. and reconvened at 6:40 p.m. Responding to Councilperson Allen’s question, Ms. Matta said the North Clarksville Recreation Center is an active capital project and is not requiring new funding. Ms. Matta answered Councilperson Little’s question stating new funding for the Street Department was for the proposed new road crew and all other funding would be for one-time purchases. Director of Human resources Will Wyatt explained the proposed addition of retiree benefits for employees hired after July 1, 2006. He said of the City’s 1,260 employees, many were not currently eligible for retirement health care benefits. Mr. Wyatt said the City’s on-site clinic has saved several millions of dollars over its existence and noted the City has been self-insured since 2014. He said the State’s mandatory public safety retirement age was not in effect when 37 current employees were hired. Mr. Wyatt said this plan would cover retirees from age 60 or 62 to age 65 with full access to the on-site clinic. ORDINANCE 120-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and approving the FY22 Operating Budget for the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) ORDINANCE 121-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for CDE Lightband CDE General Manager Brian Taylor presented the department's proposed budget. He noted the Broadband Division would fully repay the interdivisional loan to the Electric Division 17 years early. Mr. Taylor highlighted the partnership with Silicon Ranch Corporation for production of solar power which will not immediately affect electric rates, but will significantly delay a rate increase. Responding to Councilperson Reynolds, Mr. Taylor said no current City building have solar panels, but some CDE customers do and those are inspected by the department. He said solar panel systems have a lengthy payback and are too expensive for most residential customers. In response to Councilperson Smith, Mr. Taylor said CDE will be allowed to purchase solar power from Silicon Ranch Corporation up to 5% of total power purchased from Tennessee Valley Authority. Answering Councilperson Butler’s question, Mr. Taylor said there are no taxpayer dollar funds in the CDE budget. In response to Councilperson Little’s question,  he said CDE may partner with TVA to provide additional vehicle charging stations throughout the City. ORDINANCE 122-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for Clarksville Transit System ORDINANCE 123-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for Clarksville Gas & Water Department ORDINANCE 124-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Budget and approving the FY22 Annual Action Plan and Budget and authorizing application for Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Funds as well as other programs ORDINANCE 125-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and adopting FY22 Operating Budget for the Internal Service Funds ORDINANCE 126-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and establishing the FY22 Operating Budget for the Clarksville Parking Commission, a Proprietary Fund ORDINANCE 127-2020-21 Amending the Official Code pertaining to establishment of the Building & Facilities Maintenance Department ORDINANCE 128-2020-21 Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for the Governmental Funds and adopting the Tax Rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022 This meeting offered an opportunity for discussion only; no action was taken on any of the ordinances listed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. ADOPTED: July 1, 2021