City Council

CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION JUNE 17, 2021 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER A special session of the Clarksville City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Pitts on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. A prayer was offered by First Lady Cynthia Pitts; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilperson Karen Reynolds. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Wallace Redd (Ward 4), Jason Knight (Ward 5), Wanda Smith (Ward 6), Travis Holleman (Ward 7), Wanda Allen (Ward 8; arrived 4:43 p.m.), Karen Reynolds (Ward 9), Stacey Streetman (Ward 10), Ashlee Evans (Ward 11), Trisha Butler (Ward 12) ABSENT: Richard Garrett (Ward 1), DaJuan Little (Ward 2) PUBLIC HEARING: FY22 BUDGET Councilperson Smith made a motion to conduct a public hearing to receive comments regarding the proposed FY22 City of Clarksville Budget. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Holleman. There was no objection. There were no public comments offered. Councilperson Smith made a motion to revert to special session. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Knight. There was no objection. TRANSPORTATION 2020+ STRATEGY Mayor Joe Pitts 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 2021-22 through Fiscal Year 2025-26 Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adopt this resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Evans, Holleman, Knight. Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Butler, Redd The motion to adopt this resolution passed. FY22 BUDGETS ORDINANCE 120-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and approving the FY22 Operating Budget for the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Councilperson Evans made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. In response to Councilperson Reynolds’ question, Mayor Pitts said use of reserved funds would require separate approval. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pittts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Butler ORDINANCE 121-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for CDE Lightband Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Knight. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 122-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for Clarksville Transit System Councilperson Smith made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reynolds. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Redd The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 123-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating and Capital Budgets and adopting the FY22 Operating and Capital Budgets for Clarksville Gas & Water Department Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Evans. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 124-2020-21 (First Reading) 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 Councilperson Smith made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Knight. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Eans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 125-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and adopting FY22 Operating Budget for the Internal Service Funds Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. Councilperson Streetman made a motion to amend this ordinance by adding $150,000 to the Dental Fund with the increase to be funded by the Dental Fund balance. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. The following vote was recorded:  AYE: Allen, Butler, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The amendment passed. The following vote on the main motion as amended was recorded: AYE: Allen, Butler, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading as amended passed. ORDINANCE 126-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the FY21 Operating Budget and establishing the FY22 Operating Budget for the Clarksville Parking Commission, a Proprietary Fund Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Allen. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Butler, Evans NOTE: Councilperson Reynolds did not vote. The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 127-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the Official Code pertaining to establishment of the Building & Facilities Maintenance Department Councilperson Knight made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Evans. Councilperson Reynolds said this proposed amendment was not discussed by the Parks & Recreation Committee and she opposed this increase to the overall budget. Councilperson Butler said this change would expand government and suggested consideration of a public works department. Councilperson Streetman expressed support for establishment of this department because the maintenance staff currently performs non-parks related work orders. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Butler, Redd The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 129-2020-21 (First Reading) Amending the Official Code pertaining to employee benefits (retirees hired after July 1, 2006) Councilperson Streetman made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Holleman. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Allen, Butler, Eans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading passed. ORDINANCE 128-2020-21 (First Reading) 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 Councilperson Knight made a motion to adopt this ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Allen. AMENDMENT 1: Councilperson Reynolds made a motion to amend this ordinance by reducing the proposed tax rate from $1.23 to $1.18. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Butler. Councilperson Reynolds said the City should use COVID funds instead of increasing the property tax rate. Councilperson Streetman said the City needs to continue to provide necessary services while improving roads and bridges. Because City Attorney Lance Baker said a reduced tax rate must correspond with a reduction in services, Mayor Pitts ruled this motion out of order. Councilperson Butler challenged the ruling. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Allen, Butler, Evans, Redd, Reynolds, Smith NAY: Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Richmond, Streetman The ruling was overturned. Councilperson Reynolds made a motion to amend AMENDMENT 1 by lowering the proposed tax rate by 5 cents to $1.18 by reducing the appropriation for Parks & Recreation by $500,000 and by deleting $1,202,717 for the Transportation Plan. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Butler. Councilperson Reynolds said the City should use COVID funds instead of increasing the property tax rate. Councilperson Allen expressed support for the $1.23 tax rate and said road improvements were needed. Following discussion, Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Smith. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote on the amendment was recorded: AYE: Butler, Reynold NAY: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Richmond, Smith, Streetman ABSTAIN: Evans The amendment to AMENDMENT 1 failed. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Smith. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Reynolds NAY: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to reduce the proposed property tax rate to $1.18 (AMENDMENT 1) failed. AMENDMENT 2: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend this ordinance by deleting $200,000 for Smith-Trahern Mansion renovations. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Evans. Mayor Pitts said the City had a responsibility to preserve its historic properties. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Knight. There was no objection. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd NAY: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to delete $200,000 for Smith-Trahern Mansion renovations (AMENDMENT 2) failed. NOTE: There was no AMENDMENT 3 AMENDMENT 4: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend this ordinance by deleting $1,507,310 for Mason Rudolph Golf Course and Swan Lake Golf Course. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Redd. Councilperson Knight called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Redd. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd NAY: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to delete $1,507,310 for golf courses (AMENDMENT 4) failed. AMENDMENT 5: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend the capital projects budget by deleting $250,000 for Swan Lake Tennis Court lights. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Redd. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Smith. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd  NAY: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman ABSTAIN: Evans The motion to delete $250,000 for Swan Lake Tennis Court lights (AMENDMENT 5) failed. AMENDMENT 6: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend the capital projects budget by deleting $50,000 for L & N Train Station repairs. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Redd. Mayor Pitts said this building is managed by the Montgomery County Historical Society and used by the public for small events and said the City should maintain this facility. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd NAY: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to delete $50,000 for L & N Train Station repairs (AMENDMENT 6) failed. AMENDMENT 7: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend this ordinance by deleting $44,649 for Police federal seized money. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Evans. Councilperson Knight called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Smith. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Evans NAY: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to delete $44,649 for Police federal seized money (AMENDMENT 7) failed. AMENDMENT 8: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend this ordinance by reducing the proposed property tax rate from $1.23 to $1.0296. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reynolds. To achieve this rate, Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend her motion by deleting $1,598,759 from the Parks & Recreation budget and by deleting $5,267,035 for the Transportation Plan. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reynolds. Councilperson Knight called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Smith. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd, Reynolds  NAY: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Richmond, Smith, Streetman Councilperson Butler’s amendment to AMENDMENT 8 failed. The following vote on amendment was recorded: AYE: Butler, Redd NAY: Allen, Butler, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to reduce the proposed tax rate to $1.0296 (AMENDMENT 8) failed. AMENDMENT 9: Councilperson Evans made a motion to amend this ordinance by increasing the appropriation for the Human Relations Commission from $14,000 to $60,000. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reynolds. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Knight. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Streetman NAY: Allen, Evans, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith The motion to cease discussion failed due to lack of ⅔ majority. Councilperson Evans made a motion to amend AMENDMENT 9 by increasing the appropriation for the Human Relations Commission to $60,000 with $46,000 from the Fund Balance. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Allen. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Knight. There was no objection to ceasing discussion. The following vote on the amendment to AMENDMENT 9 was recorded: AYE: Allen, Evans, Reynolds, Smith NAY: Butler, Holleman, Redd, Richmond, Streetman ABSTAIN: Knight The motion to amend AMENDMENT 9 failed. Because the proposed amendment to AMENDMENT 9 failed, Mayor Pitts ruled AMENDMENT 9 out of order. AMENDMENT 10: Councilperson Allen made a motion to amend this ordinance by reducing the appropriation for the Roxy Regional Theater from $240,000 to $80,000. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Redd. In response to Councilperson Allen’s question, Mayor Pitts said the Roxy would receive $167,000 in American Recovery Act funding because it had been considered a shuttered venue during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Knight. The following vote was recorded:  AYE: Allen, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Smith NAY: Butler, Evans, Reynolds, Richmond, Streetman The motion to cease discussion failed due to lack of ⅔ majority. Councilperson Knight made a motion to go out of special session to hear comments from Roxy Director Ryan Bowie. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Reynolds. A voice vote was taken; with some objection, the motion passed. Mr. Bowie said this year was the first time the Roxy had requested funding from the City and noted the Custom House Museum had received funding for many years. He said the theater had only five employees and there was no revenue since early 2020. Mr. Bowie said plans were to re-open in the fall at 40% capacity which would help but would not meet the on-going expenses. Councilperson Redd made a motion to revert to special session. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Butler. A voice vote was taken; the motion passed. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The question was seconded by Councilperson Holleman. There was no objection. The following vote on the amendment was recorded: AYE: Allen, Butler, Redd, Richmond NAY: Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Reynolds, Smith, Streetman The motion to reduce funding for the Roxy Regional Theater from $240,000 to $80,000 (AMENDMENT 10) failed. AMENDMENT 11: Councilperson Butler made a motion to amend this ordinance by deleting $849,480 for funding for the Custom House Museum. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Evans. Councilperson Redd called for the question. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Holleman. A voice vote was taken; the motion passed. The following vote was recorded: AYE: Butler NAY: Allen, Evans, Holleman, Knight, Pitts, Redd, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman The motion to delete $849,480 for the Custom House Museum (AMENDMENT 11) failed. The following vote on the main motion was recorded: AYE: Evans, Holleman, Pitts, Reynolds, Richmond, Smith, Streetman NAY: Allen, Butler, Redd  ABSTAIN: Knight The motion to adopt ORDINANCE 128-2020-21 on first reading as presented with no amendments, passed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ADOPTED: July 1, 2021