Board of Mayor & Aldermen

Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting Monday, May 18, 2020 Meeting held pursuant to Executive Order No. 16 issued by Governor Bill Lee permitting local governing bodies to conduct meetings electronically. (1) Call to Order: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen convened for their regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, May 18, 2020 via phone conference at 7:00 p.m. Mayor John Holden presided. The meeting opened with a prayer by Alderman Willie Cole. All members of the board were present. Dyersburg Mayor John Holden noted under the Governor’s Executive Order, all action must be recorded via a roll-call vote. (2) Approval of Minutes: Mayor Holden called for a motion to approve the minutes from the May 4, 2020 meeting. Alderman Willie Cole made a motion to approve the minutes. Alderman James Baltimore seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll-call vote. (3) Unfinished Business: None. (4) New Business: A. Public Hearing – A public hearing for an off premise beer permit for Murphy USA, located at 2640 Lake Road, was held. Board members reviewed a letter provided by Dyersburg Police Captain Billy Williams, which recommended approval of the permit. Dyersburg Police Chief Steve Isbell, who was present on the teleconference, also recommended approval. Alderman Hammond motioned to approve the beer permit with a second from Alderman Willie Cole. In a roll call vote, all members voted in favor. B. Reappointment of Dwight Hedge to the Dyersburg Electric Power Board for a term of 4 years ending June 30, 2024. Mayor Holden referred to a letter included in the board members’ packets from Dyersburg Electric System President and CEO Steve Lane, in which Lane recommended the reappointment of DES Power Board Chairman Dr. Dwight Hedge. The term would be for 4 years and begin on July 1, 2020. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Alderman Dennis Moody with a second by Alderman James Baltimore. The motion passed. C. Local Government Committee Meeting Minutes – May 7, 2020 – Chairwoman Mary Claire Hopper -- Alderwoman and Local Government Committee chair Mary Claire Hopper reviewed the minutes from the May 7 Committee meeting. The committee reviewed a text amendment to Ordinance BB672, Business, Peddlers, Solicitors, Etc., concerning the permitting and operations of mobile food vendors or transient vendors. Thomas Mullins with Dyersburg Codes Enforcement presented the proposed changes. During the committee meeting, Mullins noted a version of the ordinance was passed last year; however, local restaurant owners addressed their concerns with the ordinance with the City Board during the May 6, 2019 full board meeting. “Basically, what we’ve done is compile those concerns into the original ordinance, and that’s what you’ve been presented with today,” stated Mullins. Dyersburg Mayor John Holden reminded the committee members and those present via teleconference, the proposed changes and review was part of the motion made and passed during the May 2019 board meeting that said the ordinance would be reviewed and discussion would take place with any necessary amendments or revisions. D. Notice of Public Hearing – June 1, 2020 – Ordinance BB672 – An ordinance amending the text of ordinance No. BB672, Business, Peddlers, Solicitors, Etc. A motion was made Alderwoman Vanedda Webb, a second from Alderman James Baltimore, and approval by the full board via roll call vote, the public hearing for the amendment of Ordinance BB672 was scheduled for Monday, June 1 board meeting. Mayor Holden referred to the board members’ packets, which included a note from the mayor including comments received from the public concerning Ordinance BB672 with proposed solutions. “We will probably have another Local Government Committee meeting prior to June 1, 2020 to finalize the ordinance,” said Mayor Holden. E. Street/Sanitation Committee Meeting Minutes – May 14, 2020 – Chairwoman Mary Claire Hopper reviewed the minutes from the May 14 Street and Sanitation Committee meeting. She opened the floor to discussion about drainage issues on Woodside Lane, particularly next to the residence of Michael Simmons. Drainage improvements were approved by the committee in November 2018, however, prior to the improvements being made, the project was challenged by a downstream property owner, claiming  the work would adversely affect their property. The drainage improvement work has never commenced. The committee voted to seek legal advice from the City attorney regarding the issue. Alderman Willie Cole motioned to approve the committee’s recommendation with a second from Alderwomen Vanedda Webb. The motion passed. F. Cemetery Committee Meeting Minutes – May 14, 2020 – Chairwomen Meghan Gilbert reviewed the minutes from the May 14 Cemetery Committee Meeting. Gilbert noted City Purchasing Agent Greg Williams presented a request for proposal from Dalhoff Thomas Design Studio for the design of expansion of Fairview Cemetery. Williams said RFPs were advertised in February 2020 with Dalhoff Thomas being the only firm responding. Phase One of the expansion would include using ground where the Connie Mac ball field is currently located on Harrell Avenue. Phase Two would include the soccer field located between St. John Avenue and East Tickle Street. The committee approved the proposal, contingent upon budget funding. Alderman Baltimore motioned to approve the committee’s recommendation with a second from Mayor Holden. The motion passed via roll call vote. G. Bids – Greg Williams – No Bids. Report from Aldermen and Alderwomen: Alderman Baltimore: Alderman Baltimore remarked that he hoped the City could do something concerning the flooding issues on Woodside Drive. Alderman Burks: Alderman Burks asked the status of the upcoming fiscal year budget. “Are you and Steve [Anderson, City Treasurer] planning on a continuation budget once you find out what tax revenues are?” asked Burks. Mayor Holden responded, “Steve and I met today and discussed our budget. He has gotten most of the budgets in from the department heads. Obviously, we are dependent on property and sales taxes. There’s a two month lag in sales taxes, so we should get a report this month that will reflect March numbers. February numbers are not bad. I don’t expect March to be that bad because all of this started toward the end of March. There was a re-appraisal that was done by the county, and there’s been a lot of discussion about that. We are honestly waiting to hear from Nashville on how to handle this because there will be an appeal process. As soon as we get some guidance, we will certainly pass that along.” Burks also said he hopes the board could consider meeting by June 1. Alderman Cole: Alderman Cole commended Chair Isbell and his department for handling an issue that recently occurred on Upper Finley Road. Also, Cole said he noticed the removal of bags and soybeans have nearly been completed along Highway 51 South, across from Dyersburg Elevator Company. Alderwoman Gilbert: No report. Alderman Hammond: No report. Alderwoman Hopper: Alderwoman Hopper mentioned the summer hours for the City’s Sanitation Department will begin on May 26 from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. She encouraged residents to have their trash outside the night prior or before 6:00 a.m. of their scheduled pick up date. Alderman Moody: No report. Alderwoman Webb: No report Communications from the Mayor: Mayor Holden also mentioned the Sanitation Department summer hours will be posted on the City’s Facebook page, and the City Hall and City services, with the exception of essential services, will be closed Monday, May 25, 2020 for the Memorial Day holiday. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. _________________________________ John Holden, Mayor ______________________________ Scott Ball, City Recorder