Board of Mayor & Aldermen

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGE I CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING January 25, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. 101 Maple Drive North, Hendersonville, TN 37075 PRESENT JAMIE CLARY, MAYOR PEG PETRELLI, VICE-MAYOR STEVE BROWN, ALDERMAN RACHEL COLLINS, ALDERMAN ARLENE CUNNINGHAM, ALDERMAN KAREN DIXON, ALDERMAN RUSS EDWARDS, ALDERMAN JONATHAN HA YES, ALDERMAN LEEPETERSON,ALDERMAN EDDIE ROBERSON, ALDERMAN MARK SKIDMORE, ALDERMAN JIM WATERS, ALDERMAN JOHN BRADLEY, CITY ATTORNEY ANNETTE HUNTER, CITY RECORDER DESIGNEE The meeting was opened with prayer followed by The Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Clary. AGENDA The January 25, 2022, BOMA Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jamie Clary. Waters moved; seconded by Hayes to approve the January 11, 2022, agenda. There was a unanimous vote to approve the agenda with Edwards not yet present. Clary declared the motion carried. PRESENTATIONS Audit Presentation by Ken Y oungstead from Kraft CPAs revealed the audit resulted in a clean, unmodified opinion. There were no new accounting policies adopted this year. The three (3) most notable estimates in the financial statements include the depreciation of long-lived assets, pension liability and post-employment benefits liability (retiree health benefits.). There is a new statistical section that completes the full report of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The most positive notation is the increase in the unassigned fund balance (General Fund) from $4 million to $11 million. The total net position increase was $9.8 million. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGE2 PUBLIC HEARING None MINUTES Waters moved; seconded by Cunningham to approve the January 11, 2022, minutes. There was a unanimous vote to approve the minutes with all aldermen now present. Clary declared the motion carried. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Dave Moomy of971 Cherry Grove Drive addressed the Board with his support of Julie White for Ward 2 Alderman. Chris Rhatigan of 444 Sanders Ferry Road addressed the Board with his support of Lori Phillips for Ward 2 Alderman. Cheryl Sesler, 148 Riverchase Drive, addressed the Board with her support of Julie White for Ward 2 Alderman. ELECTION OF WARD 2 ALDERMAN The candidates for Ward 2 Alderman, Lori Phillips, and Julie White, were given the opportunity to address the Board prior to the vote to fill the unexpired term. The vote to fill the unexpired term for Ward 2 Alderman resulted in a tie of 6-6. In the case of a tie, the Mayor casts a second vote. The tie-breaking vote was cast making Lori Phillips the Ward 2 Alderman with a 7-6 vote. Voting was as follows: Phillips-Dixon, Peterson, Roberson, Skidmore, Waters, Clary (2 votes) White-Brown, Collins, Cunningham, Edwards, Hayes, Petrelli ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The caption was read for second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-53, an ordinance establishing a committee and adopting procedures and criteria for the naming of municipal structures. Edwards moved; Hayes seconded to approve Ordinance 2021-53. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously with Dixon now absent. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGE3 Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Ordinance 2022-01 was read on first reading, an ordinance rezoning 6.10 acres of property located on the east side of Jenkins Court, north of Saundersville Road. Peterson moved; Cunningham seconded to approve Ordinance 2022-01. Discussion included the rezoning would allow for 12 additional homes to be built and to have access to sewer. Brown requested the electronic voting process be utilized. The motion passed by majority, 10-1, with Clary voting Nay and Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Resolution 2022-01 was read, a resolution to hold a public hearing on the proposed Plan of Services for property being annexed on the east side of Jenkins Court, north of Saundersville Road, as part of Forest Park. Peterson moved; Waters seconded to approve Resolution 2022-01. The motion passed unanimously, with Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Ordinance 2022-02 was read on first reading, an ordinance amending Budget Ordinance 2021-22 and accepting a State of Tennessee Department of Transportation Tennessee Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $33,453.20 for the Hendersonville Police Department. Petrelli moved; Edwards seconded to approve Ordinance 2022-02. Without objection, the rules were suspended to hear from Commander Larry Daniel. Discussion included verification there was another system for paying Police overtime if worked that wasn't reliant upon the grant. The motion passed unanimously, with Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Ordinance 2022-03 was read on first reading, Ordinance 2022-03, an ordinance amending the Hendersonville Municipal Code, Title 7, Chapter 6, regarding explosives. Petrelli moved; Edwards seconded to approve Ordinance 2022-03. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGE4 Discussion included the changes were due to a State pre-emption as opposed to the City simply making a change to the existing ordinance by dropping the distance from 1000 feet to 300.feet. The motion passed unanimously, with Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Resolution 2022-03, a resolution discontinuing application to the Community Development Block Grant program until the City resolves to make future application. Clary moved; Roberson seconded to approve Resolution 2022-03. Discussion included the CDBG being restrictive on what the funds could be used for. With limited funds of $250,000.00 it is difficult to do big projects. The State has a competitive program that yields the possibility of getting more funding as larger projects could be submitted for approval and reimbursement. The City having to match funds might come into play through the state program. There are not as many strings with the state grant as opposed to the CDBG, but the funds still must be used for low to moderate housing projects. If the City continues to stay in the CDBG program, there is a requirement to do a study on affordable housing. Then there is an expectation to act on what the study finds. Petrelli called the question then removed as there was no one else in the cue to speak. The motion passed by majority, 10-1, with Peterson abstaining and Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. The caption of Resolution 2022-04, a resolution to apply for a SAFER Grant for new firefighters for Fire Station #7. Petrelli moved; Edwards seconded to approve Resolution 2022-04. Discussion included the grant paying for the first three (3) years of firefighters hired through the grant. In year four (4) the cost of the proposed fifteen ( 15) hires using the grant would cost the City approximately $1.3 million. This was calculated using the higher amounts of pay per firefighter who may have several years of experience and/or certifications. Not all applicants will be at that level. At least twelve (12) people are needed to staff a fire station. There are currently 9-11 existing positions (employees) that could help staff Station 7. Clary moved; Waters seconded an amendment to Resolution 2022-04 to request nine (9) firefighters instead of fifteen (15). Nine (9) firefighter positions would come in around $781,000.00 for year four (4). MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGES The addition of twelve (12) firefighter positions would result in $1.042 million for year four (4). It was clarified that if there were to be any COLA or raises given during the three (3) years of the grant, those would have to be figured into the cost of year four (4) as well. After further discussion, Clary and Waters agreed to change the amendment to request twelve (12) firefighters instead of (15) changing the last "Whereas" paragraph to read "twelve (12) new firefighter positions to properly staff the new Fire Station #7" and to change the last paragraph to read "apply for a 2022 Safer grant for twelve (12) new :firefighter positions for the new Fire Station #7 ... " Discussion continued stating there is no maximum number of positions to request; just reasonable to fulfill the forecasted staffing needs. Five (5) years ago 19 :firefighter positions were requested and filled and those are currently spread among the six (6) stations. There is potential for several :firefighters to retire over the next 3 years. There are 111 firefighters in suppression and those levels must be maintained through the duration of the grant. There was an inquiry regarding a goal date for Fire Station #7 completion and if approved for the grant what happens if it is not completed. Roberson and Chief Bush commented it is ready to go out for bid at the end of February allowing 280 days for building. The amendment to the motion passed unanimously, with Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. Petrelli moved; seconded by Brown to amend Resolution 2022-04 back to the original requested fifteen (15) :firefighter positions. The vote failed 3-8 with the following voting: Aye: Brown, Collins, Petrelli Nay: Cunningham, Edwards, Hayes, Peterson, Roberson, Skidmore, Waters, Clary Absent: Dixon The motion for Resolution 2022-04 as amended passed unanimously with Dixon absent. Clary declared the motion carried. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS There was a unanimous vote on the reappointment of Jeremiah Bennett to the Parks Board with Dixon and Petrelli absent. Clary declared the vote carried. There was a majority vote on the appointment of Jill Rathert to the Parks Board 6-1-3 with the following voting: MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2022 PAGE6 Aye: Edwards, Peterson, Roberson, Skidmore, Waters, Clary Nay: Cunningham Absent: Dixon and Petrelli Clary declared the vote carried. Brief Committee Reports: Finance-Cunningham-Finance Committee met January 25, 2022. Ordinance 2022-02, an ordinance amending ordinance 2021-22 and accepting a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Grant was recommended unanimously, Ordinance 2022-05, an ordinance amending Ordinance 2021-22 to reflect mid-year adjustments to the City's 2022 fiscal year budget was recommended unanimously, Audit Presentation by Kraft CPAs Sales Tax Analysis Report is at an all-time high for year over year. Projections are that after December numbers are in there will be a 115% increase year over year. Public Works-Skidmore-Light Synchronization Update-The environmental document has been approved. Only one more document needs approval which is the construction document. Capital Projects-Roberson-Staff gave an overview on each capital project's status with the next step and estimated timeline. Old Shackle Island/Walton Ferry Project-Cost to the City has increased by $400,000.00. Cost increase is due to the railroad. Staff found enough in the budget to fund that. The completion date is 4 years. Chief of Operations Report-Eckenroth-Recapped the financial statements reflecting a $11.7 million fund balance as opposed to a $4 million balance last year. There will be enough to put some funds in reserve after the Comptrollers recommendations are met. There will be a vendor contracted to pick up the rest of the storm clean-up after issuing and RFP for Indian Lake and Walton Ferry Peninsula. The contracted vendor will only pick up in the designated tornado damaged area so our crews can get back to regular limb and debris pick up. Mayoral Report-Included in packet. Upon motion and second and followed by a majority vote for approval with eight (8) voting, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. -~~ Appre d: Janue Clary,ayor ~ tyRecorder