BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN WORK SESSION

KNGSPORT TENNEEE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4: 00 PM City Hall, 415 Broad Street, Montgomery - Watterson Boardroom Board of Mayor and Aldermen Mayor Patrick W. Shull, Presiding Vice Mayor Colette George Alderman Paul W. Montgomery Alderman Betsy Cooper Alderman Tommy Olterman Alderman Darrell Duncan Alderman James Phillips I. CALL TO ORDER 4: 00 pm by Mayor Shull. II. ROLL CALL by City Clerk/ Deputy City Recorder Angie Marshall. Deputy City Manager McReynolds gave an update on the recent weather and the efforts the city has made over the weekend, including the timeline to clear the roads and keep them clean. Police Chief Phipps and Fire Chief Boyd also provided an update regarding public safety. Public Works Manager Michael Thompson discussed the changes to the garbage collection in response to the weather as well, and advised residents to keep their garbage out until is picked up. III. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. FY 23 Audit Presentation - Lisa Winkle David Elkins with Brown Edwards presented this item in lieu of Lisa Winkle who wasn' t able to attend due to the weather. He pointed out the GFOA Certificate of Excellence - which relates to last year' s audit - is the 23rd year in a row of the City receiving it. Mr. Elkins summarized the independent auditor' s report, stating the audit received an unmodified, clean opinion which is what the city strives to get. He highlighted certain items throughout the audit report and answered questions from the board. Some discussion ensued. IV. REVIEW OF BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA City staff gave a summary for each item on the January 16, 2024 proposed agenda. The following items were discussed at greater length or received specific questions of concerns. Page 1 of 3  BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4: 00 PM Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad Street, Boardroom Item XI. 11. Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Financial Contribution if Needed to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Kingsport Relative to the Kingsport Pavilion Redevelopment and Improvements ( AF- 27- 2024) Steven Bower introduced a representative from Dry Creek Partners who purchased the center, noting they were making improvements and working to build the number of stores back up, including a new anchor store that would bring significant revenue to the city. Alderman Philips stated his appreciation for the investment and filling the property back up. Item XI. 5 Consideration of a Resolution to Ratify the Mayor' s Signature on TNDECD CCF Grant Application ( AF- 14- 2024) Shirley Buchanan gave information on this three- year grant, pointing out West End Home Foundation will provide the match. The funds will go to update the computer lab and allow virtual programming to be spread among other facilities as well. They will also be providing telehealth education to seniors. Item XI. 6 Consideration of a Resolution to Enter into a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. ( CSXT) for the Brickyard Park Pedestrian Bridge Project Authorizing the Mayor to Sign All Applicable Documents ( AF- 19- 2024) Public Works Director Michael Thompson provided details about this item and answered questions from the board, noting the turnaround is relatively quick. He also pointed out 70% is reimbursable. Item X1. 7 Consideration of a Resolution to Ratify the Mayor' s Signature on the CDBG- CV Childcare Creation Program Application ( AF- 22- 2024) Assistant City Manager Jessica Harmon explained this grant program, noting it is a partnership to set up a childcare facility and provided the demographics. She noted UETHDA will be the primary facilitator of the program and the city is merely a pass through for the funding. Item XI. 8 Consideration of a Resolution to Approve Amendment 3 to the Professional Services Contract with Thompson and Litton for the Dome Project ( AF- 15- 2024) Deputy City Manager McReynolds stated this cleaned up the amendments and did not change dollar amounts. Item XI. 9 Consideration of a Resolution Requesting a Private Act from the Tennessee General Assembly Amending Article III, Section 5 of the City Charter( AF- 20- 2024) City Attorney Rowlett provided information on this item, noting Kingsport is different regarding compensation for the board in that a specific amount is stated in the charter and hasn' t been changed since 1989. This change would align Kingsport with surrounding jurisdictions, making it a part of the budget process. He further explained the process for this change to take place. Some discussion followed. Page 2 of 3  BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4: 00 PM Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad Street, Boardroom Item XI. 10 Consideration of a Resolution Requesting a Private Act from the Tennessee General Assembly Amending Article III, Section 2 of the City Charter( AF-21- 2024) Mr. Rowlett gave details on this item and provided a history of the Mayor' s role. This resolution would change the mayor' s term to a four year term in the August 2026 election. He pointed out it would have to be ratified through a referendum by a vote in the next election or a two- thirds vote by the board. There was considerable discussion. The mayor commented he preferred the referendum stating it is inherently unfair that the mayor only has a two year term, and the aldermen terms are four years. Alderman Duncan mentioned it was an issue of balance. Alderman Cooper and Vice- Mayor George also commented. The Mayor asked the Deputy City Manager to pull this item and the previous item until the first meeting in February. Item XII. 9 Consideration of a Resolution to Approve a Donation to the Hawkins County Sheriff' s Office ( AF- 30- 2024) Chief Phipps explained the city received a grant to upgrade our equipment and reached out to Hawkins County to see if they would be interested. He noted these items can only be sold to another agency so Gov. Deals was not an option. V. ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Sales Tax Report Deputy City Manager McReynolds commented that sales tax is plateauing, and they are keeping a close tab on revenues and expenses. He commented we are looking forward to seeing the December numbers come in. 2. Projects Status Report Mr. McReynolds commented on the progress being made on the Dome, the Farmers Market and Main Street. VI. ADJOURN Seeing no other matters presented for discussion, Mayor Shull adjourned the meeting at 5: 26 p. m. Q K.PE-cA/ q1 iI mtv1: 4 tlh RSHApk o§ A AN E 917 ,° ° a PATRICK W. SHULL c n o000000` n Deputy City Recorder°, MoDEti,; eaavoaaao 0` Mayor Page 3 of 3