Board of Mayor & Aldermen

MINUTES BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2012 Board present Staff present Mayor Billy Paul Carneal Asst. City Manager Regina Holt Alderman James Hubbard City Recorder Jane Shugart Murphy Alderman Willie Mason City Attorney Jim Balthrop Vice Mayor Jerome Ellis Alderman Ann Schneider Staff absent Alderman Bruce Head Alderman Shane Shoemaker City Manager Paul John Nutting City Clerk Connie W. Watson 1.1 Mayor Billy Paul Carneal called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at 7:30 p.m. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. 1.2 The five (5) recipients of the 2012 Springfield Gas System Scholarship were recognized. 1.3 Alderman Schneider moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen held on June 19, 2012 and the special meeting held on June 26, 2012. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. 2.0 Legislative 2.1 Alderman Shoemaker moved for the approval of Ordinance 12-07 on 3rd and final reading, an ordinance amending the Springfield Zoning Ordinance by rescinding Ordinance 08-30 in its entirety and by rescinding Section 11-608 in its entirety and substituting a new Section 11-608. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 2.2 Alderman Mason moved for the approval of Resolution 12-11, a resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds in Fiscal Year 2012 annual budget for the financial aid of nonprofit charitable and nonprofit civic organizations in accordance with Section 6-54-111, Tennessee Code Annotated. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 2.3 Alderman Hubbard moved for the approval of Resolution 12-12, a resolution to appoint a department head to the Business Conduct and Ethics Committee for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. The motion was seconded. Assistant City Manager, Gina Holt, made the recommendation to appoint Acting Fire Chief Jimmy Hamill to serve on the Business Conduct and Ethics Committee. The motion for the approval of Resolution 12-12 and the appointment of Acting Fire Chief Jimmy Hamill passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 3.0 Administrative The Mayor informed the Board that an amendment to the agenda was in order, the Public Works Department has requested approval to extend the contract for street maintenance and repair. Alderman Hubbard moved to amend the agenda by adding the extension of the contract for street repair and maintenance. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. Alderman Hubbard moved to approve the request by the Public Works Department to extend the street repair and maintenance contract with Pavement Technologies until December 31, 2012. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. The Mayor recognized Director of Parks and Recreation, Tony Felts, and his staff for the great job of hosting the Dixie Youth Baseball Ozone State Tournament. He also expressed appreciation to Grace Baptist Church for their support during the tournament. 3.3 Director of Parks and Recreation, Tony Felts, briefed the Board on the decision to cancel the 4th of July Celebration. He explained that despite the cancellation of the 4th of July Celebration fireworks show, Pyro Shows still had money invested in the show. Pyro Shows has agreed to refund twenty-five percent (25%) of the City’s deposit even though, according to the contract, they are not obligated to do so. He briefed the Board on the discussion of various options the City has and the costs associated with the options regarding rescheduling the show. He stated that the Board could decide to either reschedule the event later this year or to apply the money to next year’s show. His recommendation for the unused budgeted expense is to appropriate it towards next year’s event and possibly expand the show.  Alderman Hubbard moved to authorize the appropriation of the remaining budgeted funds from this year’s 4th of July Celebration event, to the 4th of July Celebration budget for FY 2013. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 3.1 Alderman Mason moved to approve the TVA wholesale fuel cost adjustment from the current amount of $0.02490 cents per kilowatt-hour to $0.02287 cents per kilowatt-hour effective August 1, 2012. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. This adjustment represents a decrease of 1.5 % in the wholesale electric rates resulting in a decrease of $1.50 to $2.00 on an average residential electric bill. 3.2 Alderman Shoemaker moved to approve the retail gas rates of the Springfield Gas Department for the month of June as presented. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 3.4 The Assistant City Manager informed the Board that no action was needed on the proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP) at this time. The material in the packet is for the Board’s review and possible questions. She stated that a public hearing will be scheduled for the regular meeting in August and a resolution will be prepared for their approval. No action was taken. 3.5 Alderman Schneider moved for the approval of a parade application from the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce to hold a “Pep Rally” and “Movie Night,” on the Square, August 10, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. They are requesting to close the west side of the Courthouse Square and the adjoining portion of 6th Avenue and Locust Street. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. 4.0 Consent 4.1 Alderman Hubbard moved to approve a request from the Springfield Gas Department to award the bid for gas materials. The motion was seconded and passed by 7-0 roll call vote. Staff Report The Mayor informed the Board that Police Chief David Thompson would be addressing them pertaining to gang activity in Springfield in hopes of clarifying a recent article that was printed in the Tennessean newspaper. He stated that each Board member would be given an opportunity to express their concerns and ask the Chief questions.  Police Chief David Thompson addressed the Board to provide clarification about the article in the Tennessean newspaper related to “gang activity” in Springfield. He stated he wanted to address the issue of gangs and their activities in hopes of helping the public to understand and assist in coming up with a solution to the problem. Chief Thompson discussed Police Department plans pertaining to the reduction and elimination of gang activity. All Board members were given the opportunity to state their concerns and ask questions of Chief Thompson. 5.0. City Manager’s Report Assistant City Manager, Gina Holt informed the Board that staff met with Gresham Smith & Partners to explore different options for a solution to the drainage problems at the sinkhole and detention pond on Queen Ann Court and Bill Jones Industrial Drive. GS&P was asked to come back with additional options. The staff is of the opinion the Board would benefit from a special work session because this is a large, complicated, and expensive project. The Board selected August 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm for the work session. Director for Public Works, Allan Ellis reminded the Board that the new bulky waste and junk collection policy took effect July 1. He stated that the transition process has gone fairly well with a few minor problems. There will be a public hearing at the August 21 board meeting along with second reading of proposed Ordinance 12-10 which amends Title 17 of the Springfield Municipal Code entitled “Refuse and Trash Disposal.” . Ms. Holt reminded the Board that the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce scheduled Graffiti Removal Day for Saturday, July 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Individuals will meet at Bransford Elementary and go out in groups to cover all areas of the city where graffiti has been identified. In closing, she informed the Board that Coca-Cola in Charlotte, NC will be collaborating with the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce and Springfield Executive Suites in a project to re-paint the historic Coca-Cola logo on the exterior wall at 719 South Main Street. The project will also include painting a downtown merchants’ logo that will be developed to promote shopping in downtown Springfield. Coca-Cola agreed to pay $1,500 towards the project cost. The City of Springfield will be expected to sign off on an agreement that the project complies with the historic preservation section of our sign ordinance. This will be the first project of this type in the State of Tennessee, and Coca-Cola will work with local and Nashville media about the project and grand opening of the building. We are happy to have Coca-Cola involved in our community and to have their assistance with the maintenance and beautification of downtown Springfield. 6.0 Adjournment With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned. ______________________________ Billy P. Carneal, Mayor Attest: ______________________________ Jane Shugart Murphy, City Recorder