The City Council for the City of Crossville met in regular session on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Crossville City Hall.
Roll Call.
Present: Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr. Others present were City Manager Bruce Wyatt, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, David Beaty, Mark Fox, Tracy Melton, Isaac Zuercher, Frank Miller, Jerry Garrison, James Perry, Jeff Bowman, Amie Bowman, Bryanne Thacker, Kaylee Bowman, Chris South, Johnny Stites, Jack Stites, Bob Kastens, Annette Saldana, Joe Miller, Paul Perry, Debra Markham, Steve Powell, Ashley Kesterson, Jeremy Maness, Clark Annis, Thomas Lee, Katie Laycock, Jaclyn Laycock, Dailee Norris, Barbara Norris, Jeff Laycock, Darlene Barnwell, Robert Newton, Taylor Newton, Tanner Newton, Marley Minneci, Dianne Minneci, Fred Houston, Vancienetta Wisdom, Margie Buxbaum, Jim Young, Tony Perry, Karli Threet, and Billy Loggins.
Mayor J. H. Graham, III was present and presiding. He called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The invocation was given by Bob Kastens of First Christian Church. The Young Marines presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM #1 – PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
a)
Student
of the Month – Bryanne Thacker for “caring”
b)
Christmas
Card contest winners
Grand
Prize & Artistic Merit Winner
Jaclyn Smith-Laycock, Age 16, CCHS $125
Teacher – Annette Saldana $200 for
classroom
Individual
School Winners $50
Martin Elementary – Aileen Barrera, Age 12
Pine View Elementary – Alyssa Cutshaw, 8th
Grade
Pleasant Hill Elementary – Callie Piper, Age 11
North Cumberland Elementary – Taylor Newton, Age 12
Homestead Elementary – Austin Bryant, Age 12
Stone Elementary – Marley Minneci, Age 10
c)
Mayor’s
Green Award – Home Builders Association of Cumberland County
ITEM #2 – CONSENT
AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilman Boyd Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Danny Wyatt, that all items on the consent agenda be approved as follows:
a) Approval of minutes (11/8, 11/29)
b) 3rd Reading of Ordinance amending the FY11/12 budget for truck in Public Works
c) Approval of grant with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, in the amount of $3,000 ($3,000 local match) for tree management plan
d) Approval of proposal with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the Northwest Connector
e) Approval of Fund Balance Policy
Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 4, No = 0, Abstain = 1). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt. Abstain: Councilman George Marlow.
ITEM #3 – BIDS/PURCHASES
a)
Legislative Management Software – Proposals
were received from 7 vendors on software.
The alternate proposal from Granicus is recommended by the City Manager,
City Clerk, and IT Director. (attached and
made a part of these minutes is a memorandum regarding the software proposal
and recommendation)
A motion was made by Councilman
Boyd Wyatt, seconded by Mayor J. H. Graham, that the recommended software be
approved. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman
Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H.
Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.
b)
Used Tandem Dump Truck – Public Works –
The only bid received was from Cottrell Truck & Equipment for $35,000 on a
1999 International 9100 tandem dump truck.
The current tandem truck is in poor condition and not recommended for
use outside of the city limits. This
truck will be used in addition to the current truck, as a back-up and future
replacement. It will be available to
haul salt, in the event the City needs to pick it up.
A motion was made by Councilman Danny Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Earl Dean, that the bid from Cottrell Truck & Equipment on a used tandem dump truck be accepted. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.
ITEM #4 – MATTERS REALTIVE TO MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Marketing Director Billy Loggins
discussed the latest marketing and public relations projects.
ITEM #5 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO INDUSTRIAL SPECULATION BUILDINGS
Mayor Graham introduced Jack Stites and John Stites of J & S Construction who discussed the importance of industrial speculation buildings. TVA has indicated that if you do not have a building, you are not in consideration for industrial recruitment. They reported that Livingston has one available, Sparta is building one, and Cookeville is preparing to build one when their industrial park is complete. The buildings are generally not complete and can be a skeleton building to attract interest. If the buildings are designed for energy efficiency, that is even more attractive. They would recommend a minimum of 20,000 sf and 28-30’ in height. TVA recommends 50,000 sf with the opportunity to expand to 100,000 sf. If you plan for expansion, they recommend prepare the dirt pad for the expansion. They also are seeing more activity, but industries are holding on to their cash until they can determine the direction the federal government is going to go. In marketing, it is important to point out what makes Crossville uniquely different from other areas.
ITEM #6 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO FIRE HALL #3
Councilman
Boyd Wyatt opened a discussion on the construction of Fire Hall #3. The plans and specifications on the building are
complete and have been delivered to Rural Development for their review. The funds were obligated in September 2009. He stated that the original purpose was to
protect that portion of the City and to protect the ISO rating. Since that time, the City has purchased the
property and completed design of the building.
He expressed his desire to get started on the construction of the
building.
The other members of
Council expressed their support of the project, but were concerned about the
financing and getting the budget in shape before committing to construct the
building. Of additional concern is the
funding of the additional firefighters and all operating costs. City Manager Bruce Wyatt requested time to
work on the operating budget, study all the projects, and be able to give an
informed opinion and analysis.
If Rural Development
funding is lost, Mayor Graham suggested the City could borrow the money from
the TML bond fund. Fire Chief Mike
Turner stated that ISO has not reviewed the City for 17 years and are overdue
to perform the review. It was his opinion
that the City would most likely lose the 4 rating and get a split rating. He continued to recommend the additional
facility and related staffing.
ITEM #7 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO ANNEXATION REQUEST
A request was received from Danny
Griffith to annex his parcel located on Mockingbird (Lot 1823, Map 112D, Group
G, Parcel 6.00) into the city so that he can connect the home he will be
building onto city sewer. With this
request, he requested that he be allowed to proceed with the connection prior
to final reading of the annexation ordinance.
City sewer serves the adjacent house.
A motion was made by Councilman Danny Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Earl Dean, that the ordinance annexing approximately 0.65 acres on Mockingbird be approved on first reading and that connection to sewer prior to annexation be approved. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.
ITEM #8 – CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell reported that no new lawsuits had been filed during the previous month. There has been no movement on the Tansi property owners lawsuit.
Certificate of Public Need and Necessity – The teleconference will take place on Thursday before the Building Finance Committee on the Interchange Park. Following their approval, the Comptroller has to approve the issuance of the notes to purchase the property.
Building Permits – The City adopted the International Residential Building Code and must follow its provisions. Building permits do not expire under that code, but there cannot be a cessation of work for longer than six months. On the property located at the corner of Holiday Dr. and Sparta Highway that is of particular concern, there is no documentation that six months has expired without any work. A plumbing inspection has been done in the last few weeks. He stated that the Council cannot make changes in the permitting process that would be retroactive. He suggested that property restrictions could be enforced by other residents in the subdivision.
ITEM # 9 – CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Bruce Wyatt presented the monthly reports on local option sales tax, wholesale beer tax, and retail liquor tax. Council requested that yearly totals be added to the charts. He also presented the latest reports on building permits, grants, and special projects.
Industrial Property Marketing – It was reported that approximately 781 acres of publicly and privately owned properties have been approved for marketing as potential industrial sites and will be listed on the TVA and City websites. There are two other parcels he is working on and hopes to have their agreements by the January meeting. He reported talking with members of the real estate community and stressed that the City has no intention with competing with them on the sale of the properties. The City is only assisting in the marketing of the available properties.
Tim Begley updated the Council on the Meadow Park Lake dam repairs which are slightly behind schedule. The water harvesting project is nearing completion with a final inspection and punchlist to be developed on December 14.
Dooley Street sewer project – Two change orders for Norris Brothers were presented for approval. Change Order #1 in the amount of $7,900 was for stream stabilization required by the State. The contractor performed the work prior to submitting costs and getting approval. However, it was done as required by the State. Change Order #2 in the amount of $7,473.24 represents the adjustment for final quantities. Both change orders were recommended for approval by the GRW Engineers and Veolia. Funds are remaining in the budget to cover the additional costs. The project is complete.
Councilman Boyd Wyatt recommended that Change Order #1 be reduced to $7,000 since no detail was provided by the contractor to justify the amount of the change order and they did not submit it for approval prior to performing the work.
A motion was made by Councilman Boyd Wyatt, seconded by Mayor J. H. Graham, that Change Order #1 be approved for $7,000 and Change Order #2 for $7,473.24 for Norris Brothers on the Dooley Street sewer project be approved. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.
Personnel
matters – Richard Brady, III is retiring effective February 1, 2012 after 27
years and 11 months service. Approval was
requested for his final check, per Personnel Policy, to be paid out as follows:
$3,000.00 Retirement Bonus
$1,624.72 Vacation Pay (approximate depending on any
taken)
$ 335.00 Retirement
Gift ($1.00 for each month’s service)
$4,959.72 Estimated Total
A motion was made by Councilman Danny Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Earl Dean, that the retirement check for Richard Brady, III be approved. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.
Council expressed their thanks to Mr. Brady for his service to the City of Crossville.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.