The City
Council for
Roll Call.
Present: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean. Others present were City Manager Ted Meadows, Attorney Joe Looney, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Tim Begley, Troy Shaver, Darrell Sherrill, Tom Wolf, Jerry Garrison, Dewey Peterson, Jerry Kerley, Sarah Damron, Tamara Gillian, Samantha Gillian, Traci Damron, Levi Gilliam, Rick Houston, Tony Davis, Melissa McClung, Carol Cottrell, J.L. Cottrell, Jeff Turner, Tonya Hinch, Mary Ann Brown, Alex Withers, Hunter Withers, Angela Cook, Kendall Caitlin Cook, Jeff Kerley, Jeff Dyer, Lisa Rogers, Jessica Young, George Rogers, Jonathan Rogers, Ronnie Cook, James Perry, Wade Baird, Andy Vaughn, Debra Markham, Glenn Harper, John Davis, Diane McCartney, Mike McCartney, Daulton McCartney, Laci McCartney, Robbie Silkey, Clark Annis, Fred Houston, Rick Campbell, Kristine Marion, Brandi Marion, Ginger Slate, Steve Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Foust, Kenneth Foust, Billy Loggins, Dean Bennett, and Mike Turner.
Mayor J. H.
Graham, III was present and presiding.
He called the meeting to order at
ITEM #1 – PRESENTATIONS
a) The Student of the Month award was presented by Mayor Graham to Lilyan Thurman for the character trait “caring”.
b) Christmas Card Winners – The following were announced as winners in the annual contest:
§
Daulton McCartney –
§
Jessica Young –
§
Sarah Damron –
§ Kendall Caitlin Cook – Martin Elementary
§ Brandi Marion – Stone Elementary
§ Allie Kirkland – Pine View Elementary
Mayor Graham read a letter expressing their thanks to the Model Railroad Club for opening their display to some autistic children on a day when they are normally closed.
ITEM #2 – CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilman Duer, seconded by Councilman Dean, that all items on the consent agenda be approved as follows:
a) Approval of minutes (11/10, 11/19)
b) 3rd Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $470,000 for the Caryonah dam repairs
c) 1st Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $48,000 for bio-diesel equipment
d) Annexations
i)
6.33 acres off
(1)
3rd
(2) Resolution approving a Plan of Services
ii)
0.18 acres on
(1)
3rd
(2) Resolution approving a Plan of Services
iii)
0.43 acres on
(1)
3rd
(2) Resolution approving a Plan of Services
e) Approval of $3,880 grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for community tree planting program
f) Approval to submit a SAFER grant application in the amount of $1,245,787 for 100% of the salary cost, including benefits, for 15 new firefighters for two years
g) Resolution requesting Interstate directional signs for the U.S. Chess Federation
h) Approval to re-allocate $8,645.03 in ECE Services’ pre-construction engineering fees for the Lantana Road Utility Relocation project to construction phase fees
i) Approval of donation of $42,158.12 to the Art Circle Library project to cover the cost of the outdoor lighting fixtures
j)
Approval of payment to Mike’s Lock &
Security in the amount of $5,516.65 for repairs to locks at
k) Approval of contract with L & J Enterprise for emergency labor to repair and install high service pump at Holiday Hills water plant in an amount estimated to be between $7,000-$10,000
l) Approval of payment to Smith Electric Motor in the amount of $8,197.39 for parts for emergency repairs on high service pump at Holiday Hills water plant
m) Approval of office furniture purchase from Plateau Office Supplies in the amount of $11,424.37 for the Engineering and Codes Enforcement offices
n) Accept bid of Stowers Equipment in the amount of $65,578.73 for a mini-excavator
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.
j) Approval of
payment to Mike’s Lock & Security in the amount of $5,516.65 for repairs to
locks at
A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Kerley, that the payment to Mike’s Lock & Security in the amount of $5,516.65 be approved. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 4, No = 1, Abstain = 0). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean. No: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ITEM #3 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Billy Loggins updated the Council on the
following marketing projects, on-going and recaps:
§ 2009 Christmas Parade
§
§ 2010 TSSAA Golf Championships
§ OVC Conference/Future Golf Championship
§ Hall of Trees......Part of Gaylord Opryland's 26th Annual......"A Country Christmas Celebration"
§ Women’s Open – A new website is being constructed. The handicap has been lowered to 7 and the residency restrictions lifted, which should increase the field of competitors.
§ Choice Directories – At no cost, the City will get 10 pages of advertising in the new phone directory being put together.
ITEM #4 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO FIRE HALL #3
City Manager Ted Meadows presented a
contract with Upland Design Group for 7% of the construction cost, which is
estimated at $2,000,000. A budget
amendment for $140,000 will be required.
In discussions with the architect,
the building will be designed for energy efficiency and meet all requirements
for LEED certification. However, if the
City wants the paperwork prepared for the LEED certification, there will be an
additional cost of $35,000. The matter
was deferred for a meeting with Uplands Design Group.
(At
BEER BOARD
Walgreens #06223
An
application was presented for an off-premises beer permit for Walgreen Co. dba
Walgreens #06223 located at
A motion was made by Councilman Duer, seconded by Councilman Kerley, that an off-premises beer permit be approved for Walgreen Co. dba Walgreens #06223. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.
(At
ITEM #5 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO CASH FLOW IN THE WATER/SEWER FUND
Mayor Graham discussed the need for
a loan from the General Fund to the Water/Sewer Fund to ease the current cash
flow issues. The specific projects that
have caused the cash flow are the water harvesting project, Caryonah Dam, and
the
A motion was made by Mayor Graham,
seconded by Councilman Wyatt, that the resolution authorizing a loan, not to
exceed $3,000,000 and to be reviewed at the end of 12 months, be adopted and a
budget amendment passed on first reading.
Vote: Motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote (summary:
Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman
Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.
ITEM #6 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO COLA RAISES
Councilman Kerley provided information on employee raises. Using revenues from the wholesale liquor inspection fees, he proposed a 2% increase in January for all employees. He estimated the money to be available to be $109,485 which, when divided by 163 employees, would be approximately $671.
A motion was made by Councilman Kerley to give a 2% COLA raise to all employees on January 4. The motion died for a lack of second.
Councilman Duer stated the time was not right with the tough economic times, but appreciated the hard work of employees. Mayor Graham discussed the definition of COLA, which, according to the federal indexes, stands now at a zero increase in the CPI. He further stated there will be no increase in social security in 2010 by the federal government. Councilman Dean agreed that the timing was not right and that most people are just happy to have jobs. Councilman Wyatt also agreed that the timing was wrong with many firms laying off people.
Councilman Kerley cautioned that the City should watch its spending if raises weren’t possible.
ITEM #7 – CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
On behalf of City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, Joe Looney reported that no new issues have surfaced during the past month.
ITEM #8 – CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Meadows presented the monthly revenue reports on local option sales tax, wholesale beer taxes, and wholesale liquor fees. Sales tax continues to be on track with the revenues budgeted for the fiscal year, which was reduced from previous years. Reports were also presented on building permits, fiscal information on grants/projects, and the special projects report.
§ ASOS – The site has been selected by FAA and the survey work is underway.
§ T-Hangars – FAA has indicated that we cannot proceed until the lease has been signed on the new ASOS site.
§ Water Harvesting – Some concerns have been expressed by the State on obtaining the Inter-Basin Transfer Agreements; however, the loan conditions indicate that they are not required until the transfer of water is ready to take place.
§ Caryonah – The City is still waiting on the permits from Water Pollution Control, Cookeville Office, before issuing a Notice to Proceed to Plateau Excavating. Despite repeated calls, no response to questions has been received. The delays are costing about $10,000/month for pumping required by Safe Dams and to keep damages to a minimum.
§ Jet Motel clean-up – The owners agreed to allow the City to tear it down and add the costs to their tax bill. A brother has now agreed for the adjacent blue house to be torn down under the same conditions. The Public Works Department proceeded with knocking down the structures and estimated that there will $10,000+ in tipping fees plus $3,000 for labor and equipment to dispose of rubbish.
A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Duer, that costs, not to exceed $30,000, for the disposal be approved. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.
§ Choice Directory – Jeff Dyer told the Council that he will be producing an independent telephone directory. If approved, the City will be given 10-12 community pages and the City seal placed on the front at no charge. The directory will be delivered to every home each year in April.
A motion was made by Councilman Kerley, seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given on an agreement with Choice Directory. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.
§ Medicare supplement for all employees over 65 – Tonya Hinch was requested to discuss the potential benefits for requiring all employees over 65 to be moved to a Medicare supplement. Ms. Hinch explained that there was no guarantee, but there could be savings dependent on the following issues: (1) national healthcare; (2) local physicians being willing to take care of Medicare patients; and (3) trailing dependents (what is offered to younger spouses and dependents who are not Medicare-eligible). Councilman Kerley stated that he had been told that most employees who have an existing doctor, would not have a problem staying with them. Councilman Kerley recommended that all employees over 65 be changed to a Medicare supplement and that the City no longer provide Council insurance. City Manager Meadows stated that, based on previous information from TML, he was not sure that it is legal to cancel insurance on those for whom it is already provided.
A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Mayor Graham, that members of Council be left on the present insurance policy and Tonya not be put to all the work of obtaining proposals. Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 4, No = 1, Abstain = 0). Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Carl Duer, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean. No: Councilman Jesse Kerley.
With no
further business, the meeting was adjourned at