The City
Council for
Roll Call.
Present: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse
Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent/Excused: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd
Wyatt, Sr. Others present were City
Manager Ted Meadows, Attorney Joe Looney, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Finance
Director Fred Houston, Tom Wolf, Paul Begell, Jim Young, David Beaty, Ron
Lenard, Mary Ann Brown, Bill Brown, A. Withers, H. Withers, Ronny Hill, Nick
Hill, Tonya Hinch, Betty Bendeke, Leif Bendeke, Troy Shaver, Sherry Cantrell,
Mike Cantrell, Gregory Woodson, Gregory Woodson, Jr., Arlene Woodson, Shayla
Woodson, Carol Taylor, David Smeal, Aaron Snodderly, Michael Flatt, Jeff
Kerley, Robert Wheeler, Paul Whaley, Kandra thompson, Kaitlyn Thompson, Summer
Smith, Andy Myers, Steve Hill, Robert Safdie, Theresa Simmons, Dewey Petersen,
E. C. Lawrence, Albert Findley, Andrew Findley, Jim Oakes, Raney L. Webb, Judy
Webb, Carl Sexton, Jr., Joe Kerley, Pam Brown, Mike Brown, Keith Comstock, Nan
Evans Beesley, Joe Miller, Brianne Moore, Jude T. Libault, Ed Daily, Clark
Annis, Alan C. Carpenter, Christy Lewis, Gary Ware, Barbara Ware, Eric
Whittenburg, Kenneth McCorkle, Dean Bennett, Nancy J. Hyder, Jason P. Edmonds,
William Hess, Bill Stultz, David M. Crabtree, Carolyn Hedgecoth, Bernard
Reagan, Mie Turner, Jerry Garrison, Jerry Kerley, Larry Kerley, Jan Brady,
Richard Brady, Margie Buxbaum, Harry Mercer, Helen Mercer, Tom Griffith, and
Tim Begley.
Mayor
Graham called the meeting to order at
ITEM #1 – PRESENTATIONS
a) Barbara Ware – Mayor Graham presented Mrs. Ware with the Distinguished Service Award upon her retirement from the Tree Board.
b) Student of the Month – The February award was presented by Mayor Graham to Shayla Woodson for the character trait “respect”.
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 (1/13, 1/20)
b) Resolution approving submittal of application for CDBG funds for the sewer system improvement project in an amount not to exceed $500,000
c) 3rd Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $200,000 for Corps of Engineers refund
d) 1st Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $55,000 for the airport security equipment grant
e) 1st Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $80,000 for the airport mowing equipment grant
f) 1st Reading of Ordinance amending the FY09-10 budget in the amount of $18,335 for library permits
g)
Approve temporary street closings for 5K run
sponsored by the Crossville Noon Rotary Club on May 23 from
h)
Approve temporary street closings for Welcome
Home 2009 parade to be held on March 28 beginning at
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ITEM #3 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO SRO OFFICERS
ITEM #4 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN PROGRAM
Mayor
Graham reviewed the energy conservation studies and work on sustainability that
has been done during the past year under the direction of U.T. professor Dr.
Edward Jepson. At the request of Mayor
Graham, the State performed energy audits of several City buildings. The buildings audited were City Hall,
A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given for the submittal of a loan application for energy retrofits. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ITEM #5 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO SOCCER COMPLEX LOAN
Finance Director Fred Houston provided an evaluation of the debt on the construction of the soccer complex. The original loan was $4,500,000 with a variable interest rate for 15 years. The City has paid $137,000 in fees and interest so far on the debt. The last interest rate was 0.55% interest. Over the 15-year loan period, interest and fees are estimated to cost $1,050,000 (not including principal). The first payment on the principal is scheduled for May 2009. City funds are currently drawing interest in the LGIP account at 1.42%. Mr. Houston and City Manager Meadows recommended paying off the loan since the General Fund has $13.5M in savings. With this payoff, the General Fund will be debt-free except for the note on the E-911 building that is in the City’s name, but paid by E-911.
A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Dean, that authorization be given to pay off the $4.5M soccer complex loan as soon as possible. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
(At
SOLICITATION BOARD
An
application was received from the
Fairfield Glade and Crossville Lions’ Clubs for their White Cane fundraiser to
raise money for services to the blind.
A motion was made by Councilman
Duer, seconded by Councilman Dean, that a Solicitation Permit be approved for
the Fairfield Glade and Crossville Lions’ Clubs. Vote:
Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D,
Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent:
Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
(At
ITEM #6 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO NORTHWEST CONNECTOR
Mayor Graham described the route of
the proposed Northwest Connector and introduced Mike Flatt from Gresham, Smith
& Partners. Sections I and II are
under the management of the City.
Section III is under the management of the State using the City’s
allocation of State Transportation Funds.
No current work is planned on Section II. Section I is now approved for acquisition of
property as well as continuing through the intersection with Hwy. 70N and 300’
east so that signalization can be installed.
The proposed alignment has been designed to work with the property owners. He recommended proceeding with the
acquisition so that if funding becomes available through the stimulus package,
this project could be eligible for funding of construction.
Section I – Mayor
Graham stated that the State’s partnership with the City providing the
right-of-way and engineering should help the project move quicker. This by-pass will assist traffic greatly, as
well as residential and commercial development.
Councilman Dean voiced his support toward proceeding as traffic is
becoming more and more of a problem and this new road would provide
relief. Councilman Duer agreed that the
need is there and, with the proposed donation of major tracts of land, it was
time to keep the project moving. Mr.
Flatt noted that a limited access road is planned.
A motion was made by Mayor Graham,
seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given on a contract with Gresham,
Smith and Partners to proceed with right-of-way acquisition in an amount not to
exceed $78,550 and final construction design in an amount not to exceed $92,000
on Section I of the Northwest Connector.
Vote: Motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote (summary:
Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman
Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
Section III – Mayor Graham explained the challenges in this area due to the existing businesses and current alignment. Mr. Flatt agreed to assist the City in encouraging the State to make changes in this regard. He recommended proceeding on the appraisals before going any further to ascertain what the acquisition costs might be. Councilmen Dean, Duer, and Kerley agreed with proceeding in this manner.
A
motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given on a contract with
Gresham, Smith and Partners to proceed with right-of-way acquisition services
in an amount not to exceed $141,100 on Section III of the Northwest
Connector. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman
Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H.
Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ITEM #7 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO PSG (VEOLIA) CONTRACT
Councilman Kerley questioned Clark
Annis and City Manager Ted Meadows regarding the proposal to privatize the
operation of water plant. He expressed
concern over the nature of conversations between City officials and staff with
Veolia.
A motion was made by Councilman
Kerley, that the City take back the administrative operation of the wastewater
treatment plant on
ITEM #8 – CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Joe Looney reported, on
behalf of City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, that there had been no lawsuits
during the past month.
ITEM #9 – CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Ted Meadows presented
the monthly revenue reports for local option sales tax and wholesale beer. The sales tax was down over 10% for sales in
November 2008. However, we are only down
5.43% from the same period last year and less than 1% off the budgeted goal for
the fiscal year. Wholesale beer tax
revenues are up 14%. Building permits
are way down for residential, but are up for commercial construction. Unemployment in
Approval was requested for $14,000
for repairs of a Catoosa water line along the new road being built to StonePeak
by TDOT. The contractor, Highways, broke
it and will be held responsible for the costs.
Temporary repairs have been made by Catoosa, but permanent repairs need
to be done before the trench is filled in by the contractor.
A motion was made by Councilman
Duer, seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given for the purchase of
$14,000 in materials for repair of the water line. Vote:
Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D,
Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent:
Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
Councilman Kerley requested the
Manager’s notes and research on consolidation of all departments. City Manager Meadows indicated that he
started working on it last September looking at Public Works as suggested by
Councilman Kerley. Councilman Kerley
suggested that privatization of all departments be bid out.
Councilman Kerley reminded Council
and the City Manager that the City’s casualty insurance with the TML Risk
Management Pool expires later in the year and he would like bids to be
solicited.
A motion was made by Councilman
Kerley that the property and casualty insurance be bid out in June. The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilman Kerley asked why the
weapons ordinance was not on the agenda.
City Manager Meadows responded that there were questions raised on some
of the verbage. These questions are now
under re-review by MTAS and the City Attorney and the Mayor made the decision
to leave it off the agenda until such time as that review is completed.
A motion was made by Councilman
Kerley to abolish the weapons ordinance.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilman Kerley requested to know why red-light cameras were under discussion by the City Manager without approval from the Council. Mr. Meadows stated that a presentation from one company was made to him and the Police Department last Fall and that they were not ready to bring anything to the Council. Mr. Kerley stated that he doesn’t want to consider it at all. Councilman Dean indicated he would be supportive of consideration of the cameras due to recent accidents caused by people running red-lights. Mr. Meadows stated that when proposals have been received and studied, he would bring back a recommendation to the Council.
ITEM #10 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO AIRPORT
PROJECTS
Airport Layout Plan
- In order to continue receiving grants through the Tennessee Department of
Transportation-Aeronautics Division, a new Airport Layout Plan is
required. This plan will assist in the
re-location of the fuel farm, future hangars, and other future
improvements. Through negotiations
between the City, State, and PBS&J Engineers, a proposal was presented in
the amount of $65,255. The State will
provide 90% of the funding, leaving a local share of $6,525.50.
A motion was made by Mayor Graham,
seconded by Councilman Dean, that the proposal from PBS&J for engineering
services required for the Airport Layout Plan in the amount of $65,255 be
accepted. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman
Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H.
Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ASOS relocation –
The t-hangar project has been held up for over a year due to the location of
the Automated Surface Observing Station (ASOS).
An agreement has been reached with the FAA to relocate the ASOS to a location
on the south side of the runway. FAA has
estimated the cost for the relocation at $52,248.80. Through this agreement the City will be
required to provide engineering services related to the removal or relocation
of obstructions, site design, electrical supply, and foundation design. A proposal was presented from ECE Services to
provide these services at a cost of $22,700.
TDOT-Aeronautics has agreed to provide 75% funding of the costs for the
engineering and relocation costs. A
formal agreement from FAA is expected to be received within the month.
A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Dean, that (1) the proposal from ECE Services for engineering services required for the relocation of the ASOS in the amount of $22,700 be accepted; (2) an agreement with the FAA on the relocation be approved pending review by the City Attorney; and (3) approval be given for submittal of an application to the state for funding assistance. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
ITEM #11 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO ENGINEERING
A proposed contract with James +
Associates to cover the engineering services and inspection services required
during the construction of the sewer line to serve the state park was
presented. The cost for construction
administration would be billed hourly, but not exceed $14,616.72. The cost for resident construction
observation would be billed hourly, but not exceed $62,400. Funds will be provided through the grant with
the State of
A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Duer, that the proposal from James + Associates to cover the engineering services and inspection services for the Hwy. 127S sewer project be approved with the understanding that they will be reimbursable under the grant from the State of Tennessee. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, M.D, Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman Jesse Kerley, Mayor J. H. Graham, III. Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Wyatt, Sr.
With
no further business, the meeting was adjourned at