The City Council for the City of Crossville met in special session on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Crossville City Hall.

 

 

Roll Call.  Present: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor J. H. Graham, III, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.  Others present were City Manager Curtis Adams, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Darlene Barnwell, Fred Houston, Jerry Garrison, Darrell Sherrill, Steve Hill, Mike Turner, Jesse Kerley, Jim Mitchell, Jim Petty, Ashley Kesterson, Chris South, Pete Graham, Tim Begley, Steve Powell, Billy Martin, Jerry Kerley, John E. Turner, Mrs. Turner, Heather Mullinix, Breanna Moore, Tonya Hinch, Dennis Wilbanks, Mike Flatt, Jody Vance, Ralph Rhemann, W. E. Pressley, and Lou Morrison.

 

Mayor J. H. Graham, III was present and presiding.  He called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

ITEM #1 – CONSENT AGENDA

 

a)  2nd Reading of Ordinance amending the FY10-11 budget for purchase of building in the amount of $2,000,000

            A motion was made by Councilman Earl Dean, seconded by Councilman Danny Wyatt, that the Ordinance amending the FY10-11 budget for purchase of building in the amount of $2,000,000 be passed on second reading.  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)  2nd Reading of Ordinance amending the FY10-11 budget for energy upgrades in the amount of $75,400

            A motion was made by Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Councilman George Marlow, that the Ordinance amending the FY10-11 budget for energy upgrades in the amount of $75,400 be passed on second reading.  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 #2 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO NORTHWEST CONNECTOR

 

            The status of the acquisitions for the Northwest Connector were reviewed with the properties of Turner, Wilbanks, Graham, and Marlow still outstanding.  Offers have been made on all properties.

 

            Mayor Graham stated that he would not be voting on any motions in regard to the acquisition due to Bill Graham being his cousin, although he has no personal interest in any of the properties. 

 

            Mike Flatt reported that TDOT is scheduled to open bids on June 17.  The final plans have been submitted by Gresham, Smith & Partners and all the utility issues are under control to meet the schedule.  The TDEC permits are complete.  In order to keep the project on the June bid letting, acquisition of the right-of-way must be done this week.  A letter certifying that acquisition is complete must be sent in two weeks.  If the City is unable to do that, the project will be moved to at least August 5.  If any go to condemnation, the letter must state we have possession of all properties.  Since there is now a 30 day period, after filing for condemnation in court, before the judge can give the order, the City would not be in possession by the date required for the June letting. 

 

            Councilmen Earl Dean and Danny Wyatt both agreed to setting a date for settlement or condemnation.  Councilman Boyd Wyatt stated he could not support condemnation. 

 

            With all the remaining property owners present, the engineers and acquisition specialists were dismissed to work with each of them toward a settlement. 

 

 

ITEM #3 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO PURCHASING ORDINANCE AND EMPLOYEE RAISES

 

            Mayor Graham asked the City Clerk to read the purchasing ordinance in regards to the City Manager’s authority.  The City Manager was requested to remember that all items in excess to $5,000 be brought before the City Council prior to any purchases.  The City Clerk was asked to read the charter in regards to employee raises, which states that the City Council sets all salaries.  Mr. Adams replied that he had kept the City Council informed, but had failed to bring them before the Council because he intended for the funds to be reimbursed with the money raised for economic development. 

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Danny Wyatt, seconded by Councilman George Marlow, that the City Manager be suspended for 10 days.  Vote: Motion failed (summary: Yes = 2, No = 3, Abstain = 0).  Yes: Councilman George Marlow, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.  No: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Mayor J. H. Graham

 

            The City Attorney opined that it could come up in an audit, but if self-corrected prior to the audit, it would be non-finding.  Finance Director Fred Houston concurred and stated that he would consider it a non-issue.

 

            Mr. Adams stated that he had been given another job in economic development and worked hard at it as well as the City Manager job.  He was unaware of the charter provisions and had rescinded the proposed raises.

 

 

(At 3:30 p.m., the meeting was recessed until Wednesday, April 20, at 2:00 p.m.)

 

APRIL 20, 2011

 

Roll Call.  Present: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Councilman George Marlow, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.  Absent/Excused: Mayor J. H. Graham, III.  Others present were City Manager Curtis Adams, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Lou Morrison, Ashley Kesterson, Fred Houston, Darlene Barnwell, Heather Mullinix, and Art Gernt.

 

 

            At 2:00 p.m., Mayor Pro-Tem Danny Wyatt called the recessed meeting back to order.

 

 

ITEM #2 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO NORTHWEST CONNECTOR (cont.)

 

            City Clerk Sally Oglesby requested Council to approve $121,275 in additional funds to settle the four remaining tracts.  Of that amount, $56,150 will be for additional engineering fees for Gresham, Smith & Partners (letter outlining the additional costs attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

A motion was made by Councilman Earl Dean, seconded by Councilman Boyd Wyatt, that $65,000 in additional funds be authorized above the appraisal amounts to settle the remaining tracts, that $56,150 be approved in additional engineering fees for Gresham, Smith & Partners, and a budget amendment be passed on first reading.  Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 3, No = 0, Abstain = 1).  Yes: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr., Councilman Earl Dean, Mayor Pro-Tem Danny R. Wyatt.  Abstain: Councilman George Marlow.  Absent: Mayor J. H. Graham, III.

 

 

            With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m.