The City Council for the City of Crossville met in special session on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Crossville City Hall.

 

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 Curtis Adams, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Andy Vaughn, Jerry Kerley, Steve Powell, Tim Begley, Ted Meadows, David Beaty, Billy Loggins, Billy Martin, Jim Young, Jerry Garrison, Scott Christian, Mike Turner, Steve Hill, Joe Miller, Darrell Sherrill, Fred Houston, George Marlow, Darlene Barnwell, Robin Miles, Chris South, Allen Baker, Clark Annis, and Valerie Hale.

 

 

            Mayor J. H. Graham, III was present and presiding.  He called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

 

 

ITEM #1 – APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING OF FOURTH STREET FROM EVELYN AVE. TO SCHOOL ST. ON JUNE 26 FOR BREAD OF LIFE BLOCK PARTY

 

            A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Wyatt, that the temporary street closing for the Bread of Life Block Party 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.

 

 

ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #2 WITH SOUTHERN CONSTRUCTORS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,096 FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT

 

            Change Order #2 was presented for approval to delete the concrete influent channel structure on the west side of the existing aeration basins and replace it with a stainless steel tank that includes the weir gates built into the tank.  This change was necessary due to underground piping that interferes with the location of the originally designed concrete columns that were designed to support the channels.  Clark Annis recommended approval.

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Duer, seconded by Councilman Dean, that Change Order #2 with Southern Constructors in the amount of $18,096 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.

 

 

ITEM #3 – 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY09/10 BUDGET FOR OVERAGE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Duer, that the ordinance amending the FY09/10 budget for overage in various departments be passed on second 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 #4 – 3RD READING OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR FY10/11

 

            Steve Powell from Maintenance requested that the bio-diesel mower for $24,000 be put back in the budget now that they are ready to produce bio-diesel.  Council agreed to add it back into the budget.  It was noted that the $18,000 for bio-diesel equipment was purchased in the current budget and will be removed from the capital list for next fiscal year.  Mayor Graham discussed a loan of $5,000,000 from the TML Bond Fund that can be used as a line of credit.  Projects to be included would be:

§         $1,300,000 – 127S utility relocations

§         $1,040,000 – Dooley Street sewer line

§         $1,700,000 – Raw water pump house at Holiday Lake,

§         $   450,000 – Equipment for Water Resources

§         $1,000,000 – Capital equipment in General Fund

Fred Houston stated that there was about $6,000,000 currently in cash in the General Fund.  To meet requirements of TDOT, $1,300,000 has already been moved to an LGIP account for the 127S utility relocation project.  This amount would be replaced from the proposed bond funds.  Steve Hill stated that he really needs the proposed aerator for the soccer fields. 

 

$1,700,000 raw water pump house and filters at Holiday Hills – Jerry Kerley reviewed the request and the need.  He stated that the work could be done within one year or spread over two years, but needed to be done.  The work does have to be spread out in order to keep the plant running. 

 

Meadow Park Lake dam – Scott Christian discussed a recent meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on the Meadow Park Lake dam project.  The Corps has $323,000 remaining on the project and have a request in for $211,000 for this project.  They will continue to find ways to have adequate money to complete environmental studies, perhaps with the utilization of studies already available (Tasks 1-4).  Task 5 would be for the construction of a 20’ lake level increase and is estimated at $12,000,000.  This would provide adequate storage for a year of no rainfall.

 

            Rural Development will not fund any project that dams up a blue-line stream, consequently, they can only participate in the dam repair portion of the project.  The only money available for the new construction is 20-year money.  Mayor Graham asked for approval to place $250,000 in the budget to complete the Environmental Impact Study and look for a federal appropriation to complete the project at a 75/25% funding.  Under this scenario, the purchase of land would count toward the City’s match. 

 

            TDEC-Safe Dams is requiring that the maintenance repairs get started without waiting for the expansion.  The cost for the repairs is estimated at $5,000,000.  Rural Development can participate in the maintenance, but not the expansion.  Mayor Graham asked for permission to put $5,000,000 in the budget for repair of the dam in hopes of getting a 25% grant/75% loan from Rural Development.  He also pointed out that the agreement with the Lake Tansi POA allows us to draw down their lake from December 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011; however, there is a provision in the contract for additional time under certain conditions.

 

            Councilman Kerley stated his desire to be able to combine the two projects and save, potentially, $5,000,000.  However, due to funding problems with Rural Development and the requirements of Safe Dams, that scenario doesn’t seem to be available.

 

            A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Duer, that permission be granted to put $200,000 in the budget for the 25% participation with the Army Corps of Engineers and seek $5,000,000 for repair of the dam in hopes of getting a 25% grant/75% loan from Rural Development.  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.

 

Sewer grinder pumps and pressure lines – To fund the $200,000 for the Meadow Park project, it was agreed that the $170,000 in the budget to move the grinder pump and pressure lines under Veolia’s management not be done this coming year.  Under that proposal, the current employees were to remain as City employees but moved to other department so there was an additional cost to pay Veolia.

 

Catoosa – Councilman Wyatt asked if their capital requests could be reduced.  Following information from Jerry Garrison, it was determined that the two trucks totaling $129,000 be removed from the proposed budget.  However, Council will replace them through a budget amendment if they break down during the year.

 

Street paving – Joe Miller reviewed his paving priorities under a $500,000 budget.  Councilman Wyatt asked that approximately 1,000’ of Bob White from Holiday Dr. toward Deerfield be put back in and the paving budget increased to $600,000.

 

Sidewalks – Councilman Kerley asked about the plans.  The State grant for $100,000 was received for “Safe Routes to Schools”.  This is in the budget.

 

Councilman Wyatt pointed out that $85,000 is in the budget for the actuator valves for the Holiday Hills spillway.  Jerry Kerley stated that the amount could be reduced by $30,000.

 

Marketing and Public Relations – Billy Loggins discussed the sign proposed for the soccer complex.  He will work on a joint project with Paul Gaw.  Mr. Loggins suggested that the Women’s Pro-Am could be reduced to $5,000.  He also suggested cutting the caboose funding; however, it could go back in if the grant is approved.  The downtown Crossville map can be removed as it has already been completed.  He also recommending cutting the bio-diesel funding to $4,000.

 

Downtown project – The plans were briefly reviewed.  The proposed cost to do the work requested by the County for the amphitheater was presented.  It was decided that the City would consider the request once it was know what the County would be contributing to the project.

 

 

(At 5:25 p.m. the meeting was recessed until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2010.)  The meeting was reconvened at 3:05 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2010.)

 

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 Curtis Adams, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Andy Vaughn, Tim Begley, Fred Houston, Jerry Garrison, Darrell Sherrill, Ted Meadows, Steve Hill, Billy Martin, Steve Powell, Chris South, Mike Turner, Joe Miller, Heather Mullinix, and Clark Annis.

 

            Finance Director Fred Houston explained the changes that were made based on the earlier meeting and updated information.  Under the proposal, the General Fund will have a fund balance of approximately $6,000,000.  Included in the new budget is a bonus, in lieu of a raise, for each employee in the amount of $50/year of service, with a minimum of $150.  The cost for the bonus totals $118,583.  Councilman Wyatt suggested that it be a flat amount per employee.  Councilman Kerley stated he had some numbers pulled on a 2% or 3% increase.  He suggested a $900 raise per employee for $144,000 or $211,000, including benefits.  The cost with a $600 cap would be $148,500 with benefits.  Councilman Dean stated his preference for a percentage raise with a cap of $600.  Councilman Wyatt questioned the legality of Councilman Kerley voting on wage increases due to a number of family members that are employees.  City Attorney Chadwell said that he did not have a problem with him participating in the discussion, but would advise he abstain on the vote.

 

            Police – Councilman Wyatt asked about a note indicating there would be one new employee.  It was confirmed that there will be a replacement employee, but no new employees.

 

            Stormwater – Councilman Wyatt questioned what was included in the $54,500 requested in operations.  Tim Begley stated that $15,000 is for outsourcing the stream sampling, $20,000 for automatic water samplers and velocity meters, $10,000 in quarterly training for contractors and students, and the remaining for miscellaneous equipment.

 

            Mayor Graham reminded Council of the agreements reached on obtaining a $5,000,000 line of credit through the TML Bond Fund and applying for a grant/loan through Rural Development for the Meadow Park Lake dam maintenance project.

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Duer, seconded by Mayor Graham, that employees be given a one-time bonus of $50 per year of service with a minimum of $150.  Vote: Motion failed carried (corrected 7/13/10) (summary: Yes = 2, No = 1, Pass = 1, Abstain = 1).  Yes: Councilman Carl Duer, Mayor J. H. Graham, III.  No: Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr.  Abstain: Councilman Jesse Kerley.  Pass: Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean.

 

            Councilman Kerley suggested that all those on health insurance and eligible for a Medicare supplement be required to do so.  He believes this would be a savings to the City and to the employees on their premiums.  Since the matter was not on the agenda, he asked that the matter be put on the next agenda and Tonya be invited to explain the potential savings. 

 

            A motion was made by Mayor Graham, seconded by Councilman Duer, that the ordinance adopting a budget for FY10/11 (without any employee raises) be adopted on third and final reading.  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.

 

 

ITEM #5 – 3RD READING OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING A TAX RATE FOR FY10/11

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Duer, that the ordinance adopting a tax rate for FY10/11 be adopted on third and final 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.

 

 

            With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2010.