From City of Townsend Commission Meeting Minutes, January 20th, 2009
Attending the meeting were Mayor Pat Jenkins; Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore; Police Chief Ron Suttles, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Recorder Shelia Moss, as well as several other community members. Commissioner David Wietlisbach was absent.
Public Hearing – Ordinance 237-08-1C, Free Standing Signs (First Reading)
Mayor Jenkins read the Ordinance in its entirety and then opened the floor for public comment. No public comments were given and Mayor Jenkins closed the public hearing. Mayor Jenkins mentioned that two months ago they had voted on the combined ordinance of height and bigger signs and it was turned down. He also stated that the Planning Commission divided it into two ordinances and sent both ordinances back to City Council. Vice Mayor Palewski mentioned that he thought Commissioner Wietlisbach was the one who brought the separation up because he was concerned about billboards. There was a brief discussion. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to vote on this ordinance and Vice Mayor Palewski seconded. There were two (2) nay votes by Mayor Jenkins and Commissioner Tippitt and two (2) yea votes by Vice Mayor Palewski and Commissioner Skidmore.
Public Hearing – Ordinance 238-08-1C, Wall Signs (First Reading)
Mayor Jenkins read the Ordinance in its entirety and then opened the floor for public comment. No public comments were given and Mayor Jenkins closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tippitt asked if this would be changed again when the Planning Commission revised the entire sign ordinance. Mayor Jenkins stated that it is hard for him to know what the Planning Commission for sure will address. He stated that his firm belief is that the main goal of signs is safety, to allow someone who doesn’t know where they are going to safely find the place they are trying to get to. He also stated that signs should be effective. Commissioner Skidmore stated that the drawings were added to the ordinance to prevent confusion. Mayor Jenkins stated that this ordinance will allow bigger signs and Commissioner Skidmore stated that it gives flexibility on where the signs can be placed. Vice Mayor Palewski mentioned that the Manager at Pizza Hut has said a lot of people don’t know he’s there. There was further discussion. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to vote on this ordinance. Commissioner Skidmore made a second and the ordinance passed on first read with four (4) yea votes.
Public Hearing – Ordinance 239-08-1C, Wine by the Drink (First Reading)
Mayor Jenkins read the Ordinance in its entirety and then opened the floor for public comment. Chief Stallions asked how much revenue this ordinance would generate. Mayor Jenkins stated that he had done the math and it would not be much. Commissioner Skidmore asked whether or not the ordinance passed businesses could still get their wine by the drink permit. Mayor Jenkins stated that a business could still get a permit. Mayor Jenkins stated that once this ordinance passed, it would be up to the City of Townsend to notify the wholesalers of this law. Commissioner Skidmore asked Recorder Moss to contact the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) and request a list of wholesalers permitted to distribute in Townsend. There was further discussion regarding this ordinance. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to vote on this ordinance. Vice Mayor Palewski made a second and this ordinance passed with four (4) yea votes.
Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes for the December 16, 2008 was made by Commissioner Tippitt and a second was made by Commissioner Skidmore. The December minutes passed with four (4) yea votes.
Finance Report
Shelia Moss informed the Commission that she had received a phone call from Janice Fillmore stating that the ABC was holding her up due to the fact that they did not have the certified election results. Recorder Moss informed the Commission that she had scanned and emailed a copy of the election results to the ABC. Recorder Moss then gave the financial report. Commissioner Skidmore stated that he has asked each month for a column to be added to the budget reports to reflect the original plan. Recorder Moss responded by stating that no revisions had been made at this time but that she would add the column to compare original against revised. Commissioner Skidmore also stated that he would like to see previous year columns filled in on the Monthly Summary Report. He also stated that we were running high on expenses. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve the financial report and Commissioner Tippitt seconded the motion. The financial report passed with four (4) yea votes.
Police Report
Chief Suttles reported that next week they would start in-service in Blount County. He stated that he and Officer Shearl would be attending the first week and that Officer Allen and Officer Rayburn would be split up and go at different times. Chief Suttles reported that he was really concerned with bank robberies. He also mentioned that there have been a lot of calls but they were nothing major. Vice Mayor Palewski asked about Officer Rayburn’s son. Chief Suttles reported that he is doing better than expected and that Officer Rayburn’s son does not have to go back to Vanderbilt anymore. Chief Suttles stated that vacation time from last year was being scheduled and taken to prevent losing the time. Recorder Moss asked to address her vacation time and was instructed to put her request in writing to the Mayor.
Maintenance
Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell had covered everything twice with salt last night. Chief Suttles reported that the last of the salt was used. Commissioner Tippitt asked if Glen could dig holes with the backhoe. Chief Suttles stated that he could as long as they don’t run into rock. Chief Suttles stated that dirt would be added to make a mound around each planted tree and then cover the mound with mulch.
Fire Department
Chief Stallions reported that they have had four good fires. He stated that the guys got on the last fire and saved the structure but they lost another. Chief Stallions read the Chief’s Annual Activity Report to the Commission. The report stated the following: 249 responses – 65 fires, 171 first response calls; over the past three years (05, 06, 07) there have been 8 structure fires each year, 23 this past year; 181 medical calls last year – 171 medical calls for 08; 2200 vehicle accidents, 108 arrests/illness; 32 other calls/accidents, 9 miscellaneous, 5375 hours donated. Chief Stallions stated that he really appreciated the Police for backing them up and the council. He also mentioned that the drawings for the new building were done. He reported that it was a two bay building with a meeting room and storage. There was a brief discussion regarding the new building. Vice Mayor Palewski requested that Chief Stallions bring the plans to the next meeting.
Recreation
Commissioner Skidmore stated that T-Ball registration would begin in mid-February. He reported that they were going to establish a 7/8-year old team in addition to the 5/6-year old team. Commissioner Skidmore stated that shirts and pants were purchased by the parents. There was a brief discussion regarding T-Ball. No action was taken.
Old Business
Entrance Beautification
Commissioner Tippitt asked how much money and what size plants the Commission wanted. There was a brief discussion about prices, quantity, and layout. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve $3,000 for trees and shrubs and Mayor Jenkins made a second. The motion passed with three (3) yea votes. Commissioner Skidmore abstained. Commissioner Skidmore stated that if we were going to spend money on trees we need to spend some money on paving. He also mentioned that originally the money that was being set back was for the streets. Commissioner Tippitt stated that Ruth Martin set up the money in the CD’s for the sidewalks. Commissioner Skidmore asked Chief Suttles if he had talked to Bill Dunlap about the culvert needing repair. There was a brief discussion about paving.
Miscellaneous
Vice Mayor Palewski stated that he had a quote from Bacon & Co. for the Great Smoky Mountain 75th Anniversary Banners. He reported that they are normally $115 but if we ordered twenty five to thirty they would be $77.75 each. Recorder Moss was requested to contact Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to see how they were handling purchasing banners. She was also requested to create a flyer as well as a letter for each business owner requesting a sponsorship of a banner. The sponsored banner would be given to the sponsor after they are taken down.
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