City Council Meeting for March 2009

From City of Townsend Commission Meeting Minutes, March 17, 2009

Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins; Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Shannon Skidmore, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Recorder Shelia Moss, Iva Butler, Don Headrick, Mary Ann Ashworth, Lorraine Palewski, Tim Byrd, Teresa Culp, Bud and Mary Grace McCaffery, Jackie Suttles, Travis Grant, Ernie & Judy Lancaster, as well as several other community members.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Assistant Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald said that it was a pleasure for him to be at our meeting to talk about the 75th anniversary of the park.  He stated that the park was established on June 15, 1934.  He mentioned the first event was a Proclamation event scheduled on April 24th at Clingmans Dome.  He stated that two Governors were planning to attend.  Assistant Superintendent Fitzgerald also reported that June 15th is the actual anniversary; June 13th is a celebration of the Natural Cultural History of Cades Cove and at 3:00 p.m. the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Senator Lamar Alexander would perform; June 14th would highlight CCC and would be held at the Park Headquarters at Sugarland; June 15th an event honoring Southern Appalachia and the Cherokee Heritage would be held in North Carolina; and the rededication would be held on Sept. 2nd at New Found Gap.  He also stated that parking passes would be issued for the June 13th event and carpooling would be a requirement.  Assistant Superintendent Fitzgerald also mentioned that 1940 was when Roosevelt dedicated the Park and that there were 10,000 people present.  He also stated that if President Obama attends that the White House will take control which would probably further limit the amount of people allowed to attend.  Mayor Jenkins told Assistant Superintend Fitzgerald that people are curious how much stimulus money the Park is getting.  Assistant Superintendent Fitzgerald responded by saying that they have a two hundred million dollar backlog in projects such as re-paving, roofs, siding, and striping.  He reported that the Government is still deciding who gets what and that it is safe to say some will be contracted out.

Public Hearing – Ordinance 240-08-1C, Rezoning (Blt Co Tax Map 96 Parcel 169) (First Reading)

Mayor Jenkins read the ordinance in its entirety.  He opened the floor for public comment at 7:20 p.m.  There being no comments from the public the public hearing was closed at 7:22 p.m.  Mayor Jenkins stated that this property has a house on it and that the house is for sale.  Mayor Jenkins mentioned that it is being advertised as commercial.  He also stated that the front half is what is being rezoned and that is where the house is located.  There was a brief discussion about non conforming use.  Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve.  Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the Ordinance passed on first reading with 5 yea votes.

Public Hearing – Ordinance 242-08-1C, Rezoning (Blt Co Tax Map 96 Parcel 167 & 168) (First Reading)

Commissioner Skidmore read the ordinance in its entirety.  Mayor Jenkins opened the floor for public comment at 7:25 p.m.  There being no comments from the public the public hearing was closed at 7:27 p.m.  Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to approve.  Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the Ordinance passed on first reading with 5 yea votes.

Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes for the Feb. 17, 2009 meeting was made by Commissioner Tippitt and a second was made by Commissioner Skidmore.  The Jan. minutes passed with four (4) yea votes.  Commissioner Wietlisbach had stepped out of the room.

Finance Report

Recorder Moss then gave a financial overview for the month of Feb. 2009.  Shelia Moss informed the Commission that it was time to start working on the budget for 2009-10.  There was a brief discussion about dates for the budget workshops.  The dates selected were Wed., March 28th and Wed., April 8th, both at 6 p.m.  Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the financial report.  Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes.

Police Report

Chief Suttles mentioned that all vacation was complete.  He stated that Mar. 16th was the deadline for the COPS grant, which was just a four week time frame.  He reported that it was a three year grant and the City would have to fund the fourth year.  Commissioner Tippitt asked if the East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) will have this grant and Chief Suttles responded by stating that these grants are all online.  Chief Suttles reported that he and the Fire Department have a meeting next week with the Chamber for Old Timers Day.  Vice Mayor Palewski asked if traffic has picked up and Chief Suttles responded by saying yes and that he plans on a good year.

Maintenance

Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell got all the trees planted on the lower end.  He mentioned that they had talked with Commissioner Tippitt and that they will mulch around the trees.  He reported that left over tree shrubs would be planted on the property line on the City’s property.  Chief Suttles reported that the bucket truck is history and not worth spending the money on repairing the 1965 model bucket system.  Chief Suttles stated that with the flags and lights that we would need something.  He reported that A&E Equipment had a 35 foot Ford for $12,500, a 2002 39 foot for $19,500, a 1999 for $16,500 and Clay Davis has one for $7,500.  Mayor Jenkins asked if it had to be four wheel drive.  Chief Suttles responded by saying that it did not but having stabilizers was the main thing.  Commissioner Skidmore asked how long it took Sevier County to put up the Christmas lights and Chief Suttles responded by saying two days.  Don Headrick stated that before we throw in the towel why the Council doesn’t call Sevier County Electric.  Mayor Jenkins replied by saying he would contact Sevier County Electric.  There was further discussion about a bucket truck but no action was taken.  Chief Suttles also reported that he had talked to Bill Dunlap last week and he said that the City needs to purchase the tile.  There was a brief discussion about the tile but no action was taken.  Vice Mayor Palewski asked about compensation for the use of the Joel Brown’s Auger and Glen McCampbell’s Bobcat.  Commissioner Skidmore made a motion for $200 each.  Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes.

Recreation

Commissioner Skidmore stated that their first practice was at 5:00 p.m. today and that eleven children were registered.

Library

Commissioner Tippitt gave the Library report.  He also stated that if there is a book you would like to read that the Library does not have, request a copy through Mary.  Commissioner Tippitt mentioned that forms for the Annual Golf Tournament, which will be on Apr. 24th at Laurel Valley, are available at the Library.

Old Business

Entrance Beautification

Commissioner Tippitt reported that all the work was finished.  He mentioned that they did not allow for spacing at the driveways which left some over.  He reported that the left over trees and shrubs would be planted on the City’s Property.  He also mentioned that the Church asked to continue on their property to the wall.  No action was taken.

Banners

Vice Mayor Palewski reported that 35 banners were ordered.  Vice Mayor mentioned there were several people who asked about sponsoring after the first order was made.  There was some discussion about ordering additional banners and brackets.  Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to order 10 more brackets.  Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes and 1 nay vote from Commissioner Skidmore.  A motion to purchase additional banners was also made by Vice Mayor Palewski.  Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes.

New Business

Bike Trail Lighting Power Junction Box

Mayor Jenkins stated that the cost to relocate this box per the request of Mr. Pete Maples was in question.  He also mentioned that the wiring for the Bike Trail Lighting was damaged during construction.  There was a brief discussion regarding the damage to the bike trail lighting line.  Vice Mayor Palewski reported that it would cost about $4,000 to relocate the Junction Box.  He also mentioned that if Sevier County moves the power pole, somehow they are responsible to get power back to the lights.  Mayor Jenkins mentioned that Mr. Maples was under the opinion that he thought that Commissioner Skidmore suggested that we would pay for it when he was Mayor and Commissioner Skidmore stated that he did not remember that at all.  Commissioner Skidmore stated that he did not say that the City would pay for moving the box but that there would not be a problem if he wanted to move it.  Commissioner Skidmore also mentioned that he did not recall the conversation.  There was a brief discussion about requirements and permits to work on the Right of Way.  No action was taken.

First Read and Motion for a Public Hearing – Ordinance 241-09-1C (rezoning, newly annexed property)

Mayor Jenkins reported that this ordinance was to rezone the property that was taken into the City by Annexation effective Jan. 5, 2009.  Mayor Jenkins read the ordinance in its entirety.  Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve and Commissioner Skidmore seconded.  The motion passed with 5 yea votes.  Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to call for a Public Hearing.  Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 5 yea votes.

Little River Protection

Mayor Jenkins reported that he spent five years on the Board of Directors of the Little River Watershed and is a firm believer in protecting the river.  He also reported that a couple had requested to address the Commission and then he opened the floor to Mr. Bud and Mary Grace McCaffery.  Mr. McCaffery gave a handout to each Commissioner which had an overview of what has been happening behind their property over the past two years.  He also showed pictures to the Commission.  Mr. McCaffery mentioned that he wanted to be able to contact the Police and have the people cited for trespassing.  He reported that the State needs pictures and/or Police reports with the names of the people involved for them to move forward.  Mr. McCaffery stated that the damming of the river creates a kill zone because the fish can’t get out. Mayor Jenkins asked to clarify that he is not talking about kids on vacation.  Mr. McCaffery replied by saying no that he is talking about when five or six guys in the river who start moving rocks or damming.  Mr. McCaffery stated that he has had ongoing conversations with Jonathan Burr at Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and is working with Little River Watershed Association and volunteers to tear down the damming.