City Council discusses purchase and agreement

From City of Townsend Commission Meeting Minutes, April 8, 2009

Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins; Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Recorder Shelia Moss, Iva Butler, Fire Chief Don Stallions, and Don Headrick.  Commissioner Skidmore was absent.

There was a brief discussion about the 75th Great Smoky Mountains National Park Anniversary Banner hanging on the wall.

Bucket Truck Purchase

Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to purchase the bucket truck.  Mayor Jenkins asked how much the truck cost and Vice Mayor Palewski responded by saying $7,500.  Mayor Jenkins stated that the Commission had looked at the truck after the budget workshop on March 26th, 2009.  Iva Butler, from The Daily Times, asked what kind of truck it was and Mayor Jenkins responded by saying a Chevrolet.  Vice Mayor Palewski stated that it works and runs and is easier to maintain.  Mayor Jenkins stated that it is a replacement for an existing piece of equipment.  Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded the motion on the floor and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.

Signed Agreement with Nelson Biddle

Mayor Jenkins informed the Commission that we had received an invoice from a man named Nelson Biddle.  He also reported that Mr. Biddle was hired by one of the previous Commissions to represent the City at the State regarding Liquor by the Drink and Liquor by the Drink Wine Only referendums because we were under the size City and couldn’t do it on our own.  Vice Mayor Palewski mentioned that Liquor by the Drink came up in 2006 and Mayor Jenkins stated that the date on the agreement was 2006.  Mayor Jenkins stated the first time was Liquor by the Drink which failed and then Liquor by the Drink – Wine Only was put on the ballot and passed.  He also reported that the agreement was that after a successful vote, the City would start paying Mr. Biddle some money.  Mayor Jenkins read the reimbursement portion of the agreement to the Commission and informed them that there was not a time table in the agreement.  There was a brief discussion regarding this agreement.  Mayor Jenkins stated that this agreement should have been terminated after the Liquor by the Drink referendum failed.  He also stated that if you calculate how long it will take us to pay him $25,000 off the Liquor by the Drink revenues, it will take approximately 50 years.  He also mentioned that we will terminate any further activity in writing.  There was further discussion about this agreement.  No action was taken.

Mayor Jenkins handed out copies of the Proclamation he plans to take to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Event scheduled for April 24, 2009 to each Commissioner for them to review. A motion to approve this Proclamation was made by Commissioner Tippitt and a second was made by Vice Mayor Palewski. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.