City Council Meeting for April 2009
From City of Townsend Commission Meeting Minutes, April 21, 2009
Attending the meeting was Mayor Pat Jenkins, Vice Mayor Ron Palewski, Commissioner Charles Tippitt, Commissioner David Wietlisbach, Recorder Shelia Moss, Police Chief Ron Suttles, Officer Tony Rayburn, Fire Chief Don Stallions, Gail Shuler, Mary Ann Ashworth, Tim Byrd, Teresa Culp, Jackie Suttles, as well as several other community members. Commissioner Skidmore was absent.
Called Beer Board Meeting
Vice Mayor Palewski opened the Beer Board meeting at 7:04 p.m. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to waive the non refundable $250 application fee for Carriage House Restaurant due to the fact that they had a beer permit through Blount County prior to the annexation. Mayor Jenkins seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to grant a beer permit to Carriage House Restaurant. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Regular Commission Meeting
Public Hearing & Second Reading – Ordinance 241-08-1C, Rezoning Newly Annexed Property
Mayor Jenkins gave an overview of this ordinance and opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Jenkins closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Mayor Jenkins read the heading of the ordinance aloud. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve this ordinance and Commissioner Tippitt seconded. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Minutes
Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve the Mar. 17, 2009 minutes. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the Apr. 8, 2009 minutes. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve the Apr. 13, 2009 minutes. Vice Mayor Palewski seconded and the votes was 2 yea and 2 abstained. Mayor Jenkins abstained and apologized for not attending the Apr. 13th meeting. Commissioner Wietlisbach also abstained due to being absent from the meeting.
Finance Report
Recorder Shelia Moss gave the finance report for the month of March. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the finance report. Commissioner Tippitt seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes. Recorder Moss informed the Commission that we needed to approve the audit contract with Ingram, Overholt & Bean. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve the audit contract. Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded and the motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Police Report
Chief Suttles reported that the three to six million dollar lawsuit was dropped and no money was paid to anyone. He also reported that he would be donating Life Preserver Throw Rings to each of the campgrounds, the fire department, and putting one in each cruiser. Chief Suttles mentioned that purchasing the Life Preserver Throw Rings was a good way to use the drug fund. He also reported that he also purchased three digital cameras to use for grant applications. Mayor Jenkins asked about the wreck on Sunday. Chief Suttles describe the wreck and also mentioned that traffic backed up for miles. Vice Mayor Palewski asked if the Police Department was covered for next weekend and Chief Suttles responded by saying yes. Vice Mayor Palewski also asked about grants. Officer Rayburn reported that Mr. Doug Hancock had a previous engagement and could not attend. Officer Rayburn gave an overview of the available grants through the Governors Highway Safety Office (GHSO) that he and Mr. Hancock were looking at for the Townsend Police Department. Mayor Jenkins asked who at the State approves a grant and Officer Rayburn responded by saying the Commissioner of Safety at the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
Maintenance
Chief Suttles reported that Glen McCampbell started putting up the banners. He also reported that more fill dirt was coming and that we might need to do 20-30 feet of 36-ft tile at a time instead of the full 100-feet all at once. Chief Suttles informed the Commission that the new bucket truck was not moved until tags and insurance was obtained. There was a brief discussion regarding the old and new bucket truck.
Fire
Chief Don Stallions reported that they had been busy especially this weekend. He mentioned that they had to cut doors on an automobile that had been involved in a wreck and also had a prescribed burn in Wears Valley.
Recreation
There was no report but there was some discussion about T-Ball.
Ordinance 240-08-1C, Rezoning (Blt Co Tax Map 96 Parcel 169) (Second Reading)
Mayor Jenkins read the heading of this ordinance aloud. Vice Mayor Palewski made a motion to approve and Commissioner Wietlisbach seconded. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Ordinance 242-08-1C, Rezoning (Blt Co Tax Map 96 Parcel 167 & 168) (Second Reading)
Mayor Jenkins read the heading of this ordinance aloud. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve and Commissioner Tippitt seconded. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.
Townsend River Walk Landscaping Grant
Recorder Shelia Moss informed the Commission that the contract was sent back due to the fact that the City Attorney had to sign it. She informed them that she sent it to the Attorney for his signature and that he would send it on to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Recorder Moss reported that Elaine Russell had contacted her requesting a brown sign for the River Walk due to the fact that it is not very visible. She also reported that Mrs. Russell had contacted the State and was instructed that she would have to contact the City to obtain this sign. Mayor Jenkins asked for the name and number of the person at the State who referred Mrs. Russell to the City. There was a brief discussion about the sign request. No action was taken.
Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) Proclamation
Mayor Jenkins read aloud the 60-year anniversary proclamation. Commissioner Tippitt made a motion to approve and Vice Mayor seconded. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.
New Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Relative to participation in the TML Risk Management Pool
Mayor Jenkins read aloud Resolution 233-09-1C. Commissioner Wietlisbach made a motion to approve and Commissioner Tippitt seconded. The motion passed with 4 yea votes.
