Minutes from January 16, 2007

Mayor Burgess called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: David Terry, Anne Peppers and Angela Porter. Also present were City Attorney, Joe Reitman, City Manager Doug White and City Clerk Susan Roper.

Mayor Burgess led the pledge of allegiance.

Anthony Baldoni made a presentation to Mayor and Council asking for a commitment for land to build a skate park in memory of his son Robbie who died in December from a brain aneurism. Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve the request to allocate land and to work with the Skate park Committee. All were in favor.

Crenan Mills, Chairman of the Tree Board presented Mayor and Council with a survey of the trees in the downtown area. He reported that the Tree Board conducted the survey during the Friendship Festival in October. He also reported that the Tree Board would be planning a tree at the Fire House for Arbor Day.

City Manager Doug White presented awards to Shannon Patterson and Ashley Hilsmen for their work on the Secret Santa Program.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve a loading zone for 3 parking spaces on Sycamore Street next to GKM Furniture. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve a $500 donation to the Explorers for their trip to Gatlinburg, TN. All were in favor.

Council Member Porter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve the minutes for December 2006. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to approve the Financial Statements for December 2006 as presented. All were in favor.

The CPS Partners plat approval request was discussed. Attorney Reitman clarified that this was a major subdivision since the lots would not front on an existing road. He advised the Council that therefore this was at the sketch plat stage, not the preliminary plat stage. Steve Shelton, Assistant Public Safety Director, reported to the Mayor and Council that allowing these four houses to be built without City water could negatively affect the City’s ISO rating. This could have an impact on residents City wide. Mr. R. J. Wood, City Engineer, recommended against allowing these four lots to have well systems instead of City water. Attorney Reitman also noted that several requirements had not been met, referencing the Subdivision Regulations. He noted certain sketch plat requirements at pages 3-4 and 3-5 of the Subdivision Regulations had not been complied with including: #8, indicating zoning of adjacent properties, #9, showing any changes to be made affecting soil erosion and sedimentation, and #10, information relating to surface water runoff as it affects storm water drainage and impact on adjacent areas. Attorney Reitman also noted that he had provided to the Council and to the developer’s attorney excerpts of the Subdivision Regulations dealing with fire safety. He handed a copy of that excerpt to the applicant’s court reporter to be made part of the record.

Attorney Reitman then advised that in discussions with the applicant’s attorney, the applicant’s attorney had proposed an idea as a possible solution. Attorney Rosenthal then addressed the Council, asking them to think about de-annexation. Mayor Burgess and Attorney Rosenthal agreed this was worthy of discussion, and that the matter should be tabled for further consideration. The matter was therefore tabled, without objection.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the opening of a checking account for Public Safety – Confiscations Pending. All were in favor.

Council Member Porter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve a Beer & Wine Pouring License renewal for Sycamore Street Grill. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to appoint Angela Porter as Vice Mayor. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to appoint John Anchors to the Downtown Development Authority for a 3 year term and to re-appoint Hal Dally, Carole Taylor, Debbie Smith, Diane Hunt, Rip Malcom and Grady Lemonds for a 3 year term. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to re-appoint Diane Hunt, Carole Taylor and Alicia Bailey to the Historic Preservation Commission for a 2 year term. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to re-appoint Nancy Posner, Jim Retter and Morgan Hollis to the Tree Board for a 3 year term. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to appoint Scott Gaither to the Planning & Zoning Board to fill the unexpired term for Thelma Anderson. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve an increase in Mayor and Council Retirement to $38 to bring in line with other cities. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to authorize $30,000 in engineering fees to R. J. Wood for the Anti-Degredation Report, Environmental Examination Document and Design to Build for our new plant. All were in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.