Minutes August 2004

OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF EAGLEVILLE , TENNESSEE

August 24, 2004

The City Council of the Town of Eagleville, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on August 24, 2004 , in Eagleville City Hall with Mayor Nolan S. Barham, Sr., presiding.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT

Mayor Nolan S. Barham, Sr. Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill

Councilman Terry Zumbro Councilman Harold Vincion

Councilman M. A. Smitty Councilwoman Debbie Ryan

Councilman David Rigsby (Absent)

STAFF

Everett Stone, Police Chief Joe Jackson, Fire Chief

Sherry Marsalis, City Recorder Michelle Bennett, Exec. Assistant

Alan Farley, Grant Facilitator

GUESTS

Janie Zumbro Carolyn Barham

Ken Franks Jeff Mooneyham

James Evans, Rutherford A.M. John Edward Turner

INVOCATION

Councilman Terry Zumbro delivered the Invocation.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilwoman Debbie Ryan led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

MAYOR'S WELCOME

Mayor Barham welcomed everyone to the City Council meeting.

CITIZEN’S INPUT

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Recommended changes were made to the minutes of the previous meeting and the minutes were approved as read by unanimous vote of the Council.

ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO AGENDA

Salary for Alan Farley’s Contract and appointments for Planning Commission.

OLD BUSINESS

Alan Farley Grant Report

Mr. Farley discussed with the Council his findings regarding environmental clearances needed on the Poe property. He explained that basically any work done on the property prior to the grant would not be included in the Town’s match, but Eagleville was free to move forward.

Mr. Farley also updated the Council regarding additional money for the park. Congress will resume session after Labor Day, and they will be working on the funding levels of the T21 Bill at that time. He stated that Eagleville is on the low amount, so things look good on that.

He also notified the Council that the Fire Department did not receive the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The State explained that they felt Eagleville had everything it needed for its size.

Park Report Update – Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill

Mayor Barham told the Council that Councilman Harold Vincion saved Eagleville over $1,800 on the archeological study. Councilman Harold Vincion contacted the Mayor about hiring Don Merritt because he could do the study right away and possibly save the Town some money. After a few days Mr. Merritt notified the Mayor that the study was completed, presenting three (3) final typed copies to the Town, two of which were sent to the Tennessee Historical Commission. The findings indicated that there was nothing to keep the Park from proceeding as planned.

Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill told the Council that Jeff Mooneyham staked off the fields at no cost. The objective was to get as many fields as possible that would fit on the land already owned by the Town. After it was staked off, it was determined three regulation size fields would fit easily. Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill and Alan Farley discussed if Eagleville was locked into the layout of the park that was presented to the Council and submitted with the grant. Mr. Farley explained that they were not; it was just a concept.

NEW BUSINESS

Salary for Alan Farley’s Contract

Mayor Barham recommended renewing Alan’s contract for a year by amending the current budget for $10,800.00. Councilman Terry Zumbro made the motion, and Councilman Harold Vincion seconded. Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill voiced concerns about the hours spent balancing the budget by cutting Alan’s salary. Mayor Barham told the Council that the City had a $16,000.00 carry over that was not part of the budget. Councilman M. A. Smitty asked Mr. Farley if the City renewed his contract for six (6) months, would he continue to work for our City. Mr. Farley’s reply was that from a business standpoint, he preferred one year. After much discussion a roll call vote was administered by Sherry Marsalis and passed, 3-2; Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill and Councilman M. A. Smitty voting no.

Appointments for Planning Commission

Mayor Barham recommended and asked for a motion to appoint Councilman Harold Vincion for another three-year term representing the Council on the Planning Commission. Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill made the motion and Councilman Terry Zumbro seconded. A roll call vote was administered by Sherry Marsalis and answered with a unanimous “Yes” from the Council, 5-0.

By State Law the Mayor appoints the other members on the Planning Commission. Mayor Barham appointed Robert Turner to a three-year term.

Chief Stone’s Recommendation: Hiring new police officer

Chief Stone informed the Council it was time again to vote on Sergeant Charles Holt’s leave of absence. Chief Stone was asked by Councilman M. A. Smitty what his recommendation was. He replied by saying that Sergeant Holt is a good police officer, and the City has invested several thousands of dollars in him to be trained. Chief Stone said that Sergeant Holt is probably one of the better trained officers in Tennessee for our size department. Chief Stone is not sure of Sergeant Holt’s intentions when he does come back.

Chief Stone said there was no way that he can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He stated that he knows there are concerned citizens wanting to know when he is not working, who is working. He assures the residents that Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department has multiple officers in Eagleville everyday, 24 hours a day. So, there is always someone in the area and most of the elderly residents have Chief Stone’s cell phone number to contact him directly.

Possible suggestions would be for the City to look at starting the process of the Cops Fast Grant to fund another officer, or make arrangements to start taking applications for a part-time officer to work through the part-time stage of training and the academy before going to full-time status and full-time pay.

Chief Stone made the recommendation to either renew Sergeant Holt’s leave of absence and hire him back when he comes home in November, or terminate Sergeant Holt’s leave of absence and start making preparations to hiring someone else to replace him. Harold Vincion made the motion to extend his leave of absence for 90 days and Councilman Terry Zumbro seconded. A roll call vote was administered by Sherry Marsalis and answered with a unanimous “Yes” from the Council, 5-0.

Councilman Harold Vincion asked Chief Stone why the street light was blinking after 9:00 p.m. every night. Chief Stone replied that it was requested by a couple of councilman to have it changed. Councilman M. A. Smitty told Councilman Vincion that he had received 10 or 11 calls regarding the street light when he was first elected. So, he talked to the Mayor and the Chief about it, and asked about getting a different rotation on the light. He stated that he would not have done this if he had known it was going to cost $1,200.00. Chief Stone stated that S&W Contracting had to redo the whole program and build a new board. Councilman Vincion stated that he has had about 50 calls saying that they don’t like it, because it has opened up a speed zone through town. There was much discussion and it was decided to leave the light as is so there would be no additional costs.

POLICE BOARD REPORT

No further report.

FIRE BOARD REPORT

Chief Joe Jackson recapped what Mr. Farley had stated about not receiving the Fire Department Grant.

Chief Jackson informed the Council that all the firefighters will be attending one or all of the training classes in September, October and November, for which the Department received funds.

Chief Jackson stated that the bottom half of the engine in truck 4504, the brush truck, is out. He has had three businesses send him prices of engines, and had a mechanic bid on the cost to do the work. The lowest total bid for the engine and installation is $8,200.00, but $2,700 of that is the core charge. So, the total amount would be about $5,500.00. Vice-Mayor Ronnie Hill wanted to look into buying a newer truck with fewer miles before deciding to vote on repairing the brush truck. It was decided to re-visit this at the September City Council Meeting.

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councilwoman Debbie Ryan asked if there had ever been a consideration to have the Council meetings on Thursday nights. Mayor Barham stated that the Charter states to have it on the fourth Tuesday of the month. But he is going to be making a recommendation, following our attorney’s suggestions, on a small group to study the Charter and bring recommendations and changes before the Council. Mayor Barham asked all the Council to write down any ideas so that this new committee can look at everything and bring recommendations before the Council. Councilman M. A. Smitty asked Mayor Barham when he was looking at forming the committee. Mayor Barham answered that it would be sometime within the next six (6) weeks. Councilman M. A. Smitty, for the record, asked to be appointed to that committee. Mayor Barham told Councilman Smitty that his request was so noted.

Councilman M. A. Smitty wanted to state that he had looked at Ed Wettig’s rates and they were comparable and better than anyone else’s.

Councilman Smitty also questioned the payment made to Henry and Al’s last month. He asked how many months the amount was for. Sherry Marsalis stated that was for three (3) or four (4) months of refreshments for meetings, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, and other incidentals/necessities.

Councilman Smitty asked about line item 8542 on the Financial Statement, the transfer for Street Aid. Sherry Marsalis explained it was a check that the State sends the City that has to be run through General Funds and then transferred into the Street Aid account.

Councilman Harold Vincion asked why the City paid the library about $1,500 more last year than in previous years. Mayor Barham stated that it was an advance on the next quarter and then it was caught back up that next quarter.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Councilwoman Debbie Ryan!!

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to discuss, Councilman M. A. Smitty made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Terry Zumbro seconded the motion. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

______________________

Dr. Nolan S. Barham, Sr., Michelle Bennett

Mayor Executive Assistant