City Council Meeting, Sept 24, 2009

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE TOWN OF EAGLEVILLE, TENNESSEE
September 24, 2009 7:03 PM

The Mayor and City Council members met in a regular session in the Eagleville Community Center, City of Eagleville, Rutherford County, Tennessee on September 24, 2009 at 7:03 pm with Mayor Sam Tune presiding.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT

Mayor Sam Tune Councilwoman Donna Jensen

Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill Councilman Alan Ball

Councilman Wes Fitzgerald Councilman David Rigsby

Absent: Councilman Darin Rowell

STAFF

Colleen Adams, City Recorder Linda Dansby, Codes Administrator

GUESTS

Debbie Ryan David Turner

Ginger Martin David Martin

Andy Soapes John Turner

Cheyenne McFadden Scott Bozeman

Melissa Buchannan

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by Mayor Tune.

INVOCATION

Led by EHS JROTC student Scott Bozeman.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Led by EHS JROTC student Cheyenne McFadden.

MAYORS WELCOME

Mayor Tune welcomed all in attendance to the meeting. He then introduced Ms. McFadden and Mr. Bozeman, and explained he had invited them to attend the meeting and lead the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Bozeman then addressed the Mayor and Council and thanked them for inviting them to participate in the meeting and that they had 2 new instructors this year in JROTC and they were looking forward to a great year.

Mayor Tune read aloud the Announcements handed out at the meeting and stated the City Recorder, Colleen Adams, had worked hard to get exit signs at I-24 and at 840 leading to Eagleville. All in attendance applauded Ms. Adams. Mayor Tune also commended Ms. Adams on keeping up the City website and stated many State people and State Officials had commented on it, as well as congratulating her on achieving enough hours to get her City Recorder Certification.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

A motion was made by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald to accept the agenda as written and was seconded by Councilwoman Donna Jensen. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill made a motion to accept the August 2009 Financial Report as presented and was seconded by Councilman David Rigsby. A question was raised regarding the bank analysis fees on the bank statements, and City Recorder Colleen Adams explained she had spoken to representatives at the bank and the charges were in error and were being reversed. Councilman Alan Ball stated he had performed the Financial Review and the records looked fine, but wanted to discuss a $500.00 check written on the Fire Department account for trick-or-treat bags and “give-a-ways” for students at Eagleville School for Fire Safety month and feels all purchases should be OK’d by the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Tune stated the items were in the budget, and feels there should be a level of trust and they should let people make some judgments for purchases. Mayor Tune also stated that after tonight Boards will be in place to address some of these items. Fire Chief David Martin stated that October is Fire Safety Month, and every year it is budgeted to purchase items to give to Eagleville Elementary students who come to the Fire Hall or when the Department visits the school during the month, and that the bags contain books and other items to promote fire safety for the children and their parents. Chief Martin also stated that Engine 4501 is out of service and the costs will be $1,500.00 or more and wanted the Council to know, although he is approved to spend up to $5,000.00 before he is required to come to the Council. Councilwoman Jensen stated the Council should set policies, and was told by Mayor Tune that there are policies in place that need to be used. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Jensen voting “no”.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald to approve the August 2009 minutes as mailed. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill and after a roll call vote by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

PARK REPORT

Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill stated all was going well with the park, and that they were working on getting the sign up. He further stated Debbie Ryan had submitted a few design ideas for the sign and that the wiring had been done.

FIRE REPORT
Fire Board

Fire Chief David Martin stated there were not many calls the past month. He further stated that the department had performed tests and had to replace 500 feet of hose. Chief Martin also stated that he had invited Mr. Keith Lockmiller to attend the meeting and answer any questions the Mayor and Council would have regarding the change of the Fire Department insurance from TML to ESIP.

Mr. Lockmiller presented to the Mayor and Council a proposal for Fire Department coverage and explained they also provide coverage for municipalities. After a discussion regarding coverage comparison, rate comparison, and policies, it was determined that Mr. Lockmiller would work closely with City Recorder Colleen Adams to put the policy in place and would assist her in notifying TML. A motion was made by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald to approve the Insurance change from TML to ESIP for the Fire Department and the City, providing the full premium amount not be more than the City is currently paying and seconded by Councilman David Rigsby. After further discussion, the motion was withdrawn and a new motion was made by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald for the Fire Department to change from TML to ESIP providing the coverage would be provided at the same or lower cost to the City, and was seconded by Councilman David Rigsby. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 4-1, with Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill voting “no”.

After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Alan Ball for Mr. Lockmiller to put together a proposal to present to the Mayor and Council for insurance coverage for the City coverage including the park and police, and was seconded by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 4-1, with Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill voting “no”.

Mayor Tune he had things in place for the Fire Board. He further stated by ordinance the City is supposed to have one. Mayor Tune stated the Board should consist of 3 members, and an ordinance is already on record stating the bylaws. Mayor Tune further stated it is old, and may need to be updated but they were bound to follow it until then. Mayor Tune further stated a lot of questions will be taken care of through the Board and recommended for the Fire Board members:

Councilman David Rigsby – 1 Year Term

Andy Soapes – 2 Year Term

Councilman Alan Ball – 3 Year Term

After discussion, Councilman Wes Fitzgerald made a motion to accept the Mayors recommendation for the Fire Board, and was seconded by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

POLICE REPORT
Police Board

Mayor Tune stated he had talked to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department and asked them to stop in City Hall and walk around town to give more of a presence and they agreed to do. He further stated the City needs a Police Board even though we do not have a Police Department. The Mayor then read from the Police ordinance and stated it is almost identical to the Fire ordinance. Mayor Tune then recommended the following for the Police Board members:

Councilman Wes Fitzgerald – 1 Year Term

Paula Tipton – 2 Year Term

Councilman Alan Ball – 3 Year Term

After discussion, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill to re-establish the Police Board and was seconded by Councilman Alan Ball. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

ZONING REPORT

Linda Dansby stated the Planning Commission had met and approved a site plan for the new Eagleville Eye Clinic. She further stated that trees were trimmed in response to complaints. Councilman Ball asked Ms. Dansby about the report the Council had asked for at the last regular meeting, and City Recorder Colleen Adams stated that the hole on Poplar Street is being repaired. City Attorney Leon Sharber stated he felt the bridge on Clark Street needed to be addressed. After discussion, it was determined that City Recorder Colleen Adams would contact TDOT for recommendations regarding the bridge. A motion was made by Councilman David Rigsby to put a weight limit sign and guardrails up per TDOT recommendations, and was seconded by Councilman Alan Ball. After a roll call vote taken by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

RECORDS REPORT

Mayor Tune sated Glenda Dyer was out of town and not able to attend the meeting and read aloud from a prepared statement she had left with him stating she was almost done getting the records ready for microfiche, and she is doing a lot of research regarding the fixing up of the old Library and City Hall for estimates and volunteers to help.

SEWER REPORT

Mayor Tune stated the Sewer Selection Committee met and has selected SEC as the engineering firm to recommend to the Mayor and Council. After SEC was chosen, the committee met with them the next day for them to get an understanding of what the City needed. SEC was asked to bring to the Council 3 proposals of 3 different types of systems that could work in Eagleville. Mayor Tune further stated that GNRC and SEC met to establish communications of what needed to be done for grants. Mayor Tune then stated that the City Council has the final approval but research was needed to get moving. He then suggested that City Attorney Leon Sharber review the contract before approval.

Mr. Sharber stated the contract is 30 pages long, and he had read every page and did not see anything that needed to be changed. Mr. Sharber explained to the Mayor and Council some of wording and clauses on the last page. Mayor Tune stated he had read the contract and it is the same one the City of Murfreesboro signed. After a lengthy discussion, Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill made a motion for all Council members to get a copy of the contract for review and have a called meeting to discuss and vote. After another discussion, the motion was withdrawn and a called City Council meeting was set for next Tuesday at 6:00 pm.

OLD BUSINESS

Strategic Planning for the City of Eagleville

Mayor Tune stated Councilman Darin Rowell was unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to a prior commitment, and that a Strategic Planning meeting was scheduled for 5:30 pm next Monday at the Eagleville Co-op.

City Attorney Contract

City Attorney Leon Sharber stated Councilman Darin Rowell wanted to add a 30 day termination clause to the contract. After a short discussion, Councilman Alan Ball made a motion to accept the contract for Mr. Leon Sharber as City Attorney with the 30 day termination clause amendment and was seconded by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill. After a roll call vote by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

Guns in Park

Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill stated there was an ordinance passed in 2004 for Park rules which included no guns were allowed in the park. City Attorney Leon Sharber stated that the new State laws did not apply and the ordinance was not sufficient for the new law. After a short discussion, Councilman Wes Fitzgerald made a motion to not allow guns in the park, and was seconded by Councilwoman Donna Jensen. After a roll call vote by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

CITIZENS INPUT

Councilman Alan Ball requested the Citizen Input be moved up to this time due to the late hour. Mayor Tune agreed, and stated he had moved the Citizens Input to the end of the meeting per resident requests but will move it back to the beginning of the meeting in the future as it did not seem to be working.

Ms. Ginger Martin spoke, and asked the City Council to consider the egress/ingress into EagleCrest as a safety issue and is asking the Council make other egress/ingress be developed. She further sated she has concerns over the drainage. Ms. Martin also asked the City Council if signs could be posted in their neighborhood notifying them of City Council meetings. Mayor Tune informed Ms. Martin of the next Planning Commission meeting and suggested she bring her concerns to them also.

Mr. David Martin spoke and stated he also had concerns about Phase III of EagleCrest and stated there is too much traffic on the roads. Mr. Martin further stated he had voted for most of the members on the Council and in the past there has been a conflict of interest on the Planning Commission. He then asked why there has been no looking into or inspection of the bridge on Clark Street. Mr. Martin then asked the Mayor to consider putting his development in the City limits. He then commended the City Recorder on getting her certification in one year and complimented the City Council on their efforts.

NEW BUSINESS
Pay Raise for City Recorder

Councilman David Rigsby made a motion for City Recorder Colleen Adams to get a 5% pay raise and was seconded by Councilman Alan Ball. Councilman Ball stated they needed the Personnel Oversight Committee, and doesn’t think raises should be given until get role and parameter of jobs and position, and that raises should be based on merit only. Councilman Rigsby stated is that was the case then the raise should be 10-15%. Councilman Fitzgerald spoke and stated the City Recorder is doing a great job and deserves a raise. After a lengthy discussion, the motion was withdrawn, and it was determined to set up the Personnel Oversight Committee to do review and make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council. Councilman Alan Ball made a motion for the Personnel Oversight Committee to meet and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council and put in place policies and procedures for all City employees and to bring to the Mayor and Council a raise for the City Recorder to be retroactive to July 1, 2009. After a roll call vote by City Recorder, Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

Beer Board

Mayor Tune stated the Beer Board needed to set up and plan for future meeting. After discussion, Councilman Alan Ball made a motion for the Beer Board to meet the same day as the regular City Council Meetings if there is business to discuss. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wes Fitzgerald, and after a roll call vote by City Recorder Colleen Adams, the motion passed 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Wes Fitzgerald made a motion to adjourn, and was seconded by Councilman Alan Ball. By a unanimous “aye” vote the meeting ended at 10:25 pm.

ATTEST:

____________________ __________________

Mayor Sam Tune City Recorder Colleen Adams