The Mayor and City Council members met in a called session in the Eagleville City Hall, City of Eagleville, Rutherford County, Tennessee, March 19, 2009, at 7:00 pm with Mayor Nolan S. Barham, Sr. presiding.

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

            Councilman Wes Fitzgerald               Councilman Sam Tune

            Councilman Alan Ball

                     Absent:  Councilman David Rigsby and Councilman Harold Vincion

            Colleen Adams, City Recorder Justin Smith     

            Doyle Wood                                        Mary Tune

            John E. Turner                                      Debbie Ryan

            Robert Soapes, Sr.                               Donna Jensen

            Glenda Dyer                                         *Phil Williams

                                          *Present but not signed in                                

Mayor Barham welcomed everyone in attendance to the meeting to discuss the two items on the agenda. 

            Doyle Wood, owner of the EagleRoost Smokehouse & Grill spoke and stated he was in support of a Police protection, and stated there has been a few occasions he has needed to call law enforcement to his business, and that Police would be a positive step for Eagleville.

Resident John Turner spoke and stated that since he was 13 years old there was a Policeman in Eagleville, and gave examples of a few where he has been almost hit by vehicles going too fast.  Mr Turner also stated he felt that the taxes he pays should include Police protection.

Resident Donna Jensen Spoke, and stated that she had requested an official report regarding the investigation of the former City Recorder and how and why it happened.

           Councilman Sam Tune spoke, and stated he had been asked to read a statement from Regions Bank Manager, Paula Tipton.  Councilman Tune read the letter dated March 19, 2009 addressed to the City Council in which she expressed thanks to the Council for looking into the Police department, and that she had been involved in robberies with guns, and that she feels the city needs Police protection.  The letter also stated that speeding vehicles were a concern.

Mr. Robert Soapes spoke, and stated that he lives on 41A and that there has been occasions where cars looked like they were going 60-70 miles per hour.   

Councilman Wes Fitzgerald stated he had been looking into the direct JAG Grant but it appeared that Eagleville does not meet the requirements, and did not seem to be appropriate for a small town.  He also stated he had spoken to many people in Rutherford County offices who had offered their assistance.  Councilman Fitzgerald stated there were other in-direct grants the City could apply for.  He presented an application for the CHRP grant, and explained the grant is for existing Police Departments and since the Eagleville Police Department has existed, the City would qualify.  Councilman Fitzgerald stated that the grant is for 3 years of funding, after which the City would need to sign an agreement to keep the officer(s) hired for 12 months after the 3 years, and included salary, taxes, benefits – all the costs of hiring an officer.  He also stated that this grant is a competitive grant, and even if the City were to apply, they may not be chosen to receive the funds.  He also stated that there needed to be a statement written in which the City would explain their need for this grant and the deadline for submission is April 14, 2009. 

Mayor Barham presented to the Council a letter he had recently received pertaining to the grant and stated that Eagleville had used a similar grant in the past and had great success with it.  Mayor Barham stated he would like to see the City apply and that the Council could vote on it tonight.  Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill stated that he wanted to remind the Council that after 3 years the City would be financially responsible for how ever many officers hired if awarded the grant.  Councilman Ball asked if the grant was available every year, and stated he felt a study should be done on what the costs would be to the City. 

Councilman Tune stated he felt 2 officers should be included for on the application, and asked if awarded the grant and it was then determined the City only needed one if any funds could be returned.  Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill state he had concerns if the City could afford 2 officers, and the sewer system now being studied.

Councilman Fitzgerald gave a statement on other smaller cities from research done on how many officers they employed, hours worked, etc.  Councilman Ball asked if the officer the City were to hire would need to be the Police Chief.  Mayor Barham stated it would depend on how many officers were applied for and the salary.  Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill asked if the City gave benefits to one full time employee, if the same would need to be done for all employees.  Mayor Barham he felt so.  Councilman Ball asked about insurance, and if there may be an Insurance company that would offer coverage only to Police Departments at a better cost.     

Councilman Wes Fitzgerald made a motion to begin the process and apply for the CHRP program for grant funds to hire 2 police officers.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Alan Ball.  After a vote taken by City Recorder Colleen Adams, the motion passed 4-0.    

            Councilman Wes Fitzgerald stated he had made several calls to the state regarding the damaged pole on the corner of Highway 99 and Main Street.  He stated that the pole can be replaced without filing a new permit, and can be moved, and that a diagram is all that's needed for the repair and gave the names of a few contractors.  Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill stated the pole would need to be moved back several feet before it was reinstalled due to it being initially installed too close to the road and in the way of trucks turning the corner.  Mayor Barham stated before the pole was installed, a study was done by the state when the grant was awarded to the City.  Councilman Ball questioned if the City could stop tractor trailers from turning right on Highway 99.  Mayor Barham stated as long as it was a state road that it would have to remain open to all vehicles and after the new Highway was completed, it should take care of most of the trucks coming through town.  Resident John Turner spoke, and stated that the part of Main Street in question is 6 feet narrower than the other sections of Main Street.  Councilman Tune suggested moving the pole further down the street and off the corner.  Councilman Fitzgerald suggested installing concrete bumpers on the corner.   Mayor Barham suggested that action wait until the new Highway is completed, then look into what would still be needed.    
 

Mayor Barham thanked everyone for attending.  A motion was made by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill to adjourn with Councilman Alan Ball seconding.  By unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.       

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 Mayor Ronnie Hill                                 Colleen Adams, City Recorder
 
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            The Mayor and City Council members met in a regular session in the Eagleville City Hall, City of Eagleville, Rutherford County, Tennessee on March 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm with Mayor Nolan S. Barham, Sr. presiding. 

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

Councilman Harold Vincion                  Councilman Sam Tune              Councilman Alan Ball

            Colleen Adams, City Recorder

 GUESTS

            Craig Sewell                                         Fred Danshy

            Linda Vincion                                       Glenda Dyer

            John E. Turner                                      Donna Jensen

            Mary Tune                                           Phil Williams

            Buddy Gadd                                         Debbie Ryan

            Amy Kendrick                                      Scott Bolden

            Greg Buchanan

INVOCATION -  Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilman Harold Vincion

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Nolan S. Barham, Sr.

            Roll was called by City Recorder, Colleen Adams.  All members were present, with the exception of Councilman David Rigsby and Councilman Wes Fitzgerald.

            Mayor Barham stated a motion was in order for the adoption of the agenda.  Councilman Tune stated he would like to clarify on the agenda that an item under new business “Proposed Resolution to establish Beer Board” had documents that were to be used as samples only, and that the item stated as “Investigation Update Inquiry” was to be a request for the Mayor to address issues surrounding the investigation, negligence, and Conflicts of interest.  After a vote taken by City Recorder Colleen Adams, the motion passed 4-0.

            Resident John E. Turner spoke and thanked the Council for a lot of work for no pay, and stated he would like to know answers to questions regarding the investigation.

            Mr. Greg Buchanan spoke and stated he was a former City Council member, and every time he came in the office he was against a block wall.  He then asked the Council to begin the process of removing the Mayor and read from a letter written in 1995 regarding Police certification.

            Resident Craig Sewell spoke and stated he would like to speak, but it pertained to the Beer Board and beer sales in Eagleville.  Mayor Barham stated he would be called on when that item was addressed.

            Resident Donna Jensen read from a statement she prepared regarding the former City Recorder and asking for an explanation from the Mayor.

            Mr. Greg Buchanan spoke again, and continued reading from documentation relating to the former Police Chief and his certification.  Mr. Buchanan also spoke and questioned the Mayor about a statement he made to the Comptrollers office.

            Business Owner Phil Williams spoke and stated that he had written months ago to the Mayor and asked for his resignation and has waited for the new Council to reorganize

and would like to commend them and asked them to take away power from the Mayor.

            Mr. John E. Turner spoke and asked about $800 spent on advertising and stated there is nothing in Eagleville to advertise.

            Mayor Barham stated that a motion was in order for the approval of the January and February 2009 Financial reports.  He stated that the January financial report was inadvertently not approved at last months meeting.  Councilman Ball apologized and stated he had not had the time to review his copy. Mayor Barham stated he had the January report for 2 months.  A motion was made by Councilman Sam Tune and seconded by Councilman Harold Vincion to approve the January and February 2009 Financial reports.  After a vote taken by City Recorder Colleen Adams, the motion was passed 3-1.     

            Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill stated that the first Little League Baseball games will start April 14, and that the water standing on the walking trail was getting worse and worse and it was discovered it was due to the Beaver Dam built across the creek.  He stated they had destroyed some of the Dam in hopes the beaver’s would move further downstream.  He further stated that the plaques for the benches have been ordered.

            Fire Chief David Martin was unable to attend the meeting, and had asked City Recorder Colleen Adams to read a statement he prepared.  In the statement it was reported that the Fire Department had responded to a few calls, had 15 members and those things were going well.  Vice Mayor stated he wanted the Council to be aware that there were bills paid that included drinks and food, one to a local restaurant in particular.  It was explained by the City Recorder that drinks and snack foods such as peanut butter and cheese crackers were provided to the Firefighters for after training and fire calls since they are volunteering their time.  Councilman Tune questioned who made the decision to do that, and it was explained by the City Recorder that she and Chief Martin discussed it and it was agreed that since there was no pay for their time and service, it was the lease they could do.

            Linda Lichtenberger stated she has been researching the Zoning regulations in the City and thanked the Council for their support.  Councilman Ball asked about the little spot of property across the street, and if the City owned it.  Councilman Vincion stated he was unsure if the City ever owned it. After discussion, Mayor Barham asked Ms. Lichtenberger to look into that.  Councilman Vincion spoke and asked about the method of how complaints are received and stated he feels that all complaintants should give their name to avoid vendetta complaints.  Ms. Lichtenberger stated she would look into developing a procedure for resident complaints.

            City Attorney Adam Dodd was unable to attend meeting, and left a statement for Mayor Barham to read which stated that Ms. Bennett’s bond has been revoked, she was in custody, and that the investigation is not over therefore no statements can be made.

            Councilman Tune spoke, and stated he would never want to jeopardize the investigation, but has issues he would like to be addresses.  Councilman Tune read from a prepared document giving dates and times that the Mayor authorized checks in question, did not follow auditors recommendations, questioned why the Planning Commission seat was left vacant for more than 1 year, and accusing him of failure to supervise City employees.  Mr. Tune also spoke of letters dated in 1994 & 1995 in which the Mayor was aware of relating to the lack of certification of the former Police Chief.   Councilman Tune then stated that in 2007 an ethics ordinance was passed by the Council, and accused the Mayor of not disclosing his relation to the developer of Eaglecrest in 2008.  Councilman Tune brought up the use of a City paid cell phone for personal calls, and that if credit card bills had been provided when asked about a few years ago and the 

information had been known many of this may have been avoided.  Councilman Tune read further from the statement and stated he does not feel a crime has been committed but does feel there is conflict of interest and asked the Mayor to resign. 

            Councilman Harold Vincion stated he feels this has gone on too long, and asked Councilman Tune why he did not ask for the resignation of the other Council members who served with Mayor Barham and that if they think he is guilty then he thinks they should blame the entire council who served with him.  Councilman Vincion stated for the 17 years he has served on the council nothing illegal has ever knowingly been done and he will resign before they can ask for his.  He made the statement he hopes that the current Council will not be judged as harshly as the former, that he has enjoyed being on the council, and he was resigning if it would stop the backstabbing.  Councilman Vincion then collected his items and left.

            Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill addressed the Mayor and asked the Mayor to respond to the items stated by Councilman Tune, stating it would make it better if the Mayor would answer.   He further stated he used to enjoy the City Council but now there are problems.   Mayor Barham responded by saying that after the investigation was complete a full report would be provided.

            Mayor Barham stated that our former Scott Prowse got a new job and moved to Washington DC, and Amy Miller is the new City Planner for Eagleville.  Mayor Barham also stated that the Minor subdivision plat had been approved for the new grocery store in Eagleville.  Mr. Sewell spoke and stated he is working as quickly as possible to build the store.

SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY

            Councilman Tune spoke and stated there was not much to report regarding the sewer other than the study was still underway, and that they were pleased to find there seemed to be more good ground in Eagleville than they thought.   Councilman Tune stated he would keep everyone informed as it progressed.

            Councilman Sam Tune spoke and stated he had been asked by Mr. Sewell to look into the possibility of beer sales in Eagleville, so he could see it in his store.  Councilman Tune stated he had a proposed resolution to establish a Beer Board which would be the City Council members, and establish the regulations and restrictions for the sale of beer. Councilman Tune stated he had found that in most small cities the City Council was the Beer Board and that it should be a very controlled legislative board.  Mr. Craig Sewell spoke, and stated he had hired 3 consultants for the grocery store he is building, and finding more and more everything is under 1 roof and beer sales would bring increased revenue to the City.  Mr. Sewell also stated the store would employ at least 5 full time employees.  In his research he has found that most grocery stores have expanded to include as many items as possible.  Mr. Sewell stated he would appreciate any consideration the Council would give this matter.

            Mayor Barham stated that the Beer Board would nee to be developed by Ordinance, and recommended the Council to make a motion to start the proceedings to develop an Ordinance with the City Attorney Adam Dodd.  Councilman Alan Ball made a motion, with Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill seconding, to proceed with the development of an Ordinance to develop a Beer Board for the manufacturing and sale of beer within the Eagleville city limits with a work session and called meeting.  Mayor Barham reminded the Council that a Public Hearing would need to be held for this Ordinance.  After a vote taken by City Recorder Colleen Adams, the motion passed 3-0.

            Mayor Barham stated that he had presented to the Council a copy of last years Audit findings, and that the Auditor would like to come early this year and meet with the Council in the Fall for the report.  Mayor Barham thanked all for attending.

            A motion was made by Vice Mayor Ronnie Hill, and seconded by Councilman Sam Tune, to adjourn.  By unanimous decision, the meeting ended at 8:21 pm.

_____________________________          __________________________

Mayor Ronnie Hill                                      Colleen Adams, City Recorder