Board of Mayor and Aldermen

City of White House Thursday, March 20th, 2025

All members of the board were present. Meeting was adopted and the minutes were approved. Visitors were welcomed and there were no proclamations.

9. Public Comment- Two people were signed up to speak. The first was a man named Michael. He asked who was responsible for Marlin Road by the new subdivision. Who is supposed to fix it. Herman stated it might be city. Michael stated that it needs to be taken care of. Corbitt stated that the big trucks are tearing it up. Herman said that the would speak to the developer, but that was the city’s responsibility. Kimberly Ellsworth was signed up next. She thanked the board to be able to speak. Speaking to chickens. Seeking to have the ordinance regarding chickens passed. She believes that being able to keep four hens in an enclosed coop on a property just under an acre would be reasonable. Chickens are good for her son to learn about caring for animals and responsibility. They are committed to keeping hens in an enclosed coop at all times. They are prepared to make sure the coop is maintained and that the chickens to do not cause issues to the neighbors. Fresh eggs would add to the sustainability of their household. They ask that the board approve their request to keep chickens.

No one was signed up to speak

11.Communication from Mayor, Aldermen, City Attorney, and City Administrator- Alderman Wall thanked public works for their service during the rain and the storm water. They have gone above and beyond. Also thanking administration and HR department for the ride along he had last week. Matthews thanked Derek Watson for implementing the live stream. It is up and functioning. Derek really did a great job. It’s a great system for the citizens. They can go back and look at sections fo the video. Thank you Derek. Herman said that the museum had a one day military munitions display. It was packed with displays and guests. Tjere was so much interest she had to turn some away. Next year, maybe in the gym. The contractor for the new gym has said that the start up for the boiler will take four weeks, not two days like we were told. The floor installation has been delayed. The floor has to acclimate to the indoors. Volleyball has been delayed to the first week of May. Only a few have asked for their money back. Next Thursday, Tristar will have their ground breaking. The old gym is torn down. The rest of the debris will be gone in the next few weeks.

Reports were acknowledged

13.Consideration of the Following Resolutions:

a. Resolution 25-04: A resolution declaring certain municipal property as surplus and authorizing its sale through a competitive bidding process or auction.

Herman stated that this has to do with the property across the street on College Street. They bought it for the library. They have struggled to find something to go in there. They had hoped for a commercial space with apartments above, but parking would be an issue. No one has been able to make anything happen. At this point they are considering selling this property. There has been interest in the property. Before he went any further, he needed to come to the board. If they go to bid with it, maybe not take the highest bid, but the best project with the best time constraints. Possibly put conditions on the property that if not developed in two years, the city has the opportunity to buy it back. Possibly do a study session with the bidder. Wall asked how much land. It’s 1.1 acres. Matthews asked what is the value. It was purchased for $220k. City attorney Webb was not sure of the current value because it isn’t taxed right now. Herman stated that the lots around it are roughly $400k. It might need to be replatted. Herman said we could get this moving if the board decides to. Matthews added that the only question is could we use this in the future. The value is only going to go up. Could we use it for parking or something else. Corbitt stated we could put it out to bid, but then not accept it. Spicer, how many parking spaces will be for the rec center. Watson said that the entire campus will be about 266. Matthews said that the large events, like gaming festivals might need more parking. Herman said they have discussed shared use of the church parking lot. They will be meeting with the church after the gym is finished. Matthews added that if we give up the property now and the board 20 years from now needs property, there won’t be any. Herman stated that the city could buy 3-4 parcels on the corner and build a parking garage. This is just something to think about. Spicer asked if they have to accept any bids that come in. They do not. Approved

14.Consideration of the Following Ordinances:

a. Ordinance 25-01: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 8 Chapter 3 Package Liquor Stores Section 8-305. Second Reading. Wall asked if he could discuss. The motion was made to approve. The ordinance was discussed at length at the previous meeting. Approved. Wall-No

b. Ordinance 25-02: An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Article IV, 4.170 Residential Agricultural Uses. First Reading.

Ceagus Clark spoke to this. This is the ordinance that was approved at planning. The current ordinance states you need an acre for chickens. This ordinance adds more regulations around chickens. Spicer’s concern is people that don’t follow the rules. Clark states that with rules in place they will be able to enforce them and then site citizens in ordinance violation. Matthews asked how to determine the smell is an issue. That will be a judge’s decision. Clark said that smells could be addressed in the nuisance ordinance. Spicer added that most of the new residential subdivisions have HOAs. Matthews said that most of his constituents do not want this. They already have people that don’t take care of their property. His concern is that people won’t take care of the chickens and it will be a burden to the city. Spicer wants to know if there is a number of violations that can be met that the citizen cannot keep the chickens. That can be up to the judge was the answer. Spicer said that the city knows people have chickens. Clark added that this will give an enforcement tool. Wall said that there was just a meeting on animal control and people are not controling their dogs how can they be expected to control chickens. According to the rules, is the enclosure a fenced in yard or just the coop. Wall is worried that neighbor kids will get into the yard and let the chickens out. Sisk said he only had four people on his Facebook post opposed everyone else was supportive. It seems most people were in support. He also thanked Ellsworth for her points. Clark added that they did not have any complaints last year about chickens. Sisk added that there are chickens all over the city. Jena had researched all of this and said that this will give the city rules to enforce. Approved. Matthews- No

c. Ordinance 25-03: An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Article V, Section 5.053.2, C-1, Central Business District. Second Reading. Approved (discussed at length in the previous meeting)

15.Purchasing: a. To approve or reject the bid from Scotty's Contracting and Stone, LLC in the amount of $919,852.71 for the Sage Road Widening Project (Cardinal Drive to US31W). The City Administrator recommends approval. Herman stated that this is the bid for the widening project. Scotty’s had the lowest bid on this one. They had $1.8 million towards this and it will be under budget. They would like to get this going. This is one of the six projects. Spicer asked why we didn’t pick Rogers. Herman said they are normally the lowest bid, but this time it was Scotty’s. Spicer asked if they were new with the new bidding software. Herman said they have been around. Wall added that the new software will pay for itself in lower and more bids. There are just a couple of utilities that are still being worked on, but it is almost ready to go. Approved

b. To approve or reject the purchase of a Vac-Con VJ750 Jetter Trailer off the Sourcewell Contract #101221-Vac from CMI Equipment Sales, Inc. in the amount of $83,318. The Wastewater Director recommends approval. This is a demonstrator unit that the city has used before. The dealer is local and parts are available. It has a full warranty and full nozzles. A new unit is about $15k higher and in July they expect a 10% increase. He hadn’t plan to purchase until next year, but this came available and it will save money. Approved

16.Other Business:

a. To approve or reject a cost-of-living increase for all city employees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. 2.5% merit increase and .5% COLA. Discussed at length in the February meeting. Approved

b. To approve or reject scheduling a Study Session with the Board of Mayor and Alderman to review submitted Liquor Store Permit Applications and interview applicants. Wall stated he doesn’t like this. Last year he asked about removing adult entertainment and was told that they couldn’t remove it. Corbitt added that the discussion needs to be about the study session. Wall said this is the only business that we do this to. Spicer said we do this to vape shops. Corbitt added that we did this the first time we added liquor stores. Wall said that they should not be treating this industry this way. Spicer asked what is not above board. Wall thinks the ordinance should go away altogether. Corbitt said the discussion is limited to the study session. Approved-Wall No

There were no other items and the meeting was adjourned.

The meetings are now live streamed and time stamped. There is also a new link on the city’s website to find those items. I utilized the video this month myself. I was looking for the meeting date and failed to see the link to the new page and missed the meeting. I am truly thankful for the new system.

https://www.whitehousetn.gov/government/live-streaming-agendas-and-minutes