Board of Mayor and Aldermen
September 19th, 2024
Alderman Silver was the only member not present. The agenda was adopted and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. There were only 3 citizens present at the meeting. Visitors were welcomed and a proclamation was made.
No one was signed up for public comment or the public hearings.
1 1. Communication from Mayor, Aldermen, City Attorney, and City Administrator Alderman Spicer thanked everyone that had attended her father’s funeral. Alderman Matthews thanked Chris Keith for 30 years of service to the city. City Attorney Webb informed the city that they had been served a lawsuit from a car accident on Sage and 76. City Administrator Herman added that the waste water plant was complete enough for a tour. That will take place in the next 2-3 weeks. He also met with the director of schools for Robertson County about the pick up line at Woodall spilling onto Hwy 76. The city painted a second in bound lane for the car riders and re-striped the road. This has helped. The county is looking into removing some of the busses that park their for the future. They will need to look at something for the future with the growth that is still coming.
Reports were acknowledged.
13. Consideration of the Following Resolutions:
a. Resolution 24-10: A resolution authorizing participation in the James L. Richardson “Driver Safety” matching grant program. This is a grant the the city applies for every year. It pays for annual training software that keeps the city up to date with everything from TDEC to TDOT. Approved
14. Consideration of the Following Ordinances: (all second readings were discussed at length last month and can be read here.)
a. Ordinance 24-11: An ordinance establishing the Tax Rate for the Tax Year 2024. Second Reading This was discussed at length last month. This is the tax rate and increase for the 6 road projects. Approved. 3-1 Matthews No
b. Ordinance 24-12: An ordinance abandoning the City’s 30-foot easement for the right-of-way over the unimproved western section of Cardinal Drive, and the appurtenances thereto. Second Reading. Discussed at length last month-Approved
c. Ordinance 24-13: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 18, Chapter 4 Stormwater Management, Section 18-408. Second Reading. Discussed at length last month-Approved
d. Ordinance 24-14: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 16, Chapter 2 Street, Sidewalk, and Drainage Design Standards, Section 16-234. Second Reading. Discussed at length last month-Approved
e. Ordinance 24-15: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 18, Chapter 7 Stormwater Management, Section 18-702. First Reading. The finance director is asking to be removed from this board and the city feels that the engineer should sit on this board. These are the changes being made to the ordinance. Approved
15. Purchasing:
a. To approve or reject the payment of $91,302.32 to Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC) for the relocation of electrical utilities in the right-of-way of the Hwy 76 and Pleasant Grove Intersection Project. The City Administrator recommends approval. The electric lines will need to be moved for the Pleasant Grove stop light project. The water and sewer lines are fine. CEMC will have to go further down the line to move the pole and lines. The city is responsible for 33% of the cost. Matthews asked if we have an agreement with them over the cost. Herman said that CEMC and TDOT work together, but CEMC has their own right of ways with the poles and lines. This has been done before with CEMC on Sage Road by The Famers Bank. This will be a faster move than the Sage Road project. Approved
b. To approve or reject City Administrator Gerald Herman to acquire by purchase or condemnation of a portion of land owned by Stephanie L. Howard for the Calista Pond Improvements project in the amount of $100,600. The Public Services Director recommends approval.
Herman began with the fact that the city had purchased the land on Calista with a TEMA grant years ago. The city knew that the pond would need to be expanded at some point but could not get the property. The June 30th storm caused that pond to overflow. The new owner around the pond was willing to sell the city an acre. The $600 is for moving a shed. The city employees did not want to take the liability of moving the shed, so the homeowner got a quote. The designs for the pond already exist so as soon as this is complete the city can bid the work. Alderman Wall asked if the pond would be dug deeper. Herman stated it is as deep as it can go right now. Isiah Manfredi of public works added that it is 8-9 feet deep and simply expanding the pond at that depth will help. Matthews asked who will be designing it. Jason Reynolds, city engineer, answered that it is already done and to the 100 year flood specs. Spicer asked if there was an EDR completed. Herman stated that it isn’t necessary under an acre, and Webb said that the land had never been used. Spicer asked about gas lines. Webb said that this is less than phase two and you wouldn’t find some of the things you are looking for until you dig. Manfredi added that bores were taken years ago. Herman said he would double check on the bores. Spicer asked if money could be wired instead of physical checks. Webb answered that in the contract the seller generally gets to choose. Herman did state the city is trying to get away from checks. Approved
c. To approve or reject the bid from Rogers Group, Inc. in the total amount of $320,190 for the North Palmers Chapel Widening Project. The City Administrator recommends approval. This is one of the six projects included with the tax increase. This came in under budget. The budget for this was $800k. The extra money will be used to pad the other five projects. The city is really happy with this. Matthews asked if this will complete all the work. Herman answered that all utilities have already been moved, this is the cost for the entire project. Approved.
d. To approve or reject the purchase of 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from Wilson County Motors off the statewide contract# 209 in the total amount of $39,699.60. The Parks Director recommends approval. This truck was in the parks budget for last year, but had to be moved due to the soccer complex coming in so high. The current truck is a 2009 and is too big for the administrative team. They wanted a smaller truck than this, but there were no smaller trucks on the state contract. This truck is $200 more than what was in the budget. Approved.
Meeting adjourned
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