Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting

September 21, 2023

At roll call on Thursday night, Alderman Matthews was the only member of the board missing. The agenda was adopted and Alderman Silver made a correction to the minutes from the joint study session before it was approved. In the minutes it states that Silver said Nashville does NOT allow chickens. She corrected that statement. Silver had stated that Nashville DOES allow chickens. Minutes were approved pending that change.

7. Welcome Visitors- There were approximately 30 people at the meeting.

8. Proclamation- The yearly proclamation regarding the United States Constitution was made. Each year in September, a week is set aside to recognize the signing of the Constitution on September 17th, 1787. This year, the week is September 17th-23rd. In the proclamation, Mayor Corbitt reaffirmed the ideals of the constitution.

9. Public Comment- Citizens are able to use this section to speak to the board on any issue that concerns them. Linda Fore started the public comments with statements about the city park. She asked the board to consider changing the name. The name of our park implies something that we look up. It should be something that is not just good, but excellent. Fore hopes that the name will be changed. Kathy Clough spoke regarding chickens in the city. She is already hearing them in her neighborhood. Chickens are notorious for bringing in vermin, ie mice, rats, raccoons. She just recently chased a raccoon out of her yard. There are other issues with chickens especially if the coop is not cared for properly. Most people can’t smell ammonia until there are 20ppm in the air whereas you can be affected at 5ppm. Clough is asking that the city strongly consider their vote when setting the standards for chickens. She requests that they look at the problems and issues regarding chickens in neighborhoods. Tracy Herdman could not make the meeting and I read a statement for her.

My Name is Tracy Herdman and I live at 810 Calista rd. White House, TN It has been brought to my attention that the WH Municipal City Park has been renamed Micheal l. Arnold City Park. That man has caused a ridiculous amount of population growth, Overcrowding in schools, and traffic nightmares. He has turned our small town into a city. We the citizens of White House did not ask for any of this. So why should we honor this man who left to go FL and does not have to deal with the after-effects. WH, Please name the park anything else, besides Micheal l. Arnold park. Traditionally, you are not supposed to name a building after someone that is still alive.

Debbie Martin asked that the city change the name of the city park as well. She didn’t realize it was changed. She is trying to be a more involved citizen and would like the city to change the name. She also asked if there would be outdoor pickle ball courts at the new rec center. Mayor Corbitt said that there will be indoor pickle ball courts at the new rec center. Martin stated that they tried to play at the tennis courts the other day, but the construction dust was so bad they could not play. The parks director also stated that there will be more hours for indoor pickle ball at the new rec center.

10. Public Hearings a. Ordinance 23-13: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 2, Chapter 2 Library Board, Section 2-201. No one spoke

11. Communication from Mayor, Aldermen, City Attorney, and City Administrator City Attorney Webb asked if the board wanted an update concerning the Days Inn. The board went into executive session for the update. The city is still in court with the owners concerning code violations. City Administrator Herman had several updates. The wastewater plant is still progressing. The project should be completed by the end of January.

Phase 3 of the collection lane in front of Tate’s is almost complete. They have stripped 1/4 of the road and it needs to be repaired. The water line behind Kroger is complete. The road has been connected to Indian Ridge.

The rec center is on schedule and the building housing the pump for the splash pad has trusses. It will be open for next season.

Bids have been opened for the parking lot at the soccer complex. The lowest bid came in at $3mil. The city has a grant from the state for half of the cost. The original cost was roughly $1.2 and the state was giving the city $650k. The city has been in conversations with the state. The state laid out some options. 1) Reduce the size of the lot. That would require redesigning the space. 2) Do not finish the parking lot. Herman stated that was not an option. Mayor Corbitt reached out to the state to request more money in the grant. Herman said that they are looking at the budget to see if they can find the $1.5mil and it might be there this year. They do not want to walk away from the grant, however, it is good until 2025. Finally, Herman introduced Ceagus Clark, planning director and new member of Leadership Sumner. Clark introduced four women, also part of the project, that are attending meetings around the county.

12. Acknowledge Reports A. B. C. D. General Government Finance Human Resources Police E. F. G. H. Approved

13. Consideration of the Following Resolutions: Fire I. Library Public Services J. Municipal Court Planning & Codes Parks & Recreation a. Resolution 23-11: A resolution to adopt the property tax freeze program as provided in the 2007 Public Chapter 581, as amended

This is the first time that the city of White House has done this. Other counties have taken advantage of this program. This is great for seniors. Approved

14. Consideration of the Following Ordinances: a. Ordinance 23-13: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 2, Chapter 2 Library Board, Section 2-201. Second Reading

This ordinance changes the wording of the rules regarding the library board. The part in bold and crossed out is what is being taken out. The board felt it was discriminatory. Approved

b. Ordinance 23-14: An ordinance amending the Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 5 Housing Code and Chapter 6 International Energy Code. First Reading. The city follows the 2018 international codes. The state requires the city to follow these codes. This ordinance is a formality that the city needs to adopt stating they follow these codes. Approved

c. Ordinance 23-15: An ordinance to amend the Zoning Map and re-subdivide land from R-20 Low Density Residential and C-1 Central Business to CPUD Commercial Planned Unit Development on Raymond Hirsch Parkway. First Reading. This property is currently zoned R-20.

Clark stated that as the property sits, they could build 30 single family homes. The developer is requesting the zoning change to add commercial. Alderman Spicer affirmed they could build the 30 now. Clark said the city wants more commercial. It is the same number of houses that the current zoning allows. However, the city is trying to plan for all contingencies. If nothing happens in two years it will revert back to R-20. Corbitt asked about the timing of the project. Clark said they are looking at 2024-2025. It will be 6-12 months of just plans. The Publix is slated to be finished by Thanksgiving. (I am unsure as to which year) Herman stated that this is the 3rd time the property has come before the city. Clark confirmed that the first time they were requesting 120 town homes, then that came down, and now they are here. Alderman Wall asked who would be responsible for the road work. Clark stated that the developer would be responsible for the entries, turn lanes, and widening of the roads. Wall asked about the Publix project. (That developer is Sembler not Publix. Publix is just one of the businesses going in there) Clark answered that they are doing some widening on Raymond Hirsch and 76. Herman added that there is a new traffic signal and turn lanes coming, along with a new entrance into Publix. The road will be widened at 76/Raymond Hirsch. Improvements will also be made at the Speedway corner. Widening will occur at the O’Reilly’s as well. Wall asked about 31/Raymond Hirsch. Clark said that TDOT will be on that. Herman reiterated that TDOT has to have approval. Wall asked who would be paying for these things. Clark answered that the developer will pay. Herman added that Sembler’s impact fees were waived for traffic improvements. The city came out ahead on that. Clark also stated that none of these plans can go before TDOT until they are approved at the city level. Silver asked if they will be keeping any of the “green” on that property. The citizens have asked about that and will miss it. Clark said that they will be looking at that on the master plan, this is the preliminary. Approved

d. Ordinance 23-16: An ordinance amending the fiscal budget for the period ending June 30, 2024. First Reading. Herman started this with letting the board know that they had money in the road impact fees fund. The city needs $650k from that fund to continue widening Sage Road. Silver asked if any of the developers were paying for improvements. Herman said that the storage units put in the sidewalks. Cardinal Pointe will be adding funds to offset the cost of the sidewalks. The city has the funds from them already. Approved

15. Purchasing: a. To approve or reject the bid from Rogers Group and allow City Administrator Gerald Herman to enter into a five-year agreement for Paving and Milling Services. The Public Services Director recommends approval Andy Cieslak says that each item was priced out on these bids. Rogers Group was the most economical and best suited to work with the city. When looking at the prices, Rogers was actually cheaper considering the city isn’t using all of the items that were priced. They did get prices on the items “just in case.” Herman added that the city is trying to get the most road resurfacing possible. Approved (all items can be viewed here.)

b. To approve or reject the purchase of a 2023 Nissan Frontier truck from Alan Jay Automotive off State Contract #76657 in the amount of $35,575. The Public Services Director recommends approval.

Ceislak states that they are currently driving a 2002 with 100k miles on it. They are going to keep the old truck. This new truck is under budget from what they had expected. The city had budgeted $50k for the vehicle. Supply issues slowed down the purchase. It worked in their favor since this truck is now $15k under budget. Approved

c. To approve or reject the purchase of a 2023 Ford Maverick AWD SuperCrew truck from Lonnie Cobb Ford off State Contract #75347 in the amount of $27,212. The Planning and Codes Director recommends approval.

Clark stated that this is to replace their 2002 Ford Ranger that is operational but on its last leg. They will be giving it to the administration. It came in $8k under budget. Approved

d. To approve or reject the purchase of a 34-foot Christmas Tree with a star tree topper and various sized ornaments from Season Lights Design in the total amount of $34,605. The Administrative Services Director recommends approval.

Derek Watson, assistant to the city administrator, explained this purchase. Last year they moved the city Christmas tree next to the bike racks at the library. Citizens commented that the tree looked really small over there. The current tree is 24ft tall with an 8ft base. They discussed moving the tree to the park or the museum. They would like a bigger tree for the parade and events. The new tree has an 18.5ft base, and is 34ft tall. It is 40ft tall with the 6ft star. The city budgeted $50k for the tree. In 2020 the city started adding Christmas decorations on the lights. It is in the budget, and Hwy 76 will be completely decorated this year. Watson stated that there were complaints about the lack of decorations in the city. Corbitt mentioned that other cities around us do it, and we “stick out like a sore thumb.” Watson reiterated that the small one will just be moved. Approved.

e. To approve or reject the proposal from Kimley-Horn and allow City Administrator Gerald Herman to enter into an agreement for design and consulting services for the Parks Master Plan project. The Parks and Recreation Director recommends approval. Kevin Whittaker, parks director, said that Kimley was not under budget, but the city has worked with them before. The park will need a master plan going forward. It is required. Corbitt asked if the citizens would have input. Whittaker responded that citizen input and a master plan are both required for the parks grant. Herman added that normally only about 5 people show up to citizen meetings. Whittaker said that the parks department will be going to events to solicit input from the community. Approved

f. To approve or reject the bid from Rogers Group and allow City Administrator Gerald Herman to enter into an agreement for the Sage Road Widening project in the amount of $892,287.20. City Administrator Gerald Herman recommends approval. Herman stated that this is along with the budget change request in ordinance 23-26 above. This is for the widening of Sage Road from Crossroads to Cardinal Pointe. Prices are going up quickly, and right now the city has enough money to get started and Rogers Group is ready to go. Approved.

16. OtherBusiness:

a. To approve or reject subdivision infrastructures and street acceptance for Concord Springs Phase 1. The Planning and Codes Director recommends approval. Clark explained this one. When the infrastructure is completed in a subdivision it goes into an maintenance phase for a year. After that, the city accepts the road. Corbitt asked about their streetlights, he knows they have been an issue. Ceislak agreed that the lights are an issue, but the city has bulbs ordered and is working on replacing them. Approved.

b. To approve or reject subdivision infrastructures and street acceptance for The Parks Phases 1, 2, and 3. The Planning and Codes Director recommends approval. This is the same issue as a without the streetlight problems. Approved

c. To approve or reject appointment of Mr. Daniel Whited to serve on the Planning Commission to fill vacancy. Herman noted that Martha Wilkinson had stepped down from the planning board. Applications were still on file. One of those applicants was Daniel Whited. Corbitt stated that Whited will be a good add to the board. Approved.

17. Discussion Items:

a. Changing the name of the Michael L. Arnold Municipal Park. Spicer began with the fact that she had this added to the agenda because of the calls and emails she has received concerning the city park’s name. She would like to see an open discussion about this. The name was changed by proclamation in 2022.

Wall stated that he had received four emails all wanting the name changed. Silver also had communication from citizens asking for the park name to be changed. She said that they had given ideas such as Jim Varney and Stone Wilkes. She believes we should at least have someone who is no longer living. Generally, buildings etc are named after people who have made a large donation to the property, ie Vanderbilt, Frist. Silver is not opposed to a change. Herman stated that a proclamation is only temporary. A resolution is more permanent, and an ordinance takes two readings to pass, that is closer to a law. In naming site etc in the city, a proclamation is all that is necessary. However, the new park will be named after the Byrum family. In the purchase agreement for that property, the name was negotiated. A proclamation is up to the board. Silver asked if there were signs up with the new name. Herman answered that there is money budgeted for sign replacements, but they are holding off until this is decided. Corbitt also added that all of his communication has been to change the name and he is open to suggestions. He disagreed with Silver about naming things after the deceased. Billy Hobbs had a hand in incorporating the city, and he has no issue with city hall being named after him. Spicer recommended a study session on a name change. The board will hold a study session. TBA

18. Other Information:

a. None

19. Adjournment:

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