BOMA Meeting

December 15th, 2022 Board of Mayor and Aldermen

The agenda for this meeting was very long. Most of the items on the agenda were second readings and had been discussed in November’s meeting so there was little to no discussion.

All of the items occurred and were passed. The proclamation was for Lilly Dunnagan, Mayor for the Day on December 3rd, 2022. The city handed Lilly a proclamation. She is seven years old and submitted the winning video to be mayor for a day. She is in the second grade at HB Williams. Lilly is the second ever mayor for the day.

The public hearings were next. There were 15 public hearings with only one resident signed up to speak. Linda Fore spoke to Ordinance 22-18: An ordinance to amend the Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 5 Open Burning Regulations, Section 7-502. (this will end commercial burning in new developments. Fore told the board that she appreciates this. This ordinance is long past due and she is very grateful that it is happening. The smoke from these fires can last days and weeks. Her grandson has developed asthma from this burning and she is thankful it will end.

All of the public hearing items

Communication from the board- Mayor Bibb thanked the city for letting him stay in office for 31 years. There were only 3000 people in the city when he became an alderman. It speaks volumes that there are more people that want to live here than there are houses. People love this place. He again thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the community. This was Bibb’s last meeting as he did not run for reelection. Alderman Decker spoke next. This was his last meeting as well, he also did not run for reelection. Decker has worked for at least four high performing companies over his life time. He worked for Beeman Automotive for 10 years. It’s good to work for a company that is doing well. All of these high performing companies have on going training and are selective in who they hire. These companies are also highly ethical. He was proud to work for them. In the last 12-14 years, it has been the same in White House. The city sends their staff to the U. of Virginia for training. The city is highly selective in its hiring. All employees are expected to keep training. It all starts with leadership. Gerald Herman (city administrator) is a Marine and was then a police officer. He turned White House into one of the best police departments in the state. When he came on as city administrator, most administrators didn’t last more than six years. He as done a remarkable job. White House was named #1 city by the international city managers. The city was buying used police cars when Herman came on board. All of the city staff has four year degrees, the city is run by excellence. Decker said he has been here 45 years, and nobody has brought the city this far this quick. He thanked all of the employees and sat down. Alderman Corbitt thanked Decker, Bibb and Payne for their service to the community. Alderman Payne also thanked the community for his opportunity to serve. Alderman Hutson also thanked the men for their service. He said he knows they were not in it for the money or recognition. They should be proud of themselves.

Herman then had updates. The Sage/McCurdy project is on track to finish in the contracted time. There were a couple of down days for weather. The tennis courts are coming along. The parking lot is formed.

The sewer plant is still on track. The infrastructure is up, and the new lab is almost done. The electrical building is up as well.

Water Treatment Plan

Vonda Gates is the new director of the Robertson County Economic Development Board. Herman introduced her as she was at the meeting. Margo Fosnes is retiring. Gates will be assisting with the new industrial park. Herman then thanked Decker and Bibb for their 30 years each of service and presented them with parting gifts. Decker received an artists rendition of the police department named for him and Bibb received an artists rendition of the splash pad named for him.

Mayor Bibb on the left- Alderman Decker on the right

There was no discussion of any of these items. 22-14 and 22-16 were second readings and required a roll call vote. All four of these items passed. 22-13 and 22-15 are the plans of service for the Melton property on Melton Road, and the new intermediate school on 31W. These are resolutions that state the city has plans in place for police, fire, waste water, etc. for the annexation of the properties. 22-14 and 22-16 were the annexation of the Melton property and the new school from November’s meeting. This was a second reading of these items and second readings require public hearings. You can read details of these items in last month’s article, or at the city’s page in the agenda packet.

All of these items were discussed at length last month. Again, these were second readings. In 22-15 there was an hour change that hadn’t been adjusted that needed to be made. 22-16 lays out consequences for not maintaining property in the city limits. 22-17 changes how ethics investigations of board members are conducted. 22-18 gets rid of commercial burn permits inside the city and 22-19 is the amendment to the budget move money in order to finish the tennis courts since they were being completed faster than expected. 22-20 is the change to the zoning regulations to allow automotive sales ONLY with special exception. All items passed with roll call votes.

Ordinances 22-20 through 22-24 deal with the industrial park on Union Road. All of these properties were discussed at the planning meetings and were approved at November’s meeting. Alderman Corbitt had questions about traffic and entrance details. Planning director Clark stated that those items were not needed for rezoning, but would have to be addressed in a site plan once the properties were sold for development. 22-20 through 22-24 all passed with a roll call vote, Alderman Hutson abstained from all votes.

22-25 was the overlay to ensure the buildings in the area meet design standards. 22-26 was the rezoning of the new school on 31W. 22-27 is the rezoning of the property Core5 is purchasing for a new building. All passed with roll call vote.

22-28 had its first reading at BOMA. This was passed at planning this week. The property owner would like this rezoned commercial before they attempt to sell it. According to Clark, C2 or C4 would both be fitting and either would fit with the city’s comprehensive plan. This is just north of Sage Road. It is currently not under contract and therefore does not require a site plan for rezoning. Passed.

14. Purchasing: a. To approve or reject the Covenant Constructors’ bid of $967,759.75 for the Stormwater Box Culverts project. The Public Services Directors recommend approval. This project is for Apache and The Villages.

It has been contracted with CSR for engineering, and the project came in over budget. Apache Trail will need to wait until the next fiscal year. That brings the project to $967 without labor. Cieslak did not want to wait though since there are TDEC restrictions in place in that area. Because of a salamander, they cannot work in The Villages or Apache Trail from December through June. They can get started with Hobbs though. The lead time is currently 3-6 months so Cieslak would like to begin. This will be helping many residents that have complained about storm water issues. Approved.

Herman thanked the finance department for their successful audit. Bringing Jason on board has brought the city to a point where they are receiving certification for their finances. Approved.

The budget and the calendar were both approved for next year. The only date that had to be adjusted was in December. The BOMA meeting would have fallen too close to Christmas so it was moved up a week. Approved.

Herman is on his 3rd four year contract with the city as city administrator. He stated that he loves the city and its great staff. He has one year left on his contract and would like to finish it out and add another two years. He is not looking for another four as he would like to retire. He would like to see the rec center and a few other projects completed. Mayor Bibb would like to see this approved.

Alderman Corbitt (incoming mayor) stated that the timing on this is not appropriate. He says he has nothing but respect for Mr. Herman, but that the new board should be making this decision. Corbitt stated his no vote is not a reflection of Herman, but only of the timing of the vote. Herman replied that his contract is quite clear. He can be terminated if the new board decides that they do not want him. Approved with Corbitt voting no.

There was a lot of repetition from last month in this meeting. I did not repeat the details of every ordinance in this article. There is a link to last month’s article where you can find more details of these items. I would encourage you to read the city’s packet as well. You will find that link above, and there is much more information in those packets.

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