Norris City Council
Minutes
Monday, February 8th, 2016
BE IT REMEMBERED THAT THE CITY OF NORRIS CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 8TH, 2016, AT 7:00 P.M. WITH THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: JACK BLACK, BILL GRIEVE, YORK HAVERKAMP,
CHRIS MITCHELL, AND LORETTA PAINTER.
The meeting
was called to order by Mayor Chris Mitchell.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
No comments from
the public.
Vice Mayor Haverkamp reported a need for new sports equipment for the community building gym. He
asked for donations of equipment such as ping pong equipment, basketballs, and volleyballs.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
1. The minutes of the January 8th,
2016 council meeting were presented for approval. Motion was made by Council Member Black to approve the minutes. Motion
was seconded by Council Member Painter. Motion carried by voice vote.
OLD BUSINESS
2.
Board and Commission Vacancies - None
3.
Animal Commission Requested Changes to City Code - City Manager Hester reported he had not received any follow-up
from the Animal Commission. Vice Mayor Haverkamp asked for opinions concerning the possibility
of raising Adoption Fees. City Manager Hester noted all vet bills are paid for by donations. Mayor
Mitchell asked if adoptions would be turned down if they do not have the money to pay for the adoptions. Mayor
Mitchell stated he would not be in favor of raising fees if it results in turning down adoptions.
4.
Ridgeway Park Additions - City Manager Hester reported he has the information needed to request bids.
He stated a Sales Representative with Gametime had mentioned another option. The City can join the USA Community
Alliance to purchase the playground equipment. This works much the same way as purchasing through the State of Tennessee
contract system. He noted there is no cost to join and there would be less uncertainty on what we would be
purchasing. City Manager said it was up to Council to decide whether to bid or join the Alliance.
He stated the Alliance would make the purchasing process smoother and the City would be more likely to get what they want.
Mayor Mitchell made a motion
to join the USA Community Alliance and request a proposal for playground
equipment
for Ridgeway Park. Motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Haverkamp. Motion carried
by voice vote.
5. Commons
Sidewalk Proposal: Review Capital Plan - City Manager Hester reported the survey work for Sidewalk Grant was being
completed and would be available for the March council meeting. City Manager Hester stated Council needs to wait until
the survey is completed and recommended deferring the Commons sidewalk discussion until the March council meeting.
6. Recreation
i.
Park Assets - City Manager Hester reported he had contacted the State of TN concerning the tennis
courts. A federal grant was used to construct the tennis courts and approval would need to be obtained to use one of
the tennis courts as part of the Milly's Wings project. He reported there is a process to repurpose the site and
a state official was very optimistic it could be changed. Vice Mayor Haverkamp said he had discussed
the possible removal of one tennis court to be used as part of the Milly's Wings Playground and most of the residents he spoke
with were against it. Mayor Mitchell stated Council need to talk to residents concerning their feelings about the possibility
of removing one of the tennis courts for the Milly's Wings project. City Manager Hester will report his findings
to the Council at the March 14th, 2016 Council Meeting.
ii. Milly's
Wings - Natalie Erb discussed the playground with Council and stated she wants the playground
to be centrally located. She does not want the public to have a negative perception of the playground as a result of
the possible removal of one of the tennis courts. She stated the current goal is to raise $150,000 for the
construction project. Once the site is identified, she said final plans would be completed. She stated $12,000
had been raised to date. Mike McGee suggested a possible centrally located site would be on property near the Pavilion.
He stated this location is more centrally located than the Eric Harold Park or the tennis courts. City Manager
Hester will contact the State of Tennessee concerning starting the repurposing process of the tennis court and will also look
at site near the Pavilion.
iii. Recreation Employee -
City Manager Hester stated this would be a benefit to the City, but would require funding by a tax increase or elimination
of a City service. This would be an item to address during the 2016-2017 budget process.
iv.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Hester reported on the following:
1) 2015 - 2016 Year to Date Budget - Overall expenditures
are on target to budget with revenues slightly above estimates. 98% of the 2015 property taxes have been collected through
December, which is on pace with previous years. Overall the City's financial health continues to be very strong, and
the City is in good position for meeting upcoming capital needs such as equipment and road paving.
2)
Grant Updates
a. T-21 Grant Opportunity - grant
was awarded for $347,000 to extend the City sidewalk system to Highway 61. This will require the City to provide match
funds of approximately $120,000. TDOT has authorized the City to proceed with the Environmental Phase of the project,
and site survey has been completed.
b. Safe Routes to Schools Grant - City Manager
Hester reported the award of this grant was received in August. This is 100% federally funded, no match is permitted.
The target date for starting work on this grant will be early spring 2016, and completed by late spring. Firm dates
should be available by January 2016.
c. Oil
Recycling Grant - an award has been made by TDEC for an oil recycling grant in the amount of $21,500. The Grant request
had been for $27,500. City Manager Hester stated we will evaluate if we can still upgrade both used oil furnaces at
Public Works and NWC Operations buildings with the lower funded amount. This grant is funded 100% and requires no local
match.
3) Capital Updates
a. Public Safety Vehicle has been delivered and will be placed in service once radios
have been installed and title has been secured.
b. Paving Bids for East Norris Road
- Bids are due end of February and will be available for Council review at the March meeting.
4)
Staffing Update
Leanne Eldred is retiring from the City Office effective at
the end of February 2016. She has worked for the City/Norris Water Commission for over seven years.
5) Update
of Watershed Resource Management Plan
The Board is still working on update. The
plan will soon be available for public comment prior to its adoption. The plan will be posted on the City's website
soon.
6) See attached City Manager
Report.
NEW BUSINESS
7)
Budget Amendments - none
8)
Resolution 1-2016 - Codification of City Ordinances - A resolution requesting Municipal Technical
Advisory Service to codify and revise the ordinances of the City of Norris at the earliest possible date was presented for
approval. The cost would be $3,500 for the codification. City Manager Hester reported this would be included in
the 2016-2017 budget. Motion was made by Council Member Grieve to approve the resolution. Motion was seconded
by Council Member Black. Motion carried by voice note.
9)
Ordinance 592 - An Ordinance to Amend Title 2, Miscellaneous, Chapter 6 - Norris Library Commission
was presented for first reading. After review of the Ordinance, the following revisions were recommended:
1) Section 2 - 604 - the work "predominately" would be removed and replaced with "partially"; 2) Section
2 - 604 paragraph two - add "shall be deposited in three (3) days of receipt and remove "the account of the Library
Commission" and add "the appropriate City Fund. 3) In the last sentence-remove "in" the account"
and add "on behalf" and 4) remove "in the same way as money appropriated to the library commission" and
add in accordance with all City budgeting and purchasing policies." Motion was made by Council
Member Black to approve Ordinance 592 on first reading with revisions noted. Motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Haverkamp.
Motion carried by voice vote.
10) City
Manager Hester noted a Public Hearing was required on Ordinance 592. Motion was made by Vice
Mayor Haverkamp to hold the Public Hearing on March 14th, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Motion was seconded by Council
Member Painter. Motion carried by voice vote.
11) Accounts
Payable, Minutes, and Reports
Mayor Mitchell asked Council for questions or comments concerning accounts
payable, minutes, and reports. There were no questions or comments from Council.
Motion was made
by Council Member Grieve to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Council Member Painter. Motion carried by voice vote
at 9:10 p.m.
TO:
Norris City Council
FROM: Tim Hester
City
Manager's Report, February 8, 2016
1. 2015-16 Year to Date (Estimated through December) Budget.
Overall, YTD Expenditures are on target to budget, and revenues are slightly above estimates. 98% of property tax has
been collected through November, which is on pace with previous years. Other key revenue categories (State Sales
Tax, Local Option Sales Tax, Liquor & Beer Wholesale Tax) are on budget.
Estimated 2014-15 Year
End Undesignated CASH reserves finished at:
-
- General Fund
$210,000
- Watershed Fund $177,717 ($26,762 of this is earmarked
for future Rifle Range improvements)
Overall, the City's financial health continues to be very strong,
and the City is good position for meeting upcoming capital needs such as equipment and road paving.
- Grant
Updates.
- New T-21 Grant Opportunity - grant was awarded for
$347,000 to extend the City sidewalk system to Highway 61. This will require the City to provide match funds
of approximately $120,000. TDOT reports that these types of projects typically take 2-3 years of prep work prior
the project breaking ground. TDOT has authorized us to proceed with the Environmental Phase of the project.
The site survey was completed, and next steps will be discussed at the council meeting.
- Safe Routes
to Schools Grant Opportunity. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federally funded program
focusing on the benefits of children walking and biking to school. Its primary purpose is to encourage elementary and
middle school children to safely walk and bicycle to school through infrastructure improvements, educational initiatives
and promotional activities. Projects and activities are 100% federally funded for the 2015 year; no match is permitted.
Our award of this grant was received and we have begun the planning process for implementation. The target
date for starting work on this grant will be spring 2016. Preliminary paperwork has been submitted
to the State and we are now waiting for their approval to perform the environmental assessment.
- Oil
Recycling Grant. An award has been made by TDEC for an oil recycling grant in the amount
of $21,500. Grant request had been for $27,500. We will evaluate if we can still upgrade
both used oil furnaces at Public Works and NWC operations buildings with the lower funded amount. This grant
is funded 100% and requires no local match. I will be attending a mandatory seminar for this
grant on February 9th.
- Capital Update
- Public
Safety Vehicle. Vehicle has been delivered, and will be placed in service once radios have been installed
and the vehicle title has been secured
- Paving Bids for East Norris Road. Bids are due
end of February and will be available for Council review at the March meeting.
- Staffing
Update. Leanne Eldred has decided to retire from the City office staff effective at the end of February.
Leanne is currently in the part-time position of Records Clerk, but has also worked in the office in the full time
role of Administrative Assistant. Leanne has worked for the City and Water Commission for over 7 years, and
we wish her all the best in retirement. Plans are to hire a new Records Clerk in the coming weeks.
- Update of Watershed Resource Management Plan. The Norris Watershed Board is
working to update and revise the Resource Management Plan. This plan addresses 3 major categories of
activities in the Watershed: forest management, recreation, and water quality. Public workshops were held
in January, February, April, and May. The plan will continue to be worked on and discussed at future
meetings. The public is encouraged to attend future Watershed Board meetings and provide input to the Watershed
Board regarding one of Norris' most important resources. The expectation is that the Plan will soon be available
for public comment prior to its adoption. Plan will be posted on the City's website soon.