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published on 07/15/2003
Official Minutes to SM Town Council Meeting
By
Town Recorder
The Town Council of the Town of Signal Mountain held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Those present were:
Mayor James H. Althaus, Vice-Mayor William O. Leonard, Councilmember Rachel Bryant, Councilmember Stephen Ruffin, Councilmember Robert E. White, II.
Also present were:Town Manager Hershel Dick, Town Recorder Diana Campbell, Town Attorney Phil Noblett.
The Mayor called the meeting to order and Councilmember Bryant offered the prayer. The Town Recorder called the roll and all members were present.
Councilmember Ruffin pointed out that in the minutes of May 23 and 24, Councilmember White was absent. The Mayor indicated that in the May 12 minutes on page 3 there was a sentence quoting Phil Noblett. The next to the last sentence should read, “Mr. Noblett indicated it could be done unless there is some deed restrictions.” Councilmember Ruffin moved that the minutes of the May 12 regular meeting, the May 17 special called meeting and budget work session, the May 23 budget work session and May 24 special called meeting and budget work session be approved as corrected. The motion was seconded by Mayor Althaus and passed unanimously.
Mayor Althaus commented that these had been the best budget work session in which he had been involved in his 11 years on the Council.
The first resolution to be considered by the Council was “A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN’S DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION. Those appointed were Warren Dropkin, 1-year term; Karna Levitt, 3-year; Don Moon, 2-year term; Cheryl Graham, 3-year term; George Kangles, 2-year term; John Curry, 2-year term, and Bill Wilkerson, 1-year term. All were to make current terms end in the appropriate year. Mayor Althaus moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilmember White and passed unanimously. Vice-Mayor Leonard suggested that in the future the Council be furnished with bios on persons appointed to boards, commissions, and committees. Councilmember Bryant suggested that the Town have a tickler file for these appointments.
The second resolution to be considered by the Council was “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER AND/OR MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AND RENEW A CONTRACT FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN WITH BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF TENNESSEE WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO WITH PREVIOUS COVERAGE REMAINING THE SAME WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT INDIVIDUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES WILL INCREASE FROM $1,000.00 TO $2,000.00 AND FAMILY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES WILL INCREASE FROM $2,000.00 TO $4,000.00. There was a discussion of the contract for renewal of the medical insurance. There would be a 10.9 percent increase in premiums. The individual out-of-pocket expenses would increase from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 and the family out-of-pocket expenses would increase from $2,000.00 to $4,000.00. The Town and the employees would continue to pay the same percentage, but there would be an additional dollar contribution by both. Councilmember Ruffin moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Mayor Althaus and passed unanimously.
The third resolution to be considered by the Council was a “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION, TERMS, ISSUANCE, SALE, AND PAYMENT OF NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 WATER REVENUE AND TAX REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2003, OF THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE, AND PROVIDING THE DETAILS THEREOF”. Vice-Mayor Leonard moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bryant and passed unanimously.
The last resolution to be considered by the Council was a “RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF INTEREST BEARING GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL OUTLAY REFUNDING NOTES, SERIES 2003, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,390,000, AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID NOTES”. Councilmember White moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Leonard and passed unanimously.
The first ordinance to be considered by the Council was “AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A REVISED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM FOR THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE, DEVISE RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR A DIRECTOR AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH PROGRAM”. Councilmember Bryant moved that the ordinance be passed on Second Reading. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Ruffin and passed unanimously.
The next ordinance to be considered by the Council was “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2002-3, ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FY 2 TOWN BUDGET” SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR REFINANCING OF BONDS, LOANS AND NOTES IN THE GENERAL FUND AND THE WATER FUND BASED UPON THE TRANSFER OF THE SEWER FUND TO THE HAMILTON COUNTY WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT AUTHORITY AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAY-OFF OF THE BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SEWER FUND AND TO TRANSFER TWO HUNDRED AND NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($209,447.00) RESIDUAL EQUITY FROM THE SEWER FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED BY 2 TOWN BUDGET”. Councilmember Ruffin moved that the resolution be passed on first reading. Councilmember Bryant seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The third ordinance to be considered by the Council was “AN ORDINANCE, HEREINAFTER KNOWN AS THE “FY 2 BUDGET ORDINANCE” TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN DURING THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2003, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2004, AND APPROPRIATING SAME TO THE PAYMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT DURING SAID FISCAL YEAR; FIXING THE RATE OF TAXATION ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2 AND THE TIME TAXES AND PRIVILEGES ARE DUE, HOW THEY SHALL BE PAID, WHEN THEY SHALL BECOME DELINQUENT; AND PROVIDING FOR INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON ALL DELINQUENT TAXES AND PRIVILEGES OWED TO THE TOWN OF SIGNAL MOUNTAIN”. Mayor Althaus moved that the ordinance be passed on first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bryant and passed unanimously. A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance was set for Monday, June 23, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. The Mayor pointed out that the tax rate will stay the same--$1.65 per $100 of assessed value.
Coughlin Cooper and Jock Dunbar spoke on the Playground Committee’s report on the improvement to the playground area behind the golf course and indicated they would like to be a part of the plans for the playground. They were advised there had been $200,000 appropriated in the 2 budget for renovations to that playground. Demolition of the unused pool was included in the $200,000 and would be done in-house. Also some parking spaces would be added. The bathhouse, which included restrooms, would be left. There was a discussion about kids vandalizing restrooms at the ball parks. The Council agreed to place three additional citizens on the Playground Committee. Ms. Cooper and Mr. Dunbar agreed to be two of the additional members.
Mayor Althaus advised that in preparing the budget for 2, the Council had reduced or cut out contributions to several worthy organizations that the Town had been contributing to over the last several years. He said that in no way detracted from the Council’s opinion of the worthiness of these organizations, but the Council was concerned about the taxpayers monies going toward those organizations. He encouraged citizens to individually make their own contributions to those organizations.
Town Manager Hershel Dick reported on the last Planning Commission meeting. He explained they reviewed the Zoning Ordinance and agreed to meet again August 7 to put the ordinance together. He noted there would be no July meeting.
Mayor Althaus inquired about the status of the Tabb property. Town Attorney Phil Noblett advised he had a letter from a James family heir raising concerns about the title to the property. The heir contended there was a restriction on the deed that the property would be used by the Town or go back to the James family. Mr. Noblett said he was researching this claim.
Councilmember White thanked the citizens for coming to the meeting and showing concern and volunteering to help with the renovation of the playground.
Councilmember Ruffin asked about the 5 incidents of resisting arrest on the monthly Police Report. The total for the year was 5 and he wondered if all incidents were in the month of May or if it was a typo. The Town Manager said he would look into it.
Vice-Mayor Leonard said he was impressed with the Department Heads in regard to preparing the budget.
Mayor Althaus praised the Council, Town Manager, and Town Recorder for their long hours and professional input into the budget process.
The Town Manager reported that the house at 617 Timberlinks Drive had been demolished.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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