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published on 07/15/2003
Official Minutes SM Special Meeting
By
Town Recorder
The Town Council of the Town of Signal Mountain held a special meeting on Monday, June 30, 2003, at 7:30 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
Mayor Althaus called the meeting to order and explained the meeting had been postponed from June 23rd and the reason for the special meeting—the Second Reading of the revised 2003 budget and the Second Reading of the proposed 2004 budget.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Althaus opened the Public Hearing on the revised 2003 budget and the 2004 proposed budget. Several citizens asked questions and made comments on the proposed 2004 budget—Bill Gallagher, Diane Gallagher, Joselyn Willis, Jean Dolan, Pris Shartle, Scott Hare, and Joe Dumas.
There was considerable discussion concerning the use of the $200,000 appropriated for the renovation of the playground area behind the golf club.. The Playground Committee was considering using the money for upgrades of the tennis courts, pavilion, the playground equipment, making a walkway and additional parking spaces. The unused pool at that location would be torn down, but the bath house would remain primarily for the restrooms, which would also be upgraded. It was explained that the Lions Club planned to upgrade their area of the playground.
Mr. Hare, General Manager of the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, expressed his concern about the traffic going through the area. Dropping the speed limit to 10 mph and adding speed bumps were discussed as possible solutions.
The question was asked regarding the number of employees of the Town included in the 2004 budget. The Town Recorder advised there are 91 full-time and part-time employees and that no new employees would be added. There were 74 in the General Fund budget.
Mayor Althaus explained that the 2003 budget was being amended because the Town was refinancing the current bond indebtedness and transferred the balance in the Sewer Fund to the General Fund. He explained the Town had to pass the 2004 budget which would begin July 1, 2003. There would be no tax increase for the 2004 year.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing and resumed the special meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING ENDED
The first ordinance considered 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 FY 2 TOWN BUDGET”. Councilmember Ruffin moved that the ordinance be adopted on Second Reading. The motion was seconded by Councilmember White and passed unanimously.
The last ordinance considered 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 MONTAIN 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”. Councilmember Ruffin moved that the ordinance be adopted on Second Reading. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Leonard and passed unanimously.
During the opportunity for other business to come before the Council, the citizens inquired about the parking lot at Rainbow Lake. There was considerable discussion regarding extending the parking lot at Rainbow Lake. The Mayor explained the Town received a grant to extend this parking area which he had signed, but did not know that work had started when it did. The Town Manager was out of Town and knew the parking lot extension had been planned for a long time, but did not know the work had started. Several residents of the Old Town—Caye Ozburn, Eric McLean, Bill Sonnenburg, and others expressed their concerns about the project. Mr. Sonnenburg asked for information on the project before the July 14 meeting when it would be discussed. Mr. Dick said he would get a copy of the grant from Sam Powell and make copies available to the residents.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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