CITY COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2009

Financial – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated everyone should have a report in their packets showing we are 25% through the year and the revenues are lacking a little bit, not enough to be concerned. We are holding up good compared to what is happening across the states.

Mayor Morris stated the sales tax is holding up exceptionally well. Everyone else is down and he didn’t know how. He felt like we were getting a more accurate reading from Hardin County than what we used to. There were two or three businesses that were posted to Hardin County and not city. After that was corrected, we have done really well.

Commissioner Garrison stated we are up 22% with the tourism in Adamsville so that brings in more dollars to all the businesses.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to approve the financials. Second was made by Commissioner Garrison.

Roll Call: Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Adjustments – Mayor Morris asked if anybody had questions on the adjustments and if not then on to building permits.

Building Permits – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on the building permits and if not then we would go to police report.

Police – Mayor Morris stated it looking like speeding citations is up a little bit. Commissioner Garrison stated going back to the building permits; she saw where Jack Surratt had opened his business back up. Did they add something on the back of that or what? Mayor Morris replied they had torn the old shed down.

Chief McCall stated on his report, item A listed as an assault with deadly weapon. That has been changed to attempted first-degree murder. Commissioner Garrison asked if that had come up yet? Chief McCall replied no.

Public Works – Mr. P.W. Plunk stated surely somebody had something they want to say about the lost for September being 6.9 %. Mayor Morris said that was real good. The street department and gas departments have worked on leaks along with the water department.

Mr. Dan Brown, Adamsville citizen, asked to say something. Mayor Morris replied for him to go ahead. Mr. Brown said, “At Keystone and Sycamore, my daughter lives there, 2 people, water is about a mile away to the meter. It runs across other property, driveways and whatever. At one time the road grader always got it but what has happened recently she has had two water bills for two people that have been $90.00. She will probably get a third in the next billing because they have just found the leak that was on someone else property. She had to pay $150.00 for a backhoe to come in and then more to get it fixed. I brought this up at a meeting here about a year ago, the problem they were having with their water. There are eight or nine meters that are at the end of the water line that is ran on Beason, I believe it is.” Mayor Morris said, “ I can’t place where you are talking about.”

Mr. Plunk got up to show on the map where he was speaking about. Mr. Plunk said, “ It is right in here (while pointing on the map) and what he is talking about is, these lines are not city lines. It is individual lines, there are nine water meters over in there setting side by side. These people down in here have to run their water lines all the way over to there because there isn’t water down through there. We are looking at tying this together which will eliminate what he is talking about.” Mayor Morris asked, “What do you want us to do?” Mr. Brown replied, “I want you to fix it. There is a big house being built on the corner of Sycamore and Kennedy, so I am wondering what they are going to do. Are they going to ask the people that own the other properties to run across them or will this happen before then?” Mr. Plunk replied, “I am working hard to tie this together which will bring that line down that road. We are working as fast as we can to tie lines together to get a better system but when you got two people in water, it is hard. Then I have to take people out of other departments to help water. Then that stops the other departments from their jobs. We are limited to what we can do with the amount of people we have working.”

Commissioner Garrison said, “As you said you were having to shut other departments down, as we continue to grow, we will have to expand our employees.” Mayor Morris asked, “Is there anything else on public works? If not we will go to parks and recreation, Mr. Bubba. Is he here?” Commissioner Browder stated, “I’m sure he is at the ball field.”

Parks and Recreation – Mr. Thrasher said, “He is at the park. As you can tell by reading his report, he is spending a lot of his nights at the park. All this rain has killed this park program. So many games have been rained out; I don’t see how they will get them caught up.” Mayor Morris asked, “If there was anything else on parks and recreation?”

Mr. Plunk said, “I might be able to tell you something about parks and rec., there were 500 kids in this program going on right now. They have 100 cheerleaders but there are eleven teams. They have 200 plus football players and 200 soccer players. So they have their hands full.”

Buford Pusser Home and Museum – Vice Mayor lacey made a motion to approve items B through G. Commissioner Norris second the motion. All Ayes.

Commissioner Garrison said, “Renee had something to say.” Vice Mayor Lacey asked, “Renee, do you have something to say?” She replied, “I had everything in my report.”

 OLD BUSINESS

BWSC Water & wastewater study – Mr. Bryant Bondurant stated, “You hired us to assess the existing water system and take a look at what problems you’ve got and then also look down the road ten years. Part in doing this study was to do up-to-date water maps for you all. I have worked with Paul and Don on this. This is a map of the entire system. We also did the sewer system map which shows all the manholes and all the lines and pump stations. Then we did a separate one just for what is in the City of Adamsville. That is what that map is. This is a map of Enville system, one for the Milledgeville system and also one for the Crump area. I will leave this with Paul but those are up-to-date now. The first thing we done were take a looking at what the existing flows are and then what they will be in the future. The numbers in my report as far as what your existing flows are because just as we were finishing up, Paul found a problem with the meter at the plant. You all were showing like a 38% water loss and I understand that is way down now. So we were projecting basically on the numbers we had that your present flow were about 800,000 gallons a day; well that number would be high now. Really my report turns out to be very conservative. The project is that over the next ten years, this area all of your water system area is probably going to go about 9.5% based on that growth and what I thought you were running, Paul. In the next ten years, your average daily flow will be about 875,000 gallons. Your peak demand was running about 999,000 gallons and it will go up to about 1,100,000. I will get into what significance of that is. So we had those projections and then we looked at your water treatment plant and your well capacity and your storage capacity. The water treatment plant has the capacity of 1 mgd. Now your average daily flow will probably still be less than that but the peak flow is going to be over 1 mgd. So right at the ten year period is when you will need to start looking at expanding that plant. Your well capacity, you have great well capacity, you have 2.5 mgd, million gallons per day. You are running less than one now so you are good probably as long as any of us are going to live as far as well capacity. We are putting up an elevated storage tank right now. When we get that tank up, we will have 925,000 gallons of storage. State law is that you have enough storage for your average daily usage. Right now that is around 800,000 or less but even at the end of the ten-year period it should be at 875,000 and again that is probably conservative now. So storage wise, we are still good into the ten year period.”

“The next thing we did was to look at what problem areas you have. The first thing is this area here on highway 69. There is about 4,000 feet, Paul and them have had to take out of service because that pipe is so bad, the leaks were so bad, there wasn’t anyway to keep that line in service. It was impossible to do it. The next problem area is on the discharge side of the Old Union booster pump station. Those pumps right now, they kick on and off every four to five minutes. Well when pumps do that, it creates a water hammer. It is hard on your pipes and causing Paul a lot of trouble with leaks in that area. Another problem and it relates to the Old Union booster pump station, when they kick on, they are pulling water out of this area, the highway 69 and Beason Road area. The other thing is on Winding Ridge road, as you get out to the far end of where that line is, they have low pressure problems out there. That is caused by the fact that as you get out here, you go up in elevation about 100 feet. That cost you around 40 p.s.i. on your pressure.”

“Those are the main problems that we have been able to identify in working with Paul and Don. Now, here is what the recommendations are and I will give these in priority. The first thing we think you need to do is replaced that existing 6” line that you have shut off now. The estimated cost on that is $170,000.00.” Mayor Morris asked, “Forty thousand feet, isn’t that awful high?” Mr. Bondurant replied, “Well these are estimates and when I do cost estimates, I am usually conservative on my cost estimates. That is including construction cost and if you do a loan, you have to pay back the loan, engineering, inspection, and the whole deal. For estimating and budgeting purpose, that is what I recommend. You would bid this out.” Mayor Morris said, “Four thousand feet, we can do that ourselves as far as that goes but I’m not going to be here.”

Mr. Bondurant said, “The second thing is the Old Union booster pump station, we recommend you put a variable frequency drive on that which would stop that kicking on and off. We are building the new tank right there, that is going to help that situation some anyway because instead of the booster pump kicking on and off due to line pressure, it will fill that tank. There will be an upper level that when the pumps come on, they will fill to that level and that will take several hours. And then it will drop down. They won’t be running until it drops down to a certain level. And then again, it doesn’t just kick on. It will come up slowly and it will come off slowly.”

Mayor Morris stated, “All we plan on using that pump at Old Union for is to fill that tank up, isn’t it? Then we won’t have to worry about regular pipeline except for the pipeline going to the pump.” Mr. Bondurant replied, “Yeah because it is all connected but you would still see that pressure if you were kicking on and off then you could see that water hammer even with the tank there to some extent. But the variable frequency drive is only about a $14,000.00 item.” Commissioner Garrison asked, “How long does that $14,000.00 item usually last?” Mr. Bondurant replied, “About ten to twelve years.”

Mr. Bondurant then said, “The third priority is the Winding Ridge situation which again what that is going to take is a booster pump station. I would recommend you put one with a variable frequency drive on it and project cost for that estimated at $40,000.00.” Mayor Morris asked, “What do we have about ten houses out there if that many, do we?” Mr. Plunk stated, “I really don’t know how many but I guess why those people hadn’t said anything about pressure is because they don’t know those should have any more pressure because they’ve never had it.” Mayor Morris said, “If I remember right, didn’t they put that line in themselves and we bought the materials several years ago? I know that last house that was built up there, we would have to have a lot of pressure if she wants it because she is sitting up on that knob.” Mr. Plunk said, “The state requires we must have 20 p.s.i. and we barely do get that and sometimes we don’t have twenty.”

Mr. Bondurant stated, “The last priority and rather next to last is the Sycamore View area that we were talking about. What we are recommending is that you tie the 4” line together plus bring a 4” down highway 69 and tie into a 2” on Beason and valve off that system so it is operating off of that tank running the way it is now. I think that would solve your problem plus if you have the 4” line, those houses that are on the private lines now, they could tie in to the 4” line and have plenty of pressure. They have to have terrible pressure problems. That is going to take about 7,000 feet and for project cost I have estimated about $250,000.00 for that.”

Mayor Morris asked P.W. Plunk, “How many houses are up there about twenty?” Mr. Plunk replied, “There are nine meters sitting up there then the ones down the other way. We are doing 2,000 feet at Enville right now all we like is tying it in. I’m telling you I can do that a lot cheaper.”

Mr. Bondurant stated, “The last priority is the treatment plant in about ten years, you will have to expand the treatment plant. Now typically, when you expand a treatment plant you just double the size of it. We are doing work out there now redoing those pressure filters. Typically, you have two pressure filters out there now then you would go to four. You would go from a 1 mgd capacity to a 2 mgd capacity. You don’t necessarily have to do it that way. But I would suggest when you get to that point and see what your growth looks like then see if you want to expand that much or not. I based it on doubling the size and then tried to use a estimation on what the inflation would be, that will probably be about a 5,000,000.00 job.”

Mayor Morris stated, “Everything we need to do here around town in a few years from now, I don’t know if you have it in that or not, I would say is going to run into probably 4,000,000.00 if not 5,000,000.00 just fixing the old pipes around here in town.”

Commissioner Browder asked, “In your ten year project, we have this industrial park that is “deal ready”, are you calculating any large customers coming in?” Mr. Bondurant replied, “There is no way have doing that. If you get a big water user in here, we would probably have to expand the treatment plant at that time.” Vice Mayor Lacey asked, “Do we have the ability to service that area for just a small industry with the current pump stations? Could we put two houses out at the same time if they were both on fire with our current system?” Mr. Bondurant stated, “It would depend on where you are.” Mr. Lacey said, “Well they wouldn’t be right beside each other, more than likely. Those are some of the concerns we had when we asked for this study. If we recruit someone to come into the industrial park, are we going to be able to provide them the water and sewer that they would need. Can we put two house fires out at one time? Are our main lines up and down the streets, will they last ten to fifteen years or do they need to be done now?” Commissioner Garrison stated, “Like some of our lines downtown now are old and crumbling, right Paul?” Mr. Plunk replied, “Well, they’re old, I wouldn’t say they are crumbled.” Commissioner Garrison said, “Some the old metal pipes, do we not still have some of that down? Is that not in time, going to rust and going to decay and that is where water seeps out of them there. But we do need to replace them with a larger size, right? If the city is going to continue to grow.”

Mr. Bondurant stated, “Your water pressure is pretty good. When we ran the model, the only place s we saw pressure problems was there and there. Your system is pretty good. Now when you start replacing pipes based on what we were seeing, you probably don’t need to upsize your pipes.” Commissioner Garrison replied, “Well let me ask you this, to get that water pressure out there to me saying if Ripley Industry or Aqua Glass, God forbid, caught on fire and then we had a house to catch on fire over here in Dickey Woods at the same time; That was one of the things we had a problem with and wanted this study. We had been told by our fire chief here, we couldn’t put both of them out.” Mr. Thrasher said, “It don’t matter how much water you’ve got, we don’t have the trucks or manpower. That is why we have reached an agreement with Hardin and McNairy County for backup. If you get the pressure up and you only have ten firemen on the scene, you are still in a fix.” Commissioner Garrison said, “The study wasn’t for the firemen, the study was for the fact are we going to have the water pressure or supply.” Mr. Bondurant replied, “Anytime you have a house fire, you are going to have plenty of pressure but you get a huge industry on fire and trying to put that out, that is a unusual situation. You can only design for certain situations; you can’t design for the worse situations. But generally speaking I am going to say, your system is pretty good. And as far as can you handle another industry? Right now, yes unless they come in and need a huge water usage then you would have problems.” Vice Mayor Lacey said, “So we can handle that and two or three more subdivisions if they were to be built, right?” Mr. Bondurant said, “You couldn’t build enough residential houses right now to create a problem. Let me throw out some information to you. If you tried to get money and Paul wasn’t going to do it in-house, you have the Delta Regional Authority; they only fund water and sewer extensions. They will not fund any type of maintenance. Theirs is a maximum of a $200,000.00 grant. The CDBG, they handle both water and sewer, those are competitive. Theirs is a maximum of $500,000.00 grant but there is some local match on those. You can’t submit for another CDBG until we close out the water tank so you’re probably not going to make this coming years funding cycle but you would be ready for the following year. The Rural Development, they do a combination grant and loan. They do water and sewer and probably a minimum of 20% grant and the rest would be a loan. They make you use up the loan before they give you the grant. The other thing is State Revolving Loan Fund, they’ve got a program right now where you can essentially get 40 percent grant; this is part of that stimulus money but the kicker on that one is, you have to be under construction by February 2010. That is basically the four choices you have. That is all I have unless someone has questions.”

Commissioner Browder said, “I do have one question. I know these are current and up to date, will we have the ability, is that going to be like a CAD program to where we can add to that as lines are put in?” Mr. Bondurant replied, “I gave Paul a cd, which is a pdf but we can update those. It would be easy for Paul to mark something up and send it to us and we can take care of that.”

 NEW BUSINESS

Engraved Pavers – Commissioner Garrison stated, “First let me state, I appreciate all the volunteers that are on the committee to help sell the pavers. It wasn’t that I was complaining about anyone but I had folks to come to me during the fall festival saying they thought the names would be larger or maybe more into the thing and I had just asked Terry, our City Administrator and Ms. Glenda to please try to get the engineering company or the people representing the pavers. Have you looked up there in front of the restaurant, do you think that will stay very long?” Mayor Morris said, “They are burned in real deep and they will be around longer than me or you will be.”

Mr. Thrasher said, “The guy is finishing up today on getting a price to TDOT. They should get it this week and the private individual should get her this week. Now when TDOT will move on this, I couldn’t tell you.”

Resolution on Principal Group/Retirement Plan – The city was in a profit sharing program that the city made a contribution and the employee couldn’t add to it. Now we got with our agent into one that will allow them to add to it. What this resolution is doing is killing the old profit sharing program and setting up a 457 plan where the employee can contribute as well.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to approve this resolution. Commissioner Garrison seconded the motion. All Ayes.

Motion to adjourn made by vice Mayor Frank Lacey and Commissioner Browder second.

The Adamsville City Commission meeting was called to order by Mayor Tommy Morris on September 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Adamsville City Hall with the following present: Mayor Tommy Morris; Vice Mayor Frank Lacey; Commissioner Mike Norris; Commissioner Jeff Browder; Commissioner Dwana Pusser Garrison; Attorney Ken Seaton; City Administrator Terry Thrasher; Public Works Director Paul W. Plunk; Assistant Chief of Police Jerry Christopher and Deputy Recorder Glenda Anderson. Parks and Recreation Director, Greg “Bubba” Martin, was not present.

Prayer – Mr. Eddie Dickey, citizen of Adamsville.

Pledge of Allegiance – Jerry “Frog” Christopher, Assistant Chief of Police

Minutes – Mayor Morris said he would like to read one part of last months minutes that was stated by one of our commissioners, “ Commissioner Garrison stated that he should have been here when all of this was debated” about the charter “that was the only thing about people running for office, when they don’t come except for right at that time. They need to be here a along time before the election or come all the time so they could hear all that when it is being discussed.” As far as he knew, Commissioner Garrison never came to a meeting until she was appointed. Commissioner Pusser-Garrison replied that she had been to a couple meetings before she was appointed.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Commissioner Mike Norris made a second. All Aye.

Financial – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated everyone had a copy of the financials through August 31^st, 16.7% has passed and the revenues are looking good. There are no problems to tell about. The sales taxes have gone down some. Commissioner Browder asked about the MuniGas. P.W. Plunk said we couldn’t get on until they do another bond issued. He didn’t know for sure a time frame for that.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to approve the financial statement as read and Commissioner Mike Norris made a second.

Roll Call: Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Pusser-Garrison, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Adjustments – Mayor Morris asked if anybody had questions on the adjustments and if not then on to building permits.

Building Permits – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions about the two building permits. Commissioner Pusser-Garrison wanted to ask about the Lucky 13 Tattoo sign but if it violated the codes then she was sure Danny wouldn’t have issued that permit.

Police – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions about the police report and if not then we would go on to Public Works.

Public Works – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions about Public Works. It looked like water loss is still down.

Parks and recreation – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on Parks and Recreation, If not then on to museum.

Buford Pusser Museum – Mayor Morris asked if there were any thing on the Buford Pusser Museum.

Vice Mayor Lacey made the motion to accept item B through G. Commissioner Norris second the motion. All Aye.

 OLD BUSINESS

Water Parks Project – Ms. Alta Lane stated she had turned the Beautification Chairmanship to Mrs. Jimmie Ann Burks because she would like to start working on the water project and she came tonight to get the boards permission to form a committee to start working on that.

Vice Mayor Lacey asked “Who would the committee be made up of?” Ms. Lane said “I have several people in mind. I thought a committee of about seven would be a good size and yet not too big to get to anything accomplished but enough to get a consensus on.”

Commissioner Garrison asked “Do you want to elaborate on the water park project?” Ms. Lane replied, “I came last month and went over all of that.” Commissioner Garrison replied  “She just wanted to make sure that was what she was talking about.”

Vice Mayor Lacey stated “As a commission, we would greatly appreciate any help you can do as far as getting that going, possibly seeking grants or whatever. And then report back to us with your findings.” Everyone agreed it was a good idea and no motions were needed.

De-Annex Highway 22 (North Maple) – Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to table any plans to de-annex Highway 22 until more information is available to them at a later date. Commissioner Browder seconded the motion. All Ayes.

Re Zoning Highway 117 (South Maple) – Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion we do not have a second reading of this ordinance and we remove it from our language and not make any changes in the zoning of Highway 117. Commissioner Norris seconded the motion.

Mayor Morris asked for discussion. Commissioner Garrison said “I have heard from many of the people down through there that own property and my understanding is there is a greater number that don’t want it than that do want it.” Commissioner Norris stated “If the citizens don’t want it, we don’t need to do it.”

Call Vote: Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Mayor Morris, no.

Amend CDBG – Ms. Sylvia Palmer stated “Mayor, Commissioner and Mr. Plunk when I submitted the CDBG paperwork to Shannon Cotter for your resolution of what was needed to meet matching funds for your elevated water tank project, I gave her the wrong figures. I made a mistake and I apologize for that. Tonight I am here to give you the figures that we need a resolution for in order to have enough money set aside so Nashville will allow us to pursue with our project. The new figures we need additional $30,202.75 to meet the total local match of the project. The construction total was $564,728.00. CDBG amount is $397,618.25, leaving the City of Adamsville responsible for $167,046.75. You have already supplied resolutions for $126,200.00. During the last City Counsel meeting, you voted in another $10,644.00 and tonight in order to make up for my error, I am asking you to authorize the additional $30,202.75.”

Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Norris and second was made by Commissioner Browder.

Roll Call: Commissioner Garrison, yes; Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

NEW BUSINESS

Side Walk Ordinances – Mr. Terry Thrasher said “Mayor, we have got some questions about some ordinances and I am not sure we can handle it tonight. But with the reconstruction of the sidewalks in Adamsville, I think we need to study the sidewalk ordinances as to what constitutes blocking the sidewalk or obstructing the sidewalk. We probably need to table this with the work we have been able to do in the past couple of days and see what we get into at a later date. The way our ordinance reads, we can’t put anything out on the sidewalk. Like with the Fall Fest and the merchants want to put something outdoors, they wouldn’t be able to.”

Vice Mayor Lacey asked “Do we have an ordinance in place?” Commissioner Garrison replied “Yes, we have an ordinance in place stating they can’t because some of them are taking it a little beyond extremes.” Vice Mayor Lacey stated “This isn’t a new thing. We have trouble with our ordinances all the time. If we have an ordinance on the book, we need to enforce or we need to change it.”

Mr. Parnell Lewis, Adamsville business owner and citizen, said, “I agree with Frank. If we have ordinances in the city, they need to be enforced. That is why you have a code enforcement officer. That is what Terry is here for. Now you guys can change it anyway you want to but now that we have new and great looking sidewalks, we are going to have things that will come up and maybe have never came up before. Because before when you had weeds that were this high growing out of the sidewalk, it didn’t matter. I think everyone is excited about having a really nice looking sidewalk without; I am just talking for me personally. You go to different towns and you see all kind of things once their sidewalks have been refurbished. I went to one town where they had committee, like maybe your committee, that decided okay we do need garbage cans. Lets have consistent black heavy garbage cans that are emptied by the city on a regular basis. You do need a place people can put cigarette butts cause someone will have to pick those up if there is not a place to put them. You know something consistent so it is right down there. So everything looks good and the owners of the buildings, what they do with their buildings. I don’t know if that’s code or not; I’m sure the signage is coded because we have all ran into to signage and what the code is. But I worry if the city starts waiving things or having waivers that are inconsistent. You aren’t treating one property owner the same as the other then that just leads to trouble. If the city wants to say okay we are having a festival, let’s let it out; you can do that. But in general, who is going to decide how the planning is because we are going to have beautiful lights and planters with water going in. All of that I hope the city will look at and maybe get someone how is really knowledgeable to make them all consistent; where one won’t be petunias and one with whatever and this one something else so we can keep the area that has been redone clean and clear. Last weekend, I don’t know if anyone noticed because it probably didn’t matter, I put a bunch of junk on the sidewalk just to show you, it is not consistent. There is no telling what will get out on the sidewalk. Everybody has their on taste and everybody has their own opinions but if you guys don’t control it to make it consistent, then Lord knows what’s going to be out there. I have a real interest in this town. I love the people, I like the atmosphere and I think if you guys don’t enforce the code the way it is and make some exceptions for a committee to decide a consistent way of doing it. The city, I hope, will spend the money to get the beer cans out of the planting, keep it clean and keep the garbage cans cleaned up and cigarette butt containers but if it is all consistent, I think it will look wonderful. Personally I want to spend some real money on whatever buildings that I own downtown but it is discouraging if it’s not going to look nice. I am not the one to say if it looks nice or not, I think somebody like Ms. Lane, who I have heard good things about and her ability, to do that.

Vice Mayor Lacey replied, “I make a motion to ask the Beautification Committee, Planning Commission and Adamsville Partnership to get together and establish new zoning ordinances for sidewalks and common areas and maintenance thereof but until that time, enforce the ordinance that is in place.”

Mayor Morris stated “I thought they have been enforcing those, have they not?” Vice Mayor Lacey replied “I think we pick and chose but that’s fine.” Commissioner Garrison said “We can’t be picking and choosing.”

Mayor Morris asked “Do I hear a second?” Second was made by Commissioner Garrison. All Aye.

Elect One (1) Board Member for Board of Zoning Appeals – Mayor Morris asked “Would anybody like to be on the Board of Zoning Appeal?” Mr. Parnell asked “What does that board do?” Mayor Morris replied “If someone had a permit turned down for their house or easement then they can go to the Board of Zoning Appeal and they can either okay it or no. Isn’t that right, Terry?” Mr. Thrasher said “That’s right and they only meet when there is a need for it. If somebody wants a place zoned as a B-1 and it happens to be B-2 then they could go to them.”

Mr. Lewis stated “I am a voter and a citizen here and I would consider it.” Vice Mayor Lacey said “I make a motion that Parnell get put on it.” Mayor seconded the motion.

Elect Three (3) Board Members for Beer Board – Mayor Morris stated “I have submitted Larry Mitchell and Daniel Glover for the beer board. We need one more because Fred Direks wants off of it. His time was up last year and we never appointed anyone to take his place.” Jack Coffman, citizen of Adamsville, nominated Steve Tidwell. Vice Mayor Lacey said “I make the motion we accept the three nominations by acclamation.” Commissioner Browder seconded the motion.

Tourism and Economic Development – Mayor Morris turned this over to Commissioner Pusser Garrison. Vice Mayor Lacey said “Your phone or some bodies phone rang.” Commissioner Garrison replied “I’m sorry, you looked at me like it was my phone and it is not mine Ms. Glenda, Thank you.”

Commissioner Garrison stated “This past week I was at a schooling in Murfreesboro Tennessee; Let me start over saying this, in honor of attending classes and session of the 2009 Governors Conference on Tourism in Murfreesboro Tennessee this past week. I had to be there early on Tuesday to get ready to attend the Certified Tennessee Tourism Professional College offered by the University of Tennessee. It was a hard course and for someone like myself who has not always been the head of her class, I was a little nervous but after two days, I made it through the school and did the required sessions mandatory by the University of Tennessee and the Tourism Round Table; plus take a test and write a paper on Tennessee Tourism. Along with that, I had a meeting with TDOT about a red light possibly looking into it at Elm and 64 for Elementary School and also for other citizens in the area who have said that coming in on Elm Street onto 64 if they were traveling south, it was hard for them to pull out and this was a senior that came to me on this. Also attended Tourism Super Seminar and going to have to learn this computer stuff. I have got to get all upon it. I kept thinking this was just a fad and computers would probably go out but evidentially, they are not going to so I don’t know if I will be “my spacing” or some of the other. I also learned and of course I already knew this but just reinforce about the economic development the impact of what tourism has on economic development and what else we have in our community that also goes toward tourism and economic development like our new partnership with downtown and the festivals we are going to have there. Something that a lot of you know about is the horse show and the arena. If we decide to start marketing it better, I think it could bring in more tourism dollars. Something that was big and I wish Bubba was here tonight to hear this but I picked up some pamphlets and stuff to share with them; Anything in Tennessee about getting more economic development and tourism dollars in here is to market what they call “Sports Fling” things. Paul Wallace you have been a leader and Debbie in getting these state championships in here and the return on investments for what the town puts into our parks to get it here is so much higher return on our dollar because of all the people that come in, the parents and grandparents who all spend money in town and so forth. Another thing I would like to go after and I guess Dr. Alta Lane now will have a committee being formed on her thing. That was one of the things that I had thought of seeking up there, the water park and some other things to bring in more tourism dollars. Also there is a need of attracting the meetings and conference market for companies that need space for only twenty to fifty people and we have a great community center here in our town and some other things that would be a great lure to these companies. I was in a session and talked with them. Renee and I have already been able to have one of those through the Tennessee Museum Association. We done a thing on preservation, people came as far away as Columbia and Memphis, it was standing room only. It was only suppose to be maybe thirty-five in that class and there were people lined up around the room just wanting to be there and hear about it. Adamsville has a lot of great things to offer in economic development and tourism. I want to show you now about substantial tourism; what is that? It is tourism that sustains environment, historical and cultural heritage of the region while simultaneously sustaining economic growth of the region. Social networking basis, three out of four, is using social networking. That’s what I’ve got to get on. I was glad Renee was able to attend this conference since she is our social networking butterfly, she can just handle that. Some thing else I was excited to tell folks about and this is one time I don’t think you got to know about this because it wasn’t released until this week, Discover Tennessee Trails Program and Tennessee Trails and By Ways, you would be surprised how many we have to come in here and not only from out of state but out of country that come into Tennessee and our area. They love taking the secondary roads instead of the interstates to find out things that are here. I think we have had as of this afternoon seven foreign countries that have came through the museum and you don’t just get here from Israel “just by happened” stance. We found out when we got there and I knew it had been mentioned once but this Discover Tennessee Trails Program our vision is to cooperate all ninety-five county into the program which will compile fourteen regional trails, two trails are already underway; Old Tennessee and the National Trace. The program encourages off the beaten path experiences, trails will be branded with names folks can’t resist like “Proud Mary”, “Ring of Fire”, “Jack and George”, which is Jack Daniels and George Dickels distillery but also “The Walking Tall” trail. And if you aren’t proud of that whether you like Buford Pusser or not, you need to realize Mayor, that is your things that brand us and people will come here from foreign countries to the museum. I was addressing you Mayor.” Mayor Morris replied “I am listening. I can listen and look.” 

Commissioner Garrison said “I know but I thought you were going to respond. This is the second year Tennessee rank in the top ten for domestic visitation. It was also named the number one motor coach state for travel and a lot of people don’t realize that being the second industry in the State of Tennessee that so many jobs could be cut out. I would like for you all to watch this video.”

The video was about the “Discover Tennessee” Program and the Trails that will be offered throughout and the famous names they are named after. The video also stressed that tourism is the states number one non-agricultural industry for revenue. Commissioner Garrison stated “Another thing they are teaching us is to be sure to go out and market regionally. Now what happens regionally, you have Hardin County that goes out there and they promote Hardin County, Pickwick State Park, Shiloh National Military Park, historical downtown Savannah and home and museum there. That is what we try to go around and do also but that is something that has got to be played up with Jackson, Tennessee and Chester County with their festivals. In concluding on this here, I also want to tell you another thing we can play upon tourism in our community and historical tourism. Probably one person I know for sure because I talked to them earlier this week but those of you that know about Dewey Phillips, the D.J. well there is going to be a new Broadway play in New York so that is another thing we can capitalize on. By going to these schools and classes, I am able to educate myself on what grants that I could go out to get and our town can go out there and get. We have Arts in McNairy and Arts in Adamsville but we need to bring it all together as one. Also a grant on a new building that had been talked about and maybe even one for the Community Center, Mayor, you mentioned Mayor and Terry about adding a new building or adding onto the community center for storage. Possibly could even be a larger grant there and not just 80/20, it could be even 100% to add on to especially for these smaller conferences that people are needing to go to so if we did need it add on it plus adding onto the building at the museum for the car and other exhibits. We are up 22% this year; Renee didn’t get a chance to elaborate on that Frank, when they were doing the reports. So that is some thing we are very proud of considering tourism is down across the state and in a lot of areas. We are up 22% in our little town at the museum.”

“In all concluding this, the Mayor wouldn’t sign travel budget for me to go and attend the conference and attend the school and to pay for it. He also would not approve to pay for my travel the last time that I went to the TML Conference, which was all reapproved for me to go to, gas and mileage. I was humiliated over a parking fee in which I reimbursed the city for. In concluding all of this, I feel like my time that I give as an civil servant, all of us should know, we have to give up a lot of our time in running for any office. That goes for Matt, city commissioner, or Harvey, mayor, and whoever else is in here. Anyway, you have to give a lot of your time and have to know about it up front. Some can give more than others depending on their jobs and so forth and some have to give a lot of it while they are at work and after work too and it is all appreciated. I feel like my travel reimbursement should be approved, I should be paid for that. I don’t charge ya’ll for the licensing at the museum and I don’t charge you for the work that I do, that I go out here and do. I don’t charge you for the grants that I go after and the time and work I spend going back and forth from here and there. All of that just to say, I feel like I should be paid for this here.

Mayor Morris replied “Well, I can answer that. When you filed to go up there, you didn’t file on your travel on this last one. You said you wanted to go for the museum. I had already approved for her, Renee, to go for the museum. We don’t need two people to go for the museum.”

Commissioner Garrison stated “Yes sir, you do. Let me say why, like I have in my report you can read here; There are so many different sessions, you need two people there going and actually Bubba needed to have went too. If you go to these things and you do them right. These schoolings aren’t a bunch of partying. I am usually in bed by eight o’clock at night and I know that is what you have addressed here before so I had applied some time ago but you said you were not going to approve this and then you didn’t approve my other expenses. I am asking the commission to approve it.”

Mayor Morris said “I need chance to answer some of that. On this where you went to Chattanooga on the TML meetings, we had already spent all of our money except for I had approved for Frank to go and I approved for Glenda to go.” Commissioner Garrison replied “Frank didn’t go.” Mayor Morris said “They took our money anyway.” Commissioner Garrison replied “You didn’t tell me that. I was told I could go.” Mayor Morris said “Who told you that? I didn’t tell you could go. I am the one suppose to look after the money here.” Commissioner Garrison said “They sent my stuff in. Debbie, Glenda, ya’ll speak up here.” Glenda said “ That is when they had the special meeting for the travel approval and the board approved it. Yes, then it was sent it in.” Commissioner Garrison said “Right. Okay. Well then ya’ll stand up here and say your part. Don’t let me jump out on an limb here.” Mayor Morris replied “Let me get in on this too. Now you went up there “ Commissioner Garrison said “Sir, first let her explain that there was one. I am just saying that it was approved after you denied it. You make this a personal thing back and forth just like tonight earlier starting the meeting. This should not have to be this way.” Mayor Morris said “It might not have to be this way but you caused the biggest part of it. Just like this trip to TML, we didn’t have the money, didn’t have it in the budget, you all had done spent your travel budget. Frank should have gone but he couldn’t and we didn’t get much of that money back. You go somewhere all the time. And then Mike wanted to go to so you all got together a “special meeting” and voted for it. That was illegal, you call special meetings for budget purposes only.”

Vice Mayor Lacey stated “The museum has a budget and if they have the money and want to pay for her to go, come out of the museum budget then I don’t see a problem with that.” Mayor Morris said “We didn’t have that much in it. She hasn’t even turned in what this last trip cost. I saw the estimated cost and I turned it down but you went ahead anyway. Then you come back now wanting money and I haven’t even seen how much you want.” Commissioner Garrison replied “Debbie had it this afternoon, Sir.” Mayor Morris said “Let me ask you about this little trip here to the TML, didn’t you do a book signing there?” She answered “No Sir, I did not; Wait a minute on Saturday, yes Sir. You did not get billed for that.” Mayor Morris stated “You are wanting paid both ways up there for that and you were going for a book signing so you just decided you wanted to go to this TML conference.” Commissioner Garrison replied “No Sir, We put that book signing there because I was already going to be up there. I didn’t get paid for that.”

Vice Mayor Lacey said “All of this has done been discussed and she needs to be paid. One thing I am upset about is that as commissioners, we think we can go out and do things on our own and speak for the commission. You mentioned you went and talked to them about a red light on Elm Street, we haven’t discussed that here. I don’t know why we would have a meeting with a guy from TDOT about a red light, we don’t know if that is the best thing for us. And in my opinion, it might not be the best thing. As commissioners we cannot over step our elected duties. When we sat here as a board, we can rule this city but when we are separate, we have no ruling power. Another thing is folks, I don’t know if you want to admit it or not, but Walking Tall is what is going to help us move forward. We need to embrace it and move on. We need to quit this arguing over petty stuff.”

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to adjourn and Commissioner Norris second.

The Adamsville City Commission meeting was called to order by Mayor Tommy Morris on July 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Adamsville City Hall with the following present: Mayor Tommy Morris, Commissioner Dwana Pusser Garrison, Commissioner Jeff Browder, Commissioner Mike Norris, City Attorney Ken Seaton, City Administrator Terry Thrasher, Public Works Director Paul W. Plunk, Chief of Police Bill McCall, and Deputy Recorder Glenda Anderson. Commissioner Frank Lacey was not present.

Prayer – Commissioner Jeff Browder

Pledge of Allegiance – Tom Evans, Owner & Editor of McNairy County News.

Minutes – Mayor Tommy Morris requested a motion to dispense of the minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Mike Norris and second made by Commissioner Jeff Browder.

Financial – Commissioner Jeff Browder made a motion to approve the financials. Commissioner Dwana Pusser Garrison made a second.

Roll Call: Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Adjustments – Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on the adjustments and if not then go onto building permits.

Building Permits – Commissioner Browder stated it looked like that was up some. Mayor Morris asked if anybody had questions on the building permits and if not then we would go to Police.

Police – Commissioner Garrison asked Mayor Morris to go back to the building permits for a minute. She asked Terry if he and Glenda ever got the packet together to give people when they come in for building permits. Terry replied “ Yes, we have a business packet and a resident packet with all the information in it”.

Mayor Tommy Morris asked if there were any questions on Police and if not then onto public works. Commissioner Browder asked, “ Bill, on that calls made by officers, was that actually going to the premises or what?”  Chief Bill McCall replied it was.

Public Works  - Mayor Morris asked if there were anything on public works. Commissioner Browder stated it looked like they must have found a big water leak. Paul W. Plunk replied they hadn’t found any. Four years ago it was 60% and now it is 17%.

Mayor asked if there were any other questions on public works and if not then onto parks and recreations.

Parks & Recreation – Mayor Morris asked if anybody seen anything on parks and recreation. Terry Thrasher, City Administrator stated since “Bubba” was not present then maybe P.W. Plunk could to make a report on the state championship we had hosted. He thought it was a tremendous crowd. Both motels were full and all restaurants claim to have been really busy during it.

Paul W. Plunk stated, “ We hosted the seven year olds state tournament. It was the first one Dixie Youth has ever done. Everybody and all the teams said they really enjoyed themselves, had a big time, and really enjoyed our park. I have already spoke for it again next year so whether we get it or not, we don’t know but I spoke for it if possible.”

Mayor Morris asked if anyone else had any comments on it and if not then we would go onto B.P. Home & Museum.

Buford Pusser Home & Museum – Mayor Morris stated the June attendance was up and the sales are up. That was good to see. Commissioner Garrison stated the attendance was up almost two hundred more than this time last year. Renee Moss, Curator of the Museum, stated she would like to recognize Mr. Jack Coffman for his assistance at the museum. He is always there to help with anything he possibly can and is greatly appreciated.

Mayor Tommy Morris asked to hear a motion to accept all reports. Commissioner Norris made the motion and second made by Commissioner Browder. All Aye.

OLD BUSINESS

Charter Cable – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated that was brought up at the last meeting and we were going to get Mr. Ken Seaton to look into any contract we had with Charter Cable but as to yet, we can not find a copy of a contract and he has called three different places, talked to a dozen different computers. They can’t find in their possession a copy of a contract between the City of Adamsville and Charter Cable to furnish cable service to the Town of Adamsville. Mayor Tommy Morris stated when Harry Boosey was Mayor is when Charter started and he remembers a couple years ago signing a contract with them. We will keep looking until we find it.

Proposed Rezoning – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated everyone should have a map in his or her packet in which the State Planning Commission drew up and recommended to the City Commission. The City Commission has read one time and this will constitute the second reading and will pass this area to B zone from the red light at Highway 117 to the point shown on the map. Mayor Morris stated he had received some comments on this and that is why Mr. Jack Coffman and some others are here at the meeting. It was the Mayors understanding in the Planning Commission meeting that it was to go up both sides of the road. Commissioner Mike Norris agreed he had the same impression but according to the map, it is just the one side. Mr. Terry Thrasher stated they had two options: table it and don’t give it the second reading then kick it back to the planning commission or defeat it entirely and it would drop then. Mayor Tommy Morris said there were two homeowners present and he thought they should have the opportunity to say what their opinion on this.

Mr. Jack Coffman asked if something happened to the house, how long would he have to rebuild. He had heard they would have one year, was that true? Mayor Morris replied “yes”. Mr. Coffman stated that wasn’t a real long time, the circumstances might arise where he could be out of town for a year. Mr. Thrasher told him the building wouldn’t have to be complete but started in a year. Mayor Morris asked how far in was it going on this, 300 feet?  Commissioner Garrison stated that any kind of business that wanted to could come up through there and that’s what she is worried about.

Commissioner Jeff Browder made a motion to send it back to the planning commission to see maybe if they couldn’t come back with a different recommendation. Mayor Tommy Morris stated he thought Mr. Coffman and Mr. Dickey should be back up here at that time.

Mr. Eddie Dickey stated he was the one who requested this to be done. He was under the impression that it would include both sides of the road.  Commissioner Garrison stated she didn’t think any type of business need to be with the resident area that we have there. We’ve got plenty of vacant buildings sitting on Main Street. She told Mr. Eddie she meant nothing against him, she thinks the world of him but she is scared to death, the person can say they would do this that and another but what they really do after they get it, nobody could know that. Mr. Dickey stated he knows this person very well and he wouldn’t sell it to just anybody. Commissioner Garrison asked what would happen then if they sold it on to someone else. And with Mr. Jack not wanting it done because his home being involved, she second Commissioner Browders’ motion of sending it back to the planning commission.

Mr. Harvey Durham asked if there would be any restrictions if it were zoned as commercial because he has four lots in the area. Mayor Morris replied it would be commercial/business. It wouldn’t be for manufacturing. Mr. Blasingames would be “grand fathered in” since he is already M-1. Commissioner Garrison stated well they could put anything down there, even selling beer. Mr. Dan Brown asked if the zoning of commercial verses residential would cost more on homeowners insurance? Mr. Durham stated it didn’t change anything unless for some reason it changed the fire code.

Mr. Dickey stated when he went to the zoning/planning commission, he was requesting just his lot to be changed by “spot zoning”. He never had intentions of it changing any other properties to B-1. But according to the zoning committee, they don’t do a lot of “spot zoning” anymore. If he could just get his one lot, that is all he is requesting.

Commissioner Browder stated we have a motion and a second at this time. Mr. Thrasher stated you can do one lot but it is highly not recommended. That is called spot zoning and the other option is if the planning commission won’t do a spot zone then the land owner can go to the board of zoning appeals for a various. That is the two options Eddie has at this time. If you don’t approve this for a second reading then it has to go back to the planning commission and if the planning commission doesn’t agree then Eddie will have to go to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Morris stated the planning commission had approved this because they had said we could not do “spot zoning” but we were under the impression it was to go up both sides of the road. It is up to the City Commissioners what you want to do about it. Attorney Ken Seaton stated he has very little knowledge on this subject and never had any reason to learn any of this stuff but he didn’t know what the definition of spot zoning is but why isn’t Bernard’s “spot zoned”? Terry Thrasher replied Bernard’s was “grand fathered in”. Mr. Seaton said the thought that goes through his mind is the fact that we have pockets in the city that are zoned a certain way and what is the definition of “spot zoning”? Terry replied well if you are residential down to Eddie’s property and residential past Eddie’s property and put his as a B-1, that is a spot of business within a residential area. Bernard’s was grand fathered in because it was manufacturing before zoning was adopted. Mr. Seaton said he knows what Terry was saying but there are spots in this town that are zoned one way and several around it are zoned other ways. Terry replied it was because it was that way before zoning was adopted. Aqua II was a sewing factory right in the middle of residential area; you can’t make them tear the factory down when you decide to adopt zoning laws. Mr. Seaton stated he had seen some decisions made, he just believes this deserves a little bit of investigation before someone just makes the statement “spot zoning is against the law” and goes with it. Mr. Seaton stated there have been some decisions made with that arm of our government that he hasn’t agreed with over the years and no one has ever asked him but he could go on and on. Mayor Morris stated they were told spot zoning is in a way illegal.

Commissioner Browder reminded everyone of the motion he had previously made and Commissioner Garrison had second. Mayor Tommy Morris asked all in favor. All Aye.

Employee Testing & Certification – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated we had discussed in last months meeting about an employee that is trying to obtain certification or a license. The city pays for first and second test, if the first one is failed, then after that if they fail, they are on their own. That was the recommendation as of last month but it wasn’t voted on. Commissioner Norris made a motion that the city pays for up to two test for an employee wanting certification and they will have to pay for any thereafter themselves. Commissioner Garrison seconded. All Aye.

Budget – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated this would be the second reading of the budget. We will need a motion and a second if you approve the budget we proposed last month. Commissioner Norris made a motion to approve the budget for the City of Adamsville 2009-2010. Commissioner Browder second the motion.

Roll Call: Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Update on Downtown Project – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated they have torn the concrete out from Kay’s’ Hardware to Highway 22. They are done from Highway 22 to the end of the project going west and from Pettigrew Drugs to Highway 117 on the south side. No problems encountered that we are aware of. He was told they have sold 119 engraved pavers. So that has generated $7,000. plus that can go toward the project. They feel like they will sell several more. The first shipment of embossed pavers should be in the first week in August. Then we can start placing those where people have requested. Commissioner Garrison stated down through town where those bricks are to be placed are just holes now and she thought it was unsafe and they need to do something with that.

Mr. Dan Brown, a citizen present, stated on the south side where Pettigrew Drug is, that is very dangerous how they have chopped that up, coming out into the street with the curbs two or three different places. Every one of them is black from people running into them. If somebody comes down through there at nighttime and hit that, it could throw them to the side, run into that steel pole. It is really dangerous. Commissioner Garrison stated she had been to City Hall just the other day and talked to Glenda and then Terry asking if they couldn’t do something, at least pull out those barrels out there because a lady the other day told me about hitting it and it knocked her car out of line. She saw another hit it and they were an elderly couple from out of state. The state is going to come back and narrow the lanes but for right now, it is an accident waiting to happen up there and with those holes down through there. Mr. Brown said he felt like all of that stuff protruding out there should be removed completely and leave a straight curb line like it was. Commissioner Garrison stated that is going to be trees in those areas. Mr. Brown said we didn’t need to put no tree in a narrow street to start with. It is too narrow as it is and you take up that space for a tree that is messing up. P.W. Plunk said it would be restriped after it is all said and done. Commissioner Browder stated they need some flashing lights up through there in the mean time. Commissioner Norris asked Terry to call Ed in the morning and tell him about all of our concerns. Commissioner Garrison said Terry was supposed to have the other day and said he did so that made her feel like he didn’t.

NEW BUSINESS

Hardin County School Building Program – Mr. Thrasher stated the mayor has received a letter from the Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis wanting to know if the City of Adamsville would participate in the school building program for Hardin County. The City of Savannah has been asked and since our city limits goes into Hardin County, he decided to ask us too. Mayor Morris stated they want us to give a percentage back of our sales tax that we get out of Hardin County. He could understand Savannah giving to them because they will reap all the benefits from it. They don’t want to give but Adamsville won’t benefit any from it so he didn’t feel like we should give any of our sales tax money to them and 200 pupils is coming over here. Mr. Thrasher stated two options here; one being forget it and it will go away or table it if you want to think about it. Mayor Morris said he didn’t want to think about it, what did the rest want to do. Everyone agreed they didn’t need to think about it.

Resolution & Award Bid on Storage Tank (CDBG) – Ms. Shannon Cotter stated the bids were opened last Thursday on the elevated storage tanks. We had two bidders; one from Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors for the amount of $564,728.00 and the second one from Caldwell Tanks for the amount of $698,700.00. When the application was prepared and submitted in February 2007, our cost estimate was $523,700.00. She and Sylvia Palmer have looked at the city’s budget since they past the resolution in February of 07, the city is $10,644.00 short of building the tank. Mayor Morris asked was she saying that $10,000.00 is all the city will need to come up with. Shannon replied Sylvia had told her the original resolution was past for $126,200.00 so this $10,644.00 will be on top of that. To award this bid to this company the city will have to come up with an additional $10,644.00. Both of these companies are excellent contractors. There have been no complaints against them and BSWC have used them before.

Mayor Tommy Morris asked to hear a motion to go on with project, we have the money and it needs to be done. Commissioner Norris made a motion to pass this resolution with the project. Commissioner Browder made a second.

Roll Call: Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

New Rules For Utility Billing – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated everybody should have a single page on changing utility policy. We have got to make a change. The fee for turning back on right now is a flat $20.00. Mayor Morris suggests we raise it to $40.00 and if it is after hours then $65.00. It is costing us too much money to have to run back and forth. Commissioner Browder stated his concern about this is how many of these are fixed income senior citizens. Mr. Thrasher replied not many and if we get a special case, we handle it a special way. If the city wants to approve this or whatever they decide, we need a motion and a second.

Commissioner Norris made a motion for the fee to be $40.00 and $75.00. Commissioner Browder made a second. Discussion: Commissioner Garrison stated she would like to make sure it wasn’t with somebody who is really trying. Terry Thrasher replied Tony Durbin, the turn on/off man, knows these people and most of them personally. He knows when to hang the yellow card and how many hours it will take them to get the money then he will go back out there to get it. Everybody is handled individually. If somebody is in a hardship, we don’t penalize those people. The ones we penalize are the ones that rides this thing and don’t do anything to attempt to pay. We do everything we can to help these people but they don’t do the best they can to cooperate with us. Mayor Morris asked if anybody else had anything to say about it and if not we had a motion and a second. All Aye.

Decision On Carroll Hill Property – Mr. Thrasher said Ken might be better at this than him. Mr. Seaton stated as far as he was concerned there is no decision to be made. He suggested to Terry to go ahead and record the deed that he had prepared and cut them a check. As everybody will recall these folks wanted to buy this property and we cut a deal with them and they were suppose to have the building up or business running by “X” period of time and we delivered the deed to them, they paid us $10,000.00. Since that time Mr. Seaton has had no communication, they haven’t even bothered to cut the grass. The year has gone by so he wrote them a letter a few days ago, still no response and the deed has never been recorded. So the deal was if they did not put up the building, the property would revert back to the city and we would refund $7500.00 of the $10,000.00 purchased price. He thinks that is what needs to happen.

Mayor Tommy Morris stated with those people, times had gotten hard on them and we have another prospect. He thought since they have bought the buildings on the hill and cleaned them up, it had made the town look better; we should refund the whole $10,000.00. These people have lived around here all of their life and worked around here and he felt like it is only right to cut them a little slack. Mr. Seaton asked Mr. Morris if they had communicated with him? Mayor Morris replied yes they had. Mr. Thrasher stated their answer to him was the company they were going to put a store in for had a special promotion being for so many dollars a month would buy their inventory and would let them pay it over a period of time. But since the economy went south, this company wants $150,000.00 up front and they can’t afford that. That is why they couldn’t do anything with the property and they requested the city to forgive them and the $2500.00 so that would be giving them all their money back. Terry Thrasher told them he would bring it before the board and it would be up to you all. Commissioner Norris asked who is the other prospect? Terry replied he didn’t know other than it was a realtor out of Savannah that told he had a potential buyer for it if we could get the deed and back on it.

Mayor Tommy Morris made a motion that we refund their $10,000.00. Commissioner Norris seconds the motion. Attorney Ken Seaton stated the motion needs to be amended or revised stating that they are required to deliver the signed and recorded deed immediately. The city had thirty days from the one-year period of time running to enforce this clause. That creates an issue we need to avoid and if they want to take advantage on you refunding the full amount then they need to be required to follow through with this like tomorrow and contact him at his office. Mayor Morris said Terry has their number and can get in touch with them in the morning with this information.

Roll Call: Commissioner Garrison, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Commissioner Browder stated he would go by there on his way home or get the word to them through Clyde Bowman as soon as he leaves from this meeting.

Hand Gun Resolution – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated a handgun resolution was passed by the State of Tennessee allowing handguns to be carried into places they weren’t allowed before. Several cities have adopted their own resolution in limiting to where no one can carry handguns into the city park. The board can take action on this or not but if this is passed even people with legal carry permits cannot carry one into the city park. The way it reads now if you are a legal permit holder then you can carry your handgun to the little league game tonight. Commissioner Norris made a motion to pass this resolution to not carry handguns into public parks. Commissioner Browder seconded the motion. All Aye.

Op Out of Planning Commission Training – Mr. Thrasher stated the state offers training to the planning commission members and the city either has to do it or the city commission has to vote directing the planning commission permission to op out and not take the states training. The reason you don’t really need to take it is that we pay the state planning department about $7,000.00 per year and they send a state planner down here that meets with every planning commission meeting and every board of zoning appeals meeting. They are the experts so there is no point in spending a lot of money and time into training a bunch of volunteer people in the law that you’ve got somebody down here to do for you. We need a motion and a second on what ever the board decides.

Commissioner Browder made the motion and Commissioner Norris second. All Aye.

Rent of Park Equipment and Marty – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated we might need to wait on this. He has been talking to MTAS and Mr. Majors, our insurance agent; we have a little question about the use of public facilities like we talked about during the Christmas parade. We are doing a little researching on when we rent the Marty out to private individuals as to what our liability might be. He still hasn’t gotten all the answers so he suggests it to be tabled until next month.

Mayor Morris stated that concluded the meeting. Commissioner Garrison made the motion to adjourn and Commissioner Browder second. All Aye.

Prayer – Mr. Jeff Browder, City of Adamsville Commissioner

Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Terry Thrasher, City Administrator

Minutes – Mayor Tommy Morris asked for approval of the minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Browder and seconded by Commissioner Mike Norris.

Financial - City Administrator Terry Thrasher stated everyone should have a copy of the financial statement in his or her packet and as it shows, we are 83% through the year. Revenue is exceeding the expenditures all the way across. We have taken in $1,041,000.00 in general fund and we have spent $1,019,000.00 so we are about on target. The only place we will probably be short on revenue will be in our natural gas because we didn’t sell as much as we had expected to but that won’t hurt us either way. If we don’t sell it then we won’t have to buy it. One thing he wanted to point out is the revenue sales tax at the bottom. We may be in a recession in the country but it isn’t bothering our sales locally. It has gone up for the last two to three months. Motion to accept the financials made by Commissioner Mike Norris and a second was made by Commissioner Jeff Browder.

Adjustments - Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on adjustments. Mayor said he had a question on Randy Rollins. What was that meaning by 2-inch meter? He asked Glenda Anderson to find out about it and let him know the next morning.

Building Permits - Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on building permits. He believes there is a new house being built in Matt Smelser subdivision by a Lipford.

Police – Mayor Tommy Morris asked if there were any questions on police and if not we would go on to public works.

Public Works – Mayor Tommy Morris stated he had one big question on public works. Where has all this water gone? P.W. Plunk replied we had several leaks and they were big leaks that took awhile to find. Commissioner Norris stated that was almost half of what was pumped. P. W. said it had been as high as 60 to 70 percent. Mayor Morris asked if the meters we had put in were right. Mr. Terry Thrasher stated yes, we are closer than ever on what we take out of the ground versus what we put in the system. Mayor Morris stated after the backwashing and unaccounted for water then we are only selling half of what we pump. Commissioner Browder stated it was only a third. Commissioner Norris said we had it down several months for 20 to 25 percent and that’s what we need to get back to. P. W. Plunk stated all the lines in the Old Union area are lines that are 160p.s.i. pipes and now we don’t use no less than 200p.s.i. . Mayor Morris stated if it shows up like that next month then we would need to do a lot of digging. Commissioner Norris asked if there was a certain area that the majority was showing up at. P.W. Plunk replied the biggest part is at Morris Chapel and Old Union and that is where the old pipes are. Mayor Morris said that area has a lot of shifting ground that poses a problem. 

Parks and Recreation - Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on parks and recreation. None stated so onto Buford Pusser Home and Museum.

Buford Pusser Home and Museum - Mayor Morris asked if there were any questions on that. It looks like they have had a lot of people through there. Mr. Thrasher stated it had been a good month on the revenue. The sells were a little over $6,000.00. Mayor Tommy Morris stated he figured the car help bring a lot in.

Mayor Tommy Morris asked to hear a motion to approve all the reports. Commissioner Browder made the motion and second made by Commissioner Norris. All Aye.

Old Business

A2H – Downtown Update – Mr. Andy Reynolds said he guess everyone saw the big hole they had ran into in front of the Pettigrew building. An old gas tank there caused that years ago. The soil in there was saturated and could not put sidewalks over it so we had to excavate all of that soil and come back put in some rocks. That was unforeseen incident for the contractor so we had to put together a change of order. It turned out to be as much as expected. We are still at this point under the continuance amount. We are expecting that there are tanks in front of the Sawmeal. We are hoping we don’t find those. If we do, that could be trouble. We might have an environmental situation, probably more excavating so we are hoping we won’t dig deep enough to find it. We are making good progress in spite of the rain. We will be working next in front of Pettigrew Drugs. All of the area west of the Highway 22 intersection should be wrapped up in about two weeks.

NEW BUSINESS

Imagination Library – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated he got a letter wanting us to donate to this again. Last year we donated and Jimmie Ann was in the photo with the kids. Mayor Tommy Morris stated we couldn’t give anything until we do the budget. Commissioner Browder stated find out what we gave last year then go from there.

Budget/ Capital Projects – Mr. Terry Thrasher stated he want ed address that with everyone because he is working on next year budget and if anyone has capital asset they would like to see us purchase then he need to list in. If someone thought we need a new merry go round and it’s not listed in the budget then the money will not be there. Mayor Tommy Morris said we need to keep it to where we don’t raise taxes.

Horse Show – Mr. Randy Drinkard stated they want to bring back the Walking Tall Classic this year as a fundraiser for the Grit Iron of McNairy County. We know about the horse show part of it. We need to know if we put this on, do we get the gate and the concessions and everything made there, what liabilities there are with them and the city if something were to happen. Mayor Tommy Morris asked for Selmer, what about Adamsville? Is Adamsville not going to be involved? Mayor Tommy Morris asked could they not allow a little in it for Adamsville. Mr. Drinkard stated that’s what they wanted to know. Commissioner Norris asked what is the Grit Iron? Mr. Drinkard replied it was the football program at McNairy Central, they are broke. He has a kid that goes to school over there and they are all time needing something. They could put on a nice horse show. There are thirty classes that they plan on and three state classes. They have a little committee put together and was going to try to make some money out of this. That is why they are doing it. They have thirty people that have agreed to sell two- one hundred dollar sponsorship a piece. The state classes are already sponsored. This will be a big paying horse show to draw the big people in. There will be a lot of work involved with it. Commissioner Norris asked what was it going to cost them to put it on. Mr. Drinkard replied it would cost about four thousand dollars. They hope to make $10,000.00. Commissioner Norris suggested covering the cost then splitting the difference. Mayor Tommy Morris said he thought just to help this time not to charge them anything. Then it might bring business to town. Mr. Thrasher stated they would need to pay the water and electric bills to keep the city from being out any cost. They would need to turn the power on in their name and we will get a reading before and after to be able to charge them for their usage. P.W. Plunk said there wasn’t an electric meter over there now so they would need to get one put in their name. Mayor Tommy Morris stated he thought we could let them use it this year and then next year work out something different. It would be good public relations between Selmer and Adamsville. As far as the insurance, Mr. Drinkard and them need to get us a certificate of liability insurance. They hope to have this event around the first of August. The Horse Association will give them the date to have it on to where it is conflicting with shows anywhere around here.

Adamsville Partnership – Mrs. Donna Dickey stated several were here on behalf of the Partnership. They had brought in some students from the Technology Center along with Regina White to show a scheme of what they want the downtown to look like once it is complete or the potential possibilities for the businesses. They presented some renovation displays to show the board and the audience, various store frontages and color palette coordinating through out town. Some involved a lot of changes including doors, windows, awnings, and painting of each business. Commissioner Browder suggests they do every building and bring them into City Hall. Then invite all the owners to see what could be done and go from there. Mrs. Anita Burks stated they need they couldn’t force anyone to do these things with their business but they wanted to certainly encourage them. They felt like everything need to be color-coded and an ordinance need to be passed for all to come to the Partnership as to what their design committee has in mind. Commissioner Norris stated Covington had completed a downtown update and the “partnership” is very active there. The banks in Covington setup loans with the businesses without interest for a certain period of time and that’s how they got everyone coordinating throughout the city. He also thought that a certain color scheme should be implemented throughout town. Mrs. Burks stated that was one thing they hope the board would help them with by passing an ordinance. Mayor Tommy Morris stated they would need to submit anything in writing. Mrs. Burks replied they just need the city to send everyone to the Partnership and then to the design team to see what each one need to do or the board to pass an ordinance on color codes to go by. Forest Charles, writer for Adamsville Post, asked about what was just shown for the Mexican Restaurant involved in removing an exit, would that be sufficient for the fire marshal? No one knew about that so before anything like that was done, they would need to get the okay from all aspects.

Chamber of Commerce – Mr. Matt Ernest stated he was attending on the behalf of McNairy Chamber of Commerce to request the City of Adamsville to purchase a sponsorship packet toward the Rock-A-Billy Highway Festival that would be held June the 13^th in Selmer, Tennessee. The City of Selmer had pledged $1,000.00 to this and they were hoping Adamsville could do the same. There were several sponsorship levels ranging from $100.00 to $1,000.00. Mayor Tommy Morris replied they would take that under advisement. Commissioner Browder stated he thought Rock-A-Billy Highway was Highway 45 not Highway 64. Mr. Ernest agreed but thought the Festival could be in Adamsville next year instead of Selmer if Adamsville wanted to participate. 

No one had anything else to go before the board with. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Mike Norris and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Browder. All Aye.

 The Adamsville City Commission Meeting was called to order by Mayor Tommy Morris on April 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Adamsville City Hall with the following present: Mayor Tommy Morris, Vice Mayor Frank Lacey, Commissioner Mike Norris, Commissioner Jeff Browder, Commissioner Dwana Pusser Garrison, City Attorney Ken Seaton, City Administrator Terry Thrasher, Chief of Police Bill McCall. Public Utility Director Paul W. Plunk, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Martin, and Deputy Recorder Glenda Anderson.

PRAYER – Bro. Gary Henline, Pastor of First Christian Church

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Greg Martin, Parks & Recreation Director

MINUTES – Mayor Tommy Morris requested a motion to approve. Vice Mayor Lacey made the motion and second was made by Commissioner Jeff Browder. All Ayes.

FINANCIAL – City Administrator Terry Thrasher stated everybody should have a sheet in their packet showing that we are ahead in revenue over expenditures in general fund and mark a couple places we will have to amend the budget because of excess purchases. All we will have to do is amend the budget and send a letter to the comptrollers office stating we had went over budget but made purchases out of retained earnings, no big deal. Revenues in Hardin and McNairy County are at average.

Motion made By Vice Mayor Lacey to approve financial report and second made by Commissioner Norris.

Roll Call: Commissioner Garrison, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

ADJUSTMENTS – Deputy Recorder Glenda Anderson stated everyone should have a copy of the adjustments in their packet. The adjustments were less than last month due to less pipes freezing and less misreads.

BUILDING PERMITS – Mayor Tommy Morris asked if anybody had anything on building permits. Commissioner Norris said he had a question out of curiosity, some on there didn’t have charges or a fee out by them. Mayor Morris stated if they tear it down or replacing one, there wasn’t a charge to them.

POLICE – Mayor Morris stated it looked like the speeding was up a little.

PUBLIC WORKS – Mr. Paul W. Plunk stated if anyone had questions, he would try to answer them. Mr. Thrasher stated he wanted everyone to notice on the last page of that report. The water loss is down tremendously. Mr. Plunk stated sometime in the near future the State is going to start a program on water loss. The only things they will take on their report will be the water pumped verses amount of water billed. They don’t want to know anything about any leaks, backwashing or nothing else. So if we go by that theory, our water loss would be 51.5%. They will have to come up with something but the first go around is going to be “water pumped verses water billed”. Commissioner Garrison stated the roof looks good on the Library. Mayor Morris agreed the roof looks good. Commissioner Browder asked about the truck deal, where do we stand with it. P. W. Plunk said the deal was done. Now we are looking for beds to go on them.

PARKS & RECREATION – Mr. Greg Martin, Bubba, stated right now is a busy time of the year for them. Commissioner Browder asked if he knew how many yet we have playing softball/baseball this year. Bubba replied right now there are about 300 kids.

We are way up in numbers and other places are down because we have some coming from Savannah, Selmer, Ramer and Michie. We have the new T-Ball field and everyone likes that. The new piece of equipment is working out really well and has saved a lot of time. They all claim our program is better than anywhere else. Commissioner Garrison stated there is a grant for 2010 that she was wanting to work toward trying to get. 

Commissioner Garrison thanked Bubba and all the public works employees that helped so carefully and respectful in unloading the car at the museum. Everyone done an outstanding job.

BUFORD PUSSER HOME & MUSEUM – Mr. Thrasher stated in the packets was a flyer and a good letter from Renee. The flyer shows the attendance up and the money is up. Renee stated one thing that wasn’t in her report that she wanted to mention, she got a new mentor this year.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to approve items B through G. Second was made by Commissioner Norris. All Aye.

OLD BUSINESS

Resolution on Agenda Cut Off – Commissioner Norris stated last month a resolution was passed to prevent any items to come in on the agenda after we meet on Thursday afternoon and we approved that. And to his understanding, Mayor Tommy Morris hadn’t signed it. Mayor Morris replied he hadn’t yet. He stated he was taking it to a lawyer to make sure it was legal. Commissioner Norris stated we have a lawyer right here. Mayor Morris replied he has one of his own. Commissioner Norris said we had a majority vote on it. Mayor Morris stated you don’t change the charter by resolution this and resolution that. He wants to make sure that it is legal by the charter. He will know more about it next month. Commissioner Norris agreed to wait until next meeting but not any longer so therefore Mayor Morris could bring his answer next month. Mayor Morris stated he would if he wanted to and if he didn’t, he won’t.

Charter Amendment – Mr. Terry Thrasher was asked in the prior Thursday meeting by Commissioner Norris to call and check on this and find out where we stand with it in Nashville. He stated he had called and left messages but hasn’t received as call back from Mr. Dennis or Mrs. Gresham. He did get an email from the Chamber of Commerce saying they would both be at the Uptown Restaurant on Friday April 24^th in Savannah. They will have a question and answer forum open to the public.

NEW BUSINESS

TML Resolution – Mr. Thrasher stated this is updating the resolution on TML part with an ethics clause. Motion was made by Vice Mayor Lacey and second made by Commissioner Browder. All Aye.

GPS Tax Assessor – Mr. Thrasher stated most tax assessors in the State of Tennessee are going to the GPS system to record or locating property lines. Hardin County has been on it about three years and McNairy County has finally decided they are going to buy it. It is a fairly sizable investment so they have prorated it into Selmer, Adamsville and any city with a utility department. It will cost us $1955.00 to buy our share of the program. It will probably cost us another computer but we will be able to store all of maps and blueprints on CDs. Mayor Morris and Mr. Thrasher have been talking for a year or so trying to figure out what would happen if we had a tornado and blew our public works building away or if the building burned. We tried to figure out on a safe room to store all of that in and it would cost $25,000. to $30,000. This way we can take all of our blueprints and put them on a CD then the CDs can be put in the vault here at City Hall and the hard copies at public works building. It will allow us instead of going to Selmer, we can pull it up and see property lines are, map and parcel and we can superimpose on top of those maps, our water, gas and sewer lines. So over the next couple years, it may cost around $6,000.00 but it will be money well spent.

Vice Mayor Lacey made a motion to approve the GPS system. Second was made by Commissioner Norris.

Roll Call: Vice Mayor Lacey, yes; Commissioner Norris, yes; Commissioner Garrison, yes; Commissioner Browder, yes; Mayor Morris, yes.

Deposit on Community Center – Mayor Morris stated he thought we need to increase the deposit on the Marty because it is costing a good bit of money cleaning it up between functions and also they use scotch tape on the walls. We need them to put enough deposit so if they mess the walls up, we have the deposit to fix it with. Somebody needs to go and check everything before giving the deposit back. We had been giving the deposit back to them when the keys are returned to City Hall. Then later we would see they used tape or nails and had damaged the walls. We can put it in the rental contract what can and can’t be done. Then tell them we will mail the deposit back after inspection and they should receive it within 5 days thereafter.

Vice Mayor Lacey made motion to increase the deposit to $100.00 for in city residents and $200.00 for out of city residents. Also the deposits to be mailed back after the building inspection and approval of the condition of the property. Second was made by Commissioner Norris. All Aye.

Name Ball Field – Mr. Thrasher stated the field we are talking about is the little T-Ball field. When the deal was cut with the owner, we promised if he would sell us those two lots and we built a ball field there then named of his family. So we need to name the new T-Ball field “Blanton Field”. Mr. Paul Wallace Plunk stated he already has the sign.

Commissioner Garrison made motion to name the field as “Blanton Field” and Commissioner Browder made a second. All Aye.

School – Board of Education Discussion  - Commissioner Norris stated this was more of in the form of a question than anything. He had read in the paper where Selmer is about to get a new elementary school and so is Bethel Springs and Michie. There has been a lot of conversation in our community that we definitely need a middle school or something. Nothing was mentioned at all about Adamsville. So this is being addressed to Mr. Frank Lacey, who is as school board chairman.

Mr. Lacey stated if you follow the whole story, there is not a problem with the Adamsville Elementary School building. They are going to build two elementary schools, one at Adamsville and one at Selmer. There is an issue on the location for the one in Selmer. When they can get the money from the County Commission to build the two schools then they will build them. All that is being done at Bethel Springs is adding some classrooms on. Classrooms will be added on at Ramer just like Michie last year.

Valet Parking – Mayor Morris stated as he was going trough the expense accounts, he saw where someone had used valet parking on the city credit card three different times at twelve dollars a piece. He didn’t believe we should use valet parking on trips because it is the citizens of Adamsville paying for that. Commissioner Garrison replied to let her answer that because it was definitely she. The last meeting she and Renee went to, they stayed in a motel at Chattanooga. Parking is a block and a half away there and it was late at night when they would get in from the meeting. She paid the $36.00 to city hall earlier, before the meeting. Also she showed that the meals they were under the allowed rates. The total of meals for three days wasn’t much over what is allowed for one day and she didn’t charge for mileage or nothing else therefore the cost was under tremendously the allow amount set by the State and in our Charter.

Mr. Bill from Boom and Zoom asked where the downtown project was going to stop at and if he stopped before his place then why was he being excluded. He also wanted to know why he never got any of the City vehicles at his place to work on. We take everything to Pinball’s’ and half the time he is behind and can’t get to them for days. Boom & Zoom is over here with nothing to do. They could get it right in and out. He would appreciate if the City would keep his garage in mind and pass him some of the work. Mr. P.W. Plunk stated he would take care of this and from now on, we would make sure he got his share.

Brother Henline stated he would like to address a problem for the Parks and Recreation Department. The ball teams have been using the field at the church and they do not have a problem with that. However, the other facilities there are off limits. He had seen the gym door open and he went in to finds several inside the gym and then went on around to see several children on the playground. He hated to be this way but their insurance will not cover accidents that someone might have there and so please make sure the parents and the children stay in the field area. Bubba told him they weren’t aware of anyone using anything else but he would make sure everybody knows from here on out, the other areas are off limits.

Mayor Morris asked for a motion to dismiss. Motion was made by Vice Mayor Lacey and second made by Commissioner Norris.