January 15, 2008 Agenda Minutes

Mayor Mullin called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor Mullin, Vice Mayor Wilkerson, Commissioner Burkett, Commissioner McPherson, City Manager Edwards, City Attorney Elliott, Codes Officer Larry Jenno, Intern Hilary Lyons, Yuen Lee (RPA) and Vern Thomas.

Mayor Mullin reported that interviews have taken place for a possible Commissioner replacement for David Allis. Commissioner Burkett, Commissioner McPherson and Mayor Mullin were impressed with Ms. Hixson and Mr. Neighbors. Vice Mayor Wilkerson will speak with Mr. Neighbors as he had missed that interview. Hopefully, a selection will be made at the February meeting when nominations will be made. City Manager Edwards said, in reading the questionnaires submitted, that there is a need for a vision for the City and some mentioned relationships with schools, community development and liked communications with citizens. Commissioner Burkett said to possibly focus on certain issues. Mayor Mullin said our meetings are a good source of communication. Open meetings could be held and MTAS might help. Groups could be divided into teams to discuss ideas. Meetings had been held to get citizens ideas previously. The City tried to attract retail businesses and were not successful. Commissioner Burkett asked what would be an attraction; what could we market. Attorney Elliott said the Commissioners can give City Manager Edwards direction at workshops.

Mayor Mullin reported that Attorney Elliott had sent Ms. Donilon a letter the end of December concerning her property boundary line. She did not respond for the City to go ahead with the boundary change to allow the corner of her garage to be on her property and not the City’s. Attorney Elliott will check and file a law suit in Chancery Court and let the judge declare a disposition. Our proposal was sensible. The City doesn’t want to sell her additional property as she had asked so her fence will be included. Attorney Elliott said she will need to make a decision if he files suit.

Mayor Mullin said he will get back to TVA concerning the park development on Hixson Pike near the old BiLo store.

Mayor Mullin said there will be a meeting soon with the state advisory service (TTAP) to discuss the speed table issue on Lakesite Drive. Vice Mayor Wilkerson asked if we move them and there is an accident, would the City be liable? Attorney Elliott said probably, but we must get the best advice available.

Mayor Mullin said Truman Sherill with Barge, Waggoner and Co. provided layouts for the Rails to Trails project so there is progress.

Mayor Mullin said Attorney Elliott said the City has no liability for the marina apartments which are private property. They are trying to repair nine of the vacant units so they can rent them.

Mayor Mullin said Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department has a new chief, Marcus Fritts.

City Manager Edwards reported that he was waiting for a response on the billboard issue. There is now a sign ordinance in place, but there was a 2-3 year delay from the first reading. Attorney Elliott said it will depend on how a judge views a pending ordinance. A review and land use activities were ongoing during this time. The City may have to pay plantiff’s legal fees if it goes to court. It could concern the size of the signs. Commissioner Burkett said we met with businesses and got their concerns and ideas before going ahead.

City Manager Edwards gave the budget report. He said the paving budget showed 201% spent but the $65,000 payment in July was for work done in June. There is $64.000 left in the paving budget.

City Manager Edwards said Hilary Lyons is contacting, by mail, locally owned businesses rather than bigger chain businesses.

Vice Mayor Wilkerson will get the citation ticket books to Ron Parsons, Sheriffs Department. They had changed from twelve hour shifts to eight hour shifts and will need a couple of weeks to adjust.

Commissioner Burkett reported that he will meet with Rick Gibbs, Qore, and Andrew Smith, Robert Smith Co., to discuss a road maintenance plan for the rest of 2008. A site review is done.

Curt Blair reported that he is getting a survey for the Daisy Dallas right-of-way from Hale Road to Hensley Road for drainage solutions. He said that there is no shoulder on McConnell School Road and it will be built up with stone. He reported tile will be lain at the Buffalo Lane/Prairie Schooner intersection.. He said he had also gotten plans for the Dallas Bay Baptist Church drainage.

Commissioner McPherson reported that Caren Ruffner, Storm Water, had resigned. He met with Henry Hoss, Cleveland Grimes, WWTA, and Bob Privett, Soddy-Daisy Mayor. He said WWTA may be willing to spend money on sewers in Lakesite. We’d have to provide the line to the City from Dallas Hollow Road. He wondered if the City was interested. Grinder pumps are about $2300 each and they would cover 90% of the cost. The road damage would be our responsibility. The sewer work could be done in phases. The City has $650,000 in reserves now. Vice Mayor Wilkerson said we have to afford our part. Commissioner Burkett said we need some estimate of the cost and time involved. Commissioner McPherson said he would get cost estimates.

Larry Jenno said the cat on Glengerrie Drive has not been seen lately and is being kept indoors. He said owners of a car on Dividing Ridge Road are getting parts to fix it. Also a car on Lyons Lane is being repaired. He said he left a card at a Bayview residence concerning a loose railing on the balcony. He said the owner of the property on Daisy Dallas (OK corral) said he would remove the deteriorating building when he had time.

Commissioner McPherson made a motion to adjourn. Vice Mayor Wilkerson seconded the motion. Mayor Mullin adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes:       Approved ( )                __________________________________

                      Amended ( )                                             Recorder

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                      Date                                                Mayor