MINUTES OF

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2006, 5:30 P.M.

CITY HALL, PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

 

 

Mayor Chance called the meeting to order with the following in attendance: Vice Mayor Sexton, Commissioner Brackins, Commissioner McClure, City Manager Teaster, City Recorder Clabo, City Attorney Gass, Public Works Director Miller, Community Development Director Jagger, members of the press and interested citizens.  Commissioner Reagan was absent.

 

            Mayor Chance opened the meeting and Commissioner McClure led in the pledge of allegiance.

           

PUBLIC HEARING NO. 1

 

Mayor Chance opened the public hearing to receive public comments regarding the proposed rezoning of a portion of parcel 17 of Sevier County Tax Map 106 located between U.S. Highway 441 (the “Spur”) and Rush Branch Road.  Said property is owned by Woralak Kalawongsa and is optioned by H20 Resorts

 

There being no comments received, Mayor Chance closed the public hearing.

 

PUBLIC HEARING NO. 2

 

Mayor Chance opened the public hearing to receive public comments regarding a proposed amendment of the text of Section 408.3 of the City’s zoning ordinance (“Off-Premise Directional Signs”) and Section 14-601 of the City’s municipal code (“Off-Premise Directional Signage”) that would cross reference two documents and allow off-premise directional signs for non-commercial facilities

 

There being no comments received, Mayor Chance closed the public hearing.

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

            Mayor Chance opened the regular meeting and presented the minutes of previous meeting for approval.

 

            The minutes were unanimously approved following motion by Commissioner McClure and second to motion by Commissioner Brackins.

 

            The authorization for the payment of bills was unanimously approved following motion by Vice Mayor Sexton and second to motion by Commissioner McClure.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 812 to amend Section 408.3 (“Off-Premise Directional Signs”) of the text of the zoning ordinance of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Section 14-601 (“Off-Premise Directional Signage) of the Pigeon Forge Municipal Code was presented for the second reading.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Vice Mayor Sexton and with all voting “aye” the ordinance was approved on the second reading.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 813 to amend the zoning map of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by rezoning certain property between the Parkway “Spur” and Rush Branch Road, owned by Woralak Kalyawongsa and optioned by H20 Resorts, from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to C-2 (Tourist Commercial) was presented for the second reading.  On a motion by Commissioner Brackins, second by Commissioner McClure and with all voting “aye” the ordinance was approved on the second reading.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 815 to amend Section 14-405 of the Pigeon Forge Municipal Code as it relates to outdoor billboards was presented for the second reading.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins and with all voting “aye” the ordinance was approved on the second reading.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 816 to repeal and replace Ordinance No. 795 concerning licensing requirements and regulations for sexually oriented businesses and their employees was presented for the second reading.  City Attorney Gass discussed ordinance and introduced Scott Bergthold and stated that he worked on cases dealing with related content.  Scott introduced a packet of handouts and noted case studies and discussed how they were relevant. 

 

City Attorney Gass asked council for material to be submitted in lieu of verbatim reading of ordinance.  A citizen asked why we could not take a zero tolerance approach.  Scott said that the ordinance was consistent with constitutional guidelines and that sexually oriented stores cannot be prohibited.  After general discussion and on a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Vice Mayor Sexton and with all voting “aye” the ordinance was approved on the second reading.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 817 to amend the zoning map of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee by rezoning certain property located along Sharp Hollow Road, owned by Smoky River Development Corporation (Jess Davis) from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to R-2 (High Density Residential) was presented for the first reading.  On a motion by Commissioner Brackins, second by Commissioner McClure and with all voting “aye” the ordinance was approved on the first reading.

 

Approval of contract between Sevier County and City of Pigeon Forge to jointly support ETSU educational opportunities and professional education in Sevier County was presented for approval.  City Manager Teaster stated that this contract would require the City to appropriate $20,000 for the current year and request appropriations for the next two years subject to annual budget appropriations.  On a motion by Vice Mayor Sexton, second by Commissioner McClure, it was unanimously approved to accept the contract as presented.

 

Consideration of agreement for additional environmental services on Thomas Farm per discussion with TDEC was presented for approval.  Liz Porter spoke on outcome of meeting held with TDEC and said that more work was necessary to mitigate some problems.  This would be at a cost not to exceed $10,000.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins, it was unanimously approved to accept the agreement as presented. 

 

Resolution No. 730  to authorize certain projects for the City of Pigeon Forge as approved by the board of commissioners was presented for approval.  Joe Ayres stated that this type of resolution is always adopted when doing a bond authorization.  Mr. Ayres mentioned that water/sewer improvements needed to be included into the resolution.  Mr. Ayres also stated that this would allow City Manager Teaster and City Recorder Clabo to prioritize projects as necessary.  On a motion by Vice Mayor Sexton, second by Commissioner McClure and with all voting “aye” the resolution was approved.

 

Resolution No. 731 to authorize detailed bond funding for certain projects for the City of Pigeon Forge as approved by the board of commissioners was presented for approval.  Joe Ayres stated that this resolution outlines the terms and conditions of the funding.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins and with all voting “aye” the resolution was approved.

 

Approval of Pay Request No. 1 for painting and repair of Dollywood water tank was presented for approval.  Public Works Director Miller presented and stated that the pay request would be in the amount of $3,180.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins, it was unanimously approved to accept the pay request as presented.

 

Approval of Change Order No. 1 on the Dollywood water tank painting and repair contract was presented for approval.  Public Works Director Miller stated that the change order was to address additional footage of crack repairs and additional roof hole patches.  On a motion by Commissioner Brackins, second by Commissioner McClure, it was unanimously approved to accept the change order as presented.

 

Consideration of low bid for purchase of dumpsters for sanitation department was presented for approval.  Public Works Director Miller stated that three bids had been received and he was recommending the low bid from D&W Environmental at a cost of $737 each.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins, it was unanimously approved to accept the bid as presented.

 

Consideration of low bid for purchase of chemicals for water department was presented for approval.  Public Works Director Miller stated that 10 bids had been received.  Miller recommended going with the low bids requesting that caustic soda be purchased from Brenntag Mid-South at a cost of .745 gal or .069 wet lb, bleach be purchased from Brenntag Mid-South at a cost of .70 gal, coagulant be purchased from Delta Chemical at a cost of .183 lb, aqua-mag be purchased from American Development at a cost of 7.75 gal or .68 lb, and fluoride be purchased from American Development at a cost of 2.18 gal or .21 lb.  On a motion by Commissioner McClure, second by Commissioner Brackins, it was unanimously approved to accept the bid as presented.

 

Consideration of an agreement with Master Meter Company to purchase new technology water meters to be installed over a period of three (3) to four (4) years was presented for approval.  On a motion by Commissioner Brackins, second by Commissioner McClure, it was unanimously approved to accept the agreement as presented.

 

 

Manager’s report included the following:

 

1.      The next council meeting will be held Monday January 8, 2007 at city hall in the council room.

 

2.      A Planning Commission meeting will be held on December 18, 2006 in the council room of city hall at 4:00 p.m.

 

3.      A public hearing will be held on Ordinance No. 817 on January 8, 2007 at city hall in the council room at 5:30 p.m.

 

4.      The Christmas dinner for the fire department will be at 6:00 p.m. in December 7, 2006 at the community center.

 

5.      The City Christmas lunch will be held on Friday December 15, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. at the community center.

 

6.      The City will be closed on December 25, 2006 and December 26, 2006.

 

Mayor Chance asked for comments from the floor or Board.

 

Richard Balk made general comments.

 

Vice Mayor Sexton thanked everyone for coming and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Commissioner Brackins wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Mayor Chance wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Mayor Chance thanked Derek for work at the Mountain Press.

 

There being no further comments, and Public Works Director Miller offering a closing prayer, the meeting was duly adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                            APPROVED: ______Ralph E Chance_____

                                                                                                 MAYOR

 

 

 

ATTEST: _____Dennis C Clabo______

                         CITY RECORDER