The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the March 14, 2016 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet is found here and a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted on the city website in the April 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda packet.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA 2 items passed unanimously
b. Resolution of award to Irby Utilities for (2) switchgears for the electric department for $37,938.
VIII. RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a certificate of good moral character for Dennis L. McCarter, Fraternal Order of Eagles. Motion passed 6-1 with Baughn voting Nay.
b. Resolution granting a permit to James Robert Williams to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages at Secret City Liquor and Wine. Motion passed 7-0
c. Resolution authorizing the mayor to sign and issue a certificate of compliance for James Roberts Williams to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages at Secret City Liquor and wine. Motion passed 7-0
d. Resolution granting renewal permits to multiple persons engaged in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for one year and waiving the residency requirements for nonresident applicants. Motion passed 6-0 (Baughn recused herself)
e. Resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of a TDEC grant in the amount up to $500,000 for synthetic turf installation at Blankenship Field. Motion passed 7-0
All matching funds are to be provided by the Blankenship Field Revitalization Foundation. The city is not obligated to accept the grant if the foundation does not provide those funds; the foundation commits to raising all of the matching funds prior to submitting the application April 22nd. Lifespan of the field is estimated to be 10-12 years. Replacement costs would be $300-350,000. Total cost of initial installation is projected at $1 million which includes geological foundation that would not have to be replaced after the 10-12 years.
IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
a. Ordinance amending Parcel 456.02 located on East Tulsa Rd from RG-1 Residential Open Space to B-2 General Business. Motion passed 7-0
b. Ordinance amending 2016 budget appropriations to allow the schools to increase their total by $200,000 to allow for additional grant proceeds. Motion passed 7-0
X. FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
a. An ordinance to amend Title 14 “Zoning and Land Use Control” by replacing Ch 5 “Erosion Control and Stormwater Management” with a new chapter entitled “Stormwater Management” in order to comply with the TDEC MS4 program. Motion passed unanimously.
XI. ELECTIONS/APPOINTMENTS
Appointment of Callison, Smith and Chinn to the City Judge Review Committee.
Appointment of Callison to participate in the engineering firm evaluation/selection process.
Both motions passed unanimously.
Note: During a previous work session, I volunteered to serve on the engineering firm evaluation because I had previously questioned the amount of money we’ve awarded to LDA/Lamar Dunn without any competitive process for decades. No other council members expressed an interest in serving but during tonight’s meeting, Hensley nominated Callison. Because the recommendation of the committee will ultimately require a vote by the entire council, I bowed out.
Trina Baughn 
Not a wise decision by council to install synthetic turf on the football field. Most colleges are going back to some form of grass. UT has. There’s gotta be good reasons for that.
Last night a man talked about parking problems at wayne road & Jefferson and mark Watson lied again! He said he’s never knew there to be a problem there! It’ only proves that he is a LIAR! I LIVED AT 420 Jefferson and that is where MARK WATSON AND I FOUGHT SO MUCH OVER! Wayne Road is right across the street from where I lived! sincerely yours Kay Williamson
I thought that was your neighborhood and tried to bring that to his attention but didn’t want to bring up your name directly.