Town of Alexandria
Minutes for Regular Monthly Meeting February 23, 2016
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Alexandria met in a regular meeting on February 23, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held in the conference room of Alexandria City Hall – DeKalb County, Tennessee.
The council members in attendance were Matt Boss., Danny Parkerson, Kelly Pyburn, John Suggs, and David Cripps.
Mayor Bennett Armstrong and Attorney Vester Parsley were also in attendance.
The regular meeting commenced with a prayer from Mr. Parsley and was followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Bennett Armstrong asked if everyone had had a chance to review the minutes from the last meeting on January 26th. He asked if he could get a motion to accept the minutes. Alderman John Suggs made the motion and it was seconded by Kelly Pyburn. The motion passed unoppossed.
Mayor Bennett Armstrong asked for the financial report. Motion to accept was made by Danny Parkerson and seconded by David Cripps. The motion passed unopposed.
Chief Chris Russell gave the Police Report for January 26, 2016 through February 22, 2016. It stated the following: 45 citations were issued and 4 arrests. There were 61 calls of service and door checks were made to 289 businesses and 27 churches. Total miles driven were 5160. Danny Parkerson made a motion to accept Police Report and was seconded by Kelly Pyburn. The motion passed unopposed.
Fire Report was presented by Chief Brian Partridge. The department answered 9 calls of service, averaging 3.7 responders and has had 20 calls so far this year. Station staffing this month was 872 hours and 2 training drills with a total of 48 hours. One new member will start 2-29-16. CDGB grant surveys are done. They will be turned in 2-24-16. Received extrication equipment from the City of Smithville. As of right now it is on indefinite loan until there is a press release at which time it will then become the property of the Alexandria Fire Department. Will be doing an in house training within the next month to 6 weeks. There was discussion about the liabilities to the city with using this used equipment. Motion was made by John Suggs to table this until a work session can be held. Seconded by David Cripps. Motion passed unopposed. Motion was made by David Cripps to accept Fire Report and was seconded by Kelly Pyburn. The motion passed unopposed.
There was discussion that every employee in the city will be drug tested.
The Street report was presented by Matt Boss. Was prepared by Mark Fish. Had meeting with employees and informed part time employee that they would be cutting back to 2 days working down to 1. Then back up to 3 when needed during mowing season with supervisor’s permission. There was discussion about the trash pickup day policy as far as employees leaving after being finished and getting paid for the remainder of the day. Also discussion about trash pickup policy needs to be updated. John Suggs suggested that a workshop needs to be held. Mayor Armstrong read minutes from 9-25-12 in regards to employees leaving early after trash pickup is completed. It was agreed that a workshop will be held to discuss this. Motion to accept Street Report was made by Kelly Pyburn and seconded by Matt Boss. The motion passed unopposed.
The Sewer report was presented by Dale Smith. A composite sampler pump was ordered and replaced at a cost of a little over $600. It is now working and there have been no other issues or expenses. Motion was made by Danny Parkerson to accept the Sewer report and was seconded by David Cripps. The motion was passed unopposed.
The Water report was given by Randy York. There had been a water main break last week but is now fixed. Motion was made by David Cripps to accept Water report. Seconded by Matt Boss. The motion passed unopposed.
Vester Parsley started his report by saying that at last meeting an amendment to the charter had been approved for voting dates to correspond with the County. His copy was misplaced so is asking to redo letter to send to Representative Weaver. A motion was made by Danny Parkerson to redo letter and the motion was seconded by Kelly Pyburn. The motion passed unopposed. Mayor Armstrong asked who could sign as City Recorder. Mr. Parsley explained just needed someone tonight to sign. Motion made by Danny Parkerson to make John Suggs signer. Motion was seconded by David Cripps. The motion passed unopposed. A motion was made to accept the Attorneys report by Danny Parkerson. It was seconded by Kelly Pyburn. The motion passed unopposed.
Mayor Bennett Armstrong gave the Mayors report. He met with John Grubbs from MTAS and gave him copies of our employee handout materials, Title IV and municipal code. He is going to put everything together to come up with revisions to bring us current for our employee handout and municipal personnel. Also, went to Watertown to get copy of their request for annexation/zone change and application for site plan plat. Motion was made by David Cripps to accept Mayors report. Was seconded by John Suggs. Motion passed unopposed.
Old Business: There was discussion about passing resolution to amend Charter for voting to coincide with County. There was also discussion about zoning and documents that the Alderman/Alderwoman need to see.
New Business: A motion was made to pass OSHA Ordinance on the first reading by Danny Parkerson and seconded by David Cripps. There was discussion that a second reading has to be made, a public hearing, and then documents signed and returned to OSHA showing that we are in compliance. Motion passed unopposed. Mayor Armstrong advised of an Elected Official Academy to be held on April 1&2 2016. The cost is $200 per person and includes breakfast, supper and materials. The cheapest hotel in area is about $60 and it is 160 miles one way. David Cripps made a motion to let it slide. Kelly Pyburn made motion that if you want to go you pay for it yourself. Danny Parkerson reminded them that you cannot have 2 motions but can ask for first motion to be amended. David Cripps then withdrew his motion and Matt Boss seconded Kelly Pyburn’s motion. Motion passed unopposed. Discussion was made about getting a third check signer until a new City Recorder is hired. Motion by Danny Parkerson to make David Cripps a check signer. Seconded by Matt Boss. Motion passed unopposed. John Suggs reminded them that they will need to go to banks to make these changes. In budget discussions, Kelly Pyburn asked if she could get more money for her department-Senior Citizens. John Suggs reminded her that they get their own grant money. It was asked and confirmed that the utilities do come out of the $5000 budget. Danny Parkerson suggested that CD Account balances should be included in financial report. Kelly Pyburn made a motion that city business not be mentioned on social media. Mr. Parsley reminded everyone that you can’t dictate what someone says-violation of 1st Amendment Right. Kelly Pyburn withdrew her motion. David Cripps made a motion to hire Kimberly Carr as City Recorder. Seconded by Matt Boss. A roll call vote was then made. Motion passed unopposed. Mayor Armstrong will contact her and offer her the position. Danny Parkerson made a motion that if she does not accept a special meeting needs to be held. Seconded by John Suggs. Motion passed unopposed. A motion to adjourn was made by David Cripps. Seconded by Matt Boss. Motion passed unopposed. Meeting Adjourned.
