MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER COUNCIL MEETING

STATE OF TENNESSEE                CITY OF LEWISBURG          COUNTY OF MARSHALL           SEPTEMBER 11, 2007

The Lewisburg City Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 6:00 p.m. at Lewisburg City Hall, 131 East Church Street, Lewisburg, Tennessee.

Those present and attending were:  Mayor Bob Phillips, City Manager Eddie Fuller, City Treasurer/Recorder Connie W. Edde, City Attorney Bill Haywood, City Councilmen Quinn Brandon, Hershel Davis, Robin Minor, Phil Sanders and Elvin White.

Members Absent:  None

Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order.

The Invocation was given by Ronald Robinson and the audience led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 1.  Announcements

Mayor Phillips announced the following:

  • The family of Mary Davis thanked the Mayor and Council for declaring July 12th “Mary Davis Day” in Lewisburg.
  • Lisa Keylon, State of Tennessee, was introduced as the City’s new planner.
  • Remembrance of 911
  • Calendar for the Goats Music and More Festival going on sale in 2 weeks.

Item 2.  Approval of the Minutes

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman White, to approve the minutes of the public hearing and regular meeting of August 14, 2007.  Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye            Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                  Councilman White - Aye       Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:   5 - 0                                                                                 

Item 3.  Approval of the Bills and Financial Statement

Motion was made by Councilman Minor, seconded by Councilman Sanders, to approve the payment of the August 2007 bills and the July 2007 Financial Statement.   Upon a roll call vote:

 Councilman Brandon - Aye               Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                     Councilman White - Aye         Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 - 0

Item 4.  Citizen Input

1. Mayor Phillips stated the Council had made the following recommendations in conducting Citizen Input:

  • All items addressed must pertain to municipal matters.
  • Persons addressing an issue under Citizen Input can only bring the same issue before the Council three (3) times

2. Gary Davis expressed his opinion on local news reporting issues, and stated he felt it was time for racial impractical practices to end.

3.  Gary Middleton asked what progress had been made on cleaning-up the property located on 429 Maple Street.

Item 5.  Unfinished Business

5A) Final Reading of Ordinance 07-08

Motion was made by Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman White, to approve final reading of Ordinance 07-08 pertaining to pit bulls.  This ordinance amends the City’s municipal code by deleting Section 4 pertaining to the sale or transfer of ownership and Section 5 concerning animals born of register dogs.  Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Abstained        Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                        Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  4 – 0

5B) Final Reading of Ordinance 07-09

Motion was made by Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman Sanders, to approve final reading of Ordinance 07-09 which pertains to purchasing regulations.  This ordinance will increase the amount to $10,000 before public advertising is required for utilities (gas, water, electric).  All general government purchasing will remain at $3,500 before bidding is required.  Upon a roll call vote:

 Councilman Brandon - Aye                  Councilman Sanders - Aye       Councilman Davis - Aye                        Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

Item 6.  New Business

6A. First Reading of Ordinance 07-10

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Sanders, to defer first reading of Ordinance 07-10 until the Planning Commission can reassess the ordinance.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye               Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                    Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

6B) Consider City Wide Drug Testing Policy

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Davis, to establish a City wide drug testing policy that will include all full time employees.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye            Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                 Councilman White - Aye          Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

6C) Changing Speed Limit on Creekside Drive

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Minor, to approve changing the speed limit on Creekside Drive from 30 mph to 29 mph.  It was explained this was a common practice for residential subdivisions adjoining golf courses.  Eddie Roberts requested the change and will be responsible for any cost.   Upon a roll call vote: 

Councilman Brandon - Aye              Councilman Sanders - Nay Councilman Davis - Aye                   Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  4 – 0

6D) Naming Street in New Business Park

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Minor, to name the street entering the Lewisburg Business Park “Veteran’s Drive.”  Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye             Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                   Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

6E) Changing Name of the “New Lake" 

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Minor, to accept community input for renaming the “New Lake”.  A $100 savings bond will be presented to the person choosing the winning name.  All persons interested in renaming the lake should send their suggestion to Lewisburg City Hall at P.O. Box 1968, Attention:  New Lake Contest.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon – Aye                 Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                       Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

6F) Purchase of Additional Recreational Property

Motion was made by Councilman Minor, seconded by Councilman White, to allow purchase of property adjacent to Southside Park.  The property will be used as practice fields, etc. with a total purchase price of $90,000.  Money to purchase the property will come from a site located on 5th Avenue that will be used for placement of a cell tower.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye                 Councilman Sanders - Aye        Councilman Davis - Aye                      Councilman White - Aye           Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

Item 7.   Other Business

 7A)  First Reading of Ordinance 07-11

Motion was made by Councilman Brandon, seconded by Councilman Minor, to approve first reading of Ordinance 07-11, an ordinance increasing the litigation tax for the City of Lewisburg’s City Court.  It was explained cities are now allowed to collect the same amount of litigation tax as levied by the State.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Aye                Councilman Sanders - Aye Councilman Davis - Aye                      Councilman White - Aye Councilman Minor - Aye

Motion Passed:  5 – 0

7B) Mayor Phillips stated with so many activities going on at Rock Creek Park there has been a request for permanent speakers to be placed there.   The cost would be approximately $3,000.   Motion to approve was made by Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman White.   Upon a roll call vote:

Councilman Brandon - Nay                Councilman Sanders - Aye      Councilman Davis - Aye                      Councilman White - Aye  Councilman Minor – Aye

Motion Passed:  4 – 0

7C) Police Chief Doug Alexander was asked to come to the podium by Councilman Brandon.  She stated she would like to ask questions pertaining to complaints concerning police department affairs, including the TBI investigation that is currently being conducted.  Chief Alexander stated he had obtained an attorney.

A meeting between the Council, Chief Alexander and his attorney has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 18th.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and Council for the City of Lewisburg adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
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