City Council - Regular Meeting

I

I will call the football city council meeting for Thursday, May 7th to order. May I have a roll call, please? Councilman Bodi, here. Councilman Walker, here. Mayor Waten, here. Vice Mayor Eldridge, here. Councilman Gilbert, here. Five present.

Thank you. At this time, I would like to ask those wish to do so to stand for the invocation given tonight by Pastor Amos Rogan. Let us pray. Father God, we just thank you so much. We thank you on this national day of prayer and celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great country that we can still come to you, Lord. and we just thank you for the opportunity that you know that your hand is still upon this community and this country. Lord, I ask and pray that the work that is done in this uh body tonight be of yours, that your wisdom and discernment be placed upon those that you have appointed in the government. And we just ask God that you just please be with us and never take your hand off of our great community. And we ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus and amen.

Amen. I pledge To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Rogan. Item three, consider approval of agenda agenda as presented. Are there any changes? Yes, mayor. I have one change. We'll add an item under new business. 7N is consider approval of agreement with River Community Church to reimburse for geotechnical survey and engineering work. Thank you. Do I have a motion on the agenda as amended? So moved.

Motion by Vice Mayor Eldridge, seconded by Councilman Baji. Uh any discussion from the council? Right. We'll vote on that. All those are correct. Five. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. 4A. Consider reappointment to the historic zoning commission. Mr. Ward.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. The current term of Mr. Peter Meds on the historic zoning commission expired in April of this year. Section 232.3 of the zoning code stipulates that the membership of the historic zoning commission shall include an architect. And if if available and Mr. Mets fills the architect position. Uh Mr. Mets also resides in the North Dixie Avenue Historic District. Members of the historic zoning commission serve five-year terms and are appointed by the mayor with confirmation by by a maj majority vote of the city council. Mr. Mets has been recommend for Mr. Mets reappoint. Thank you. Do I have a motion? So moved.

Motion made by Councilman Walker. Do I have a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from council? No. on to the consent agenda. 6 A, consider declaring a surplus one freight liner sweep sweeper truck and 6B, consider approval to purchase advanced metering infrastructure. Is there a motion on the consent agenda?

So moved. Got a motion by Councilman Walker. Do I have a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from council? Okay. All vote.

All votes. Correct. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. 7A. Hold a public hearing and consider on first reading ordinance 02600101 reszoning property located on Northfellow Avenue portion of tax map 40G-B-001.00 from RM8 multif family residential to CL local commercial. Mr. Ward. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Here's a general location of this uh area proposed for resoning. Here is a map. You can see this is just a sliver of property there. Um an aerial view of that. The subject property consists of approximately 3,380 ft or 08 acres. Uh the property is currently splitzoned uh was this property was current is currently zoned RM8 multif family residential. Uh it's bordered by CL uh to the south and east and RM8 to the west and north. Uh this application uh was submitted to to reszone the property to allow for a commercial development here. Um this is a result of an undeveloped uh portion of Park Street Rideway that was closed, abandoned, and declared a surplus property in April 2024. The petitioner submitted a request to close the portion of rideaway and the adjacent property owner agreed to allowing the petitioner to purchase that uh closed portion in its entirety. Combining the undeveloped rideway with the subject parcel resulted in split zoning of the property. The request to reszone to RM8 uh u press to reszone the RM8 portion to CL will provide consistent zoning for the parcel. So this is the survey that was submitted when we closed that portion of Park Street in April of 2024. Our future land use plan designates this is all best suited for local commercial development. So it's compliant with the with the future land use plan. Well, here's an aerial view. You can see this is around approximately 20 ft of remnant that that remained as RM8 where we previously zoned a center line of a rideway that was abandoned uh in 2024. So I recommend approval of the resoning

request. Happy to answer any questions from the council on this one. Thank you. Do I have a motion? Motion made by council body. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. This is a public hearing. So uh is there anyone who would like to speak on this agenda item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. Um, any comments from the council? All right. All vote. Oh, here. That's a little quick. Reacting for speakers. Oh, yes. Yes. Related to this related to this agenda item. Yes. Okay. Oh, yeah. Yeah. If we've got time at the end, too, but did you want to speak on this one? Yes. Uhhuh. Oh, for Oh, then yeah, go right ahead. Come on up. Thank you. Yes. Is it for this agenda item? What

is it for this agenda item? I think it could be called that. No. Is it for the reasonzoning on North Willow? No, not not for this. Yeah, we've got time at the end. Okay. To speak. Yes, I will make sure to call on you. Yes, that's good. I know I talk fast. Sorry. I know. There for just being an old I am. I give you all chance. Got to get through these. Yes. No. I will make sure it's on you in the end. Yes. To let you know. Yes. Uhhuh. I know. I mean, $200. That's a free time in August. Is there anyone who would like to speak on this agenda item?

Okay. Seeing none, we will close the public hearing portion. Uh, we do have a motion in a second. Yes. We got three votes. Three votes. Sorry. And we will vote. Yes. Votes correct. Five. Yes. Motion carries. Don't miss me when I'm going. I got you. I know now when you when we need to call you. 7B, consider authorizing the city manager to execute a six-month lease agreement with Wags and Whisker Pet Rescue for the building located at 180 Miller Road. Mr. Mills,

mayor and council members, December of last year, the city authorized the purchase of the property at 180 Miller Road, which as you know houses the major Michael Shipley Spay Neuter Clinic. When we purchased the property in January, the city took over a lease with Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue, which operates the spay neuter clinic. The le that lease expired in February and then we subsequently extended it under the same terms through June of this year. The animal control board, the Cookville Putnham County Animal Control Board, recently approved and recommended that the existing lease agreement with Wags and Whiskers be extended for an additional 6 months expiring December 31st, 2026 for a payment of $9,000 due on the date of lease signing. The board recommended that the six-month lease instead of an annual lease to allow the animal shelter director and representatives from Wags and Whiskers an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of anou where the lease payment could possibly be reduced in exchange for services provided to the animal shelter. If anou can be agreed upon, then its provisions would be incorporated into a longer lease and considered for approval. And I'll be bringing it back to you in December. And I'd request your approval of the six-month lease to Wags and Whiskers for the property located at 180 Miller Road.

Thank you. Is there a motion? Motion made by Councilman Bach. Is there a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public? Discussion from council. Okay, we'll vote on that.

All votes correct by motion carries.

Thank you. 7C consider committing to purchase one front load sanitation truck in fiscal year 2627 to Lan Price pending council approval of final budget. Uh Miss Lrod uh yes mayor and council. So this is for the purchase of a 2027 MAC frontload garbage truck from municipal equipment. It'll be through the source well contract. This is a conditional commitment upon your approval of the 2627 budget. The total cost for this purchase is 373,224.31. Uh this truck would be available for delivery uh in the uh winter hopefully December 2026. Uh this will replace an aging 2010 frontload truck. Uh that w will be surplus once we get this one in to offset the cost. Uh this will put our next oldest frontload truck at a 2019 model and that will keep our fleet age down to seven years which is our goal in all of our fleet but we'll get our front load fleet to that. So I do request your approval uh to commit to this purchase in next FY.

Thank you. Do I have a motion? So moved. Motion by Councilman Walker. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public? Discussion from council. Okay. Go ahead and vote. Correct. Five. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. 7D. Consider committing to purchase one Vermeier horizontal grinder in fiscal year 2627 to lock in price pending council approval of final budget. Miss Lrod.

Uh so this is for the replacement of the loss of our grinder at the mulch site. We operate on Jackson. Uh so we have been uh using and we've rented for one month this uh 4,000 model horizontal grinder and we will commit to purchase this with the next FY budget upon approval. And so this commit would commitment would be to purchase this from Vermeere through a source contract. The total purchase price is 740,638.76. This would be for a July 1 purchase with the FY budget. Uh it would replace that 2019 tub grinder that we did lose in a fire. Uh this new uh grinder will include damage defense, metal detection to shut down the machine, fire suppression system with,000 hours of planned um maintenance package, additional screens, and a pallet of replacement teeth, nuts and bolts, and a full credit of this one month rent we have been doing for 48,000. Um, this will also give us uh we are also hoping before the July 21 purchase or the July one purchase uh for possibly a tradein value for the older machine. So, Vermeier is currently looking for a buyer uh for our older machine that was burned and so they could use for parts. So, u this will be the current price for now and hopefully we can get a deduct on that with a tradein value. So, I do recommend your approval of this purchase.

Thank you. Is there a motion? So moved. Motion made by Vice Mayor Elders. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Gilbert. Any discussion from the public? Mayor, want to know as we discussed Monday, you could come up in just a second, but the se the price here would be um partially covered by an insurance claim which we've received which is $253,000. Then the remaining approximate 500,000 would be split between the city and the county. So we'd be out approximately 250,000. These are rounded numbers, but approximately $250,000. We joint own this.

Well, maybe that's not the right word. The county the county pays for half of the equipment. We own it, but they we grind for the county. That's our um our agreement. Yes. Thank you for that. My wife knows the insurance, so that covered it. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments, questions? Any comments from council? No. All right. Go ahead and vote on this.

Although it's correct. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. 7E. Consider committing to purchase dumpster truck in fiscal year 2627 to lock in price pending council approval of final budget. Miss Elrod.

So this is another commitment purchase pending the FY 2627 uh budget. This will be for a 2027 MAC dumpster truck through the MAC source well contract. Uh the purchase price would be 143,272 and4 and this truck would be an anticipated delivery of fall winter um 2026. Uh this will replace an aging 2002 dumpster truck we currently have. Uh that will be surplused at the time. The current dumpster truck only has a carrier lift bed which will allow allows for us to raise and lower uh the cans. Uh this uh truck will come with a string fellow uh bed which will allow for uh lifting, extending and a full 360 rotation so we can place these dumpsters on commercials uh properties when they rent these and buy these uh dumpsters. So I do recommend your approval for this purchase.

Thank you. Is there a motion? So moved. Motion made by Councilman Boti. Is there a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public on this item? Discussion from council. Okay. All vote.

All votes. Correct. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. 7F. Consider approval to purchase one street sweeper truck utilizing the source contract ID 062425-SWZ. Miss Lrod.

Okay. Okay, so this is a purchase right now. This but all those were for future. So this purchase is for a 2027 Isuzu truck equipped with a Nighthawk Raptor 2 sweeper through the SW Schwarz Industries and it is also through the Sourcewell contract. A total purchase price of 134,877.15. This truck's available now. So we anticipate 3 weeks delivery time. So, we're hoping for a June one delivery for this sweeper truck so we can get to using it immediately. This is to replace that previously surplus 2021 Freight Liner sweeper that we did lose due to fire. Um, this is a smaller sweeper than we had before. We demoed multiple sweepers uh during this process and we feel like for our budget and for our use uh we can uh do well with this sweeper and we hope to um um get back on the streets again and get it going. So I do recommend your approval of this purchase.

Thank you. Is there a motion? Come in. Motion made by Councilman Bach. Is there a second? Second. Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public? And our sweet street sweeper. That's hard to say. We need to note that this will be coming back with a budget amendment, won't we, Jenny, on this so we can purchase this year. And Mary Beth, we got some insurance money on this one also. That'll go towards the insurance money will cover it completely. Uh, we've got 150. Well, that's really important to say there's lead with that. So, so a budget amendment to revenue the insurance claim and a budget amendment to purchase this one and we should have a a net positive there. Yes,

net posit. We like net positives. Yes. Start with that. In addition, since this is a smaller one, it'll it will allow us to get more streets, tighter radius and around the courthouse. It'll let us get us in those curbed areas and parking areas a lot easier.

And y'all asked Monday at work session about possibly buying two of these. And Mary Beth and Jenny and I have talked and what we prefer and what Mary Beth would prefer is let her try this for a year to see how it works. And if we like it, then yeah, we agree. We could sure operate two sweepers. We'll also though note that we'll likely need an additional person if we want to have a full-time operator. So, um, right now we will not include the second one in our budget for next year. You'll have some free time in August, won't you? You can grab the new I'm going to make very good use of my time come August. Not once. Okay. I was trying to get it high. Sorry.

If you need something to do, come see me. You want me to check you out? No, no, I'm good. I can't even can't even parallel a part. Um, all right. So, we've got comments from us. We've had a motion in a second. Any further discussion? Okay, go ahead and take a vote.

All votes correct. Yes, motion carries. Thank you. Uh, moving on to 7G. Consider awarding bid for Interstate Drive widening project. Miss Elro.

Uh, so mayor and council, we did open bids on Tuesday, May the 5th, uh, for this um, Interstate drive widening project. We received one bid that was from Rogers Group Incorporated. uh their bid uh was deemed to be a complete bid at $497,723.50. Um so this is our only sole bid and it's complete bid. So we do recommend your approval for this and this is for the widening of Interstate Drive. It's approximately about 250 ft of roadway. It'll add a dedicated right turn lane and then that current right turn lane would be turned into two dual through lanes there going over to Neil Street across Jefferson. So I do recommend your approval of this bit. Thank you. Is there a motion?

Move to approve. Motion made by Councilman Baji. Is there a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public on this discussion from council? Let me know one thing on that. If you'll see on there, it said amendment. We um anticipate some of this work getting started this fiscal year. That's why we put that on there. Uh the bulk of this will be done after we've adopted our uh next fiscal year budget. But we do want to note that some of this work we hope to get started really soon. So we're hoping they'll turn around contracts and maybe we'll have boots on the ground June 1. So we may have one month of expenditures before it rolls over. That being said, be patient with us on Interstate Drive. Yes.

A lot gonna happen down there, but it it's going to be great. with this everywhere. But yeah, that's going to be coming up. Thank you. Um, do we vote on that? No. Okay, we got we got a motion, a second. All right, let's go and take a vote. The votes correct. Yes, motion carries. 78. Consider approval of change order number one, final balance for Steven Street improvement project phase one from Hugh Street to Willow Avenue. Miss Lrod. Okay, this is my last item. Okay. Yeah.

Okay. So this is for the final balance of our Stevens Street project. We did punch list inspection on April 21st and the Rogers Group is actively completing all those punch list items. Um originally the contract substantial completion was supposed to be May 17th. It was a 365day contract. Uh so Rogers Group has submitted a total of 22 delay days for weather based on the contract. um 23 delay days based on weather and then an additional 22 days uh for some items um that had to be coordinated from March to May of the project uh with utility relocation. So we have approved to add an additional 45 days to the contract setting the substantial completion date as of May 1st with them being ready and complete for final payment um submission on May 22nd. And then the uh dollar amounts we had um I remember my my paper here. Got to get my numbers. So the original contract was for um 3 million. I can't read it from here. 3,105, I believe. So we had went over on price by um sorry my paper split two pages here. I got to find my last one. Okay. The original contract was 3,10559. We did go over by $531,465.88 in cost. Those that primary overage was um 280,000 being due to unsuitable soils uh which were were not anticipated that much, but we didn't know because we didn't do a geotechnical report before. And then we had additional bay stone and pavement required to tie in everything properly uh for the suntan village driveway and then additional sidewalks to tie in. There was a lot of existing sidewalks we wanted to remain but when

we got out there doing the work it it was found they could not remain and then we did some additional water line connections for developments that had taken place from the time we designed the plans to the time we went into construction. And so that we do recommend your approval uh for that addition. We did have $137,000 117 of unused items we are deducting. So the total change order ad we are asking for is 3944,34848 to put a final contract amount at 3,499748 and I do recommend your approval on that. Thank you. Is there a motion? Motion made by Vice Mayor Eldidge. Is there a second?

Second. Second by Councilman Gilbert. Uh, any discussion from the public? Discussion from council. I'll vote.

All votes correct. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Sit down. Seven. I consider authorizing the renewal of Tennessee Tech operations and maintenance agreement. Mr. Haney. Yes. Mayor and council members. This agreement allows us to provide operation and maintenance uh assistance to Tennessee Tech uh on their underground electric system which they've owned since 2013. Per the agreement uh any cost of that work PTU reimbures us at 100%. The existing agreement expires June 2nd of this year. This would renew that agreement for up to 5 years and I'd recommend your approval. Thank you. Is there a motion?

Motion made by Councilman Baji. Is there a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public? Discussion from council. Mayor, if I could, I want to take a moment to commend the energy department. Mr. Haney, if you've seen South Maple, you might have seen this, mayor. They have done a fantastic job on converting to underground electric. They've been cutting the tops off the poles. No wires you still see up there are not city of Cookvilles. They are telecommunication that Carl's working hard to get them to relocate. So we can eventually take all the poles down. But those guys worked hard today. I drove through there twice and they did a great job. So thank you. Please let them know. Do they do we already have conduit and everything for them? Oh yeah. Do the

We do. We do for the communications. Yes. So it's really just run. Two of them are already going to start on that. The third one we're still working with them on it, but they are conduit. It's already installed for those communications. Yeah. I will also I've been able to get back and forth from the house to school and everywhere else and they've been wonderful to work with the whole time. So thank you be great. Any other comments? All right. All vote.

Although it's correct. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. 7J, consider approval of change order number one, final balance 2025 interstate drive waterline project. Mr. Mayor and members of the council. Uh this is the Interstate Drive water line project there from U west of Walnut where uh we adjusted the quantities with what was actually installed. Contract amount is $296,890 less than the original contract. New contract amount is $1,292,485. I recommend your approval. Thank you. Is there a motion? So moved.

Motion made by Councilman Bach. Is there a second? Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public? Discussion from council. Okay. All vote.

All votes. Correct. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. 7K. Consider authorizing the city manager to execute change order number six for 2023 South Jefferson Avenue waterline replacement 42 Reagan Street. Mr. Turner. with the uh city wanting to pave Walnut the rest of the way on down and with the state wanting to pave uh Spring Street, we're planning on installing a 16inch water line from Walnut up to Dixie there along Spring Street. So to be able to pave Walnut this fall, we need to get the water line stubbed out of Walnut. So, this change order would predominantly cover the cost to have a the contractor extend that water line out of Walnut and get it uh two joints of pipe where it won't be affecting the paving. Uh the cost this also adjusts to items that's already been installed in other parts of this project. That part is $61,869. And the part about bringing the tap out is $92,784 for a total change of 154,000 and $653. And I recommend your approval.

Thank you. Is there a motion? So move. Motion made by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Walker. Any discussion from the public on this discussion from council? Are we Is that going to be over cut? Yes. Is there any reason to put any more chases in there for anybody else or Well, the the water line is in the southbound lane of the road there, so it doesn't go all the way across the road. Oh. So, okay. Yeah. And Okay. And this includes uh relocating the 6 in line that we anticipate. Yeah. That is conflicting. So, Okay. That number is a little higher than you might think. Thank you for doing it before they pave. Yes, for having the foresight. Yes. So, that's not to go dig it back up. Y'all are always really great about that. So, thank you for that.

Um, we'll be we'll be putting flowable fill in. As we say, put flow fill in. Yeah. Again, please be patient. Thank you. We've got a motion in a second. Any other comments? All right. Go ahead and don't

All correct. IBS motion carries. Thank you. 7L. Consider authorizing the city manager to execute an engineering contract for design of 16inch water. Is that 16 inch or foot inch inch? Good lord. Sorry. 16inch water line along Spring Street from Wald Avenue to Dixie Avenue. Mr. Turner.

U. This is the water line I mentioned. We're This shows the total route with an alternate there as well because we have to get some easements and such. um design covers a little over 1,600 ft of water line. Most of it being 6 in and tying the services back in and everything. The total design fee for this is $91,200 which also includes u bidding contract services and construction phase services. Uh this is with CTI engineers and I recommend your approval on this. Thank you. Is there a motion? So move. Motion made by Councilman Gilbert. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Any discussion from the public on this? Discussion from council. Okay. All vote.

All votes. Correct. 5. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you. 7m. Consider approval to sell one lot in the Highlands Business Park and authorize the city manager to execute a purchase sale agreement with the Hollingsworth Company. Mr. Ward. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um, the community development department is requesting council approval to sell property located in the Highlands Business Park and authorize the city manager to execute a purchase sale agreement with the Hollingsworth Company. The property being considered is identified as lot C on the Highlands Business Park master plan and consist of three part parcels totaling totaling a approximately 27.4 acres. The proposed sale price for this is $38,500 per acre for an estimated total purchase price of1,54,900 with the final amount to be verified by survey of the property. Uh this uh project represents a significant foreign direct investment opportunity for Cookville and Putnham County. Uh the Hollingsworth company is proposing a built- facility for project green. Uh this company is focused on the fabrication and assembly of specialurpose vehicles. The proposed investment includes approximately $25 million in real property improvements and an additional 15 million in personal property investment. This project is expected to create approximately 168 new jobs in our community uh 3 years from completion of the construction. The agreement includes clawback provisions to protect the city's interest and ensure compliance with performance commitments associated with the project. Uh in addition, this agreement includes provisions related to a speculative building construction option in partnership with Hollingsworth should project green not move forward. The project represents a strong economic development opportunity uh for the community through new investment, job creation, and continued growth within our business park. Uh, I recommend approval of the property sale and authorization for the city manager to execute the purchase sale agreement with the Hollingsworth Company subject to final revisions to the agreement approved by the city manager and the city attorney. Uh, it is uh to note also

this this agreement would also be subject to approval by Putnham County uh the Putham County Legislative Body and they're um at this point looking to do that at their May uh 18th meeting I believe is the date. So happy to answer any questions from council on this. I recommend your approval. Thank you. Is there a motion? Motion made by Councilman Baji. Is there a second? Second by vice vers. We got a motion, a second. Any discussion from the public on this item? Yeah, I did that.

Uh on this checker project, is the city doing anything to secure this jail? reducing taxes, property taxes, reducing electric cost or anything like that, Smith, that's who I'm asking. Are we doing anything to reduce property taxes through this deal? Yeah, I guess what I'm talking about. Well, I would think new growth helps us if we have more growth and that brings in more tax dollars that reduces the need to raise problem.

Kind of like what we've got up there with regions and what you all spent on the First Baptist Church parking lot. Is that reasonable to say those two things were about grow. They were supposed to work 125. They were supposed to work 225. And you all said you couldn't make the deal without you had 400 parking spaces. I'd be glad for you and me to leave and go over there and see how much of it's filled right now. The company's not even here, brother. You are correct, sir. Okay. So, are we getting another deal like that? No, they're not asking for any How the hell do you know you're not? You're comparing apples to oranges here. This is not

Yeah. Hey, this is a completely different project that doesn't have anything to do with that. But if you do want to discuss that after the meeting, we can definitely have a discussion about that. Sounds good to me. Okay. It's time in the hour. Okay. Sounds good. But you do see the point I'm making. No. Oh, you don't? I think we So, in other words, what you all promise this company to come in for the same reason of growth and development and went, didn't it? We've not promised them anything. We've offered to sell them property. Yeah. This is a this is a whole property. Yeah. That's only the start. We can discuss it when it's completed. Okay.

We can discuss that after. Yeah. If you want to. Yeah. That'll be my part for given. Okay. We can do. Yeah. We can discuss that. Okay. Remember about I can name 20 more. What is this? We name 20 more. We'll we'll discuss it after. Yeah. Thank you. That one right there though. We can talk about Yep. So this your secretary was So we've got uh we've got comment. Any more comments from public? Any comments from the council? Touch on that U provisions for spec building construction.

So, uh, Hollingsworth has uh asked to in the agreement that for an additional cost of $200,000 if project green didn't move forward, they could retain the property as an opportunity after that. you know, if they've invested the money to engineer a project, their interest would be in um asking council to consider allowing them to build another spec building in the industrial park at additional cost. Add an additional cost for that. Yeah. And pay a premium. That's correct. Yes, that's correct. Any other comments?

And this uh this project is not pursuing uh pilot incentives. Uh this is based on you know based on the sale established sales price for this property. There are no pilot incentives. So this would be a property that goes on the tax rolls once construction would be completed. So just to real quick answer your question. Okay. If it doesn't go through at all, we may we they have an option to pay us even more money for the property. Okay. And but they have to build a spec building. Oh, okay. Okay. So, we'll get more money and we'll sell the problem. Absolutely. Could not lose any

be hard to there are call back. There are callback. Anything's possible. There's always winners and losers in this world. But at the end at the end of the day, we lose that park. Well, we this is what we intended for the park to be built.

I understand all that. I'm just saying when we lose, people ought to help respond. I see when y'all got some projects. When I did projects, I had to meet a deadline. Okay? If there was days over that, then I had to pay. I had to pay the city, county, or state, but I didn't meet the deadline. Now, we got the same thing here on clawback provisions, as I discussed, council, we've got clawback provisions in this. their performance metrics where we can p repurchase the property for what Hollingsworth has paid us. We can repurchase the property and I'm not talking about anything but this property. That's good. That's good.

That's what we're talking about. Yes. So, okay. All right. I have no further questions. No. Any other comments from council? All right. See none, we'll go ahead and vote.

All votes correct. Yes. Motion carried. Thank you. We do have our other agenda item that got added 7N. I'll let Mr. Mills. Yeah. 7N's consider approval of an agreement with the River Community Church to reimburse them for geotechnical surveying and engineering work. So, an agreement has been drawn up by Dan and myself and the River Community Church has u agreed to facilitate the geotechnical survey and design work um for this area and I'd recommend your approval with this agreement. Thank you. Is there a motion? I move. Motion made by Vice Mayor Eldidge. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Councilman Walker. Any discussion from the public on this one? Discussion from council. All right. All vote. All votes correct. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. At this time, that concludes the agenda portion of the meeting. This is now the open portion of the meeting where anyone could speak to the council on any non-aggenda items. Did you still want to speak? Yes. Okay. You've got your time now. Come on up here if you'll state your name, whether you live in the city or county. And you've got three minutes. Okay. Sure. Uh, you said three minutes. Yes, sir. Okay. So, does that include when you all are answering back to me?

Typically, at this part, we just let you address us. If there's questions that need to be answered afterwards, we can step away from the meeting and answer them. Okay. But, but your answer is still on my time. Is that right? We'll let you speak. We're not going to try to debate. Yeah. You are welcome to speak to us. Okay. Yes. Well, because my questions are not they're going to be none personal. Okay. They're going to be none legal. I I had that issue once with you all killing time by letting the attorney come in when it didn't even need a call. We will let you speak for 3 minutes. You see what I'm trying to say? I got you. Mhm. We will. Yeah.

The next meeting I'm going to think about us as citizens, we need some ground rules. When we talk, you you all set yours three minutes. I think we ought to set ours not change the time, but the way it's handled. You see what I'm saying? The way it's time because I sit here for six years watching the council. There's probably not a trick that I've not seen pulled to jam up that three minutes. And that's why tonight you don't see anybody here because it's a common thing. It's a rigged deal. Yeah. We don't want that, do we? We don't we don't want that. put on cool to be branded as a conspiracy as a real deal. So, it ought to have been both ways. Okay. But here's my question. Are we not discussing this uh purchase of the land on Broad Street C?

The 39 depot. Uhhuh. Uh we did not discuss it in this meeting. No. Do you have a comment about it though? Yeah, I do. Uh I'm just curious about uh what was the purpose of buying that Mr. Mills? I'll address that to you. Provide parking was one of the problem. What now? To provide parking for the downtown area was one of the main reasons. Oh, okay. So if I use that same pattern, any business that goes in and doesn't have parking, they can assume the city will put parking in park. Is that right? That's not correct. What?

That's not correct. Because any business that would uh go in over there, they would need to provide their own parking. Okay. No, that south parking lot is proposed to be designed to where a business could put a structure there. Oh, okay. Did when you all did an appraisal on it, did you happen to get a use of appraisal on it? Are y'all familiar with that? What the land can be used for?

In other words, you you look at an appraisal about three ways. Okay. One of them being the cost of the land. Agreed. Number two is what could that land do if it was bought and used some other way? All right. Now, what I'm getting in, you all been to Nashville. I know you have. You go to Predator's game, cost you $35 to park. Agreed. Y'all ever go to Nashville? Ever know what happens down there? There's no free parking without you want to stop at Carthage and walk down that. Okay. So, I just don't get the picture here. Why the city at the least they ought to go back and the business owners ought to pay some kind of premium for that because that's who's going to use it. That's who's going to use it. So, kind of looks like a winners and losers deal. You know, you're going to let other businesses lose.

I really don't think this, but anyway, you does that make any sense at all? We've got parking all over downtown. I know you have. Usable for people to to come into our downtown area, park, and we have a lot of CBD zoning. Okay. Do do you think a business should have to buy their parking? Not if they're in the central business district. Oh, okay. Then that goes back to my question. If I go up there outside of that and I got the money to pay for parking, I can come and the city will put it in for me.

Run your business district. If you're zoned correctly, then you won't have to provide parking, but it depend the city will have to, right? No, the city will not put in any parking for any business specifically. Oh, okay. They put in parking for the residents of Cookville to go and be able to come downtown to enjoy all the amenities of all the different businesses. Oh, okay. So, like if if they want to come shop, say you own a business downtown, they want to come shop at your business, they're welcome to come to your business or welcome to go to a restaurant or it's for the people coming to visit downtown. So, parking would be part of the cost to run the business, right? It could be depending on your zoning,

but you're also allowed to park there and go to the park, go to CPAC, watch a show, you're talking about now then people won't walk from over here to city hall. Look at this ground in here tonight. Does that look like a very good representation? I guarantee you if you ask some of them, we had to walk too far. I was kind of quite impressed with how there's such a limit as how far people will walk. Mhm. Y that make any sense or not? Does it does, doesn't it? Yeah. Yeah. I think it behooves us to get parking all over our downtown. So just to buy lots of knowing people's not going to walk from there, brother. That's foolish.

Hey, if you want to discuss more after, we will be happy to, but we did give you a little extra time to talk on that. I appreciate that. But but that that was a deal. But one other question, and this one concerned me. Hey, M. Well, I'll go ahead and say we're going to respect everyone's time and if you want to talk to us after, that is just fine. But we're going to go ahead and respect every time. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Welcome. Anyone else who'd like to speak to the council? Yeah, I got Yeah, go ahead. Come on up. If you'll follow the same name whether you live in the city or county, three minutes.

I live at 2176 Browns Road. I have a house with a garage detached. My I'm getting charged commercial rates for my garage. It just a a garage that come with the house. It's not a business. But when I call the tax people is to get it changed. She says it's already residential. I said why am I paying commercial which is double? She said I don't know. She said go to a meeting. So that's why I'm here. Commercial what? Electric. Our utilities are our utilities. Well, your utilities are they're not the

commercial residential. Well, on your house obviously if where there's somebody living it does I' have to go back but in like a garage an additional meter where there is no living space then uh G you can help me with that I think the uh city uh if you'll stick around the director of the energy department he can help you try to answer that see what is it just meter rates is the only concern yeah like I said I put gas and water in there and uh I I figured you know, be a normal rate, but it it's crazy high. Well, we can get we can we've got people in the room, but the garage.

Well, no. Well, thank you for coming to the meeting. Yeah, we can discuss that. Thank you. Anyone else who'd like to speak to the council? One screen. Okay. Any comments from the council?