Board of Mayor and Aldermen - Regular Meeting

It's uh 6:30. We're going to go ahead and get started, please. Uh we'll start with roll call. Um,

yeah.

[snorts]

Okay. So, we have a quorum present. Um, we're having a little technical difficulty. Mine's not working, but if I have to vote on anything, I will do it by voice. The invocation tonight is Pastor Scoffield. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, Lord, I just uh thank you for the grace and mercy you have given us. Lord, I thank you for the city of Manchester. I thank you for the uh servants of Manchester, of those that uh you have blessed us with. God uh bring a spirit of peace, discernment, wisdom, and understanding as we are gathered today to make important decisions for our city. Pray these things in your holy name. Amen.

I pledge allegiance 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. [clears throat] [laughter] [snorts]

Okay. Number four is approval of the agenda. Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion or changes to the agenda? Hearing none. Let's vote, please. So, at the present time, we're having a little technical difficulty, so we'll do it by voice.

Alderman Anderson, I Alderman I

may motion carries. Agenda is approved. Item number five is the minutes from the February 3rd Bulma meeting along with the Bulma Beardmore meeting that followed. You back up. We would uh you're going to have to I'll make a motion to approve it. Thank you. Do we have a second? I'll second. We have a motion by Alderman Anderson, a second by Alderman Parley. Any discussion or changes to the minutes? Hearing none. Let's vote, please.

Alderman Anderson. I als Uh motion carries. Any comments from the citizens?

There are a couple items that are public hearing. Uh so if you're here for those, you'll get a chance to speak during those as well. Hearing none, uh comments from the mayor. We'll welcome everybody to our March meeting. Um, we're also on uh March the 13th going to hold a town hall about water and sewer. It'd be from 5 to 6:30, of course. Um, love to see all the alderman here. And Alderman Anderson, it would be nice if you could make it. You were the uh committee member for water and sewer for the first year. and I'm sure that the rate increases will be coming up and it'd be great if you could be there to help us uh discuss those. Next item is uh committee and commission reports safety. Good evening. For the month of Mar or February, we had six fires. One was a garage fire in Indian Springs caused by a lithium battery issue. One was a structural fire with a fatality on Madison Street. We believe that's the first fatality we've had in the city in over 20 years. And that fire is still under investigation. We had a fire in a bathroom at the Ambassador in a structural fire at Rose Street, a minor fire outside a home on Maple Street, and we responded to a mutual aid incident with Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department on Pal Street.

[sighs and gasps]

We had 16 EMS assists. We had seven motor vehicle accidents that we responded to. We had four in the city and three in the county with one extrication in the county. Nine false alarm calls, one CO alarm investigation, three smoke investigations. We installed 24 smoke alarms and three homes and one business. We installed four car seats for citizens. We had 38 public service events, issued 31 burn permits, and we had 96 responses for the month of February. Uh we also attended a rural service patrol training with TOT, which I think will be a big plus for our community. Our fire marshall conducted a CPR training for 51 employees in the city. Two personnel attended our fire instructor one course at the fire academy, Mr. Syler and Mr. Hollensworth. We started our fire commission training in the uh middle of February and should have it done by this week. I attended a tabletop exercise with the coffee county school systems. Uh we worked the ADA um um Adite Center warming shelter along with manchester PD at the end of the month and firefighter Hobs started his uh 10 recruit school.

Thank you. Thank you sir. Like he's busy. They were.

Mayor, if I could, could I have Sergeant Brown come forward? Yes.

Sergeant Brown didn't know this was happening. He just knew he was asked to be here in a class A. He looks sharp tonight. Need to do We need to do a better job. I need to do a better job of recognizing our officers when they do something above and beyond. And Sergeant Brown recently did like I read you a letter that I wrote Mayor Hobbs. I'd like to formally acknowledge Captain Keith Hendrick's commendation of Sergeant Brown and provide you with a direct summary of an incident and my professional assessment of Sergeant Brown's actions. On February 9th, 2026, while officers were staging near Central Funeral Home for a funeral escort, Sergeant Brown observed what began as a small tough of smoke in the area of Powell Drive just outside the city limits. Within minutes, that smoke escalated into a significant column of black smoke, acting immediately on his observations, and without hesitation, Sergeant Brown responded to investigate the source. Upon arrival at 193 Powell Drive, he found the rear porch of the residence fully engulfed with flames, already threatening the main structure. Recognizing the immediate danger, he moved directly to the front door, made contact with the occupants, ensured the safe evacuation of three adults, a toddler, and two family dogs, all of whom were unaware their home was seconds away from being overtaken by fire. Sergeant Brown's decisive action occurred just moments before flames broke through the sophet and began shooting from the attic space. Given the speed at which the fire spread, exacerbated by strong gusting winds, there's little doubt that his alertness and willingness to act, prevented potential loss of life. The rapid response by Manchester and Hillsboro fire departments ultimately saved the structure from a total loss. It was Sergeant Brown's initiative that safeguarded the lives inside long before

they arrived. Sergeant Brown's conduct on this day is a clear reflection of his professionalism, character, and unwavering commitment to the safety of our residents. His actions demonstrate the level of service we strive for at the Manchester Police Department and reinforce the trust our community places in us. Like to present Benton with his plaque. [applause]

[applause] Thank you, Chief.

Thank you. Manchester Police Department responded to 1,663 calls for service during the month of February. That's 258 more than the same time frame in 2025. Our budget, we're currently at 71% of our budget. We're ahead of the game. Uh grant information, we've purchased collapsible traffic cones for our patrol vehicles using THSO grant funding and we've participated in two saturation events with THSO overtime. Some of our highlights, we participated in the staff in the warming shelter. Our focus group meets every week consisting of one patrolman, one sergeant, one captain, one investigator, and one administrative staff member. And currently, they're working on vetting our general orders uh to get that put into place. It will be a cornerstone of our long-term goal of becoming an accredited agency. We assisted Manchester Fire with a a tragic house fire on Madison Street. We conducted our first command staff meeting with our newly promoted officers on the 16th. If you tune in to social media or the Nashville media, there was an incident at City Park involving Hickerson Station Elementary on the 19th. We we handled that professionally. And then on the 25th that Hickton station went back to the park and because of that event asked us if we would just be there uh just to be safe and be a a sign of security for the children and that turned into an amazing time. If you also tune in social media, there's some great pictures of our officers engaged with the children uh from Station Elementary. Uh, Captain Ben Sneed was introduced to the school principles and the school

administration. He's now over the SRO's. We participated in a website meeting with Eric and Meline, myself and Assistant Chief Robertson and PSO Pinnick. We also participated in a tabletop exercise with the Coff County School System and Homeland Security on the 24th. We had a small accident last week. Uh, one of our vehicles collided with a coach truck. I take it on the chin. We We made a mistake. We've had two anniversaries. Uh, Chase offered five years. Justice Smith won. One officer was recently promoted to investigator. That was Morgan Meyers. Congratulations to him. Employee training officer Dong attended single officer response to active shooter. and Ben Sneed cryptocurrency tracing and investigations. Our mounting hardware for computers for police cars finally came in and Sergeant Holland and Major West have the expertise and tools to install those and probably be we'll begin that this weekend. The next safety meeting is scheduled for Monday, March the 9th, 5:00 right here.

Thank you. Congratulation Officer uh Brown and Okay, next we have finance. Good evening. Finance committee met on February the 17th. Uh there were a number of funding requests come through that meeting. Uh some some are fairly large capital items. uh water and sewer requesting a screen bar which I'm not going to describe what that does but it's a fairly goodiz capital item along with manhole covers replacement pumps truck and hydrants. Uh there's also fairly significant request for rec center renovations. Um, also finance uh asked for approval uh to hire auditor to audit our fiscal year 26 uh financials. Um there was also a funding request for fire department bunker gear. All of these items after some discussion were approved uh to go through to the board. you'll see them uh in your packet tonight as resolutions asking you to authorize uh the funding. Uh there's also a proposal to amend the purchasing thresholds discussed in that uh February meeting uh that originated from finance and the policy and procedure committee uh where it was approved there and then it was approved at at finance and now it'll go back to policy and procedures committee for uh the rewrite of the ordinance. Um and the details will will come out on that as we as we get that written. Um and then the finance department itself um finance department is again fully staffed. We're in the process of training a couple of new people. It's a little time consuming but it's going well and and uh these these new folks are working out real well. We've got a real good fit with

them which is which is important. Uh there's the usual ongoing uh u software conversion projects which I've spoken about plenty enough in the past. Um, also we too sat down with uh uh Meline and Erica in IT to redo the finance website. There's a lot of things um I know I didn't like about it. Um we're trying to make it a lot more enduser friendly for the citizenry on everything where to look up information to pay taxes, etc. My rule going into that meeting and that I told Erica was no more than three mouse clicks. you should be wherever you want to be and be able to do what you want to do. So, and I think we I think we got it got it there. Um, and as I uh told you last month, we've kicked off the the fiscal year 27 budget that's underway. The department directors, they have submitted their requests uh for funding in 27. Um, we're working these items now. There will be a review the the original the first draft review with the mayor and myself will occur on March 12th and 13th. Um and then after further revisions and conversations with the department directors. Um this will go for a review of that of that proposed budget on April 7th in the work session uh before before the board. So about a month from now it'll it'll go in front of you in that work session that evening. Um and that's it. Next meeting is March uh next finance committee is March 17th right here 4 pm. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh next is street.

Good evening. Uh the month of February, we hauled uh 40 loads of uh brush, 39 loads of junk, uh eight loads of leaves, and uh on the animal control, we're completely full. Uh they've answered 94 complaints, picked up five strays, and adopted two. So if you need a dog, come see us. Uh we're uh working at the Veester Center on uh doing some repainting and moving the wall. Uh still working on our sidewalk projects and we got all the banners changed out around town [clears throat] from fall to spring.

Thank you. Thank you. Water and sewer.

[snorts]

Good evening, mayor and members of the board. [clears throat] Give you all a little brief operational update from Manchester and Water for the month of February. Uh our monthly accomplishments. We onboarded a new building office coordinator. Her name is Jamie Harden. Uh we promoted two employees from internal. Adam Nunley, Peter Arie, both promoted. Um Peter is our new pre-treatment coordinator. Adam is one of the new crew foremans for the repair teams. Uh dropping down to safety. Pleased to report that we had no reportable safety incidents or injuries during the month of February. On the training side, we have our CCTV and our GIS analysts attending training for the CCTV camera and to update the website to be able to provide the citizens with the ability to see our maps and kind of uh interact with us on the GIS side. We did have one employee to resign during the month. Uh our [clears throat] distribution crews responded to several system repairs across the city. Uh they repaired three water main brakes, nine service leaks, four service replacements, one new water tab. Um these repairs were completed throughout the system. On the wastewater side, the collection crews continue preventive maintenance and inspections working along with Dukes on the manholes and CCTV. Uh the key activities there were cleaning and televising the sewer lines near Ninja Park. They cleared a blockage on Harp Street. Um we're all we were out inspecting overflow on those chronic manholes, televising in Basin B. We raised the

manhole on Highland Drive and we are continuing to uncover paved door manholes. uh treatment plant staff operations as usual, staying in compliance uh with TDC, water distribution operations, they did their regular routine monitoring uh of the system as needed, backflow testing. Uh meter services guys had a very productive month. They read 8,73 m of which 8,155 are active, 548 are inactive. Uh they also completed 186 work orders, replace 6 mters and found nine PO leaks, property [snorts] owner leaks. Um [clears throat] facility maintenance guys uh [groaning] focused heavily on restoring system reliability. They did a lot of work at our lift stations on electrical side on panels and pumps. Uh they replaced the grinder pump, dub hollow lane, fixed our belt press and trouble shot some of the oxidation ditch ditch mixers and blowers. Oh, city works is implemented. We were using it 100% now. We've gone away from paperwork orders. Everything is being entered and we're working out the kinks daily. We're updating our GIS as I said uh right now a lot of them a lot of the mains were unknown in the wrong places. So we have our GIS analyst back we are correcting that daily and there's going to be a version introduced to the public so they'll have ideas of where the water lines and shorelines sit at their houses. They won't be able to see the

the nitty-gritty, but they'll be able to see the idea with the with the general area of the mains. [sighs] Building office has begun reviewing internal processes and revising operational efficiencies with Jamie coming on board to make it a little bit more user friendly for our residents. [snorts] uh projects. We have several infrastructure [clears throat] projects underway, including our teams are actively locating and uncovering wastewater manholes that were paved over during previous roadway overlay projects so they can be properly inspected and maintained. Um televising deteriorated sewer manes at the Old Stone Fort Park Basin K water man replacement near St. John in Balemont. sewer main replacement. I got behind, but I guess on side of the Merkantile in that alley, we're going to attempt that uh project here pretty soon. We are excavating for the hydro stop valve installations to stop the water at the old booster pump water plant station so we can make renovations there. We are uh removing outdated and old dilapidated fire hydrants across the city, including the one near Manchester Times. During the month during the reporting period of February, we experienced three overflows calls included two related to pump issues which have since been corrected. one caused by a manhole lid being removed which was addressed when discovered and that's a pretty good improvement given the size of the system. These incidents remain a very small percentage of the total system infrastructure. So three man holes out of 2200 isn't that bad. Uh in closing, our department remains focused on improving system reliability,

addressing the agent infrastructure, and strengthening operational efficiencies across the water and wastewater systems. The work that our staff performs every day is critical to protecting public health and supporting the continued growth of our community. I'm proud of the dedication of my team and appreciate the continued support of the mayor and board as we continue working to improve Manchester's water and sewer system. Thank you. And I'd also like to thank the officer. The house that burnt down was a city employee. First day at work. Thank you, Lonnie.

Yes, sir. Good job. Recreation. Good evening. For the month of February, we had 10,29 guests events of the rec center. uh compared to last year at this time was 9,385. As of today, we have 4582 active memberships to the facility. Special events coming up. Uh Westwood Elementary School is hosting an arch tournament this Friday and Saturday with 400 registered archers. The weekend of March the 13th through the 15th, uh Chris Hooper has a AU basketball tournament scheduled with us. This past uh Saturday, February the 28th, we held an amazing family night that is sponsored by the Quantis Club with over 300 in attendance. We're currently hosting a lifeguard course with eight participants. That should conclude this Saturday. The repairs to the basketball court that I mentioned last meeting uh will start on March the 30th and estimated to last approximately 4 weeks. So, that part of the facility will be closed during that time. Dave King Park got a facelift. It's been recently repaved and restriped. The fire alarm install should be complete tomorrow with the elevator the final component. Jordan Adrock, aquatics manager, recently was certified by the American Red Cross as a lifeguard instructor and also received his aquatics facility operator certification through the National Parks and Recreation Association. Cindy Weber also renewed her American Red Cross lifeguard certification. The next recreation commission meeting will be on Wednesday, March the 11th here in the boardroom at 4:30.

Thank you. Tourism didn't meet last month because they didn't have a quorum, planning and zoning. [clears throat]

Uh I'm going to backtrack just a little bit to safety. Um the city received their annual TOSHA audit um that took place on February 5th. Um those findings were very minor. um it's their job to find a few things. Um those findings have since been abated. Um and I sent that paperwork in today actually. Um and then uh the fire department uh aided in CPR training for city employees. Um that was voluntary, but there was a great turnout u with over 20 participants in each of the two sessions. Um I do have active shooter training scheduled for city employees as well, and the police department is aiding in that. Um both of those trainings took place at the Manchester Event Center. As far as the codes department is concerned, um we are in the process of implementing I works uh a new permitting software. This should be complete by April. Um I have selected an applicant for property maintenance inspector position. Um his start date is in April. The planning commission and board of zoning appeals will meet Monday the 16th at 5:30 here in the boardroom. Uh that agenda is a little shorter this month. Um and it is available on the website at this time.

Thank you. Historical zoning. Um with the appointment of our newest member, Paul Thornton, uh we will be meeting Thursday at 5:00. Thank you.

Number nine, resolution and ordinances. A a [clears throat] resolution authorizing the purchase of a self-contained breather apparatus fill station and miscellaneous ancillary [clears throat] equipment at the total price of $50,94721 for the use of the fire department of the city of Manchester sponsored by Park. We have a motion. Oh, okay. So, we're we're back up and running. So, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Let's vote, please.

Broke. So, we got the first part done. I guess we'll do it by voice. Alderman Anderson. Ilderman. Ilderman. Hi. Alderman. Vice Mayor. Hi. Alderman. Hi. Motion carries six to zero. Resolution [clears throat] B, a resolution authorizing the purchase of nine more sets of personal protective gear at the total price of $36,37252 for [clears throat] the use of the fire department of the city of Manchester sponsored by Alderman Park. Okay, we'll motion second.

So, we have a motion by Alderman Anderson. And who made the second? Alderman French. Thank you. Any discussion? Let's vote please. Alderman Anderson Iman Iman.

Motion carries six to zero. Resolution C. A resolution authorizing a contract to purchase one used Dodge Ram 3500 truck at a total cost not to exceed $41,914 for use by the Water and Sewer Department. sponsored by alderman crawl. Entertain a motion. Oh. Okay. Make a motion. Okay. So, we have a motion by Alderman French. Uh second by Alderman Croslin by Alderman Anderson. Did you hit the button to speak? I do have a question. Has this been to the water and sewer commission?

Um yes. It has. Yes. Voted yes on this. Sure did. It was unanimous. Also went to finance and it was unanimous there. Okay.

Looks like the voting mechanism is working now. Motion carries 6 to zero. Resolution D, a resolution approving a contract with Nedro and Associates Incorporated at a total cost of 167,364 to provide two flight replacement pumps and parts to the water and sewer department sponsored by Alderman Cross. So, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Director Foley, I think this was for which

which station was it though? This is for the 7-Eleven pumping station. Just for information there. No more discussion. Let's vote, please. [snorts]

Motion carries six to zero. Resolution E, a resolution authorizing a contract to make an emergency purchase of two mechanical rake bar screeners and marsh presses at a total cost not to exceed $534,600 for use by the water and sewer department sponsored by Oldman Crossley. Obtain a motion and a second. So, we have a motion and a second. Alderman Anderson. Yes. Has this been voted on by the water and sewer commission?

Pass water and sewer along with finance unanimous. Any more discussion? Let's vote, please. [snorts]

Motion carries 6 to zero. Resolution F, a resolution to approve Matlock Clemens Professional Corporation as the city's auditor for fiscal year 2526 at a cost not to exceed $42,000 for the standard and an additional single audit of federal fund expenditures sponsored by Alderman Crossman. So we have a motion and a second and this was passed in budget and finance. There was also another audit that was passed in there, but it was a committee award. Um, so any comments? [clears throat] This is auditing money from the federal government.

This is auditing us.

Both our financial statements and grants and dollars we've received from the federal government. I'm sure they'll be glad to hear that we're carefully keeping up with the federal government's money. [snorts] Oh, that's reassuring. Any more discussion? [clears throat] Spoke, please. Motion carries 6 to zero. Resolution G, a resolution approving a contract with St. John engineering for consulting services not to [clears throat] exceed two $27,800 related to a T deck and ARC grant for a Manchester water distribution project sponsored by Alderman Crosley.

So we have a motion. Do we have a second? Uh, Alderman Anderson, is this the um is this the consulting company that's been recommended by the water and sewer commission? So, we put those out in the paper uh when we do those services and we take the ones that come back and St. John Engineering was selected. They were the only ones to uh Okay. turn that in. Well, when I served on the commission, we were discussing using Wford because they specialized in water and sewer. [cough] Wford's [clears throat] not turned in anything on any of the things that we put in the paper.

Have we reached out to them or we're just advertising in the paper locally? Yes, we we reach uh we don't reach out to them. No, we advertise in the paper and these are actually quite old. We need an engineering consultant for what reason for this?

So they oversee the whole grant process, the work. Um, this one here is a $3.5 million grant. It is Appalachian Regional Commission, ARC, is putting in a million dollars. There's a fasttrack infrastructure development program that's putting in $1.3 million. And then there's a track grant program that's putting in $875,000 and the city's part of that is $325,000. And this is to install a water tower out at the industrial park and they oversee the whole project for us. [clears throat] Any more discussion hearing? None. Let's vote, please. And if anybody needs a copy, I responded to an email today and you can see all the documentation in your email if you'd like to. Motion carries 5 to one. Resolution eight, a resolution approving a contract with St. John engineering for consulting services not to exceed 244,500 related to an EDA funded Manchester wastewater infrastructure project sponsored by Alderman Crawford. We have a motion and a second um on this one here. This one was actually passed by Bulma on April the 4th of 2023. This is an old grant that was applied for uh several years ago and it did actually come to fruition. Um and there again uh all that documentation of how

that works was sent to you guys. No discussion. Let's vote please. Motion carries 5 to one. Resolution I, resolution approving a contract with Armal Rock at a total cost of $40,470 to provide two replacement manhole covers to the Manchester Water and Sewer Department sponsored by Alderman Crawl. So, we entertain a motion and a second. I have a motion and a second. Alderman Anderson,

I have a question about the cost of this. I had a citizen ask me why two manhole covers are $40,000. I know it says manhole covers and accessories. So, can we get a better understanding of that for people? Yes. And actually, these are the whole system. It's not just the cover. These are about 30 ft in the ground. It's some prototypes and they're going to come out and help us install them. Normal cost, Lonnie, is quite a bit more than this, right? For the two, right? Not just like you said, it's not just the cover, it's the entire manhole. Yeah. And what are they 25 ft deep or something? One is about 21, one is like 14, 16.

Yeah. So, it's the whole manhole and not just the cover. More discussion. Vote, please. [snorts] Motion carries 6 to zero.

Resolution J, a resolution authorizing the transfer of $688,591.84 84 cents from the capital outlay budget to the recreation department. Renovations at the rec center sponsored by Alderman Anderson. Looks like uh technology has bit us again. Can I get a motion and a Oh, here we go. Motion and a second, please. [snorts]

So, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Um, and just so that uh we kind of understand what we're doing here. Um, we have a pretty good list of items that are on this list. They will also go out to bid to various people. This is just for us to say that we're willing to do the projects down there. Uh some of the items are nine pumps, strainers, baskets, uh paint, uh for the outdoor equipment, as well as the building itself. Um AJ, I I can't remember them all. Some of them are some safety items that are ADA requirements. Um but but there's a pretty good list and and we can get that to anybody who who needs it. Uh so we have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? Spoke, please.

Motion carries 6 to zero. Ordinances.

Ordinance A, a second reading of an ordinance to deanex property at 1.07 07 acres owned by Evans Lumber previously annexed into the city sponsored by Vice Mayor Messi. [clears throat] This is a public hearing. So if we could get a motion and a second. Is there anybody that wishes to speak about deanexing 1.07 acres? Hear none. Let's vote, please. [snorts] Motion carries six to zero. Ordinance B, second reading of an ordinance reszoning property owned by IIA and Marin Howard on New Bushy Branch Road to R3 and recently annexed into the city. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Messik. This is also a public hearing. have a motion and a second and then we can go to public comments. And before we get there, I see Mr. Holland is in the audience here and and I owe you apology at the last meeting. I misspoke about who owns the bridge. It is a city bridge. Um, and just so that you know, at one point there was some plans to do um, some stuff with T DOT uh, Bonaroo and the city and we have reached back out to see where that project stands. Um, but but I did want to tell you I did misspoke at the last meeting, Mr. Holland, and I apologize for that. Um, [clears throat] anybody else?

Thank you. I spoke at the last meeting with Mr. Howard. He assured me that the safety issue that I was concerned about, if it arose and uh needed to be there, he would take care of it. Okay. Thank you. That was perfect. Thank you. So, any more public comments? Hearing none, let's vote, please. Motion carries 5 to one.

Ordinance C, first reading of an ordinance reszoning property owned by Mark Willis and the Willis Trust on Doke Road from C2 to R3, sponsored by Vice Mayor Messi. We have a motion. We get a second. We have a second and looks like Vice Mayor Messi that uh comes from the planning commission the no recommendation and it was unanimous recommendation.

So just so everybody hears uh it came out of planning and zoning with a negative recommendation. Alderman Croslin. Alderman Mesik, what was the uh driving reasoning behind the no recommendation? Well, there was no R3 close. There was no particular reason to match it up with anything. Everything was R1 or commercial. Any [clears throat] more discussion? It did he say it was a unanimous no? Yes. Unanimous no out of planning and zoning not to reszone it to R3 from C2.

The lot next to it is vacant as well. The bank owns it. Not sure who owns it. No. What is it? C2. Well, as usual, I disagree with the planning commission. I I don't I'm going to vote for this. Okay. Any more discussion hearing? None. Let's vote, please.

[snorts]

Motion fails. 4 to2. Ordinance D, first reading of an ordinance to amend MMC14-606 relative to R1 minimum lot size dimensional requirements. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Messi. A motion and a second.

So we have a motion and a second. Alderman three first. This in our packet. Is this the current state of R1? Is this is this what it is currently? I suppose 15,000 square ft minimum 100 ft. I think that's the that's what it's going to be once you pass, right? No, the existing one. You showing me something? Yeah. Yeah, that's what we're going to It's 15,000. This is just kind of some clerical stuff is what we're doing. If you look at the one before it, um

Yeah, I looked at that one also. So what are we changing from and to? So what we're doing under the minimum area is we're just deleting without sewer and making it all 15,000 square ft. The lot width at building setbacks. Um you know we have those two conflicting between without sewer and with sewer and we're just simplifying it to 100 ft. Uh and and simplifying the other one to 15,000 ft. All right, Alderman Anderson, that answered my question. Thank you, Vice Mayor Messi.

I'm good. You brought up what I wanted there. Okay, perfect. Uh any more discussion? [snorts] I guess one other question. Is there are there any R1 lots in the city that that don't have sewer? Yes, there are. Yes, sir. That have houses on them.

The planning commission actually just approved a plat um for two lots um without sewer that are zoned R1. Um so, yes, there are there are a few there are some older ones in town with houses on them. Um and we're to the point where we are approving some currently. Okay. There's very few, very few, very few.

Any more discussion? Let's vote, please. Motion carries 6 to zero. Ordinance E, first reading of an ordinance adding provisions to MMC 5-73 regarding purchasing authority sponsored by Alderman Crawford. So if we get a motion and a second. So we have a motion and a second. Any discussion or questions? What we're trying to do here is is we're raising the threshold for directors to purchase up to $14,999. Uh we're raising the mayor's threshold um to 34999 and then we're asking to raise the threshold of committee to $4999. Now, all these are items that are already approved in the budget that we pass. Anything that is outside of the budget would still come to Bulma no matter the expense. Um, in today's time, it's just we're passing a lot of resolutions and different things that I think that uh we've already said we agreed to purchase in the budget. So, Anthony, if I said that incorrectly, you can correct me. So

don't nailed it. Okay. And and we

the state also just a couple of years ago ago increased the threshold that municipalities can can purchase in these line items. Uh and but one caveat they put on that was you had to have a full-time purchasing agent. So, the city uh through the progression of of the administration has now now hired a full-time purchasing agent, which is obviously the state makes that a requirement because they're they're watching they're watching the ball, if you will. And so, that allows us to be able to up bring up our threshold amounts to what the state says we're is available to do. And and also just for a little clarification, that purchasing agent goes out and you know gets the quotes, make sure that we're spending the money correctly uh and and you know there's a lot of items and things that are in our budget today that uh we pay I would call it retail for that we can negotiate the price down based on our spend and that's something else purchasing is is tasked with as well. Any discussion hearing? None. Let's vote, please. Motion carries 5 to one. Ordinance F, first reading of an ordinance to revise title 18, chapter 7 of the Manchester Municipal Code pre-treatment ordinance sponsored by Alderman Crawford. Motion and a second, please. So, we got a motion. Do we Can we get a second? So, we have motion and a second. Uh, discussion. Alderman Anderson.

My packet just has the ordinance. It doesn't have any details about how the pre-treatment is changing. Um, we can get

Can you explain that? Yes. So, we can get that for you as well. Um, what has happened is is, uh, we submitted it to Tekk. Um, and this is more for your industrial pre-treatment program. And, and what this amounts to is is we went from, uh, for better lack of words, the stuff that uh, comes out of the pit that we used to put on agricultural land. We lost that and now we take it to a landfill. And so since it goes to a landfill, some of those minimums we were able to increase. Um not that the industries or indust industry is going to go out and start sending you more. It's just it was an opportunity to increase it because we don't intend to put it on agricultural no more.

I appreciate that explanation. I would like, you know, more information. I haven't really I haven't gotten it in the packet to be able to research it. Mhm. I have had questions from the public about it. Anything raising the amount of chemicals that we're, you know, allowing people to put in the water is a concern. Okay. Any more discussion?

Hearing none. Let's vote, please. Motion carries 4 to one and we will get you that information before the ordinance comes before you again. Old business, we don't have any new business historical zoning and commission appointment. Um, as Britney mentioned, Paul Thornton has been appointed to that uh board. It has to be somebody off of planning and zoning. And the last item is B, records request.

Let's back up just a second. Go back to board.

Okay. So, item A is a maral appointment with board confirmation. Okay. Can we get a Here we go. Motion in a second. Any discussion? Vote, please. Motion carries 6 to zero. You're full again at historical zoning. Okay. Last item uh under new business is B, records request. So, if we can get a motion and a second, we can go into discussion. [snorts] So, I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? So, what is the explanation of this item that is permitted to be explained to the public so they know what we're talking about here? So, we had an executive session for the board to consider information regarding a potential injunctive relief lawsuit that the city is investigating and require a board vote to further that investigation which could result in complaint being filed with the circuit court.

Thank you. More discussion. I'd like to make a motion that we seek the advice of the comprollers office of open records council with regard to the nuisance law and any um existing case law from cities or municipalities that have been successful in bringing this type of a complaint. And if I think of any more questions, I'll email you in between now and the next meeting. So, we have a motion to I would assume postpone Yes.

Uh, and looking for some more information from the comprollers's office. If we have a second, uh, that' be by v voice. Please, can [clears throat] I ask a question? Is does this would this vote require two votes? No. No. What did he ask? Did it require what? Two votes. I'll second. So, okay. So, we have a motion uh to postpone. Uh, Alderman Anderson made the motion. Alderman three seconded. Um, and we'll voice vote. Before we vote, okay,

they asked the the controllers's office apparently has an open records lawyer, right? They have a team.

Okay. This has become quite a hot topic. Maybe so much in this state, but in in other states especially as it deals with public schools. I've read multiple cases where there's been open records requests and the government agency providing those records charges $800,000 a million dollars, which is of course absurd in my opinion. I generally think the public is entitled to look at at public [clears throat] records. I'm not saying I missed the meeting at 5:30, so I'm not saying that this request is is warranted because I don't know exactly what it is. But I would have to say that I generally think we need to let the public see the records. Of course, the rub is what is out of bounds and what is not. But I think we make a mistake if we don't let it if we start hiding things. I these public school records requests that I've read about look completely reasonable to me. And I can tell you if I had a child in the public schools and they were doing some of the things that they that I read about, I'd be mad as hell that and there'd be hell to pay if I had a child involved. So I I just uh I I think we need to lean to the side of letting the public see what we do. So, I I'm I'm going to vote in favor of Alderman Anderson's motion.

Any uh Okay, I don't know who went first. Vice Mayor Messi, I just want everyone to know that we're not trying to hide anything. Alderman three. And if you have been here at the meeting, I don't know why you weren't. Maybe you had things you couldn't do. You would have known what we were talking about and maybe better understood and your conversation that you've just had would have made a little more sense. And that's that's all I want to say.

Alderman French. I'd like to request Alderman Anderson uh specifically point out and have defined in your motion what a record request is. We discussed a single form having multiple requests or requests. Attorney, you could maybe articulate a bit.

For the record, there's a state statute obviously that allows for public record requests to promote transparency in government. But that statute sets a a limit, let's call it, where if if a if a records request, multiple record request becomes disruptive to government, then the city can seek an injunction, uh you have to prove [clears throat] that that it is disrupting government. And so that was the crux of what was the information I provided, records custodian provided for the alder to consider. Uh, and it was brought up, of course, to to seek an opinion from could we seek an opinion from the controllers's office, which does has a does have an office of of records request. I forgot the exact name of the office, but but uh and I don't I don't mind to see that. So, that whatever the board decides. Well, I I would say to Alderman Messik, I if there's a suit filed, I I I'm confident that the city will prevail. I I you know, I don't think we we need to worry about I in fact, I can't remember the city ever losing in in circuit court in Coffee County. I may be wrong, but I I don't ever remember it. So, I I think we're okay as far as that goes.

Okay. Alderman Anderson, I'm open to amending the motion to include the information requested by Alderman French. And also the threshold isn't just attorney Johnson, am I correct? It's not just that it's disruptive, that the intent is to be disruptive. Correct.

That's that's the standard that we have to prove. There there's a there's a threshold once a person reaches so many requests in a 12-month period uh that you have to go through this process that we're going through. You have to warn them and that's been done and uh again without going into anything in the executive session that could be considered confidential privileged work product at this time. Uh glad to do whatever the board chooses. Okay. Any more discussion? So on Alderman Anderson's motion to postpone, uh, let's vote, please. Alderman Anderson, I. Alderman,

no. Alderman, I think we're tied. Three to three. Um, so I will vote no. So back to the original motion uh to move forward. We have a motion and a second to vote, please. Do we have discussion? Sure.

Okay. I'm very uncomfortable with the prospect of waiting into something like this to restrict citizens access to information, records, meetings, anything like that without getting the best and most current advice that we could get from people who do this every day. Um, I'm concerned that this is a bad look for the [clears throat] city. I think that I've read in the news recently that another city in Tennessee, um, they misinterpreted, they misapplied the open meetings law. they had someone removed from a meeting because they were criticizing government and that city just settled the lawsuit for $80,000. So, I would rather not expend our attorney's fees or potentially have to pay a settlement because we're misunderstanding what the rules are here and I don't want the public to think that we don't want to participate. I understand that some records requests have become burdensome, right? And that's where I would have liked to understand from the office of open records counsel what the limits are if there are such limits.

Vice Mayor Messi, I am absolutely confident in the advice we receive from our city attorney.

Any more discussion? Um I mayor if I could I would same request as my previous request on the previous motion. Um regardless of the vote I'd like to have specifically the controllers's open records office define and interpret what we're receiving as to how many requests that is. And I'm I'm specifically referring to requests that come in on one request form, but span across multiple departments, three, four, five, six departments, and request multiple documentations up to 50 plus documents in one request. I would like for them to define that even with this vote, however way it goes. I would like to have that definition from them.

Nothing else for president. I I'm I'm just requesting that it be put into this motion as an I I'll make a motion as an amendment to put that in if if need be. But and and so if we could get Vice Mayor Messi and Alderman Crosslin, I if you guys would agree [clears throat] to have uh Attorney Johnson get that definition as we move forward for us all. Alderman. Absolutely. And I don't know that they'll be able to provide a definition if there's no case out there, but but I I I honestly will present them with the facts as I know them, get their opinion on what it alderman three,

this statute's relatively new in various forms, but within the last 20 years, yes. I don't has the Tennessee Supreme Court haven't found anything that states they get their chance. I doubt it.

Well, and and specifically, Alderman 3, one of the the definitions defined in there is that they can request request a public record with no s, but we're but we're getting requests with several records into one. And I'm not and let me be clear. I'm not talking about a request that where the documentations may the documentation may relate to each other. I'm talking about that expand that span across multiple issues and being put into one request. Any more discussion? Okay. Now, forgive me, but what are we voting on? We're back to the original

We're back to the original motion to move forward. with an injunction against a citizen who may or may not be violating the nuisance law regarding repetitive frequent luminous public records requests that we have repeatedly warned with letters that it was coming. Yes, with with the addition that I'm going to check with open record council first. That was the amendment that you motioned to amend specifically for that definition. Like I'm not asking that they got to give us permission to move forward. I just want No, I understand definition.

Well, I'm going to vote against it, but I'm completely confident the city will win in their injunctive relief suit. Anybody else? Let's vote, please. Motion carries 42. Items from the board. Alderman Anderson. No. Alderman Crosslin. No, sir. Alderman three. No. Alderman French.

Vice Mayor Mesik. Hey, I I was at a chamber meeting today and I just want to compliment our police department for showing up and showing out. Did a great job job. Orderman Parsley. No. Okay. Uh item 13 is adjourned. We get a motion to second vote, please.

[clears throat]

We're adjourned. Thank you everybody for coming out.