The Clifton City Commission met in regular session on Monday, March 25, 2024 at City Hall in Clifton. Commissioners in attendance were Tammy Prince, Jeff Letson, and Vice Mayor Eva Ruth Warren. Also present were City Manager Doug Kibbey and various City Department Heads. Mayor Mark Staggs and Commissioner Michael Francis were absent.
Vice Mayor Warren called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Public Works Director James Evans, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Letson made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and the minutes from the meeting of the Beer Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Prince and carried unanimously.
Under new business from the audience on the agenda, Ms. Cheryl McDonald addressed the commission regarding her natural gas bill. She stated that the natural gas was turned off at the unit, and she should not have to pay the bill. City Finance Director Sam Haines stated that meters do not show usage unless it is used, and if there was a leak, it would be continuous usage. This was not reflected on Ms. McDonald’s current bill. City Manager Kibbey stated that the city currently does not have a policy in place to adjust for natural gas, only for water. He said that he cannot set a new policy to adjust it. Kibbey then offered a payment plan to Ms. McDonald for the gas bill. She said that if the bill was not going to be adjusted, then she would just pay it.
Several resolutions and ordinances were on the agenda under new business. First was a Street Closure Resolution for a fundraising event for emergency response hosted by Wayne County Community Outreach. Commissioner Prince made a motion to pass the resolution, and Commissioner Letson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Next, City Manager Kibbey presented a resolution regarding the November 2024 election that will include the Clifton Board of Commissioners. He confirmed that two seats on the commission, those currently held by Mayor Mark Staggs and Vice Mayor Eva Ruth Warren, will be up for four-year terms. Commissioner Letson made a motion to approve the Election Resolution. Commissioner Prince seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously.
City Manager Kibbey next presented a Noise Resolution for the Clifton Marina. He stated that the resolution would cover the time period from the end of March 2024 through November 2024. Commissioner Letson made a motion to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Prince seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The next resolution up for approval was concerning a TDOT policy. City Manager Kibbey presented an updated Consultant Selection Policy Resolution for the commission’s approval, stating that the resolution was mandatory in order to proceed with the MMAG grant for construction of the sidewalks. Commissioner Prince made a motion to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Letson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Next, City Manager Kibbey presented a Water and Sewer Ordinance for the commission’s approval. He stated that in order to keep up with inflation, city water and sewer rates will increase 4.1%. Kibbey added that hardware costs for water taps had gone up 40%. Commissioner Letson made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance for water and sewer increases. Commissioner Prince seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. The ordinance will require a second reading.
City Manager Kibbey then presented a Natural Gas Ordinance. As with the water and sewer, natural gas rates will increase 4.1% in order to keep up with inflation. Hardware for natural gas taps has also gone up approximately 40%. Commissioner Letson made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance for a natural gas rate increase, seconded by Commissioner Prince. The motion carried unanimously. This ordinance will require a second reading as well.
Departmental reports were next on the agenda. Parks and Recreation Director Eddie Simmons said that his department had been busy getting the ballfields ready to be played on. He also stated that the new Parks and Rec employee, Jason Holder, had started working that day.
Fire Chief Randy Burns stated that there are now nine volunteer firefighters on staff. Chief Burns went on to extend his gratitude to the community for their outstanding response to the recent fire at his home. Vice Mayor Warren extended the commission’s sympathy for the loss of Chief Burns’ home.
Main Street Director Shawnee Iacono informed the commission that the Main Street and Riverline events had gone well. She added that Tennessee Riverline in doing a wonderful job promoting Clifton.
City Manager Kibbey said that there was a strategic training session planned for Monday, April 1, and the annual budget study session was scheduled for Monday, April 8, at 6pm. He also said that a bid advertisement would be in the newspaper for the City Clerk position the following week. Assistant City Manager and City Recorder, Kiersten Rainey, will be leaving the City of Clifton around the end of July 2024. Kibbey said that he expected to receive many applications for the advertised position and will hire the most qualified candidate.
Commissioner Letson told the commission that the manager of the Praxis factory called and asked him to come look at a fire hydrant near the factory that appears to be sinking, which he did. Public Works Director James Evans stated that the fire hydrant is not sinking, but he will see if there are any adjustments necessary. Once his department gets some spare time and relief from their current priorities, he will address that potential issue.
With no further business to come before the commission, the meeting was adjourned.
