The Collinwood City Commission met in regular session on Monday, May 10th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the conference/courtroom of Collinwood City Hall.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Glenn Brown. All commissioners were in attendance, including Vice Mayor Danny Sandusky, Commissioner Jeremiah Stults, Commissioner Debie Pigg, and Commissioner Butch Kephart. City Manager Gary Victory and City Recorder Cindy Kephart were in attendance as well.
A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
First was approval of the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Pigg and seconded by Vice Mayor Sandusky to approve the agenda as presented, and the motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held on April 12th, 2021. Commissioner Stults made a motion and Commissioner Kephart seconded to approve the minutes, and they were unanimously approved.
Department reports from March 2021 were distributed to the commissioners for their review. There was some discussion regarding tickets being issued by the Police Department for dog incidents, and discussion regarding garbage and meters on the Utility Department report.
The first reading of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget was next on the agenda. Mayor Brown read the Budget Ordinance, and Vice Mayor Sandusky made a motion to pass the first reading. Commissioner Stults seconded the motion, and the first reading of the budget was unanimously approved.
The Martin lawsuit against the city was next on the agenda. City Manager Victory informed the commission that there would be a mediation concerning the lawsuit on Monday, May 24th at Attorney Andy Yarbrough’s office. The mediator will be Ms. Lucy Hinson. The cost to the city for the mediator will be $400.
Library issues were discussed next. Library parking continues to be an issue, and the Library Board has asked the city to add more parking at the lot between the library and Highway 13 South. Making the parking lot a one-way entrance and exit was also discussed, entering on the west and exiting on the east side of the building, along with a “Library Parking Only” sign. The commission agreed that the parking area should be one-way. City Manager Victory also let the commission know that maintenance is needed to the outside of the library building on the east end, including wood siding and a new paint job. The carpet inside the building is also in need of replacement.
Next was a CDBG update. The bid opening for the project was set for Tuesday, May 18th, and there expected to be a significant increase in the bids due to a shortage of supplies needed.
City Manager Victory next told the commission that he had received one quote from a local business, Mid-South Builders, on the roof replacement needed at 106 and 108 Third Avenue North city buildings. He said he had called several others, but to date had not received any more quotes.
City Manager Victory then spoke to the commission regarding the new RV Park. He said that use of the park had increased significantly, and that he believed the rental rate and rules for the park needed to be updated. The commission asked Victory to present updated rules and rental rates at the next meeting.
The Tennessee Arts Commission Grant was next on the agenda. City Manager Victory said that he had been in touch with Eric Bass, who gave him several ideas for the mural at Veterans Park. Mr. Bass said that he would get back with him on mural samples. The mural must be finished by June 30, 2021.
Next on the agenda was the Infrastructure Grant. The city has applied, but is waiting to hear on approval.
Several items were discussed under “other” on the agenda, including:
-City Manager Victory told the commission that he had replaced the lights at the City Park with four new LED light fixtures and bulbs.
-The main pool had to have a water pump replacement, and the kiddie pool is in need of one but it has not yet been ordered.
-The pool carpet will soon be replaced, and two new tables and umbrellas with stands have been purchased.
-To date, only two applications for employment at the pool have been received.
-A raise for City Commissioners was discussed. The commission has not increased their monthly pay in over 22 years. By increasing pay, it is believed that more citizens would consider running for office.
With no further business to come before the commission, Vice Mayor Sandusky made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Pigg seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
