City of Baxter Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall June 12, 2018 6:00 p.m. Opening of Meeting, Oath of Office, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance Chief Danny Holmes opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Chief Holmes also led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. 1. Call to Order Mayor John Martin called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call City Recorder Sharon Carlile called roll. Present were Alderman Willie Allison, Alderman Dustin Stanton, Alderman Jeff Herald, Alderman Greg Phillips, and Mayor John Martin. 3. Approval of Minutes Alderman Dustin Stanton made a motion and Alderman Jeff Herald made a second to the motion to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting on May 8, 2018 and Special Called Meeting on May 22, 2018 and to dispense of the reading. 4. Comments and Grievances from Citizens No comments from the citizens. 6. Communications From Mayor John Martin Mayor Martin talked about the progress of the BP and Napa. The foundations have been poured. He also communicated he has other projects that are looking to come to Baxter. The entrance for the Titan Projects has been approved by TDOT. This will be a big asset to Baxter. The first phase will be 190 apartments with 11 commercial lots.
7. Reports From Committees, Members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and Other Officers Water Superintendent John Ramsey discussed the repairs they are trying to make on the Sewer which was found during the smoke testing. Street Supervisor Ben Brewington communicated the gas company is moving the lines for the Elmore Town Bridge Project. Codes Enforcer Bob Lane talked about how tenacious the Mayor is when it comes to development in Baxter. He applauded Mayor Martin s hard work to grow Baxter. He also discussed the Sewell Building being developed for an events center. The walkway from the City Hall to the Depot is finished. City Engineer Tom Bennett discussed the Sewer projects and the grants he is trying to get for Baxter in the future. He has applied for a CDBG grant that will be announced in the fall. A. Bills for Approval Alderman Willie Allison made a motion to pay the bills. Alderman Greg Phillips seconded the motion. B. Purchase Orders A motion to approve all purchase orders including new ones added before the meeting was made by Alderman Jeff Herald and seconded by Alderman Willie Allison.. C. Leak Adjustment Approvals Alderman Jeff Herald made a motion, seconded by Alderman Willie Allison to approve the leak adjustments.
Old Business: A. Ordinance 2017-10 An Ordinance Amending the Annual Operating Budget of the General And Special Revenue Funds Of Baxter, Tennessee For Fiscal Year 2017-18- 2 nd Reading A motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2017-8 was made by Alderman Dustin Stanton and seconded by Alderman Willie Allison. B. Ordinance 2017-11 An Ordinance Amending The Annual Operating Budget Of The Water And Sewer Funds Of Baxter, Tennessee For Fiscal Year 2017-2018 2 nd Reading Alderman Greg Phillips made a motion with a second by Alderman Jeff Herald to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2017-11. C. Ordinance 2018-1 An Ordinance Of The Town Of Baxter, Tennessee Adopting A Budget For The General And Special Revenue Funds And Tax Rate For Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2018 And Ending June 30, 2019 2 nd Reading A motion was made by Alderman Jeff Herald to pass the second reading of Ordinance 2018-1. Alderman Greg Phillips made a second to the motion. Vote: Allison-yes, Herald-yes, Stanton-No, Phillips-yes. Motion Carried D. Ordinance 2018-2 An Ordinance Of The Town Of Baxter, Tennessee, Adopting A Budget For Water And Sewer Fund For The Fiscal Year July 1, 2018 Through June 30, 2019 2 nd Reading A motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2018-2 was made by Alderman Willie Allison and seconded by Alderman Dustin Stanton. New Business: A. Chief Danny Holmes and Police Department Chief Danny Holmes introduced the new Baxter Police Officer Ryan Bean. He communicated how proud and excited he is to have Officer Bean on the Baxter Police Department. Wayne Nabors swore in Officer Bean. Mr. Nabors commented on the messages on Facebook about Ryan joining the Baxter Police Force. He read a few of the comments.
Chief Holmes thanked Wayne Nabors for coming to Baxter. He addressed the board about Officer Steve Page leaving Baxter. Officer Page thanked the board and all the employees. He read his resignation letter. He discussed how he was treated like family in Baxter. Chief Holmes presented him with a card and gift card from the City of Baxter. Chief Holmes asked Corporal Bullard to come up to the front. Chief talked about all the things Corporal Bullard has done for the Baxter Police Department. He promoted Officer Bullard to Sergeant. Next Chief Holmes asked Sergeant Cris Austin to come to the front. He promoted Officer Austin to Lieutenant after discussing how hard Officer Austin works for Baxter. Mayor Martin applauded all of the employees of the City of Baxter. B. Friends of the Depot Proposal Mayor Martin informed the board the Friends of the Depot would like to place signs at the Visitor s Center with some rules. After discussing the request the board decided to allow signs stating No Drug Use, Skates, or Skate boards only. A motion was made by Alderman Jeff Herald to allow the Friends of the Depot to place signs saying No Drug Use, Skates or Skates boards at the Visitor s Center. Alderman Greg Phillips made a second to the motion. C. Titan Project Mayor Martin informed the audience and board members that an entrance for the Titan Project has been approved by TDOT. This will be a big asset to Baxter. The first phase will be 190 apartments with 11 commercial lots. D. Elmore Town Bridge Project Update City Engineer Tom Bennett discussed the project. We have gotten the plans approved and we are now ready to proceed on the project. He asked the board approve the Geotech expense. Alderman Willie Allison made a motion with a second by Alderman Jeff Herald to approve performing the study. E. Transportation Planning Grant Mayor Martin discussed the Transportation Planning Grant. TDOT will do a corridor study from the interstate to Highway 70. He also informed the citizens that the recent traffic lights which were taken down were not owned by the City of Baxter. The construction company which was reconstructing the bridge at the exit before Baxter had put them up and they had taken them down. He is hopeful the study will show the need for the traffic lights at the interstate. There will also be a traffic light put up at the four way stop in Baxter by the Dollar Store. The Mayor also discussed how hard it is to get anything approved by TDOT.
F. Tourism Grant Mayor Martin discussed the Tourism Grant. This grant will be used to build the amphitheater in the Baxter Park. The park will be called the Baxter Seminary Park. There will be walkways. Mrs. Jeanie Lee is collecting donations for benches for the park. G. Pay Raises A motion by Alderman Jeff Herald to make pay raises for City Employees effective July 5, 2018. Alderman Willie Allison seconded the motion. Police Chief Danny Holmes thanked the board for the raises they are approving for the Police Department and the City employees. He asked that everyone remember the officer in Dickson County who was killed during the line of duty. Mayor Martin asked that everyone keep Phyllis Brewington in their prayers Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Jeff Herald with a second by Alderman Dustin Stanton. Meeting Adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Carlile, City Recorder John Martin, Mayor