Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meet

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of Dandridge met on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 in the Public Works Building.

Three proposed Ordinances or Resolutions represented a large portion of the business for the evening. Ordinance 13/14-23 amending the Dandridge Municipal Code to address inconsistencies in the beer code for those establishments that meet the guidelines for liquor by the drink was presented. Previously, the distance from the business to a house was out of line with rules governing the sale of alcohol. With a Motion from Alderman Jones and 2nd from Alderman Kesterson the Motion to approve the Ordinance more closely aligning the sale of beer and alcohol was Approved.

A Resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of an equipment lease/purchase agreement and related instruments and determining other matters connected to the issue, which concerned the lease of a tractor, was Approved with an Amendment regarding the removal of language concerning tax exemption, with a Motion from Jones and 2nd from Alderwoman Farrar.

Town Administrator Peagler brought information regarding a proposed Resolution amending benefits and sick leave portion of the Town of Dandridge Personnel Handbook to create a sick leave transfer policy. Employees will be required to have a bank of 12 days or 96 hours of sick leave to be eligible for donation of additional hours. The Resolution was amended to state that the Town Administrator will be charged with record keeping for the sick leave bank. Following a Motion from Farrar and 2nd from Alderman Thornhill the request was Approved.

Under New Business, discussion of options available regarding the Town’s obligation regarding prior mixed drink taxes owed to the Jefferson County Department of Education included a proposed “In Kind” request from the Town to consider the road improvements at Dumplin Valley and Hwy 92 ( at the intersection for the new signal light) as payment for the back tax. Town of Dandridge Attorney Gass informed the Board that it is his interpretation that the tax will be paid to the Department of Education via the County, as the Department of Education is not a direct collector of taxes.

With a Motion from Alderman Nelson and 2nd from Jones, Approval was given for a road closure request for Crusin’ & Groovin’ on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the area of the Historic District and will be impacted on East Main Street-Gay Street- Tinsley Lane-Church Street-Main Street, as well as the Dike and Graveyard Alley. They also Approved sending a letter regarding future increases in truck weight and size, with a Motion from Nelson and 2nd from Alderman Chambers.

In Other Business, Administrator Peagler passed out information concerning the TML Conference and informed the Board that information about the Water Department Refinancing Loan will be available at the May meeting. Peagler also stated that she had contacted a representative of South Jefferson Little League regarding a letter that went out which appeared to indicated that the Town is not supportative financially of the program. Peagler stated that the representative, who did not craft the letter but did read it before it was sent out in mass, did not interpret the letter in the same light as the Board. A request was made for the representative to appear before the Board, however the representative declined at this time. A representative from the Dandridge Recreation Facility group will look at the tournament agreement with South Jefferson.

The Board discussed the possibility of altering the distance requirement from the Courthouse in the Historic Town Square regarding beer permits. They will also review options regarding special events.

Following a recess, the Board convened and passed on second reading, with a Motion from Jones and 2nd from Kesterson, Ordinance 13/14-23.