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Springfield board approves package of zoning changes, bond measures and employee pay
Summary
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Nov. 18 approved a slate of zoning amendments and rezones, authorized borrowing for a new fire station and electric-system projects, and approved longevity pay for full-time employees; most motions passed unanimously, with one rezoning at 506 5th Ave passing 6–1.
The Springfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Nov. 18 and approved a multi-item legislative package that included zoning changes, bond resolutions and administrative measures.
Most items on the legislative docket passed with little discussion. The board approved ordinance 25-27 (amending Title 16 sidewalk regulations), ordinances 25-28, 25-29, 25-30, 25-31, 25-32 and 25-33 (various rezones and zoning-code changes) by voice votes recorded as unanimous. The board also approved resolution 25-22 authorizing longevity pay for full-time city employees.
Two linked resolutions authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds — an initial resolution (25-23) and an authorizing resolution (25-24) — were approved to fund construction of Fire Station No. 3. City staff said the planned issuance is up to $6,500,000 and that the city budget includes roughly $500,000 in cash toward the project; staff said the bond does not require an additional tax levy. The board approved a capital outlay note (resolution 25-25) for the electric system, corrected on the floor to $4,050,000, to fund Batson Parkway electric work, substation upgrades and transformer purchases.
Among rezoning votes, ordinance 25-34 (rezoning 506 5th Avenue East from medium-density to high-density residential) drew public comment and council discussion about driveway sight lines and lot layout; that item passed 6–1. Ordinance 25-35 (rezoning 2814 Memorial Boulevard to allow medical and professional services) and resolution 25-21 (annexation and zoning of property on William Bassett Parkway) also passed.
The board approved several administrative items, including an electric-rate adjustment tied to a Tennessee Valley Authority wholesale fuel-cost change, a 0.5¢ decrease in the purchase-gas adjustment for monthly gas bills, a change order for a water-treatment-plant pump upgrade, a professional-services agreement for a gas-rate study, and easement acquisitions for the Highway 257 waterline replacement. The board also approved an amendment to the TVA wholesale power contract clarifying accounting and reporting timelines.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 25-27 (sidewalk regulations): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-28 (rezoning, Highway 41): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-29 (501 Highland St to R7): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-30 (sidewalk cafe overlay): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-31 (definitions of substantial compliance): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-32 (vested property rights): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-33 (residential parking requirements): passed 7–0. - Ordinance 25-34 (506 5th Ave rezoning): passed 6–1. - Ordinance 25-35 (2814 Memorial Blvd rezoning): passed (tally announced). - Resolution 25-21 (annexation, William Bassett Pkwy): passed 7–0. - Resolution 25-22 (longevity pay): passed 7–0. - Resolution 25-23 / 25-24 (fire station bond initial and authorizing resolutions): both passed 7–0. - Resolution 25-25 (electric capital outlay note, corrected to $4,050,000): passed 7–0. - Resolution 25-26 (petition to amend municipal charter nepotism rules): passed 7–0. - Resolution 25-27 (comprehensive road plan mapping corrections): passed 7–0.
City manager Ryan Martin announced project timelines and community events including Winter Wonderland (Nov. 29) and the Dec. 6 Christmas parade. The meeting adjourned after closing remarks.
