The City of Henderson Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Thursday evening in regular session. All board members were present except Alderman Donna Butler.
Motions were approved to amend personnel policy, purchase gas meter inventory, continue a Gas Supply Agreement with Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corporation and to amend COVID leave for city employees.
In consideration of an ordinance to amend the personnel policy the board voted to approve an amendment to reflect changes to the fire chief position, converting applicable benefits to a 40-hour-per-week schedule, reserving that the shift fire personnel benefits remain under the old schedule. Additionally, the amendment clarifies city employees who are required to serve jury duty must turn over jury duty pay to the city to receive full city pay. The motion passed on first reading with all in favor, to have the second reading next month.
The board passed a resolution unanimously, authorizing continuation of a prepaid natural gas agreement with TEAC. The agreement is a 30-year term with a five-year clause to renegotiate the price/discount of the market index, not specific cost.
A motion passed with all in favor to purchase gas meters and gas regulators for inventory. The market for this equipment including on-demand meters is months out on delivery and increasing in cost daily, said Utility Director Darryl Green.
In discussion of COVID leave for city employees, 80 hours was previously allowed, aside from sick leave. The board chose unanimously to adjust the leave to reflect CDC guidelines to begin January 1, 2023, allowing 40 hours, for those who have not already used their allotted leave. The decision will be reviewd at the March board meeting.
Mayor King recommended the reappointment of Ron Moten to the Planning Commission, Charles McNatt to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Milton Sewell to the Industrial Development Board and James Arnold to the City Park Board, and Marty Watson be appointed to the Planning Commission to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Bobby Ruth. The motion passed with all in favor.
In other business, the board discussed a new text alert system which residents can sign up to receive notifications about meeting dates, road closures, power outages, etc. See the separate story on page 1-A of this edition. Local citizen Sheila Eckard asked, “As a utility paying customer in this city, I would like to know if…is there anything in the plans to share/sell the numbers?”
“We do not sell your information, your information is proprietary information,” said Mayor King.
City Police Officer Ron Stewart approached the board on behalf of the Henderson Police Department. He informed the board Gov. Lee has allocated $100,000 for crime prevention to be awarded in form of grants for police departments. Stewart said the funds are non-matching and the department has already sent a non-binding letter of intent. The funds will tentatively be used to purchase new portable and in-car radios to replace radios, some which are 10 or more years older. The grant must be completed by Jan 16. The board approved to allow the police department to apply for the grant, the motion carried with all in favor.
