The Red Bank Commission on Tuesday night approved a short term vacation rentals, while noting adjustments may be made later.
Commissioner Carol Rose said both the commission and planning commission have had extensive discussion about how the city can handle the short term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. She said, "We have been struggling with what the state of Tennessee has mandated regarding these rentals." She said the city needs an ordinance and down the road other adjustments in order to improve the ordinance that was passed on first reading.
The ordinance will set up a regimen so the city knows what is going on in the neighborhoods, said Mayor John Roberts. It will require inspections and a yearly application. A permit will not automatically transfer to a new owner of the property. The property must be in compliance with all building and other city codes, and a hotel/motel tax will be implemented. The requirements in the ordinance attempt to make the practice as close to being a business as possible, said City Attorney Arnold Stulce. A companion ordinance specifies other details such as where short term rentals are permitted.
The second and final reading on the ordinance will take place at the commission meeting on July 17 when citizens can ask questions and more discussion will be held.
City Manager Randall Smith said the public works department is beginning a long list of infrastructure projects that will be carried out this summer. A culvert will be replaced on Dayton Boulevard at Ashland Terrace. Dayton Boulevard, from Greenleaf to Brownstown Road, will be repaved. Upgrades to traffic signals will be made at five locations. Pedestrian islands will be built on Dayton Boulevard. A stream bank stabilization will be done at Fair Street and Dayton Boulevard and a sidewalk will be built alongside Ashland Terrace.
An agreement between Red Bank and Chase Reline, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $23,500 was authorized to repair a corrugated metal pipe in the Eastwood Acres subdivision, and $95,059 was approved to buy a new Holland Tractor with a mowing boom that will be used by the public works department for mowing rights of way.
TDOT provides reimbursement for some paving projects including resurfacing a section of Dayton Boulevard, between Memorial Drive to Greenleaf that was done last summer. Some required information failed to get to the state of Tennessee in time for reimbursement so the state has agreed to reopen and amend the contract for this project so that Red Bank can be reimbursed. The commissioners voted to approve this resolution unanimously.
Red Bank will also participate in the TML Risk management pool “Safety Partners” loss control matching grant program. This grant is received each year with funds received rotating between the fire and police departments for safety equipment. The grant of $2,000 is matched by the city for a total of $4,000 that will purchase equipment.
Property that has been seized, found, unclaimed or confiscated during the past year was declared as surplus and authorization to sell, trade or destruct it was given by the commissioners. Mayor Roberts said most of the items were firearms and ammunition, and will be traded to gun dealers for credit.