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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Displaying 1 - 52 of 52 Knowledgebase documents.
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Backing Up Heavy Equipment: MTAS Research and Information Center Survey
Survey (Created: 2011-08-31; Reviewed: 2020-04-21 )

Fifteen cities were asked about the safety methods they employ to reduce risks associated with backing up heavy equipment.
Baileyton Sewer Connection Increase Ordinance
Ordinance (Created: 2020-11-20; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

Management Consultant Pat Hardy authored this ordinance for the Town of Baileyton, Tennessee regarding adjusting sewer connection charges.
Baneberry Purchasing Limits Ordinance
Ordinance (Created: 2015-12-18; Reviewed: 2021-07-29 )

This ordinance sets purchasing limits for a city with a general law manager-commission charter.
Basic Benefits for Police Officers in Selected West Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2014-01-10; Reviewed: 2021-07-02 )

Four cities and counties were asked several questions about their compensation and benefits for their police officers.
Bay County Launches Website about Half-Cent Sales Tax Projects
General (Created: 2016-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-05-05 )

This website provides a good example of what happens when a county or city wants to have a referendum that raises the limit; plus, the local government wants to know how to publicize the referendum without paying to support one side or the other.
Bed and Breakfast Regulation: MTAS Survey
Survey (Created: 2011-08-31; Reviewed: 2021-06-14 )

MTAS asked five cities how they regulate bed and breakfast establishments through zoning ordinances, parking and signage regulations, and fire safety.
Beer and Tobacco Store Wants to Sell Alcohol
General (Created: 2014-09-29; Reviewed: 2021-04-23 )

MTAS was asked how the new wine in grocery stores law relates to the ability of a beer and tobacco store to commence the sale of alcohol and what items may be offered for sale in a liquor store.
Beer Board Authority to Suspend or Revoke Beer Permit
Legal Opinion (Created: 2006-03-23; Reviewed: 2021-05-14 )

MTAS was asked whether the beer board has the authority to suspend or revoke a beer permit when an officer's actions are in question.
Beer Board Questions
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-08-23; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS responded to questions posed by beer board concerning decision to be made after permit holder charged with offense.
Beer Definition Ordinance
Ordinance (Created: 2017-01-05; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

An ordinance changing the city's definition of beer to coincide with state definitions and altering distance regulations for beer sales.
Beer License and Proximity to Day Care Center
Legal Opinion (Created: 2001-02-23; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS was asked if a beer license would be granted to an establishment that is in close proximity to a day care center.
Beer License Renewal
General (Created: 2002-01-28; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS was asked if the City Recorder has the authority to renew an annual beer license.
Beer Permit Age Limitation
Legal Opinion (Created: 2022-03-28; Reviewed: 2022-04-01 )

MTAS Legal Consultant Elisha Hodge responded to a question about whether or not a person under the age of 21 can apply for and hold a beer permit in the State of Tennessee.
Beer Permit Regulations in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2018-01-25; Reviewed: 2021-06-25 )

Tennessee cities with a population of 10,000 or more were surveyed to find out what distance regulations they have for approving a permit to sell beer.
Beer Permits and Fees in All Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2017-02-17; Reviewed: 2021-06-25 )

MTAS researched the beer permit fees and privilege tax for beer that may be charged to municipalities in Tennessee.
Beer Permits for a City Festival
General (Created: 2015-05-19; Reviewed: 2021-06-25 )

MTAS was asked to provide sample temporary beer permits for a city festival in the downtown area.
Beer Permits for Contiguous Serving Areas and Use of One Permit for Two Businesses
Legal Opinion (Created: 2011-05-04; Reviewed: 2021-06-25 )

MTAS was asked about beer permits for contiguous serving areas and the use of one permit for two businesses located in the same building.
Beer Permits for Golf Courses
General (Created: 2002-10-22; Reviewed: 2021-07-14 )

MTAS was asked to identify several options for allowing beer sales on golf courses.
Beer Permits, Workers Compensation, and Street Damage Caused by Trucks
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-03-07; Reviewed: 2020-04-21 )

MTAS was asked a distance regulation question for a beer permit, whether it is the city's responsibility to insure that a contractor has workers' compensation prior to issuing a building permit, and whether cities can recover damages to streets from truck owners and operators.
Beer Sale Hours in Tennessee Cities
Legal Opinion (Created: 2022-03-29; Reviewed: 2022-03-30 )

MTAS Legal Consultant Melissa Ashburn responds to a Tennessee city's request for information regarding beer sale hours and the effect it might have on liquor by the drink sales.
Benchmarking Projects
Report/Study (Created: 2009-01-31; Reviewed: 2017-06-07 )

Includes 13 municipal benchmarking studies, plus links to 10 additional studies.
Benefits Coordinator
Job Description (Created: 2005-07-25; Reviewed: 2021-04-09 )

A job description for the position of Benefits Coordinator.
Bereavement Policies: an MTAS Survey
Survey (Created: 2010-06-29; Reviewed: 2021-06-15 )

Six cities were asked their bereavement policies for municipal employees.
Bicycle Patrol Policy and Training Topics
General (Created: 2007-05-17; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

A policy for establishing a police bicycle patrol and lesson plans for ten training topics.
Bid Specifications for Residential Garbage Collection
RFP (Created: 2003-06-16; Reviewed: 2021-04-09 )

MTAS was asked to compile a list of qualifications for a contractor to manage residential garbage collection.
Bidding Requirements
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-03-12; Reviewed: 2020-05-27 )

MTAS was asked to review a law on bid acceptance.
Blending or Infusing Beer with Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages
General (Created: 2014-06-05; Reviewed: 2021-07-14 )

MTAS was asked if the state regulates the blending or infusing of beer with other non-alcoholic beverages.
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
General (Created: 2018-08-06; Reviewed: 2021-05-21 )

The following Exposure Control Plan (ECP) has been developed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens according to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030, “Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.” This exposure control plan is an element of our safety and health program and complies with TOSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens, 1910.1030, requirements.
The information contained in this publication is not considered a substitute for the OSH Act or any provisions of OSHA standards. It provides general guidance on a particular standard-related topic but should not be considered a definitive interpretation for compliance with OSHA requirements. The reader should consult the OSHA standard in its entirety for specific compliance requirements.

Board and Committee Term Limits in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-06-28 )

Tennessee cities were surveyed to find out whether or not boards and committees have term limits and what are the limits for those committees.
Board Appointments or Dismissal Confirmations for Certain Staff Positions
General (Created: 2013-12-13; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether the Board of Mayor and Aldermen should play an increased role (hiring or dismissal) in one or more staff positions in order to provide employee protection for 'whistleblower' actions.
Board Member Responsibilities and Job Description
General (Created: 2008-02-06; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked questions relating to an alderman's responsibilities and job description.
Board of Mayor and Aldermen Has the Power to Correct the Minutes
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-07-23; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether it is within the authority of the board of mayor and aldermen to delete from the recorder's minutes certain language before the board adopts the minutes.
Board of Mayor and Aldermen Serving as the Beer Board
Legal Opinion (Created: 2004-05-12; Reviewed: 2021-07-14 )

MTAS was asked whether the board of mayor and aldermen may also serve as the beer board.
Board of Zoning Appeals Grants Variances for Mobile Homes That It Does Not Have Authority to Grant
Legal Opinion (Created: 1995-05-29; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS was asked what recourse the city has when the board of zoning appeals grants variances for mobile homes that it does not have authority to grant.
Body Armor Policy
General (Created: 2002-03-25; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

The city will provide personal body armor (bulletproof vest) to each full-time police officer and provide guidance in the use of the equipment.
Bond Resolution Repeal
Legal Opinion (Created: 2001-10-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-22 )

Right of the city to repeal bond resolution following the filing of petition for an election on the bonds but before the election is held.
Bonding of Mayor and Town Recorder
General (Created: 2018-02-09; Reviewed: 2021-06-15 )

MTAS responds to an inquiry regarding whether the mayor and town recorder must be bonded.
Borrowing Funds for School Construction
General (Created: 2002-04-09; Reviewed: 2021-04-22 )

MTAS was asked whether a municipality could borrow money to help finance the construction of a new county elementary school.
Breaking a Tie in the Election of an Alderman
Legal Opinion (Created: 2014-11-20; Reviewed: 2021-07-07 )

MTAS was asked how a tie vote in the election of an alderman is broken.
Bristol Library Director Job Description
Job Description (Created: 2015-05-11; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

An information profile for the position of library director; includes a description of the library and its services, plus the position advertisement.
Broad Emergency Powers Given to Any Fire Chiefs
Legal Opinion (Created: 1992-02-26; Reviewed: 2021-06-28 )

MTAS was asked if broad emergency powers are given to county as well as city fire chiefs.
Brown-Bagging Regulations
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-04-15; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

MTAS was asked where the city has no brown bagging regulations can a restaurant that does not hold a beer license allow brown bagging.
Budget and Charitable Contributions in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-03-20; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

Eleven Tennessee cities were contacted to find out what their general fund operating budget and planned charitable contributions were in fiscal year 2019.
Building Access/Security and Employee Time & Attendance Policies, Procedures and Products Survey
Survey (Created: 2017-01-17; Reviewed: 2021-04-09 )

Fourteen cities were asked questions about safety policies and procedures relating to office doors and access points; the use of flex-time; and, methods, products, and vendors for capturing employee time and attendance.
Building and Property Maintenance Codes Review (Columbia, TN)
Report/Study (Created: 2007-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-20 )

This study reviews the organization and operation of the City of Columbia's building and property maintenance division.
Building Codes Inspector
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-25; Reviewed: 2021-04-29 )

Job description for the position of Building/Codes Inspector.
Building Inspectors in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2020-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-04-20 )

A survey of selected cities regarding whether they have a building inspector on staff, and if not, do they contract for those services.
Building Permit Issued by Mistake
Legal Opinion (Created: 2001-03-19; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS was asked if a building permit, issued because of a mistake in a zoning map, may be revoked.
Bulky Items and Brush Pickup Guidelines and Penalties
Survey (Created: 2021-06-14; Reviewed: 2021-09-16 )

Six Tennessee cities responded to an MTAS request for information regarding brush and debris pick up.
Burning Permit Sample Ordinance
Ordinance (Created: 2004-02-04; Reviewed: 2022-05-02 )

MTAS was asked for assistance in revising an open burning permit program.
Burying Bodies in the Backyard
Legal Opinion (Created: 2009-09-25; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

MTAS was asked whether a person who has died and wanted to be buried in his backyard (in the city) can actually be buried there.
Business Office Supervisor
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-09 )

Job description for the position of Business Office Supervisor.