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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Displaying 1 - 44 of 44 Knowledgebase documents.
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IMLA Model Ordinance Regulating Dangerous Dogs
Ordinance (Created: 2022-01-21; Reviewed: 2022-01-21 )

This is a model ordinance regulating dangerous dogs prepared by the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and is shared by MTAS with the permission of IMLA. MTAS recommends this ordinance for addressing problems caused by vicious or dangerous dogs. (Ordinance publication date: October 2018)
Implementing GASB 34
General (Created: 2004-07-08; Reviewed: 2021-04-23 )

MTAS was asked for help in estimating the life expectancy of buildings and equipment.
Implied Dedication of an Alley
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-01-27; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

MTAS was asked whether a certain alley is a city street.
Imposing New Regulations on the Sale of Beer on Existing Businesses
Legal Opinion (Created: 1995-08-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-16 )

MTAS was asked whether the city could impose new regulations on the sale of beer on existing businesses, specifically, prohibiting the sale of beer at drive-in windows.
Imposing Property Maintenance Regulations Through a Zoning Ordinance
Legal Opinion (Created: 2004-04-13; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS was asked whether a municipality can impose property maintenance regulations through its zoning ordinance.
In Lieu of Tax Payment Calculator
General (Created: 2006-03-14; Reviewed: 2021-07-29 )

MTAS has developed a worksheet to assist local governments in calculating in lieu of tax payments.
Incentive Pay for City Employees Who Attain Certification
Survey (Created: 2017-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Cities were asked if incentive pay was given to employees who attained certification in a job-related or other field, or for earning an associate or Bachelor's degree.
Incentive/Disincentive Contracts
General (Created: 2006-06-12; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

MTAS was asked whether other cities use incentive contracts.
Incentives for ASE and EVT Certifications for Fleet Technicians
Survey (Created: 2018-12-04; Reviewed: 2020-05-14 )

Selected Tennessee cities were surveyed to find out if they offer incentives to their fleet technicians for getting an ASE or CVT certificates.
Incentives for Certifications for Selected Municipalities in East Tennessee
Survey (Created: 2022-10-14; Reviewed: 2022-12-09 )

The MTAS Research and Information Center asked East Tennessee municipalities what incentives they give their employees for certifications in selected fields.
Incident Initiated Public Fire Safety Education Encounter
Form (Created: 2018-07-01; Reviewed: 2021-05-21 )

Often on an incident firefighters are asked to provide, or voluntarily provide, fire safety information to the occupants. Such encounters allow fire department members to educate the public on fire safety. ISO considers such activities as public fire safety education and the community can receive credit towards community risk reduction credit for the ISO evaluation. To receive the credit, the effort must be documented. This form should be used to document any fire safety education interaction with the public as a result of the fire department's response to a home or business.
Inclement Weather Notification in Select Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2018-09-11; Reviewed: 2021-07-22 )

Thirteen cities in Tennessee were surveyed to find out if their municipality closes during inclement weather and if so, how do they communicate that to non-emergency employees who do not have to report to work.
Incompetency as a Ground for Dismissal Without the Support of a Job Description
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-10-19; Reviewed: 2021-07-29 )

MTAS was asked whether incompetency will stand as a ground for dismissal without the support of a job description.
Incorporation Process
General (Created: 2016-02-01; Reviewed: 2021-04-19 )

MTAS provided some information on the incorporation process in Tennessee.
Increasing the Salary of the City Judge
Legal Opinion (Created: 1998-05-06; Reviewed: 2021-07-27 )

MTAS was asked several questions about increasing the salary of the city judge.
Indemnification of City Officers, Employees, and Board Members
General (Created: 2014-03-26; Reviewed: 2021-04-15 )

MTAS was asked about the importance of adopting language to indemnify city officers, employees, and board members while properly acting in the scope of their official duties.
Informal Assemblage Violates Tennessee Open Meetings Law
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-04-10; Reviewed: 2021-06-21 )

MTAS was asked whether meetings between the Mayor and a member of Council to discuss the preparation of the City's budget would violate the Sunshine Law or Open Meetings Law.
Information Coordinator
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-09 )

Job description for the position of Information Coordinator.
Information Technology Job Descriptions
Job Description (Created: 2017-02-28; Reviewed: 2021-07-08 )

Several IT job descriptions from the City of Chattanooga, including: Assistant Director IT Operations, Assistant Director IT Security, IT Computer Technician, IT Specialist, IT Support Services Supervisor, and Manager IT Operations.
Infrastructure Assets Reporting
General (Created: 2003-03-06; Reviewed: 2021-04-23 )

MTAS was asked whether the modified approach for reporting infrastructure assets could be used in the Water & Sewer Fund or other enterprise fund operations.
Infrastructure Investment Gap Facing Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems
(Created: 2000-10-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-23 )

The gap between infrastructure spending and infrastructure needs is an enormous problem and it is growing.
Inoperable Bus as Violation of Town Ordinance
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-10-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-09 )

MTAS was asked whether an inoperable bus that is maintained by a business owner on the lot on which the business is located would be considered a 'building' since it is used for storage.
Insurance for Elected Officials
Survey (Created: 2020-06-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-09 )

Ten Tennessee cities responded to a request for information regarding whether or not the city provides medical insurance to their elected officials.
Interest Earned on Utility Deposit
Legal Opinion (Created: 2006-01-17; Reviewed: 2021-04-23 )

MTAS was asked whether the interest earned on the utility deposit charged by the city for certain utility services belongs to the utility or to the customer.
Interlocal Agreement Between the Town of Walden, Tennessee, Hamilton County, Tennessee and the Hamilton County, Tennessee Sheriff's Office for the Provision of Law Enforcement Services
Resolution (Created: 2014-12-04; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

A resolution to create an interlocal agreement between the Town of Walden, Tennessee, Hamilton County, Tennessee and the Hamilton County, Tennessee Sheriff's Office for the provision of law enforcement services.
Interlocal Agreement by and between the Town of Centerville, Tennessee and the E911 Emergency Communications District of Hickman County, Tennessee
General (Created: 2010-05-18; Reviewed: 2021-07-22 )

An agreement for emergency communications services between Centerville and the E911 Emergency Communications District of Hickman County.
Interlocal Agreement for Planning Assistance
General (Created: 2012-06-19; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

Examples of interlocal agreements for planning services.
Internal Control Tool Kit for Municipal Governments
Report/Study (Created: 2019-02-16; Reviewed: 2022-01-25 )

This toolkit is intended to assist cities in getting started on or reassessing their existing internal control system.
Internet Forum for Williamson County, Tennessee, Terms of Use Agreement and Resolution
General (Created: 2011-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

An example of a Terms of Use Agreement and a Resolution as submitted by Williamson County for a public Internet forum for use by its County Commissioners.
Internet Service Provider Contract
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-01-04; Reviewed: 2021-05-07 )

Must a city take bids for an internet serivce provider, or does an ISP qualify as a professional service or single source?
Interns in the Workplace Survey
Survey (Created: 2005-01-03; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

Nineteen cities and counties were asked several questions about their use and pay of interns in city departments.
Introduction and Formalization of Council Work Sessions
General (Created: 2014-02-07; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

Council work sessions should be used to provide an opportunity to review complex or involved projects or issues, or to introduce topics requiring special attention and discussion by the board before the matter is placed on a future agenda for formal action.
Invitation to Bid: Mowing Services
RFP (Created: 2009-10-05; Reviewed: 2021-06-21 )

An invitation to bid mowing services for the City of Johnson City.
Iran Divestment Act Affects Purchasing In Tennessee Cities and Towns
General (Created: 2016-07-29; Reviewed: 2021-07-29 )

This article reports that persons or entities determined to be engaged in investment activities with Iran are listed on the state's website and are prohibited from contracting with any political subdivision of this state and any contract entered into shall be void.
Is a 'No U-Turn' Sign a Prerequisite to a 'No U-Turn' Prohibition or Ordinance?
Legal Opinion (Created: 2010-11-03; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

MTAS was asked whether a 'No U-Turn' sign is a prerequisite to a 'No U-Turn' prohibition or ordinance.
Is a Certain Contract City Administrator an Employee or an Independent Contractor?
Legal Opinion (Created: 2006-03-22; Reviewed: 2021-06-09 )

MTAS was asked whether the board of mayor and aldermen's delegation of certain administrative functions to the 'Administrative Consultant'Town Operations Supervisor' is legal and if the person holding the position is an employee or an independent contractor.
Is a Meeting of a Committee Appointed by the Mayor Subject to the Requirements of the Tennessee Open Meeting Act?
Legal Opinion (Created: 1999-03-31; Reviewed: 2021-07-19 )

MTAS was asked whether a meeting of a committee appointed by the Mayor is subject to the requirements of the Tennessee Open Meeting Act.
Is an Individual Working in the Library an Employee of the City?
General (Created: 2006-08-09; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether an individual is an employee of the city or an independent contractor.
Is DUI Grounds for Removing an Alderman?
General (Created: 2004-08-19; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether the City has the legal authority to remove an alderman who has been arrested for DUI.
Is Taking the Oath of Office Mandatory?
Legal Opinion (Created: 2006-06-26; Reviewed: 2021-06-09 )

Analyzed the question of whether the oath of office is mandatory and the legal effect the failure of a public officer to take the oath has on his votes and decisions.
Is There Empirical Evidence That Surveillance Cameras Reduce Crime?
Report/Study (Created: 2016-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Based on the papers, articles, and reports reviewed, it seems that CCTV is most effective when combined with other crime reducing/deterring methods such as improved lighting, security guards, and defensible space.
Issuance of a Beer Permit When One of the Partners Has -- a Felony Conviction for Burglary
Legal Opinion (Created: 1993-06-18; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

MTAS was asked about the issuance of a beer permit where a partnership has applied for a beer permit and one of the partners has a felony conviction for burglary.
Issuance of Beer Permits Under Beer Ordinance
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-04-13; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

MTAS was asked if the beer board was correct in denying a beer permit for two brothers, after the board learned that a third brother, who has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, was also going to be a partner in the business.
IT Staffing in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-08-05; Reviewed: 2021-07-08 )

A survey of selected cities and towns in Tennessee regarding whether they have an IT manager on staff, other IT staff positions, and if they contract for any of their IT staff. If respondents have contracted IT staff, they were asked further questions about the contract procurement process. Information on the vendors and one sample RFP are provided.