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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Displaying 1 - 47 of 47 Knowledgebase documents.
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Unauthorized Raises
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-12-20; Reviewed: 2021-05-18 )

MTAS was asked whether the Board has to honor unauthorized raises.
Uncompensated Public Officials' Personal Information Not Protected Per Tennessee State Law
Legal Opinion (Created: 2019-05-17; Reviewed: 2021-04-21 )

If council members are uncompensated, they cannot be considered "public employees" whose information is protected pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. Section 10-7-504(f). Hodge, the Tennessee Open Records Counsel at the time of this letter, also offers suggestions for improved processes in filling the request in question.
Unconstitutional Since 1953 to Incorporate Municipalities by Private Act
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-01-10; Reviewed: 2021-05-14 )

The General Assembly is required by general law to provide the exclusive methods by which municipalities may be created, merged, consolidated, dissolved, and their boundaries altered.
Unemployment Insurance for Volunteer Firefighters
General (Created: 2012-07-23; Reviewed: 2021-05-21 )

MTAS was asked if the city must pay unemployment insurance on its volunteer firefighters.
Unemployment on Temporary Workers
General (Created: 2012-07-16; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

MTAS was asked about temporary city employees filing and receiving unemployment from a city that is an Unemployment Reimbursing Employer.
Unified Communications Agreement Addendum
General (Created: 2008-10-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-27 )

An agreement for emergency communications services exists between Hamilton County Emergency Communications District, Hamilton County, Chattanooga, East Ridge, Collegedale, Red Bank, and Signal Mountain. This addendum is to apply a cost adjustment plan.
Uniforms, Safety, and Public Image Policy
General (Created: 1999-10-14; Reviewed: 2021-05-26 )

The City of Athens may provide and require certain uniforms, footwear, and equipment designed to promote safety and to protect employees as well as convey the proper image to the public.
Unpaid Military Leave and 401K Contributions: an MTAS Survey
Survey (Created: 2008-02-22; Reviewed: 2021-06-03 )

Twelve cities were asked whether they pay 401K contributions for personnel on unpaid military leave.
Updating Personnel Safety and Health Issues in the Municipal Code
Legal Opinion (Created: 2008-11-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether certain ordinances contained in municipal code that address personnel safety and health issues are required to be in the municipal code.
Urban Forester
Job Description (Created: 2010-06-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Job description for the position of Urban Forester.
Urban Forestry Management
(Created: 2009-02-20; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Topics covered include the economic and environmental benefits of urban forestry, how to start an urban forestry program for your community, roles of tree boards and staff, identifying potential community stakeholders, technical assistance providers, and best management practices in urban forestry.
Urban Forestry Workshop Course Material
General (Created: 2007-08-21; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

A course manual, lesson plan, and PowerPoint presentation on urban forestry.
Use of 12 Hour Shifts in Selected Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-12-10; Reviewed: 2021-06-03 )

A survey regarding the use of 12 hour shifts in selected cities.
Use of Adequate Facilities Tax Revenues
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-03-18; Reviewed: 2020-05-11 )

MTAS was asked whether Adequate Facilities Tax Revenues can be used to pay indebtedness for past sewer projects.
Use of Camcorders/Video Cameras in City Council Meetings
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-07-22; Reviewed: 2021-07-19 )

MTAS was asked whether the City Council may ban, by ordinance, the public from bringing video cameras into and videoing city council meetings.
Use of City Funds to Advocate for an Outcome in a Referendum on Metropolitan Government
General (Created: 2014-08-29; Reviewed: 2021-07-16 )

MTAS was asked how city funds can and can't be used for a metro committee and a future metro vote.
Use of City Vehicles
General (Created: 2008-05-29; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

An example of an amendment to the personnel policies to include the use of city vehicles.
Use of County Law Enforcement Services in the Absence of a Municipal Police Force
General (Created: 2017-01-04; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

MTAS was asked about using county law enforcement services within the corporate limits of the town in the absence of a municipal police force.
Use of Fire Trucks to Pick Up Firefighter Meals or to Travel to a Restaurant
Survey (Created: 2009-03-31; Reviewed: 2021-05-20 )

Twenty-two cities were asked whether the shift can transport the fire engine to a restaurant for a meal and whether an employee may use a city vehicle to pick up food for the whole shift.
Use of Funds from Increased Garbage Collection Fees
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-07-17; Reviewed: 2021-05-28 )

MTAS was asked whether the city can increase its monthly garbage collection fees and use the increase for purposes other than garbage collection.
Use of Hydrogen Peroxide for Coronavirus Disinfection
General (Created: 2020-04-22; Reviewed: 2021-05-21 )

MTAS received an inquiry about the use of hydrogen peroxide as a disinfecting agent for the coronavirus as an option to bleach because of bleach’s corrosive potential and irritating odor. MTAS researched this question and provides the following information. MTAS does not recommend or endorse any product, and the products mentioned here are for illustration only. MTAS recommends that municipalities do their own research and select products and procedures that meet local needs.
Use of Inmate Labor and Responsibility for Medical Expenses
General (Created: 2014-02-19; Reviewed: 2021-06-29 )

MTAS was asked about immunity for the municipality with regard to any injuries sustained by a county inmate while on work detail for the city.
Use of Municipal Property as Community Garden in the city of Harrogate, Tennessee
Form (Created: 2020-02-14; Reviewed: 2021-04-20 )

Forms related to the operation of a community garden on municipal property in the City of Harrogate, Tennessee. Includes resolution to adopt rules and regulations for the community garden, the garden rules and regulations, and a community garden waiver, release and hold harmless agreement.
Use of Municipal Seal in Election Campaign
Legal Opinion (Created: 2022-10-04; Reviewed: 2022-12-09 )

MTAS Legal Consultant Stephanie O'Hara responded to a request for information regarding whether or not a candidate for office may use the municipality's official seal in a campaign.
Use of PPE and Its Effectiveness
General (Created: 2020-03-22; Reviewed: 2021-05-21 )

In a conversation with Dr. Joe Holley, medical director for the Tennessee Department of EMS, Dr. Holley advised that if full universal precautions and PPE are used (exam gloves, gown, N95 mask, and face protection from splash or droplets), and the patient is positive for COVID-19, the universal precautions should be sufficient to protect the wearer, and the patient contact in full PPE would not classify as an exposure to COVID-19/coronavirus. Proper disposal of the used PPE and decon of any equipment used, and the ambulance if the patient is transported, is required.
Use of the City Drug Fund
Legal Opinion (Created: 1993-01-25; Reviewed: 2021-07-06 )

MTAS was asked whether the city can use the drug fund to pay the salary of an officer assigned to the judicial task force, and can it use the drug fund to pay the overtime pay of the police officer who cares for the "drug dog."
Use of the Semi-Colon under the Rules of Statutory Construction
Legal Opinion (Created: 2005-05-16; Reviewed: 2021-07-19 )

MTAS was asked to interpret a provision of the charter that turned on the use of semi-colons.
Use of Time Clocks Survey
Survey (Created: 2014-02-27; Reviewed: 2022-02-18 )

Seven cities were asked several questions about their use of time clocks for employees to track their daily time.
Use of Translators in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-12-10; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

A survey of selected cities regarding the use of translators and the offering of translation services.
Use of Vehicles Owned by the Police Department
General (Created: 2002-01-10; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Establishing policy and procedure for the most efficient use of motor vehicles of the police department.
Using a Utility Service Applicant's Credit Report to Determine Amount of Utility Deposit
Legal Opinion (Created: 2006-10-27; Reviewed: 2019-01-03 )

MTAS was asked whether the city can use a utility service applicant's credit report as a basis for determining the size of the applicant's utility deposit.
Using City Hall to Solicit Charitable Contributions
Legal Opinion (Created: 2009-10-26; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

MTAS was asked whether the city could allow the city hall to be used as collection point for solicitations by various private groups.
Using County's Bid Prices in City
General (Created: 2005-05-13; Reviewed: 2020-05-11 )

Letter on legality and procedure to use County's bid asphalt unit prices to buy asphalt for small projects in Parsons.
Using Inmates and Probationers for Public Service Work Projects
General (Created: 2016-02-17; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Loss control guidelines provided by the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management Pool
Using Sick Leave to Supplement Workers' Compensation Benefits
General (Created: 2012-07-13; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

MTAS was asked whether employees may use sick leave to supplement workers' compensation benefits.
Using Special Assessments for Sidewalk Construction
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-07-10; Reviewed: 2021-07-22 )

MTAS was asked whether special assessments can be used for sidewalk construction.
Using Tax Increment Financing in Tennessee
(Created: 2012-01-05; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

This study includes the history, background, explanation, advantages and disadvantages used to support economic and industrial development, and alternatives to using TIFs in Tennessee; two case studies are included.
Utilities Crew Chief
Job Description (Created: 2003-08-18; Reviewed: 2021-06-03 )

A job description for the position of Utilities Crew Chief for the city of Dandridge.
Utilities Must Charge Reasonable Rates
Legal Opinion (Created: 1999-01-04; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

MTAS was asked for the definition of the term 'reasonable rates' within the meaning of the utility statutes and cases in Tennessee that require utility rates to be reasonable.
Utilities Superintendent Job Description
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-27; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

Job description for the position of Utilities Superintendent.
Utility Board Authority for Setting Water Rates
Legal Opinion (Created: 2012-09-03; Reviewed: 2021-07-23 )

MTAS was asked whether the city's utility board can be given the authority to set water rates.
Utility Board Manual
General (Created: 2020-11-06; Reviewed: 2021-04-15 )

The purpose of this manual is to provide cities with a better understanding of funding water and sewer utility operations. Water and sewer operations are often very costly, but they provide a public health service. Also, water and sewer services are necessary if communities are to grow and attract new investment.


Utility Board Residency Requirement
Legal Opinion (Created: 2011-03-28; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

MTAS was asked whether the requirement that a person be a resident of the city as a condition of holding a city office is a continuing requirement.
Utility Cuts: City Street Repair Policy for the City of Athens
General (Created: 2001-03-05; Reviewed: 2020-04-21 )

The purpose of this procedure is to clearly define the process for receiving utility cut repair requests from the Athens Utilities Board (AUB) and making repairs to such utility cuts on city-maintained streets by the City of Athens Public Works Department.
Utility Extension Policies: Who Pays?
General (Created: 2006-07-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-22 )

The purpose of this article is to present differing municipal practices of utility extension procedure and funding strictly for undeveloped land within city limits.
Utility Operating with Three Member Commission
Legal Opinion (Created: 2003-02-12; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked whether a city may operate a water and sewer utility with a 3 member commission, as opposed to the 5 member commission provided for by Tennessee law.
Utility Rate Breaks for the Elderly
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-04-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-23 )

MTAS was asked whether a city can give utility rate reductions or exemptions to the elderly.