The City Council for Crossville, Tennessee met in special session on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at Crossville City Hall.
Mayor J. H. Graham, III was present and presiding. Councilmen present were Earl Dean, Dr. Carl Duer, Billy Loggins, and Boyd Wyatt, Sr. Others present were City Manager Dr. Jack Miller, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Finance Director Amanda Houston, Public Works Director Tim Begley, David Beaty, Louise Gorenflo, Bill Haynes, Scott J. Christian, Mary Ann Crowe, Jensen Crain, Sheri Crain, Alli Crain, Lester Lipsitz, Angie Spitler, Gary Nelson, Bob Giebitz, Steve Hill, Kevin Dean, Mike Turner, Amy Smith, Gena Emery, Scot Shanks, and Christy Kern.
Mayor Graham called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
ITEM #6 – 2ND READING OF ANNEXATION ORDINANCES
a) Hwy. 127S (4 parcels)
b) Peavine Road (4 parcels)
A motion was made by Councilman Dean, seconded by Councilman Wyatt, that the annexation ordinances be passed on second reading. Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
ITEM #5 – 2ND READING OF BUDGET AMENDMENTS
a) $66,902 - Airport taxiway and sewer line
b) $40,000 - Census
A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Loggins, that the FY05-06 budget amendments for the airport taxiway and sewer line and census be passed on second reading Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
ITEM #4 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO 2005 LPGA TOURNAMENT NON-PROFIT DONATION
Councilman Loggins requested that the City Council consider donating $493 to the Cumberland County Rescue Squad in connection to the 2005 LPGA Tournament. The City pledged to spend up to $5,000. Ideally, any surplus proceeds would have been donated to the Cumberland County Rescue Squad who provided volunteer help to the tournament. With this donation, the City will have spent its total pledge of $5,000.
A motion was made by Councilman Loggins, seconded by Mayor Graham, that a donation of $493 be approved to the Cumberland County Rescue Squad. Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
ITEM #3 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO GREENWAYS
Councilman Loggins requested consideration of establishing a task force to look at potential greenways and master plan in the City. Louise Gorenflo spoke on the values of greenways and suggested that the task force be composed of Council appointees and representatives from the Tree Board, Beautification Committee, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission/Planning Office, and Chamber of Commerce.
A motion was made by Councilman Loggins, seconded by Councilman Wyatt, that a Task Force be organized to include Council appointees, representatives from the Tree Board, Beautification Committee, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission/Planning Office, and Chamber of Commerce, and other interested citizens. Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
Mayor Graham and Councilman Loggins reported on a meeting with Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon to look for their assistance on preparation of a master plan for greenways. A proposal is forthcoming outlining the process. This master plan will be added to the Goals and Objectives.
ITEM #1 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO 2006 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
City Manager Dr. Jack Miller reviewed the process in developing the goals. Council discussed items of concern and made the following changes:
Economic Development - #4 – add “continue pursuit of prospective industrial properties” and “develop and maintain an industrial site inventory, both public and private properties with their permission, and promote on website”
A motion was made by Councilman Duer, seconded by Councilman Dean, that the City build a soccer complex outdoors, seek the land to do it, and make it a first priority. Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
Angie Spitler stated that the soccer association’s major concern is to have enough fields for now and the near future.
Director of Leisure and Culture Resources Steve Hill presented an award for “Complex of the Year-Centennial Park” presented by the USSSA Girls Fast Pitch.
(At 11:25 a.m., the meeting was recessed. It was reconvened at 11:35 a.m.)
ITEM #2 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO UPDATE ON ECE SERVICES PROJECTS
Scott Christian provided reports on the projects under contract with their engineering firm.
Iris Drive – The deadline for completion is March 26 plus any weather days. Due to the sale of J. Paul Smith Construction to Ash Construction, the bonding company was contacted to confirm their continued coverage of the project. A minimal amount of work has been done with the culverts being installed incorrectly and having to be replaced. The utility work has not begun. A letter will be issued regarding the deadline and requesting that they send a letter to Dr. Miller outlining their plan for completion, including a timeline. No payments have been made as they have not submitted the required project schedule. The bonding company has not been notified of problems with the project.
Lake Holiday Spillway – A categorical exclusion will not be allowed. The environmental assessment has been prepared and will be submitted for approval. Once it is cleared, acquisition can begin.
A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Dean, that approval be given for an additional allowance of $12,000 to ECE Services to perform the environmental permitting since the categorical exclusion cannot be obtained. Roll call votes: Ayes-(5)Dean, Duer, Graham, Loggins, Wyatt; Noes-(0). Motion carried.
The City is responsible for improvements to the spillway and dam while TDOT will be responsible for the bridge improvements through the BRZ program. The work will meet the requirements to contain 26” of rain in a 6 hour period. It is expected that TDOT will probably start their work one to two months following the start of the City project. The dam will be out of service for 11-12 months with the road closed for 3 months. The spillway is being increased from 36’ to 182’. Councilman Duer asked for walkway space to be included in the plans to accommodate the many walkers in the area.
Tennessee Avenue causeway – Plans will include the installation of casings for future utilities. Advertisement for bids should take place in 2-3 weeks. The bid package will have alternates for: (1)cast-in-place box culvert which is cheaper but disrupt traffic for 30-40 days; or
(2)pre-cast box culvert which costs more but traffic would only be disrupted for 3-5 days; and (3)vinyl coated guardrail.
In discussion about the project, it was pointed out that the raising of the smaller dam has caused the new culverts to be higher. The culverts are sized for 5.7” of rain in a 24 hour period, which is considered the 100 year flood level. Discussion was held concerning the City’s potential cause of action against the property owner for raising of the smaller dam since it affects the City’s water supply. Dr. Miller was requested to check on the legalities of the smaller dam as it is not believed to have been permitted or inspected. ECE has revised the cost estimate to $213,135, which includes two 11’ lanes with 4’ shoulders. The existing road does not meet existing standards due to hills being too steep and curves too sharp. Those conditions should be addressed with signs.
(At 12:10 p.m., Councilman Loggins left the meeting.)
Tulip Street extension – Laine Engineering is handling this project, but it was reported that the contractor is working whenever he can under the weather conditions. An updated schedule will be available next week.
Meadow Park Lake Dam – ECE is currently working on the preliminary design phase – environmental investigation. Initial estimates about the amount of wetlands affected were based on maps from various federal agencies; however, we now know that those maps were no where near accurate. The wetlands will exceed 50 acres meaning that those flooded by less than 6’ might not be a concern. Mitigation usually requires 10 acres for every acre lost. Surveying is not able to be done by GPS because of the dense foliage and will require conventional surveying. This matter will be discussed with the Army Corps of Engineers.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:42 p.m.