The City Council for Crossville, Tennessee met in special session on Friday, February 16, 2007 at Crossville City Hall.

 

            Mayor J. H. Graham, III was present and presiding.  Councilmen present were Earl Dean, Jesse Kerley (arrived at 10:04 a.m.), and Boyd Wyatt, Sr.  Councilman Carl Duer was absent.  Others present were City Manager Dr. Jack Miller, City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, City Clerk Sally Oglesby, Director of Engineering Shelia Knight, Police Lt. Fred Sherrill, Emily Saunders, Alex Wyss, Doug Little, Louise Gorenflo, Dennis Gregg, Jerry Kerley, Christy Lewis, Eric Brady, Kevin Dean, Steve Hill, John Dawkins, Tim Begley, Jim Young, Mark Thurman, Mike Flatt, Randy Laine, and Jim Mitchell.

 

            Mayor Graham called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 

 

 

ITEM #2 – CONSENT AGENDA

 

A motion was made by Councilman Dean, seconded by Councilman Wyatt, that the following items on the consent agenda be approved:

a.       2nd Reading of FY2006-07 Budget Amendment in the amount of $4,620 for Council pay

b.      2nd Reading of FY2006-07 Budget Amendment in the amount of $95,000 for engineering, construction costs, and grant revenues for the Tate Road, Fox Road, and Potato Farm Road waterline projects

c.       2nd Reading of ordinance annexing land required for improvements on Genesis and Cook Roads

Roll call votes:  Ayes-(3)Dean, Graham, Wyatt; Noes-(0); Absent-(2)Duer, Kerley.  Motion carried.

 

 

ITEM #4 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO JOEL BOLIN PROPERTY ON TAYLORS CHAPEL ROAD

 

In 1958, the City acquired a 60’ right-of-way across property on Taylor’s Chapel Road for the purpose of constructing an 8” water line.  The Bolins have requested an ingress/egress easement across this right-of-way to access their property on parcel 9.  This easement is recommended for approval.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Dean, that the easement for ingress/egress for Joel K. Bolin be approved.  Roll call votes:  Ayes-(4)Dean, Graham, Kerley, Wyatt; Noes-(0); Absent-(1)Duer.  Motion carried.

 

 

ITEM #1 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO PRESENTATION ON HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN

 

Emily Saunders and Alex Wyss made a presentation on the habitat conservation plan that they are working on for this area.  Such an agreement would be between a non-federal entity and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Agency to allow for development within the confines of the environmental needs.  It would cover the species to be protected, what activities cause harm to those species, and strategies to avoid harm to those species when those activities take place, such as best management practices, acquisition of sites for protection of rare species, and a monitoring plan to track the strategy.  The City gains (1)legal benefits, (2)better prediction of regulatory requirements in new projects, (3)more control of the projects, and (4)benefits of a collaborative process to handle conflicting needs of stakeholders.  The challenges are the cost to develop the document (funded by TWRA planning assistance grants)n implementation of the plan such as monitoring and the complex process of working with people with different goals.  Mayor Graham’s goals for this project are to create balance between growth to include the water supplies for this community and the protection of our environment.  The City will continue to be the regional provider for water in our community and it is important that we incorporate all the things that will make it happen.

 

The Cumberland Regional Habitat Conservation Plan is a pilot project for Tennessee, although they have been developed successfully in many areas of the country.  Mark Thurman of TWRA stated that he has worked on a wildlife conservation plan and is fully supportive of this project to protect the biodiversity of the area.  Doug Little with Plateau Properties has been involved with this plan and indicated his company’s support of the plan as both developers and environmentalists.  Emily Saunders, Outreach Coordinator for the project and an employee of the University of Tennessee pointed out that if the City is in support of developing the plan, a Steering Committee will need to be appointed.  A draft resolution indicating the City’s support and planned participation in the development of the plan was presented for consideration.

 

(At 10:35 a.m. the meeting was recessed.  It was reconvened at 10:38 a.m.)

 

 

ITEM #6 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO GENESIS/COOK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

 

            Mike Flatt of Gresham Smith and Associates updated the Council on the project, noting that the design is complete and ready for acquisition.  They have been in contact with Pilot Oil who is planning a location in the area so that the two projects can be coordinated.  During their meetings, the importance of getting the traffic issues under control as soon as possible was stressed.  Pilot is anticipating being open in five months from the time they make the decision.  They are receptive to a joint venture so that the improvements can be done in a more timely fashion and, as much as possible, prior to school re-opening in the Fall.  Traffic studies that have been completed and approved by TDOT, show traffic signals are needed today without the school and new businesses in the area.  It is planned for construction to begin by the end of May to get as much work completed as possible during the summer.  Pilot’s Board of Directors will be meeting on February 19 and it is hoped that they will consider a proposed venture with the City that has been submitted to them.

 

            A motion was made by Councilman Wyatt, seconded by Councilman Dean, that a contract with Gresham Smith and Associates be approved for acquisition and appraisal services on the Genesis/Cook Road project.  Roll call votes:  Ayes-(4)Dean, Graham, Kerley, Wyatt; Noes-(0); Absent-(1)Duer.  Motion carried.

 

Mr. Flatt also reported that the Northwest Connector project has been held up while environmental issues questioned by the FHWA are answered by TDOT.  Gresham Smith has been asked to assist TDOT in responding and justifying the project.  The environmental studies for all 3 phases are being done by TDOT and these issues are holding up all 3 sections.

 

 

ITEM #3 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO ACQUISITIONS AROUND HOLIDAY LAKE

 

            Councilman Wyatt asked the project be slowed down on acquisition until a work session could be held and the proposed new elevation reviewed.  According to engineering staff, 20-25 properties are being encroached by as much as 5’ and those are generally in a slough.  Council requested staff to stop all acquisition activities until the matter can be further studied.  The City Manager was requested to work with the engineers and make a recommendation back to Council.

 

 

ITEM #5 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO PROPOSED ETHICS POLICY

 

Matter deferred for a later work session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM #7 – MATTERS RELATIVE TO 2007 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

Soccer complex – J. Hicks Excavating, represented by Jim Mitchell, presented a proposal for a complex with 6 fields, 400 parking spaces, field house, and two future fields at a location south of I-40 near Hwy. 127S.  A design build proposal which could allow for the fields to be ready for sprigging in time for use in Spring 2008 was presented for further study.  Staff was instructed to move on with studies on the new site and bring a recommendation or study back to Council.  Director of Engineering Shelia Knight indicated to the Council that it was an outstanding site and she wished they had found it earlier.

 

            Review of the remaining items on the proposed goals and objectives were deferred to a later work session.

 

 

            With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.