Valerie Hale Sworn in as City Clerk and council votes to pursue Handle Mill Property Purchase.

New City Clerk Valerie Hale was sworn into the position she's been preparing for over the last 7 years following the retirement of long-time clerk Sally Oglesby.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry administered the oath of office near the start of the city council's January regular meeting and the meeting proceeded smoothly.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry, left, administers

the oath of office to new Crossville City Clerk

Valerie Hale.

Council approved a motion by member Danny Wyatt to authorize the city manager to move forward with negotiations between the city and the county and the city and the property owner of the remaining property that once housed the old Turner Day and Woolworth Handle Mill.

Wyatt's motion stated the city would offer $250,000 for the property contingent on Cumberland County partnering with the city on the property purchase. Wyatt's motion was supported by council member Pamala Harris.

Council member J. H. Graham III indicated that he felt the railroad property should be included in the discussion. “If we're really serious about this, and I am, I'd like for the Railroad property owners to be contacted by the city manager to see what their asking price is as well.”

Part of the former Turner Day Woolworth Handle Mill

property the City of Crossville is proposing to purchase.

Recently the county commission has been working to acquire property that part of the Art Circle Library building and parking lot are built on that was never purchased by the county. City engineer Tim Begley said he was certain about the amount of property involved but he felt this would be about 4 times the size of the property the county recently purchased for $45,000.

Mr. Wyatt amended his motion to include inquiry into the railroad right of way and Harris agreed to maintain her second. City attorney Will Ridley clarified that the city is requesting the county to partner on the purchase of the land, not the development of the property that the city would fund on its own.

Wyatt said the reason for the action was, “We have one of the nicest buildings in the state in the library and it's pretty rough looking down through there.” Wyatt said the property could be used for several things including bathrooms, parking, a retention pond and maybe a small park behind the amphitheater. Wyatt added that the property could enhance Downtown Crossville, Inc. options downtown as well as relieve parking at the courthouse and the library.

Discussed during the January work session was the possibility of holding the downtown vintage auto cruise-ins on the proposed parking area to be able to keep Main Street open.

The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of the council.

Council also approved the hiring of a certified fraud investigator for the Crossville Police Department. According to Police Chief David Beaty, the department has a lot of reports of fraud involving credit and debit cards as well as phone and internet contact. The department has been contacted by a retired officer who is a certified fraud examiner. The new position would be a civilian employee and would free up the time of detectives to work on other investigations.

Mayor Mayberry moved to hire the person as a contract/1099 employee and it was supported by Councilman Scot Shanks. Also included in the action was a budget amendment of $19,000.   

January City Council Meeting agenda includes New Clerk, Handle Mill property and Inn of the Cumberlands.

The Crossville City Council holds their First regular meeting of 2018 Tuesday, January 9, and as part of the agenda, new city clerk Valerie Hale will be sworn in.

With the retirement of long-time city clerk Sally Oglesby, city manager Greg Wood appointed Hale as the new Clerk. Hale has served as the assistant city clerk since 2010.

Valerie Hall, Crossville city clerk

The council's evening starts with the Audit Committee meeting at 5:15, followed by the beer board at 5:45 then a public hearing on the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The regular council agenda gets underway at 6:00 PM.

In addition to a decision on submitting an application for the CDBG, the council will discuss the possible purchase of the remaining property from the old handle mill next to the Art Circle Library. Councilman Danny Wyatt has proposed that the county help with the purchase of the site and the city would pay for the development the property into parking and a possible park area. The vote would authorize the city manager to begin negotiations with the county and the property owner.

The possibility of a change in the city's charter to add two more council members was also discussed at the council's work session and is on Tuesday's regular agenda. The action proposed by council member Pamala Harris who said the change could give the council a different dynamic. Harris added that it could give more people a chance to be represented as well as giving more women a chance to serve on the council.

Council member Danny Wyatt was less supportive of the proposed change saying, “More ducks in the puddle and the muddier it is.” Wyatt said he would only support the proposal if it would be put on a referendum for voters to decide.

Council will also consider the addition of a part-time fraud examiner position requested by police chief David Beaty. Beaty told the council in last week's work session that the position would help with the increasing reports of fraud cases and the proposed employee is a retired certified fraud examiner who would work part-time with no benefits. The expected annual cost for the position is $17,000.

Condemned Inn of the Cumberlands

Listed under the city attorney's report is possible action on the Inn of the Cumberlands building that the city condemned over 2 years ago and nothing has been done by the property owners. Another item is a lease breach for a hanger at the Crossville Airport.  

Public Invited to reception Tuesday Afternoon as longtime Crossville CIty Clerk Sally Oglesby Retires

A very special event is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, December 19 to commemorate the retirement of longtime Crossville City Clerk Sally Oglesby. Mrs. Oglesby is retiring after 32 years of service to the city. The retirement reception for Oglesby will be held at Crossville city hall starting at 1 PM and refreshments will be served.

Oglesby was initially hired as the Crossville City Recorder, as the job was then known when she started, in April of 1985. Oglesby has worked in three different city hall buildings over the years and has worked with 11 regular city managers during her tenure plus a number of interim city managers as well.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry, left, presents

City Clerk Sally Oglesby with a clock in

recognition of her 32 years of service to

The city of Crossville.

Retiring Crossville City Clerk Sally Oglesby honored for 32 years of service.

The December Crossville City Council was the final regular meeting for Crossville City Clerk Sally Oglesby.

Oglesby's 32 years of service to Crossville was commemorated by the presentation of a clock to recognize her retirement and a large flower arrangement. In addition, Crossville Mayor James Mayberry recapped some of the headlines of city news from 1985, the year Sally started working for the city.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry, left, presents

City Clerk Sally Oglesby with retirement gifts.

1985 was the year a completely new City (then known as) Commission was seated that including Mayor Willis Cox, and Commissioners Dave Warner, Elmo Lewis, Jim Turner and John Dooley.

One of the first commission actions was to dismiss then city manager Ed Potts and appoint a committee to review applications and make recommendations to the commission on the next manager. After a period of work, the committee made three recomendations but the commission ignored those recommendations and instead hired Charlie Akins as manager. Early discussion of the first sections of the Miller Avenue Bypass took place.

Oglesby was initially hired as the Crossville City Recorder as the job was then known when she started in April of 1985. Oglesby has worked in three different city hall buildings over the years and has worked with 11 regular city managers during her tenure plus a number of interim city managers as well.

Oglesby's final working day will be Tuesday, December 19 and a reception will be held for her at Crossville city hall between 1 and 3 PM on the 3rd floor. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.  

Valarie Hale will take over the position as City Clerk.  Hale has served as Assistant City Clerk since 2010.  Prior to joining the city, Hale worked as an accounts payable and payroll clerk and a medical scheduler. 

Sally Oglesby, left, and incoming Crossville 

City Clerk Valerie Hale, right.