During the February Crossville city council meeting, the council approved moving forward with a program to seek to increase the raw water supply as recommended by engineering firm J. R. Wauford.
Councilman J.H. Graham makes a point during the council's
February regular meeting.
In addition, a split council approved moving forward with accepting sewer lines from the Cumberland County Board of Education.
Wauford engineer Greg Davenport presented a report to the council during the February work session that listed 4 potential options and recommended that the city attempt to set up a meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers and other regulators to discuss next steps.
Councilman J. H. Graham made the motion to move forward and his motion was supported by Councilman Danny Wyatt.
Council member Pamala Harris pointed out, “The benefits of doing this are knowing which direction to move toward as far as our future water supply. I think it is good for the public to know that we're looking out for our future.”
The motion to move forward was unanimously approved.
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There was less council agreement on the request from the county Board of Education for the city to take over three sections of sewer lines that serve North School, South School and Brown Elementary.
The motion to accept the request from the BOE was made by Mr. Graham and the second was made by Ms. Harris.
Mayor Mayberry said he had some concerns, mainly about the line from Brown Elementary including the city's utility district owning a line that runs through the middle of another (South Cumberland) utility district. He added that he was not clear what was involved in taking responsibility for the line and what additional manpower or expense would be required. Mayberry also mentioned future expenses and depreciation that would have to be budgeted for future replacement adding, “It seems like a losing proposition.”
Mayberry also said he felt it was too early to even look at inspecting the line as council member Harris suggested and he wanted to know about the legalities of the action but with the city attorney out with the flu he was not present to answer the Mayor's questions.
“I'm not going to vote to support this not knowing all the facts,” explained Mayor Mayberry.
Councilman Wyatt called on the city engineer Tim Begley for some additional information and Begley said the line to South was about 19 years old, the line to Brown is about 10 to 12 years old. Begley explained that the line to Brown was a “gray water” line and could not have a grinder pump attached to it. According to Begley, the school maintenance department reported only one break to the Brown line they knew of and it involved a car running off the road. He added that lead him to believe that the line could be a bit shallow in some places.
As the city has annexed additional area along Spruce Loop, they have taken over 300 to 400 feet of the line and haven't had any problems with it.
Mr. Graham commented to Mayor Mayberry's concern, pointing out that South Cumberland Utility has stated a number of times that they do not want to be in the sewer business.
Graham responded to another of Mayberry's questions about the future use of the line and if a pump station would be needed if more customers hooked up to the line and Graham said he felt a pump station would be needed. Graham also mentioned another possible line in the future along Dunbar Road but that would depend on the number of future customers.
When the vote on the measure was taken, Council members Graham and Wyatt voted in favor, Ms. Harris passed on the first round vote and councilman Scot Shanks said he was in favor but felt there were still things the city did not know. Shanks voted no “for now.” Mayor Mayberry also voted no and the attention returned to Ms. Harris for the deciding vote. After a brief pause, Harris voted “aye and the motion was approved.
