City Budget gains final approval, council also approves hotel/motel tax and derelict hotel's days are numbered

Crossville city council has approved the third and final reading of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and approved an unchanged tax rate at 59 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The first version of the budget presented to the council stood at $1.5 million red and with a number of items removed and a few other items added to the budget the final version came in at just over $1.1 million in the red. Because the city has over $12 million in the general fund balance, the city finances are not in the red but the annual expenditures exceed the estimated revenue for the fiscal year.

Crossville City Council, L-R, J.H. Graham, Danny Wyatt,

Mayor James Mayberry, Pamala Harris, and Scot Shanks.

The city's budget shows revenue totaling $19,425,353 and expenses of 20,597,073 with a final deficit for the year of $1,171,720.

Budgeted spending totals for the Police Department stand at $4.1 million, the Fire Department at almost $2.9 million and the street department at almost $2.4 million. Those 3 department's expenditures make up nearly half of the city's general fund budget.

The city's water and sewer budget do not utilize tax funding and their revenue is from the sale of water and sewer service.

The property tax rate of 59 cents, unchanged from the previous year was approved under the consent agenda and the budget was approved unanimously during the meeting. A public hearing on the budget elicited no comments from the citizens.

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Council also unanimously approved putting the hotel/motel tax into place on hotels operating within the city limits. This would go on top of the county hotel/motel tax that has been in effect for a number of years. The city adds 2 percent on top of the 7.5 percent tax the county charges and all these fees are over and above any sales taxes.

Council approved the request of property owners along a block of Thurman Avenue to return the road to two way traffic. The road has been one way for several years. The road is somewhat narrow and the planning commission had not approved the change but the city council has the final say on the matter and it was approved with 4 votes in favor and council member Pamala Harris abstaining. The parking along the road will be left alone.

Council approved a reduction in the inspection fees for the construction of the new Crab Orchard School. The fee to the county would be $21,000 but instead, the city council approved charging the cost of the time and travel not to exceed $7,000.

Under the city attorney's report, Will Ridley reported to the council that the court had approved the city's request to demolish the condemned Inn of the Cumberlands at Tennessee Avenue and Sparta Highway. Ridley said he was not seeking council approval for that action yet as he was still looking into some property ownership issues.

Condemmed Inn of the Cumberlands

Under public comments at the council meeting, downtown property owner Shirley Hughes expressed concern about parking in the downtown area especially about workers using space all day that are in front of other businesses. Hughes said she felt that there needed to be a parking lot for workers, especially county courthouse workers that would not interfere with downtown businesses.   

Crossville makes $275,000 offer for Handle Mill Property for Future Parking

Crossville city council continues to pursue the purchase of property for parking and other possible uses near Main Street voting to offer $275,000 for the old handle mill property with railroad right of way.

Handle Mill Property next to library

Initially, the city hoped the county would help pay for the land purchase and the city would develop the property as parking, possibly a small park and in the future a restroom facility. The county took no action as it is dealing with trying to purchase railroad right of way that part of the library facility is built on.

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The city and property owner Ronnie Webb have been in discussions for some time about the possible purchase and so far the two sides have not come to an agreement on a price for the approximately three acres between Thurman Avenue and Webb Avenue north of the library and the outdoor amphitheater.

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Councilman Danny Wyatt said the property would be valuable for parking for the library and the courthouse. Wyatt made a motion to offer the owner $275,000 for the property to include the railroad right of way and the offer would be good for 60 days. Council member Pamala Harris seconded the motion.

No other discussion was held on the matter and Wyatt's motion was approved unanimously.

Crossville Council approves offer to purchase old handle mill and railroad property for $247,500

Crossville City Council approved offering $225,000 for the old handle mill property next to the Art Circle Library that is owned by Ronnie Webb.

Old Handle Mill property on Webb Avenue

The city has received a quote to purchase the Railroad right of way that runs through the property the city is interested in for $22,500.

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The city hoped to that the county would assist in the purchase of the property but as the county is dealing with problems related to the railroad property it didn't purchase they have said they are not interested at the current time. The county never purchased right of way from the Norfolk Southern Railway and built part of the library structure and parking lot on that property and have been unable to nail down a definite price to purchase the property.

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Councilman Danny Wyatt said that he was in favor and felt it would do a lot for the downtown to clean that area up. It would offer some more parking for both the library and downtown.

Wyatt said, “We've been talking about restrooms for downtown for several years now and I think that would make a good place so I'm going to throw a motion out.”

Wyatt explained that the council had talked about $250,000 for the property the previous month and with the cost of the railroad property known he proposed offering the handle mill property owner $225,000 contingent on getting a commitment letter from the railroad for the price discussed. Councilwoman Pamala Harris seconded the motion.

Councilman Scot Shanks asked about appraisals on the property and was told the city had an older commercial appraisal done before part of the property was damaged by fire for more than the city's offer but also there is a state property tax appraisal that was for less. Some comparables had also been researched by city staff. The property is reportedly between 2.5 and 3 acres.

The motion received for yes votes from the council members present with councilman J. H. Graham absent from the meeting. Councilman Shanks passed on the first round and voted yes following the other council member's votes.  

February CIty Council Work Session Tuesday covers Raw Water Supply, Downtown Parking and the Depot budget

The Crossville city council holds their February work session Tuesday, February 6 starting at 5 PM in preparation for the upcoming regular council meeting.

Presentations on the raw water supply study by engineer J. R. Wauford originally set for last month but delayed due to council member J. H. Graham's illness will be held along with a presentation on the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) proposal for an insurance program to protect customers from water leak expenses and an optional protection for water line repairs as well.

The raw water report, dated November 2017 looks at current raw supply, sales and future demand for water 20 and 50 years into the future. The study looks at some preliminary alternatives for future supply and further study.

Meadow Park Lake Dam

The alternatives considered in the study include raising Meadow Park Dam and continuing the current water harvesting from Lake Tansi, Raising the dam and adding a water harvesting project from the Caney Fork River. The third alternative includes the harvesting from Tansi and Caney Fork with the addition of water harvesting from Holiday Hills Lake as well and the final option is the harvest raw water from Watts Bar Lake and pump to Meadow Park Lake. The last alternative would not require the Meadow Park Dam height to be increased.

The TAUD plan that is being used by some other water suppliers across Tennessee charges a small monthly fee to cover the cost of water leaks when a customer's line leaks on their side of the water meter. A customer will be able to opt out of the monthly fee if they do not want the protection. A larger charge would cover the repair of a broken water line between the water meter and the foundation of a residence. If approved a customer would have to request the additional coverage.

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Brad Allamong with the Chamber of Commerce will present their parking survey to the council. The survey includes the response of downtown businesses and their opinions on parking availability and need.

City engineer Tim Begley will present an outline of the Community Development Block Grant proposed for the city. The grant will request funding for sewer line repairs.

Council will also consider a request from the Cumberland County Board of Education to eliminate their responsibility for the sewer lines that serve schools outside the city limits including North, South and Brown Elementary schools.

Council will also discuss a budget amendment to move funds budgeted for the operation of the Crossville Depot from the Palace Theatre operation to a separate Depot department. According to city manager Greg Wood, the Palace Theatre, that used to be overseen by the Marketing Department has become a separate department and the Palace will not be involved in the operation of the depot at all.    

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.  

Council's January Work Session Includes Charter Change, Raw Water, Central Communications, and more.

Could the Crossville city council use two more members? A possible change to the city charter is up for discussion at the council work session scheduled for Thursday, January 4 at 5 PM in the third-floor conference room at city hall.

Other subjects on the agenda include a presentation on raw water supply by J. R. Wauford engineers added to the agenda Wednesday, discussion of a 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), discussion on the Central Communications Committee (CCC) contract, and discussion of a proposal on the purchase of the old handle mill site in cooperation with the county for additional parking at the library and for downtown events.

Following the work session, a closed executive session is planned for the council with the city attorney concerning “pending litigation” according to the agenda.

The discussion of the possible change to the city charter to increase the number of council members from 5 to 7 is to be lead by council member Pamala Harris.

The raw water report, dated November 2017 looks at current raw supply, sales and future demand for water 20 and 50 years into the future. The study looks at some preliminary alternatives for future supply and further study.

Meadow Park Dam after it's reconstruction

The alternatives considered in the study include raising Meadow Park Dam and continuing the current water harvesting from Lake Tansi, Raising the dam and adding a water harvesting project from the Caney Fork River. The third alternative includes the harvesting from Tansi and Caney Fork with the addition of water harvesting from Holiday Hills Lake as well and the final option is the harvest raw water from Watts Bar Lake and pump to Meadow Park Lake. The last alternative would not require the Meadow Park Dam height to be increased.

Wauford Raw Water Report (PDF) 

The city is considering a possible sewer rehabilitation project for a CDBG application. A public hearing will be held prior to the council meeting on January 9 for public input.

Council will discuss possible revision of the CCC contract as funding and operations have changed but the contract has not. It is unclear how other parties to the contract feel about any proposed changes.

For some time the city has been studying possible property for parking and other uses including a place to hold car show/cruise-ins that won't block Main Street through downtown. The area could also be redeveloped from the current eyesore by the addition of a “pocket park” near downtown as well. There are several issues including partnering with the county on the purchase if a price can be negotiated with the current owner. The development costs would be covered by the city if the land is acquired.

The proposed property is at the upper right 

of this map.  Other sites have also been 

looked at by the city as alternatives.

Council Worksession Agenda includes Garrison Park, Recreation Committee and Downtown Parking

The Crossville City Council will meet for their December monthly work session Tuesday, December 5th at 5:00 PM to discuss items including work currently underway at Garrison Park, the formation of a recreation advisory board, and parking needs in Downtown Crossville.

Two agenda items for Garrison Park will discuss a budget for the cost of the demolition currently underway and to declare leftover items such as metal doors surplus so they can be sold.

Demolition of Garrison Park underway

The budget item indicates that city staff thinks the estimate for the removal of the stadium was too low due to the tipping fees for disposal. The city plans to use the block and brick to fill in where the old Meadow Park Lake water treatment plant was located and tipping fees will be paid for wooden material to be disposed of. Some of the bricks will be preserved to create a wall to post photos of the original park when it hosted the professional baseball team. The estimated cost of demolition listed on the agenda item totals $20,000.

Items to be sold as scrap iron include doors, tin roofing and old fencing. The value is expected to be over $2.500.

Also, the possible formation of a Citizen Advisory Board for Parks and Recreation as recommended by the recreation master plan will be discussed. The agenda item on the formation of such a board says, “There have been three meetings to discuss the formation of the committee and its role. As the discussions have progressed, both the excitement and scope have heightened. This can be attributed to several factors. Two of the driving forces have been the high quality of facilities already established in the City and also the amount of untapped potential there is in the City and surrounding County. This has led the group to an understanding that it needs to reach beyond just the involvement of recreation activities, but the need to encompass support functions including the accommodations and food service community.”

Additional information provided to the council states, “The group sees their role as a promoter of the City and County to support existing opportunities, but also to step out and potentially add new opportunities. They see a need for a central clearinghouse to make sure tournaments and other events do not conflict with those in the City and County, or other activities nearby that could impact the success of our events. They would work with accommodation providers to assure that good deals were offered, rooms filled, and incentives provided to allow us to compete with other communities.

Membership structure of this committee is envisioned as interested community leaders, with support and input from City, County, and State Park staff as needed. The group also feels there needs to be representation from each of the following formal and informal groups: Lake Commission, Trails Community, Shooting Sports Park, Hotel-Motel Industry, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and several members from the community-at-large who can represent interests including, golf, basketball, softball/baseball, soccer, agritourism, flag football, etc.”

After looking at the remainder of the old handle mill property near downtown as possible parking, the city engineering staff has studied some other properties as potential parking locations for downtown. The study looked at the assessed value versus the number of spaces that could be added and the cost per space ranges from a high of almost $5000 per space down to just under $1000 per space. These costs are only estimated not including any site preparation costs or the fair market value of the property but simply a way to compare possible solutions.

Potential locations for downtown Crossville parking

Other items on the work session agenda include discussion of an application for a Community Wildlife Habitat program, change the version of building and energy conservation codes from 2009 to 2012 as required by the state, discussion on the contract for signalization of the intersection at West Avenue and Fourth Street.