Crossville City Council set for Called meeting and work session Tuesday June 5 on budget, expanded council and more.

With the addition of a special called meeting before the June work session at 5 PM on Tuesday, June 5 it appears the Crossville City Council will approve the budget and city property tax rate by the regular June council meeting June 12.

With the first reading completed and the second reading on the agenda for a called meeting, Tuesday, June 5 the third and final readings are expected on the agenda of the regular June meeting on June 12. The city's budget is expected to be approved at $1.1 million in the red with some 10 times that amount in the city's general fund balance.

Other items on the called meeting agenda include the first reading of a budget amendment of year-end adjustments to bring the budget to actual expenses, third reading of the ordinance reimbursing the BOE for expenses of the CCHS drainage project and purchases of public works uniforms and a commercial mower.

Following the called meeting at 5:05 PM the council will go into the monthly work session in preparation for the June council meeting. The first item for discussion is a presentation from County Mayor Ken Carey and County Commissioner Wendell Wilson on a proposed expo center. The County is seeking help from the city for the construction costs estimated at $3.8 million. The proposed location for the expo center is between the current Farmer's Market and the Community Complex.

The area in red is the approximate location of the 

proposed County Expo Center.

Council is also scheduled to hear a presentation from Co. Sheriff's investigator Bo Kolloros and police chief David Beaty on a program to train city employees on what to do in the case of an active shooter. The training is called CRASE for civilian response to active shooter event.

Two city charter changes are up for consideration as well. Both have been approved by the council once, approved by the state legislature and each now faces a super majority vote becoming part of the charter. One change would add two additional members to the city council increasing it to 7 total members with a mayor and 6 council members. If the matter is approved it will affect the number of races for the city election in November with one additional 4-year term and one 2 year term on the ballot.

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The other charter change would approve the institution of a 2 percent hotel/motel tax.

Council will discuss a request from businesses on Thurman Avenue between First and Second Street to make the road two way from the current one way. The road was previously a two-way road and was changed to one way several years ago. While the lanes would be narrow, the city street department said there is adequate space though the planning commission has recommended leaving the street as one way.

The area in Green is the section of Thurman Ave

proposed for returning to two-way traffic.

Also on the agenda is the request from the County for waiver of building permit inspection fees on the Crab Orchard School project, installation of a water line on Fox Den Drive, and approval of road closures for the July 6 Rock the Block festival.

A discussion on a proposal of perks and rental fee adjustments for softball, baseball and soccer tournaments is on the agenda and a discussion on paying off water fund loans of about $1.4 million. The loan payoff proposal will save about $14,400 of cash flow each month along with a savings of interest of some $200,000 over the current terms of the loans.  

Crossville City Council OKs Budget $1.1 Million in the Red and Tax Rate on FIrst Reading

Crossville city council has approved the first readings of the city's 2018-19 fiscal year budget and unchanged property tax rate.

Crossville City Hall (file photo)

In a special called meeting the council approved the budget with a $1.1 million deficit that will be covered out of the city's over $10 million general fund balance. New funding from the Hotel/Motel tax is anticipated at $150,000 this year in the budget and some $200,000 annually in future years.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the budget.

Council also approved the first reading of the property tax rate, unchanged from last year at 59 cents.

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The tax rate approval was voted on as part of the consent agenda along with other routine budget amendments for the current fiscal year. The motion to approve was approved unanimously by the four council members present. Councilman Scot Shanks was out of town for the meeting.

Councilman Danny Wyatt asked for the budget vote to be taken separately and to have $40,000 in funds from the Hotel/Motel tax to be specifically earmarked for the economic development for possible future partnerships with one of several potential regional groups. City manager Greg Wood explained that all the funding from the Hotel/Motel tax was directed toward economic development and tourism so he didn't feel any additional earmarking was necessary. Wyatt moved to make the change anyway and to approve the budget. Wyatt's motion was also unanimously approved.

Two additional readings of the budget and tax rate are required with the next reading expected at the council's regular June meeting along with a public hearing on the budget. One additional special called meeting will be required to approve the budget by the end of June.

A public hearing on the city's capital improvement plan was held but none of the public attended and no comments were made. The plan was also unanimously approved.

Click here to download PDF of the Capital Improvement Plan.

Council deferred action on a request from the county for a waiver of fees related to inspection of the construction of the Crab Orchard Elementary School. Council requested additional information including an estimate of the time and mileage required for the services provided by the city.

Council approved the purchase of a Jet A fuel truck for use at the Crossville Memorial Airport at a cost of $20,000. The city's portion of the cost under a grant is $10,000.   

FIrst Reading of Crossville Budget and Tax Rate on Thursday Called meeting Agenda

The Crossville city council has a full agenda for the special.called.meeting set for Thursday, May 24 at noon.

Among the items on the agenda are the first of three readings required to approve the city's 2018-19 fiscal year budget and the property tax rate of 59 cents, no change from last year.  The budget stands at $1.1 million in the red with the balance to come from the general fund balance with 10 times the deficit amount. CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the budget.

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A public hearing on the budget will be held on June 12, prior to the Council's June regular meeting.

A public hearing is set on the city's capital improvement plan at the start of the meeting and approval of the plan is also on the agenda. Click here to download PDF of the Capital Improvement Plan.

Council will consider a request from County Mayor Ken Carey that the city waives the fees on building permits and inspections for the Crab Orchard school project.  The estimated fees are just over $20,000. 

The purchase of a Jet A fuel truck for the airport will be considered.  A used truck has been located at a cost of $20,000. A grant will fund half the purchase with the city matching the grant.

A few other housekeeping mattered are also on the agenda. 

Monday Special Called Meeting and work session set for City Council.

Crossville city council has held a number of meetings in April and will hold both a special called meeting and a work session on animal control Monday, April 16 starting at 5 PM in the third-floor conference room.

The main topic for the special called meeting is wastewater treatment plant emergency work. The city staff is working with the engineer on receiving quotes for sludge removal of two basins taken offline while the previous contractor worked on the expansion project. Earlier this month the city ended work by that contractor that was not satisfactory.

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In addition, city staff is reviewing a proposal from the second low bidder to complete mechanical work at the plant. Recommendations on both items will be available at the meeting for Council to consider.

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In addition, a short consent agenda includes two items, one on allowing drive-through windows at liquor stores and also a budget amendment for additional testing required at the Dorton Landfill.

The work session to follow will discuss animal control issues and a presentation by city manager Greg Wood.  

The public is welcome to attend both meetings. 

Crossville City Council to hold Executive Session and Special Called Meeting Thursday

In an effort to work out issues between the city and contractor J. S. Haren over work at the city's wastewater treatment plant, the council will meet in private executive session with city attorney Will Ridley followed by a special called meeting.  The closed session is set for Thursday, April 5 at 5 PM followed by the special called meeting at 5:15 PM in room 317 at city hall.

Problems with the work by the contractor and delays in completion of the upgrades have been a problem and led to negotiations to end the contract between the city and the contractor.  At the end of the council's Tuesday work session, attorney Ridley advised the council he had been negotationg with the contractor's attorney.  Plans for a special called meeting were already in the works at that time.

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In addition to trying to settle the issues with the contractor, the council will consider a proposal to retire a police K-9 due to health issues.  The dog's handler has agreed to care for the dog at his expense as a pet.

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Four items are on the consent agenda including budget amendments on Waner Complex scoreboards, Catoosa water meters and an additional school resource officer and amending the ordinance on the sports and entertainment board.

Council to hold Special Called Meeting Tuesday evening March 27 following a closed executive session.

Crossville City Council will hold closed executive session with city attorney Will Ridley at 5:15 PM followed by a special called meeting at 5:45 PM Tuesday evening March 27.

Crossville City Hall file photo

While the topic of the executive session is not given, an item on the called agenda will discuss the contract between the city and the J. S. Haren Company about the improvements at the city's wastewater treatment plant. The council has previously discussed some of the delays and issues in the project.

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Council will also consider an emergency purchase for the wastewater treatment plant press process.

Other items on the called agenda include a number of consent items including the third and final readings of rules of the road to update the city's traffic ordinances with changes to state law, second readings of budget amendments on buying scoreboard for Warner Complex and water meters for Catoosa utility district and hiring a new SRO for the Phoenix School.

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Council will also discuss a grant, the TNECD facade grant.

Council will consider selecting the low bidder for the site development grant work on the site grading and work for a pad to be ready for construction in the Interchange Business Park.

Agenda Released for City Council Special Called Meeting Thursday January 25 at Noon on Proposed Hotel/Motel Tax

Crossville city council will meet in special called session at Noon on Thursday, January 25 for an expected brief meeting.

The Main item on the agenda is the required second approval of a resolution requesting the Tennessee General Assembly approve a change to the Crossville City Charter allowing the city to assess a hotel/motel tax proposed at 3 percent. 

Crossville City Hall

In addition, the resolution requests the legislature to approve a waiver to actually allow the city to legally assess the tax.  The state has issued a number of such waivers in the last few years as the law does not allow both the county and city to assess the tax unless it was done prior to 1988 or whichever entity instituted it first.  The County currently charges a 7.5 percent hotel/motel tax.

According to Cumberland County Finance Director Nathan Brock in the fiscal year 2016-17 the County collected $829,757.00.  The city's expected revenue from the tax would be just under $300,000 for the same time frame. 

The resolution was first approved in a special called meeting on Tuesday evening January 23.

Other items on the agenda are routine ordinance readings including establishing the Sports and Event Council, budget amendments and final reading of the ordinance discouraging smoking at Garrison Park. 

Crossville Council calls special meeting Tuesday January 23 at 5:15 PM

Council Special Called Meeting January 23, 2018, at 5:15 PM

The Crossville City Council has a special called meeting set for Tuesday evening January 23 at 5:15 PM in Council Chambers at Crossville City Hall.  The agenda includes routine items, a grant possibility, and discussion of a citywide hotel/motel tax.

Crossville City Hall

Most of the items on the agenda are routine consent agenda items that the council has acted on before including second reading of an ordinance discouraging smoking at Garrison Park and the ordinance establishing a sports council.

Council will also consider authorizing the application for a $10,000 grant to US Bank for specialized playground equipment as part of the improvements to Garrison Park. The grant is used for musical play items for both developmentally challenged and general population youth. No match is required for this grant.

The main item causing the special call appears to be a discussion on a resolution to the Tennessee General Assembly requesting the state allow Crossville to impose a hotel/motel tax to be earmarked for economic development and tourism funding. The discussion is to be lead by Councilman Danny Wyatt. Currently, there is a county hotel/motel tax authorized here.  

Crossville City Council Sets Special Called Meeting Tuesday November 7 on Employee Health Insurance.

UPDATED: A new item has been added to the called meeting agenda "discussion and action on a TOSHA Complaint." TOSHA is Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the matter was originally set for a closed executive session on Friday that was later canceled and the item moved to the upcoming called meeting agenda.  City attorney Will Ridley will present a complaint from the Tennessee Attorney General for direction from the council.  No further information on the matter has been released at this time.

The Crossville city council will hold a special called meeting Tuesday, November 7 at 5 PM immediately before the council's regular monthly work session.

While several items are on the agenda, the main reason for the called meeting is to consider a recommendation from the city manager and staff on changes to the city employees health insurance. The city has been looking at some possible ways to save money on health insurance provided to city employees without causing financial impacts for the employees.

Crossville City Hall

Council had looked at a possible program offered by the Tennessee Municipal League of self-insuring but the time to evaluate that program has been inadequate.

After reviewing council comments from a recent work session and looking at options, the city is proposing a program that is expected to save the city some $43,425 in health insurance costs and puts a program in place to assist employees with their deductibles. The program helps fund a flex-spending plan for employees by matching the funds, up to $500 that the employee puts in their account.

An employee that puts in $200 pretax and the city matches the $200 but the cost to the city is only $184.70 because of the reduction in matching FICA and Medicare deductions.

The goals of the program, according to information with the agenda item are: 1) to save the City and therefore the taxpayers’ money. 2) to help the employees with their health care deductible. 3) to encourage the employees to consider their health care needs and make use of available tools provided by the City to manage those needs and costs.

The agenda information concludes saying, “If the Council wishes to fully evaluate the costs and potential savings of going to the self-insurance route, staff recommends going out for bid in June of 2018 so that you have the time to evaluate the option and will be able to compare apples to apples on proposals.”

The remaining items are under a consent agenda and include third and final reading of the budget ordinance on depot management, council order of business, Homestead Tower sewer line extension and telecommunications code. The second reading of a budget amendment for the purchase of fire trucks is also up for consideration.  

Crossville council to consider approval of Downtown sidewalk grant in Wednesday Noon called meeting.

The Crossville city council will meet in special called session Wednesday, September 27 at noon in Crossville city hall.

Current state of Downtown Crossville

sidewalks.

The main reason for the meeting is for the council to do a final review and vote on the Transportation Alternatives Program grant that the city is hoping to use to make improvements to the downtown sidewalks. The total estimated cost of the project is just over $1.5 million and the city's match of 20 percent is around $316,000. In addition, the cost of lighting materials that city crews will install is $295,000.

Crossville city council members L-R:

J.H. Graham, Danny Wyatt, Mayor James Mayberry,

Pamala Harris and Scot Shanks.

Because the project is nearly identical to the one that the city previously planned most of the design and right-of-way work is already done but the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will have to review the project once again. The project starts at the Lantana Road intersection of Main Street and continues to the north side of Neecham Street.

The grant is submitted this fall but will not be announced until next October. The bids are expected to be put out in November of 2019 and the construction phase runs from March to November 2020. Previously it was announced that TDOT planned to pave Main Street through Downtown sometime during 2020.

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Also during the called meeting council will also consider a grant application to the Stanton Foundation for $10,000 toward the purchase of a K-9 dog and bulletproof vest. The grant is specifically for departments that have lost a dog in the line of duty.

Additional agenda items for the called meeting are ordinance readings that have previously been approved including water plant improvements, closing Municipal Avenue, budget amendments and a change order for the Meadow Park raw water pump generator.   

Central Communications Committee to hold special called meeting Monday August 28 on personnel and insurance

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

OF THE CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (CCC)

FOR CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Notice is hereby given that the Central Communications Committee (“CCC”) for Cumberland County, Tennessee will meet in special session on Monday, August 28, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., local time in Conference Room 317 at Crossville City Hall, 392 Main St., Crossville, Tennessee. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss personnel matters and insurance.

The committee oversees the consolidated Dispatch/911 Center serving all areas of Cumberland County, Tennessee and the Cities of Crossville, Pleasant Hill, and Crab Orchard. Dispatchers perform emergency and routine dispatch operations for all emergency response agencies in the County, as well as responding to all local land line and wireless 911 calls.

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Committee members include:

Chairman: Cumberland Co. Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr.

Vice Chairman: City Manager: Greg Wood

EMA Director Keith Garrison

Crossville Police Chief David Beaty

Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner

Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox

Cumberland Co. Fire Chief Trevor Kerley

EMS Director Chris Miller

Cumberland Co. Board Chairman Everett Bolin

Cumberland Co Commission to consider 2017-18 budget and tax increase Monday

With a 6 cent property tax increase proposed to fund school construction, the Cumberland County Commission budget committee has a special called meeting and two public hearings set for Monday July 31 starting at 5 PM.

Because this is a reappraisal year a second public hearing by the full county commission is set for 5:30 PM to give the public a chance to comment on the plan to exceed the certified tax rate from the reappraisal. Real property values in the county have increased by some $40 million from 5 years ago and personal property is up by some $4 million.  The way the reappraisal works is these increases are offset by a reduction in the tax rate to provide the same revenue to the county.

The certified tax rate is set at $1.5053 by the Tennessee Comptrollers office and the county is proposing a tax rate of $1.5653.  The tax rate for last year was $1.5275

The county property tax rate is divided up as follows:
$0.5962 for the general fund,
$0.6159 for the general school fund,
$0.1207 for the solid waste/sanitation fund, and
$0.2325 for the debt service fund

In addition, the county commission has a resolution before it to authorize the issuance of debt not to exceed $12,350,000

The County Commission will convene in special session at 6 PM Monday July 31 to consider those resolutions along with full 2017-18 county budget and the appropriations for non-profit charitable organizations.

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City Council to hold special called meeting and work session Tuesday June 6 on budget and other topics

The Crossville city council will hold a special called meeting followed by a work session on Tuesday June 6 starting at 5 PM. Both meetings will be held in the third floor conference room.

Items on the special called meeting agenda include the first reading in title only of the city's 2017-18 fiscal year budget and the tax rate. No increase in the tax rate has been proposed for city taxpayers. The latest version of the budget stands at $1.4 million in the red but additional changes are expected before the third and final reading of the budget is approved.

Council will consider a year end budget amendment to cover some budget lines that have gone over their budgeted amounts. The amendment would add $19,050 to administrative line items and $82,000 to the state street aid budget.

As part of the work on the 17-18 budget, the council discussed paying off some of the city's short tem loans using money from the general fund balance. On the called agenda is possible action on paying off two loans of $728,000 for paving and $807,000 for the purchase of police cars. If approved, the action would reduce debt service payments in the upcoming budget year.

Other items on the called meeting agenda include an amendment to the city's municipal code concerning tree removal of dead or dying trees in a timely manner when they create a hazard. Council will also consider moving additional funds to First Bank in Crossville, a contract for the urban and community forestry program and the purchase of a used tandem fifth wheel.

The regular monthly work session for the council is set to start at 5:15 PM.

Included in the meeting is a presentation by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System to explain new programs they have available that they did not have when Crossville left the program several years ago.

Members of Crossville city council: L-R

J.H. Graham, Danny Wyatt, Mayor James Mayberry

Pamala Harris and Scot Shanks.

Council will consider the Request for Proposals that have been received for a performing a special census in the city limits. The recommended proposal has most recently done a special census for the town of Farragut.

Councilman Danny Wyatt has several items on the agenda that he would like to discuss including forming a committee to consider changes to the city charter, the purchase of the remaining handle mill property next to the Art Circle Public Library and the establishment of a sports recruitment committee to bring in sporting events to Crossville and Cumberland County. Wyatt also plans to discuss an evaluation program for new city manager Greg Wood at the conclusion of his first 6 months in office at the start of September.

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Council member Pamala Harris has asked for a discussion of striping Main Street after TDOT advised they would not repave that portion of the road until 2020.

Other items for discussion include a number of grant programs including a PetSafe grant for dog park equipment, a Narcan grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield, an Agriculture enhancement grant for additional trees and an ordinance on extending city sewer to developed subdivisions outside the city limits.

Council will set an alternate date for the July work session as the regular date falls on Independence day. Council will conclude the work session with work on the new fiscal year budget.   

Crossville city council holds called meeting and work session Thursday evening

Crossville city council has a busy night Thursday with a special called meeting and a work session all starting at 5 PM at Crossville city hall.

Crossville city hall

The called meeting includes discussion and possible action on the city's downtown sidewalk project. The sidewalk project has been discussed as far back as 14 years when a complete makeover of downtown first was discussed. As the years went by and the costs grew, the council dropped much of the downtown improvement program leaving waterlines and sidewalks. Plans to bid out sidewalk work was changed and now appears to be most likely done by the city street department over a 2 year period.

Downtown sidewalk

Tied to the sidewalk project is a new traffic signal installation at the intersection of Main Street and Lantana Road at the bottom of water tank hill. The changes are needed to level out the corners to make ADA accessible sidewalks through the area. The city is seeking grant money for that part of the project.

Also on the called agenda is approval of a memorandum of understanding related to a grant from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association to assist with recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and several budget amendments.

The work session to follow the called meeting is on the city's capital plan and the 2016-17 operating budget.   

Special called meeting once again on Shooting Park 4:45 Tuesday April 4--New contract to be considered

Once again a special called meeting has been set to discuss and possibly take action on the proposed Shooting Sports Park on Albert Frye Rd.

The called meeting will be Tuesday at 4:45 PM immediately prior to The already scheduled monthly work session.  The topic was also on the work session agenda set for 5 pm and could be on the council's regular April meeting as well.

A shooting demonstration was held Saturday morning on the property proposed to let those living near the site hear how loud the operation might be. 

UPDATE: A new sales contract with a proposed closing date of April 10, 2017 has been released and included a restriction on use of property along Albert Frye Rd. That prohibits anything but archery or air guns next to the road.  That appears to be the major change to the contract.

Link to updated Contract

Map of proposed shooting park property

showing area restricted to archery/air guns.

Memo from Crossville police chief David Beaty

on sound test results

Crossville council holds special called meeting and work session Tuesday evening

The Crossville city council will meet in a brief special called meeting followed by the monthly March work session Tuesday March 7 in the third floor conference room.

The special called meeting to handle Centennial Park concessions bids will be held at 5:00 PM. The city has received two bids for the operation of the concessions operations at Centennial Park, the Duer Soccer Complex and Garrison Park. Proposals were received from Nick's Italian Ice and W6 concessions.

A committee was appointed by the interim city manager to study the proposals and make a recommendation to the council. Quick action is needed to be ready for a tournament scheduled for March 17-19.

Immediately following the called meeting the council will meet in work session to discuss a number of items expected to be on the regular meeting agenda March 14. Subjects on the work session include rehiring of previously retired employees, the city's annual capital improvement plan and a discussion of the solid waste collection contract.

Previous discussion on the subject of rehiring previously retired city employees has revealed that rules by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) mean that such actions are more expensive then hiring those who were not previous retirees. Those rehires must be returned to the TCRS retirement program that costs the city some 18 percent of the employee's salary each year versus a retirement cost of between 5 and 8 percent for the program the city uses for new hires similar to a 401K program.

The city Human Resources department is requesting the council to approve a policy on the conditions of any such rehiring. According to the agenda information the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) surveyed some Tennessee cities and of the 14 responses only 2 advised they would rehire a previous retiree in a full time capacity.

The council will be presented with a rough draft of the annual capital improvement plan prepared by finance director Fred Houston. Council will review the document and determine if a work session is necessary to review the plan in more detail and get more information.

As the city gets closer to the deadline for notifying their contractor Cumberland Waste Disposal of the decision on whether to rebid the city's solid waste collection contract or to take the work back in house to be done by city employees. Street department supervisor Kevin Music will be addressing the issues that need addressed as the city moves forward to make that decision.

Also on the council work session are discussion of a telecommunications facility ordinance and a moratorium on new facilities until the city can complete work on the ordinance. The ordinance would govern towers, antennas for cell service, broadband internet and other communications technologies. The ordinance is being developed by a committee of several departments involved and still has finishing touches needed before final approval.

The city is looking at a system to provide city sewer to developed areas out side of the city limits because the new rules on annexations. The city has received requests for sewer service and has been looking at ways they can provide the needed service in a fair way. The policy is being developed and will be presented to council with a request for some decisions for moving forward with the program.    

Busy Tuesday for city council includes rehiring retirees, hiring new city manager, public records policy and more.

The Crossville city council has a very busy Tuesday night with a work session, a special called beer board and a special called meeting to discuss hiring a new city manager.

The meetings get underway February 7 at 5 PM with the work session and at 6 PM the special called beer board will deal with allegations of underage sales by three Crossville beer licensees and the special called council meeting to possibly move forward with hiring a new city manager after interviews that took place January 30 and 31.  The meetings will take place a city hall.

Other items on the work session agenda include the rehiring on a previous retiree and the effect on insurance and retirement benefits. Some questions have cropped up with the rehiring of David Beaty as regular police chief after he took the early retirement buyout from the position 2 years ago. The agenda item is listed as “discussion on rehire of retired employees in a full time status and the effects on the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System."  Beaty, along with a number of other city employees received a lump sum payment of 6 months of salary and continued health insurance at the time they left. It was not expected any of those employees would return to work for the city at the time they left.

Crossville Police Chief David Beaty

One question relates to the healthcare benefits received by the retirees that included a city paid insurance benefit until age 65 and Medicare eligibility. A 2015 spread sheet from the finance department shows that Beaty had been recieving medical, dental and vision insurance at a total cost of $521.11 a month.

 City attorney Will Ridley gave an opinion at the request of former interim city manager Steve Hill that rehired retirees would be eligible to receive the insurance benefit after they left the city's employment after being rehired. Ridley's opinion states that by adopting the retirement plan the city created a contractual obligation to provide the benefit. Ridley wrote, “It is my opinion that Mr. David Beaty will be entitled to continue to receive the bridge insurance at the time of his next separation from the city employment or until he becomes Medicare eligible.”

According to Human Resources Manager Leah Crockett, no other employee hired at the current time would be eligible to continue health insurance after separation. It is also unclear if a rehired retiree employee would keep the bridge insurance if they were fired for cause.

Council will discuss the proposed sale of part of the city's Chestnut Hill landfill property to a non-profit group for use as the proposed Shooting Sports Park. Should the sale of the property be approved by council at their February regular meeting, the sale would have to be advertised for 30 days under a provision of the city Charter. The project has been in the works for almost two years and a large part of the funding will come from TWRA.

Detailed story on Shooting Sports Park.

With changes approved by the Tennessee General Assembly last year on public records law, the council will consider an update to the related ordinance and a new model policy for access to public records. According to the agenda information the new policy is not substantially different from the city's current policy and ordinance. The new policy requires a report annually to the Council regarding compliance and it requires review every two years. Other small changes including allowing for the use of a requestor provided storage device for electronic records, eliminating any charges that total less than $5.00, and changes in the form for requesting records.

Link to new public records policy (Link downloads a PDF file)

Operation of the city's new corporate hanger at Crossville Memorial Airport will also be up for discussion on the work session agenda including a fee schedule, utilities and other operational items. A final change order will also be discussed returning some $13,000 to the city. The hanger has now been turned over to the city's control.

Other items for discussion include:

• geotechnical studies to be preformed on the proposed location to be used for the site development grant to construct a ready for construction pad;
• outside city limits sewer connections;
• appointment of council member Pamala Harris to the Lake Commission;
• and a training for council members on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  

Crossville city council could choose a new city manager as early as February 7 in a special called meeting.

Crossville city council appears much closer to deciding on the hiring a new city manager after interviewing the three remaining finalists twice.

A special called meeting is set for Tuesday February 7 at 6:30 PM. That will be a busy night for the council with a work session set for 5 PM, a special called beer board at 6:00 PM and the called meeting to consider hiring a city manager.

The called meeting's agenda is listed as “discussion and action on hiring a city manager.” Members could either move forward with a hiring decision or discuss and decide on how to proceed with the decision. It is unclear which way they will go. At the end of the second work session, Councilman Scot Shanks said he would like to see a unanimous vote for whoever is chosen.

Councilman J. H. Graham has been unable to attend most of the interview meetings in person due to recent emergency surgery and while he is improving it is unclear if he will be able to attend the called meeting next Tuesday.

Council members interviewed three finalist candidates for the city manager position.

Here they talk to Steve Foote.  Very few of the public attended the interview sessions.

Council spent several hours Monday and Tuesday asking questions of the three candidates including Dennis Sparks and David Foote Monday then Greg Wood on Tuesday evening. Council had planned a second interview Tuesday but the candidate Mark Reeter informed the city he had taken another position.

One of the more interesting questions asked of the 3 remaining candidates came from new council member Scot Shanks asking each to describe themselves in 5 words. Candidate David Sparks described himself as “honest, organized, faithful, skilled and experienced.” David Foote described himself as “determined, ethical, analytical and having common sense.” The final candidate, Greg Wood answered the question saying that he was “genuine, a simple man, compassionate, logical, not taking himself too seriously and a team player.”

Each candidate was asked about their preferred working hours and if they would participate in events after hours if needed. All indicated they were not regular office hour employees and that they would participate in events outside of regular hours as well.

Mr. Sparks and Mr. Wood have both served as county administrators or managers previously and Mr. Foote has been a director of planning and community development. Foote was asked by councilman Shanks about why they should consider him over the others who had more experience and Foote responded that the other applicants did not have manager experience when they got their first job in that position.

Foote also described himself as successful in many different jobs and that he always tried to do more than expected. “My employers got more than they paid for with me.”

Councilman Harris asked eac candidate about how they handled relations with the press. Mr. Sparks said, “Tell them the truth.” Mr. Foote said that news was an important aspect adding that it used to be newspapers but now includes other outlets and social media. He added that he liked to work in harmony with the media. Mr. Wood said that he had done public affairs work during his time in the air force and said the best thing is to be straight with them, “Don't seem like you're hiding something from them.”

The three candidates all spent some time in Crossville prior to the in person interviews. Mr. Sparks, who has worked in aviation said he enjoyed visiting the airport and in addition he observed lots of retail business, restaurants and manufacturing. He commented on Crossville being the Golf Capital of Tennessee. “This is a nice city that you can be proud of and I'd be proud to work for you,” commented Sparks.

Mr. Foote described Crossville as “Thriving, a place people are moving to, not away from. It is important to be a place people want to be.”

Mr. Wood said that “Crossville was a great place to live.” He said he had looked around and found out some things adding, “None of it scared me off.”

Mayor James Mayberry has called for a special meeting Tuesday at Noon, subject Steve Hill's job

Crossville mayor James Mayberry has called for a special meeting Tuesday at noon to discuss the removal of Steve Hill as city manager.  The text of the single agenda item, removal of city manager says, "Due to pending litigation, revelations from grievance at Personnel Board meeting, and insecurity among employees, Mayor Mayberry feels it is in the best interest of the City to terminate Mr. Hill."

Mayor Mayberry calls for Hill's dismissal

In addition to possible action firing Hill as interim city manager, council will also discuss an interim city manager to replace Hill until a new city manager can be hired.

It is extremely rare for a special meeting to be called in the middle of a holiday weekend.

Steve Hill

Agenda released for Friday's special called Crossville city council meeting

The agenda for the special called meeting originally set for Monday September 19 but moved to Friday September 16, has been released and includes an item requesting action by the District Attorney.

The agenda, pictured below, includes a number of routine items covered under a consent agenda and 5 additional items.  One additional item placed on the agenda by Councilman Jesse Kerley seeks action by the DA and that is expected to be about allegations of extortion against councilman Pete Souza over derogatory items that had been in interim city manager Steve Hill's personnel file but have since removed from his file by Mr. Hill.

An item on a salary increase to the city judge, currently Ivy Gardener is up for consideration.  A judge will be appointed once the new council is sworn in in December and any raise would go into effect at that time.  A raise can not be granted during a judge's term but must take affect at the start of a new term.  This item was placed on the agenda at the request of councilman Jesse Kerley.

A 5 percent raise is also proposed for interim police chief Mark Rosser.  This was briefly discussed at the regular September meeting by manager Hill because the position of major formerly held by Rosser has not been filled yet and places more administrative burden on chief Rosser.

Council will discuss the renewal of the city's health policy plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.  The increase for the upcoming year has been determined to be 6 percent.  The agenda sates that this is the lowest increase in 5 years to the city.

Council will discuss and consider action on the request for qualifications on the proposed splash pad for Centennial park. Several engineering firms have submitted information and the council will select one to do the design work.