Downtown Street Conditions Concern For Business Owners

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Town of Dandridge held their Regular Voting Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Public Works Building.  A Public Forum was held regarding an upcoming request for a Beer Permit for Walt’s Hitchin’ Post. Owner Walt Rosin was the only speaker at the forum.

Following the close of the forum, the Beer Board convened. All Board members were present for Roll Call. With a Motion from Alderman Chambers and 2nd from Alderman Farrar the Minutes were Approved. Alderman Jones made a Motion to Approved the Beer Permit Application of Walter Rosin and was 2nd by Farrar. The Motion was Approved with Aldermen Kesterson and Thornhill voting No.

After the Adjournment of the Beer Board, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen was Called to Order by Mayor Gantte. Minutes were Approved with a Motion from Alderman Nelson and 2nd from Alderman Chambers. The Consent Agenda was Approved with a Motion from Thornhill and 2nd from Kesterson. It was reported that the Bank Account has a balance of $827,689-Drug fund $13,390-Money Market $ 69, 964.

Town Administrator Peagler informed the Board that she and Adele Sensing, of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, were bringing the recommendation of Thompson Engineering for the upcoming waterfront proposal. Farrar made a successful Motion to accept the recommendation and was 2nd by Jones. The contract with Thompson will be finalized at a Called Meeting later this month and the first public meeting will be in late October.

Board Members were informed that bids were returned for Town uniforms and the current company, Aramark, came in as the low bidder and is the recommendation of the Finance Director and Town Recorder, who have been working on the issue. Chambers made a Motion to accept the recommendation and was 2nd by Farrar. The Motion was amended, by consent, to include an easy care option that considers replacement uniforms that are destroyed and is easier to budget than absorbing the cost at the time of destruction. The Motion, as amended, was Approved.

Website bids are in for the Town website and have a wide rage of cost and services. Peagler stated that she was not ready to make a recommendation to the Board and, with a Motion from Nelson and 2nd from Chambers, the item was rolled to the next meeting.

A lengthy discussion regarding the replacement of two mowers for the Field of Dreams and a differing opinion on the type of brand to purchase led to two failed motions. The first, by Farrar and 2nd by Jones, to purchase the Department’s request of two mowers from Alpha Outdoor for a cost of $8,395 each failed 3-4 with Gantte, Nelson, Kesterson and Thornhill voting No. Kesterson’s Motion for the purchase of one mower from Alpha Outdoor, 2nd by Chambers, failed with Gantte, Nelson, Jones and Thornhill voting No and Farrar abstaining. Department head Gann stated that he and his crew are comfortable and familiar with the brand carried by Alpha Outdoor and that safety and parts availability are a paramount concern. Gann offered to personally cover the difference in costs of the two brands in discussion to maintain using the current brand. Nelson (who was on the prevailing side) revisited the original motion to purchase two mowers from Alpha Outdoor and was 2nd by Jones. The Motion to reconsider Passed unanimously.

With a Motion from Jones and 2nd from Chambers the Board Approved the purchase of 125 tons of deicing salt from North American and 75 tons of deicing salt from Morton for a total of 200 tons.

With a Motion from Jones and 2nd from Farrar, the Board Approved a road/bridge closure for Running Like a Fish Out of Water, a Dandridge Community Trust and Boys/Girls Club event( previously Douglas Dash) to take place on November 8, 2014 from 4:45 to 6pm. The Motion included a request for a different track path next year.

Peagler stated that letters will go out to downtown business owners next week concerning parking limitations in downtown Dandridge. She said that most parking is limited to two hour parking and the Town will be moving toward upholding the parking constraints.

With a Motion from Farrar and 2nd from Jones, Stephanie Churchwell was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Peagler brought a request from the Dandridge Community Trust for a $1,000 donation for sponsorship of a December 5, 2014 performance of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at the First Baptist Church in Dandridge. Farrar requested information regarding other DCT projects that are not completed. DCT representative Tina Morrow stated that this opportunity presented itself late and offers a cultural component to residents and visitors. Farrar stated that she is in favor of the event but was concerned about closure of other projects. With a Motion from Jones and 2nd from Chambers the Motion was Approved 6-1 with Nelson voting No.

Jones requested an update on the road work in the historic town square, stating that impact to business owners has been ongoing. He said that he has had several residents express concern regarding the condition of the road. Peagler stated that she anticipates that in ground work will be finished by the end of the week and she is joining with Jefferson Cocke Utility in hopes that combining the paving projects will result in a lower bid. Peagler stated that the State will not pave until November but she anticipates that the road condition will improve somewhat before that time. The Water Department still has cuts ins for taps at three or four locations and they were working on that project on Tuesday evening.

Peagler said that the Town will likely lose lake access with the bridge project and impact to the library is still largely unknown. The Library Board may consider purchasing the 1st right of refusal to property adjacent to the current location for future expansion and it is possible that she may return with a request for the Town to also purchase a 1st right of refusal with the Library to assure lake access.