The July 10th, 2023 meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council is now called order. Our indication
tonight will be led by Reverend Will Conner from Kern United Methodist Church, followed by the
pledge of allegiance led by Emma Beard, a rising fifth grader at Jefferson Middle School, all
stand please. You're so inclined, I invite you to join me in prayer.
O God of this land and every land, I give you thanks that in world of uncertainties your
presence is certain. I give you thanks that in a world where violence and war are all
to common, you show the way of peace. I give you thanks that in a world of won't you advocate
a supply of plenty. Today we come into this space from home and places of work bringing the
complexities of our humanness, joys, hopes, burdens and disappointments. I pray now for our city of Oak Ridge.
May your desires for equity, love and concern for all be present. May all who call this home,
or find employment here be filled with a provision of plenty in a charitable spirit. I pray
now for this council and for their families. We move our hearts with a spirit of strength, concern,
and service. Fill in them a desire to serve, rather than be served, grant to them ears to hear,
wisdom to discern and courage to lead, and may each of us in a place of privilege. Here in
those that are all too often marginalized. May each one in leadership or otherwise make the
most of this time and of every day. And when our days are over, forgive or God, all that is left,
done, or undone. May you remind all of us of your unfailing love that promises strength for each day
in your gracious presence, I pray. Amen. Amen. Okay, I'm up.
I pledge of allegiance to the fire of United States of America, to the Republic, the richest
stance, one nation, under God, and the visible liberty, and justice for all. Thank you, Emma.
Rho call Madam Clerk. Mayor play Tim Doddson. Here. Councilmember Gleeson. Here. Mayor Gooch.
Councilmember Hammond. Yes. Councilmember Hensley. Yes. Councilmember Hensley. Yes. Councilmember Hensley. Yes. Councilmember Smith.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please call up the first item. The first item on the agenda is a
proclamation recognizing Shagako Uppillary. Do we have a motion to accept? We have a motion and a
second. Would you please read the proclamation? Whereas Shagako Uppillary passed away on June 8, 2023 at
the age of 92, and whereas no one embodies the commitment to a culture of peace, love and
understanding more than Shagako Uppillary, and she will be remembered for her unassuming nature,
her peaceful spirit, her patience, her excitement about trying something new, and her expression of love,
friendliness, and joy, often conveyed through a smile or a giggle, and whereas Shagako Uppillary lived
her early years with her family in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Kyoto. And in the late 1950s,
received a scholarship for graduate work at the University of Indiana, where she met her husband,
Rom Uppillary, a native of India, and whereas since she, in 1963, Shagako has been an ambassador and
mentored at countless oak ridges, as well as to Japanese and other international visitors. And whereas
this quiet, dynamo influenced international understanding through her work with such diverse
organizations as the Girl Scouts, the Children's Museum, Oak Ridge Schools, the League of Women
Voters, and Women's Interfaith Dialogue, and understanding the challenges of life in another country,
Shagako was instrumental in establishing a program at the YWCA to welcome and mental families from other
countries by helping with language doctors visit shopping or children in school, and whereas at Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, Shagako served as a translator and teacher of language and culture to
scientists traveling to Japan, and as Tennessee became host to Japanese companies establishing
auto-related businesses, she extended her mentoring and outreach to helping these guests adapt to their
new home. And whereas, when the 50th anniversary of Oak Ridge was planned in 1992, Shagako and
Rom proposed their idea for the International Friendship Bill to commemorate the event and chose
the theme Born of War, living for peace, growing through science. They, along with Oak Ridge
scientists, led successful efforts to raise the funds locally and in Japan, and arranged for the
Bell to be tasked by a master bell maker in Kyoto, and transferred it to the United States by the
Honda Company. And whereas Shagako founded the Oak Ridge Sister City Support Organization in 1991,
and for the last 30-plus years, is worked to prepare Oak Ridge Middle School students and teachers
for the exchange with Naka Middle School students and to prepare Oak Ridge families for their
knock of visitors. And whereas, in 2016, the Council General of Japan presented Shagako with
the Foreign Minister's Commendation Award, recognizing her contributions to the friendship and
understanding between Oak Ridge and Japan. And whereas, when the original structure housing the
friendship bell deteriorated, Shagako worked tirelessly as a member of the International Friendship
Bell Citizens Advisory Committee, along with her son, Rom, on creating and raising funds for
the beautiful new peace pavilion, the Bell's Home since 2018. And whereas, on August 5, 2023,
the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will hold a formal memorial service for Shagako.
Now, therefore, be a result of the Council of the City of Oak Ridge Tennessee that, in recognition
of her lifelong commitment to peace and her contributions to the Oak Ridge community, hereby on
our Shagako Uplari. Thank you, Madam Clark. At this time, we usually have discussion, but I would like
to just rephrase this. If anybody would like to share how they knew Shagako on council,
I would love to entertain that now. Good.
Councilman Hammond? Yeah. I was familiar with the work that she had done, but didn't have the privilege
in the opportunity to really know and personally. So, I'm going to display it for the opportunity
to honor her own tonight, and I really do appreciate we as a city taking the time to honor individuals
who make these kind of contributions through our city. So, God bless each of you who are here in God bless
her for our contributions to the city and to the world. Thank you, Councilmember Hammond.
Yes, I guess I agree. Call Shagako being everywhere, doing everything. Doing Argami at the Children's Museum,
engaged in celebrations with Girl Scouts in town, engaged with the Japanese visitors from Nakashi,
all of her work for the Belle in its different different different different times, different places,
and just being one of the sweetest people you could know. I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to give her
the key to the city. A couple years back at the Belle. That was very special. We will treasure her memory,
and we know that she's everywhere at this community. Thank you, Councilmember Smith.
Councilmember Hinsley. Thank you. I met Shagako at the Unitarian Church, and she always
greeted me with a bow and a smile. And she was one of the sweetest people that I believe I've ever met in my life,
and she's a good example of changing the whole world one person at a time, because you had to like her when
you met or so. It's my pleasure to be part of honoring her. Thank you, Mr. Hinsley.
Councilmember Hope. My great relationship with Shagako goes back many years. More so with her son,
Ron, we were in school together, and so I got to know her then. As high schoolers, and after that, just
all her tireless work for the community. She was always there, ready to champion anything. She was
really passionate about her work with the Lugmans and with the Naka program. It was amazing.
The friendship Belle, both times with the friendship Belle, tirelessly worked with that. And also,
it was a member of our rotary club. It was a new rotary club, and so I got to sit with her on several
occasions and had lunch with her. Always smile. Always positive. It's really nice to have somebody
like that, and it's a pleasure to be able to honor tonight. Thank you, Mr. Hope. And I'll finish it
out. The way I knew Shagako, I would see her at everything, and I called her Oak Ridge's Angel.
She had a halo around her head, and she had a smile on her face, and every time I met her,
she had good things to say about people. I want to say that she was more than just a Belle.
Being a middle school teacher, and having her touched so many middle school students and take them on the
trip of their life, and be there right beside them, doing all the adventures that they would do
as middle school. I can't do that, but she could. So I'm just really proud to have known such a delightful
lady, and we will miss her in our town. And I have a proclamation. I'm going to come up. If wrong,
if you will bring your guest with you tonight, if you'll come up, please.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, she feels regretting not on me, she helps us to wire along the knees and I'll
go for a check there. We'll get a picture first. If we could do that along, we'll let you stay on this side.
That's great.
Are you here?
I'll be very brief, but thank you Mayor Pro Tem Dodson and members of the City Council for this
warm proclamation. My mother enjoyed every minute of her life in Oak Ridge. I asked her long-time
friend and neighbor Marty Adler to be here tonight, along with very close friends Michio Odom there,
and Marissa nephew, who I think you all know. Jerry Luckman is here representing the Oak Ridge sister
city support organization, which was so important to my mom. Pat Postman, who has done so much for our
community, and along with her late husband, Herman played such a big role in the International Friendship
Bell project is here, the Children's Museum. I don't think there was an International Festival or Fair that my
mom didn't have to be a part of for the last 50 years. Thank you director best Jay for being here.
The noon rotary club and really all of Oak Ridge's wonderful civic organizations. Thank you Scott
Jamison for being here representing them. My mom had to take advantage of every opportunity to teach
young people to speak a little bit of Japanese, fellow Lori Gami or use chopsticks and eat Japanese food.
To me, her memory lives on in her dear friends in these wonderful community organizations and in the
people of Oak Ridge who meant so much to her and we're such an important part of her life. Thank you so much for
this wonderful honor. If there is anybody who wants to say a word or two about KGACO, but I think you all have said it so
beautifully. Thank you very much. Thank you so much, thank you so much.
It's going to be hard to follow that, but next item on the agenda madam clerk. So our next item is
elections and appointments and actually we just have elections. Tonight we usually bring those up on top
of the agenda for out of respect for the folks that might be here that are seeking the position so that we can
recognize them and not take a lot of their time up tonight. So our first election and let me just say first of
all that we had 19 applicants for five vacancies, which was probably like a record. I mean that was that's
that's we don't usually have that many vacancies in the mid-year, but we also don't usually get that many
applications. So grateful to everyone that has, they can see it's in January if you so desire.
So our first election is for the vacancy on the beer permit board. We have two applicants and if they're here,
I believe Mayor of Prachem Dalton would like for you to stand so that you can be recognized.
Julie Culver and Brianna Robinson are the two applicants and you're going to vote for one. We have one
vacancy and that's for the balance of an unexpired term ending on December 31, 2024.
This was the field of seat for the late Mark Cantrell that we honored some few months ago.
And again, you're going to vote for one.
Councilman Hammond votes for Ms. Colver. Councilman Smith votes for Ms. Robinson.
Councilman Hope votes for Ms. Colver.
Mayor Pertum Dodson votes for Ms. Robinson.
Councilman Hinsley votes for Ms. Colver.
And Councilman Glace and votes for Ms. Colver.
So Ms. Colver has forwarded? Yes. This Colver is elected.
Well, congratulations to Ms. Colver. If she's watching at home.
Okay, our next one is for the Environmental Quality Advisory Board.
And we have one vacancy due to a resignation.
So it's the balance of an unexpired term, also ending on December 31st, 2024.
And our applicants are Derek Guy, Elizabeth Henry, Anthony Tony McLean, and Marie Moe the Hill, and Noel Patty.
And you're going to vote for one.
Yeah, are they?
Okay.
Deep.
I would be angry all of you.
Thank you.
Hammond votes for Moe the Hill.
Smith votes for Moe the Hill.
Hope votes for Moe the Hill.
Dodson votes for Moe the Hill.
Hinsley votes for Moe the Hill.
And Gleason votes for McLean.
As a Moe the Hill has five.
Okay. So Ms. Moe the Hill is elected.
Congratulations.
And the next one is for the recreation and parks advisory board.
And we had a lot of interest for this one.
We always do since recreation is such a part of our city.
Our applicants are Matthew Berven, Robert Bonemort, Ashley Craven, Elizabeth Henry, and Miller,
Anne Marie Moe the Hill, Brianna Robinson, and Leela Sermack.
And you're going to vote for one.
Is there others?
Okay.
Good.
Hi.
I'm Ann Miller.
Thank you.
Good.
Have you?
You're so good.
I wish I could vote for two.
Hammond votes for Robinson.
Smith votes for Henry.
Hope votes for Robinson.
Dots and votes for Berven.
Hinsley votes for Miller.
And Glyson votes for Bonemort.
There is no majority vote.
Okay.
So we'll go to round two.
And usually we don't remove a candidate's name just because they didn't get any votes.
Because you know, sometimes that candidate might be the one that tips the hat.
So we're going to leave the all the names on there.
So we're going to try one more time.
Thank you.
Hammond votes for Robinson.
Smith votes for Miller.
Hope votes for Robinson.
Dots and votes for Miller.
Hinsley votes for Miller.
And Glyson votes for Robinson.
So still no majority.
So you have three and three, three for Miller, three for Robinson.
Okay.
So what I think we'll do on this round is, well, if you all do not object, we'll just do kind of the, yeah, we'll vote for two.
And we'll just do, you want to do just between Miller and Robinson.
Miller and Robinson.
Yes.
After the second round, we can do.
Thank you.
It's great to see so much interest on our boards.
This is great.
Beth, I'm sorry.
I wish we could vote for two on this.
But this, actually, I will say, this vacancy is only good until December 31 of this year.
So this vacancy and others will be up again in January.
So this is a very, this was also was.
Mark Kentrell's the rest of his term.
Mr. Kentrell passed away.
So that's why it's a quick turnaround.
He was in the last year of his term.
Okay.
Thank you.
Hammond votes for Robinson.
Smith for Miller.
Sorry, they're sticking to me.
Hope for Robinson.
Dodson for Miller.
Hensley for Miller.
Hensley for Robinson.
It remains three to three.
And I'm out of pages.
No, no, right.
Okay.
We'll try one more time.
Do what?
Councilman Gleason would like to take a look at some of his notes.
Oh, sure.
Yeah, absolutely.
Absolutely.
You can serve on more than one board.
And occasionally we do have that.
So I don't think we've chosen either one of these ladies so far.
But yes, if they choose to withdraw they can.
Okay.
Round four votes.
Hammond votes for Robinson.
Smith for Miller.
Hope for Miller.
Dodson for Miller.
Hensley for Miller.
Gleason for Robinson.
You've got your four.
All right.
Miller.
Good for a little drama.
Good kind of drama.
So our final and board is the traffic safety advisory board.
And we have two two vacancies on this board.
Both due to resignations for different reasons.
Hammond.
Yeah.
So this is where I was going with my previous question.
Yeah.
Right.
So both of you have been elected.
Other boards would you like to stay in for for this one as well.
You would.
You're a withdrawal.
Okay.
Thank you.
Miss Miller.
Thank you, Mr. Gleason.
Okay.
So you're going to vote for two on this one.
So you're going to vote.
Once an unexpired term ending December 31st, 2024.
And once ending December 31st, 2023.
We have Ashley Craven.
I was a bit Henry and Marie Moe the Hill.
And that's it.
That's all that's left.
You want to say that?
Or you say a nass?
How do you decide who gets which term?
We'll do that.
That's our next one.
That's our next vote.
Miller's been dropped off.
Miller did.
Yes.
So you got Ashley Craven.
Elizabeth Henry and Anne Marie Moe the Hill.
And you're going to vote for two.
Hammond votes for Craven and Henry.
Smith votes for Craven and Henry.
Hope votes for Craven and Henry.
Dodson votes for Henry and Moe the Hill.
Hensley votes for Craven and Henry.
And Gleason votes for Craven and Moe the Hill.
So Craven and Henry both have your majority votes.
Yeah.
They have they each have five.
Each have five.
Yeah, each have five.
Ashley Craven and Elizabeth Henry are elected.
Now the next step is, and I did a, I did a ballot up.
So one is the shorter term once the longer term.
I did a ballot where for the longer term where you just write beside the person's name that you want to have the 20 25 term just write 20 25.
And then whoever doesn't win that gets automatically gets the 20 24 term.
It's a little easier to vote for someone.
I think when you see the, you know, when they have a longer term.
Then we're voting for who gets the longer term.
They're voting for who gets the longer term and by default.
Then some, one of those two will get the shorter term.
Thanks.
Another one of those people are present, right?
I don't believe that.
Okay, so anybody had a preference.
Yes, the 20 20, yes, the 20, the year longer term 20 25.
Yeah.
Hammond votes for Craven.
Smith votes for Henry.
Hope votes for Henry.
Dodson votes for Craven.
Hensley votes for Henry.
Gleason votes for Craven.
Three, three.
You might have some more than that.
Desit price.
So it's three, three.
Well, we always like to have an odd number of.
Hammond votes for Craven.
Smith votes for Craven.
Hope votes for Craven.
Dodson votes for Henry.
Hensley votes for Henry.
Gleason votes for Craven.
So Craven would be your longer term.
Thank you all and just so just so you know and the public knows, we have left the positions open for the student representatives on the equal board and the T sub board traffic safety advisory board.
We did not get any applicants for those positions.
So we are leaving those open and we'll be doing those in August.
And then the Youth Advisory Board folks, we actually got 18 applicants.
Thank you, Madam Clark, and thank you to all the people who put their name in for these positions. I know my council members will agree that the board's and commissions do a lot of the work for our city, and we could not do this without you, and you get paid a lot for this position.
Okay, I'm going to move on. We have no special reports tonight, and I'm going to move on to the consent agenda, but prior to the consent agenda, I have something new to read.
This was New State legislation that was passed on July 1, and it pertains to citizens' comments during the consent agenda.
The next item for Council's consideration is the consent agenda. These items are considered by the city manager to be routine.
Absent council member requesting that item to be removed. The items on the consent agenda will be approved collectively with one vote of council.
If a member of the audience wishes to speak on any item on the consent agenda, please raise your hand once you are called on.
Please approach the electorate and state your name, address, and what item that you would like to speak about.
Comments are limited to three minutes, and will not generally result in any formal response or action at this time.
So at this time, if we have anybody in the audience who would like to speak on any item that is in only consent agenda, and you will see the consent agenda that's on your chairs.
Please come forward, state your name, address, and you'll give you three minutes in order to do that.
Okay, so we're going to take item P off the consent agenda.
Anybody would like to take, I'm sorry, are you coming up?
I don't care. I don't care. Yes, sir, your name and address.
Right, and Metro 148 or Hollywood Circle Oak Ridge.
Which I've got a question first, can anybody tell me who does this board over say the money that spent collected to apartments?
Okay, your question again, sir.
Does this board oversee the money that the electorate apartments paid?
We oversee the general budget, and the budget is spent by the electoral department, public works, and all other departments.
So we do oversee that.
Well, what it won't matter, issue is is the almost $400,000 they spend on that bulletproof glass.
Is this on the consent agenda, sir?
No.
Yeah, you will have another time at the end of the meeting where we talk about anything that's not on the consent agenda.
Okay.
Okay, thank you, sir.
Thank you, Reverend.
Don't ever have to appreciate that.
Okay, anybody else before I move on?
Okay, so we have removed item K and item P, item K and item P.
P is in pop up.
Any other letters to be removed from the consent agenda?
Okay, seeing none, do I have a motion?
Thank you.
Motion, and we have a motion in a second.
Any discussion?
Nope.
Okay.
All those in favor of approving the amended consent agenda, signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Any opposed?
Okay.
The consent agenda has been approved, and we'll come back to the items that were removed.
I'll start with item K.
Madam Clerk, will you please read item K?
Okay.
Thank you.
A resolution waving competitive is an authorizing the purchase of granite net software from Qs
Incorporated of Orlando, Florida, for cataloging wastewater video inspections, and an amount
not to exceed $58,000.
Move to approve.
We have a motion in a second.
I'm going to ask Patrick Merge if you could just address this, and then I'll ask.
I think this was removed by.
Yes.
So this is a software we use to catalog the videos we take of the wastewater system.
We've been using this software since 2008.
We have several pieces of equipment including a utility vehicle and a TV van, which you
utilize this software to take these videos.
Those are all bit competitively at the time.
At this time, this software needs to be upgraded, and this is the purchase of that software
that is then used with the systems that we have been using for 15 years.
Kalsman, can you have anything else?
Yes.
I may be going off the rails on this, but this is a great idea.
And so why don't we have something like this for roads with videos of the roads that need repair?
Well, we do.
It's brand new.
We've just received that in the past.
We've 12 months.
It's a Roger sitting back there.
But we did something like that with TPO and actually have received an updated catalog of those
roads, and then.
Yes.
Madam Clark, I'm just going to ask a point of order.
Do we go to the next item and then vote on both of these?
Okay.
So item K, do I have a motion to accept?
We already did.
Okay.
All those in favor?
I, in your post.
Motion passes.
Thank you, Kalsman.
Okay.
We're going to go on to P.
This was Ms. Smith who brought this one up.
And Otto Barr, would you mind commenting on this?
A resolution waving the competitive bid process and authorizing the purchase of a radar detection
system for traffic signals at the intersection of South Illinois Avenue and Lafayette
Drive from way of tronics of Springville, Utah in an amount not to exceed 41,770 dollars.
We have a motion in a second.
Okay.
It's on the floor.
Yes, sir.
This item is for the purchase from a sole source of radar detection system for the traffic
signals at the intersection of South Illinois and Lafayette.
And this is an anticipation of some road paving, repaving, and other project that may be
impacting that would be impacting this intersection.
And once that's done, in order to bring it back to normal, we have to go back and cut through
the asphalt and put the circuits back over there, so they can detect the cars that are there.
And with potential new traffic pattern with coming out of Y12, we thought that,
and redoing all of that, we, the cost of putting the circuits back would be very near to the cost of putting
the radar system over there, which would impact traffic less and wouldn't have to get us to cut
asphalt.
And it is more efficient.
And that's why we're trying to purchase those radar systems.
Thank you, Mr. Mark.
Yes, me.
Yeah, my, I pulled this off because I know that traffic signals are something that everybody in town has strong opinions about.
Correct.
And would like to know more about what's going on.
Right.
I think this is a really good idea to replace the current system with the radar that would
work in conditions where the current system doesn't just doesn't break,
because easily it's okay.
But, but one thing I wondered that I think other folks going to be wondering about is,
would this provide a capability for, you would,
would the stop light be able to count the number of people in line on one of those roads
and make, and adjust the timing to accommodate the people who are actually there,
or does it work simply basically the same way the,
the wires under the road work right now?
I know the system is a little bit more sophisticated to where it not only does it,
kind of detect the cars that are stopped there,
but it's going to also foresee the ones that have not made it yet.
Does it have a section to an extent?
Now, as far as whether it can count how many cars went through before,
it decides to turn red or grand that I'm not very sure.
See, Rogers here, he's not, he's not moving his head so he probably has nothing to add.
Good.
Thank you, Rogers. Come on up.
It has a thing called a advanced detection system,
and it can actually count back further than the normal queue.
The other thing that will happen, and you've heard about the CNAC project,
where we're taught all the signals together,
this thing will work with that also.
The immediate reason, and in your junior, you'll see the,
maybe it all off yet.
You're spot traffic looks, we're going to tear out doing that.
So, by putting this in, it saves us putting all those five loops back.
But to answer your question, it does have some of that capability.
Okay. Well, that's the sort of thing I was thinking people might be eager to know about
and they'll complain anyway, but it's nice to see that.
Yeah, we'll see that.
We're seeing that, but you'll also see some with this.
Okay.
I'll give you some more capability.
Okay. Thanks.
Okay.
Here are the questions.
There's also a question.
Is this, is this a radio is impacted by a rain,
whether it's storms or night times storms and those
different types of things?
The only thing that affects radar is lightning.
Okay.
It's really more dependable than the loops.
It's really good stuff. It works really well.
It doesn't like lightning.
Okay. Yeah, most things down.
Those things.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chancellor.
I was looking at, it's on page one of your letter, Ardo.
Yes.
And it says, considering the upcoming repaying project,
scheduled for Lafayette Drive, before the end of calendar year 2020,
and South Illinois is having a near Lafayette Drive,
is there anybody in here who thinks that New York Avenue is not worse
than Illinois Avenue?
I mean, is that out?
I think it might be because-
That's the different item, isn't it?
No, it's right here to say,
on the electric record, about parts of the radar protection system.
It's the next to the last paragraph on the letter.
And I was just wondering how did South Illinois's avenue
get selected over a street that I think is far worse,
and it may be because that's the state highway.
Mr. Mr. Ansley, by May the difference is that the Lafayette Drive project
is a city project along with New York Avenue.
Illinois Avenue is scheduled by the state using state funds,
and they have scheduled that work to be done next year.
That's the answer, thank you.
Any other questions?
Okay, we can go ahead and vote on this.
Are those in favour?
Sign if I'm the saying aye, please?
Any opposed?
Okay, motion carries.
Okay.
We're going to go on to our next part,
and now those are our ordinances.
And we do not need a public hearing for this.
So you want to go, you have the language.
The new language.
Yes.
We don't have public hearing.
No public hearing is required on either one of these ordinances.
I'm going to go ahead and read the language.
I know our mayor's going to love this language when he comes back.
So here we go.
As we move on to the next agenda items,
the chair shall recognize the citizens' opportunity to comment on items that are under consideration by the council as part of the formal agenda.
There shall recognize members of the public after all council members have been given an opportunity to be heard on an individual item.
A citizen will raise his or her hand and after recognition by the chair proceed to the public lectern and state his or her name and address.
Upon recognition by the chair, members of the public may speak for up to three minutes.
Women's statements may also be filed with the city clerk who shall distribute them to the council at the earliest possible time.
Again, this pertains to items that are on tonight's agenda.
That's again, items that are on tonight's agenda.
There will be an opportunity for citizens to speak on non agenda items and the appearance of citizen section later in the agenda.
Okay.
Madam Clerk next item.
Okay.
Under final adoption of ordinances, you have an ordinance to amend ordinance number 21-82 as amended.
By deleting the provision of section 13 pertaining to the schedule of wastewater rates in its entirety and substituting there for a new schedule of wastewater rates and to change all references to wastewater to sewer for clarity and ease of understanding.
We have a motion to adopt in the second.
I'm going to call on interim C Manager Jack Sides to clarify please.
Thank you Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
This is the second meeting of an ordinance to adjust sewer rates.
The adjustment is the minimum required to meet the mandate to the state to facilitate using the state-resolving fine loan to pay for the new water plant.
Thanks for packing October of 2024.
Okay.
Are there any questions from council? Okay. Seeing none, we're going to go to the board.
Oh, okay. Nobody race their hand.
Let me be very fair. Would anybody care to address this ordinance in the audience?
Okay. I don't see it. Just a little bit. So, we're going to ask everybody if anybody has a question about every ordinance and resolution that we're voting on tonight.
Sorry, I didn't put my mic on. Making sure the public just knows that they have the ability to speak.
But no. So, everybody in the room, if there's an item on the agenda that comes up just raise your hand when we get to that item.
After Ms. Hickman reads the title and in that way, Mayor pretend Dotson will know to recognize you after council has assessed it.
Thank you. Okay.
Now, we're going to the board on this one.
Please to adopt the ordinance.
I six to zero motion passes.
Okay. I'm going to go on to next item, Madam Clerk.
And ordinance to amend the code of ordinance is city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee by creating a new title 23 title food trucks for the purpose of regulating mobile food spending within the city boundaries of the city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
I'm going to move for approval.
We have a motion in a second.
Okay. I'm going to ask for clarification from Ms. Record, who has been working on this.
Sure. So, the food truck ordinances before you for second reading there are no changes from the time that you had it on first reading.
The questions that were asked at that meeting Councilman Smith asked about the no amplification provision.
I did check with other cities that had food truck ordinances.
None of them that responded to me said that that had been an issue in their city and that most of them used like a page or system kind of like you use in a restaurant.
So, I didn't propose any modification to that.
And then Councilman Hammond asked about the how we were going to communicate that and Lauren and I are going to submit that directly to the people who have the who have food trucks and Oak Ridge with the list that the fire department has of the inspections they've made.
And then the other people that we might see around town that aren't on that list, so we'll make sure that we make direct contact.
Thank you, Ms. Record. We have any questions or comments from Council.
Seeing none, we'll go to the board. Motion is to adopt the ordinance.
Ordnance passes 60. Madam clerk, will you go on to the next item on the agenda please.
So, under resolutions, you have a resolution authorizing the purchase of privately held real property required for the further development of the Oak Ridge general aviation agency.
General aviation airport and the total amount of non-million, $452,500.
Okay.
Have a motion to approve?
Second.
Okay.
Have a motion in the second. Do you have anybody in the audience on this particular issue?
All the month and that.
Okay.
Any discussion?
Mr. SIGs.
Thank you.
Members, Council.
This is an item that we discuss in a work session.
And then also, I update you on earlier, it's the purchase of three buildings.
By willing sellers, there was the appropriate steps taken as required by the FAA, which includes the time limit for making the purchase.
Ms. Kind of more has been working closely with us, and she's the technical expert.
Is there any questions about the procedure anything that we did?
Okay.
Any comments or questions from Council?
Councilwoman Smith.
I guess it's worth saying, and I believe this is true, that the funds for this are available from a federal source.
They're not a state federal state source.
They're not coming out of city budget.
That's correct.
From a state appropriation?
Yeah.
Okay.
That's the question people may have.
Thanks.
That was my same question.
How much is available from the state appropriations?
We have 11 million dollars.
The whole time.
Thank you.
But you're all right.
Any other questions or comments?
Seeing that, we'll go to the board.
How should I approve the resolution?
Six hour resolution is approved.
Next item on the agenda, Madam Clerk.
I resolution and wording a contract to Roger's group,
Incorporated of Knoxville, Tennessee, for street milling and
resurfacing of designated city streets, and an amount not to exceed
1,165,465 dollars and 40 cents.
Okay.
Motion.
I've been second.
Roger, would you like to tell us a little bit about this?
Just what it says.
We're going to do New York Avenue in a lot of the air.
I can't imagine anybody's going to complain.
Okay.
Yeah.
We are going to finally get those.
Okay.
Any questions from council?
Miss Smith.
Yeah.
This kind of relates council and Leslie's question.
I don't believe these are the only streets we're going to pave this year.
I recall that there's a fairly large budget for street paving.
So this is this is sort of the first.
The first potentially the first of several.
We have, we have more than two streets that need paving.
And these clearly are high on the list for good reason.
But just wanted to clarify whether what's going to happen after this during the current
fiscal year.
Mr. Barge, if you'd like to play in on this.
Go ahead and take the mic.
Yes.
So these two streets we had previously already planned to pave.
We're moving forward with paving them initially.
Yes.
We do have a long list of other streets to pay that we have prioritized.
And we're working through that as well.
So we'll be coming back with more paving.
So these are basically last year's projects that we're catching up on finally.
New York is last year's that we're catching up on.
And Lafayette was one that we were looking at.
It was going to take the majority of a paving budget to do.
So then once you allocated those additional funds, we're able to basically take this.
Move forward with these.
And then we have that additional funding to do what we would normally do.
Okay.
Appreciate that.
Thank you.
Construction projects.
We're going to be following particularly the new water line on Scarborough.
Your next item, which is the worst out of the water line.
We'll be paving the part of it that we don't have.
With that water line project to.
So there's probably four five projects better in queue.
Thanks.
Okay.
Any other questions regarding resolution B.
Seeing none.
Let's go to the board.
Resolution passes.
60.
Let's move on to the next item.
Item C.
Madam Clerk.
A resolution awarding a contract to Braxton,
Tracking Incorporated of not full Tennessee.
For phase one and phase two of the West Outer Drive water line replacement project.
And then amount not to exceed one million three hundred and twelve thousand five hundred twenty dollars and thirty two cents.
I've been moved in second.
Roger, since you're already up there, would you like to come in?
This is the project that we bought the material for last year.
We went ahead and bought it in advance because we knew we were going to have long lead times on it.
We also knew that we were going to have cost increases.
So we've actually, you know, pre-bought this material.
We're now beating the labor.
Well, of course, get this installed.
This particular line.
I looked.
I looked at the history of it today.
It's had nine failures on it within the area we're working on.
Eight of the nine have been since 2018.
Okay.
Any other council member would like to come in?
Councilman hope.
Roger, just to clarify.
This is basically just west of Illinois Avenue.
Up to with the water tank reservoir is just above Louisiana Avenue.
That's what this is.
There's a third phase.
A second design to go across Illinois east.
And then go to.
Trying to remember the cross street.
Several hundred feet to where we timed that line that we brought up in the reservoir.
A few years ago, we kind of.
We're going to talk back into that.
Okay.
Thank you.
Okay.
Miss Smith.
Comment on the budget for this.
I believe most of all of this is coming from federal funds.
This is more from the American recovery plan.
Correct.
Yeah.
So that's good for people to know what we're doing.
What we're spending sometimes.
Don't appreciate that.
Yeah.
We're starting to bring those projects to fruition now.
Thanks.
Okay.
Thank you, Miss Smith.
Any other questions from council?
Seeing none.
Let's go to the board.
Motion is to approve the resolution.
6O.
Resolution is approved.
Madam Clerk, will you go to item D please?
A resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant from the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
And the amount of $3,189,584 in non-sense with a local match of $1,408,615.
Not even since.
But designated water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
Move to second.
This merge.
Yes.
The state received funding through the offer program as well.
And then designated non-competitive grants to municipalities and
counties.
Our grant amount is this $3,189,000 in some change money, which is a significant amount.
And through this process, we've basically.
We received a designated amount.
Anderson County received a designated amount, which they didn't.
They gave a portion to us.
And Ron County received a designated amount.
And they also gave a portion to us.
So we're very thankful to both Anderson County and Ron County for that.
We had to go through the process of putting the grant together and applying for it.
And then obviously once that was done with the being non-competitive, we knew we were going to get it.
So now we're coming to you saying yes we would like to take this money.
It is the federal funding.
We're using our federal funding dollars and then as part of the match for this as well.
So it's not really coming out of our tax amount.
The city's tax dollars.
So it's our chance to spend this money that's been designated to us.
And then also note that the projects were bringing forward.
We're well ahead of the game for as opposed to municipalities that are only going this route.
Because we're actually getting our projects out the door for.
So, but this is the remainder of the money that we have been given through Arpa.
The Mr. Hinsley.
Yeah.
Mr. Burst on the bottom of the letter from Udo to Mr. Sugs.
It says the replacement of outdated equipment at lift stations in the preserve neighborhood in Ron County and the replacement of outdated equipment.
Okay. Well, the preserve really hadn't historically had really been there that long.
Is that why? Why are there outdated equipment and does that reflect what we may have accepted when it was built?
So the money we received from Ron County needs to be spent in Ron County.
And for the most part our infrastructure in Ron County is newer and in the only good condition.
This is what we're doing is basically upgrading the control panels at those lift stations.
And then Oak Hills is in some ways a capacity.
Is she where the neighborhood is just grown beyond what we anticipated would be coming through that lift station.
Charlie, the replacement control system.
Correct.
Thank you.
Okay. Are there any other questions from council?
Okay. The motion is to authorize to accept the American Recovery Plan Act.
Non-compliance grant through Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation.
And the motion is to approve.
Six out of resolution is approved.
Item number E, Madam Clerk.
A resolution awarding a contract to cram coatings and restoration and division of cram LLC.
We have a council for repair rehabilitation and modifications to the 3MG concrete reservoir at the water treatment plant.
And an amount not to exceed 1,757,800 dollars.
Moving in second. All those.
Well, not yet.
So I see Patrick Berger still there. Would you please comment?
Yes. So when we decided to build a new water treatment plant.
We evaluated options for where we wanted.
The reservoirs for the city to be located. Ultimately, what we decided to do is reuse the reservoirs at the current treatment plant site. Those reservoirs were going to be elevated anyway, so it's not negative that they're located on top of the hill on like pumping the raw water.
And in this case, we've got a 3 million and a 4 million gallon reservoir. The 3 million gallon reservoirs and considerably better shape than the 4 million.
So we're going to go ahead with the rehabilitation of that tank now, which then will allow us once the new plant is completed to take the 4 million gallon completely out of service and lightly rebuild.
This is right along the lines of what we thought this was going to come in at, so we feel this is a good bid.
We're happy with the company that's generally considered the standard in the southeast as well, so it's basically our reservoir for the city.
Thank you Mr. Merge. Anyone on council would like to comment? Mr. Hinsley.
Yeah, I notice in there just for public record, the DOE is paying 1.757, 800, 800, it's eligible at 50% reimbursement from DOE. That's a good thing.
Thank you, Mr. Hinsley. Anyone else? If not, we'll go to the board and the resolution is rehabilitation and modifications of 3MG concrete.
Reservoir.
6, approval of resolution, move on to Adam F.
A resolution waving competitive bid is making an award to the best providers for furnishing chemicals to the water treatment plant for fiscal year, 2024, and an amount not to exceed $650,000.
Mr. Merge, let you comment on this.
This is an annual order. We bring these every year. This one is just particularly large, but these are the chemicals we use in the treatment of our water and wastewater, both for distribution and then placing back in the receiving stream.
Your primary expenses are going to be your polymer, and so do not have a chloride bleach disinfectant out in the water distribution system.
And then you're also going to have some cost-exotent ferric chloride at the wastewater treatment plant. You'll see an additional line that has gone up in recent years, and that is the per manganet.
The reason that is showing up at a higher amount, we are feeding that more several years ago, we had an issue where we getting a lot of discolored water claims, and so we kind of worked with some of our consultants in their recommendation was to feed that at a higher rate.
Since that time, we have had basically no significant complaints about that.
Thank you, Mr. Merge. Councilwoman Smith, please.
Yeah, just a procedural question on this and other items, many of which we already approved in a consent agenda.
When we have routine purchases with several potential vendors, I believe that there are contacts made with those vendors before you place a purchase to basically check the price real time basis. Is that accurate?
Just for people understand what we're doing when we wave competitive bids on something like this.
That is correct for the wastewater treatment plant, the water treatment plant, they have to be able to come through security at Y-12.
And at this point in time, DiCo has been the only one that we've been able to get to agreement to allow them to bring their chemicals up to the plant.
Okay, but that may change when we have a new plant.
Oh, definitely.
Okay, thanks.
I can just smell any other questions from Council.
Okay, the motion of the resolution is annual order treatment plant chemicals, we're on the board.
6O, resolution is approved. Madam Clerk, item G, please.
A resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Patterson and Dwarr engineers incorporated of Gallatin Tennessee for consulting services and support related to the study,
design and implementation of the city's electric grid modernization over the next two fiscal years and an amount not to exceed $955,000.
Okay, moved in second.
Okay, art.
Airport timing council.
This resolution of President agreement was Patterson and Dwarr, which would allow us to continue our successful partnership to help us modernize our grid, which is a major effort that the interim city manager has initiated a few years ago.
And it is a major undertaking, so every year or two year we consult with this.
We consult with this firm in order to help us implement some of these projects.
So now next two years we intend on.
The memo highlights a few projects that we intend on implementing in the next two years, but the scope of work that's attached to this will highlight more in detail what we plan on doing in the next.
And the next two fiscal years.
Some of this project will entail the construction of a 69 line between a substation that's in central between two substation in central Oak Ridge.
One of them is near Tuskegee, the other one is near Oak Ridge Turnpike and South LN and Illinois.
Adding the circuit will enhance our redundancy and our transmission network, which will pave out a possibility of a cell healing system sometime in the future.
The other thing that they're going to help us with is the skater system, which is a supervisory control and data acquisition.
We try to implement at least one substation a year and now we've completed four out of nine.
And we're going to, with this year we'll help us complete one of the substation one the middle of and then the fallen fiscal year we'll have the will tackle another substation.
This will allow us to be more responsive and be able to monitor our grid in real time and which will over time help us transition from manual to remote operation.
The other the other item that they will keep helping us with is our automated metering infrastructure project we're in phase one and hopefully we're able to start implementing that towards the end of this year.
And for the following year after that start implementing phase two as we're able to get the meters that you've helped us start giving the PO during the last meeting.
This will really enhance our metering capabilities, this is just going to be no it's not just going to be about reading meters it's going to benefit our customers in multiple ways as far and and our utility as well.
As we implement these technologies this from will also help us make sure that we're not vulnerable to cyber attacks and there will help us figure out the threat star.
There are possible and be able to button that up and keep us from getting attacked.
The other thing this which is about a third this which would be them helping us design from the bottom up substation from the newly acquired line from DOE across the horizon center.
They'll keep they'll help they'll help us design the complete substation from and all the nuts and bowls and have that red that path those packets ready and have a grading.
I have the grading also ready to wear if it's a matter of time before the horizon center or the air decide to wear there is a customer or customer to come in needing power and it wouldn't have to come from there.
So that will allow us to be more responsive when the customer shows up and where we don't have to wait for a year or six months for the substation to be designed when the customer shows up we have a design ready.
And we can tell them there is a site that's already been graded and ready and there it is so that will help us be more responsive.
There will also help us with another other project related to general engineering design and specifications and this will allow us to basically be able to be more responsive to customers.
And with the general engineering services and help us modernize our grid one step at a time.
Thank you Mr. Paul.
We have any questions.
Okay, let's go to the board.
The resolution is to prove professional service agreement for the electrical grid modernization.
6L resolution passes.
Item H.
Item Clerk.
And resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with eB consulting of Clinton Tennessee for consulting services related to electric distribution reliability and resiliency in an amount not to exceed 50,000 dollars.
Thank you Mr. Paul.
Thank you for staying up there.
Thank you.
This resolution allows us to get into to have an agreement with eB consulting to help us with distribution automation which is right in line with the grid modernization.
This this will basically allow us to have a test bed of distribution automation using what we call freezer which is a photocating system.
We call location isolation and system restoration.
And as basically what we the what this is we'll have a combination of three circuits and put up a system where if a tree for the trillion falls in a line or any at any given circuit to other system is smart enough to re to isolate the problem and re route the power to as many customers as possible.
And instead of the whole circuit being out or a portion of our half the circuit being out out it is devices will be strategically located to where only where the issue is.
Only where we have issues is where the problem is where the problem is going to stay and the rest of the rest of the power will basically every all the other customers will basically have their power back on.
So this will help us finish the design of a test bed out in the west and based on the result and how we see performing over there we'll try to get that spread out throughout town.
Okay. Thank you Mr. Bob. Mr. Hinsley.
Yeah Mr. Bire with the previous security.
This one is identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats related to these two contractors going to work together as these projects go on.
As this project go on they they don't have direct contact.
So we we will basically be the hub and be able to and be able to communicate and between them their kind of isolated but it's all time.
That is correct and review as it goes long so you don't get that is correct. Okay. Yes.
Any other questions or comments.
Okay. The resolution is to approve a professional service agreement for electrical distribution reliability and we're on the board.
Six out of the resolution is approved item letter I.
Thank you Mr. Bob.
A resolution authorizing the city to applaud for and accept if awarded a school resource officer program grant from the state of Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
To fund the cost of placing an SRO in seven public schools in Oak Ridge.
Thank you and before you start please chief Smith long time coming.
I am looking forward to seeing more of our police presence in our schools and for one somebody who is a school teacher.
It's made the world of difference in our schools not just as a reactive measure but also a proactive measure.
So this is something that we've looked for for a long time and I really appreciate you and your staff working on this force.
That provides about 75 of about provides up to $75,000 per school K through 12.
So we have seven schools that qualify for that this time there could be additional grants that come later that will that possibly could cover preschool and alternative school doesn't cover that this time.
The money is not going to release for private schools at this time that's something that could be coming later.
We'll we'll receive more information on it. So we're asking for permission to apply for grant that allows us to place seven school resource officers in our public schools at this time.
There's also does not cover the cost of vehicles.
The same five thousand dollars covers salary benefits, training, personal equipment and uniforms.
Thank you, councilman.
Yeah, it sounds like Chief Smith at the preschools on your radar, though.
Something we're we just want to make sure we're staying within the scope of the grant and not ask for anything that we don't qualify.
We don't want to do anything that messes up our ability to get this grant approved.
Any other.
Chief.
So right now we we currently have three SRO officers.
Yes sir.
Is this in addition to those three that we're looking for seven or they'd be the three part of this grant.
The three of the observed end of the grant it would actually take.
We're paying for those positions. Okay. So those three officers will be funded by...
If a word of those grants have you thought far enough out to what would be doing with those resources that are right now being used for that?
Yes. Absolutely. One thing I like to do is put two of those positions in patrol. We didn't do that this year because we're not full staff.
That's something we would have revisited later and been talking to Mr. Suggs about that. It's not an issue yet because we're not quite full staff. Especially with a new 70 positions just been added on. We were then one and been full staff before we had these seven positions on.
One of those positions I'd like to make a supervisor over the school resource officers.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hinsley.
Yeah. I noticed over here there's a difference in designation between a resource officer and a school security officer.
Yes. And it says, can retired. The question was, can retired officers become school security officers.
And as was yes, I think we, I mean, I can't speak for Bill Mow, but I can't imagine anybody better than him dealing with kids.
I will not disagree with you on that. I love that kept Mow come back.
Oh, absolutely. He was my kid scout leader and he was one of the best fellow to ever run into.
So I mean, somebody like that with my volunteer, you know?
And it's interesting. We have several officers that are currently in a house that have expressed interest in going over to this RO job.
And so we will backfill those positions with police officers going in patrol.
Chief Smith. I'm sorry. Chief Smith. I have another question.
I think we currently have two that are being placed in our elementary school.
Yes. One at Glenwood and Woodland and one at Willowbrook and Lyndon.
Can you mention that?
We just want to have one before the new school you're starting very soon.
We moved to those.
It gives us five because we know we have one is retiring very soon.
Right.
So it'll give us people already trained to take over those positions of people who the one who's leaving.
We don't want to wait till after he leaves and then start training someone up.
So he lives to get those people in position now.
So we have one of those officers acting as a sergeant to help us get this new program off the ground.
Okay.
Yeah. I know by putting those in elementary schools is going to help our middle schools because they've been stretched among three schools.
This last couple of years.
Yes.
Thank you so much for that.
Any other comments or questions about this?
I have a quote, a comment if I may.
Yes sir.
This isn't in the memo I did mention to you today, but just to give council heads up.
When we were preparing this budget, this grant was not solidified enough for we felt comfortable budgeting for it.
So when we received this budget and start spending the money, it's possible that we'll overspend our appropriation.
If we do, just like every year, we normally go back and open up the school budget to accept any grants that they received.
Towards the end of this year we may end up opening up the general fund to receive a to adjust the appropriation to handle this fund.
So just let you know that may happen toward the end of the year.
Thank you city manager.
There are no other questions.
We're going to go to the board.
The resolution is to approve authorization to apply for and receive school resource officer program grant money.
6O resolution is approved.
Thank you chief.
Adam Jay.
I don't court.
A resolution authorizing bids in an amount not to exceed 524,500 dollars for the annual order of various materials as required by the city during fiscal year 2020.
Second.
Moving to second.
Okay.
Mr. Sugs.
So this is the annual contract that we award several contracts for use in the warehouse.
Some of the items have been bid and those that have the prices associated with them.
Others would be bid based on with consideration to the every time.
Mr. Sugs is capable of answering any specific questions.
I'm sure that you have on the topic.
Any council members.
This is a question.
Do we feel good about the bids this year?
Are they are they high compared to previous years?
Are they the ballpark?
Are they lower?
I think there we did have a different bid or get some of the awards this year.
But as indicated they were competitive bb and we're satisfied that they're good bids.
Just knowing that there have been issues with construction materials this past year.
I was just curious.
Mr. Majesky, do you have anything to add?
Okay.
I won't press it.
Any other council members?
Okay.
We're going to go to the board.
Resolution is approved.
Competitive bid annual contract.
Six o.
Resolution is approved.
Okay.
Madam Clark, let's go on to the next item.
That concludes our items on the agenda.
Our next item will be appearance of citizens.
Okay.
Citizens shall be permitted to address city council about matters that are not on the formal agenda.
Any citizen wishing to do so shall raise his or her hand and proceed to the public
lectern and after recognition by the chair.
State your name and address and the purpose for your appearance before the council.
Comment shall generally be limited to three minutes and shall relate to matters of city business.
They shall not relate or treat me.
They shall not generally result in a formal response or action at this time of presentation
because most cases neither the council nor the staff will be prepared to respond effectively.
However, the chair may answer questions or direct the city manager to do so.
Or the city manager may be requested to work with the citizen to affect resolution of the matter.
Statements that are purely political in nature will not be allowed such as campaign speeches or announcements
of candidacy for office nor announcements of a civic or social event that is unrelated
to city business.
I'm going to look at my audience.
I had a young man, an older gentleman who had a question but I think he's left.
He did that 30 minutes.
Okay.
I'm sorry I missed him.
I was going to give him an opportunity.
Okay.
So nobody has any questions.
So we will move on to the next item.
Announcements of scheduling.
City manager sucks.
I'm asking Mitch and a few of those.
First of all, I want to congratulate you with late.
The fire department, the community band and all the members of the community for the course of the last
celebration we have this year.
I think you look at the entire city organization from public work setting up the
barricades and the type to people being out there just cheering and having a great time.
It was a really funny evening.
The weather cooperated and really appreciate the opportunity.
The second issue, the environmental assessment for the general aviation airport will have a public
input section or public hearing.
That will be held Tuesday August 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.
At the double tree.
That is a input session which is required to finalize the FAA's environmental assessment.
The environmental assessment is their document.
The environmental assessment itself is the event and the environmental assessment are being advertised.
Both will be on what is required legally.
We have hard copies for people to look at and there are some web links we've added based on request.
The document, I don't have the link with me.
I'm going to write that down.
It's thousands of pages.
If you want to print it, make sure you got a lot of paper.
We're going to begin work on the Civic Center.
Unless there's a question, I'm sorry I'm going to keep going.
I don't want to waste your time.
We're going to begin work on the Civic Center on June 24th.
That's a schedule.
The first step will be apparently working to remove some of that located as best as in a few places.
I just as a caution to counsel and to members of the public.
We are going to have about a 15 month construction period.
During that time, we will be working as hard as we can to make other facilities available.
Because this facility will be out of a commission for a little while.
But we do have some other facilities.
We're working with people to identify alternate.
But again, it's a major construction project.
And for people who use the building there, it's going to be a little inconvenience.
Quick question.
Yes.
There.
When you say this facility will be out of commission.
And I may begin to confuse what parts of the facility we're talking about.
Because this is connected to the jam.
I guess that kitchen in its face used to be.
What part of the facility is going to be out of commission.
In general, if you can speak to that.
Because the whole building won't necessarily be out of commission.
Certainly.
The major construction takes part on the wing, which has the A and B in the craft room.
And some offices in it.
Also the rest rooms.
In other words, the secondary wing.
Not the wing to contain the pool and the jam.
So that portion of the building.
Literally will have the roof taken off and the rest structure.
It's going to be basically down for the count.
The kitchen area.
And some of the other areas.
We'll see some renovations.
And we'll occasionally be out of use.
We're going to have primarily the pool.
I think we'll be fine.
But you're going to see some probably just scheduling difficulties.
If someone normally uses.
There may be more people competing for the social room.
If someone would use one of the craft rooms.
I may not be available at all.
But the gym, nasium, and the pool should be basically available.
Okay.
The anticipate parking or traffic flow being impacted by construction equipment.
Vehicles.
We have a really good meeting with the contractor.
We do anticipate construction.
The construction zone.
If you would around the facility.
Out into the Plaza and toward the trail.
We had a really good meeting with the contractor.
The first thing he said he was going to do is re-establish that trail further out.
So the people who walked the trail will still be able to do that.
So we're going to make allowances.
It's best we can to keep things going.
But you will see some construction activity.
And probably some parking restraints and things like that.
Last question.
Do you think any of the construction traffic.
Or the work just being done at the Civic Center will impact the senior center.
All I can tell you is we'll work to minimize it.
I don't.
There should not be construction activity.
Education to it.
But you know whether there's we'll work to minimize any.
Okay.
Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Ham.
And I actually spoke with disability advisory board.
And they're looking at having a fair.
If you will.
Sometimes in the month of October.
I think.
I think that would be affected by the.
ADA compliant bathrooms.
Will they be under construction at that time.
And would.
I think it's likely that the bathrooms are going to be impacted in that time frame.
I think that's true.
I think that Mr. Hector has been working with that more.
We will have.
Obviously we're going to supply facilities including ADA accessible temporary facilities.
So so that people have a have a facility to use.
I think that it may be he's already talking to them too about whether perhaps the senior center might be a different venue.
But that is a conversation he's having and he is out of town tonight or I would ask him to comment.
But I do know he's very interested in working hard to try to accommodate their needs.
And I'll comment further on that that I know that the senior center staff and the senior advisory board have talked about the.
Probability of using the senior center as handicapped access on that side of the civic center.
Because you know this this will be an issue for more than just that disability fair.
So there needs to be some way to get to get people to a restroom.
And you know when it's more than one person, but you know so so that that apparently they're they're thinking ahead to that is a likelihood for what that's actually.
In fact, I've talked to Mr. Hector.
I don't know what his detailed plans are about talking about maybe some staff shifting to help the senior center be better equipped for the.
For the people so we understand it can be inconvenience but I do want you to know the staffs who are that more working very hard to try to minimize it inconvenience.
And to make those.
Facility certain necessary accessible to everyone.
Okay.
First of the last of the next thing I'd like to thank everyone who attended the library East Wing.
We've been cutting that was a lot of fun.
I think that I was impressed by what I saw hope you were to live first.
The library is no longer taking fines.
So if you have a book you've been hiding in your closet afraid to take back.
It's actually July first. You can bring that book right on back in and you can get a waiver.
We are going to charge for books that are lost.
So what do that?
We already mentioned SROs and we're actually recruiting people trying to get ahead of the curve on that on getting our school resource officers hard.
Add to a pool.
Doing great 25, 650 people on average per week.
So when the weather's hot a lot of people when the weather's thunderstorm and they'll go home.
But we're kind of kind of biased on that but it's working well.
Yes, sir.
I know of a few weeks ago we had public feedback and buying in I guess on some different.
Options or opportunities with regards to that.
I got some feedback from Folk, but I had necessarily seen anything come back or get any feedback from
City officials, per se, and there really plans to kind of package that and bring something to us with regards to what that,
what the public sentiment was on that.
Yes, sir, there are the, we're in the process still of actually gathering sentiment. We're trying to reach different audiences.
For example, going to the outdoor pool itself and talking to people, I have to pull about what they would like to see out there,
reaching out to the community in different venues, considering the survey.
We're taking a lot of time to try to reach out to a lot of different people and all that will be put together and brought back to you.
Unfortunately, I'll tell my head, I don't have a schedule, but I do know that that's a very important part of the project.
Sir, thank you.
Thank you, sir.
We closed last week on the Armory Building that the Council approved purchasing.
And we will be looking at with some professional help.
And I don't staff help to try to choose the best future for that building.
We want to have a good solid future that is best for our citizens and we're looking at that, see what the values are.
On a little less friendly note or less happy note,
I wanted to tell you that discuss this in detail with the budget and finance committee.
The sidewalk project that we have going using CDBG funds has been set aside or not set aside.
It has been halted for a little while because of some funding issues with CDBG.
And we're working to get those resolved.
We meet with HUD tomorrow.
So we will have a lot more information.
A confident that we're going to get these solved.
I'm not worried about it, but we can take a little work.
And then you'll see us back at work.
But if you see people see that sidewalk setting out there.
It's a result of some issues that we had with applying that CDBG funding.
We're working to get it fixed.
And we meet with HUD tomorrow and we want to get that project back on track.
But you know that that is out there and it's very important to us and we will get it fixed.
The last thing I wanted to ask to turn my list is we're going to have interviews with the potential city manager conflicts on the dates that would be your normal work session.
If the council would like to have a separate work session, we can arrange that.
And I guess I kind of like to little feedback on that.
And if you'd like, then we'll have three jobs for what the dates are best available for you.
So at that point, I'll face my report and just listen to anything you might have to say about our work session.
Any questions or comments?
Council request for new business items.
We kind of skipped over there.
I just want to comment that my personal opinion is that we ought to plan on scheduling a work session because if we don't.
We will find ourselves with things that we haven't talked.
We haven't addressed that need to be addressed on emergency basis.
We need I think we I think we'll benefit from some sort of a work session.
Maybe the last of the month on July 31st or something would be might might work out okay just to just keep us keep us caught up.
Clearly we can't assume that all business will come to a halt while we're in a city manager.
And I think there are some things like the CDBG situation that we need to be engaged with.
So that's just my my perspective.
Thank you, Mr. Hinsley.
Yeah.
Is this council request for new business?
Sure.
I've in a quite some amount.
Mr. Keith Klein has has he sent me a letter and he's inquiring about how you get the into the secret.
I said into the sister city program.
And that a city he's familiar with.
Talk of pill.
Jelly is interested in in in in in in discussion about becoming a sister city to Oak Ridge.
And so I think that's something and I ask him in a letter.
Would he be willing to come to our work session and give a presentation.
So I'd very much like for that to happen in whatever work session is coming up that we're going to have.
Could we get him on the agenda for the next work session?
I think that might be a little bit.
That's Tuesday, right?
So next Thursday.
Well next.
Next Tuesday the council will be listening to video interviews on your potential city manager.
Yeah.
Maybe the next one.
So if we.
If we all get from.
After the council decides to have one at the end of the month or so.
Yeah.
After the city manager search.
I would like to request that if he's willing to.
He's coming.
I can't explain.
I'll get the second hand.
So.
Yeah.
That's based on my interactions with with Keith on this and talking with staff I see what he's looking for.
It's possibly very similar to stuff that the city staff has done with counterparts in places like.
Selfie stages.
Yeah.
Where it's been.
An exchange program without necessarily being a sister city program.
And that might be a better way to start a city.
If a city if a sister city program is contemplated but.
But I think that that's been a very rewarding thing for our staff to be involved with those things.
And this particular initiative, talking about communities going through a transition in energy,
energy related technology, is something that Oak Ridge and this city in Chile would be very interested in doing.
But I'm not sure that it's necessarily has to be a sister city.
Yeah, but I don't think that's quite the right model given that I know we've had some really good exchanges with Southeast Asia and other places.
Yeah, he mentioned that they're going to, they're in the process of shutting down for fossil fuel plants.
And that we've got one here that just happens to be right next door.
And we might be able to exchange information that would help them.
And this certainly they need it.
You know, so I'm all for that.
And the other thing I wanted to bring up was the letter that we got from Doug Colclos, you're about eastward, about Copper Creek.
You know, in the fact that found a whole truckload of tires in the creek near a Vermont Avenue.
And so that's, I don't know where we bring that up.
I don't know how we address it.
Sounds like a code enforcement issue.
It does and I think that that's that's the appropriate thing.
He's let me take the, I have actually started on that, but let me go ahead and follow up.
Yeah, there just happens to be a tire.
A tire sale place right there.
So it just happens to be.
And of course, you can't, you know, we would need to see some direct evidence.
But that is something we can look at with code.
The other thing I wanted to say in this, I may be in another, another subject.
Chris Harris Light held the, her science camp, her first post-COVID science camp at AMC.
And she had been having it at the, it's feels been cabin.
And my son Vaughan, my grandson Vaughan was the, he was the first camper that was the child of another camper.
Back here, 27 years ago.
But the, what I wanted to thank you since Chief Solomon is not here was they did an egg drop.
Yeah, you want an egg drop, he is there.
Thanks, Japanese egg, they drop it from the height.
Well, I went down to see the egg drop.
And the third apartment had brought out the ladder truck.
The full-size ladder truck and the kids were, and I was blown away by that.
So I would, I would like for you to pass the thanks on to Chief Solomon and the third apartment.
Because it was really a wonderful thing.
And, and Vaughan said, oh, yeah, I want to go back again next year, Grandpa.
I will pass that on.
Anything else?
No.
Okay.
Yeah, just real quickly.
I just want to circle back on Council Member Smith's proposition for an additional work session.
Just to clarify.
So.
Sounds like.
Clerk's office will reach out and try to schedule something here before the end of the month.
Was that the consensus?
Yes.
The, the.
On the 18th course, you all will be doing the interviews on the 17th and the 18th.
Correct.
I want to make sure you guys remember that that we're doing them over to a,
but it's a two-day work session.
Um, three interviews on the, on the Monday and three interviews on the, the work session night about 45 minutes.
So yes.
So I'll be reaching out for availability.
Um, for another.
Um, an extra work session.
Thank you, Mr. Glaesley.
Okay.
I'm moving on to our.
Yeah.
We'll start.
Yeah.
We'll start.
Let's take it.
Um,
last one.
Time it.
Good morning, tonight.
Okay.
So we're going to begin.
Jesse.
You'll begin.
Okay.
Thank you.
Welcome.
additional work session this month. If I recall, I know when we were trying to schedule interviews
for the city manager, nobody was available. And so I'm wondering if that if we don't
are working for so many people, I know we need to at least throw for the city manager interviews.
We were struggling for that. And so I'm wondering if we don't get, but a handful of people
was at something we still would look in the target. I'm going to I'll be around, but I'm just wondering.
I think, you know, I didn't really go as far out as July 31st. So if you're looking at it,
that last day of July 1st week of August, that may be the way it has to go. I know,
I know, and like for the 18th, I know Mr. Gleason changed around his schedule so that he could be there
on the 18th. And that's how we ended up with the two days so that we, you know, I could do it that way.
But I'll work with Jack and we'll figure out we're probably going to look at July 4th, maybe July 31st
forward, because the week before that the 24th, I know I've got at least one gone. But more sessions are,
I mean, obviously you would want everybody to be here if possible. But since there's no action being
taken, if somebody obviously has to be out, we can work around. So when we say, make sure, we said,
July 31st forward. Right. That week, the week of July 31st. Which is, it'd be an office. Can we do,
so we can do, okay. All right. I mean, that, yeah, that's, if that's our only option, and it's the
will of counsel to do the work session, then we can, I can work with Jack and we can, we can make it work
somehow. Okay. Thank you. Okay. We'll come back to this. You know, further comment on this,
we're also going to have to be scheduling some time to bring the interview, bring the interviewies to town,
and all that kind of stuff. So we've got a full agenda coming up, regardless of what we do on any
particular day. It's a pro-maier program. Let me, let me say also that I'll be listening for you
individually to let me know what you would like to see a work session on and see what comes up.
And if there's something that we need, then we'll push harder for this date. If it looks like it's
safe, we can roll to the, because as you say, you're going to have individual interviews, you're going to have
a lot going on. And unless we really, if we really need this meeting, and we'll certainly push to make it happen,
but based on what I hear from you and what I see on the calendar, I'll try to make a good recommendation for you.
Councilman, help. Based on what we have coming forward with interviews and interviews and everything else,
250 plus page agendas are not really insightful. It doesn't make me get warm and fuzzy.
I mean, we've had a 300 page agenda, now a 250 page agenda. Just saying, we got a lot on our play.
Yes, sure you do. I'd like to put it on it. And asking for another meeting is asking a lot.
Any other questions or comments from Councilman? I'm just going to end with,
I really, and Mr. Record, I'll come back to you with regards to the work sessions and the priorities,
the priority. I think number one currently is, and they told me this when we were interviewing the firms,
this is the number one job that we usually have, and that is hiring a city manager because of that person,
Miller, female, it's going to be in charge of the city and everything, and we need to have somebody who's very effective.
So we don't need to scrimp on that part of it, but we want to do a best job possible on that.
So with regards to what Councilman hopes said, yeah, I would rather spend more time on that particular job than some of the big scheduling.
So I'm going to be all right, I realize it's important. So we've got to pass the amount of stuff that we've done,
and so I'm not saying short of the load just for that, but if we can spread some of that out,
we'd really be able to benefit you with all the other stuff around the area.
Thanks, sure. Thank you. I'm going to go to our city attorney, Mr. Record.
We can come back there. Do you have something else?
Yeah. He kind of rolled it into some of the other announcements. Yeah.
Quick question for the C manager, and this is just for clarity. So with regards to, I know we voted for the compensation
implementation in June going into July, can you touch a little bit on what that? No, we did a couple of different things.
And I'm, can you touch a little bit in terms of implementation of that has all 7 plus 2 plus all of those different percentages
been executed or some part of that, or can you touch on where we are with with that?
Yes, sir. I think, of course, the 7% across the board of adjustment or competitive race adjustment
to council approved went into effect, and we'll show up on the employees next time.
It's the first full paycheck in the month of July, and I believe that.
It went into effect yesterday.
Yes, sir. Okay. So we're now on the news case.
We're in the current.
And the city, the Department Director of Employees themselves have to do nothing.
That's handled by the personnel department and the IT department.
So that is, that will counsel has been executed and implemented automatically.
Okay. In addition to that, counsel will prove some specific range adjustments.
Right.
And those adjustments also went in effect at the same time.
And all of those were implemented without any intervention by anyone.
So those scheduled are now in place.
The remaining item, which counsel approved,
was a potential step increase for employees based on good performance.
And that last, that's a 2% step increase.
That last performance facing increase will be awarded at the time that the employee is evaluated.
So it depends on when they were last promoted to the position therein.
It may be July, but it may also be December or even next March.
Whenever they're anniversary dated to the position, they'll be evaluated.
And we eligible for a step based on their performance.
Okay. So we're part from that 2% increase.
The based on performance, everything else has been done.
Everything that counsel approved has been implemented.
Okay. So we can safely say that we are within market rate.
But we have to thank the staff for regards to our positions.
And we're regards to compensation and competitive.
I am extremely comfortable that we are well within market rates for all positions.
With the exception perhaps of some executive positions.
That is something that I want to talk to the committee about,
that is Mr. Hope pointed out.
The committee right now is really yuller as a council.
You have so much on your plate.
I would suspect that after the New City major comes on,
he may want to re-implement the compensation committee
and address that, but that's a very few positions.
The majority, I feel extremely comfortable to tell you
that the positions that I'm aware of or we are within market.
I think that if you look at the number of people,
we have been able to hire the number of applicants.
We've gotten the quality of those applicants.
You've made a real difference.
The community has started with the police department,
but it's spread through public works, through parks.
I don't want to leave anyone out, but it's had a real impact.
I do think, like I said, after the New City major is on board,
you may wish to reconstitute that committee
and look at a handful of other things to look at,
but you've made a big difference.
OK, thank you, Yex.
I know that's what we were targeting.
We weren't doing the numbers, just to give people a raise,
or even to give people a raise, just to get them to stay.
We wanted them to stay, but there was a very real spot.
We wanted to be with regards to market rate competitiveness,
and something that we could say when those officers came in
and that process started, that we could take pride in
with regards to what we were paying.
So I wanted to make sure that we hit that philosophical target
if you will, with regards to market rate competitiveness,
and what I'm hearing is that we did do that.
Yes, right.
I would compliment the council, as your interim city manager,
I would tell you that I think you've accomplished the goals of that committee,
and you've been very successful.
And again, you just have to look at the number of applicants
that we have for positions, the quality of those applicants,
and you can see a real difference.
And thank you.
And thank you for the implementation, the execution advice,
and the way that was, I know, Dr. Watson, I played a role in the role that was facilitated.
But thank you so much for that as well.
Very quickly, I'm going to follow up on what Councilman Hammond mentioned.
Before we started this, we did an employee satisfaction survey,
and it yielded a lot of good information from the employees.
I would love to have an exit strategy on this.
I'd love to see what they say now with regards to salary and benefits,
and some of the working conditions.
If we have an opportunity to do that, not soon.
I know we've got the city manager to look at first,
but I'd like to see that again, if possible enough,
I think Lauren Gray, you had a part in that.
So possibly we look at that as something that kind of gives us some good feedback.
OK, any other comments?
I'm going to go to the city attorney now.
OK.
Mr. Wagner?
I do not have a report.
The only thing I would have mentioned, if Jack had not mentioned it,
is that we closed on the girls' seat portion of the armory property.
We closed on that on Friday.
Just as an update to what happened at the last meeting.
OK.
Thank you very much.
Good question for the city.
Oh, I'm going to throw the night.
I'm going to ask, well, keep going.
Right now.
Go.
Real quick question.
I know that we had had conversations with the Oak Ridge Housing Authority
and transferring land those eight, seven, eight acres or so,
in the Scarborough community over the city.
My understanding is that they develop the document for our view.
That they were going to submit to you to the city staff for us to look at.
With the potential of bringing that to council to continue those conversations
at the next council meeting.
Has anything been submitted to you?
I haven't seen anything, but Jack just told me that he's got some evidence.
No, he's got some comments.
We haven't seen anything either.
But you're correct that we're looking forward to a plan that shows their goals,
their layout, and that has a contract with protections in it.
And we did, I'm saying someone talked to Maria Catherine recently.
She's working on that.
And they're trying to make sure that they put together a plan to meet their needs
and the desires of the community and there's something we can present to council.
But we do not have it yet.
We'll bring it to you as soon as we have something.
I'm at you.
You have something.
Thank you.
Yeah, for real.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
But just those council not want anybody to know that sort of way or where we are in that.
Thank you for your work on that.
They're appreciate that.
The lift, right?
Okay.
You're seeing nothing.
I'm going to go ahead and move for a German.
I don't know about that.
What's up?
I don't know about that.