The Rockwood City Council met in regular session Monday evening at City Hall. One of the main items on a relatively short agenda was a proposed charter revision, to be submitted through the state legislature, that would abolish the city’s Civil Service Board. The board, established in the mid-1990s, gives city employees an independent avenue to address grievances or disputes with department heads and is one of the few remaining civil service boards in area municipalities.

When the item came up for a vote, Councilman Davis asked that it be tabled for further study, and the council approved the delay. If the board is eventually abolished, the city plans to explore alternative ways for employees to voice concerns and receive protection. The issue was tabled Monday night and could return for another vote in the coming months.

The council also approved vacating a portion of an alley that runs from Gateway Avenue to Elm Street so that business owners known as the Patels can expand their store on property adjacent to their current tobacco shop. In addition, the council declared a 2013 ambulance as surplus and transferred it to the local rescue squad.

A representative from Blue Line Solutions LLC of Chattanooga presented the council with results from a five-day speed and traffic study conducted in Rockwood school zones from September 30 through October 4. On Rockwood Street and Strang Street near Rockwood High School and Middle School, the study recorded 3,693 vehicles and 110 speeding violations during school hours when the limit is 20 mph. On Nelson Street in front of Ridgeview Elementary School, 5,857 vehicles were counted over the five days, with 740 speeding violations captured.

The council is considering a contract with Blue Line Solutions to install automated speed-enforcement cameras in these school zones. Under the proposed system, cameras would send data to the company, which would issue citations and $50 fines through the court system; the city of Rockwood would receive 40% of the revenue. Blue Line already operates a similar program at one school in Knox County and expects to expand across the region soon. No action was taken Monday night, but the council is expected to approve the contract in the near future. We will keep you updated.