The Crossville City Council met last night. Here are some of the highlights from that meeting:

STUDENT OF THE MONTH RECOGNIZED

The Crossville City Council recognized the Student of the Month, Kesley McCowan. She is a first grade student at Martin Elementary School. She was nominated because her teacher appreciates the fine example set by Kesley, who uses her best manners every day.

The city council also recognized this year’s annual Christmas card design contest winners from students. The winners are: Brown Elementary: TJ Hargis; Christian Academy of the Cumberlands: Brylee Robinson; Crab Orchard Elementary: Jayme Dinkens; North Cumberland Elementary: Yuliza Perez; Pleasant Hill Elementary: Alexis Page; Stone Elementary: Whitney Brown; Cumberland County High School: Abi Huling; and Stone Memorial High School: Brannigan Cox.

CROSSVILLE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF CHRIS SOUTH RECOGNIZED

The city council recognized Crossville Deputy Fire Chief Chris South in their meeting last night (picture of Mayor Mayberry with Deputy Fire Chief Chris South is in this story). Mayor James Mayberry said South has been designated as a chief fire officer on a national level. South is one of just over 1,300 to receive the honor. It is for a 3 year period. The designation looks at the “whole officer”, focusing on seven components that cover the span of an officer’s experience:

• Education
• Experience
• Professional Development (training and certifications)
• Professional Contributions and Recognitions
• Professional Memberships and Affiliations
• Technical Competence (depending on the credential, 7 to 20 different competencies)
• Community Involvement

APPOINTMENTS TO THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE

The city council appointed the following individuals to the airport committee: Adam Strachn (aviation marketing), Paul Royko (engineer), Ashley DeRossett (chamber of commerce), John Ellington (pilot), Ben Welch (pilot),  Sean Smith (pilot) and Jon Hall (pilot).

ORDINANCES PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

The city council passed on third and final reading an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget for airport maintenance building repairs. The council also approved on second reading a contract amendment for engineering services for Meadow Park Lake expansion project permits.

APPROVAL OF VARIOUS CONTRACTS

The city council approved the contract for a $25,000 alcohol enforcement grant to be used to attempt to reduce DUI drivers. The grant has no match from the city.

A contract amendment for engineering services for a part of Highway 127 North in the city was approved.

The city council also approved a lease renewal for the Snodgrass Building.

A contract for the fiscal year 2019-2020 Three Star Grant was also approved.

PURCHASE REQUESTS REVIEWED BY CROSSVILLE CITY COUNCIL

A purchase quote in the amount of $7,015 was reviewed by the council for five Raptor radar units for the Crossville Police Department. Another quote for police equipment in the amount of $6,452.37 was reviewed. The city engineering department submitted a quote for a 2020 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive truck in the amount of $25,762 from a dealership in Murfreesboro. These purchase requests passed.

BROOKHAVEN AND HIGHLAND LANE WATER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

The City of Crossville received three bids for a waterline Improvement project in the Brookhaven and Highland Lane areas of the Crossville water system. The council approved a bid last night from Iron Wood Construction & Engineering, LLC of $1,277,625 for the project.

CROSSVILLE CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT

The Crossville City Council reviewed a contract for current city manager Greg Wood. He will undergo performance evaluations and receive health, disability and life insurance benefits while being employed with the city. Wood will also get vacation, sick and executive leave time on an annual basis. The current contract for Wood expires in March 2020. In last night’s meeting the council unanimously approved a new two year contract for Wood.

CONSIDERATION OF WATER LEAK ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM

The Crossville City Council considered a proposal from Water Leak Relief. The company exists to ease the burden associated with water and sewer leaks. Water leak relief will pay the difference between a customer’s average monthly water bill, based on the last 12 months, and the qualifying water leak bill amount, up to the customer’s service limit amount. It also applies to sewer leak, water line breaks and sewer line breaks. The program works when water customers are auto enrolled into the Water Leak Relief and Sewer Leak Relief at the service limit. After an initial 30 day waiting period, all participating customers will have access to these services. Customers that do not wish to participate may call the Water Leak Relief hotline to opt out of the service. The city would make a monthly payment to Water Leak Relief based on the number of customers participating. When a water or sewer leak takes place, Water Leak Relief/Plateau Insurance will work with the city utility staff to obtain information to process the claim. Once the claim is processes, Water Leak Relief sends a check to the utility for the difference between the water customer’s average monthly bill and the qualifying leak bill amount, up to the customer’s service limit amount. The city would choose an administrative fee to be placed on water customers for the leak relief program. A customer with water leaks can file up to two claims in a two year period

The proposed service fees and limits are as follows based on $2,500 service limit:

WATER LEAK AND SEWER LEAK RELIEF

RESIDENTIAL – $1.40 a month fee per customer

COMMERCIAL (single occupancy) – $4.70 a month fee

COMMERCIAL (multiple occupancy) – $9.45 a month fee

WATER LINE RELIEF – $10,000 service limit per line break, limit to 1 claim a year

RESIDENTIAL – $4.90 a month fee

COMMERCIAL (single occupancy) – $13.45 a month fe

COMMERCIAL (multiple occupancy) – $26.95 a month fee

SEWER LINE RELIEF – $10,000 service limit per line break, limit to 1 claim a yea

RESIDENTIAL – $6.45 a month fee

COMMERCIAL (single occupancy) – $13.45 a month fee

COMMERCIAL (multiple occupancy) – $26.95 a month fee

In the meeting last night, the city council chose to table the issue for now to have more research done to see what can best serve the water customers.

CITY DONATES LAND TO HILLTOPPERS

Previously, the Crossville City Council donated nearly 4 acres of land near Centennial Park owned by the city to Hilltoppers. Another request was made by Hilltoppers for additional land at the site to accommodate their needs. Last night the city council granted that request with increasing the land donation to a total of 6.5 acres.

SALES TAX / LIQUOR TAX / WHOLESALE BEER TAX COLLECTION REPORTS

Sales tax collections in Crossville last month was the highest recorded for a October  since fiscal year 2012/2013. That is according to the city manager’s report to the Crossville City Council for their meeting tomorrow night. The city took in $722,744. In wholesale beer tax for last month, the city collected $52,249. That is down from just over $10,000 the month prior. In liquor taxes, the city has collected $166,927 so far this fiscal year.

CROSSVILLE POLICE REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019

The Crossville City Council reviewed the police report for October. It states officers made 178 arrests in October and wrote 139 citations. Of the arrests noted, 51 were warrants served, followed by drug violations, driving violations and public intoxications. Also noted on the report is a high number of juvenile arrests with 13. Five were for drug violations, 4 were intimidations and two were runaways. Officers also responded to 126 accidents in October.