| Dresden votes for Bay Bee demolition |
By: Sara Reid, Special to The Press
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Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 3:36 pm
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Getting the ball rolling on a long-standing hot topic, the City of Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to proceed with getting bids on the demolition of the Bay Bee Shoe Company building Tuesday night.
Mayor Danny Forrester reported that the condemnation board had met several times and had voted to condemn the building in a February meeting. The matter was then handed over to City Attorney Jeff Washburn to proceed with condemnation and demolition in order to remove the “eyesore” from the area.
“Mr. Miller has been moving along slowly but surely,” Washburn explained. “Within the last month, he’s removed a garage and the state has been involved with the asbestos. We’ve been in communication by phone and in writing and he keeps making promises, but doesn’t proceed quickly. He seems to only make a move when he’s threatened with condemnation.”
Washburn explained that city code spells out that a building inspector needs to proclaim a building to be a hazard before condemnation takes place. He recommended that newly-licensed building inspectors Kerry Cooper and Roger Delaney take a look and make that directive.
“The demolition would be at the expense of the city, but then a lien could be put on the property and if Mr. Miller doesn’t pay, the city could sue for any unpaid amounts,” Washburn added. He reminded the board, however, that Miller could “run and take bankruptcy” which would void the lien. He also explained that the city could sell the scrap metal to cover a portion of the amount if necessary. Miller contracted a salvage company in Union City to tear down the building, but the company recently reported unsuccessful attempts in reaching Miller, so according to Washburn, it is “now falling back on the city.”
A motion was made and passed to allow Cooper and Finance Director Melanie Bynum to proceed with getting bids on demolition.
In employee’s reports, Bynum shared that preliminary numbers on FY 2009-10 budget showed a revenue of $70,000 over the projected amount. Approximately $160,000 will be put back into the general fund.
The board passed a motion to bid out paving on Dew Street and Lamb Road and hot patching on listed areas.
Water and Sewer Director Jeff Pierpoint reported that the bids were in for the baffle curtain and that spec sheets are being sent in to Ed Hargraves for review on two bids.
Ricky Cobb announced that stationary radar had been run on Locust Street and the highest recorded speed had been 35 mph. Police Chief Brent Perry recommended lowering the speed limit to 10 mph in the alley behind the Methodist Church.
In unfinished business, Fire Chief Paul Hutcherson shared information obtained from hydrant flow reports. Data was collected and mapped out via a formula designed to calculate flow rate based on gallons per minute. Hydrants were then color coded based on the numbers.
The Weakley County 911 office will prepare an updated map which may require the fire department to paint the hydrants. Currently, out of 241 hydrants, 12 are in need of repair and the list was turned over to the public works department.
Black hydrants indicate no service and red hydrants indicate enough water to only fill the truck.
Alderman Dick Tidwell expressed concern that a red hydrant was located near the nursing home. Forrester decided to call a meeting with Hutcherson, Tidwell and County Mayor Houston Patrick to present the findings.
Additionally, the board voted to accept a $100 donation from Ricky Finney for the fire department and $5,000 from Gov. Ned Ray McWherter for the Senior Citizens’ Center.
After researching the topic in more detail, Tidwell readdressed the subject of park use that was brought up in last week’s special-called meeting.
Tidwell consulted the City of Martin on its handling of ball leagues and based on his findings, made a motion that all leagues be required to furnish financial reports for the city within 45 days of the close of the season.
A failure to comply would result in the city’s decision not to sanction the league.
The motion passed with Alderman Jake Bynum casting a no vote. The board also voted to have the same rules apply to the Iris Festival.
Rounding out unfinished business, the board voted to explore other options in finding another engineering group to work on the handicap-accessible bathrooms at the Civic Center. The estimated engineering cost from Hargraves is $19,850.
Amending the agenda, the board closed business by voting the City of Dresden into prohibiting handguns in the city park.
The next meeting of the City of Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.
WCP 7.09.09 |
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