6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 69, Number 9 May 14, 2018 110th TN General Assembly Sine Die TML’s natural gas bill, small cell deployment among legislation approved June 9 -12 at the Knoxville Convention Center In one of its final actions prior and Safety Act of 2018, creates Conference Workshops to adjournment, the Tennessee a process for providers and local to address key legislation General Assembly approved leg- governments to work together to Annual Conference lineup islation that allows municipalities manage the right-of-ways and to Sunday, June 10 to spend revenue from natural gas get the new technology deployed 10:30 – 11:30 am utilities on funding for chambers as soon as possible. Legislative Review: features CMFO workshops of commerce and other economic While the legislation calls for The Greatest Hits from 2018 Good customer service, grant a quality grant proposal designed to and community organizations. a statewide application process, writing, the budget cycle, and em- align with grant makers’ interest. SB1894 by Sen. Delores local governments retain their au- This workshop will highlight ployment laws affected by natural On Monday morning, June Gresham, and HB1914 by Rep. thority to: key legislation passed by the disasters are some of the handful 11, Richard Stokes, MTAS human Ron Gant, was a TML-sponsored • manage placement of utility Tennessee Legislature during of workshop sessions scheduled resource consultant, will offer a bill that sought to grant natural gas poles and facilities in the right the 2018 session that will im- as part of the Certified Municipal workshop on Employment Laws utilities the authority to contribute of way; pact municipalities. Finance Officers training program Affected by Natural Disasters. to community marketing and eco- • establish aesthetic plans that planned for the TML Annual Con- This session will explore many nomic development efforts. govern facilities in the right Monday, June 11 ference. employment-related laws facing The bill was amended to only of way; 3:45 - 4:45 pm Slated for June 9-12 in Knox- employers in the wake of natural apply to municipal gas utility sys- • protect historic districts; 5G Cell Service Is Coming. ville, MTAS consultants will disasters. Specifically the session tems that are located in counties • manage and protect areas with Who Decides Where It Goes? present workshops during the con- will address military leave, FMLA, having a population of less than underground utilities; ference that are eligible for CPE unemployment compensation, 336,400 and utilities cannot raise • require damage repair in the Over the past year, TML has credits for Certified Municipal OSHA, wage and hour, workers rates to pay for donations to the right of way; worked with the telecommu- Finance Officers. compensation and others. chambers. • manage and reject any deploy- nication industry to communi- Beginning at 1 p.m. on Satur- On Monday afternoon, Pat Among other actions taken ment based on public safety cate the potential impacts the day, June 9, Brad Harris, MTAS Hardy, MTAS management con- by the General Assembly this concerns; and, deployment of this new tech- finance consultant, will present a sultant, will offer two workshops year was the passage of legisla- • apply right of way permitting nology can have on a city’s aes- session on establishing a budget on Developing a Culture of He- tion designed to accelerate the and fees. thetics and the managment of calendar, as well as discussing roes. This session will help partic- deployment process for small cell its rights-of-way. This new leg- the ongoing process of monitor- ipants understand the concept of wireless technology. A more detailed analysis of the islation was crafted to balance ing and evaluating the budget to “hero,” and how to fill their organi- The legislation, called the legislation will be reviewed at the the interests of the telecom ensure compliance with laws and zations with public service heroes. Competitive Wireless Broad- TML Annual Conference held in industry with the concerns of regulations. In doing so the session will focus band Investment, Deployment, Knoxville, June 11. Tennessee municipalities. Also on Saturday afternoon is on workplace culture and specific a session on customer service pre- strategies for becoming a culture of sented by Kurt Frederick, MTAS heroes. CDBG program helps cities finance training consultant. This course All CMFO workshops are is designed to assist participants open to all conference attendees. in developing effective customer As in the past, MTAS will also facelifts for aging housing, downtowns service skills. Highlights include offer the Elected Officials Acade- BY KATE COIL identification and traits of internal my Level II program on Friday and TML Communications Specialist and external customers, defining Saturday, June 8 – 9, as a pre-con- elements of positive customer ference event. Downtown redevelopment service, and addressing barriers To register for the EOA, please and providing affordable housing to delivering positive customer visit kate.tennessee.edu/mtas or for residents are two of the biggest service. contact Doug Brown at (865)-974- challenges facing many communi- On Sunday morning, Chris 9140, Doug.Brown@tennessee. ties across Tennessee. Shultz, MTAS grants specialist, edu The Community Develop- will offer a workshop on Intro- In addition to the workshops ment Block Program’s Downtown duction to Grant Writing. This offered by MTAS consultants, Façade Improvement grants are workshop will give a broad over- many of the conference workshops only available to communities in view of the grant writing process; will qualify for CPE credits. A Tennessee that have participated how and where to find available complete listing of approved work- in the Tennessee Downtowns federal and state grants; and how shops will be listed in the front of program with an active design to find foundation grant pro- the conference program book. committee or Tennessee Main grams. Also discussed will be the For more information about Street communities. The grant essential components of the grant the TML Annual Conference and applications must be submitted by proposal package and how to craft to register, go to www.TML1.org. the local Main Street organization, The city of Paris is one of many communities that has taken advan- tage of the CDBG Downtown Facade Grant program. The funds are After decade-long journey, Mt. Pleasant used to make important repairs and encourage downtown growth. the sponsoring non-profit organiza- Downtown Façade Grant program on track for new city wastewater facility tion for the Tennessee Downtowns for improvements to downtown program or the city in which the Paris. After the city was awarded BY KATE COIL improvements will be made. the grant and went through the Projects eligible for these environmental process, Morris said After more than a decade, of- funds include exterior improve- city officials met with downtown ficials with the city of Mt. Pleasant ments to for-profit or non-profit business owners to discuss how are hoping to put wastewater woes commercial businesses including the city planned to award different behind them. signage, painting, awnings, light- projects. The city recently received ap- ing, windows, doors, entryways “We are in the midst of the proval from the U.S. Department and other improvements approved façade grants,” Morris said. “Rath- of Agriculture’s Rural Develop- by TNECD. Interior improvements er than one major project we are try- ment Program for a $6.83 million are not allowed. ing to do 11 smaller projects. We are poverty interest rate loan and a 37 The University of Tennes- touching up different areas of the percent grant of $2.5 million to see-Knoxville Institute for Public downtown, like awning projects, rehabilitate its wastewater facility. Service found cosmetic repairs in painting projects, restoring bricks, The funds will allow Mt. Pleasant downtowns were one factor that installing new lamps and lighting, to pay off $5 million in funds for a can contribute to new investment, and window replacement. That revolving loan borrowed to finance create new businesses and jobs, and way, it spreads the money around. a previously failed project and ad- increase the number of visitors to One of the projects we are doing ditional $1.3 million to rehabilitate local downtowns. is replacing a double door that has municipal infrastructure. Paris is one of several Ten- been there forever. They are replac- City Manager Kate Collier nessee communities that has taken ing it with a newer door that looks said Mt. Pleasant is eager to pro- The city of Mt. Pleasant has received two grants from the U.S. De- advantage of the CDBG down- like the old door but is handicap vide citizens with a much-needed partment of Agriculture’s Rural Development program for long-an- town program. Jennifer Morris, accessible. The current door isn’t wastewater facility, reduce sewer ticipated repairs to the city’s wastewater facility, seen here. The city community development director in a shape for a wheelchair to get bills, and write the final chapter has also borrowed $1.3 million to rehabilitate municipal infrastructure. with the city of Paris, said the through it.” in a decade-long saga surrounding city received $100,000 from the See CDBG on Page 3 the facility. approved the project every step. “Since then, we have built an “Our sewer system definitely The lagoons failed; they leaked. $8.5 million, state-of-the-art water needs upgrades,” she said. “We The city had taken out an $8 million plant that opened in May 2016,” USDOT announces $1.5B are on a moratorium for building loan for this lagoon, and it failed.” Collier said. and under a consent order. There The lagoon system was soon While city officials were eager TIGER grants available through has been such turnover in city staff fraught with problems including to get the wastewater plant project that we finally got the application numerous violations for unper- back on track, Collier said the city rebranded “BUILD” program for the grant submitted in 2017 and mitted discharges. The city was first had to pay off the debts accrued it was on Good Friday of this year left with a wastewater system that from the first project. BY BRITTNEY KOHLER Discretionary Grants program. that we got the financing we need didn’t work as promised as well as “We had to get the rest of National League of Cities This additional funding was to finally straighten this problem $8 million in debt for the project, the funding for the project,” she provided by Congress for infra- out.” including $7.7 million from the said. “We couldn’t even start any On April 20, the U.S. Depart- structure in the Consolidated Ap- In 2005, the city of Mt. Pleas- state revolving loan fund. projects until we had the funding ment of Transportation (USDOT) propriations Act of 2018 to “help ant knew it was time to renovate Following lawsuits, Collier mechanism in place. We are first announced that they opened up states and communities address its wastewater facility, which was said the city was ultimately award- using the money from the lawsuits $1.5 billion in new competitive, their most critical transportation built in 1978. The city hired a ed $1.8 million from the engineers to pay down the state revolving transportation grant opportunities projects.” Congress stipulated to contractor to build a lagoon and and $350,000 from the contractor, loan fund, and whatever balance that cities can take advantage of to- USDOT that the maximum grant spray field system using the former which was set aside to help fund is left – probably about $2 to $2.5 day to advance projects of varying award would be $25 million, and phosphate mines near the town to renovations and pay down the city million – we are going to use to pay sizes and types. no more than $150 million can be store water. loan. off the 40-year poverty interest rate Previously known as Trans- awarded to a single state. Addition- “The city bought 545 acres of The city was also facing issues loan because it is at a higher interest portation Investment Generating ally, they required that at least 30 former mine land, and they were with its water system at the same rate over a shorter term.” Economic Recovery (TIGER) percent of funds must be awarded going to do a lagoon-spray field time as well as turnover in its staff Collier said the financing of grants, the new funding will be to projects located in rural areas. system where the water would be and on the city council. Collier her- the facility isn’t typical of similar available through the rebranded Applications for are due July stored in the lagoons and the spray self came to work for Mt. Pleasant projects. and retooled Better Utilizing 19. Visit https://www.transporta- fields would be used for excess in 2016, a decade after the issues “Normally, this is something Investments to Leverage Devel- tion.gov/BUILDgrants for more liquids,” Collier said. “TDEC had had begun. See WASTEWATER on Page 3 opment (BUILD) Transportation information about these grants. www.TML1.org 2-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018 World’s largest Lego Titanic model comes to Pigeon Forge

ATHENS Emergency Management Agency. buildings in addition to 70,000 The city of Athens has opened a The training facility is located square feet of retail space. Plans new dog park at Prof Powers Park, adjacent to the Norris Cope Jr. Fire also call for a 100-unit apartment formerly known as Knox Park. and Police Operations Training community and a midsize hotel The opening of the new park was Center and will make it easier for catered to business travelers. celebrated in conjunction with first responders to continue with the McMinn Regional Humane professional development without NASHVILLE Society’s Old Fashion Carnival, having to travel outside the city lim- Mobile Mentor, Inc., will locate which featured pet-themed games, its. In addition to the FEMA grant, its first U.S. facility in Nashville, food, training demonstrations, a pet in-kind donations from personnel creating 110 new jobs and investing costume contest, and a bake sale to helped get the structure ready. The $2 million. Mobile Mentor plans benefit the organization. Plans for Decherd Fire Department also on locating its new operations in Athens new dog park have been plans to add a propane car fire sim- an existing location in Nashville’s The world’s largest Titanic model composed of Lego bricks has arrived underway since renovations to ulator, allowing firefighters to train West End neighborhood. With this at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. The 26-foot-long, Powers Park began in 2015. The on vehicle fires. Fire departments new location, the company will be 5-foot-high, 4-foot-wide Titanic model was built out of 56,000 Lego park includes a fenced-in-area for from across the region can also use better equipped to provide service bricks by Brynjar Karl Birgisson of Iceland. dogs to play off-leash with separate the facility. to its North American customers. sections for big and small dogs, Mobile Mentor, Inc., part of Mobile pet clean-up stations, benches, and GATLINBURG Mentor Limited, develops, secures Athens gets ready to play ball picnic tables. The Chalet Village community and manages mobile solutions for of Gatlinburg has joined 20 other health care, banks, airlines, utilities CHATTANOOGA communities in Tennessee to earn and government organizations and The Chattanooga Metropolitan Air- the Firewise USA recognition offers application development, port may soon become the first air- based on their efforts to reduce mobile security and mobility man- port in the nation to be 100 percent the vulnerability of homes and agement. Mobile Mentor will focus energy self-sufficient through the landscapes to wildfire. The -Ten solely on health care in Nashville use of solar power. Airport officials nessee Department of Agriculture for the first few years. The- com are moving forward with the third Division of Forestry presented the pany was founded in 2004 and is phase of a solar farm project, which community with a commemorative headquartered in Auckland, New is expected to come online later this plaque and Firewise USA street Zealand, with locations in Welling- year. The new field – added with the signs. Community leaders, home- ton, New Zealand, and New South 1 megawatt array and 1.1 megawatt owners, representatives from the Wales, Australia. array already installed at the facility Gatlinburg Fire Department, Great From left to right, McMinn County Mayor John Gentry, Athens Mayor – would generate enough electricity Smoky Mountains National Park, NASHVILLE Chuck Burris, and Tennessee Wesleyan University Softball player to pay Lovell Field’s power bill. and Division of Forestry officials AllianceBernstein L.P. (AB) will Katelyn Cantrell throw out the first pitch of the season at Athens Additional electricity generated at attended the ceremony. The Chalet invest more than $70 million and Regional Park as members of the McMinn County Little League the site would then be sold to the Village area of Gatlinburg was hit create 1,050 jobs as the global asset look on. Both Little League players and the TWU women’s softball Tennessee Valley Authority. The especially hard by the wildfires of management firm relocates its cor- team play on the fields. third solar panel site is being con- 2016 and have since taken it upon porate headquarters to Nashville. structed by Dillard Construction themselves to develop more fired AB is a leading global investment Oak Ridge officials, donors Company for $634,000 and will preparedness initiatives. The Na- management firm that offers a com- include lowering the elevation of tional Fire Protection Association prehensive range of research and the site by nine feet to meet fed- sponsors the free and voluntary diversified investment services to cut ribbon on public sculpture eral equipment’s. An estimated 90 Firewise USA recognition pro- institutional investors, individuals percent of the project cost will be gram. This designation enables and private wealth clients in major covered through federal grants. communities to apply for grants markets across the world. AB’s from the Division of Forestry to new Nashville headquarters will in- COLUMBIA implement projects specified in clude finance, IT, operations, legal, The James K. Polk Home and their Community Wildfire Protec- compliance, internal audit, human Museum in Columbia is one step tion Plans. For more information resources, sales, and marketing. closer to becoming part of the about the Firewise USA program AB has approximately $549 billion National Parks Service. The U.S. visit www.BurnSafeTN.org. in assets under management. The House of Representative passed a financial firm employs nearly 3,500 bill that would allow for a study to MEMPHIS employees and operates offices in determine the feasibility of placing The BlueCross BlueShield of 22 countries. the only surviving private residence Tennessee Health Foundation will of the 11th president as a unit of pay $5.4 million to revitalize the PIGEON FORGE the NPS. The site is presently David Carnes Park in the Memphis The Pigeon Forge City Commis- managed by the nonprofit James neighborhood of Whitehaven. The sion is moving forward with issu- K. Polk Memorial Association. A park will receive $4.5 million in ing $30 million in new bonds to companion bill still awaits approval new construction projects and a purchase land and create additional Officials with the city of Oak Ridge, Dogwood Arts Council, and Oak in the U.S. Senate before the study $900,000 endowment for mainte- parking for the LeConte Center as Ridge National Laboratory Federal Credit Union (ORNL FCU) cut could move forward. Built in 1816 nance from the project. The reno- well as a new trolley center. The the ribbon on a new sculpture in the city’s Jackson Square. Titled by Polk’s father while he attended vations are the first project in the city will purchase 16 acres from “Angular Separation,” the sculpture was made by Greeneville, N.C.- the University of North Carolina, first in the health care company’s Mountain Mile, LLC, for use as a based artist Hanna Jubran. The city provided the location for the the home was were the future BlueCross Healthy Place Program, parking lot with some 1,600 new sculpture while ORNL FCU underwrote the project. president returned after graduation an initiative aimed at improving spaces, a pedestrian walkway over and where he began his legal and public spaces to foster healthy the parking lot, and a new trolley political career. communities across the state. Rec- center at Patriot Park. The project Madisonville completes $1M reation construction company Play- will be funded through the Tourist COOKEVILLE Core has been selected to complete Development Zone in the area, water tank construction project Colorobbia USA, Inc., will invest the project and will be working with which allows cities to collect addi- $5 million to build a new facility local suppliers. tional tax revenues for tourism-re- and create 30 jobs in Cookeville. lated projects. The Italian-based ceramics supplier MORRISTOWN plans to build a 50,000-square-foot The city of Morristown has opened RIDGLEY facility that includes distribution a new disc golf course at Frank Lori- Excel Boat Company, LLC, will functions and a technical assistance no Park. The new “Blue Course” at invest $9 million to establish a new laboratory. It will be the company’s the park is an 18-hole disc golf manufacturing facility in Ridgely, first facility in Tennessee. Gruppo course and joins a “Yellow Course” creating nearly 200 jobs in the next Colorobbia’s products include already at the park. The blue course five years. Excel Boats, located in glazes, frits, pigments, and ceramic has longer shots, higher pars and a Mountain View, Ark., manufac- inks for the ceramic tile and glass higher level of difficulty than the tures a full line of high-end alumi- industries. The company also pro- yellow course. The financing for the num boats for outdoor recreational duces precious metals and a line course came from $8,000 in grant enthusiasts. The company will of products for artistic ceramics. money the Morristown Rotary Club construct a 100,000-square-foot fa- Colorobbia USA is part of Gruppo donated to the Morristown Disc cility in Ridgley, including an office Colorobbia, an Italian company Golf Association and Morristown space, showroom and visitor area. and global leader in the ceramic Parks and Recreation Department. Construction will begin in July and glass industries. Established in 2018, and the facility is expected to 1921, Gruppo Colorobbia is a fam- MT. PLEASANT be operational in the second quarter ily-owned company headquartered Smalticeram USA, Inc. will locate of 2019. Excel Boats will begin in the province of Vinci, Italy. It new operations in Mt. Pleasant, hiring in the third quarter of 2018. Officials with the city of Madisonville recently cut the ribbon on a $1 has more than 2,000 employees and investing $4 million and creating At the Ridgely plant, Excel Boats million water tank at the end of Vinegar Ridge Road. The fiberglass operates in 18 different countries. 26 new jobs. The company is will produce a new, expanded line tank is virtually maintenance-free and was partially paid for with headquartered in Italy and pro- of hunting, fishing and recreation- an ARC grant of $400,000. From left: Madisonville Alderman Fred DECHERD duces and distributes glazes, frits, al boats. The company will also Cagle; State Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City; Alderwomen Linda The city of Decherd has opened a pigments and inks for ceramic tiles. manufacture boat trailers, wiring Hensley; Susan Saunders; Deputy Gov. Jim Henry; Madisonville new special fire training facility and Smalticeram will locate its new harnesses, upholstery, bracing and Mayor Glenn Moser; U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; and Monroe repelling platform financed through operations in a 50,000 square foot other boating products for its deal- County Mayor Tim Yates. a $250,000 grant from the Federal facility in Mount Pleasant’s Cher- ership network. ry Glen Industrial Park, a Select Tennessee Certified Site. With this SPRING HILL TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY Trolleys return to Memphis Tennessee Town & City (ISSN 00403415, new location, the company will be General Motors announced it will USPS 539420) is published semi-monthly better equipped to serve its North bring back 700 jobs at its Spring except in the months of June and December American customers. Hill plant originally eliminated in 19 times per year by Tennessee Municipal League, 226 Capitol Blvd, Suite 710, Nash- September 2017 to help support ville TN 37219-1894. Subscription rates: MURFREESBORO the increased demand for the GMC $6 per year to members, $15 to nonmem- i3 Verticals, a company providing Acadia and Cadillac XT5 cross- bers, $1 a copy. Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER:Send integrated payment and software overs. The auto manufacturer laid address changes to Tennessee Town & City, solutions, has chosen Murfrees- off nearly 700 employees because 226 Capitol Blvd, Suite 710, Nashville TN boro for its new operations cen- of moderating sales. Employees 37219-1894. Official publication of the Tennessee ter. The company will take over who were laid off last year in elim- Municipal League. Publisher: Margaret 8,500-square-feet of the Fountains ination of the third shift have recall Mahery (mmahery@ TML1.org); Editor: Gateway, investing $500,000 and rights, meaning they have the option Carole Graves ([email protected]; Phone: 615-255-6416. Advertising: Pub- creating 42 new jobs. Construction to return to their former or a similar lisher reserves the right to reject any adver- will begin in May and is expected position before new hires. The third tising deemed unacceptable. Fax classified to be complete in July. Fountains shift announcement follows a sep- ads to TT&C: Attention Carole Graves at 615-255-4752, or e-mail cgraves@TML1. at Gateway is a 31-acre, Class A arate, $294 million investment for org. Fax advertising copy to TT&C: At- mixed-use development at 1500 a new Cadillac crossover and plant tention Debbie Kluth at 615-255-4752, or Trolley service has returned to Memphis with the opening of the e-mail to dkluth@ TML1.org. Opinions Medical Center Parkway. Once upgrades announced last year. GM expressed by non League officials or staff built out, the $80 million develop- will also build the Holden Acadia new Main Street Line, which runs between North End and Central do not necessarily reflect policies of TML. ment will include 400,000 square in Spring Hill in 2018 for export to Station on Main Street. The new trolleys cost $1 to ride. The city feet of office space in three office Australia and New Zealand. plans to add a Riverfront Loop line catering to tourists in late 2019. 3-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018 www.TML1.org CDBG program helps cities fund facelifts for aging housing, downtowns CDBG from Page 1 these structures, but the city didn’t have enough money in their coffers Morris said the projects were to go and remove these structures.” chosen by a five person committee Through the grant, Columbia that included a historian, contrac- took down 37 homes that had be- tor, a marketing expert, and a real come dilapidated to the point they estate agent. The committee ranked were no longer inhabitable. This the submitted applications and freed up the vacant lots for redevel- approved 11 projects. There are opment into affordable housing for an additional seven projects Paris the residents of the neighborhood hopes to complete if there is still as well as eliminated properties that funding left over. might attract crime to the neigh- City officials in Paris have borhood. Other funds were used already been working to make im- to improve walkways and make provements downtown. Paris has East Columbia more connected to received a Tourism Enhancement downtown. Grant to help install a new restroom Without the CDBG funds, facility and a grant from the Ten- Jablonski said it would have been a nessee Arts Commission to install struggle for Columbia to redevelop art murals in downtown alleyways. the neighborhood. Downtown Paris is now listed on “We budget about $40,000 a the National Register of Historic year for paving in Columbia, and Places as a historic district and re- this grant allowed us to take care of cently became a part of Tennessee’s houses that were blighted by spend- Main Streets program. Downtown ing $30,000 to $40,000 on each of Paris has seen a revitalization in them. We worked with property terms of retail as a result of invest- After using funds to demolish several structures in East Columbia, the city used leftover funds to build owners in the community who had ments into the area. new sidewalks in the area to make the neighborhood more accessible. The city took down 37 dilipidated a need and getting them to a point “For one thing, downtowns homes, allowing those lots to be redeveloped into new, more affordable housing. they felt comfortable taking advan- represent our heritage and histo- tage of the program. We worked ry,” Morris said. “Many of our Most of these homes were built in on 37 homes, and it was hard to downtown buildings are at least the 1960s or earlier. believe that people were living in 100 years old. As far as economic “Paris was originally built some of these homes because of development, industries often look around the railroad, and a lot of their condition.” very closely at a city’s downtown. these older homes that are within While it may seem counter- If the downtown is vibrant and two or three blocks of downtown intuitive, Fisher said taking down is taken care of, it tells them that were where people lived in those these old structures to make room community takes pride in itself. days,” Morris said. “These are for new structures actually is one That is a big selling point for indus- older homes, and over a period of way to improve a neighborhood. tries. We are also sales-tax driven, time – like in a lot of other cities – Columbia has already issues sever- so that retail is important to our some of those older homes become al building permits for new homes downtown. It is also a gathering the place for people with lower in the area. place for people, so downtown is incomes to live. Sometimes there “The program was voluntary, the heart of the community. It is are residents who cannot fix the and there had to be a title to the what makes us unique.” home the way they need to. One program proving who the owner Housing, especially affordable of the homes we repaired was for was,” Fisher said. “One of the housing, is another important issue a young woman who had a stroke, issues was finding properties with many communities are facing. and we helped install a wheelchair a clear title. The goal of the proj- Housing projects through CDBG ramp into the home.” This house is one of several in Paris that received repairs through ect was to increase single-family funds include providing housing Paris City Manager Kim Fos- homes. Once you clear the proper- counseling services – such as ter said the CDBG housing grants the CDBG program. Home repairs can encourage reinvestment and revitalization of aging neighborhoods. ty, a nice single-family home can advice on pre-purchase, credit, are an invaluable tool. be built on that property. Colum- money management, and fore- “We have been trying to take can be spent through the grant. That it is hard to attract investors and bia even changed some of their closure prevention – to potential advantage of the CDBG housing allows us to spread the money a bit it is hard to get people excited zoning so that you couldn’t have homebuyers or to keep homes safe grants every time we can qualify,” further.” about maintaining their property,” rental property or modular homes and accessible, projects often used Foster said. “Like most rural com- Foster said residents who Jablonski said. “We knew some- to encourage single-family homes. to help neighborhoods with a high munities, housing and affordable have been part of the program are thing had to be done about these Once you have ownership of prop- volume of elderly residents on housing is always an issue and a extremely grateful to have partic- structures, and the CDBG grant erty, people tend to take better care fixed incomes. concern for us. Usually, there is a ipated. provided the opportunity for this of it and have better pride in their Housing funds from the CDBG lot of sweat equity in these grants, “These projects are a lot of project. These houses can attract community.” program are often used to develop but there isn’t a lot of financial work, but they are so gratifying,” a lot of illegal activity or activity Fisher said that affordable or renovate affordable housing that matches required. That is a win- Foster said. “You know you’ve we want to discourage. You have housing is an important economic already exist, but the construction win for the community, and meets made a difference in someone’s someone bringing in drugs or al- development tool for communities, of new housing is not allowed under a need we otherwise couldn’t pro- life through this program. We have cohol or crime into these vacant and without programs like CDBG, the program. At least 51 percent of vide. It’s very disheartening and people whose homes in are in such a structures, and it makes the entire it might be harder for communities houses funded through the project sad when you get into these pro- condition that without this funding area a target for crime.” to keep revitalizing local neighbor- must be occupied by low-to-mod- grams and find out the conditions they might not be able to stay in Lorie Fisher, community de- hoods. erate income-residents. some of these people are living in. their homes.” velopment director at the South “I have worked in the CDBG Paris has twice taken advan- We do whatever we can to make Paris isn’t the only community Central Tennessee Development program for more than 30 years, tage of the program, first receiv- improvements for these residents.” that has seen positive change fol- District, and this is by far the program that ing a $500,000 grant in 2006 to Foster said repairs to homes lowing a CDBG housing project. “This area had a large stock assists small, rural communities renovate homes in the Peden Hill included replacing windows, en- The city of Columbia was awarded of vacant and abandoned proper- more than any other,” she said. neighborhood, which was then ergy-efficiency upgrades, adding a $315,000 grant through the pro- ties, a high crime rate, and needed “This is really the only program combined with a Tennessee Hous- new roofs, plumbing corrections, gram in 2014 to revitalize its East economic investment,” Fisher said. that is available on a regular basis ing Development Agency grant of new floors, and new HVAC units. Columbia neighborhood. “Neighborhood decay can encour- that helps small rural towns. I don’t $250,000. The CDBG funds alone Foster said the repairs made to Columbia Assistant City Man- age small crime which then can know what some communities allowed for the rehabilitation of six these homes are “more than just ager Thad Jablonski said Colum- lead to more serious crimes. A lot of would do without this program. homes on Sparks and Yates streets cosmetic.” bia worked with the Columbia times, people inherited properties I have some towns that apply for in the community. The city then “A lot of time the place where Housing and Redevelopment and structures but didn’t have the funds every other year. Small towns received a second CDBG grant of your oldest housing stock is tends Corporation and the South Central money to remove the structure or who don’t have the population or $255,000 grant for housing reha- to be lower-income,” Foster said. Tennessee Development District to to rehab it. The structures then fell revenue can’t afford to do these bilitation in the South Porter, South “The homes have to be owner-oc- make the project a reality. into decay over several genera- major projects without assistance College, and West Blythe Street cupied, and our current round is a “When structures that are tions. The city was getting a back- from a grant program.” areas of the community in 2013. $40,000-per-household grant that dilapidated dot the neighborhood, log on their permit violations of all After a decade, Mt. Pleasant on track for new city wastewater facility WASTEWATER from Page 1 you wouldn’t do,” she said. “You wouldn’t take a short-term loan and refinance it, but it helps our bottom dollar so much. It gives us more cash on hand to fix issues. Infrastructure here has not been attended to for years and years. We have been barely getting by. This way, we have more money every month and every year we can set aside for capital projects. We will pay off all the debt that exists, refi- nance, and then we can start using grant money. That should allow us to get all of the plant renovations done.” Collier said Mt. Pleasant al- ready has big plans for renovations to the plant. “It has taken years for us to regroup, but we have a plan to ren- Mt. Pleasant’s existing wastewater facility was constructed in the When construction is complete, the city of Mt. Pleasant will have a ovate the existing plant,” she said. 1970s and has several repairs in years since. The city intended to new wastewater facility like the BioMag one seen here. The city will “We are bringing in a new system overhaul the facility in 2005, but issues with a contractor led to more also be able to use former phosphate mines to store water during called BioMag, which is another than a decade of issues for the city. heavy rain events. way to treat waste. As part of ren- ovations, we are also replacing a by August. ing to be doing other things around always said yes, but we still have clean and move past an issue that large 18-inch trunk line that feeds “The new plant will essentially the plant that are just general rehab. that moratorium hanging over us. has long plagued the community. all the waste to the sewer plant and run very similarly to the way it does The improvements to the This gives Mt. Pleasant a chance “Sadly, our sewer system has send excess rainwater to the plant. now,” he said. “What we are install- facility will also impact how Mt. to focus on doing more housing, become somewhat of a running We are able to use the lagoons to ing into the plant is a process that Pleasant is able to grow and de- because as soon as a house goes joke among people. This history store that excess water and then allows the materials in clarifiers to velop, both in terms of residents on the market it’s under contract. of negativity is why this project is send it back to the plant when it settle much more rapidly than they and business. We also have new industry pros- so important,” Collier said. “There can handle it in the case of large currently can. From an expansion “We have the third-highest pects coming in on a regular basis. has been a lot of finger-pointing rain events. It will be an asset to standpoint, we are trying to get sewer rates in the state; the mini- We have to be able to handle their over the years. I’ve always said the us to store excess water. The spray more through the plant and those mum bill is $50 a month,” Collier water and sewer needs. It will be a only people who were innocent in fields will be decommissioned, and clarifiers have previously been said. “Once we get this project tremendous boon to get us back to this whole thing were the citizens they will never be used.” the bottleneck. The driver of this done, we will be able to move where we need to be.” of Mt. Pleasant, but they’re the Matthew Johnson, project project was to minimize how much toward lowering those bills. Every In addition to providing citi- ones who have ended up paying for manager with Barge Design Solu- new construction we had to do and time we want to build 25 more zens with a better wastewater facil- it. My attitude is this is what it is; tions, said the design phase of the utilize what is there. While we are houses we have to go to the state be- ity, Collier said the project is a way we have to move forward. This has project is expected to be completed doing that project, we are also go- cause of that moratorium. They’ve for Mt. Pleasant to wipe the slate been a longtime coming.” www.TML1.org 4-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018 Founder, president of J. R. Wauford & Co. Engineers passes away at 88 J. Roy Wauford, Jr., P.E., Tim Bea- 2005. During his tenure on the high coming to Columbia, Massey was founder and president of J. R. vers has been court, he also served two terms as the administrator of Lee County, Wauford & Company Consulting selected as chief justice. Even after his retire- Ga., for two years and previous- Engineers, Inc., from 1956-2015, the interim ment, he remained active in the ly served as the city manager of passed away at his home on April planning state’s legal community. The Ten- Frankfort, Ky.; Bristol; Savannah; 25, 2018. He was 88. and com- nessee Bar Association created the and assistant city manager of King- Many of you know him munity de- Justice Frank F. Drowota III Out- sport. He received a bachelor’s through his engineering firm and velopment standing Judicial Service Award in degree in political science and a the work they have done in your municipality. At TML, we know director for Tim Beavers his honor, and he became a board master’s in public administration the city of member of the Nashville School of from the University of Tennessee. him as the “ice cream man,” who Bristol following the departure of Law in 2006. A graduate of Vander- has generously sponsored the ice Brian Rose. Beavers has served as bilt for both his bachelor’s and law Ross Peters cream break at our annual confer- the city’s director of public works degree, he served as a naval offi- has been ences for more than 30 years. for the past four years with a total of cer aboard an aircraft carrier and named the Roy Wauford was a native 27 years of experience with the city. served as a commanding officer for interim zon- of Lebanon, first attending public A native of Bristol, he graduated a local reserve unit. He began his ing admin- schools and ultimately graduat- from Virginia Tech in 1989 with a legal career in 1970 in Davidson istrator for ing from Castle Heights Military Roy Wauford bachelor’s in civil engineering and County Chancery Court and was the city of Academy. He attended Tennessee worked in Virginia for two years in appointed to the state Court of Bristol fol- Tech University and then Vander- He has been a member of bilt University, graduating cum numerous professional and civ- the engineering and construction Appeals in 1974. lowing the Ross Peters fields. He returned to the city of departure of laude in 1952 with a bachelor’s ic organizations including First Bristol in 1991, and worked closely Marsha Blake Ailor. Peters has served in of engineering degree. After grad- Presbyterian Church in Lebanon. with the city’s planning and com- Gallardo, the city’s division of engineering uation, Wauford worked at D.A. During his 60 years as president, munity development department as children’s services for the past 15 years. His duPlantier, Consulting Engineers he provided firm leadership and a city engineer. librarian for new duties will include profes- and the Tennessee Highway De- mentoring to numerous individuals the Spring sional, technical, managerial, and partment. during their employment as well as Jacob Hill Public administrative work in the plan- He established J. R. Wauford a stable source of income during Chandler Library, has ning and zoning division, which & Company, Consulting Engi- their retirement. has been been chosen operates under the community neers, Inc. in 1956. In 1960, he He is survived by his wife of 65 named as as the 2018 development director. decided that his firm would focus years, Lois Ann Flippen Wauford, Marsha on water and wastewater engineer- four children, six grandchildren, interim pub- Daniel Tay- Gallardo lic works lor Memori- Tim Ward ing, which led to the firm being a and several step grandchildren and director for al Award by the Tennessee Library has been se- leading regional environmental great grandchildren. Obituary and the city of Association (TLA). Gallardo has lected as the firm with projects completed in additional details may be found at Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, http://ligonbobo.com. Bristol while Jacob Chandler served as the children’s library new chief of current di- for Spring Hill since 2006. Be- the Green- Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, and Our thoughts and prayers go rector Tim Beavers steps in as the fore coming to the city library, eville Police other states. In 1969, he purchased out to his family and the employees city’s interim director of planning she worked as a writer for Strang Department, Liberty State Bank where he served of J.R. Wauford & Co. He will be and community development. Communications’ various maga- succeeding as president until 1999. sorely missed. Chandler will oversee the daily zine publications, now known as Chief Terry Tim Ward operations of the public works Charisma Media, and ghostwrote Cannon who department. He presently serves as the 1996 book Happy Days: And will retire on June 29. Ward is a 27- MTAS announces staff changes city engineer and has been with the year veteran of the Greeneville Po- Dark Nights, a story by Jerry and Longtime Municipal Man- city of Bristol for four years. Chan- lice Department and most recently Susanne McClain. agement Consultant David An- dler has a bachelor’s degree in civil served as administrative captain. gerer has retired from the Munic- engineering and a master’s degree He began his career in 1990 as a pa- Todd Hop- ipal Technical Advisory Service in environmental engineering from trol officer and has since worked as penstedt has (MTAS) after 17 years of service. the University of Tennessee-Knox- a narcotics agent, special response been select- Angerer joined MTAS in ville. Before coming to work with team commander, SWAT team ed as the new 2001 and was assigned to munic- the city of Bristol, he served as an commander, detective lieutenant, public works ipalities in West Tennessee. operations management specialist and patrol captain. Ward earned director for Prior to joining MTAS, he with the city of Greensboro, N.C., a bachelor’s degree in criminal the city of was with Maryville, Mo. He holds and as a civil engineer for Durham, justice from East Tennessee State Brentwood. master’s and bachelor’s degrees in N.C., for 13 years. University in 1989 and also has Hoppenstedt Todd public administration, and an as- earned a number of continuing brings more Hoppenstedt sociate’s degree in general studies. John Coker education and professional certifi- than 20 years His last day was May 1. has been cations during his tenure with the David Angerer of maintenance, water, sales and During the interim, Athanasia selected as city police department. project management experience to Lewis, former assistant town ad- the new vice the job and, for the past 10 years, ministrator with Collierville, will mayor of John B. held operations superintendent and serve on a temporary basis as an Athens fol- Waters Jr., director of public work roles in MTAS Management Consultant. lowing a 3-1 a member three different villages in Illinois. She will work out of the Memphis. council vote. of the Ap- He graduated Illinois State Uni- Contact Lewis at 865-705-9252 Coker was palachian John Coker versity with a degree in criminal and Athanasia.lewis@tennessee selected for Regional justice and sociology, but chose .edu. the position after former Vice May- Communi- to pursue a career in maintenance Sarah Curtis has joined or Dick Pelley resigned his position ty and the following graduation. As part of MTAS as a training coordinator in April. Coker is currently serving Tennessee a restricting of the public works John B. Waters in the Nashville office. in the second year of his first term Valley Au- department, former director Jeff Prior to joining MTAS, Curtis on the council, and he will serve thority board of directors, died on Donegan will now oversee large- was a training and development as the city’s vice mayor until No- April 14 at the age of 88 following scale capital construction projects coordinator for the state of Ten- vember municipal elections. Coker a battle with lung cancer. Waters within the Brentwood Engineering nessee. She also worked with Co- also serves as the mayoral designee was a partner in the law firm of Sarah Curtis Department. lumbia State Community College. on the city’s planning commission. Hailey, Waters, Sykes & Sharp in Curtis holds a bachelor’s de- Sevierville from 1961 until 1984, degrees in sociology and business Tony gree in psychology, and masters’ Former Massey, city when President Ronald Reagan administration. Tennessee manager for nominated him to serve on the TVA Supreme Columbia, board of directors. He also served Court Jus- has been se- as federal co-chairman of the Ap- TDEC, TDOT accepting 2018 tice Frank lected as the palachian Regional Commission F. Drowo- 2018 Middle from 1969 to 1971 under President nominations for Sustainable ta III died Tennessee Richard Nixon’s nomination. In April 15 at 1992, President George H. W. Bush Public Ad- Tony Massey Transportation Awards named Waters chairman of the TVA the age of 79. Frank F. ministrator Winners will be announced at the board. During his tenure, Waters The Tennessee Department First elected Drowota II of the Year by Tennessee State Tennessee Sustainable Transporta- to the state University’s Department of Public was actively involved in TVA’s of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) invites nominations for tion Awards and Forum, which will Supreme Court in 1980. He was Administration. A Columbia na- nuclear power operations. take place Sept. 17-18, in Knoxville. the second-longest serving justice tive, Massey returned to the city the fourth annual Tennessee Sus- tainable Transportation Awards. These awards recognize out- in state history when he retired in as its city manager in 2013. Before standing initiatives within the state of Tennessee to reduce transporta- tion-related energy and emissions, in line with an overarching effort to save natural resources, improve the health and well-being of Tennesse- ans, and create efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services. Eligible applicants include fed- eral, state and local governments; commercial, nonprofit and industri- al organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and utilities. Entities must be located in Tennessee and the project must have been completed in the last five years. All nominees must be in envi- ronmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged. For more information about the Tennessee Sustainable Trans- portation Awards, visit the website at https://www.tn.gov/environment/ tsta. Read the full press release at https://www.tn.gov/environ- ment/news/2018/3/1/nomina- tions-open-for-tdec-s-2018-sus- tainable-transportation-awards. html. The deadline to submit nomi- nations is May 31, 2018. www.TML1.org 5-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018

The Tennessee Department of below the national average. The Tourist Development marked preliminary, seasonally adjusted another year of record-setting rate for March was 3.4 percent, growth for the state’s $19.3 bil- which mirrored the revised rate for lion tourism industry. According February and was nearly one per- to the latest research from D.K. centage point less than the March Shifflet and Associates, Tennessee 2017 rate of 4.2 percent. Tennes- experienced 113.6 million person see’s statewide unemployment stays in 2017, an increase of 3.3 rate has remained below 4 percent percent over 2016. Tennessee since last May, hitting an all-time places among the Top 10 travel low of 3.3 percent last Septem- destinations in the U.S. for the ber. Tennessee added 4,900 new fourth consecutive year and is nonfarm jobs between February considered to be a top retirement and March. In the past 12 months, destination. employers across the state created an estimated 49,000 new jobs Tennessee has one of the while employment in Tennessee best-funded state pension pro- grew by 2.3 percent compared grams in the country. The Pew with only a 1.5 percent growth in Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit jobs nationwide, according to U.S. focused on non-partisan govern- Bureau of Labor Statistics. ment research, listed Tennessee has having the fourth best-funded Three Tennessee battlefields Henry Horton State Park, located in Chapel Hill, received a gold-level recognition for the sustainable pension program of any state. have received money for pres- practices used at its on-site restaurant. The restaurant grows and serves its own fresh produce, as Tennessee was ranked only below ervation from the National Park well as composts food waste from the restaurant. Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Service. The Chattanooga and New York as best prepared to fulfil Wauhatchie Battlefields received pension promises made to public $57,065 to protect the 3.61 acres employees. Tennessee Consoli- of land while the Fort Donelson Tennessee state parks expand “green” dated Retirement System (TCRS) Battlefield has been awarded is the defined benefit pension plan $24,430 to acquire 11.18 acres concepts as part of new initiative serving more 350,000 active and of land. The funds will be used Twenty-six Tennessee State retired state, higher education, and to protect battle sites in danger Parks have been recognized by PARK RECOGNITION participating local government of damage or destruction due to the Tennessee Department of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Bronze employees, as well as K-12 public urban and suburban development. Environment and Conservation Burgess Falls State Park Gold teachers. The awards were part of more than (TDEC) for sustainable concepts Cedars of Lebanon State Park Bronze $82,000 in grants the NPS award- as part of the state’s “Go Green Cove Lake State Park Bronze The Tennessee Department of ed to protect a total of 14 acres of With Us” initiative. Parks that re- Dunbar Cave State Park Bronze Agriculture Division of Forestry battlefields. ceived the highest honors include Fort Loudoun State Historic Park Bronze is now accepting urban forestry Burgess Falls State Park, Henry Fort Pillow State Historic Park Silver tree planting project proposals Tennessee had the 13th highest Horton State Park and Montgom- Harrison Bay State Park Bronze through the Tennessee Agricul- gross domestic product growth ery Bell State Park. Henry Horton State Park Gold tural Enhancement Program of all 50 states, according to a “Tennessee State Parks are Indian Mountain State Park Silver (TAEP). Local governments, recent report from the Bureau of leading the way across the nation Johnsonville State Historic Park Bronze private non-profit organizations Economic Analysis. Tennessee’s in the first robust sustainability Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail and educational institutions are real GDP increased 2.5 percent program of its kind,” said TDEC State Scenic Trail State Park Bronze eligible to apply. TAEP offers a over the previous year with its real Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill. Long Hunter State Park Bronze 50/50 matching cost-share pro- GDP per capita increase 1.4 per- “Sustainable measures instituted Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Bronze gram for tree planting on public cent. Tennessee was one of the 47 at our parks help create the cohe- Montgomery Bell State Park Gold property, rights-of-way, and pri- states that saw its real GDP grow sive and exceptional experience Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Bronze vate non-profit land and covers between 2016 and 2007. Increases our visitors are looking for, all the Norris Dam State Park Bronze half the cost of trees and ship- in durable goods, construction, while reducing operating expenses Panther Creek State Park Bronze ping, contracted planting, mulch, and professional, scientific, and and saving taxpayer dollars.” Paris Landing State Park Silver tree-watering bags, tree labels and technical services increased na- The Go Green With Us pro- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Bronze acknowledgment signs. Proposals tionally and in every state while gram recognizes Tennessee State Port Royal State Park Bronze must be received in TDA’s Divi- agriculture, forestry, fishing, and Parks that have integrated sustain- Radnor Lake State Park Silver sion of Forestry office in Nashville hunting decreased nationally. able practices into park manage- Roan Mountain State Park Bronze by 4 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 8, Tennessee’s biggest increase was ment and operations. The program Rock Island State Park Silver 2018. Find more information at in the durable goods sector while launched in 2015 as a recycling South Cumberland State Park Silver www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/ its biggest decrease was in mining initiative at all 56 state parks and Tims Ford State Park Bronze urban.html. and quarrying. evolved into a more comprehen- sive initiative that tackles all as- The state of Tennessee saw a Hate crimes are on the increase pects of park management, from foot pollinator garden, water aer- restaurant. slight overall increase in crime in Tennessee, according to new energy efficiency to food service ators on all faucets, and low-flow The other 23 state parks recog- in 2017. The Tennessee Bureau data from the Tennessee Bureau to visitor programming. toilets, and a children’s educational nized have instituted concepts such of Investigation’s 2017 “Crime in of Investigation. The number of Parks were ranked on a tiered program on recycling. as energy-efficient heating and Tennessee” report found murders hate crimes reported in the state system based on points earned for Montgomery Bell was named cooling systems, controlled burns increased 6.7 percent between went up 10.5 percent between various sustainable management the 2017 Sustainable Park of the to reduce invasive plant growth, 2016 and 2017, reported rape 2016 and 2017. A total of 199 hate practices, similar to the LEED Year by TDEC for its food waste and “Leave No Trace” principles offenses increased by 3.2 percent, crimes were reported in Tennessee (Leadership in Energy Efficient reduction efforts, which saves the in visitor programming. Parks and the number of individuals ar- in 2017 with 56.8 percent of hate Design) certification model for park nearly $4,000 per year on with golf courses are internation- rested in connection with reported crimes directed against victims sustainable buildings. diverted solid waste fees. ally recognized by the Certified crimes decreased by 0.1 percent. based on their race, ethnicity, or Initiatives at gold-level winner Henry Horton also composts Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Drug and narcotics violations also ancestry. Nearly 38 percent of Burgess Falls State Park include food from its on-site restaurant and Program and Groundwater Guard- increased 4.9 percent over the hate crimes based on race were management of a 20,000-square- grows fresh produce served in its ian Green program. previous years while DUI arrests directed toward African-Ameri- were down. The number of juve- can or black victims. Bias against niles arrested for crimes decreased the disabled made up 36 percent MEETING OF TMBF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 0.1 percent to 6.4 percent. Public of reports while crimes against Notice is hereby given that the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund Board of Directors will meet in regular session on crime data is now available for victims based on their sexual Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. local time in Room 200 B of the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, review on the TBI’s online Cri- orientation rose to 15 percent. Tenn., for the purpose of considering and transacting all business which may properly come before the Board. meInsight platform, available at Approximately 10 percent of Additional information concerning the meeting may be obtained by calling TMBF office at 615-255-6416. http://crimeinsight.tbi.tn.gov. hate crime reports were based on religious bias with the vast Tennessee employers added jobs majority of religion-related hate MEETING OF TML BOARD OF DIRECTORS at more than one and a half times crimes directed against Muslims. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Municipal League will meet in regular session the rate of the rest of the coun- The most commonly reported hate on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 3 p.m. local time in Room 301 A of the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, try in the past year. Employers crimes were assaults followed by Tenn.,in Knoxville, Tenn., for the purpose of considering and transacting all business which may properly come in Tennessee added 69,700 jobs intimidation incidents, according before the Board. Additional information concerning the meeting may be obtained by calling TML’s office at in the past 12 months, cutting to the report. 615-255-6416. Tennessee’s jobless rate well

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Be sure to visit the TML Marketplace at TML’s Annual Conference June 10-11 at the Knoxville Convention Center Th e Exhibit Hall will be open Sunday, June 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Monday, June 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Booth 412

Booth 501 www.allenhoshall.com Booth 407 www.asaengineeringinc.com

Booth 122 Booth 401/500

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Booth 107 www.ipl-plastics.com

www.govdeals.com Booth 217

Booth 317 www.ftb.com

www.radarsign.com

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www.loseassoc.com Booth 126

Local Government Corporation Booth 321

www.utilityservice.com Booth 115

www.santekenviro.com Booth 708

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Booth 320

www.tennesseedrugcard.com Booth 215 www.thayerpc.com Booth 617 www.thepool-tn.org

Booth 221

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7-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018 www.TML1.org

New TML Affi liate Profi le AARP is a nonprofi t, nonpartisan, social mis- sion organization with a membership of nearly 38 million, 680,000 members in Tennessee, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fi ghts http://www.uscommunities.org/ for the issues that matter most to families — such as health care, employment and income security, and Booth 213 protection from fi nancial abuse. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities encourages states, cities, towns and counties to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the envi- ronmental, economic and social factors that infl uence the health and well-being of older adults. To learn more about how your city can be designated an Age-Friendly Community, come to the work- shop on Sunday, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m Or please come see us during the conference at booth 200 to learn more about what it means to have a livable community.

New TML Affi liate Profi le Entegrity is a sustainability and energy services company specializing in the implementation of en- ergy conservation and renewable energy projects. Entegrity is uniquely qualifi ed to deliver innovative www.vaughnmelton.com Booth 208 and sustainable solutions to Optimize Building

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AllianceWater.com www.TML1.org 8-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018

development department; with staff, applications to Human Resources Office, dures, regulatory compliance and other develops, implements and monitors long- 500 Poplar View Parkway, Collierville, duties as assigned. In addition, the utility term plans, goals, and objectives focused TN, 38017 EOE superintendent is responsible for contin- on achieving the city’s mission and council ually evaluating the utilities operation priorities; directs the development of and POLICE CHIEF and making appropriate reports and monitors performance against the annual MOUNT CARMEL. The town of Mount recommendations to the Waterworks Advertising: $9.25 per column inch. Applications will be accepted at Work- department budget and the city’s capital Carmel (population 5,429 with six and Sewer Commission in order to en- No charge to TML members. Send ad- force Essentials at 202 North Main Street; improvement plan budget; manages and full-time officers and several part-time sure the entire organization operates at vertising to: Carole Graves: cgraves@ Ashland City, TN., 37015, until May 25 directs the development, implementation officers) is seeking an outcome-focused the highest practical level of efficiency. TML1.org. at 12 pm. The Town of Ashland City is and evaluation of plans, policies, systems, manager with excellent leadership, in- Salary: $100,605 to $113,180, DOQ. A an Equal Opportunity Employer and a and procedures to achieve annual goals, terpersonal and communication skills to city of Rogers employment application ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER drug-free workplace. Title VI Civil RightS objectives, and work standards that become the chief of police. This position and a detailed resume must be submitted FARRAGUT. The town of Farragut has a Act 1964 (942 USC 2000D support the city’s mission and values. reports to the city manager and requires a for consideration. Internal candidates reputation for high standards, and this ap- Master’s degree in planning, public team focus with sound decision making may apply by resume only. Applications plies to our workforce as well as our vision CITY MANAGER administration, or related field required, skills and the ability to interact and com- and job description are available online for the community. Farragut is a growing MILLERSVILLE. The city is accepting with six years increasing responsible municate effectively with the public, local, at www.rogersar.gov. EOE. community with several capital projects resumes for the position of city man- experience in municipal planning, zoning, state and regional law enforcement per- on the horizon. We thrive on profession- ager. The position is appointed by, and permitting, enforcement, and consul- sonnel. POST Certification, a bachelor’s WATER PLANT OPERATOR II alism and integrity, and genuinely enjoy responsible to a five member board of tation, two of which are supervisory in degree in related field with a minimum GALLATIN. The city of Gallatin is cur- serving residents. The town is seeking C=commissioners, for the day-to-day nature; or any equivalent combination of six years supervisory experience is rently accepting applications for a Water applicants for an assistant town engineer, administration of all city services. The of education, training, and experience preferred. The hiring process includes an Plant Operator II in the public utilities whose essential responsibilities include: city manager is responsible for oversight which provides the requisite knowledge, assessment center. Salary DOQ: range is department. The purpose of this position intermediate to advanced technical and of a budget of approximately $3.7M and skills, and abilities for this position. Must $41,300 - $45,500. Full job description is to perform intermediate technical work administrative work for supervision of 36 FTE employees. The city is seeking possess excellent knowledge in the field is available at Mount Carmel City Hall. in the operation and maintenance of the construction and contract management for an energetic, facilitative and visionary of municipal planning, state planning Cover letter and resume (including three water treatment plant; does related work the Town’s capital projects, including con- city manager who will wear multiple legislation, and land use regulations. Must professional references) should be sent as required. Work is performed under struction of roadways, greenways, parks hats, with an emphasis on excellent fiscal possess knowledge and proficiency in to: City Manager, 100 Main Street East, regular supervision. Limited supervision and other public facilities.Inspection of management, economic development, and the operation of personal computers and Mount Carmel, TN 37645 or email resume may be exercised over subordinate plant public works and public utilities projects. grants development and management. be knowledgeable in the field of -Geo and cover letter to Mike.Housewright@ personnel. This is a 40-hours-per-week Supervision, preparation and maintenance The successful candidate will possess graphic Information Systems with some MountCarmelTN.gov. The position shall position. The shift could be first or second, of engineering records. Provides techni- a strong ethical compass, an ability to knowledge of ArcView preferred. To be remain open until filled with initial review depending on the needs of the department. cal assistance to engineers, contractors, communicate vision as well as tactical considered, candidates must complete an of applications on May 21. Resumes are The hourly rate is $20.11 + excellent ben- surveyors, architects, developers and goals, a capacity to work in a political application and upload a resume at: http:// a public record. efits. The following duties are normal for citizens on matters related to residential environment, with direct experience bristoltn.org/jobs.aspx. EOE this position: oversees proper functioning and commercial development. Performs working with elected officials. The city POLICE OFFICER of water pumps, motors, chlorinators, civil engineering work in the field and manager must have a passion for leading FIRE MARSHAL COLLIERVILLE. This position involves filters and chemical feeders making in the office relating to municipal public a small town, the ability to relate well to GALLATIN. The Gallatin Fire Depart- the performance of responsible, general adjustments as necessary to maintain works, capital improvements, drainage the community, and the ability to partner ment is seeking qualified applicants for duty police work in protecting the life, proper flow of water; performs manual and other related “in-house” designs for with an engaged commission to carry the position of fire marshal. Reporting persons, and property of the citizens of the cleaning or preventive maintenance duties projects constructed by the town’s public out the strategic priorities of the city. to the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal town of Collierville through even-handed as assigned; replenishes treatment equip- works department. Works closely with The position requires working closely is responsible for management and enforcement of laws and ordinances. Must ment with chemicals; and collects water our citizens, as well as other members with the city commission, staff, federal, administration of Fire Prevention and have an associate degree (60+ semester samples from designated points. Other of the town’s staff. Work is preformed state, other local officials and citizens in a Life Safety Division. Additionally, will hours) from an accredited college; or two duties may be required and assigned. under the general direction of the town collaborative and helpful way. Core skills plan, coordinate and participate in fire years’ previous experience as a full-time High school diploma/equivalent with two engineer. Applicants with a bachelor’s include a working knowledge of financial inspection, arson investigation, and Fire law enforcement officer; or two years of years recent experience in maintenance degree in civil engineering, or related statements, including trend assessment Prevention Division budget development active duty military experience. A degree work involving plumbing, mechanical field and 3-8 years’ experience with civil and forecasting; organizational skills and management; advise Fire Chief on in criminal justice or a related field is and electrical repair and installation. Must design, roadway construction, project with an eye for efficiencies and the role jurisdictional code issues. This is a 40 preferred, however, majors with a con- have a valid, appropriate driver’s license. management, municipal engineering, of technology in that process; commu- hours-per-week, day-shift position. Cur- centration in management, technology, Must possess a Grade IV Water Treat- or equivalent combination of education nication skills (both oral and written); rent salary range is $68,099 to $102,627 behavioral sciences, physical education ment Plant Operator certificate issued by and experience are encouraged to apply. excellent interpersonal skills and a passion with excellent benefits. Minimum qualifi- or other related fields are acceptable; the state of Tennessee, and must retain An EIT or PE certification are preferred. for customer service. The ideal candidate cations: a bachelor’s degree in fire science or any equivalent combination of edu- certification throughout employment. Benefits include a competitive salary, will have: a bachelor’s degree in public or closely related field with a minimum cation, training, and experience which Interested persons should apply online medical, dental, life, LTD, and a matching administration or business management, of 10 years of fire service experience and provides the requisite knowledge, skills, at www.gallatintn.gov. Applications will 401(K) retirement plan. Applications and a master’s degree would be preferred, and extensive experience in fire prevention and abilities for this job. Incumbents be accepted until position is filled. EOE. a job description may be obtained at the will have three to five years of experience and investigations. Holds the Fire Marshal must be citizens of the United States Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal as a city manager, assistant city manager, Designation from Center of Public Safety of America. Applicant must possess WATER SUPERINTENDENT Center Drive, Farragut, TN, 37934, or or department head in a similar sized com- Excellence. Preferred qualifications: a an Honorable Discharge and provide a BELL BUCKLE. The town of Bell Buckle www.townoffarragut.org/jobs. Appli- munity; or will have more than ten years master’s degree in fire science or closely DD214, if they have prior experience in is seeking applicants for the position of cants must submit a completed Town of experience in a management role in related field. Executive Fire Officer Des- the Armed Forces. Must possess upon hire water superintendent who will work as the of Farragut application with an attached municipal government or any equivalent ignation from the National Fire Academy. or complete within six months of hire the technical advisor to the board of mayor resume. Deadline is May 22. EOE. combination of education, training, and Substitution of experience for education State of Tennessee Police Officer P.O.S.T. and alderman. Qualification requirements experience which provides the requisite may apply. Must have a minimum of 10 certification and maintain appropriate include: Grade II Water Distribution, BOOKKEEPER / ADMINISTRA- knowledge, skills, and abilities for this years supervisory experience. Must have certification throughout employment. Grade II Water Collections & Grade III TIVE ASSISTANT position. Residency preferred within one previously held the rank of chief officer Must be in compliance with TCA 38-8- Wastewater License. Salary is DOQ. In- MASON. Responsible for bookkeeping year, but will accept living within an 8 and fulfilled all requirements of the rank. 106. Applicants must have the ability to terested applicants must submit a resume, and support services under the general mile radius of the city limits. Additional Must be able to respond to the fire station pass a work-related physical proficiency/ cover letter and professional references supervision of the office manager/ information about the community will be within 45 minutes in case of call back for agility test, a medical/physical examina- to Town of Bell Buckle, Attn: Human human resources manager. Instructions on the city’s website: https://www.city- emergency service. Must have completed tion, a psychological examination and Resources, PO Box 276, Bell Buckle, to the employee are general and the em- ofmillersville.com Starting salary range FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, 300, and background investigation. Must possess TN 37020, or by email to janet_robin- ployee must routinely use independent is $70,000 - $85,000; plus a competitive 400 series courses prior to appointment. and maintain a valid driver’s license. [email protected]. For more judgment when performing tasks. The comprehensive benefits package. EOE. Must have a valid driver’s license and The work of this job requires sufficient information, call Bell Buckle Town Hall employee must occasionally consider a Resumes will be accepted until 5:00 pm, meet physical standards established by physical strength, stamina, and ability to at 931-389-9513. EOE. The Town of different course of action. The uniform June 1, 2018.All interested applicants the Gallatin Fire Department. Visit the pass a work-related physical proficiency Bell Buckle is a Smoke-Free Workplace accounting code and accounting system should submit a resume and cover letter city’s website at www.gallatintn.gov to test and pre-employment examination. must be followed in order to complete along with three professional references, apply. Deadline to apply is May 18. For The work is physically demanding, may ZONING ADMINISTRATOR tasks. Graduation from an accredited and salary history to:Municipal Technical a copy of the full job description, email require lifting heavy objects, and may BRISTOL. The city of Bristol is accepting high school or possess equivalency, and Advisory Service, 226 Capitol Blvd, [email protected]. EOE. require working in inclement weather. All applications for the following full-time supplemental course work in bookkeeping Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219. Attn: new hires must successfully complete a position of zoning administrator. Salary principles and practices. Experience in Gary Jaeckel, Municipal Management MAINTENANCE WORKER 365-day training and assessment period. Range $44,311 - $68,682 DOQ. Under the clerical accounting work. Responsible Consultant COLLIERVILLE. The town of Collier- Starting salary is $36,000 annually (DOQ) direction of the community development for all bookkeeping and financial records ville is seeking a maintenance worker for with excellent benefits package. To apply director, the position is to perform pro- of all funds including reconciling bank COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT grounds and parks maintenance Salary for this position, you must submit an fessional, technical, managerial, and ad- statements and invoices, bond payments, DIRECTOR range is $24,960 (DOQ) annually with original Town of Collierville application. ministrative work within the Planning and drafting checks, accounts payable, etc.; BRISTOL. The city of Bristol is accepting excellent benefits package. This position Applications are available to download at Zoning Division. Job functions include, balances all receipts and tax collections applications for the following full-time is a semi-skilled and unskilled manual www.collierville.com under the Employ- but not limited to: administration of zoning monthly; prepares all deposits and with- position director of community develop- laborer as part of a parks and grounds ment Opportunities tab, or you may obtain activities; interpretation and application of drawals; prepares all bookkeeping reports; ment. Salary range $65,927 - $102,186 crew performing routine maintenance one from our Human Resources Office Tennessee state statute, Sullivan County, prepares all payroll; prepares Social Secu- DOQ. Under executive direction of the and construction tasks for various public located at 500 Poplar View Parkway, and Bristol city codes, ordinances, and rity and tax withholding reports; prepares city manager, the purpose of this position facility projects. Requires a high school Collierville, TN, 38017, Monday – Friday, regulations; communication with other quarterly unemployment reports; reviews is to plan, organize, direct, and integrate diploma or GED; previous experience 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Completed applications departments, public agencies, and the recorder reports before being submitted the city’s planning and code enforcement and/or training in maintenance and con- must be submitted either by mail or in general public; initiation of actions nec- to state; maintains general records of ac- programs and services, and the Commu- struction work in area of assignment is person to the above address. essary to correct deficiencies or violations count according to established accounting nity Development Block Grant and Home preferred; or any equivalent combination of regulations; extensive research for city classifications, including various ledgers, programs and services. This position of education, training, and experience UTILITIES SUPERINTENDENT projects; and development of strategies registers, and journals; posts entries to is responsible for policy development, which provides the requisite knowledge, ROGERS, ARK. This executive man- to promote efficient land use consistent books and computer from supporting program planning, budget management, skills and abilities for this job. May require agement position reports directly to with community goals and objectives. records; makes adjustments and prepares administration, and operational direction occasional weekend work. Must possess a five-member Waterworks and -Sew Excellent oral communication and inter- financial statements; and deposit city re- of the community development depart- and maintain a valid driver’s license. er Commission. Commissioners are personal skills to present research findings ceipts at bank. Salary: $14Hourly. Apply ment functions. Has responsibility for The work involved in this job requires appointed by the other members of to various boards and committees. Prefer at the Town of Mason; Mason City Hall; accomplishing department objectives sufficient physical strength, stamina, and the Commission with the approval of master’s degree in planning or a related 12157 Main Street. Open until filled. EOE. and goals within the guidelines estab- ability to pass a work related physical City Council. The superintendent is field with three years of experience in lished by the city manager and performs proficiency test and pre-employment ex- responsible for the effective manage- the planning profession or bachelor’s BUILDING CODES INSPECTOR related work as assigned. This position amination including drug test. The work is ment and administration of all aspects degree in planning or related field and 5 ASHLAND CITY. The town of Ashland interprets the department’s codes, regu- physically demanding, may require lifting of the water delivery, wastewater and years of professional planning experience. City is accepting applications and resumes lations, plans, policies, and functions for heavy objects, and may require working business operations. Administrative American Institute of Certified Planners for a certified building codes inspector. elected and appointed boards, citizens, in inclement weather. Selection process and management assignments include (AICP) Certification is desirable. To be Applications and the job description can the business community, and the public. may include: examinations, interviews, personnel, budgeting, planning, report considered, candidates must complete an be obtained on the city website at www. Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and assessment centers, practical skills, etc. writing, public relations, implementing application and upload a resume at: http:// ashlandcitytn.gov under job postings. evaluates the work of the community Drug testing may be required. Submit and enforcing utility policies and proce- bristoltn.org/jobs.aspx. EOE www.TML1.org 9-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018 Tennessee Municipal League 2017-2018 Officers and Directors EPA announces new funding for water infrastructure PRESIDENT The U.S. Environmental Availability (NOFA) highlights WIFIA credit assistance can be Bo Perkinson Protection Agency (EPA) an- the importance of protecting public used for a wide range of projects, Councilmember, Athens nounced the availability of fund- health including reducing exposure including: VICE PRESIDENTS ing that could provide as much as to lead and other contaminants in • drinking water treatment and Wallace Cartwright Mayor, Shelbyville $5.5 billion in loans, which could drinking water systems and updat- distribution projects leverage over $11 billion in water ing the nation’s aging infrastruc- • wastewater conveyance and TENNESSEE Jill Holland FESTIVALS Mayor, McKenzie infrastructure projects through ture. treatment projects Mike Werner the Water Infrastructure Finance The WIFIA program will play • enhanced energy efficiency Mayor, Gatlinburg and Innovation Act (WIFIA) an important part in making vital projects at drinking water and May 19-20: Greeneville DIRECTORS program. Prospective borrowers improvements to the nation’s water wastewater facilities 24th Annual Iris Festival Jimmy Alexander seeking WIFIA credit assistance infrastructure and implementing • desalination, aquifer recharge, Features two entertainment stages, Mayor, Nolensville must submit a letter of interest the President’s Infrastructure Plan, alternative water supply, and a food court, a beauty pageant, Andy Berke (LOI) by July 6. which calls for increasing the pro- water recycling project “Sundown on Depot” Car Show, Mayor, Chattanooga The WIFIA program re- gram’s funding authorization and • drought prevention, reduction, the Evergreen Woodcarvers, and David Briley ceived $63 million in funding in or mitigation projects artists, craftsmen, food vendors Mayor, Metro Nashville expanding project eligibility. the Consolidated Appropriations and merchants from numerous Tony Cox states selling their wares. Hours of City Administrator, Morristown (District 2) Act, 2018, which was signed Background EPA will evaluate proposed into law by President Donald Established by the Water Infra- projects described in the LOIs the festival will be Saturday from John Clark 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from Mayor, Kingsport Trump on March 23, 2018. This structure Finance and Innovation using WIFIA’s statutory and reg- Vance Coleman more than doubles the program’s Act of 2014, the WIFIA program ulatory criteria as described in the noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Green- Mayor, Medina funding from 2017. Leveraging is a federal loan and guarantee NOFA. Through this competitive eville. Visit http://www.visitgreen- Betsy Crossley private capital and other funding program at EPA that aims to ac- process, EPA will select projects evilletn.com/events/24th-annu- Commissioner, Brentwood (District 6) sources, these projects could celerate investment in the nation’s that it intends to fund and invite al-iris-festival/ Richard Driver support $11 billion in water water infrastructure by providing them to continue to the application Mayor, Lafayette (District 5) infrastructure investment and long-term, low-cost supplemental process. May 19 - 20: Maryville Bill Graham 37th Annual Smoky Mountain Councilman, Dayton (District 3) create more than 170,000 jobs. loans for regionally and nationally For more information, visit This year’s Notice of Funding significant projects. https://www.epa.gov/wifia Scottish Festival and Games Avery Johnson A weekend of authentic Scottish Vice Mayor, Cleveland Highland festivities the entire clan Hoyt Jones Alderman, Sparta (District 4) can enjoy on the grounds of historic Bobby King Maryville College, located at 502 Mayor, Henderson E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. For Christa Martin $35 per weekend pass, guests can Vice Mayor, Columbia Housing construction has not demand, and are struggling with the world to see the impact urban take a trip back in time to expe- Lonnie Norman kept pace with population a lack of availability for buildable forests and tree planting had on rience Celtic music and dancing, Mayor, Manchester growth in the U.S. for more genealogical research, sheep dog Madeline Rogero lots, labor, and materials. Home the local environment. The study than a decade, with 7.3 million construction per household is at its found that each square kilometer of demonstrations, a dog show and Mayor, Knoxville parade, Celtic food, merchandise Paula Sedgwick more homes needed to be built lowest rate in 60 years. urban forest saved cities an average in the country to meet shortages. of $930,000 per year in air pollu- ,and much more. Visit www.smo- Alderman, Bartlett (District 8) kymountaingames.org Charles “Bones” Seivers The Up for Growth National Urban cities could see a $2.25 tion-related health costs, $20,000 President-CEO, TN Municipal Bond Fund Coalition, a group of real estate return on investment for every per year in capturing water runoff, Todd Smith developers, owners, and builders dollar they spend planting trees, and $478,000 in energy heating May 26-27: Brownsville City Manager, Greeneville (District 1) of affordable housing, found according to a new study focusing and cooling savings for buildings. 8th Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest Jim Strickland builders in 22 states and the on the environmental impact of Trees also diminished carbon West Tennessee Delta Heritage Mayor, Memphis District of Columbia have not urban forests. Researchers from dioxide output in cities, reduced Center invites blues fans from Mary Ann Tremblay kept pace to meet demand since the University of New York, USDA stormwater-related flooding, and around the globe to attend. The Vice Mayor, Three Way 2000. Many states have fewer festival, presented from the porch Mike French Forest Service, and Davey Insti- dampened urban noise. homes than necessary to meet tute studied 35 major cities across of the last home of blues legend Alderman, Somerville (District 7) Sleepy John Estes, will showcase PAST PRESIDENTS two full days of blues performanc- John Holden (2016) Mayor, Dyersburg Curtis Hayes (2015) Mayor, Livingston es hosted by N Da Kno’s Jazzii A, Tom Rowland (2014) Mayor, Cleveland an entertainment industry veteran Dale Kelley (2013) Mayor, Huntingdon UT-MTAS JUNE that has toured with Bobby Rush. Ken Wilber (2012) Mayor, Portland Featuring live music from an Kay Senter (2011) Morristown Vice Mayor MAP CLASSES eclectic gathering of blues men and Sam Tharpe (2010) Commissioner, Paris women, arts and crafts, car and mo- Tommy Pedigo (2009) Council, Morristown torcycle cruise-in/car show, and the Bob Kirk (2004) Alderman, Dyersburg ADA COMPLIANCE OFFICER TRAINING famous deep-fried barbecue eating AFFILIATE DIRECTORS competition. Karen Johnson, Councilwoman, Nashville (NLC) Dates/Locations/Times: To register for a course, go to www. C. Seth Sumner, Athens (TCMA) Target Audience: All Municipal Employees June 5 Jackson mtas.tennessee.edu, or fax to 865- June 2: Coopertown TML AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST 974-0423. Credit card payments 2018 Barrel Festival (Ex-Officio Directors) Credits: (4 CPE) June 6 Nashville must register online with the Solu- Join thousands celebrating the TN Assn. of Air Carrier Airports 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST tion Point System: http://www. heritage of the barrel maker at the TN Building Officials Assn. June 7 Knoxville solutionpoint.tennessee.edu/MTAS Coopertown Barrel Festival. Hun- TN Assn. of Chiefs of Police 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST or by invoice. For registration assis- dreds of vendors will showcase their TN Assn. Municipal Clerks & Recorders tance, call 865-974-0413. For more wares along Old Coopertown Road TN Government Finance Officers Assn. information, contact Kurt Frederick, in this free outdoor, rain or shine, TN Fire Chiefs Assn. training consultant, at 615-253-6385. event from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy TN Fire Safety Inspectors TN Assn. of Floodplain Management live cooper demonstrations, a clas- TN Assn. Housing & Redevel. Auth. UTILITY BOARD TRAINING - MODULE B sic car show, antique tractors, music, TN Municipal Attorneys Assn. food, shopping, history exhibits, our TN Municipal Judges Conference To register for a course, go to www. “Cooper of the Year” contest, kids TN Chapter, American Public Works Utility Board Member Training Dates/Locations/Times: mtas.tennessee.edu, or fax to 865- zone, barrel raffles, and a whole TN Recreation and Parks Assn. is pursuant to state law (P.C. Jun 13 Knoxville lot more. Festivities will kick off TN Chapter, American Planning No. 118) requiring municipal 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT 974-0423. Credit card payments must register online with the Solu- with the Barrel Fest 5-Miler at 7 TN Personnel Management Assn. utility board members to receive Jun 14 Jackson a.m. Walker and runners register TN Assn. of Public Purchasing training. MTAS offers a total of 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT tion Point System: http://www. TN Section, Institute of Transport solutionpoint.tennessee.edu/MTAS at www.runsignup.com Checkout 12 hours of training over three Jun 14 Nashville the town’s Facebook pages:www. TN Public Transportation Assoc. sessions. Module B revolves 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT or by invoice. For registration assis- Assn. of Independent and Municipal facebook.com/coopertownbar- around Financial Oversight. Jun 28 Johnson City tance, call 865-974-0413. For more Schools information, contact Kurt Frederick, relfestival; www.facebook.com/ TN Renewable Energy & Economic 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT training consultant, at 615-253-6385. barrelfest5miler; www.facebook. Development Council Target Audience: Municipal Jun 28 Cookeville com/coopertowncommunitydevel- TN Urban Forestry Council Utility Board Members 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT Credits: (4 CPE) opment TN Stormwater Assn

TML SPONSORS 4 Star Sponsor First Tennessee Bank 3 Star Sponsor No loan is too large or too small Bank of New York Mellon, Co. 2 Star Sponsor AARP Alexander, Thompson, Arnold, CRA’s Alliance Water Resources Bank of America Barge Design, Inc. Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC Civil & Environmental Consultants Entegrity Master Meter, Inc. VC3 Voya Financial Advisors Waste Management Inc. of Tennessee 1 Star Sponsor Charter Communications Employee Benefit Specialists, Inc. J.R. Wauford & Co. Consulting Engineers Local Govt. Corporation Mattern & Craig, Inc. NORESCO McGill Associates, P.A. Pavement Restorations, Inc. Republic Services Smith Seckman Reid Tennessee 811 TLM Associates, Inc. The city of Clinton closed a $550,000 capital outlay note with The town of Arlington closed a $6 million fixed-rate PBA loan with Utility Service Co., Inc. the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund to purchase a new fire the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund to finance various capital Waste Connections of Tennessee Inc. truck for the city. Front row from left to right: Gina Ridenour, city improvement projects at the town’s Forrest Street Campus. The Waste Industries USA, Inc. recorder; Mayor Scott Burton; and Gail Cook, finance director. money will also be used to construct and equip a new town hall. TML STAFF Standing from left to right: Roger Houck, city manager; Archie Pictured from left to right are: Gerald D. Lawson Jr., town attorney; Margaret Mahery, Executive Director Brummitt, fire chief; and Steve Queener, TMBF marketing Mayor Mike Wissman; and Brittney Owens, recorder/treasurer. Chad Jenkins, Deputy Director representative. Mark Barrett, Legislative Research Analyst Standing: Tommy Green, TMBF marketing representative. Kate Coil, Communications Specialist Jackie Gupton, Administrative Assistant Carole Graves, Communications Director See us for your special & Editor, Tennessee Town & City Sylvia Harris, Conference Planning Director John Holloway, Government Relations projects needs. Debbie Kluth, Marketing Director / Member Services (615) 255-1561 Kevin Krushenski, Legislative Research Analyst Denise Paige, Government Relations www.TML1.org 10-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MAY 14, 2018

TDOT’s Schroer reflects on his long-term approach, future of agency

BY LINDA BRYANT built in. It’s much more efficient that way; we can control our maintenance processes. That’s When John Schroer accepted the job of why our roads are traditionally better than Commissioner of the Tennessee Department other states. of Transportation in 2011 he’d already trav- eled a long and notable career path, holding TT&C: Does that make us the envy of other down an array of positions in the private and states? public sectors. JS: Sure. We are very highly respected across He’s worked in corporate management the country for a lot of the things that we are and training, mortgage lending, owned his doing. At the same time, there are other states own construction company, and earned his I envy because of what they are doing. We MBA along the way. are doing a lot of creative things. For exam- Schroer served as a member the Franklin ple, we did the Fast Fix 8 project where we Special School District for more than a de- built bridges in eight weekends. We built the cade and was also a member of the Tennessee bridges off site and drove them in on weekends School Boards Association. For a period of and put them in place. We only shut down the time, he was president of both organizations. interstate a total of 10 weekends for a project In 2007, the Indiana native was elected mayor that would have taken two-and-a-half years of Franklin, beating an incumbent mayor by if we did it conventionally. They are doing a two to one. project just like this in Memphis right now. Schroer, 67, describes himself as a life- We are looking at new techniques all the time long learner who’s known both failure and and trying to improve what we do and trying triumph. He encourages employees and to be more efficient in how we do it. associates to accept and learn from failures, because he says his own learning curve from TT&C: Do you think the Trump Adminis- mistakes eventually led him to his highest tration will pass an infrastructure plan? If achievements. so, how could it affect Tennessee? “I owned my own business for 30 years, JS: We are under a funding plan now called the but this job has been the most fun I’ve ever FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Trans- had,” Schroer said. “There is always a chal- portation Act) and it lasts for two more years. lenge, and there is always a crisis. I love a [The FAST Act is a $305-billion, five-year crisis because I love solving problems.” John Schroer federal transportation bill passed in late 2015 Eric Stuckey, city administrator of the Commissioner Tennessee Department of Transportation under the Obama Administration.] I don’t city of Franklin, says Schroer brings “great think anything will happen with infrastructure passion and energy to everything he does.” ultimately you are held accountable. It’s your ther. Someone is going to be covering for them until this current funding bill is about to expire “John hired me almost 10 years ago for department and you’re responsible for it. all the way up and then ultimately, like on a and it’s time to talk about a new one. I don’t the city administrator position, and I worked construction site, it’s the chief engineer and his think Washington is going to do anything closely with him,” Stuckey said. “He will TT&C: Do you have a definable leadership deputies who get the blame if something goes about infrastructure in the next 24 months. challenge you and ask you tough questions style? wrong, releasing anyone of any obligation but in a constructive way. He sets a fantastic JS: Mine is more casual. I don’t know every- because they signed off on the project. TT&C: The annual TACIR report on tone as a leader, and he does it with a great thing about everybody, but I make it a point Training is also a big part of what we do. I infrastructure said that the state needs sense of humor.” to get to know the people I’m working with. gave a speech to young state employees called $24.8 billion for transportation and utilities Stuckey says he appreciates Schroer’s I’m interested in their families and what they “Failure is an Option.” I believe failure is a during the five-year period of 2016 to 2021. work at TDOT. do on weekends. Around our offices — and necessary part of growth. How is the state funding its infrastructure “I admire the long-term approach he’s especially among those in leadership — we As a real estate developer, I’ve built projects, even if you can’t stretch the bud- taken,” he said. “He understands how things text on weekends about our family and other shopping centers and office buildings in Mid- get all the way to 2021? What about the work on a local level, and he doesn’t just concerns. I have pictures of people’s dogs and dle Tennessee. Two or three times a week I IMPROVE Act? How is it impacting your blindly stick to a position. He’s open to new kids. I know when people are getting married would be at a project to look at it and, more work at TDOT? ideas and is willing to change. I think that’s or when they’re having babies. I know when importantly, if there was a crisis I would be J.S. Gov. Haslam and I drove around the state made him very effective in his position.” they are sick. One of our employees’ son was there immediately. Say you’ve got a problem for a year-and-a-half before the IMPROVE temporarily paralyzed from playing football. with design plans. You have got to go to the job Act was even floated out there to listen and TT&C: Can you reflect on your transition I texted him about it. We said prayers for him. site and go over things with your contractor, understand what citizens felt like they needed moving from the local level as mayor of Fortunately, he turned out okay. But even to architect, engineer and make a decision and go in infrastructure, focusing mainly highways Franklin to state level as Commissioner of this day, after two or three years, I still ask him forward. You don’t stop the project. It may cost and bridges. So, we have really listened to the Department of Transportation? how his son is doing. you money, but you’ve got to make a decision people’s concerns from all over the state. JS: I spent 13 years on the school board and and move forward. The IMPROVE Act has 960 projects three-and-a-half years as mayor of Franklin. I TT&C: Over the last seven years can you Say we used the wrong type of piling or listed in it at the cost of about $10.5 billion. was going into my fourth year as mayor when name some milestones or achievements? were dealing with some unknown soil condi- We’re going to build those projects. Could Gov. Bill Haslam asked me to do this. When JS: One of the best moments for me was tions. Before, we would have to draw some- we have done with another $5 or $6 million the governor started talking to me about the when I truly understood what we did, how thing up and pass it to the district manager, and dollars? It could have sped things up; we’ve job he told me he wanted to have a mayor run we did it and how I could apply my previous they would go out and meet. Then they would had to spread some things out. But there are TDOT. He had a lot of TDOT connections experience to it. I arrived in January, and I pass it to the regional director and ultimately new projects coming and going. Through the when he was the mayor of Knoxville and told didn’t make an employment change until the it would go up to the 7th floor. Six weeks later IMPROVE Act, I believe the state sufficiently me he thought that mayors know more about middle of August. I did hire a communications they’d have a decision. We just don’t do that addressed the current and ongoing needs of infrastructure and transportation issues than director because we didn’t have one, and she now. Our people in the field are trained and highway infrastructure. just about anybody else in the state. is my chief of staff now. Communications is are smart enough to make those decisions. When I came into the organization we had critical in government, and we have a great TT&C: What are your future plans? 3,800 employees and a $1.8-billion-dollar communications department. TT&C: What are our pressing infrastruc- JS: Well, first of all, I’m not going to retire. budget. I didn’t know anything when I got This is a complex organization. For ture needs in Tennessee? I love to work and I’m going to continue to, here. I just had to shut up, listen and get to example, I have archaeologists who work JS: From a quality standpoint, the state of but I don’t know where necessarily. I hope to know people. Now I run what is ,basically a for me, historians, and designers who make Tennessee is in really good shape. Our roads continue in transportation; I have dedicated $2.1-billion-dollar company. complicated bridges. I have a huge real estate are traditionally ranked second or third best in the last eight years of my life to that. I am pres- In the beginning, I didn’t sleep very department because we buy more real estate the nation. In Tennessee we are only responsi- ident of AASHTO (American Association of much. I would read anything I could get my than anyone in the state of Tennessee. I have ble for state highways; we are not responsible State Highway and Transportation Officials) hands on. I worked 12 to 14 hour days and a department that does nothing but scientific for county roads or city roads. There are some – which every department of transportation in most weekends just to understand what the research on asphalt and concrete. I have air- states where the transportation departments the country is a member of. department was all about. After the first year, plane pilots and airplane mechanics. We run are responsible for everything. I had an idea of what was going on and after multi-modal departments and fund a lot of We have on-system and off-system bridg- TT&C: What challenges does TDOT face the second year, I felt good. It took two years transit agencies. The list goes on and on. es. On-system bridges are the ones that are on in the future? for me to accept my commissionership. We are also one of only five states that has our state highways. We’ve got 8,367 of those JS: Technology is the new infrastructure, and TDOT is the only state department that no transportation debt. We built our way on a bridges. And only 2.6 percent are considered we need to ask, “How does that relate to us? builds things. We are so different than every pay-as-you-go basis. No other state has done structurally deficient. Structurally deficient How do we handle that technology?” We need other department. Other departments provide that. And Tennessee has really done a great job simply means that they are weight listed, so it to use the assets that we have in smarter ways external and internal services. Some depart- of managing our money. One change I made might be a 30-ton bridge and we moved it to rather than to just build more. For instance, ments provide general services to us like HR was to bring in a chief financial officer because 20 tons. It doesn’t mean that it’s not safe. It is TDOT is not planning on building new lanes or finance and administration. Most of the oth- managing our money is such a critical part of safe for what we have listed the bridge at – so, on our interstates around Nashville. We need er departments provide services directly to the what we do. 2.6 percent is nothing really. to use what we have more efficiently. communities and to the citizens. We provide We have about the same amount of old Nationally our roads are running about 14 services to them by building roads bridges and TT&C: What are some of the changes that bridges. They are not structurally deficient or 15 percent capacity and in Nashville, we’re other functioning modes of transportation. In you have made in the department? but they were designed for smaller vehicles. about 20 percent capacity. That’s not scien- essence, I run a large construction and devel- JS: This was a very bureaucratic agency That number is at about a 3 percent range. tific; that’s just my overall opinion. Whether opment business — and it’s big! Right now we when I got here by design. When Gov. Phil We inspect around 19,500 bridges every two you’re driving daytime or nighttime you’ll say have about $3.2 billion dollars’ worth of work Bredesen got elected, TDOT was part of his years. Our off-system bridges are in pretty there’s nobody on the roads. But that’s because under construction. Then there’s another $3 or campaign. There had been some issues with good shape too. Only 5.3 percent of them are they’re only busy between 7 and 8:30 in the $4 billion dollars under development. bid rigging and other things, and there were structurally deficient. As an example, in 1992, morning and 4:30 to 6 at night. Why would we some questions about how the department was 20 percent of our bridges were considered spend billions of dollars to add a couple lanes TT&C: Do you think Gov. Haslam’s theory run. Leadership did not want this department structurally deficient and now in 2018, we are just to help traffic for three hours a day? of hiring a mayor for TDOT Commissioner to make any mistakes. Things were checked, down to 2.6 percent. I’ll give you an example in real estate worked out? double-checked and triple checked, and we because that’s my whole background. Imagine JS: Yes, and I think it’s because you can had multiple layers of approval processing. I TT&C: How do we compare to other states you own a hotel and you have a 100 rooms communicate with mayors. The governor was would get something on my desk to sign, and when it comes to our roads and bridges? and 24 days out of every month you’re only a mayor and I was a mayor, and we both dealt there would be seven other signatures in front JS: Tennessee is touched by eight different renting 20 rooms. But 7 days out of the month with a lot of local communities. The first two of mine. It would take months for a document states, and we outshine all of them with our you have a demand for a 120 rooms. Would years I made sure to go to every county in the to get through the rank-and-file to get to me. roads. I have to commend the state for this. The you build those other 20 rooms just for those state and as many cities within those counties We would have inspectors inspecting inspec- way TDOT is structured has a lot to do with seven days because the rest of the time you as I could. One reason was because I wanted tors. At the end of the first year, I said that we the department’s success. The commissioner have 80 rooms empty? No. It’s not a good to understand the depth and the breadth of had to start managing our risks. Trying to be is appointed directly by the governor and has return on your investment. what TDOT does. Another reason was to get perfect had slowed up our processes signifi- no other additional oversights. The governor That’s exactly where we are now. Build- a handle on projects in those communities. A cantly. The speed and delivery of projects in basically controls TDOT. ing new lanes on I-24 from Murfreesboro is third reason was that I wanted to meet all the a timely manner is critical to me. In some other states, the governor has not a really good return on our investment. It different people involved. It worked out well nothing to do with the leadership of the de- isn’t going to really help the situation. We need because I have friends all over the state now. I TT&C: Is it too simplistic to say that you partment of transportation. For example, in to be smarter and wiser about the roads that we have great relationships with most of the may- streamlined things and sped them up at Arkansas, there is no relationship between the currently have. That means new technology ors, county mayors, and county executives. TDOT? secretary of the department of transportation and working with companies that can spread We have four regions, and at that time, we JS: I think that’s a good way to describe it. and the governor. out the time that people go to work. It also had a lot more districts but we have trimmed We are much better at delivering projects than In Tennessee, we work on a long-term means looking at [mass] transit options as we them down. I tried to meet as many people as we were before. We have made significant plan every two or three years, and if we inherit go forward, but I’m not counting on that one I could just to understand what we do, how changes in this department, and we are doing a project from a previous administration, we way or another. we do it and what are processes are. I wanted some great work. We have new concepts, new can modify enlarge and expand it. You may We are looking at all sorts of options — to understand who worked for me and know ideas, and we have brought technology to a make minor changes along the way but you synchronized signals, connectivity between if they were going to be able to work for me higher level. We got rid of some divisions that don’t make massive changes. That’s not true infrastructure and cars that are connected and in the future or if we were going to need to were overseeing other divisions. The other in all states. Our legislature doesn’t have the knowing what’s going on so that drivers are make some changes. The governor and I were thing that we did was to start to hold people authority to pick different projects, it just ap- aware. They have the information available both adamant that if you’re going to run an personally accountable for what they did and proves our budget. They don’t have the power to them in real time to make good logical organization of this magnitude you have to to allow them to make decisions. You can’t run to veto a project, and they don’t bring projects decisions about where and when they need to build your own team. You can use some of the an organization efficiently from the top down. in or earmark projects to be done. They leave drive. That would make more of a difference, old team — maybe a lot of the old team — Not only that, people don’t have the freedom it up to the experts to decide what roads are and it’s not nearly as expensive as building but you still have to have your team because to learn, and they are not held responsible ei- to be built and in what order they should be new lanes.