By Holly Roeder
Staff Writer
The City of Henderson Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in regular session Thursday, Jan. 12, with all members in attendance.
Public hearings were held concerning grants, parks and recreation, solar power facilities and electric substations. All ordinances considered were passed unanimously and all motions were approved without contest.
Matt Wood with Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC reported no findings of the 2022 City and Utility Department Audit Report.
Melissa Davis approached the board seeking community input and to discuss the city’s intent to submit an application for a FY2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) identifying community needs and how CDBG funds can be used. She reported the grant was not funded for the city of Henderson last year, and presented two options for moving forward: resubmit the same project or create a new one. Concerning the previous year’s project, Davis said additional target surveys would be necessary to increase a favorable outcome. Applications are due April 14. Total funds available for this grant project are $424,000.
In consideration of Parks and Recreation, Committee Chair Mark Barber shared that a 10-year master plan has been created, which includes playground and bathroom upgrades, moving the Farmers Market, pickleball court and more. Phase one includes new restrooms, expansion of the accessible playground including additional swings and a playground facility for older children (middle school aged) as well as a new pavilion/picnic area. The new restroom will be a prefabricated 26×10 tornado rated structure with two stalls per gender.
Following a public hearing and discussion of a proposed ordinance to amend the Municipal Zoning Ordinance in order to permit Solar Power Facilities within residential and commercial districts as uses permitted on appeal, the board approved the motion unanimously on the first and second readings. Brent Beshires stated that while they had been approached for discussion, no plans or requests have been submitted at this time for solar power facilities. Additionally, the approval would be “use permitted on appeals” meaning it would have to be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals with consideration on a case-by-case basis, and must include a funded decommissioning plan.
The final public hearing was discussion and consideration of a proposed ordinance to amend the municipal zoning ordinance to allow electric substations as uses permitted in commercial and industrial districts. The motion was approved on the first and second readings.
Utility Director Darryl Green recognized utility employees Dorsey Talley, Garrett Hathcock and Ben Quarles for passing their Water Distribution – Grade II certification. Furthermore, he stated that out of 412 people testing in the November cycle, in 14 categories, Talley scored the highest on any exam in the State of Tennessee.
The board unanimously approved:
• on the final reading to approve changes to the personnel policy reflecting conversion of the Fire Chief position to a 40-hour-per-week schedule.
• on first and second readings to approve an ordinance amending the personnel policy pertaining to the probationary period for first responders (Police officers and firemen) to 12 months versus the previous six months due to time allotted for training schedules.
• mayor’s recommendations to appoint Farris Stout to the planning commission to replace Emily Johnson who is resigning from the commission due to moving outside the planning region.
• low bid for paving and gravel to be used by public works until June 30, 2023.
• proposed Fire Department Captain Pay scale with differentiations for experience.
• purchase of an equipment mounted hydraulic jack hammer for the utility department which would increase capabilities and efficiency.
