City board pauses to remember Dennis Cagle

The city of Henderson Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session Thursday, Dec. 12, at Henderson City Hall, with Alderman Michael Phelps absent.
Before the normal order of business, Mayor Terry Bell held a commemoration in remembrance of Captain Dennis Cagle. “On December 10, 2009, he responded to a robbery in progress here for a local business. He was the first officer on the scene and was shot once in the abdomen upon entering the store. Despite being wounded, Captain Cagle returned fire with Chester County Deputy and wounded the suspect several times, preventing harm to the citizens of our city. Captain Cagle died three days later as a result from his wound. We will never forget Captain Cagle and desire to honor his heroic service,” stated Mayor Bell. Captain Cagle served for 30 years; this year is the 15th anniversary of his passing.
Henderson Chief of Police Gary Davidson recognized Officer Danielle Cook, recipient of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s “Child Passenger Safety Seat” award for the eighth district. Davidson acknowledged Cook’s hard work in earning this achievement.
First on the agenda was to consider on the final reading an ordinance amending the Municipal Zoning Map to rezone a lot on the west side of Memorial Avenue from B-1 General Business to R-2 Medium Density Residential. No changes have been made. It was unanimously approved.
Next was to consider action on ordinance amending the Municipal Zoning Regulations to change the definition of a Tiny Home and Substandard Lot of Record. There was a public hearing on the proposed amendment and considering passage of the ordinance amending the definition. The reason behind this there was a person requesting to put a building on a lot on fourth street. When looking at the lot it was determined that it was a smaller lot that was not considered to be a tiny home. They wanted to put an efficiency apartment for their mother. The previous laws were mandated to be at minimum 800 feet. So, these community members put in a request to update and change the law. The updated law requires tiny homes to be smaller than 800 feet in size but no smaller than 400 feet in size.
An ordinance amending the Municipal Zoning Regulations to change the definition of a Tiny Home and Substandard Lot of Record failed due to lack of motion. While the planning commission had previously recommended the amendment, the board requested the ordinance be reconsidered by the planning commission for a review and clarification of the wording and terminology included within. According to Building and Zoning official Brent Beshires, the amendment discussion resulted from a request to build on a small lot on Fourth Street. The lot was determined to be a grandfathered non-conforming/substandard lot of record and smaller than is currently permitted in the city and the plans for an approximately 575 square foot house fell shy of the minimum 800 square feet ruling adopted in 2018. In addition to a public hearing, there was discussion of positive and negative effects the construction would have on the neighbors and the city. The board specified the amendment, if approved, would not allow for construction of a tiny home, but instead for a smaller house, with specifications of no less than 400 square feet, on a substandard lot of record permissible within code compliance. This ordinance amendment will return to the planning commission agenda for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
The next item on the agenda was to Re-appoint members to serve on the Planning Commission – Marty Watson; Board of Zoning Appeals – Patty Pickler, Secretary; Industrial Development Board – Tony Hysmith, Secretary; Park Advisory Board – Heather Griffin. New appointments include Darryl Thompson to the IDB (filling a seat left vacant by Charles Cavaness who moved outside of the planning area) and Ross Hysmith to the Park Advisory Board. All were approved unanimously.
The board of mayor and alderman considered adoption of a Resolution accepting a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Water Main Grant in the amount of $259,755.74. It was announced it was a significantly less amount than previously estimated. There have been a lot of previous leaks that will help clean up. There is $44,686 matching on this amount, and that is added for estimated cost. The resolution was unanimously approved. All voted in favor with a roll call.
Next up on the agenda was to consider hiring Wold Architects and Engineers to handle necessary tasks related to replacing the metal roofing and siding, etc. on the Utility Operations Building at 60 Record Drive. There was a lot of corrosion of the metal on the building. The grading was changed, but there was significant corrosion, exposed insulation causing significant damage that has occurred over the years that needs renewing. It was approved to get an estimate with no opposition.
The final item on the agenda was to consider a Resolution approving a PE Partners (city insurance carrier) Cyber Grant Application. It is a 50/50 grant for $2,000 to get $1,000 back. The purchase involves extra hardware equipment for the wireless network at Henderson City Hall to provide better security and speed. It adds more access points which helps bandwidth. It was approved with all voting in favor, none opposed.
In other business discussed by the board of mayor and alderman, there was discussion of extending a year contract for the landscaping upkeep of the city cemeteries. It is currently contracted with Jaden Cupples at $750 for each mowing of both cemeteries. It was proposed to continue the contract and was willing to continue the contract for the same price. All voted in favor.
There was an update on the Gene Record Park. The concrete is poured at the playground at the North end of the park, finished pouring concrete to the existing addition to the playground, and have been working on the bathrooms this week as well. There is one delay, which is the bathroom facility. There were also concerns with upcoming weather possibly damaging the newest additions playground and bathroom.
The next meeting for the city of Henderson Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be held on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, 7 p.m. at Henderson City Hall.