The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Henderson met Thursday, Feb. 13 at the city hall. All board members were present at the meeting. The meeting began with delegations. City of Henderson Police Chief Gary Davidson presented his “Police Department Life Saving” Awards. The 2024 Outstanding Excellence Awards for going above and beyond in efforts to save lives were awarded to Officer Mary Kate Haines, Officer Josh Burns, Officer Danielle Cook, Officer Robert Heathcock, Officer Dontavious Holloway, Officer Bobby Crumby and Captain Ron Stewart. The 2024 Chief’s Citation Lifesaving Award was presented to Sergeant Michael Rhodes. Chester County High School Senior students went before the board on behalf of Project Graduation 2025. This included the Class President, Vice President, Secretary, Reporter and Senior Council Representatives. Project Graduation is set for May 19, 2025, and the students came to ask for any donation from the city board members. There was $500 that was given by the board and $500 was given by the city of Henderson Police Department. “Thank you. We are very grateful,” stated Class President Nathan Salvador to the board.
State Farm business and property owner Tasha Johnson came before the board to speak with them about her property at 361 E. Main St. and Mifflin Avenue. She was requesting access to open a side street as the left-hand turn onto E. Main Street from her location is difficult. She also mentioned how she has largely an elderly client-base and there is a safety concern about drivers cutting through her parking lot to “beat the red light” to turn right. It was decided to table this item for a future meeting. There will be a conducting of further research done and sending people to go look at the parking lot to brainstorm better definitive solutions. The next item on the agenda was to consider approval of the bids received on installing Influent Flow Meters at the three Wastewater Lagoons. The lowest bid was $270,421 from R. Jones Underground. It was approved unanimously.
The item agenda to consider approval of bids received on dredging the East Lagoon was ultimately removed. Utility Director Darryl Green explained that there needs to be more research done and the budget would not cover the numbers that were given. It will be discussed again (after review) at a future meeting. Next item was to discuss hiring an engineer to design the water main extension on Eric Bell Drive. It currently does not have a waterline and will need fire protection. This would serve a new business location, Casey’s. It was decided to hire an engineer and to come back with the bids at the next meeting. The board considered converting a part-time utility staff position into a full-time position. The current employee is part-time and will be leaving in either June or July of 2025. The board was asked for a $20,000 salary with $14,000-$15,000 for insurance benefits totaling $35,000 full-time position. The new employee would need training that the current employee would have to do part-time up until they leave the position. The discussion involved the current office employees needing help with being understaffed (for when other employees are sick or on vacation) and help with paperwork across all the departments. It was approved by all board members. The mayor and board of alderman considered bids received on street material/services for the remainder of 2025. Hot mix asphalt and asphalt binder (laid in place) was the lowest at $145, cold mix asphalt (delivered) was the lowest bid at $110 and asphalt milling (per square yard) was the lowest amount of five dollars from Arrow Paving Co. Inc. Wayne County Rock had the lowest bids for 33C limestone washed rock gravel of $19.25 per ton, gabion rip-rap stone for $24.75 per ton and machine rip-rap stone for $24.75 per ton. Southern Concrete had the lowest bid for 3500 psi concrete for $170 per yard, 4000 psi concrete at $173 per yard and flowable fill concrete at $163 per yard. It was approved by all board members unanimously.
The board members considered accepting a Tennessee Volunteer Fire Equipment Grant in the amount of $29,650 for two Air Packs (SCBA) and two sets of turn out gear. The city of Henderson Fire Chief Doug Acred spoke to the board stating he applied for a grant of $188,000 and this was the amount that was awarded from that grant. It was approved unanimously. Acred also discussed that the Chester County Fire Department needed a firetruck, and the city has a 1986 firetruck able to loan. It was not ultimately decided at this meeting. Next item on the agenda was to discuss and consider changing the intersection of North Avenue and Sixth Street to a four-way stop. This discussion was about how to slow down drivers between those two streets. Albert Springer of North Avenue came before the board to speak about this subject. He mentioned people speeding numerous times in the area. It was decided to do more research on possible solutions and bring it back to the next meeting to discuss further.
The board considered quotes received on repainting a portion of the inside of City Hall. This would be for the outer main areas (hallways and stairways) of both upstairs and downstairs floors. Richard West Painting LLC gave a quote for labor and material equaling $5,500. It was approved with no board members opposing. During the discussion of any other business, there was a report from the city of Henderson Police Department on an “Undercover Alcohol Sting” operation on Jan. 17, 2025. Police Captain Ricky Hardy and Captain Ron Stewart conducted this operation at several businesses across the city including Express Liquor, Zippys Market, Corner Express Market, Discount Cigarettes, Odens Liquor Store, Odens Market and Bull Market. Oden’s Liquor Store at 383 N. Church Ave. received a 37-5-31 Citation (Sell of alcohol to a minor). Due to this, the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission was notified. The city of Henderson Attorney Jerry Spore went before the board to explain possible repercussions of the violation. It was decided that ultimately TABC would be handing out the repercussions of the violation. The city of Henderson Building and Zoning Official, Floodplain Manager, ADA Coordinator Brent Beshires mentioned at the meeting that there will be a discussion about the resolution of “tiny homes” in the upcoming city meeting of April 2025. Utility Director Green mentioned that he had found a new water pump for Deanburg. It was discussed at a previous meeting about keeping one as a spare if possible. More details will be discussed at the next upcoming meeting.
In updates, City Recorder Jim Garland discussed that Property Assessor Beverly Morton must complete a property adjustment (not property reappraisal) because property values have increased quickly in the county. It was discussed that she had mentioned to city board members that the last time she was required to complete this was when she started over 20 years ago. This will include all farmland, residential, vacant lots, etc. Mayor Bell reminded board members of the upcoming budget meeting at City Hall at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
