Trees removed from private property by City causes citizen concern

City officials learned Tuesday evening from a citizen, the owner of trees removed from private property to amend a sewer line, may request compensation.

Larry Dorning addressed members of the City Council and Mayor Danny McKnight during a time of citizen input. Councilman Kevin King was absent.

Mr. Dorning spoke to the fact that he had not been contacted when the City allowed contractors to remove an estimated $1,450.00 in white oak timber from property owned by he and his wife in order to install a sewer line. The sewer line was funded by a CDBG grant.

Mayor McKnight was reminded by Mr. Dorning of a phone call they shared two to three years prior to discuss the problem. The mayor said he “barely remembered” the call.

“You’ve got some legal issues,” Mr. Dorning, who is also an attorney, commented.

“Just because someone has the right to put in an easement doesn’t mean they are not responsible for damages,” Mr. Dorning told the council.

City Recorder Kyle Hamm pre-County Register’s office showing a utility easement from 1985.

Vice Mayor Don Barber indicated the sewer work was done to replace an old clay line.

Of particular concern to Mr. Dorning were the 100 year old oak trees that were removed from his property without his being made aware or being compensated.

“They took out trees they didn’t have to. I’d like to know if anybody got the logs,” Mr. Dorning commented.

“We need to address all these questions and get the answers,” Mayor McKnight told Mr. Dorning, adding, "We want to do what is right."

"I started calling right after the work was done two to four years ago," Dorning said, adding he had not received a call back.

The City agreed to have their attorney check to see if there were any other utility lines on the property, to get the name of the contractor who performed the work and to contact Mr. Dorning regarding the logs and to answer any easement questions.

New Business

A CDBG resolution awarded a bid to Ward Construction in the amount of $259,858 for water system improvements. The City listed a deductive alternate of $15,000. Vice Mayor Barber made the motion to accept with Councilman Cody Mitchell seconding to precede a unanimous vote of approval.

Mayor McKnight called it a "huge project" in the Marjorie Cove area, down Highway 48 to Downey with a 10 inch line, partially killed, to Fite Road. A two inch line will be installed. Problems in the Cane Creek area stem from this water line issue, he indicated.

Consent Agenda

Minutes were amended and approved and reports were accepted from Chief of Police Kip Kelsey, Fire Department Chief Steve Vineyard, Building Codes Inspector Brad Rasbury and EC&D Coordinator Helen Ozier.

Building Inspector and Codes Enforcement November/December, 2019: Roof, Adkins Construction; remodel, Jerry Edwards, Melissa Wickline, Randell Simmons, Babulal Patel and Lewis County Government; fence, Dustin Sitema; gas, Elephant Sanctuary, Jenna Smith, Susie Carroll, Dewayne Sparks, Thomas Kilpatrick and Advanced Heating; hvac, Larry Davis; new construction, Eddie DeNicholas. Ten property maintenance violations were issued and 41 inspections done with zero citations.

Hohenwald Police Department issued 2 assault/agg. assault, 3 driving on revoked/suspended license, 5 drug paraphernalia, 2 DUI, 3 no driver license, 4 possession controlled substance, 1 resisting arrest/evading, 5 shoplifting, 6 speeding, 1 squealing tires, 4 stop sign/red light/bus, 1 vandalism, 6 violation insurance law, 6 violation light law, 1 violation muffler law, 4 violation registration law, 2 violation window tint, 4 miscellaneous misdemeanor and 2 miscellaneous traffic offenses. The Hohenwald Dispatchers dispatched 311 calls to the Hohenwald Police Department.

Hohenwald Fire Department answered a grass fire, two alarms, a house fire and a motor vehicle accident. They also responded to 20 EMS calls.

The Economic and Community Development Coordinator for November and December, 2019 met with sponsors throughout November, Marsha Blackburn visit, met with Oliver Technologies, Inc, attended OTI 100,000 tub celebration, planning commission meeting, chamber meeting, coordinated a dinner honoring volunteers, visited general manager at Sole Supports, radio promotion and spots recorded, designed logo for Jingle Jeeps, attended Clement Railroad Museum Lecture Series, gathered reports for Site Development Grant, promoted Shop Small, social media updates, attended practice run for Train and Carriage, Alan Ragsdale Memorial, judged 4-H Public Speaking contest, coordinated Grand Marshall parade transportation, Christmas Parade, Christmas in Hohenwald, decorations in town, Ornament Express ride at Lewis County Elementary School and Project Calliope.