City Council conducts July business

Members of the Hohenwald City Council met in brief session last Tuesday, with business conducted in five minutes.

Councilman Cody Mitchell was absent.

Mayor Danny McKnight called the meeting to order recognizing guests Edwin Pratt and this reporter.

City employees attending were Building Codes Enforcer Brad Rasbury, Fire Chief Steve Vineyard, Chief of Police Kip Kelsey, City Recorder Kyle Hamm and EC&D Coordinator Helen Ozier.

During citizen input, Mr. Pratt spoke on the Coronavirus and indicated his belief that wearing of masks is relative to a Satanic ritual. He also objected to his most recent water bill that reflected a 64 percent increase from the previous month.

Following the meeting, City Recorder Hamm spoke with Mr. Pratt to explain the City water department has gotten behind reading meters. “The current invoice could reflect six weeks rather than the usual four,” he said to Mr. Pratt. He promised to follow up the next day.

Reports were unanimously accepted from department heads with a motion by Councilman Scottie Bass, seconded by Councilman Kevin King.

New Business

A resolution was unanimously approved authorizing the City of Hohenwald to participate in the Public Entity Partners matching grant program. The Public Entity Program encourages the establishment of a safe, hazard-free workplace for City employees.

No amount for the grant was included in the resolution. Motion to approve was by Vice Mayor Don Barber, seconded by Councilman King.

Application for a State of Tennessee Tourism Enhancement grant in the amount of $75,000 was also unanimously approved. The matching portion for Hohenwald taxpayers would be five percent or an estimated $3,948.00 which was approved to come from the General Fund.

The Tourism Enhancement Grant, if received, was slated to be used for improved lighting at Memorial Park and lighting and sound at the Downtown Lot.

“The City of Hohenwald conducts numerous tourist activities each year such as Christmas in Hohenwald, Summer Concert Series, Oktober Heritage Festival and other tourist attractions,” the resolution read.

Funds would support adequate lighting to include “durable fixtures to withstand the increased demand due to the expansion of these events, especially Christmas in Hohenwald,” the resolution continued.

Voting to approve was Councilman Bass with a second by Councilman King.

Appointed to the Hohenwald Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was Johnny Clayton for a term to expire October 31, 2025. Motion was made by Councilman King, seconded by Vice Mayor Barber.

Appointed to the Industrial Development Board was Rob Inman to a six year term that would expire April 2026.

Building Inspector Report

Building Inspector Rasbury submitted the following report:

Building Inspections conducted were 17, Property Maintenance Violations, 12 with no citations written.

Permits were given to Randy Duncan, Beverly Avenue, for a deck;  Gary Cramer, Columbia Avenue, for new residential construction; Dewayne Mears, Thomas Avenue, for a deck; Brewer’s, Tradewinds, for residential gas; Brenda Talley, Fain Street for a roof; Jerry Hinson, Buffalo Road for residential gas; and Christian Fellowship, East Main for a commercial roof.

EC&D Report

EC&D Coordinator Ozier submitted the following for June 2020.

Extensive work on Project Quest, extensive work on Project Hollow, attended supervisor’s meetings, assisted with data on meter change out, ribbon cutting, extensive work on Senior Week, organized our adopted senior, met with Robin Rochell of South Central Tennessee Human Resource Agency and with Betty Frazier of SCATS, attended a TVA webinar, attended a Joint Economic Community Development Board meeting, extensive work on Project Christopher and canceled and re-booked bands for Summer Concert Series.

Fire Report

Fire Chief Vineyard submitted that the Hohenwald Fire Department responded to seven EMS calls, eight members responded to a motor vehicle accident, and the department conducted four drills.

Police Report

Chief of Police Kelsey reported the City Police Department issued citations for the following: three carry, weapon to go armed, one domestic assault, 13 driving on revoked or suspended license, 13 drug paraphernalia, one DUI, one gun law violation, two leaving the scene/not reporting accident, two no drivers license, 16 possession of controlled substance, two public drunk, three resisting/evading arrest, four shoplifting, 33 speeding, two stop sign/red light/bus, one theft of property, one underage possession of container alcohol/tobacco, 16 violations insurance law, 11 violations of light law, 19 violations of registration, nine violations of window tint, one miscellaneous felony, two miscellaneous misdemeanors, one unruly juvenile, and eight miscellaneous traffic offenses.