During the Bradley County Commission work session meeting Monday afternoon, Chairman Alford proposed a letter be written to the city pertaining to the solid waste contract. The City of Cleveland currently has a 5 year contract with Waste Connections of Tennessee, Inc. and planned discussion and consideration to vote on continuing that contract during the Cleveland City Council voting session. Chairman Alford would like to request to the city that the contract be put up for bid in order to give Santek Environmental, Inc. the opportunity bid on it. He said, “Santek does more for this community than some in this whole town. For them not to have the opportunity to bid on it would be a shame.”
The letter reads:
"Dear Mayor Rowland, I am writing on behalf of myself and other commissioners to request that the city council votes to bid waste collection services within the City of Cleveland. I think we can all agree that local government securing goods and services from local businesses and industries help local economy. In addition, as I’m sure you are aware the waste collected by Waste Connections within the Cleveland city limits is taken to a private landfill in McMinn County for disposal. If the waste collection was taken to the Bradley County Landfill, Bradley County would receive an additional $60,000 to $70,000 in revenue. This revenue can only be used for solid waste projects, but could fund the expansion of the joint city/county recycling program. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Louie Alford, Chairman Bradley County Commission"
Several items were placed on next week’s voting agenda including resolutions pertaining to new fire stations and equipment for Bradley County. Joe Ayers with Cumberland Securities addressed the commission explaining an initial resolution and a detailed bond resolution for the partial financing of three new fire stations and six new fire trucks totaling approximately $2.9 million for the fire projects. The commission will review the resolutions and vote on them at the next voting session pending a request for more time to review the material.
Commissioner Adam Lowe proposed a resolution in support of existing state and federal rights to keep and bear arms. The resolution encourages state representatives Kevin Brooks and Eric Watson, Senators Mike Bell and Todd Gardenhire and Governor Bill Haslam and federal representatives Chuck Fleischmann and Scott DesJarlais, Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and President Barack Obama to support any and all legislation that preserves the gun ownership and carry rights of the citizens of Bradley County, the State of Tennessee and the United States. The commission encourages these leaders to seek out addressing the true, underlying issues that threaten public safety.
A Greenway endorsement resolution was also placed on the agenda.
In other business, Commissioner and Chairman of the Road Committee Mel Griffith announced the committee will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Road Department to discuss the closing of the Old Weatherly Switch Road railroad crossing and closing a section of Old Lower River Road.
A representative with the Ocoee Region Builders Association (ORBA) addressed the commission to discuss a tax deferment for builders and developers in county. Several commissioners agree more discussion is needed on this topic. Chairman Alford will appoint an Ad-Hok Committee to discuss the matter in detail and contact ORBA at a later date.
County offices will be closed on Monday, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Bradley County Commission will hold its next voting session meeting next Tuesday at noon.