Greg Fulton, owner of D&G Roofing Specialists, asked the Red Bank commissioners for help on Tuesday night. His business that has been based in Red Bank for the past 29 years is located at 2016 Dayton Blvd. He relayed the problem with a neighbor that he said has been on-going since 1998.
At that time the adjacent property and the roofing company’s lot were level.
Since 2006, Joe Ward, owner of the adjoining lot, has used it to dump debris from his demolition business, Mr. Fulton said. In the process, he filled the floodway that is on the property, he stated.
When asked to remove the fill, it was shifted from the floodway to a four-foot-high pile, creating what Mr. Fulton referred to as “Red Bank Mountain.” Mr. Ward has also neglected to build a retainer wall for holding back dirt between the lots that could have prevented erosion which is now another problem, the commission was told.
Mr. Fulton said the appearance of the "illegal landfill" next door has devalued his property and is an eyesore to anyone passing by. He asked for the city to enforce codes and require Mr. Ward to level the property, build a retainer wall and plant grass. City Attorney Arnold Stulce will research the matter before making recommendations.
In other business, City Manager Randall Smith said an inventory of street signs in the city is being made by the 3-M Company. The project is scheduled to begin next Monday. Citizens should be aware that the crews will be traveling through the neighborhoods. Some of this work will take place at night using lights, said Mr. Smith, and if a resident feels uncomfortable with this, they should call 911for confirmation that the workers are legitimate.
FEEMA will conduct a meeting from 4-7 p.m. next Monday concerning floodways and flood plains. Mr. Smith said that this may be of special interest to people living on Stringer’s Branch. He encourages those Red Bank residents to attend the meeting at the Hamilton County Development Resource Center on Market Street.
Complaints have been received about the condition of the city dog park due to heavy use combined with rain and snow. The city manager is aware of the problem and said plans have been made for making repairs. He has asked for patience until the ground dries enough for heavy machinery to be used.
Repairs to Dayton Boulevard are now complete except for the addition of permanent markings, the commissioners were told. TDOT is planning improvements on other roads within the city, including installation of various signs and markers that will withstand snowplows. Pavement marking, guardrails and other safety enhancements will all be made at no cost to the city. However, future maintenance will be the responsibility of the public works department. The streets involved are Lullwater Road, West Lyndon Avenue, Culver Street and Easton Avenue. This work should be completed within the calendar year.
The city received a donation of $26,130 from the Red Bank and Soddy Daisy Charitable Foundation. It will be used to buy a digital message board. The money will be placed in the budget to allow for the purchase of the sign that will provide information to the public concerning Red Bank public meetings and events.
An ordinance that will regulate the use of temporary portable outdoor storage units such as PODS was approved at the commission meeting. This will ensure that the units do not become permanent, and that they are used only for a short-term storage solution. The time limit is 14 days with one extension of an additional 14 days.
A matching grant totaling $1,500 from the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management pool was also appropriated for funding the purchase of safety equipment for the fire department. The money will buy 22 pairs of safety gloves and 40 protective hoods.
The commission was told that the cost to the city for settling the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former Police Chief Larry Sneed will be $152,500 with cooperation from the city's insuror. The plaintiff offered to settle for $225,000, it was stated. The commissioners voted to make the funds available from the operating budget. Mayor John Roberts said this payment will keep the city moving forward.
Plans are in place for the annual Red Bank Jubilee and Moon Pie Festival on May 2. There will be a parade beginning at 10 a.m., music, craft vendors, food, a Moon Pie eating contest and a 5K run. The Red Bank Hope Run will benefit Relevant Hope and the work it does with the city’s homeless. A “Yappy Mile Run” also held that day is a fundraiser for homeless pets in Red Bank. Information about the jubilee can be found at www.redbanktn.gov.