A bridge at Signal Mountain crossing Shoal Creek that was built in 1975 as part of the subdivision has been labeled the worse in the county.
Signal Mountain officials said it has been inspected by TDOT and given a rating of 39.9 percent adequate. It is considered to be in critical condition, which qualifies for replacing it with funding from the state.
The total cost is expected to be $450,000, but the grant that is available will pay for the project with a 98 percent match. The town will only be responsible for two percent of the cost or $9,000.
“It’s a no brainer, a heck of a deal,” said Mayor Dick Gee. Because of a deadline to begin work, the council members on Friday approved a resolution authorizing the town manager to make expenditures not to exceed $50,000 for preliminary engineering work. All will be reimbursed except the two percent that is the responsibility of the town.
A zoning ordinance designed to protect the Old Towne district has been created that will establish lot sizes when large parcels in the district are subdivided into what is considered a minor subdivision that consists of a maximum of five lots. To maintain the integrity of the existing neighborhoods, lot sizes will be determined by the average of the size of every lot that is contiguous to the property that will be divided. No lot will be allowed that is less than one-quarter acre.
Mayor Gee said that he wanted to make sure that there is no language in the ordinance that will allow smaller lots. The planning commission will discuss this matter at a meeting on Thursday and make a recommendation to the council.
City Manager Boyd Veal updated the council on the traffic calming project in the Hidden Brook subdivision. The purpose of any changes is two-fold - as a deterrent to limit speed and also to reduce foreign traffic, he said. Mr. Veal said the quotes received for building the speed humps were close to the estimated costs, and the driver feed-back signs were under estimates, resulting in the whole project coming in under what had been expected. He also said that one four-way stop will be created in the neighborhood.
One resident has requested that the city abandon a right-of-way where a water line is located on their property on Fairview. The resident has agreed to give an easement for the utilities. It was noted that if granted, it would increase the amount of property, thus increasing the tax liability. A decision will be made at the next council meeting.
Renovations to the library are ready to be started. Money has been raised by the library foundation that will cover all costs. The estimate for the work is a little over $100,000. The money will be given to the city, which will manage the building project.
A temporary employee has been used to replace a water department clerk who retired in 2015. Because the cost of this salary is approaching the $10,000 limit, the council must give approval. A resolution will be presented at the commission meeting to authorize the city manager to continue using the temporary worker for the remainder of the fiscal year at a total cost not to exceed $16,000.
An overview of the 2015-2016 budget took place Friday afternoon. It will be presented with a first reading on June 8. The budget includes no property tax increase. The council was told to expect an increase in health insurance expenses for employees.
A public meeting will also take place before the second and final reading.