Soddy Daisy commissioners from 1995
The Soddy Daisy Parks and Recreation Board has made a recommendation for a study for improvements at Soddy Lake Park. This would provide a road map for moving forward by telling what each project in the update would entail, including improvements to the parking areas and entrances and exits, the playground, tennis and basketball courts and a new stage. Pam Glaser, representing the parks board, requested $10,000 for hiring a company to do the engineering and landscaping design.
Tennessee Department of Environment Conservation (TDEC) grants are available every two years that would help with the costs if one was awarded to Soddy Daisy. Ms. Glaser said TDEC would want to see an entire design plan along with the grant application.
The commissioners were not ready to commit to the park project, citing looming expenses that the city is facing. Commissioner Gene Shipley questioned if the city was in a financial position to come up with matching funds even if a grant was received. He said a $660,000 debt remains on the Big Soddy Gulf property that was bought by the city and problems with one of the fire engines are estimated to cost anywhere from $5,000 to $18,000 to repair. The city has already approved the construction of a stage for the park, and budgeted $30,000 for it, and the combined costs for two upcoming road projects are expected to be $7 million.
Commissioner Robert Cothran suggested waiting for budget talks in five months, when the actual costs for the road work will be known, in order to have a better idea of available money. Vice Mayor Patti Skates made a motion that passed unanimously, to table the $10,000 study and include the cost into next year’s budget. In the meantime, the city can request that the Southeast Tennessee Development District create a simple overall plan to submit with the grant application.
City Manager Janice Cagle told the commissioners that the contract with Everbridge is due in the amount of $8,500. This company provides the city with automated mass notifications of critical information such as tornadoes or flooding, at no cost for the residents. To get the full benefit of this service for emergency notifications, residents of Soddy Daisy need to register. This will indicate the preferred way individuals wish to be contacted—by cell phone, land line, text messaging or email. It also allows each person to specify which emergencies they would like to be notified of. This service will attempt to make contact by the first option and will then loop to the second choice if an acknowledgement is not sent back.
Only 600 people have registered in Soddy Daisy for the Everbridge plan. A data base of land lines has been created from the telephone white pages to which only extremely urgent messages are sent. The commissioners would like for all citizens to take full advantage of the service. Commissioner Cothran said he does not think that people understand how this could save lives. To sign up, a person should fill out a form that is available at city hall.
A revised ordinance that complies with the most recent versions of the FEMA flood maps was given a unanimous vote of approval. This was required for residents of Soddy Daisy to be able to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. There were no changes to the flood maps in Soddy Daisy with the newest maps, said City Manager Cagle.
Commissioner Shipley expressed concern for the Soddy Daisy residents with homes in the area of Lake Carolyn Lane, Karen Drive and East Walden Circle. The owner of nearby property is bringing in fill dirt which is causing flooding to the neighborhood, he said. The city manager said the issue is between the owner and the state of Tennessee, which has given him a permit to fill it.
A concerned resident asked the commissioners for controls at the intersection of Springfield Road and West Walden Circle. This is an area with many children, he said, but is very dangerous due to speeding and the fact that cars ignore a four-way stop sign. Ms. Cagle said that rumble strips have been ordered to slow down traffic, but cannot be installed until the weather warms a bit.
Winners of the 2015 Christmas parade were announced and trophies presented by Commissioner Cothran. The winning business was Integra Elite All-Stars. Ivy Academy won the school category, and Chattanooga community Church, the category for churches. Judges choice was awarded to Cub Scouts 3020.
A presentation that was 20 years late was made by Commissioner Gene Shipley. The current city hall building was completed in September 1995 for the cost of $558,000. The building has served the city well and looks as good as it did originally, said the commissioner. City Manager Cagle had a marker made that will be mounted beside the front door of the building to commemorate the opening of the building. Thursday night, the mayor and commissioners that were in office at the time, came to participate in the presentation of the new marker. The mayor in 1995 was Allen Branum and commissioners were Brad Johnston, Leroy Grant, Kenny Rose and Gene Shipley.