A shake-up has taken place in the Soddy Daisy government - with Hardie Stulce resigning as city manager and Janice Cagle moving from mayor back to city manager.
At the Thursday night commission meeting, Ms. Cagle announced that Mr. Stulce had resigned effective Wednesday. She said he plans on resuming his career with the railroad and the opportunity presented itself. This will allow him to get full retirement benefits. “He left our city in excellent condition,” she said. Mr. Stulce had taken a year-to-year leave of absence from the railroad to work as the city manager.
Commissioner Gene Shipley said that Mr. Stulce had done a good job serving the city for the last four and a half years as city manager and also for the past 40 years in many other capacities. He worked to secure grants for Soddy Daisy that will produce good results in the future, he said.
Mayor Cagle then told the board that with mixed emotions, she was tendering her resignation as both mayor and commissioner, effective immediately. She gave thanks and appreciation for the support that she had received during her tenure and handed the gavel to Vice Mayor Rick Nunley who will now serve as mayor.
City Attorney Sam Elliott told the commissioners that the city charter requires the vacant commission seat be filled until the term expires in November when the next election will take place.
Commissioner Patti Skates then nominated Max Lowe to fill the position. He has been a volunteer fireman for the city for the past 42-43 years and is extremely knowledgeable about Soddy Daisy, she said. He is not interested in running for the seat in November. A unanimous vote approved Mr. Lowe to be the fifth commissioner for the remainder of the term.
A vice mayor will be elected at the next commission meeting
A motion was then made to nominate Janice Cagle as city manager. Another unanimous vote approved placing her in this position, which she had held for nine years prior to Mr. Stulce serving in that capacity.
In regular business, paving that is planned for the city streets was discussed. The $500,000 that has been allotted for this work is expected to resurface around seven miles, consisting of seven different roads. The order has been determined by those in the worst condition. These roads are Green Pond, Miller, Neighbors Drive, Cove Wood, Shady Wood, Northbrook, and Forest Hill. It is expected that each mile will cost around $70,000, depending on the width of the road.
Complaints about speeding prompted Commissioner Jim Adams to suggest building speed bumps in the areas with the worst problems. Attorney Elliott advised against doing so because any damage done to a vehicle or any accident that was caused by the speed bumps would be the liability of the city. The insurance company has advised against it, he told the commissioners.
One citizen requested an investigation of a code violation in his subdivision. A house in the neighborhood has multiple farm animals in the yard. Mr. Elliott said the city’s codes enforcer will be sent to the location and will make a determination.
Several commissioners and Mayor Cagle reported that they had heard a lot of good comments about the Big Soddy Creek land purchase. It was decided that $200,000 would be used from the general fund for the purchase and the remainder of the $950,000 will come from a loan.