Butch and Janet Burroughs were honored
photo by Gail Perry
Soddy Daisy has money set aside for its portion of improvements for two major road projects. The city is responsible for 20 percent of the total cost with the state of Tennessee providing the other 80 percent. The first phase of the work will be widening Dayton Pike to create turn lanes on Dayton Pike between Pottery Lane and Fire Hall #3. The total cost for this work is estimated at $3.7 million.
Phase two of the major road work will be resurfacing several roads in the city limits including portions of North and South Dayton Pike, Dallas Hollow Road and Hixson Pike.
This is expected to have a total cost of $3.2 million. Soddy Daisy has budgeted $1.1 million for both of these projects. Nothing can be done, however, until bids have been received to know the real cost of doing the work.
City Manager Janice Cagle expects that it will be January before any actual work begins because bids are not expected to come in before October. City Recorder Burt Johnson said by then there will be only six months remaining in the fiscal year 2015 and he said that he expects only $300,000 of the city’s money will be spent this year, thus the remainder of the budgeted money will roll over into the next fiscal year.
Money received from State Street Aid will be used to make minor repairs to city streets. Ms. Cagle said the instability of soil in the area around Soddy Daisy has caused many of the problems with road beds sinking.
The commissioners gave final approval to amend the zoning ordinance by providing a conditional use permit to distill alcohol for personal vehicle fuel. This will allow Bill Lee, a resident of the city, to distill ethanol to fuel his own vehicles with the intent of developing information for a new commercial business.
Authorization was given for the city manager to apply for a Tennessee Municipal League risk management pool “safety partners” matching grant. It would provide a maximum of $2,000 with Soddy Daisy required to also contribute $2,000. If received, this money will be used to purchase safety vests to keep on each rescue truck.
Vice Mayor Patti Skates asked for the status of SROs for the schools in Soddy Daisy since Hamilton County is not providing them. It was concluded that with the police department at full capacity, the officers would be available to spend more time at the schools than they did last year. It was noted that the schools were happy with the coverage that has been provided by the police in the past. By the day that they open, all schools in the county will have cameras installed for security.
Commissioner Gene Shipley asked if first responders could be trained to carry pistols. The first step that would need to be taken is to talk with the insurance company used by the city, said Ms. Cagle.
Commissioner Shipley also thanked the community for participating in the prayer at the park service where money was raised for families of the shooting victims in Chattanooga in July. That gathering, along with a motorcycle ride to honor the victims, raised around $11,000. That money is now in the process of being delivered to the families.
Commissioner Robert Cothran, who is in charge of the Soddy Daisy Christmas Parade, asked the board to consider eliminating award trophies for winners of the parade. People do not pick them up, he said, and just do not care about them. This would also simplify organization of the parade because there would be no competition. The conclusion was for him to do what he thinks best.
Ms. Cagle informed the commissioners that the city hall received a lightning strike that destroyed a lot of equipment. She said it must be replaced quickly so it will be done using the suppliers that last won bids for the items. What the insurance will pay is still unknown.
Mayor Rick Nunley made two presentations at the meeting Thursday night. On behalf of the city, he presented a certificate of appreciation to Butch and Janet Burroughs in honor of the hard work and community efforts they have made in helping underprivileged and grief-stricken families in Soddy Daisy.
The Soddy Daisy High School Shooting Team was also recognized by the commissioners for the numerous awards in skeet and sporting clay events they have received. The awards were based on grades in addition to the shooting scores said the mayor.
Soddy Daisy High School Shooting Team
photo by Gail Perry