May 1, 2017 - Although $10,000 for the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department was approved at the March 27, 2017 meeting of the Tenaha City Council, a meeting regarding the budget did not occur in the interim and the council determined during the April 24, 2017 meeting a budget meeting is necessary.
"After looking at the budget and everything, the only recommendation I can come out with on that is to fund this action through the improvement accounts fund, or the monies that we received from the railroad company," said Mayor Jernigan.
At the previous meeting on March 27 the council approved the purchase of the equipment for the fire department, contingent upon deciding from what fund the money would be derived. Holding a special meeting of the council was suggested at that time; however, one did not occur.
"I think we all need to hold a closed session meeting with all council members to discuss and go over the budget considering that it wasn't budgeted in. The last time that this was brought up, I did ask about 'where are we gonna get this money' and it's not the idea that Tenaha don't have the money, but I think we need to do it the proper way to make sure everybody is all one accord. So, I don't want you to feel like I'm saying 'no' but I'm just saying we need to do this the right way," said Stephanie Marie Glenn, councilwoman,
Glenn remarked a special meeting was not previously called for the council to go over the budget at that time.
Austin Barna, Tenaha Volunteer Fireman, stated, "By not getting this equipment, you hurt the city."
The funds are available, according to Mayor Jernigan. In response Cliff Lloyd, councilman, said there were children recently seeking donations who were turned away from the city, "It was brought to my attention they came over here and they inquired for a donation from the city, but the city, so they said Sheryl [Clark] said that it was not in our budget. So, you're putting a lot of stuff in our budget that's not in our budget, but you could not help the kids."
Mayor Jernigan said Lloyd was out of line at that time and said the council needed to stick with the subject at hand.
Glenn said her intent was not to deprive the fire department of the funds, but to have a closed session meeting to go over the budget numbers. Mayor Jernigan enlightened her budget meetings could be held, but not in closed session.
A motion carried and was approved to table the funds for the fire department until the council can have a budget meeting previous to the next city council meeting.
Glenn then suggested giving the fire department a check for the funds before the next council meeting if the council is in agreement. Mayor Jernigan indicated that would not be possible until the budget concerns are addressed.
A motion was carried and approved to table re-visiting, the purchase of a dumpster for the wastewater treatment plant.
A discussion was had amongst the council to determine what action to take with Booker T. Washington Park. Mayor Jernigan informed the council the decision was in their hands.
Natalie Harris, councilwoman, said she was looking at the park from a sentimental and historical perspective at the previous council meeting; however, if the park is not going to be maintained and trash is going to continue to be dumped there she said she is willing to pursue other avenues for the property.
"I won't stand in the way of progress with that. So, I just want to put that out there. I was sentimental last time, okay, but we can move forward however the board wants to do with that," said Harris.
A motion was made by councilman Lloyd to close Booker T. Washington Park and put the property up for bids. The motion was seconded by Jose Leos, councilman.
During the April 18, 2016 meeting of the Tenaha City Council a motion carried and was approved to temporarily close Booker T. Washington Street with more substantial barricades for possible repair in the future. Since that time, no council member has brought the street back to the city agenda.
Harris stated, "The road never should have been closed."
Her opinions was, with the road having been closed for a year, it would need more work than if it had been dealt with in the past. She said she would like to see the street re-opened.
"I know it's probably going to be a monumental job, right. So if you (Matt Barton) could, because you know put a budget together as to what it would cost to re-open that," said Harris.
She asked Matt Barton, Director of Public Works, to elaborate on what it would take to achieve that goal. Barton said the problem with that particular road is it is going to be a high dollar project with the water lines at that location being less than three inches below the surface, and the gas lines also being shallowly buried. He said traffic over the roadway has potential to cause water lines and gas lines to break.
He said the water lines would have to be moved and he estimated the cost could possibly be $100,000 to do just that part of the project. A foundation made of cement would have to be laid before the roadway would be asphalted.
"I'm not interested in just patching, if we're going to do it, let's do it right. That's why I'm asking, you know, and I know it might be a little time consuming. I'm sorry. Just do a budget so people can see it and know how much this is going to cost," said Harris.
Mayor Jernigan said, before that project the focus is on a lot of gravel and debris which has been dumped near there which needs to be cleaned up.
A motion by Glenn to table the road until the council receives figures at the next meeting on how much it will cost to fix the road, seconded by Harris.
The council approved the proposed resolution No. 2017-04-24-1R to deny an Application for Authority to increase rates submitted by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO). Mayor Jernigan said he doesn't know of a city that doesn't participate in approving such a resolution.
"The acronym for them is CARD, what that stands for, it's a law firm that represents cities and their utility negotiations. In other words, right now SWEPCO has applied with Texas Utilities Commission for a rate increase," said Jernigan.
According to Jernigan, the law firm is reviewing the application and has asked cities to petition for a delay in the rate increase.
A motion carried and was approved to adopt the resolution.
The meeting went into closed session at 6:24pm and the council didn't return to open session until 7:45pm.
At that time a motion carried and was approved to accept part-time Tenaha City Council Deputy Marshal Jacob Samford and part-time Administrative Assistant/Utilities Clerk, Alison Rhone.
During the council comment portion of the meeting, and with the impending city council election approaching, Harris expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve and said she has enjoyed her time serving with the council.
To provide greater clarity on what was said at the March 27, 2017 meeting of the Tenaha City Council, Shelby County Today is publishing two audio recordings with one including the portion of the meeting where the dispatch of Tenaha City Marshals was discussed, and the second including council comments at the end of the meeting.
Audio File 1
Tenaha City Council Discussion1
Audio File 2
Tenaha City Council Discussion2
Agenda items approved include: 1. Minutes of the March 27, 2017 meeting. 2. March 2017 Financial Report. 3. Adopt proposed resolution No. 2017-04-24-1R - Denial of application for authority to increase rates submitted by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO). 4. Close Booker T. Washington Park and seek bids for the property. 5. Accept part-time Deputy Tenaha City Marshal, Jacob Samford and part-time Administrative Assistant/Utilities Clerk, Alison Rhone. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Funding equipment for the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department. 2. Purchase of a dumpster for the wastewater treatment plant. 3. Table Booker T. Washington Street repair until the council receives figures at the next meeting on how much it will cost to fix the road.
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