Desiree Smith/Correspondent

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the City of Harrogate held their monthly meeting on March 21. Upon opening with prayer and the pledge to the flag, the minutes for the January meeting was approved. (There was no February meeting). A roll call found all members present and ready to proceed.

The meeting started off with representatives from the Tri-State Youth Choir taking the floor. The choir is having their 24th annual fundraiser in the city park. This year they plan to have such events as three-on-three basketball tournament, a car show, and the highland games. The participants of these events will be wearing tee-shirts; it was estimated that there will be anywhere from 1000-1500 tee-shirts distributed to teams and participants in the different events. The choir came to the meeting to ask the city if they would like to help sponsor the choir. For a $250 donation, the choir will print as one of their sponsors on the back of the shirts "The City of Harrogate." Some discussion found that this particular fundraiser was not budgeted for, but due to some other funds in the budget that were unused due to non-compliance with city standards, there was extra monies that could be transferred. The Board voted to donate the $250 as per request to the choir.

It was brought to the attention of the board that on April 13 and 14, the Mayor will be attending the 10th Annual Rural Development Conference in Cookeville. Also, on June 11th and 12th, Rose Kiser, Mike Lester, and Linda Fultz will be attending Level II of the Elected Officials Committee.

A request had been laid before the board for a donation to the local area's First Priority. After some discussion, it was decided that it was something to be thought about for this upcoming year's budget.

On the Mayor's Report, the Mayor has asked the Industrial School Board to build a pre-school in the Harrogate area, such as the one that has recently been opened in Tazewell (The Alpha School). They agreed to consider it. The first step toward the new school was to get surveys from the parents in the four elementary schools in the Harrogate area, Ellen Myers, Forge Ridge, H.Y. Livesay, and Powell Valley. Of the 1337 surveys that were sent out, 267 were filled out and returned. The numbers told the board that 74 out of the 267 surveys returned were currently using child care, and 136 out of the 267 said that they would use the facility if it were available in their area. The age range of the child services requested were: 11 requests for 0-12 months, 11 requests for 12-24 months, 23 requests for 15 mos to 3 years, 35 requests for 3-5 years, and 204 requests for 6-12 years. The next step will be to have a meeting with Betsy Maples and Elizabeth to Fugate to review the numbers and discuss the types of services needed for the facility should it be built. The Mayor supported the new school, saying "This would be a great area for it."

In the Treasurer's Report, Rose Kiser reported that the net income for the City of Harrogate for the months of January and February. Also, the board discussed the signing of city checks. In order for a check to be issued from the city, it requires two signatures from designated members of the board. Currently, the only two designated to sign the checks are Rose Kiser and Mayor Bill Fultz. The board decided to designate Vice Mayor Mike Lester and Linda Fultz as signers of future checks.

The Road Report brought to everyone's attention some of the new road signs that have been put up. Paving on the roads will begin soon. The board is aware that they may need a new person to salt the roads for next winter, as the current employee may not return. Rose reminded the board that they have a blade and a salt spreader on a purchase order hold. After some discussion, the board agreed to go ahead and purchase the equipment, and in case of having to hire a new employee, they would be able to supply the blade and spreader, provided that the employee provided his own truck.

The Park Department has a new grant for renovation s on the park. It was discussed that some of the monies be put into the building of the new bathrooms, for which the drawings have already been submitted. Also, it was noted that $6000 is needed to finish the already 700 ft. fence that currently goes around most of the park.

John Adams gave the fire department report. He told that it was time to renew the FEMA Grant, and that he already has 60 percent of it finished, but nothing submitted so far. He suggested to the board that they go for a fire truck again this year, as the last. Even though they were denied the truck last year, this year should be no problem due to the review of last year's rejected request. "We are going to keep from making the same mistakes this year, and will have what they require on this year's request," said Adams. If the truck is approved, the city will receive a fully equipped truck. This year's grant is approximately $190,000. with a 5% match.

There was discussion on the City of Harrogate taking over the fire department located in Shawanee in order to make it a full functioning department for the City of Harrogate. Adams, who helped Cumberland Gap get their department established, told how Cumberland Gap started with the truck, and then worked on equipping their men the next year. The grant would not be the only advantage for the department if the city took over; the city would also be able to make needed improvements to the building. This would allow the city to be within the one and one half mile radius ISO standards. There are also a couple of other places being looked at and discussed. However, the property must be purchased before the city can apply for any grants for the new department.

At first, the firemen would be on a volunteer basis, and not city employees, however, later on, the city would like to be able to pay some firemen.

John Allen, City Engineer, made the council aware that the letter to be on the priority list for TDEC must be submitted by April 1. It will be the same as last year's.

In other news, LMU has donated ten sets of book shelves to the city library. While there are already several books that have been donated for the library, the city is still taking donations.

The Building Inspector reported that there were three building permits issued in the last two months, since the last business meeting. Some discussion was made on the issuing of certificates of occupancy. These are issued through the state agency, and differ from notices of completion. The inspector noted that even though the city would not have many for the next few years, they should start getting information about it now, especially in order to set up precedence for them with the new divisions arising within the city.

The Zoning and Planning Commission clarified a previous action due to the business having to be passed on to the planning commission. The amendment clarified that Mr. Muncy has agreed to write a letter of commitment, saying that if water is ever supplied to the upper levels of the city, he will provide the fire hydrants. The letter has been received by the board, and the lower level hydrants have already been planned for.

The board passed Resolution No. 68, which states: Whereas, The City of Harrogate, Tennessee recognizes the need for housing rehabilitation for low income residents residing within the City, and Whereas, the City desires to provide housing rehabilitation services to these residents, and Whereas, the City Council understands that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allows for assistance through the HOME program, administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), to provide housing rehabilitation for the low-income persons, and Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the City Council of the City of Harrogate does hereby authorize the mayor to file an application for 2005 HOME funds with THDA not to exceed $500,00. This grant application and process will cost the city nothing; it is all done with safety money from the state. Last year it was filed by ETHRA, but this year, it will be filed by the mayor. This year's estimated amount for the project is $98,000.

The board also passed Resolution No. 69, which states: Whereas the City of Harrogate is seeking funding assistance for the construction of various turn lanes along SR-32 (U S Highway 25E) within the city limits; and Whereas certain documents must be executed in order to comply with grand and funding requirements for the Tennessee Department of Transportation Optional Safety Funding Program, and Whereas to apply for the funding the mayor of Harrogate must have the authority to execute documents related to the Optional Safety Funding Program, Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Harrogate, Tennessee, that the mayor is hereby granted the authority to execute the needed documents for application to TDOT for the Optional Safety Funding of up to $100,000.

The last issue to come before the council was brought by Steve Blevens. Mr. Blevens is a local business owner. He was asking the council to review Resolution 3-12 in order to clarify if the setting up of tents for the purpose of selling fireworks was against county regulations and policies. Upon review, the council found the resolution to state: It shall be unlawful to place any temporary structure, trailer, mobile structure (including, but not limited to: cars, vans, trucks, or buses), tents and tent-type structures, factory-built or factory-assembled structures designed for conveyance after fabrication, either on their own wheels, flatbed truck, or other trailers on any residential, commercial, or industrial lot within the city for the purpose of assembly, or for business, educational, hazardous, institutional, mercantile, residential, or storage occupancies, except as noted herein. The resolution gives exception to "Tanta used by a person, firm, corporation, or group as an assembly occupancy for the purpose of a religious meeting, festival, fair, circus, carnival for a limited time not to exceed thirty days with proper permit procedure followed; additional permits may be granted for up to ninety days in one calendar year. Tents or temporary buildings used to sell fresh produce locally grown in Claiborne County during the growing season or Christmas trees during the holiday season." Therefore, the answer to Mr. Blevens question is that it is unlawful to set up tents in order to sell fireworks, and this law is to be enforced by the city engineer, fire marshal, and local law enforcement.