[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624860,"mediaKeyId","3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4","parentId",3175603,"title","City Council approves multiple routine ordinances, acceptances and contract awards","audioSeconds",4729,"startMs",1496000,"endMs",6225000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4&start=1496&end=6225","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624860/Tennessee/City-Council-approves-multiple-routine-ordinances-acceptances-and-contract-awards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624860-17930c538a0451f17029d22b324f2de9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505691&Signature=mTm4sxiJJt1MMpO0Jx~xvKJCnGUEayIEymiL8XtxfyDQqrtzFQwDj8p9OsVQz9Ylj3570XffQoRG2vdQWaSl5LVZX-q-3Q~qRyl2ECE785IkiyTbRAVHWHtWDSfo2PI1QG95RRzXIlEdWWAM5LirOMRdFTc6ho6bpWHp3ArGPCX52tymqQ0wqRQoXVgB3mlvKj1uqrd3ol6gxT7xFal3AlfffkexHi2MChsm4ZUSn3Bmn1GNbyFsJKqTpf2kp31A7UlRmI1dIEGFHlit5L3x2BqlbwYp432ZuSgyt9QsMEM7VlZrz8yE8ohJylc2kjZTp0mwB9hzFdBpESXIoJ7SFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oak Ridge, TN","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","Oak Ridge City Council on March 10 approved a series of routine ordinances, infrastructure acceptances and contract awards that will be implemented as described in city records.

Major items that passed or were received for the record included: proclamations designating Arbor Day and National Library Week; acceptance of several small infrastructure sections at the Preserve at Clinch River (Deerberry Lane, Boysenberry Drive, and Broadberry townhouse utilities); abandonment of a short portion of Boulevard at the request of the Industrial Development Board to improve the marketability of Development Area Lot 5 in Horizon Center Industrial Park; rezoning of 113 Lafayette Drive (removing a PUD office-only overlay to allow residential townhouses); amendments to the personnel code on nepotism and retirement-language cleanup; an amendment to residency rules limiting residency requirements to six named positions; a city-code amendment allowing transfers to the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation; and two CDBG-funded contract awards for Scarborough Community Center HVAC replacement and Woodland neighborhood sidewalk/ADA ramp work.

Council received the FY2026'2031 capital improvements program (CIP) transmittal from the Planning Commission for the record and received the FY2024 audit report and auditors' communications from PUCPAs for the record.

Council also approved returning $500,000 in donated funds to the UT Patel Development Corporation at the corporation's request; staff said the original donation was tied to a location at the East Tennessee Technology Park that later was not used for an airport project.

Most roll-call items on the consent and ordinance dockets were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Where a recorded tally was given on the record the motions passed by a minimum four-yes vote as required for ordinance actions.

Votes at a glance (selected items as discussed on the record):

- Arbor Day proclamation (04/03/2025): motion passed by voice vote (outcome: approved).
- National Library Week proclamation (April 2025): motion passed by voice vote (outcome: approved).
- Transmittal of CIP FY2026'2031 from the Planning Commission: received for the record (no formal approval required).
- Infrastructure acceptance Deerberry Lane (Preserve at Clinch River): approved; acceptance starts one-year warranty period before perpetual maintenance by the city (tally: aye, no nays reported; outcome: approved).
- Infrastructure acceptance Boysenberry Drive (Preserve at Clinch River): approved (tally: aye, no nays reported; outcome: approved).
- Infrastructure acceptance Broadberry townhouse utilities (Preserve at Clinch River): approved (tally: aye, no nays reported; outcome: approved).
- Abandonment of a portion of Boulevard adjacent to Horizon Center Industrial Park Lot 5 (requested by Industrial Development Board): approved (outcome: approved).
- Ordinance: rezoning Parcel 039 (Anderson County tax map 100A group C; 113 Lafayette Drive) from R-3 PUD (office-only overlay) to R-3 (medium-density residential): approved after public hearing (outcome: approved).
- Ordinance: zoning text amendment to remove some wall-sign height restrictions and allow internally illuminated wall signs in non-residential districts (first reading and public hearing scheduled for second reading): motion passed to place the amendment on first reading and continue with required hearings (outcome: advanced).
- Ordinance: set dog and cat registration fee to be determined by city fee policy rather than code: approved (outcome: approved).
- Personnel code amendments: nepotism rule changed to prohibit direct-line supervision among close relatives (approved); retirement benefit language cleaned up to remove obsolete probationary references (approved); residency rule changed to make six named positions required to reside in city limits while protecting current employees and promotions from retroactive enforcement (approved on final vote) (outcome: approved).
- Code amendment: add Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation as an entity eligible to receive transfers of city property under Section 5-503.8: approved (outcome: approved).
- Resolution: return $500,000 donation to UT Patel Development Corporation: approved (outcome: approved).
- Resolution: award to Powell Brothers Mechanical Contractors for Scarborough Community Center HVAC replacement (CDBG-funded), amount not to exceed $119,518.30: approved (outcome: approved, contingent on HUD approvals where noted in staff presentation).
- Resolution: award to GCE Construction for Woodland neighborhood sidewalks and ADA ramps (CDBG-funded), amount not to exceed $333,657.50: approved (outcome: approved, contingent on HUD approvals where noted in staff presentation).

Several items on tonight's consent and regular dockets were described as contingent on outside approvals (for example, the CDBG-funded projects awaiting HUD approvals); staff said the bid documents were written to make notice to proceed contingent on those authorizations.

Council generally voted unanimously or by voice for the items listed above; where tallies were read, a majority of at least four yes votes carried the matters. The city clerk will publish official ordinances and resolutions with final vote tallies and full text in the formal minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Ridge City Council Meeting\tMarch 10, 2025 - 7:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Oak Ridge City Council approved a package of routine ordinances, infrastructure acceptances, personnel-code changes and two CDBG contract awards on March 10, with staff noting several items were contingent on outside approvals.","taxTitle","Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee","taxId",62219,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624863,"Oak Ridge auditors give city clean opinion but flag Kayenta accounting issues",1205,1853000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4&start=1853&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","/articles/6624863/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-auditors-give-city-clean-opinion-but-flag-Kayenta-accounting-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624863-75ee946a01bb42c6df8278f8306fc690/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505691&Signature=FYVqizvY6b1TEESvDdEvQMzazoFI11M8fT1O7KStyVH7C7pevLYuVsudb3fYmq4OOQ8Ft8949ccYB~FvqbJHOGeMJX2f6McG7~Dy623887PUsXcC6FykuiEm8x7sUIwfgX-RGZEbgAk1HP1lLXDvRRrxR5pdjJi5ew2WeXV3zROptNUa8a3ZVqfT4D2~dPiLWsVFF8ozFC5bcmicLR-ISn-c2oB~FaSsh0NrYL2M3fxpAH4tzNUt3iWhmScCykFuVCV5Nt4vfMQlp7uRZ9DTSr3JHUdvRdKXZbJlQce~6xOejHOOTw-sQ0MXy6SEkAlBbIMHisjE3OLF~07HH2148A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PUCPAs auditors told the Oak Ridge City Council on March 10 that the city's FY2024 financial statements received a clean opinion, but that the city must address material accounting weaknesses linked to the recent Kayenta software implementation.

The auditors said the financial statements were \"presented fairly in all material respect,\" a clean opinion that indicates the statements can be relied on. But Gary Mitchell, the lead auditor for PUCPAs, told council that the audit identified two written findings: a material weakness related to financial reporting and reconciliations in the Kayenta system, and a significant deficiency tied to capital asset accounting.

The material weakness stemmed from several problems that began after Kayenta was implemented in late FY2023, Mitchell said: internal financial reports had not been routinely provided to senior management or council during the year; physical-inventory adjustments were not reflected correctly in Kayenta; unposted transactions were discovered late and had to be posted during the audit; and several year-end reports could not be produced and tied to the financial statements. \"We evaluated the cause and effect of these issues and determined that this all largely stemmed from the implementation of the Kayenta system,\" Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the second finding involved capital assets that were not properly capitalized, errors in the CIP reports and miscalculated depreciation. Those capital-asset items were being handled in spreadsheets because imports into Kayenta were not working reliably.

City Manager Randy Heeman and staff said they are aggressively addressing the findings. Heeman said Kayenta has been fully implemented but not every module or report is yet in daily use, and the city has started delivering monthly budget reports to departments. \"We will probably bring in a third party to help us with some of the other implementation issues,\" Heeman said, adding that the city has hired a budget manager and will propose funding for outside support in the current fiscal year.

Tom (city staff) told council that city IS staff and the budget team have already produced monthly management reports and implemented an interface that exposes detailed transactions, which is helping departments reconcile coding and transactions. He said the city will deliver quarterly budget reports to council going forward.

Mitchell also highlighted fund-balance strength: the general fund ending balance is about $35.3 million, roughly seven months of expenditures, well above the 2-month reserve recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Council members asked about costs for the third-party assistance and training; staff said there will be some significant costs and they expect to bring proposals to council soon. Mitchell and staff said management agreed with the audit findings and is working on corrective action plans.

The audit report and the auditors' required communications were received for the record; council did not need to approve the report.

Clarifying details from the audit presented to council: assets for utilities rose roughly $44 million largely because of a new water-treatment plant; governmental activity revenues increased from about $127 million to $151 million partly because of state funding tied to a proposed airport land purchase and changes in K-12 funding; business-type liabilities rose (about $37 million) for debt tied to the water plant; general fund revenues exceeded budget by roughly $4.5 million for FY2024, and the year-end general fund balance represented approximately seven months of operating expenditures.

The auditors provided a management letter with two formal findings and recommended that management (1) work with Kayenta developers to fix conversion and reporting gaps, (2) fully transition capital-asset tracking into Kayenta or another system, and (3) provide timely financial reports to senior management and council. Management told council it would begin contracting for outside help and include training costs in near-term budget actions.","PUCPAs delivered a clean opinion on the city's FY2024 financial statements but reported a material weakness tied to the recent Kayenta accounting-system implementation and identified a second significant deficiency in capital-asset accounting; management described corrective actions and said it will seek third-party help and training.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624845,"Oak Ridge names DeRay Smith city historian, community leaders praise his work",423,3166000,3589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4&start=3166&end=3589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4/thumbnail_3166000.jpg","/articles/6624845/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-names-DeRay-Smith-city-historian-community-leaders-praise-his-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624845-d7e0546ef370919b5930895e4cc8d23a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505691&Signature=okwHtVGRQfpP58hxmF7PoHO7swj6lauIDI5yeouzUhAdXevp9bv-46J51MWlZpjiq208KWdyDCb6bNRbbNRrnRm69BoO9NvIBnUMcx7dUpdmXZl8oTVumAbORdZeyv5nzABGcrMmbcHXMQMUDPf1FLJbI~ZOuEAmuwcnsGQrL2Zt66DJ57v5wlpXEmoWTzTJDokUnA1m5J9Kis~b5yb3yZFwYJ~u021EPokyGW~b6avYPQqawzkkGHaGz7eX1h8hIKGtz264kYZKbBLhzkMSeSTDbW9cPHNeDCslDtKVMqRu1CGGEJWLNmWoJcXEkhDhA5AiKu54CY4hR9C21F5J4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge City Council on March 10 unanimously approved a resolution designating historian DeRay Smith as the city's official historian, a role council said will promote and publicize Oak Ridge's history.

The resolution names DeRay Smith to the position and charges him with promoting the city's history. Supporters spoke at the podium before the vote. \"I don't believe there's any one person that has contributed more to the history of this town than DeRay Smith,\" said Gordon Fee, a longtime local historian, citing Smith's podcast, newspaper columns and outreach work. Fee noted that Smith's work has raised Oak Ridge's profile within the Manhattan Project National Historical Park community.

David Bradshaw, a former mayor who also addressed council, said Smith has become the go-to person for questions about Oak Ridge history and praised his public-facing work as a tour guide and writer.

Smith spoke briefly after the vote. \"I am honored by your recognition and I'm humbled,\" he said, and acknowledged predecessors and collaborators including Bill Wilcox and Keith McDaniel, and described the work of promoting Oak Ridge's history at state and national levels.

Council members also emphasized the value of Smith's work for the city's ability to attract grants and partnerships. Councilman Allen said the \"brand\" Smith has helped build has had tangible value in leveraging grants and support for local projects.

The resolution passed by voice vote; council recorded the motion as approved 4-0 on the record.","Council unanimously approved a resolution naming DeRay Smith Oak Ridge city historian. Residents and former officials praised Smith's local history work, podcasting, newspaper columns and role with Tennessee historical entities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624850,"Planning Commission transmits CIP to council; lists parks, utilities and school projects among top priorities",282,1622000,1904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4&start=1622&end=1904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","/articles/6624850/Tennessee/Planning-Commission-transmits-CIP-to-council-lists-parks-utilities-and-school-projects-among-top-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624850-32cc4d033d8f3e6f7bc140aed5ea7c61/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505691&Signature=hrropz43F7zq6hYcjm7lic-51XGXgYd~dX3zisfDxuVQJAYdam9ZSdqEe1r-mWUqXD0YdZloe6s2oZoOu7QemKWuDXQpxZyoJgbRCAPLP5DBgS1-690SDGrl2~VMblqdsaWN694qGeB~2q4MAqAxWdgwBgOzBE3MttVKxk6GUYzN4N3VHjDOmtawUFwBm5LaOVAaKJEnM9L2QG54-MATP2i1jH0XiqumzXgiIgV8qjNQNjivKj425RhWeKFDsoxlJAFru-I4jsHVJIM-~cu5DbbI98lUAjdoUrHv5XzaCx2b424T6R8ZbqeAlh8lT0T5SEWCoX3q5m31IFZVCnyoAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission presented the City of Oak Ridge's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) transmittal for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 at the March 10 City Council meeting and asked council to receive the document for the record.

\"The comprehensive plan will be a valuable tool to you as a council member and to the city manager as you prepare budgets in the future and that it will act as a guide for future projects,\" said Mr. Whitson, chair of the Planning Commission, during the transmittal. The commission said staff and a consultant are now preparing a comprehensive plan update that will guide future CIP decisions.

Planning Commission materials included ranked project lists. The top 10 projects identified by the commission this year were: improvements to AK Bizzle Park; Fire Station No. 2; Rarity Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements; a new West End school; an animal shelter project; sewer-collection-system rehabilitation; police department mission-critical technology upgrades; electric distribution improvements; electric substation improvements; and renovations to Woodland Elementary School.

Whitson thanked Planning Department staff, particularly Jennifer Williams and Wayne Blasius, and recommended council review the transmittal letter included in the CIP package for more context. Councilman Hensley, who also serves as the mayor's representative to the commission, thanked the commission for its work.

The document was received for the record; staff told council no vote was required. Council was advised to use the CIP rankings and transmittal letter as guidance when preparing the upcoming budget.","The Planning Commission presented the Capital Improvements Program transmittal for FY2026'2031, highlighting top-ranked projects including park improvements, Fire Station No. 2, a wastewater plant upgrade, a new West End school, animal shelter renovations and several electric system projects.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624855,"Pickleball players press Oak Ridge for dedicated courts; city manager points to recreation master plan",1188,6258000,7446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4&start=6258&end=7446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175603-46a405180f374e333921a607bda83db4/thumbnail_6258000.jpg","/articles/6624855/Tennessee/Pickleball-players-press-Oak-Ridge-for-dedicated-courts-city-manager-points-to-recreation-master-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624855-93bca428981c7b9cf38781c191a1ca44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505691&Signature=VdvFfVsakc8YqOXZzxGNRt1gt5Q82NmqJzf4vVt6I0ape-kmojkFS8tp0Z0nVivE6qS5cfUb6HIvgRQwILJwSSfbS--does1IlU~BP2RWfAcsGMHiCu0t8U5FwyhxD1yE2NLFVPStqZ3mEf1wMlojVYIUaLMtzp9v3kvlRtZDiVLgRE2YQnn7hZZ01A-T6xPVpJ5zixjToENcE7R2A6ZNsyXV2~~g4bCEgtQ3-gNP8oAVZcy9Ux0N69A7gkw~rjrXjA7ZdtZofOzJuusegbUq20UlLf1TvY6FltAmg2PaG4uvbLm9Pv0LKHIFAeQz8Gplms2nB6M3CShekja9DE9iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and players urged Oak Ridge City Council on March 10 to prioritize dedicated pickleball courts, saying current play is crowded and dependent on converted tennis courts that are suboptimal for the sport.

\"We are here to inform the city that we think we need a pickleball facility in our city,\" said Jill Ray, speaking during the Appearance of Citizens period. Players described using Jackson Square tennis courts and high school courts that are marked for pickleball but are in disrepair; they said the size of a dedicated pickleball court and fenced enclosures reduce ball loss and make play more efficient.

Several speakers gave comparative context and cost estimates. Brian Drain noted that using tennis courts for pickleball forces players to compromise on line markings and equipment. Ron Ray (resident) said a full new 12-court facility with lights and fencing could cost in the order of $700,000, while a lower-cost conversion of existing Jackson Square courts could be done for a fraction of that (he cited an estimate near $60,000 for surface repairs and nets).

Supporters emphasized pickleball's broad participation across age groups and community benefits. \"Pickleball is inclusive,\" said Jack Parker. \"You can be 8 years old or 80 and enjoy it; it builds social interaction and physical activity in a low-barrier way.\"

City Manager Randy Heeman told the group that staff is preparing a recreation master plan and that an RFQ for that planning work is currently active. \"We're getting ready to do a recreation master plan. There's an RFQ out right now so hopefully in the next month or two we'll have somebody selected,\" Heeman said. He said the plan would look holistically at demand, how many courts are needed and where best to site them, and cautioned that the city must balance the request against other capital needs such as a pool and school-court repairs.

Heeman also said staff will consider short-term fixes where feasible and that requests such as a seasonal \"bubble\" or indoor scheduling could be evaluated along with longer-term siting. Council members encouraged staff to explore near-term accommodations that would improve playability while the broader plan is developed.

Several speakers also requested an indoor, year-round option or improvements to the high school courts; staff noted both Jackson Square and the high school courts will require different levels of investment, and the high school courts may need substantial reconstruction.

The council did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said it will consider pickleball needs as part of the forthcoming recreation master plan and return recommendations on timing and funding options.","Players and residents urged council to add dedicated pickleball courts in Oak Ridge, describing heavy demand at shared tennis courts; city manager said a recreation master plan RFQ is under way and staff will consider the request alongside other capital needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council approves multiple routine ordinances, acceptances and contract awards

Oak Ridge auditors give city clean opinion but flag Kayenta accounting issues

Oak Ridge names DeRay Smith city historian, community leaders praise his work

Planning Commission transmits CIP to council; lists parks, utilities and school projects among top priorities

Pickleball players press Oak Ridge for dedicated courts; city manager points to recreation master plan