Red Bank commissioners adopt strategic goals, approve security camera subscription, on‑call road contracts and two electric pickup trucks

The Red Bank Board of Commissioners on March 18 adopted a set of mission, vision and five commission goals developed at a February strategic planning retreat and approved several procurement actions, including a three‑year security‑camera subscription for the city impound lot, on‑call guardrail and pavement‑marking contracts, and the purchase of two Ford F‑150 Lightning Pro XL pickup trucks for the public works street division at a total cost of $98,600.

The action matters because the contracts fund immediate safety and maintenance work and the truck purchase marks a step toward electrifying the city fleet, while the strategic goals will guide the commission’s priorities as staff prepares objectives for the FY‑26 budget process.

City Manager Granum presented the retreat outcomes and the draft resolution adopting the mission and vision statements and five goals, including negotiating a new land conservation agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the National Park Service; a safe‑streets initiative targeting speeding and pedestrian and bicycle safety; a strategic economic development program; implementation of the parks master plan; and low‑cost activation of city property. Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey moved to approve the resolution; Vice Mayor Mary Berry seconded it. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Public safety and maintenance procurements approved by the commission included:

- A three‑year subscription with Skycop Inc. for installation, use and maintenance of a solar‑powered security camera at the impound lot, for an amount not to exceed $3,300 annually. Police Chief Seymour told commissioners the camera arrangement is a lease‑style subscription (the vendor retains ownership and warranty) and staff will use the impound fund to cover the recurring fees. Vice Mayor Mary Berry moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.

- An on‑call service agreement with Cadence Site Work (doing business as Cadence Site Work) for guardrail installation and maintenance. Director Tate said the firm recently located at 5210 Dayton Boulevard and responded to the city’s RFQ after staff had difficulty finding nearby vendors able to perform large‑scale guardrail work. Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson moved to approve the Cadence agreement; Commissioner Cherry Holmes seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote. Tate told the commission the budget line for guardrail repairs comes from state street aid and remains available from year to year.

- On‑call pavement‑marking and road‑striping agreements with Superior Pavement Markings, Inc., and Volunteer Highway Supply Company, Inc. Director Tate said the firms have provided periodic striping work for Red Bank, and the agreements are intended to streamline procurement so staff can issue scopes of work and work orders from already‑authorized contracts. Vice Mayor Berry moved to approve the agreements; Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

On equipment, the commission authorized purchase of two fully upfitted Ford F‑150 Lightning Pro XL pickup trucks through a Tennessee statewide contract with Lonnie Cobb Ford of Henderson, Tennessee, for a total cost of $98,600. Director Tate said the two trucks will be outfitted with warning lights and safety racks and that the price through the statewide contract is competitive; he also described plans for a rapid charger at the public works facility to support short charging during work shifts. Vice Mayor Mary Berry moved to approve the purchase; Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

On unfinished business the commission approved two ordinances on second and final reading: an amendment to the FY2025 operating budget to appropriate $20,000 to cover a payment to end a temporary staffing contract for finance services, and an amendment to the city beer ordinance that reduces some special‑event requirements for city‑sponsored events. The budget amendment (ordinance 25‑12‑73) was approved by roll call with Mayor Stephanie Dalton, Vice Mayor Mary Berry, Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey, Commissioner Cherry Holmes and Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson all voting yes. Commissioner Cherry Holmes moved approval of the beer‑ordinance amendment (ordinance 25‑12‑74); Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson seconded, and the ordinance passed on second and final reading.

Other items mentioned during the meeting: City Manager Granum reviewed the FY‑26 budget calendar staff posted online, saying the process will kick off at the regular commission meeting on Tuesday the 15th with a Budget 101 overview and includes two budget workshops on the 22nd and 29th of the month, a May first reading and a June second reading in advance of the new fiscal year. Granum also reported that the city’s stormwater system handled a heavy rain event — "we did get over 3 and a half inches of rain in 1 day," he said — and reminded residents that flooding remains the county’s costliest natural hazard.

Chief Seymour characterized the impound‑lot camera as a cooperative effort between public works and police, saying in part, "So this is really a partnership between Public Works and and the police department." Director Tate and staff explained that the security contract will be paid from the impound fund and that guardrail repair funds are held in state street aid; Tate also described the procurement process used to solicit RFQs for the on‑call services.

The meeting also included the mayor’s report noting a new ADA restroom at the Red Bank Community Center, community events and recognitions for local teachers and student awards, and a report that Red Bay Middle School received a $10,000 grant for a schoolwide conservation initiative. No citizens addressed the commission during the public comment period.

The commission adjourned after approving the items and setting the schedule for the budget process.