Oakland aldermen approve storage-container, street-parking and gypsum-board ordinances; award sanitation contract and authorize demolition

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Oakland voted on a series of ordinances and resolutions at its July meeting, approving a new ordinance regulating portable storage containers, an amendment expanding street-parking enforcement, a building-materials standard for residential truss construction, a sanitary-collection contract recommendation, renewal of school-facility use agreements, approval of two food-truck permits, and authorization to hire demolition services for a condemned property on Mallory Drive.

Why it matters: The package of votes adds new enforceable rules for storage containers and parking on town streets, raises the local requirement for gypsum board in certain residential construction to a fire-safety standard, and shifts the town’s sanitation contract to a lower-priced vendor—changes that affect contractors, property owners and nearly all residential utility customers in Oakland.

Most significant actions

Sanitation contract award: The board accepted staff’s recommendation to award the town’s sanitation contract to Waste Pro. Town staff reported Waste Pro’s base bid at $23.97 per month for once‑a‑week pickup (including bulk pickup); the motion approved by the board added a $1 administrative fee and rounded the total to $25 per month. Town staff said the change will not increase the current customer bill; the packet showed the town’s existing vendor charge at $28.50 per month. Alderman Humble moved approval; Alderman Campbell seconded; the motion carried.

Ordinances adopted: On second and final reading the board adopted Ordinance 25‑03 establishing a permitting, fee and penalty framework for portable storage containers ("pods"); Ordinance 25‑04 amending the municipal code to allow enforcement of vehicles parked on streets (the change adds "streets" to the existing lot-based language); and Ordinance 25‑08 requiring 5‑H Type X gypsum board in residential structures that utilize combustible truss systems. Staff recommended each ordinance. Motions to pass were made and seconded; each motion passed on the board’s voice vote.

Charter amendment: The board passed Resolution 25‑20, accepting changes from the 114th Tennessee General Assembly to amend the town charter. The changes adopted tonight include removing at‑large aldermanic seats so candidates will run for numbered positions, clarifying when newly elected aldermen take office after certification, and aligning payment timing for outgoing and incoming aldermen. The vote was taken by roll call and carried unanimously (5‑0).

Other actions: The board approved Resolution 25‑22 granting one‑year food‑truck permits for two vendors (Amigos Food Truck at 14670 Highway 194 and CairoGyro at the Exxon at 3340 Highway 64); renewed the town’s annual agreement with the Fayette County Board of Education for use of Oakland Elementary and West Junior High facilities (Resolution 25‑23); and approved Resolution 25‑24 to retain demolition services for improvements on Parcel 061 (Mallory Drive), with staff explaining the project estimate of about $8,500 for demolition and a not‑to‑exceed authorization of $10,000 to account for landfill fee changes. The board also authorized an emergency set of repairs and mold remediation at the town office (75 Clay Street) after staff reported rot and hazardous mold in the building; the manager reported total emergency expenditures of about $42,000 to make the space safe and restore operations.

Board process and next steps: Several items were discussed as candidates for a workshop, including street‑parking/fire‑lane policy, charter questions and the town logo. The board scheduled a workshop for 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 to continue those discussions. An executive session was held; after reconvening the board voted to accept the legal recommendation presented in executive session.

Quote

"This will not result in an increase in any customer bill," Mister Ellis said in explaining the recommended Waste Pro contract and the administrative fee.

Ending

The board adjourned after acting on the listed items and scheduling the August workshop. Minutes of tonight’s meeting will be posted with the town’s regular records.