Smithville board approves CDBG grant application, authorizes TDOT intersection work
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Summary
The Smithville city board voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (up to $1,000,000 for construction or $420,000 for equipment, with a 7% local match) and approved a resolution authorizing the Tennessee Department of Transportation to replace traffic signals and crosswalks at East Main and State Route 56; the work will be TDOT-funded and the city will assume maintenance after completion.
The Smithville city board voted tonight to seek federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and to authorize the Tennessee Department of Transportation to upgrade the intersection at East Main and State Route 56.
"Tennessee Smithville, Tennessee is eligible for a maximum grant of $1,000,000 for construction or $420,000 for equipment under the CDBG livability category," Hunter read aloud during the meeting, adding that the city would agree to a 7% local match if awarded. Hunter also summarized the TDOT plan, saying the department would replace traffic lights and crosswalks near the post office at its expense and that the city would take over the improvements once the work is finished.
The board discussed uses for the CDBG award after staff noted the grant could not be applied to the city's water plant project. The chair suggested the funds could instead support paving or other infrastructure work and said the city would likely fund the water-plant work from the general fund if needed.
The chair called for a motion to approve the two resolutions. "Do I have a motion to approve 20 26 b and 20 26 c?" the chair asked. The motion was recorded as made by Jessica Higgins and seconded by John Jacobs; the board voted by voice, with the chair calling the motion approved and noting no opposition.
The resolutions do not include a specific construction timeline. Hunter said it has taken about a year and a half to reach the current stage with TDOT and that the timing for actual construction remains uncertain.
The board also approved the meeting minutes from Feb. 2 and scheduled a police training-room workshop next Monday at 6 p.m. The TDOT improvements will proceed according to TDOT's schedule; the CDBG award amount will be determined by the grant review process.
Next steps: staff will file the CDBG application and coordinate with TDOT on the intersection project; no effective dates for either project were announced at the meeting.
