Cheatham County commission approves contracts, budget amendments and two rezones after Planning Commission recommended denial

Donnie Jordan was elected chair of the Cheatham County Legislative Body and assumed the chair at the start of the Sept. 18 meeting in Ashland City. County Mayor Kerry McCarver reported the county's FEMA account balance at $105,381.32 and presented several items for approval.

The commission unanimously approved an amendment and a new contract with QCHC for inmate and detainee health services covering Oct. 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2018. "The contract amendment and new contract with QCHC were approved," County Mayor Kerry McCarver said; the motion passed on a roll-call vote of 12–0.

Commissioners also approved a Tennessee Department of Transportation litter-removal grant for 2017–18 by a 12–0 roll-call vote. Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented a series of budget amendments across county funds — including line items for library services, county clerk operations, jail and school programs — that were approved on roll-call votes with funding sources listed as various or undesignated fund balance.

The commission held a public hearing on two advertised rezoning requests: one for property at 1181 Pleasant Valley Road (Dan Price) and one for property at 3005 Thomasville Road (Tami Hammock). Planning Commission members had recommended denial of both rezones, but the full commission voted to approve each rezoning by roll-call vote 12–0 after public comment. Mike Allen, who spoke on behalf of the Hammock family, said the request was to honor a deceased parent's wish to divide the property between children.

The Education Committee did not secure enough support to approve a three-year General Purpose Schools Roofing Projects capital outlay note not to exceed $1,200,822. A motion to approve the note failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion to deny the proposal passed 11–0 with one abstention. Chair Donnie Jordan requested the Education Committee and the School Board work together to revisit the matter before the next full commission meeting.

Capital Improvements Committee measures included authorizing a $3,500 engineering fee to Lose and Associates for a retaining wall at the Tucker Empson Building (approved 12–0), funding a repair to the Tucker Empson drive-thru window not to exceed $9,300 (approved 9–3) and approving an emergency lock switch for courthouse doors not to exceed $902 (approved 12–0). The 9–3 vote on the drive-thru repair recorded Tim Williamson, Shanon Pickard and Jimmy Hedgepath as the three dissenting votes.

Other actions taken included declaring a 2001 Ford Expedition (EMS) and a broken Brother office printer surplus, lowering the speed limit on Natier Drive in Pegram to 25 mph, removing Fannie Lane in Charlotte and removing a 600-foot stretch of Jamison Road from the county road list. County officials also announced public meetings related to a federal TDOT right-of-way project and a Sept. 20 work session on the county jail.

In public forum, Misty Keenan, director of the Chamber of Commerce, said 25 students were enrolled in an ACT prep class funded by a grant and that the Chamber had received an $18,000 Education Foundation grant to support teachers. Sheriff Mike Breedlove reported the county jail was overcrowded. Dr. Beck, director of schools, announced three National Merit Scholars and two golfers who qualified for state competition and encouraged public participation in a five-year schools strategic-plan survey.

The meeting concluded with routine committee reports, the approval of notary applicants and adjournment at 8:05 P.M.

Votes at a glance (selected resolutions mentioned in meeting minutes): - Resolution 6 — QCHC inmate/detainee health services contract amendment and new contract: Approved by roll-call vote 12–0. - Resolution 7 — Tennessee DOT litter removal grant contract 2017–18: Approved by roll-call vote 12–0. - Resolution 8 — County General Fund budget amendments: Approved by roll-call vote 12–0. - Resolution 9 — Highway/Roads Fund capital outlay amendment ($392,000): Approved by roll-call vote 12–0. - Resolution 10 — General Purpose School Fund amendments: Approved by roll-call vote 12–0. - Resolution 11 — Three-year Schools Roofing Projects capital note (not to exceed $1,200,822): Motion to approve failed for lack of second; motion to deny approved by roll-call vote 11–0 with 1 abstention (Shanon Pickard). - Resolution 15 & 16 — Rezones for 1181 Pleasant Valley Road and 3005 Thomasville Road (E-1 to R-1): Each approved by roll-call vote 12–0 despite Planning Commission recommended denial. - Resolution 17 — Engineering fee to Lose and Associates $3,500 for retaining wall at Tucker Empson Building: Approved 12–0. - Resolution 18 — Repair to Tucker Empson drive-thru window (not to exceed $9,300): Approved 9–3. - Resolution 19 — Emergency lock switch for courthouse doors (not to exceed $902): Approved 12–0.

What comes next: The commission scheduled a special called meeting Oct. 12 to interview applicants for the commission vacancy; the Education Committee will revisit the roofing proposal and work with the School Board to seek a solution before the next full commission meeting.

Sources: Cheatham County Legislative Body regular session minutes, Sept. 18, 2017.