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McMinnville board votes to cancel two long-delayed TDOT grant projects, plans to reallocate local funds
Summary
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to cancel two aging TDOT grant projects (a 2015 Sparta Street sidewalk award and a 2017 crosswalk project) after staff cited delays and rising costs; staff said in-house execution and existing engineering plans could allow cheaper completion using locally controlled funds.
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to cancel two long-delayed Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) grant projects after staff said continuing them through the TDOT process was no longer efficient.
Nolan (who presented the item) told the board the Sparta Street sidewalk project awarded in 2015 and a 2017 crosswalk grant have experienced years of delay and rising costs, making TDOT administration inefficient. Nolan said the city has already paid $351,000 on the 2015 Sparta Street project and expects TDOT to reimburse about $140,000; the other project has $71,000 in expenses to date. He said engineering plans for both projects remain usable and doing the work in-house through TDOT local programs or with city-managed procurement could substantially lower costs.
"By canceling those projects, we can turn around and immediately invest that money in either those projects or other projects that we deem to be a higher priority," Nolan said during his presentation.
A motion to approve the cancellations was made and seconded; the clerk conducted a roll-call vote with all members responding "aye." The motion passed.
Board members also acted on several related items: the consent agenda (including minutes of the March 24 regular session) was approved; the board granted a fee waiver for the McMinnville Special Games scheduled May 9 at the Milner Recreation Center; and the Industrial Development Board reported it had been awarded a $367,000 redevelopment grant covering five parcels.
Next steps: staff said they will pursue in-house execution options and return with plans and cost estimates. The board then adjourned and scheduled an executive session to discuss legal matters.
