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Harriman council approves $2 million bond, adopts social-media policy and signs off on sidewalk, streetscape and equipment purchases
Summary
The Harriman City Council on Oct. 7 approved a $2 million general obligation bond for capital projects, adopted a new social-media policy for city accounts, and approved a series of local projects and purchases including a sidewalk master plan, traffic-signal-wrap program and a $7,863.81 mower control replacement.
HARRIMAN, Tenn. — The Harriman City Council voted Oct. 7 to issue a $2 million general obligation bond to fund capital projects including ball-field lighting upgrades, purchase of the TCAP building and various CDBG and LPRF infrastructure projects.
City Manager Mr. Mason told the council the bond is intended to cover long-term capital needs and that a city-attorney opinion and insurance items were under review as part of the package. The motion to approve the bond passed on a roll call with Tim Johnson, Alicia Harris, John Brackett, Lonnie Wright and Cheryl Laxton recorded as voting yes.
The council also unanimously adopted Resolution R1025-01, establishing a social-media policy for official city accounts. Mr. Mason said the policy aims to ensure information posted on city platforms is factual and to reduce the impact of automated or AI-generated misinformation. “We want it to be factual,” he said, describing plans for the city manager’s office to manage official channels.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, resident Misty Laxton asked the council to explain steps it was taking amid recent social-media attention involving “Mr. Frost,” saying, “we want to hear from our council. What are the steps? What are we doing?” Phil Merrill urged caution and said, “people are innocent until proven guilty,” asking the council not to make rash decisions based on media coverage. The council indicated the mayor’s office would provide an update to citizens the following day.
Separately, the council approved the master sidewalk plan tied to the 2025 CDBG grant. Councilwoman Alicia Harris moved the plan, and Councilman John Brackett seconded; the motion passed by roll call.
Council members also approved a proposal to permit HB to wrap selected traffic-control signal boxes with promotional or decorative wraps to improve streetscape appearance. The council discussed a division of which boxes the city would wrap and which the utility would wrap; the motion passed by roll call.
Finally, council approved the purchase of a replacement joystick and computer for the street department’s long-arm mower from CMI for $7,863.81, a purchase described as within the department’s budget and necessary for equipment operation.
What’s next: The mayor’s office said it will provide an update the following day regarding the social-media matter raised by residents. Several agenda items were deferred for revision and will return to a future meeting.
Votes at a glance • General obligation bond, $2,000,000 — Approved (Tim Johnson: yes; Alicia Harris: yes; John Brackett: yes; Lonnie Wright: yes; Cheryl Laxton: yes) • Resolution R1025-01 (social-media policy) — Approved (unanimous roll call) • Master sidewalk plan (2025 CDBG) — Approved (unanimous roll call) • Permission to wrap traffic-control signal boxes — Approved (unanimous roll call) • Joystick/computer for long-arm mower, $7,863.81 — Approved (unanimous roll call)
(Names and votes recorded from the roll call recorded at the meeting.)
