Tellico Village POA approves Tanasi landscaping and new practice putting green, OKs cooler repair and marketing subcommittee

The Tellico Village Property Owners Association board on Monday approved multiple capital and maintenance projects, including the second phase of landscaping at Tanasi and funding to build a new practice putting green, votes the board said will move forward work connected to the larger Tanasi redevelopment.

Phase two of the Tanasi landscaping was presented by Wells, who said the plants are native species chosen to screen a parking area and mitigate stray golf balls. The board approved phase two as presented, awarding a $124,243 contract to Gene’s Lawn and Landscape, the same contractor that completed phase one. Wells said the bid was structured so the same contractor could perform both phases and that planting would take place later in the month.

Wells also presented a request to construct a practice putting green at Tanasi. The board approved a $193,231 request that covers construction, drainage, irrigation, seeding and purchase of extra materials; Wells said the selected contractor is Equipment On Call (bid read in the presentation at $187,336) and Tennessee Golf Management will procure certain materials. Construction was described as planned to begin in mid‑May with seeding and a turf establishment period that could stretch 10–12 weeks before full public use.

The board also approved a maintenance request to replace an aging evaporator coil in the Yacht Club walk‑in beer cooler. Public Works presented three quotes and recommended Valley Equipment Service; the board approved the $10,155 award, and staff said the cost will be taken from operating dollars rather than reserves because the expense is unbudgeted but small in nature.

In other business the board authorized creating an ad hoc food‑service marketing subcommittee, appointed local marketing expert Mike Forplane to the Food Service Advisory Committee to serve on the subcommittee, and approved related language that allows the FSEC to form the ad hoc group.

Votes at a glance

- Phase 2 Tanasi Landscaping (award to Gene’s Lawn and Landscape): motion to approve $124,243 — approved 7‑0. (Presented by Wells.) - Tanasi Practice Putting Green (award to Equipment On Call for construction; materials sourced by Tennessee Golf Management): request $193,231 — approved 7‑0. (Presented by Wells.) - Yacht Club walk‑in cooler evaporator coil (award to Valley Equipment Service): $10,155 — approved 7‑0. (Presented by Public Works; recommended by staff.) - Food Service Advisory Committee marketing subcommittee and appointment of Mike Forplane to FSEC: authorized and approved 7‑0.

What the board said next

Board members framed these approvals as part of completing a bundled Tanasi project budget and keeping smaller unbudgeted maintenance items from impacting capital reserves. Wells said the putting green will be roughly 9,500–10,000 sq ft and compared its size to other village greens; staff described a staged, soft opening approach while turf establishes.

The board recorded unanimous votes on the major items and said staff will proceed with contracting and scheduling. The agenda indicated these projects are part of broader work that includes interior fit‑out, furniture and equipment already funded under the broader Tanasi estimate presented earlier in the program.