From the Desk of the Mayor T

Fall/Winter 2014-15
Mayor
Tony R. Aikens
City Council
Harry G. Wampler, Vice Mayor
Mike Henline
Douglas “Buddy” Hines
Bobby G. Johnson
Jim Shields
Eddie Simpson
City Recorder/City Administrator
Jim Wilburn
City Judge
Terry Vann
City Attorney
James K. Scott
Important
Phone Numbers
City Hall
986-2715 / 986-7915
Police Department
986-2005
Fire Department
986-2310
Parks & Recreation Dept.
986-1223
Lenoir City Utilities Board
986-6591
Lenoir City School Board Office
986-8058
Lenoir City Planning Office
986-2715
Loudon County Economic
Development Agency
458-8889
Loudon County Chamber
of Commerce
458-2067
Loudon County Visitors Bureau
986-6822
From the Desk of the Mayor
T
he past few months
have been filled with
many exciting happenings! In the last
edition, I shared with
you that the City had
made application for a
Tennessee Department
of Environment and
Conservation (TDEC)
Clean Energy Grant
for $250,000. In early
August, Governor Bill
Haslam came to Lenoir
City’s War Memorial Building to share
this news with us (picture shown below). This matching grant will be used
to upgrade interior lighting, windows,
roof insulation, exterior gymnasium
wall insulation, and HVAC System.
We are continuing to seek additional
grant opportunities, as well. If you or
someone you know would be interested in donating to the project, you
may do so by mailing a check to the
City of Lenoir City at 600 East Broadway, Lenoir City, Tennessee 37771.
Also, the City has opened an account
at United Community Bank in Lenoir
City in order to make
donating easier for you.
Please note that the check
is for “Memorial Building
Restoration.” We are looking forward to seeing this
project unfold.
In late August, we
traveled to Nashville to
meet with the Tennessee
Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner, John Schroer, as he
presented the City with a
check for $1,333,500 for a Congestion
Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
Grant (photo on page 8.) The 100%
grant was applied for in March of this
year and will be used to install fiber
optic lines along Highway 321 and
Highway 11 (downtown) corridors,
signalization, signal intercommunication, and traffic monitoring devices.
This project will improve traffic flow
within the two main corridors in
Lenoir City.
In addition to the aforementioned
developments, I had the pleasure of
Continued on page 8
2
Lenoir City Parks & Recreation Department
2014-15 Fall and Winter Events
Breast Cancer Awareness
Softball Tournament
Saturday, October 18, 2014 and
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Lenoir City Parks and Recreation is
partnering with Calhoun’s to help
raise awareness for breast cancer. All
proceeds and donations will go to
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
For more information or if you would
like to participate in the event please
contact our office by calling or sending
us an email. Together the people of
Lenoir City can make a difference.
Lee Russell Recreation Complex
Youth Basketball Registration
Boys and girls ages 5 -14 are
encouraged to come participate with
our youth basketball program!
Office Registration begins:
October 20th, Mondays through
Fridays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
After Hours Registration Dates:
October 28th and November 4th & 6th
from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
October 25th and November 1st
from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
All registrations are held at the LC
Parks and Recreation office located at
SunTrust Building Hwy 321.
Registration fees are $40 per child
and $75 for family. This fee includes a
reversible jersey.
Practices will begin the first week in
December and games will start the first
Saturday in January
Contact Information:
Steve Harrelson, Director
sharrelson@lenoircitygov.com
Office: 530 Hwy. 321 N, Suite 301
Hours: Monday - Friday
8a.m. - 5p.m.
Phone: 865-986-1223
Shelter Reservations: 986-1223 or
www.lenoircitygov.com/calendar.htm
Evening with Santa
Halloween Festival
Thursday October 30, 2014
This is a fun event for the whole
family! Event will include costume
contest, games, hayrides, face painting,
fall pictures, and light refreshments.
5 - 7 p.m.
Wampler-Keith Park
Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Lenoir City Parks and Recreation is
again bringing the Nighttime Christmas
Parade to Downtown. We would like
to invite you to participate in this great
event which will begin on “C” Street
and Broadway. Line-up will be held at
the Yale Security Parking lot beginning
at 5 p.m. Get your “Rockin’ Around
the Christmas Tree” themed float ideas
ready! Participates can register for this
great event by calling our office or
sending us an email.
6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Lenoir City Parks and Recreation
would like to invite children and
families to attend an evening with
Santa. This event includes 1-1 time
with Santa, light refreshments, a gift,
crafts, games and a keepsake photo of
your child with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This event is free.
6 - 8 p.m.
Roane State Community College
Youth Baseball Sign-ups
Coach pitch and kid pitch baseball
available for boys and girls ages 4-13.
Practices and games will be at the Lee
Russell Recreation Complex.
On February 14th, 21st, 28th and
March 7th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. we
will have offsite registration at Lenoir
City High School Gym.
Office registration will be February
16th - March 13th: Monday - Friday
from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration fees
are $40 per child and $75 for family.
This fee includes a jersey, baseball cap,
and pants.
3
Update: Transportation Projects
S
ince our last edition of the City’s
newsletter (Spring/Summer 2014),
some progress has been made on several transportation projects in the City,
and I will be reporting that progress to
you. Let’s begin…
LOCALLY MANAGED
Town Creek Parkway Extension
Project:
• Connects Highway 321 with
Harrison Avenue
• $4 million funding in place for project
• Partnership with developer
• The roadway will be approximately
4,000 linear feet in length
• Construction activities began in July
2013
• Roadway became open to the public
in Summer 2014.
Harrison Road Improvements
Project at Lenoir City High School:
• Intersection improvements
• Widening of Harrison Road
• $3.2 million funding in place for
project (80/20 ratio; STP Funds)
• Construction to follow after ROW
(Right-of-Way) Phase is completed
• Right-of-Way activities have begun
in accordance with all TDOT
regulations
• Construction to follow after ROW
Phase is completed
Downtown Streetscapes Project:
• $250,000.00 funding in place for
project
• Sidewalk improvements
• New lighting
• Traffic “calming” features/
landscaping, etc.
• Construction to be completed in
August 2015
CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation Air
Quality) Project
• $1,333,500.00 in Grant Funds
• 100% Grant (no cost to the City)
• Intelligent Transportation System
Project (fiber optic lines and camera
system)
• Highway 321 and Highway 11
• Consultant engineer selection process
will begin soon
Simpson Road Widening Project
• Approximately $900,000.00 (80/20
ratio; STP Funds)
• Widening the two-lane road from
Simpson Road (off Highway 321 at
Burger King) to Shaw Ferry Road
• Approximately 0.7 miles
• Includes sidewalks and turn lanes at
various locations
• Consultant engineer to be selected in
October 2014
MANAGED BY TDOT
New Bridge over the Tennessee
River (and related sub-projects):
• $69.3 million
• Bid awarded in July 2012
• Awarded to Blalock & Sons
Company
• Some construction activities are
underway
• Estimated completion time of the
project is June 2016
Intersection Upgrades at Highway
11 and Highway 321:
• Upgrades to intersection as an atgrade intersection
• $400,000.00 in CMAQ Funds in place
for design
• Preliminary Plans have been
finalized
Claire Donahue Aquatic Center
The CDAC Winter Season will be
Saturday, October 4, 2014 through
Saturday, March 7, 2015. The pool
will be closed for all activities on
October 31st, November 27th and
December 24th, 25th & 31st. The
following activities will be offered to
the general public.
Pool Parties
Saturdays: 5 - 7 p.m. or 7- 9 p.m.
Sundays: 1 - 3 p.m. or 3 - 5 p.m.
$200 for a 2-hour party
(includes 2 lifeguards)
Open Swim
Every Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m.
Open swim is available to the general
public. $3 for students and seniors
$4 for adults
Water Aerobics/Lap Swimming
Mondays - Tuesdays - Thursdays
9 - 10 a.m.
Water Aerobics: $4 per session
$120 Fall (Oct. 2-Dec. 30)
Season Pass – good for all sessions
$85 Fall Season Pass
– good for two sessions per week
$85 Winter (Jan. 6-Mar. 5) Season Pass
– good for all sessions
$60 Winter Season Pass
– good for two sessions per week
Lap Swim: $3 per session
$85 Fall (Oct. 2-Dec. 30) Season Pass
– good for all sessions
$60 Fall Season Pass
– good for two sessions per week
$60 Winter (Jan. 6-Mar. 5) Season Pass
– good for all sessions
$40 Winter Season Pass
– good for two sessions per week
4
Lenoir City Police Department
T
ypically at the beginning of the
school year we focus on safety and
security of the young people in our
community. This year Lenoir City
Police Department began preparing
for the return of students in mid-July.
The original idea for this specialized
training was a collaborative effort with
regard to school safety. The training
exercise involved our school resource
officers, supervisors, detectives, patrol
officers and K-9 officer, as well as an
independent training organization,
Defensive Concepts Firearms Training.
It is disturbing that we would ever
need to give thought to protecting
children from a shooter entering our
schools. However, the tragedies of
Columbine, Newtown, and Virginia
Tech, just to name a few, indicate to
law enforcement that we must prepare
for actions of those who wish to harm
others. With these tragedies, active
shooter training is used to help protect
our schools and educators. However,
it can be put into practice in almost any
situation involving an armed suspect.
Active shooter training was developed
to increase the ability of officers to
safely and effectively respond to an
emergency situation involving a shooter
in a building. The training typically
combines detailed classroom work with
realistic role play scenarios. The intense
training is both effective and necessary
in today’s increasingly dangerous world.
An active shooter is defined as
“…an armed person who has used
deadly physical force on other persons
and continues to do so while have
unrestricted access to additional
victims.”
Our officers participated in training
exercises to familiarize themselves with
the layout of the schools. They worked
together completing simulated exercises
involving active shooters in Lenoir City
High School. The officers methodically
swept through the hallways in search of
their virtual target. As is shown in the
picture, officers practiced clearing the
building and seeking out their virtual
shooter, thus eliminating any threat to
our students and staff.
Lenoir City Police Department
officers complete many hours of
training throughout the year. It is our
believe that through this continuing
education and training we are able to
hopefully deter crime and eliminate
potential threats to all that reside and
pass through Loudon County. This
summer we wanted to go the distance
and additionally train officers that may
be responding to protect our schools
and those that work there. We are
committed to preserve and protect the
life and property of Lenoir City.
Lenoir City Utilities Board Breaks Ground
On September 10, 2014, several of-
ficials and citizens came out to witness
the ground-breaking for the new Lenoir
City Utilities Board Complex and Community Center (see photo below). The
complex will be constructed on 30 acres
of land off Creekwood Park Boulevard, located between Highway 321
and Highway 70. This new location
serves as a central location to LCUB’s
service area, allowing LCUB to serve its
customers more efficiently. Efficiency is
an important aspect of LCUB’s service,
since they are the sixth largest municipal utility in the Tennessee Valley.
The complex will be made up of a
70,000 square foot administrative office building, housing a state-of-the-art
dispatch center, with a 60-year growth
plan in mind. Additionally, the site
includes a 110,000 square foot warehouse with a pole yard in the rear. The
most unique component of this site is
the 30,000 square foot community cen-
ter. In addition to LCUB meetings and
other City meetings, the community
center will serve as a venue for weddings, receptions, high school proms,
and community organization meetings.
Currently, many people have to leave
Loudon County to have such gatherings, and the community center will
virtually erase that need.
Lenoir City is thrilled and excited to
see this project come to fruition!
S
A
F
E
H
A
L
L
O
W
E
E
N
Swords, knives, and similar
costume accessories should be
short, soft, and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone.
Walk in groups or with a
trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to
costumes and bags to help
drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking
hazards and tampering before
eating them. Limit the amount
of treats you eat.
Hold a flashlight while trick-ortreating to help you see and
others see you. Always WALK and
don’t run from house to house.
Always test make-up in a small
area first. Remove it before
bedtime to prevent possible skin
and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing
the street. Use established
crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye
injury by not wearing decorative
contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks whenever
possible, or on the far edge of the
road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks,
costumes, and shoes to avoid
blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats.
Avoid eating homemade treats
made by strangers.
Enter homes only if you’re with
a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit
houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.
Never accept rides from strangers.
Never walk near lit candles or
luminaries. Be sure to wear
flame-resistant costumes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 May 2014. Web.
Lenoir City Fire Department
5
Contact: Richard Martin, Fire Chief Phone: 986-2310
New ISO Rating of Class 4
The Insurance Services Office (ISO)
is a nationwide nonprofit organization
that provides rating and other services
to property and casualty insurance
industries.
The latest revision of the ISO’s Fire
Suppression Rating Schedule classifies
fire protection into 10 categories, Class
1 recognizing the highest level of fire
protection and Class 10 recognizing the
lowest or no level of fire protection.
The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule
includes three major sections: Communications, Fire Department, and Water
System. The Communications section
includes the means for the public to
report a fire, how the fire department
receives the alarm of fire, and how
firefighters and companies are alerted
and dispatched to the fire. The Fire
Department section considers apparatus,
equipment, staffing, automatic and mutual aid, prefire planning, and training.
The interrelationship of engines, trucks,
rescues, and other companies is also
considered. The Water System section
considers the supply works, main capacity to deliver fire flow, distribution of
hydrants, hydrant size, type, and installation, hydrant inspection and condition,
and alternative water supplies.
The Lenoir City Fire Department has
been notified by the Insurance Service
Office effective August 1, 2014 the fire
protection rating for the department will
be a Class 4.
ISO has been evaluating and assigning fire protection ratings to fire departments since 1971. Insurance compa-
nies use the fire protection ratings to
determine home owners and business
insurance premiums. ISO evaluates fire
department equipment, station locations, training, fire prevention efforts,
and many other factors to assign a
protection rating. The LCFD has held a
Class 6 rating for nearly 25 plus years
but will now be improving to a Class
4 department effective August 1, 2014.
According to information from ISO, of
the 49,010 fire departments across the
country, less than 8,436 obtain a rating
of Class 4 rating or better.
“To achieve this Class 4 rating is
truly a testament to the continued hard
work of members of the LCFD,” Lenoir
City Fire Department Chief Richard
Martin said. “Whether it is in training,
responding to emergencies, or efforts
in fire prevention, the push for excellence by our members is something that
makes our department one of the best
in Tennessee. Dedicated to continue to
improve serving our citizens with the
support and leadership of The City,
Mayor, and Council.
The improvement in the ISO rating
will have an effect on homeowner’s insurance rates but a significant impact on
commercial rates for business and industry, something that can be a tremendous
recruiting tool for future development.
In order to receive the full benefits of
the Class 4 rating, a building has to be
located within five miles of a fire station
and have a fire hydrant located with
1,000 feet.
For more information, call Chief Martin (865) 986-8870.
6
Lenoir City Codes Enforcement Department
A
s summer draws to a close, and
fall and winter are just around the
corner, there are several ways you can
prepare your home for the coming
seasons. In autumn, falling leaves can
clog gutters which can cause several
issues. Clogged gutters do not allow
the water to properly flow away from
your home which can allow water
damage, or, the gutter can become so
full with wet leaves that it will grow
to be heavy and can separate from the
house. In winter exposed pipes are
venerable to the freezing temperatures
which can cause them to burst and
produce water damage. Protect
yourself by insulating vulnerable
piping and check guttering often for
leaf build up. If your home has a
crawl space, remember to check your
foundation vents. By replacing old or
damaged vents, and closing the vents
for the winter, not only can you keep
un-welcomed pests out from under
your home, you can also save money
on your heating bill.
The Department of Codes
Enforcement and Planning has many
responsibilities under one department.
Responsibilities of the department
include:
• managing the city’s MS4
Stormwater Program;
• overseeing the Planning
Commission, Board of Zoning
Appeals, and Board of Codes
Enforcement Appeals;
• planning services such as site plan
review, subdivision plats, rezoning,
and annexations;
• building codes and inspections; and
• property maintenance codes.
One of the most frequent questions
and complaints that the office tackles
under the property maintenance codes
is regarding keeping chickens inside
the city limits. Chickens are allowed
inside the city limits of Lenoir City,
but there are some rules that must
be followed. Just like other animals
there must be adequate food, water,
and shelter supplied. They must be
contained to the property and must
not cause an odor or noise nuisance.
If you have a chicken issue, or have
questions regarding them, please call
the office at Lenoir City Hall at 865986-7224, or you may email the Codes
Enforcement Officer at rbranam@
lenoircitygov.com. The department
is stepping up its efforts in regards
to Property Maintenance issues and
encourages all citizens to take pride in
their community by maintaining their
property accordingly.
The city’s MS4 Stormwater Program
is excited to announce its collaboration
with the University of Tennessee and
Lenoir City High School on a creek
restoration project. High school and
college students along with professors,
teachers, and city staff will work on
restoring a tributary of Town Creek
located in front of the high school.
Home Depot and Wal-Mart have
offered to donate plants and supplies
for this venture. The city is excited
to help provide a hands-on learning
experience to the students and hopes
this services learning opportunity
between Lenoir City High School and
the University of Tennessee is the first
of more to come! You can follow the
progress on this and other stormwater
items on Facebook at LC Stormwater.
Streets/Sanitation Department
Contact Information:
J.J. Cox, Superintendent
Phone: 865-986-2715
I
n the last edition of the newsletter, we
announced the purchase of three (3) new flat
bed trucks with dump beds and new mowing
equipment. This new equipment is already being
put to use working for our citizens. Recently,
we ordered a new brush chipper to replace our
old one, and we feel that the new chipper will
work more efficiently and quickly than the one
it is replacing. The brush chipper is an extremely
important piece of equipment for the City because
it decreases our waste stream to the landfill and
saves money as the City decreases tonnage to the
site, as well. Beyond working around the City
using the new equipment, we have been filling
potholes that may be present on our streets, roads,
and avenues.
Fall is in the air, and that means leaf season is
just around the corner. We ask that you remember
to place your leaves on the front streets and not
in the alleys because our machinery and trucks
are too large to enter and maneuver the City’s
alleyways. Please note that although we will make
every effort to collect your leaves on your regular
household garbage collection day, there are times
we may encounter more leaves than we are able to
collect in a single day. In these cases, we will try to
collect them on the following business day.
Please make note that the Garbage Collection
Schedule is included on this page.
If you have any questions or comments,
please do not hesitate to contact J.J. Cox, Street
Superintendent, at 865-986-2715.
7
Garbage Collection Schedule
Fall/Winter 2014-15
Monday
Pick-up from D Street West to E, F, G, H, I, J, K, M, N, and Q
Streets; both sides of West Broadway from D Street to O Street;
West 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues; Crestwood Hills Subdivision;
and Chestnut Ridge Subdivision off Harrison Road; Halls Ferry
Road.
Tuesday
Pick-up from D Street West to C, B, and A Streets and East side of
Kingston Street and Hill Street; East 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues; Pine
Ridge Apartments; and Pinewood Condominiums.
Pick-up on Simpson Road; Twin Lakes Drive; Pinetop Street;
Highland Park Drive; Pearl Drive; all of Harmony Heights
Subdivision; Sharp Estates Subdivision; Carrington Subdivision;
Myers Road; Town Creek Road West; and Loudon County
Visitors’ Center.
Wednesday
Pick-up on Rock Springs Road; 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Avenues
and West side of Kingston Street. Pick-up on A, B, C, D, E, F,
and G Streets. Pick-up on Oakland Avenue; Coffey Circle; and
Browder Hollow Road from Highway 11 to Finley Drive. Pick-up
on Mincey Street and all of 10th Avenue. Pick-up on West Hills
Drive; Emerald Court; Jan Way; and Oak Hills Subdivision.
Thursday
Pick-up on Johnson Drive from Finley Drive to West Hills Drive
including Johnson Circle.
Pick-up on Tracy Lane and Frances Drive.
Pick-up on Church Drive and all dead ends off Church Drive.
Pick-up in Hamilton Subdivision; Ivy Avenue; Candlenook Drive;
Ash Avenue; and Rogers Circle.
Pick-up on Harrison Road; Harrison Woods; Norwood Drive;
Allenbrook Subdivision; Harrison Avenue; and Reeves Street.
Pick-up on Wilson Street; Kirk Avenue; Harrison Glen Subdivision;
Acadia Villas; Kennedy Drive; Coley Lane; Heape Road; and Tom
Lee Road.
Friday
Pick-up on Nelson Street; Depot Street; Rear-side of town; and
Bussell Ferry Road.
Pick-up on Lee Drive; Hillcrest; Executive Meadows; Green
Meadows Lane; Happy Hollow Road; Poplar Street; Pike Street;
Locust Street; Bon Street; and Maple Street.
Pick-up on Bell Avenue; North and South Cherry Street; and North
and South Walnut Street.
Pick-up on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues off Highway 321; North
and South Oak Street.
Pick-up on Highland Circle; Hall Street; and Simpson Road (behind
Bimbo’s Convenience Store).
www.lenoircitygov.com
Published by the City of Lenoir City for its citizens.
Designed by K. Kimmey Design. ©2014 City of Lenoir City and K. Kimmey Design.
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole
or part without the written consent of the publisher.
600 East Broadway
P.O. Box 445
Lenoir City TN 37771
From page 1
From the Desk of the Mayor
announcing to the public some very
exciting news. Lenoir City will be
home to a movie theatre, scheduled to be completed and open for
business in Summer 2015 (picture
shown bottom right). The theatre,
Marquee Cinemas, will offer a
10-screen venue with 3D technology and recliner seating. The move
theatre will serve as the anchor
for the entire development which
will be located on the vacant land
next to the Food City shopping
center. Retail and/or eateries will
be included in the new development anchored by the theatre. I think
I speak for many in our community when I say this is long awaited
and anticipated.
I am proud and honored to serve as Mayor of such a strong, thriving City with citizens and businessmen/businesswomen that help
promote that growth and make Lenoir City a place where businesses
desire to locate. I am eager to see what the future holds for our City,
and I vow to always keep the wants and needs of our citizens in
mind in all that I do.
If I may be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Have a wonderful Fall and Winter Season!
Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #210
Sweetwater, TN