Dresden City Meeting: Citizen’s request to de-annex property denied
Dresden City Meeting: Citizen’s request to de-annex property denied
By Amanda Mansfield
Press Reporter
Local landowner Kasey Coon, along with his mother-in-law who sold him an acre of her land, approached the board to ask for a de-annexation of property currently located in Dresden city limits during the October City of Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. The property in question is on Bills Road, behind Sonic Drive-In. Some aldermen seemed to take offense at the request, questioning the intent of the landowners. Alderman Gwin Anderson exchanged words with the landowners, questioning the reasoning behind the request. “Less taxes” and savings on water expenses were the reasons given.
When the landowners said that the city wouldn’t be out anything, such as water and sewer, Anderson challenged that by saying, “we don’t give the water away, we sell it.” Coon stated it would be more cost effective for him to put a well in, rather than pay to put a water meter on the property. Alderman Kenneth Moore explained that if they approved this, the city would lose revenue, not just from this family, but three others.
According to the city’s attorney Beau Pemberton, if this request were granted, three other property owners would be affected if the city limit line were moved up. However, Mayor Jeff Washburn mentioned they could carve out a section for this particular piece of land.
When asked why the landowner chose to sell this particular piece of land to her son-in-law instead of a piece of land that was not within the city limits, she stated that this was the land most suitable for a mobile home, as it was the most level piece of land on the property. Alderwoman Joyce Hurt agreed.
Moore said of the request, “We want people to come into the city limits. That’s our goal. That’s how we make our money and how we survive here.”
Pemberton advised the board that if they granted this request it would set a precedence that would allow anyone who just wanted to pay less in taxes to come before the board for a similar request. Pemberton stated, “Absent a specific, articulatable reason that is proven compelling to de-annexing properties, it is my opinion, as your city attorney that it’s never in the best interest of the city.”
Washburn said that he only remembers one instance when a de-annexation occurred, and that was due to an issue with who was responsible for bridge repair, the state or the city. Pemberton followed, “that goes back to the specific and compelling reason that serves the general public and not necessarily a benefit for one private landowner.”
With that, Mayor Washburn asked for a motion. Hurt motioned that the property be de-annexed, but there was no second on that motion, so the request was denied.
In appointment news, Carl Stouts has been hired to work with the Public Works Department in the water and sewer division. Washburn stated, “he’s worked with us previously, and he’s done a pretty good job.” Washburn went on to say that Stouts was recommended by the Public Works Supervisor. “I think he will make a good addition to our city, coming in with a lot of knowledge, and I think we’ll see a noticeable difference,” Washburn said.
Additionally, the Community Engagement Director position, which has been vacant since June, has been filled by Pricilla Price. Price will be involved in organizing activities in the city, such as the Iris Festival and the Farmer’s Market. Washburn said, “she’s also going to be working with our business community, working with them and seeing how the city of Dresden might help promote our businesses.”
During the Police Chief’s report, Anderson said that he wanted to see the speed limit on Pikeview Street raised to 40 mph because he has received numerous complaints on the amount of tickets written on that particular street. According to Anderson, since everyone is scared to drive down Pikeview because of the amount of tickets written, they drive 5 mph under the speed limit, causing traffic to back up. Police Chief Chris Crocker said a lot of people are driving more than 15 mph over the 30-mph speed limit. “They’re usually 20-25 mph over,” he stated. According to the report 67 tickets were written in the last month on that street alone.
A request was made to view the accident reports on Pikeview over the last few years before the board takes any action.
In other news, CSX Railroad in Ooltewah has offered to donate a caboose to the city of Dresden to be used as a tourist attraction, such as those currently located in neighboring towns of Martin, Gleason and Greenfield. The caboose presented has not had any safety inspections that would be required to be pulled by a train. According to Washburn, the only way to get the caboose to Dresden would be to have a flatbed tractor trailer haul it. Additional expense to the city is the preparation of a 40- foot section of tracks for the caboose to be placed on.
In addition, Washburn proposed that the city sandblast, paint and refurbish the interior of the caboose, which includes replacing at least one broken window and putting in seating from an old school bus. Washburn said the total cost would be approximately $10,000 – $15,000.
Anderson said that he did not like the looks of the caboose that was presented in photographs. “It doesn’t look like a caboose, and quite frankly I don’t know what we’re going to do with it.” He said that he thought the cost to transport, store and maintain the caboose was too much. “This looks like a money pit!” He went on to say, “just because everybody else has one doesn’t mean that we’ve got to have one.”
Alderman Moore expressed his concern over what citizens would think of the city paying that much for a caboose when other priorities were more important, such as drainage problems that have been going on for several years.
Both Alderwomen Hurt and Sandra Klutts stated they would like to have the caboose, but Klutts said she didn’t see spending that much money just to get it here and refurbish it, especially since it was supposed to be a donation.
Anderson said he had seen some more eye-catching cabooses near Camden that might be for sale, and it would behoove the board to consider other alternatives.
Klutts requested that the board approach the owners of those cabooses before the next board meeting to discuss the cost to buy one of those in comparison to transporting and refurbishing the donation from CSX.
