Dresden board accepts 6.8 million construction budget: Mayor to shop for loan

story by Shannon Taylor Senior Investigative Reporter

The board received a construction budget from A2H construction for the new municipal project that totaled 6.8 million dollars. The board voted unanimously to accept the construction only budget and to allow mayor Mark Maddox to shop for a loan for the costs.

Maddox stated, “We need some sort of basis on which to move. We need to be able to shop this project for loans or funding sources. In order to do that, I need some sort of direction or acceptance from the board that this is the project we are shopping. My intention is to shop funding sources and then bring them back to you as a complete package.”

Maddox will have a package completed at the next board meeting or, if that package is put together before then, the city will have a special-called meeting to do that.

In communications from the mayor, Maddox said that he and City Recorder Jennifer Branscum would be completing the certified public manager program at UTM for effective leadership. This is a one-year program, and they will begin classes Friday, Jan. 13. The capstone project at the end of the program is supposed to benefit Dresden.

All of the police chief candidate applications have been received as well as the psychological evaluations, so interviews will start soon. Maddox said that there are two candidates.

During input from citizens, former alderwoman Sandra Klutts spoke on the upcoming Miss Tennessee Iris Festival pageant. Klutts requested sponsorship from the board and stated that the city of Dresden has always helped sponsor the pageant since its inception in the amount of $500. The board voted unanimously to sponsor the event, which goes to scholarships.

Brandi George spoke to the board regarding the acceptance of the construction budget for the municipal project and asked how it would affect taxpayers. Maddox said, “We’re not prepared to tell you that yet because we have not shopped this loan.”

During employee reports, Alderman Willie Parker asked Public Works Director Josh Lassiter about the leaf pickup around town and Lassiter said, “We’re almost done with the leaves-we’re in the curbing now. Normally after the first of the year, everybody stops raking leaves. We’re a little ahead and the machine made it, so we’re finishing up curbing and started some sweeping to clean up what’s left.”

Vice Mayor Gwin Anderson asked Lassiter about an update on Ford Construction for the area on Linden Street that needed patching and Lassiter said, “We’re just waiting for them to get good enough weather. We did cold patch both those spots. I left the barrels out on the spots next to the curb.”

During reports from Alderman, Alderman Kenneth Moore asked Maddox what the outcome was during his meeting with Keely Nanney regarding her property and Maddox stated that, “I now have a better understanding of what’s going on and what occurred, and I think that we are at a point where we can make an offer to her. The project you have before you does not include that land, however that is the lot right next to city hall and we’d like to have it.” Maddox said that if the property is obtained that it may be used for some greenspace for the community. Maddox said that Nanney was unhappy with the first offer that was made and that she had received her bill for the demolition and that the demolition would be part of the negotiation.

The board entertained an update from Weakley County Long Term Recovery Group co-chairs Justin Crice and Alisha Melton. Crice said that there will be a community update meeting on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center. Crice said, “the Martin Business Association has announced a grant funding opportunity for business owners in the Dresden area.” The tornado relief grant would award selected applicants up to $3,000 in aid in property losses not fully recovered by their insurance or other sources. The application grant form is available via a form online on the WCLTRG’s website, or, for more information, applicants should contact Misti Pequignot at 731-699-7913 or weakleypc@unitedway.org.

The sewer line for the Flower Box located by the Court Square was discussed and a motion was made to put the sewer line in, which will also benefit the municipal building when it is built. The motion was made and passed unanimously.

Moore asked about the Tony Winstead property and City Attorney Beau Pemberton said, “Mr. Winstead has rejected the city’s last proposed contract.” Moore made a motion to withdraw the offer with Winstead and it was passed unanimously.

The board passed a donation acceptance resolution which states that all donations and gifts to the city must be approved by the board of mayor and alderman. The resolution states that prior to accepting any gift or donation that the board must conduct a cost/benefit analysis to determine how it would affect the city treasury and cash flow as well as seeking the legal advice to determine legal implications of any acceptance of gifts or donations. The resolution also states that when considering the acceptance that the board consider if such acceptance would be reasonably offensive to the citizens of Dresden. This was passed unanimously.

An ordinance was amended to the personnel policy to the benefits section regarding sick leave. The ordinance was updated to amend that employees would be compensated for unused sick leave upon retirement and that they must be of normal retirement age. Employees would not be compensated for sick leave under any other circumstances except for the death of an employee.

The next city board meeting will be held Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center.