By Tate Davis
Freelance writer

At the December 7 city council meeting, Joey Norris was named Mountain City Police Chief on January 1, 2022. The Chief Denver Church’s last day will be December 31. City Secretary Shelia Shaw and Superintendent of Public Works Kenneth Dickens have been reappointed. to terms of two years. The council filed a discussion on the Mountain City Community Church’s request for an exemption from the city’s alcoholic beverages. Council approved requests from the Hometown Service Coalition to hold a fundraising roadblock on December 17-18 and an event at Ralph Stout Park on June 4, 2022. Council approved the car and bike outfit Barlow / Sutton.
Main Street show on August 5, 2022.
As usual, discussions over the water system dominated much of the meeting. The council authorized Mayor Jerry Jordan to enter into a contract with the Tennessee Department of Correction for water and sewer services for the Northeast Correctional Complex after negotiations over pricing for the services are completed. Superintendent of Water Collection and Distribution Chris Hook reported ongoing staffing issues. Vice Mayor Jerry Horne reported difficult street conditions on Hillside Drive. Horne noted that the city has already identified a need to relocate the water main to the same area and has expressed support for accelerating the paving in the spring as soon as the water works are completed. Subject to a change order, council approved an offer from Iron Mountain Construction for water system upgrades recommended by city engineer Brian Frederick.
Investigation into a citizen complaint about the city burning with tree debris led to a site visit by officials from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). TDEC informed the city that it could no longer burn the leaves.
After discussing alternatives for removing tree debris, council voted unanimously to amend the budget and purchase a wood chipper at an estimated cost of $ 55,000. The council also passed an amendment to purchase a four-wheel drive truck that was previously cut from the city’s budget.
The city has approved the contribution to the paving necessary for the Kellogg building to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The building currently houses medical offices for High Country Imaging and Northeast Tennessee Health and Home Care. It is jointly owned by Mountain City and Johnson County. Everyone will participate in the paving work. Lawyer Wright noted that the tenants have made substantial investments in the property. Completing the new expense requests, council approved funding for tree pruning recommended by an arborist after examining the old white oak beside the community pool.
City offices will be closed from Thursday December 23 to Monday December 27. The Thursday shutdown was enacted to standardize the county’s holiday schedule.