STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF HAMBLEN
CORPORATION OF MORRISTOWN
FEBRUARY 7, 2006

The City Council for the City of Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee, met in regular session at the regular meeting place of the Council in the Morristown City Center at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2006 with Honorable Mayor Gary R. Johnson presiding and the following named Councilmembers present: Claude Jinks, Frank McGuffin, William Rooney, Kay Senter, Rick Trent and Mel Tucker.

Councilmember Jinks made a motion to approve the January 17, 2006 minutes as circulated; Councilmember Rooney seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember Rooney made a motion to adopt the following Resolution No. 1-06; Councilmember Senter seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

RESOLUTION NO. 1-06
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE MORRISTOWN CITY COUNCIL AND THE HAMBLEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO APPLY FOR AN EPA GRANT.

WHEREAS, Lowland, Tennessee is an area located in South Hamblen County, several hundred acres of which were developed by American Enka in the early 1950’s which over the years produced several kinds of synthetic fibers; and

WHEREAS, over the years American Enka created an industrial campus which included landfills, a water treatment plant, sewer treatment, electricity plant, fire protection, and post office as it grew and expanded; and

WHEREAS, beginning in the 1980’s, various fiber-producing divisions were sold to various parties which subsequently resulted in multiple ownership of not only the fiber-producing plants but the various utility plants and facilities; and

WHEREAS, more recently due to worldwide economic factors, some of the new owners of the fiber-producing plants have filed for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy laws; and

WHEREAS, the prior manufacturing activities on the property over approximately sixty years may have created important environmental issues, including issues involving hazardous wastes, asbestos, lead and PCBs, which, if existing, could adversely impact upon the public health and safety of the citizens of the community and the future redevelopment and marketing of the property as industrial property; and

WHEREAS, the City of Morristown (City) and Hamblen County (County) recognize that the industries in the Lowland area provided jobs for thousands of employees over the years and that, except for environmental concerns, the area has significant potential for redevelopment as a viable industrial site; and

WHEREAS, both the City and County have a vested interest in obtaining an environmental assessment of the site to better understand the scope of any environmental problems which may exist, the impact of those problems, if any, on the health and safety of the citizens of the community, and the feasibility of redevelopment of the property as an industrial site; and

WHEREAS, both the City and County have learned that there are grants available for environmental site assessments awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency in amounts ranging from $200,000 up to $350,000, on a competitive basis; and

WHEREAS, both the City and County have been advised that the conditions existing at Lowland, Tennessee would make their application for these available EPA funds very competitive; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the City and County to determine the extent of the environmental issues and obtain information from which they can plan the future development and/or cleanup of this area.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Morristown acting by and through the Morristown City Council at its meeting held on February 7, 2006 and Hamblen County by and through its Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 19, 2006, that the City and County jointly apply for grant monies from the Environmental Protection Agency in such amounts for which they may qualify for the purpose of conducting environmental site assessments on the hereinabove described Lowland, Tennessee properties.

Adopted this 7th day of February 2006 by the Morristown City Council.

City of Morristown

______________________________
Gary R. Johnson, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________
James H. Crumley, City Administrator

Adopted this 19th day of January 2006 by the Hamblen County Board of Commissioners.

Hamblen County Board of Commissioners

By: _____________O/S_________________
Joe Spoone, Chairman

APPROVED:

ATTEST:

By: ___________O/S__________________
_________O/S_________________
Linda Wilder, Hamblen County Clerk

David W. Purkey
Hamblen County Mayor

Councilmember Jinks made a motion to accept Chief Overholt’s recommendation and promote Michael Hurt to Detective (Narcotics/Vice Investigator). Councilmember McGuffin seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember Rooney made a motion to approve the design and construction of the 5th soccer field at Frank Lorino Park. (Estimated cost of $200,000; McGill Associates will design and bids will be taken for the construction.) Councilmember McGuffin seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember Senter made a motion to authorize the purchase of Tract #3 of the Hurst Estate located within the ETPC (±8 acres @ $12,500 per acre). Councilmember Jinks seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember Jinks made a motion to approve a $10,000 donation to the Imagination Library (HC*EXCEL). Councilmember McGuffin seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember McGuffin made a motion to approve the following items relative to Colgate-Palmolive, Inc.; Councilmember Jinks seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye': a) Memorandum of Understanding;
b) PILOT Program (payment in lieu of taxes);
c) Application to TDOT for a State Industrial Access Road Grant;
d) Application to the Department of Economic and Community Development for a TIPS Grant; and
e) Application for an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant.

Without objection from Council the agenda was amended by adding item f) to the Colgate-Palmolive, Inc., items -- hiring of a construction engineer for the site grading.

Councilmember Tucker made a motion that the City engage Austin & Company Engineers, to perform site engineering for the Colgate Project in accordance with their proposal submitted to the City dated January 24, 2006, subject, however, to receipt by the City of official notice from the State of Tennessee to proceed with the project at its own risk. Councilmember Jinks seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Councilmember Rooney made a motion to contribute $10,000 to Hamblen County for one-half the matching grant funds for four Morristown-Hamblen County “Welcome” signs. Councilmember Senter seconded the motion and upon roll call, all voted 'aye'.

Mayor Johnson adjourned the February 7, 2006 meeting.

________________________________
Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________

City Administrator