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H'ville's parks project moves ahead
September 28, 2006
HUNTSVILLE — The Board of Mayor and Aldermen here has opted to move forward with the development of a master plan for the town’s parks and recreation.
In Monday’s regular session, the board voted 4-0, with Alderman Wes Riggins abstaining, to approve a recommendation by Vice Mayor Mark Love that will authorize the town’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to choose an engineering firm to develop a master plan and seek grant money to fund projects.
The advisory board, which is chaired by Allyn Lay, met with engineering firm McGill & Associates recently, Town Recorder Wendy Buttram informed the board of aldermen, and the firm has agreed to develop a master plan and forego payment until — and on the condition that — grant monies are received by the town.
Monday’s vote followed a lengthy discussion by members of the board, during which Mayor George Potter indicated that McGill & Associates is one of two firms that would be considered by Lay and his board on the basis of a cost-benefits analysis. The other firm is Barge, Wagoner, Canon & Sumner, a firm that has done extensive work with the town in the past. However, Potter indicated that McGill & Associates would likely be the firm chosen by the recreation board. The difference between the firms, he said, was that McGill & Associates is willing to forego payment until grant funds are received, while BWC&S would request payment up-front.
The recreation board was created by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen earlier this year and has been developing plans for the management of Flat Creek Park and other facilities, as well as plans for the development of future facilities.
So far, extensive work has been done at the Flat Creek facility, with plans in the works for other facilities — such as the walking trail at the Old Town Springs.
Buttram said that the town plans to apply for a T-21 grant — the deadline for which to apply is November 1 — to help fund recreation projects. A master plan is a necessity in order to be approved for the grant.
Also Monday:
• The board held a public hearing prior to the start of the regular session on Ordinance 06-07-01, a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2006-07. After the start of the regular session, the board voted 3-1, with Alderman Riggins dissenting and Alderman Robert Smith absent, to approve the second and final reading of the ordinance;
• The board passed a resolution authorizing the completion of procedures forms by the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Assistance Service (M-TAS) for dispute resolution procedures for the town’s proposed urban growth boundary, which was rejected by Scott County. The measure passed by a 4-1 vote with Alderman Riggins dissenting; and,
• The board approved a request for a road block by the Mid-County Volunteer Fire Department. The road block will be held at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Baker Highway on October 7 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
news@ihoneida.com
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