Meeting in reorganizational session Thursday, Oneida's Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to retain four city officials and approved top vote-getter Jeff Tibbals as vice mayor.
By unanimous vote, the board voted ot retain for new terms: City Recorder/Treasurer Betty Matthews, Oneida Police Chief Mike Cross, City Judge Harold Jeffers and City Attorney Mark Blakley.
Jeff Tibbals, the top vote-getter among the four successful candidates for aldermen in the November election, was formally given the title of vice mayor by a 4-0 vote, with Tibbals abstaining.
In a separate motion and on the recommendation of Mayor Jack Lay, Tibbals was named as the third signatory on checks, and will be called upon to sign checks in the absence of either Mayor Lay or City Recorder/Treasurer Matthews (two signatures being required for all checks issued by the Town of Oneida).
In other business Thursday, the board passed on first reading three ordinances, two to rezone city property and another to annex into the corporate limits property on which a medical building and assisted living complex will be constructed.
All three ordinances are subject to a public hearing and second reading before they can become official. The public hearing and vote on the second and final reading on the ordinances is set for Thursday, Dec. 4, when the board meets in regular session.
Approved by the Oneida Planning Commission and on first reading by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen were:
** Ordinance #725, to rezone a section of Third Street (Coopertown Road) from Williams Creek Road to Skyline Drive for R-2 (medium density residential) to R-1 (low density residential) to eliminate single wide mobile homes, according to Mayor Lay.
** Ordinance #726, to annex property on the south end of Oneida (west side of Hwy. 27) for the construction of a new medical building and assisted living home. A plan of services for the proposed annexed area will be submitted for approval at the second and final reading of the ordinance on Dec. 4, Mayor Lay said; and,
** Ordinance #727, to rezone the proposed annexed property (in Ordinance #726) from R-1 (low density residential) to C-2 (highway commercial district).
All three resolutions were approved by 5-0 votes of the board.
Also Thursday night, Oneida High School Principal Rick Harper addressed the board to inform local officials of his school being awarded the A.F. Bridges Award by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA). Harper explained the prestige associated with the award and the fact that the school had been nominated five times previously. He also expressed his appreciation to city officials and especially Chief Mike Cross and the Oneida Police Department for security provided by athletic events at the school.
Near the end of the meeting, Mayor Lay made a series of announcements, which included:
** Formal opening of "Christmas in the Park," set for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24;
** Annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 12 noon;
** Plans being made to conduct a work session of the board to make plans for the new year;
** Property taxes are due and payable by month's end;
** Formally welcomed newcomers Sharon Miller and Cecil Anderson to their first official meeting
** Announced plans for updates to be provided by various department heads at the board's next meeting (on Dec. 4), including comments from Oneida Water and Wastewater Manager Johnny Acres, Police Chief Mike Cross, and Building Inspector Rex Orick.
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