Committees act on several measures
HUNTSVILLE — While the proposal from Mercy Health Partners was the high point of Monday’s work session of County Commission (See story, this page), several other items were also acted upon.
On a motion by Commissioner Paul Strunk and an all-aye vote, the Community Development Committee voted to allow County Attorney John Beaty to draft a lease agreement with the Morgan-Scott project on turning the Scott County Help Center (old Capitol Hill School) into a full-fledged homeless shelter.
Mayor Rick Keeton had earlier reported that the Morgan-Scott Project’s board had met last week and voted to seek a three-year agreement with the county to use the facility to assist a minimum number of homeless people make the transition to permanent housing.
“They’re ready to take over if you make the motion,” said Mayor Keeton. “As fast as the board can get the lease they’re ready to move . . . they’ll be ready tomorrow.”
Also Monday night, action taken by the various committees included:
• Approved a fund-raising roadblock for the East 63 Volunteer Fire Department, to be held on either the first or second Saturday in June, with the exact date to be announced later;
• Entered into an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Corrections for utilizing the Scott County Jail to house state prisoners at the current rate of $35 per day, with the provision that the contract can be amended should the Tennessee General Assembly vote to increase that rate of pay;
• Approved a motion by Commissioner Jeff Watson asking the Department of Safety to allow the local drivers license office to issue CDL licenses to truckers one or two days per week;
• Approved a contract for the Scott County Clerk’s Office with the State Department of Safety concerning increased identification being required for persons applying for a first-time drivers license, in accordance with newly adopted state policies;
• Approved a resolution for the annual recertification of participation in the Governor’s 3-Star Community program;
• Approved the Federal Title 6 nondiscrimination policy; and,
• Approved a resolution honoring the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on its 75th Anniversary.