Published: January 21, 2008 03:24 pm      

Council moves to fix recreation problems; finish skate park concrete

The Crossville City Council met for a brief called meeting last Thursday evening mainly to handle two items related to city recreation.

The council approved bids to repair some long-time problems at Turner Complex at the Centennial Recreational Park that date back to just after the new portion of the park was completed. Director of Leisure and Cultural Resources Steve Hill told the council that concrete at the site has been slipping over time and an investigation showed gaps under the concrete from improper filling or fill material problems by the original contractor.

While the problem has been evident for some time, it has taken negotiation between the city attorney and the bonding company for the contractor to get funds released to cover the repair work that needs to be done.

The council approved the low bid on the project at the recommendation of Hart Freeland Roberts engineers. The low bidder was Rice Construction of Rockwood at a total cost of $89,000. The bid was also within the amount budgeted for the work.

The council also approved hiring a contractor to pour and finish concrete for the skate park currently under construction at Centennial Park. The skate park was originally designed with an asphalt surface, but concrete is better for skating and skate boards.

Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham gave the floor to Jesse Kerley who wanted the council to consider having city employees do the work and save some of the cost. Based on estimates of the cost by the contractor and city employees, it appears the city could save about $5600 by doing the work with employees. Public works director Tim Begley told the council city crews could do the work, but they did not have experience with the smooth concrete finish required for the project. He said his people can do brush finish concrete work but this project really requires a better finish.

Some discussion of what liability the city would have if they performed the work followed along with discussions of the cost estimates.

Councilman Kerley moved that the work be done by city employees but his motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman Earl Dean moved that the work be performed by contractor as a change order on the original bid for the project. Dean's motion was seconded by Graham. With council members Boyd Wyatt and Carl Duer absent, the final vote was Dean and Graham in favor and Kerley opposed. With a majority of the members present voting in favor, the motion passed.

Under the consent agenda of the called meeting, the third and final readings of several budget amendments were approved including funding for Highway 70 waterline, Holiday Hills plant improvements, purchase of a police patrol vehicle, city hall security system upgrades and funding for Downtown Crossville, Inc. and the “Welcome to Crossville” sign on Watertank Hill.

Also approved under the consent agenda was the second reading of an ordinance changing the name of Red Dog Saloon Road to Hospitality Drive.