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The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on several issues during their November meeting that were relevant to the public, including approving purchases and plans.

Updated Fire Prevention Code 

An ordinance amending the fire prevention code for the city was passed in its first reading. The motion was made by Alderman Daniel Berry and seconded by Alderman Derick Mann. The vote passed unanimously, with Alderman Kurt Glick not present (and thus not voting), and Mayor Pro Tem Jenna Amacher abstaining.

A memo from Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson stated “the purpose of amending Title 7 Chapter 2 (Fire Prevention Code) is to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (0780-02- 02.05) requires local governments to be within seven years of the most current published edition of a building construction or fire safety standard. In addition, Title 7 Chapter 306 (Authority at Fires) is being amended to allow a more functional passing of authority at fires.”

Group hired for TDEC ARP Master Stormwater Plan 

A memo from Director of Public Works Robert Taylor summarized that the department recently opened bids for the Tennessee Department of Economic Development (TDEC) American Rescue Plan (ARP) Master Stormwater Plan, and only received one bid.

Goodwin, Mills and Cawood from Nashville submitted the bid, and Taylor “recommend[ed] BoMA approve the mayor to sign the contract” with the group. He further added that the group “has worked in Tullahoma on an airport project and a master stormwater plan for Hillsboro in Coffee County.”

Taylor stated the fiscal impact for the project (coming from the TDEC ARP grant) will not exceed $250,000.

A motion was made by Berry and seconded by Alderman Bobbie Wilson. It passed unanimously.

Contract approved for Ovoca-Kings Lane Sidewalk Signal Project 

In another memo provided by Taylor, the Public Works department requested approval of a bid for the Ovoca Road-Kings Lane Sidewalk and Signal project.

Taylor stated in the “Background” portion of the memo that “the Public Works Department recently opened bids for the Kings Ln. /Ovoca sidewalk and signal project. Public Works received (3) bids from Adams Construction LLC, Curl Construction & Excavation, and Norris Brothers Excavating. This is a safety concern project which has brought citizens to the BoMA complaining about children being hit by passing vehicles while walking along and crossing Ovoca Rd. trying to get to school.”

The three bids were Adams Contracting and Excavating at $678,750, Curl Construction and Excavating at $787,232.25 and Norris Brothers Excavating at $1,375,466.

Taylor stipulated that the total budget including estimated contingency was $703,750 and recommended BoMA award the bid to Adams Contracting “based on being a low bidder per our bid documents. Public Works have previously worked with Adams Contracting on a Safe Routes to School sidewalk project.”

The approving motion for Taylor’s recommendation was made by Berry and seconded by Mann. It passed unanimously.

2023 SUVs and Equipment approved for Police Department 

Acting Lieutenant Chase Sons of the Tullahoma Police Department requested the authorization of the purchase of three 2023 Ford Interceptor SUVs in a memo.

“The Police Department requests authorization to purchase three 2023 Ford Interceptor SUVs. The state contract price per vehicle is $36,879.00, which totals $110,637.00 for the three vehicles. This purchase would be through Lonnie Cob Ford in Henderson, TN on state contract (#209). The dealership currently has 3 vehicles available. This purchase would be used to replace current inoperable units that have been requested for surplus. Vehicles V365-2012 Chevrolet Impala (inoperable), V393-2015 Chevrolet Impala (inoperable), and V338-2008 Chevrolet Impala (inoperable) are on tonight’s surplus agenda item. Due to the recent strike with automotive manufacturers, we could not locate any other dealer with any available inventory at this time. These vehicles were included in the proposed grant budget ARPA,” stated Sons.

He also said the funds could be provided through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant.

Berry made the motion, and Wilson seconded. The motion passed without opposition.

A request was also made for the purchase of equipment to fit out the three new vehicles in the amount of $26,724. This was approved with a motion from Berry and second from Mann. The vote was unanimous.