gatlinburg keeps america beautiful

Tom Leonard representing “Keep Sevier Beautiful” highlighted the Gatlinburg City Commission meeting Tuesday evening. Leonard presented three awards given to the local program by the “Keep America Beautiful” federal program. The first award was a lovely silver bowl representing 1st place in the nation because of the vehicle-recycling program in the area. The vehicle recycling program pays individuals $25 for each junk car it tows away, up to $100 per individual. The local program also received two plaques, one of which was only given to Tennessee because they were the only state to comply with all their affiliates to the rules set forth by the national group. The City Manager also reported the following: · The Gatlinburg Utilities Dept. will begin water and sewer line construction on Glades Road beginning January 3, 2005. The area of construction will be from Proffitt Road to Moyers Drive. During this construction, it will be necessary to close the Northbound Lane and temporarily close portions of Glades Road for periods of ten to fifteen minutes while dump trucks are being loaded. Motorists are advised to use Buckhorn Road as an alternative route. · With the recent downward movement in interest rates in the last week, the city was able to move forward wit the refinancing of a portion of the City’s outstanding General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds. Series 1998 (the “Series 1998 Bonds”). By utilizing the city’s remaining ‘bank qualified” capacity in 2004, the city was able to save $402,716.39 over the 15 year life of the Bonds. The new average coupon on the Bonds is 3.89% versus 5.00% on the Series 1998 Bonds. Additionally, the City preserved the ability to call the Bonds at some point in the future. The city still has the ability to refinance the remaining portion of the outstanding callable Series 1998 Bonds in early 2005 if market conditions remain favorable. Anyone having further questions is invited to call Joe Ayres at Cumberland Securities, a Division of Margan Keegan & Company, Inc. · The City Commission Meeting scheduled for January 4, 2005 has been cancelled because of the holidays. The next meeting of the Gatlinburg City Commission will be on January 18,2005. Andy Harper, of the C.P.A. firm, Pugh and Company,gave the year end independent audit report for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. He gave the City Commission the highest commendations on their budget and financial status. According to Harper, the City of Gatlinburg has $3,000,617 worth of net assets, and he said, “It has been a very good year for the city.” Copies of the report are available in the city library for the public inspection. The new business considered before the City Commission were as follows: · Discussion and consideration of authorizing a project budget for the installation of a traffic signal on Highway 321 at the intersection of Food City and City Hall. The motion was carried to proceed. · Resolution Number 792, a resolution authorizing an actuarial study to determine the liability associated with allowing members with one year’s service credit in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to establish retirement credit for time during which such members were employed by a political subdivision in accordance with Title 8, Section 34, through 37 of the Tennessee code annotated. The motion was carried. · Discussion and consideration of approving a memorandum of understanding with the Knoxville Police Department for assistance in the handling of explosive ordinance incidents. The city would pay the Knoxville Police Department $250 per call anytime explosives were an issue. The motion was passed. · Other issues were passed involving individuals with a package store. No unscheduled items were discussed and the individual Commission members wished everyone a Merry Christmas.