City Council

TOWN OF JONESBOROUGH Town Hall Board Room 123 Boone Street Jonesborough, TN 37659 MEETING NOTICES MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025 7:00 PM PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Members of the public wishing to speak concerning any item on the agenda during the Public Comment period must sign up by calling the Town Administrative Office at 423-753-1030 with their name, address, and subject about which they wish to speak no later than 2 hours before the meeting if the meeting occurs during normal business hours or by 4:45 p.m. the day of the meeting if the meeting occurs after hours. Otherwise, such member of the public must sign in at the location of the meeting, prior to the beginning of the meeting, by seeing the Town Recorder at meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, or the secretary or staff of any board, commission or committee constituting any other governing body under this resolution. Each individual shall be given three (3) minutes to address the Board regarding Agenda items. Comments shall be limited to items on the meeting’s Agenda PUBLIC HEARING 1. Annexation of Certain Property Located along Shell Road known as the Thomasson Annexation Request 2. Ordinance Amending the Tree and Townscape Code 3. Ordinance Designating the Town Officials Authorized to Declare a State of Emergency 4. FY24-25 Budget Amendments for the General Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Jackson Theatre Fund and Drug Enforcement Fund REGULAR MEETING 1. Call to Order 2. Opening Prayer 3. Pledge to the Flag 4. Roll Call  CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes 2. Approval of Bills 3. Town Administrator Report 4. Operations Manager Report 5. Committee Reports 6. Supervisor Reports 7. Revised Job Description – Custodian at Jackson Theatre 8. Town Sponsored Event – 2025 Christmas in Olde Jonesborough 9. Town Sponsored Event – The Great Jonesborough Pumpkin Carving AGENDA 1. Financial Report 2. Communications from the Mayor a. Proclamation b. Employee of the Month 3. Appointment of an Alderman 4. Citizen Comments 5. Aldermen Communications 6. Town Attorney Comments 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion and possible action concerning changing the date of November 10, 2025 Board of Mayor & Aldermen meeting; B. Discussion and possible action concerning second and final reading of the Thomasson Annexation Request located along Shell Road; C. Discussion and possible action concerning Tree and Townscape Code Amendment; D. Discussion and possible action concerning second and final reading of an Ordinance Designating the Town Officials Authorized to Declare a State of Emergency;  E. Discussion and possible action concerning second and final reading of the FY24- 25 Budget Amendments for the General Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Jackson Theatre Fund and Drug Enforcement Fund; 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and possible action concerning approval of a Traffic Signalization Optimization Project with Mattern & Craig Engineers; B. Discussion and possible action concerning the Jackson Theatre Fundraising Gala “The Marquee Ball at the Jackson”; C. Discussion and possible action concerning an Interlocal Agreement for Planning Assistance between the Town of Jonesborough and Washington County; D. Discussion and possible action concerning the five change orders – Precision Concrete Finishings for Town sidewalks/walkways/striping; E. Discussion and possible action concerning the First Judicial District Drug Task Force Interlocal Cooperation Agreement; F. Discussion and possible action concerning an amendment to the current Organizational Chart; G. Discussion and possible action concerning a Resolution allowing the Issuance of Bonds to finance the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade; H. Discussion and possible action concerning Wastewater Treatment Tap Fee Schedule; I. Discussion and possible action concerning a change order for Tiger Park; J. Adjournment.  TOWN ADMINISTRATOR MONTHLY REPORT AUGUST 2025 I hope this monthly update finds you well! If you have any specific monthly updates, please do not hesitate to let me know. 1. Downtown Local Façade Grant: We are leveraging the FY26 budgeted amount of $10,000.00 to support the town’s local match to the State of Tennessee Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) to make needed improvements to the Stage Door and the International Storytelling Center. 2. TDOT Related Projects: Tiger Way Signalization Project (Permanent Signal): Stansell Electric is the contractor on the project to install the permanent signal at the intersection of Tiger Way and Hwy 11-E. The temporary signal will remain throughout the installation phase and will go inactive at the time the permanent signal is activated. Work in the intersection is projected to start in October 2025. This is a project funded through federal and state funds. Boones Creek Road and Future Connection to Jonesborough Elementary School: Mattern & Craig had completed a warrant study showing that a roundabout on Boones Creek Road that will connect to the school property at Skyline Drive was warranted and recommended. Since Boones Creek Road is a state route, the town has engaged the JCMPO to work through funding options, and currently TDOT Local Programs is the process offered for these type projects needing federal and state funding (same funding mechanism used for the Tiger Way Signalization). The future connection road (Skyline Drive) to the school is a local road and the town is currently exploring options on funding sources for this part of road improvements. 3. Utilities Updates: The Water Treatment Plant bid opening will be held on August 21, 2025, and the awarding of the contract will be on the September BMA Agenda. The A-Station Elimination Project bid opening will be held on August 21, 2025, and the awarding of the contract will be on the September BMA Agenda. The training and the implementation of the Cartograph Asset Management system is going well, and the system will go live with utility staff in December 2025. This will be a significant technological improvement for our utilities. Once we are comfortable with the system, my intent is for the Street and Park and Recreation Departments to start exploring being added to the asset management system. 4. Helene Emergency Disaster Declaration: Town staff continue to work directly with FEMA and TEMA and our insurance provider to continue to proceed through all processes toward FEMA maximum reimbursement. We have captured most of the damage to our water distribution, water treatment plant, intake, and wastewater facilities. Of course we have collected labor, equipment, materials, etc. that have already been expensed for pending submittals to FEMA once we go through additional federal steps. We have areas like our intake that sustained damage in the river that were investigated and discovered by divers assessing damage. As we discover more damage related to Helene, we are reporting them in our periodic meetings with FEMA and TEMA. 5. First Frontier Trail: As part of the agenda packet for November 12th BMA Meeting, you will find a bid for 2 major steps forward on this project. One is bids have been received for a portion of sidewalks; and second is that we were awarded TDEC’s RTP grant for Mill Springs Park to Stage Road Park. Please remember Governor Lee’s blessing upon us with a direct appropriation of 2.4 million toward Phase 1 of the First Frontier Trail, and both agenda items/actions are tied to the First Frontier Trail. 6. The Mayor and I are exploring new website development so that we are keeping up with the latest trends, technology, and user (public and other) expectations. Our website provides us with a digital presence, and that presence must reflect the town’s identity and values. Regular updates help maintain relevance, improve user experience, and ensure the website’s functionality aligns with the town’s goals and objectives. I opine that user experience is becoming one of the most significant factors on whether our website is considered user friendly or not. 7. First Frontier Trail Updates: A comprehensive update will be provided in my TA monthly report for September that will include our 2 recreational grants - RTP and LPRF. 8. Town Hall Board Room Audio and Visual: Staff met with Todd Hensley who had installed the equipment in the boardroom to assess our equipment noise issues. Todd found that 2 microphones were not working properly and has ordered replacements. I added one more for Janet, or for whoever is sitting in that place to have their own microphone. Also, live streaming is extremely important to us conducting business whereby those that cannot attend our meetings can experience the meeting either during the live streaming or be able to access the video from our website. We are working with our IT support at Sharp to install a hard-wired internet connection in the location of our live streaming rather than relying on Wi-Fi which is more unpredictable at times. 9. Improving the rear room in the Board Room. We are planning on improving this office space to be used as an actual conference room with office chairs, table, display screen for presentations and video conferencing, conference phone, wireless presentation  system, and other incidentals. This is the only room to offer some form of privacy when conducting meetings with smaller groups. We have multiple meetings each week and the room improvement will provide for a more efficient and effective way of conducting meetings with the right tools in place. 10. Special Census: I am working with Frank Collins, who retired from Census Bureau, on exploring the town conducting a town wide special census. Our 2020 US Census certified population was 5,860. Our next census is not until 2030. With our unprecedented growth, we believe the 2020 population number is significantly low. As such, we find that holding a special census is an effective way to ensure that our State- Shared revenues properly reflect our growing population. The state’s estimated per capita amount (per resident) for 2025-2026 is $179.29. If for example our special census yields an additional 500 residents, this equals $89,645, or a higher number like 1000 residents yields an additional $179,290. I will continue to update the BMA as Staff and Mr. Collins get closer to an implementation strategy in the next 60-90 days. Looking at other sources of revenues, like the potential special census, for the town is a major administrative goal during this fiscal year, and beyond. 11. I am working on partnering with an organization like Community Chest to establish a program whereby “people” can contribute funds to help eligible utility customers that need financial assistance with their bills. Also, through our contact at United Way, Jonesborough is already part of the Heisse Johnson Hand Up Fund, allowing customers to designate specific amounts on their utility bills for the Hand Up Fund. The “implementation” would be a decision for the Hand Up board. An update regarding implementation through Hand Up Fund or Community Chest will be provided by next BMA meeting. 12. I am re-reviewing our Jonesborough Local Façade Program to suggest adding a new component to eligible properties in the form of building lighting. The intent, through meeting historic guidelines of course, is to enhance the exterior of some of our buildings to provide additional lighting that is specific to contributing to a safer pedestrian experience at night from our parking lots and walkways. There are some dark areas within the downtown area that with some exterior lighting, perhaps landscaped lighting, or limited pathway lighting, would help light the way for more people that are not comfortable parking longer distances in the evening. This is only in an exploration phase as there is no intent to distract from the quality architectural character of our historic downtown and its great assets, our historic buildings. 13. In looking to leverage funding sources for improvements to Persimmon Ridge Park, the town is working on the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation Healthy Place Grant. Current idea is for a new concession building with bathrooms and storage space, playground equipment, and other potential incidentals. Staff are also working toward  applying for the LPRF grant to revitalize Persimmon Ridge Park after our LPRF grant for Frontier Trail is complete, and looking at ARC potential grants among other potential funding. 14. Police Chief Matt Rice intends on applying for the COPS Grant for additional police officers when the grant cycle opens back up in May 2026.  MEMORANDUM To: Glenn Rosenoff, Town Administrator From: Craig Ford, Operations Manager Ref: July/August 2025 Monthly Report Date: August 13, 2025 JRoss began work on the grant project at the Stage Door/Jackson Theatre. They have completed work on the Stage Door and are now working at the Jackson Theatre. The stucco on the Jackson has been painted and they are now going to focus on the window repairs of the Jackson. It was brought to my attention that this project had not been taken in front of the Historic Zoning Commission. I met with the Chairman, Frank Collins, as well as Dr. William Kennedy and Bob Browning. After much discussion, an updated plan was drafted, and I will take that plan to the Historic Zoning Commission on August 14, 2025. As this meeting is so close to the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, I may have to prepare a change order for the September BMA meeting if the change order results in a price increase from the original bid. I am awaiting an update from Jeremy Yates. I also requested an update from the winning bidder on the ISC deck. They have ordered materials and are awaiting the arrival of those materials in order that they can start the project. It is their intent to get this project started by the end of August. I discussed with them the need to have it completed prior to the Storytelling Festival and they assured me their work would be completed. I also requested an update from Derwin Cartmel of Holston Engineering on the status of the geothermal HVAC project of the ISC building. The project is moving, and they sent a design specialist to the site on August 05, 2025, to assess the mechanical room the current units are located in. Phase II of the First Frontier walkway project is complete. It was not without a myriad of problems; however, the finished product turned out great. There is a change order presentation to the Board of Mayor and Alderman for the addition of the Second Avenue sidewalk and the change on Franklin Avenue I had to implement. I also had the contractor pour a concrete entry pad to the Depot Street Park from the parking lot. This was a low area that stayed muddy. This was a much-needed upgrade to the park entrance. I also had to make some changes to the sidewalk configuration on Depot Street, but everyone is happy with the finished product. As a result of pouring a new sidewalk on Second Avenue, I had the Street Department finish the section of brick sidewalk from Second Avenue to the old brick section of sidewalk on West Main Street. We had the granite curb and brick in stock to complete this section of sidewalk, so there was no additional expense to completing this project. Finally, I had the contractor remove a section of sidewalk on Headtown Road at the intersection of Lowes. This area was completed during phase I and was struck by a vehicle while it was still wet. The contractor removed a section of this sidewalk and replaced it with a handicap ramp. This was an idea of the mayor, and it worked out really well. The final concern about the Phase II sidewalk project was drainage on Franklin Avenue and the new section at Second and Main Street. I have personally checked both during some heavy rains and have had the Street Department Director watching them as well. I am happy to report that the change we made to Franklin, as well as the new section at Second, is working very well. The catch basin I had the Street Department re-locate on Franklin is capturing all the water draining down Franklin prior to Spring Street. The home near the corner is not getting any water from the street. Second Avenue at Main Street is working as well as there does not seem to be any water ponding in that intersection. The concrete island was installed on Spring Street as a part of this project. The island has been backfilled with topsoil, and the plan is to install plants in the island on August 15, 2025. All signage has been installed on Spring Street regarding the one-way designation. I have requested increased enforcement from the Police Department as we still have people ignoring the one-way signage. We have some crosswalks to install upon conclusion of the new sidewalk installation. This was in the bid to have the contractor install; however, I removed this from the bid. The painted crosswalks are just not holding upon very well. I instructed the Street Department Director to order thermoplastic strips. We will use these going forward for all crosswalks and stop bars as they should last much longer and do not require annual maintenance. The upfront cost is a little more, but we will save money in the long run. A major “clean-up” effort was undertaken by the Street Department to repair Sevier Street. Overgrown trees and bushes were cut back. Asphalt repairs were made to two large utility cuts. We plan to pave this road on August 14 or 15, depending on weather. The Street Department will pave this road from their existing budget. The Washington County Highway Department finished the paving on Parsons Circle and Skyline Road. They also striped Skyline and re-striped the New Boones Creek Road. The Street Department installed the thermoplastic stop bars. This project is now complete. If you will recall in last month’s report, we took delivery on the “hotbox” for the Street Department. There was a delay in training from the company we purchased this unit from. The Street Department finally received formal training on August 12, 2025. They have already put this unit to use. We hope to begin making repairs throughout town this upcoming month, and to begin partnering with the Utility Department on repairing their utility cuts in the town and county. The right-of-way mower was down for a few weeks. Repairs have finally been made to this unit, and the Street Department is working to try to get the right-of-way mowing caught up. TDOT completed the paving project on West Main Street, Oak Grove Road and West College Street. They are currently paving the New Boones Creek Road from Jackson Boulevard to Boones Creek. Speaking of TDOT, we finally participated in a TDOT pre-construction meeting for the traffic signal at Tiger Way and Jackson Boulevard. The contract has been awarded. It is my understanding from this meeting that construction will not begin until late winter or early spring due to a delay in delivery of materials. It is at least good news that finally a permanent light is coming to this intersection. The Street/Solid Waste/Parks and Recreation building continues to progress. As reported earlier, the Street Department constructed all the interior walls. I completed a walkthrough with Herman Archer to establish the location for light switches, receptacles, and computer connections. Mr. Archer and Rick Duvall are currently pulling the wires. Once this is complete, I will have the drywall installed and finished. Once this is completed, I will finish this building with our staff. I was forwarded an email from Mr. Browning regarding the installation of conduit at Tiger Park. Pursuant to this email, I requested a meeting with Kevin Brobeck and Tyler Briggs at the site. Tyler was involved in much of the early installation of water lines at this park. The request was made to utilize a ditch-witch for this installation; however, we felt it was better to bore for the conduit due to so many water lines, drainage, sewer, and conduit that was already in the ground. Kevin approved Tyler to conduct the boring operation for this conduit. The conduit to be installed was to run power to the three scoreboards. In a separate meeting with Mr. Browning, Rachel Conger, Butler Huggins, and Derek Holmes at the site, it was discovered that a “fieldhouse”, or storage building was also planned for the future. After speaking with the electrician, Mr. Holmes, I also had Tyler run a 2-inch conduit to the end of the football field as he was running the conduit for the scoreboards so we could run power to this building in the future. It was requested to have this completed by August 11, 2025. Tyler ran into some difficulties, but he was able to complete the installation of all the conduit on August 11, 2025. We could not have completed this project without the assistance of the Utility Department. On a side note, there are several geese on the school property. Apparently, the pond continues to hold water. This was not supposed to be the case. I met with Todd Wood on August 11. He is going to be out of town for a couple of weeks, but when he returns, we are going to fix this pond. I also spoke with Chief Rice about contacting Wildlife Officers as we have a contract with them for nuisance wildlife. There were two trees in front of the ISC building and one in front of the Chester Inn that was removed. These trees had grown too large and were not only damaging the sidewalks, but they were also causing damage to the buildings. In addition, one tree in front of the ISC building was dying. A limb or two has fallen out of this tree in the past and it was a liability for the town. The concern was that a limb may fall out of this tree and seriously injure someone below or even fall on a passing vehicle. Dr. Kennedy was also in agreement that these trees should be removed. A private contractor removed these trees as well as the stumps. He also removed the stumps on Cherokee that remained from the river birch trees that were removed by Parks and Recreation a week earlier. I met with the Mayor and Engineer Todd Wood at Judge Ronnie Greer’s property on July 29. The Town needs to complete a bank stabilization project on West Main Street. This bank has failed a couple of times now and blocked a lane of travel on West Main Street. The project was explained to Judge Greer in concept, as it would require town staff to be on his property to complete this project. He was open to working with the town. Pursuant to this meeting, Todd has completed a plan to stabilize the bank. I have spoken with Judge Greer, and we will have a follow-up meeting near the end of August with him to get his final approval. Once this is completed, we will bring a public/private partnership agreement to the September Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting for approval. Upon passage of the budget, the Police Department sold some LESO equipment and obtained enough revenue from this sale to purchase three new cruisers. We have already received delivery on these three units and have begun ordering the equipment for them. This will help the Police Department begin to replace some older units that require constant maintenance. I attended the EMS Board of Director’s meeting on August 12, 2025, at 6:00pm. I also attended the DISC Leadership training conducted with the Town leadership staff by MTAS. This was a very good training session for our leadership team. I have also participated in two meetings with you and Michelle to review the proposed new town personnel manual. I am also continuing to work with Vince Sicca on an audit of our residential and commercial garbage customers. We are continuing to work on route mapping as well.