by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At a special called meeting Aug. 15, the Monteagle Council approved on first reading an ordinance allowing unmanned traffic cameras in the school zone during the hours when the children are arriving at and departing from Monteagle Elementary. The council also approved a task order to engage LJA Engineering to conduct the lead and copper survey required by the EPA.

Mayor Greg Maloof stressed the unmanned traffic camera ordinance only allowed the cameras to be used in school zones. “I’m not crazy about the idea,” Alderman Nate Wilson said, “but I’m deferring to [Police Chief] Raline as long as its limited to the school zone. [Raline] thinks it is a good thing.”

A police officer will continue to direct traffic at Monteagle Elementary during arrival and departure times. “The officer directing traffic can’t be the chase vehicle if you go through the school zone and speed,” Maloof explained. “Part of the object of [officers directing traffic] is to get vehicles in and out quickly … Volunteers can’t be used to direct traffic.”

“When other communities in Tennessee are getting rid of their traffic enforcement cameras, why all the sudden does Monteagle need one?” a resident asked. “Is there a problem in the school zone?”

“It’s a staffing issue,” Wilson replied. Monteagle only has two officers on duty and both would need to be at the school to enable police to apprehend speeders.

At the July 29 Monteagle Council meeting, Police Chief William Raline said in a baseline test over five days during school hours, 22,000 vehicles passed through Monteagle’s school zone with 12,000 speeders and 48 mph the average speed [see Messenger, August 2, 2024]. When drivers receive a speeding citation, the $50 fine will be split between the town and Blue Line, the company supplying the unmanned traffic camera service. A ticket issued in error on a day when school is not in session will be voided.

“Every ticket must be approved internally by our police department,” Wilson said. “It provides a check and balance.” Blue Line will pay the wage for police-officer time spent reviewing citations.

Wilson cited Tennessee Code Annotated confirming traffic violations recorded by unmanned cameras were categorized as “nonmoving violations” and the fines issued could be enforced.

“If we were having cameras down in front of the Piggly Wiggly I would object to that,” Alderwoman Doraine Parmley said, “but if it’s in the school zone and keeping kids safe, I’m okay with that.”

Blue Line supplies and programs the cameras at no cost to the city. Blue Line’s only revenue is half the amount of the fine when a driver is cited, with the other half going to the city.

“We hope we don’t make any money [from citations],” insisted Alderman Dan Sargent.

Monteagle received a $250,000 grant to cover the cost of the lead and copper survey.

“This is an 80-20 [matching] grant,” Wilson said. “We talked about our utility department workers doing some of the work to cover the 20 percent match. It involves a lot of digging, things our guys could do.”

Maloof pointed out LJA’s primary task would be reports and spread sheets. “I’m not sure it involves a lot of digging,” he said. Clifftops and Cooley’s Rift homes were already known not to have lead pipes because the homes were constructed after using lead pipes became illegal.

The total estimated cost of the project is $219,180. The council deferred discussion on whether utility department labor could count towards Monteagle’s matching contribution.