by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“Things are happening in the world today that are not normal,” said Police Chief William Raline explaining the decision to wand scan those attending the Sept. 30 Monteagle Council meeting to detect metal objects. Only law enforcement officers are allowed to carry firearms at public meetings, Raline stressed, citing Tennessee state law. “I don’t have the luxury of not taking these steps. I have to ask myself, ‘What if?’” Raline said. “This [wand scan] is less invasive than touching people.” Going forward, police will scan all attendees at Monteagle City Hall public meetings. Raline intended to begin the scan procedure at the August council meeting, but the wand device had not yet been delivered.

“If it’s something we need to do on a regular basis, we might consider having a remote people walk through,” suggested Alderman Nate Wilson. Raline said grant money was available.

Revisiting another security issue, Alderman Wilson said the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance had signed a contract for a cloud-based camera system that will use AI to automatically send [law enforcement] a message when it detects something illegal on the trail.

During regular business, the council took up several water-utility issues.

“The wastewater treatment plant is not designed with solids removal equipment and that’s what it’s going to take to meet limits and not violate,” said Monteagle engineer Travis Wilson explaining the need for undertaking a $500,000-$700,000 project at the sewer plant.

Last year Monteagle received a notice of violation from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Engineer Wilson recommended screw press pumping equipment to bring Monteagle into compliance with TDEC regulations. Currently Monteagle is paying an outside vendor to haul off the solid waste. T. Wilson projected a four-to-six-year payoff for the new equipment. Monteagle could pursue receiving a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan or a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or could finance the project with a 20-30 year bond, Wilson said. But he pointed out the SRF and CDBG options would not yield funds until 2027. Wilson will submit the proposed screw-press solution to TDEC. Monteagle will need to wait to see if TDEC will allow delaying the project until 2027.

The council approved the recent emergency purchase of a sewer plant pump, cost $40,000. “A new pump was strongly recommended,” said Mayor Greg Maloof. “You never know what the rebuilds do and how long they last.”

Alderman Nate Wilson proposed, and the council approved on first reading, a change to the ordinance governing the developer’s responsibility when a project required changes to water lines. N. Wilson cited a current case where the project called for increasing the size of water lines. At present the ordinance stipulates the developer must pay for extending service lines, but does discuss the cost of upgrades to the system. The new language assigns the cost of “extensions and improvements” to the developer.

The council also voted to adopt a resolution indicating support of and willingness to supply data to a Tracy City Economic Enhancement Grant project that will investigate the feasibility of a regional water authority.

Alderman and Imagine Monteagle coordinator Grant Fletcher introduced the new Monteagle logo designed under the direction of the Imagine Monteagle steering committee. The council approved the logo and a policy governing its use. Big A Design will act as the “storefront” for acquiring the electronic file for the logo. There will be no fee for use of the logo by representatives of the town. Non-affiliated interests wanting to use the logo will be vetted by Big A Design, the Imagine Monteagle steering committee, and, if deemed necessary, by the council as well. Proceeds from the 5 percent use fee will go to a special fund established by the city.

Fletcher also updated the council on Imagine Monteagle tourism and beautification projects. The council approved $3,500 for landscaping downtown public buildings (e.g., city hall, the police department, the fire department) and $8,000 for the purchase of new planters for the greenway. Imagine Monteagle, a community led long-term planning initiative, will pursue grant funding for the seven other projects identified.

The council also approved the purchase of four computers for city hall with a five-year warranty and support, cost $13,062, Monteagle could purchase the computers it currently leases for $1,000, but there would be no warranty or software support, said city recorder Debbie Taylor.

During the alderman comment period, Alderman Dean Law made a motion requesting, and the council approved, holding a public hearing for an employee terminated for falsifying reports. “I was disappointed we were not briefed [about the decision],” said Alderman Wilson in support of a hearing. “It’s important to hear the other side of the story,” Lay insisted.