Published in the Grainger Today, February 28 2007

BEAN STATION – The Bean Station Board of Mayor and Aldermen has reservations regarding contract terms submitted to the city by Grainger County E911. Alderman Scott Satterfield stated that the dispute with the E911 board has been ongoing and explained that the City of Bean Station requested an agreement that gives them a set fee for a period of at least three years, adding that a five-year term would be ideal. However, he said E911 continuously refuses to consider their request and simply tells them what they have to pay.

“With the contract worded like it is, next year they could raise the amount to $20,000 and what could we do about it,” asked Mayor Rick Brewer. “We don’t want to have to keep going through this year after year.” Board members said their job as elected officials is to save money and look out for the interests of Bean Station, saying they are just trying to do their job. Satterfield said before he left town on vacation, he thought they were very near a resolution with the E911 contract only to come back and find a letter notifying them if they didn’t agree to the terms of the contract, they’d lose E911 dispatch service within 30 days. Aldermen expressed their dismay at what was called “strong-armed” tactics emphasizing that they’re there to serve the people and alleging if E911 discontinues dispatch service, they are not acting in the best interest of the people of Grainger County. Brewer asserted that the city’s requested changes in verbiage were reasonable and should be considered by E911 but that he feared that “egos and personality issues” were interfering with the collaborative process. Satterfield assured Brewer that he felt they were closer to an agreement. “But then, like I said, I’ve thought that before.” Alderman, Mark Livesay made a motion to leave the meeting open to consider and take necessary actions on the matter before the next meeting and the motion was passed.

In other business, the board agreed to negotiate further with the (TML) Tennessee Municipal League’s Risk Management Pool to see if they would match an insurance quote offered at the recent city council workshop. Donnie Hodge of the Bible Insurance Agency said he could reduce the amount they paid annually for worker’s compensation insurance by a couple of thousand dollars. However, Brewer said they did not get the information needed in time to make a decision before their current policy’s renewal deadline.

The board agreed to work with John Howell of Telecommunications Consulting Associates. Brewer explained that Howell conducts audits for municipalities to reveal any franchise fee underpayments by cable operators and recoup money owed to the city. Howell’s fee, Brewer said, is a 50-50 split.

The board solicited members of the community to help in Bean Station’s attempt to set a record and cook the world’s largest pot of beans at the upcoming Harvest Pride Days festival in October. Brewer also reminded citizens of the upcoming reenactment of the Battle of Bean’s Station to be held May 11-13 at Ritter Farms.

In other action, the board:
• had a first reading of updates to the Rules of the Road,
• approved the second reading of the proposed code of ethics;
• passed a resolution to apply along with the county for the U.S. Department of (HUD) Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program;
• Leonard Dalton accepted a check for $2,000 on behalf of the Bean Station Rescue Squad. The board commended the Rescue Squad for their fine service to the community, and congratulated them on their success at a recent fundraiser; and
• planned for possible small improvements to Bean Station Park. The next meeting of the Bean Station Board of Mayor and Aldermen is set for March 26.