Loudon fails to pass courthouse

The resolution came to be a point of concern at the meeting’s start when citizens gave their input on the issue. Loudon resident Ken Schultz argued that the new riverside placement would be stealing from city taxpayers if the courthouse fell into county hands.

“You as a city council have been elected to oversee the city’s businesses and be good stewards as well on the finances of the city,” Schultz said. “... The biggest thing that I see that we’re having is you’re raising our property taxes to raise money for roads, and now our city and utilities combine paid $150,000 for a future property that you’re wanting to just give away. I’m not against that property being sold to them, but you’re going to get $150,000 and raise our taxes. You’re not being fair. You’re not being good business people to the city taxpayers.”

The resolution came to a head when council members resisted from making a motion to second the memorandum after councilman Tim Brewster motioned to pass the resolution. Brewster suggested that the memorandum be changed to say “the city will approve of all design, planning and construction activities” rather than “the city will be informed of all design, planning and construction activities.”

Councilwoman Tammi Bivens was dissatisfied that the memorandum included the lot’s price as she alleged she had yet to hear of a defined price from council before.

“I don’t like the price being in here,” Bivens said. “ I don’t think we’ve discussed it as a council enough, and I don’t like the price of a dollar.”

Bivens alluded to her fear that Loudon may miss out on benefits if the property is sold to the county. She had expected to receive a list of potential city benefits from Loudon County Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw but has yet to secure any further information.

Brewster attempted to explain approving the memorandum is necessary for the courthouse construction to get underway.

“This can be negotiated, but if they’re wanting to build, they have the money to build and they need to start core sampling,” he said. “... That’s mainly what this is about.”

Bivens said she had no issue with core sampling, but she was still concerned about the price.

Meeting attendees tried to enlighten Bivens about the possible upsides the riverside courthouse could offer. Ty Ross, city manager, believes having two significant buildings in the area will boost Loudon’s aesthetic.

“Part of the thought process, and it has been discussed at numerous meetings, not public meetings up until this point, just now is a good time to discuss it, is that the framework of this deal allows for a two for one,” Ross said. “The city of Loudon will have two substantial multi-million dollar structures rather than just the single version now.”

Jack Qualls, Loudon County Economic Development Agency executive director, explained the new courthouse location would open up doors for new business opportunities as traffic counts would increase and allow for visitors to explore the historic area.

“One of the bigger picture things we need to think about is traffic counts,” Qualls said. “Currently you have about 12,000 counts coming across that bridge every day. In order for us to sustain more retail to our area, we need more traffic counts. The thought process is by being able to establish more traffic down here in this area, it’d also help our retail and development as future years come on. Having this down there, if you look at Sugarlimb every Wednesday, you look at all the cars parked on the road out there, that’s traffic that could be coming downtown. Whether they’re waiting for court or whatever they’re doing, they can shop, grab a cup of coffee, maybe a sandwich, whatever the case is. We need all the traffic counts we can get downtown, especially from a retail standpoint. ... You’re benefiting from the retail side of traffic generation.”

Bivens said Qualls was the first to inform her that the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office court services will be moving to the new courthouse. Though Qualls could not confirm this was true, he has high hopes it will manifest in order for traffic counts to rise. Brewster highlighted the design plans include three courtrooms that could possibly cater to surrounding counties.

Vice Mayor Tim Dixon, who led the meeting as Mayor Jeff Harris attended a mission trip, asked for a second for the motion three times before declaring the motion had died. Bivens suggested county officials attend August’s workshop to further explain the ins and outs of the upcoming courthouse.

Loudon City Council will hold a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12.

In other business the Loudon City Council:

• Passed the second reading of the zoning map to rezone property located at River Road.

• Passed the first reading of amending the 2018-19 fiscal year budget.

• Tabled the first reading of amending the personnel rules and regulations of the city of Loudon.

• Passed the first reading of an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance by adding an urban residential district.

• Passed a resolution calling for public hearings on the proposed annexation of a territory into the city by owner consent and approving a plan of services.

• Passed a resolution to accept a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for fire department equipment.

• Passed a resolution to approve out-of-state travel for the police department.