Norris meeting focuses on upgrading city facilities, rather than moving them
Although there could be some construction in the sewage-treatment plant area that would require two city departments to move, comments during a special City Council meeting last week on Norris facilities showed nearly zero support for relocating any other departments – especially fire and police.
What did become clear, however, is that several city buildings need immediate repairs and upgrades, and several city departments need more office, storage and training space.
Fire Chief Rick Roach told those attending the meeting – about 15 people besides the City Council and city administrators – that a leaking roof in the fire and police department headquarters downtown is causing water to pour in onto the fire trucks and equipment during heavy rains, such as the city experienced last week.
“We need a roof,” he said.
City Manager Adam Ledford said replacing the roof would cost about $100,000, and Mayor Chris Mitchell said, “If we decide police and fire are going to stay there, we should fix [the issues there] now.”
Of everyone there, only city Councilman Will Grinder seemed in favor of a possible move of the police and fire departments, possibly to a new building adjacent to the current city administration building (Norris Community Building) at 20 Chestnut Drive, about two blocks from downtown.
Grinder, whose home borders the fire and police station on the east side, has complained in the past about issues with “privacy and the views” associated with having the station next door.
But as the Tuesday night (Aug. 8) meeting neared its end, Mitchell said: “I’ve heard a lot of input on police and fire staying where they are.”
“We would like to stay where we are,” Chief of Police Mike Poole said.
At risk of being forced to move, however, are the city’s animal shelter and the Public Works Department, which sit on a lot off East Norris Road just north of the Norris sewage treatment plant.
Because the city is under orders from the state to make expensive improvements to the sewer system to prevent stormwater runoff from overwhelming the sewer plant, the city might need to construct a stormwater storage tank in the area where the animal shelter and public works now exist.
Where they would go from there was discussed briefly, but no real solutions were presented.
There were concerns about moving the animal shelter to unused city property that might be close to homes, however, because there often is loud barking coming from the shelter’s dog residents.
Also in need of immediate repairs are the Community Building, which also needs a roof that would cost about $100,000, as well as better fire protection and a new air conditioning unit; the McNeeley Building, which needs new siding and improved drainage; and the Lions Club Pavilion, which needs a new roof.
“I would like to first look at the police and fire building, making it bigger going out the back” to provide more office and training space, Councilwoman Loretta Painter said.
“If they stay there, that will have a big impact on what happens here [the Community Building],” she said.
Added Councilman Chuck Nicholson: “The police/fire building is near the top of our priorities.”
No decisions were made or expected, and the council plans more public meetings on the facilities issues.