Road improvements, contracts get the green light
Road improvements and contracts for other Town projects got the green light from Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its meeting Thursday, Sept. 11.
In one action, the Board unanimously approved an agreement with Blue Ridge Waterways Inc. to purchase steam mitigation credits for the Union Road improvement project, which are credits bought from water restorations.
“I just want to know when this (Union Road) project’s going to start,” Vice Mayor Scott Meyer said. “It was planned before I was in office, and that was eight years ago.”
“We are about eight years into this now, and we are nearing the point where we should have all the right-of-way. Permitting is continuing,” Town engineer Darryl Smith said. “We hope to have it started early next year.
“All road projects have an environmental impact,” he said. “The Union Road project impacts Little Turkey Creek as it crosses a narrow bridge.”
Smith said the widening of the road would expand the bridge.
“By expanding the width of bridge, there is also a width of stream of 58.4 feet, which requires the purchase of 58.4 stream credits,” he said.
“A stream mitigation bank is a site where streams are restored, enhanced or, in some cases, preserved to compensate for unavoidable impacts to streams that occur elsewhere, often due to development projects,” Smith explained. “It’s a way to achieve the goal of ‘no net loss’ of ecological functions and values in stream ecosystems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The Union Road project includes construction of a triple 12-foot-by-8-foot box bridge that will reduce the length of Little Turkey Creek by 58.4 feet,” he said. “The (Environmental Protection Agency) requires the Town to make up for the loss of habitat within the same watershed if possible.
“Our engineering consultant for the project, Kimley Horn, has determined the best price available for stream credits within the Town’s watershed is from Blue Ridge Waterways Inc.,” Smith said.
In the agreement, he said the Town would purchase from Blue Ridge Waterways 58.4 mitigation stream credits at a cost of $2,000 per credit and for a total cost of $116,800.
“This is considered a project cost, and is eligible for 80 percent reimbursement — $93,440 — through the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization,” he said.
“Will this take care of the flooding of Union Road,” Mayor Ron Williams asked.
Yes, “this should take care of the flooding,” Smith answered. “I think the grade is much wider than the existing bridge.”
Concerning another road project, the Board unanimously approved improvement plans for Boring and Smith roads in which it contracted with Cannon & Cannon Inc. to design a mid-block crosswalk at the Boring Road/Smith Road intersection, an all-way stop at that intersection and school zone flashing beacons.
“This project is being undertaken in preparation for the opening of the new Knox County school that is currently under construction,” assistant Town engineer Eric Schindler said. “The design fee is lump sum in the amount of $37,950 (Boring Road Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing, $15,200, and Boring Road/Smith Road Intersection Improvements, $22,750).
“I’m glad to see this where it’s at,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a really needed item.”
On another matter, the Board voted unanimously to approve a bid and award a two-year contract to Global Synthetic Ice for a synthetic ice rink at Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza.
“Last year, more than 3,000 people enjoyed the outdoor synthetic ice skating rink at McGill Plaza during the holiday season,” Parks and Recreation director Ron Oestreich said. “Due to the positive feedback received, the Tourism team once again is recommending the Board approve a contract for a synthetic ice rink.”
He recommended the two-year contract with Global Synthetic Ice for a $106,998 (year one is $53,999 and year two is $52,999).
“GSI will provide a 40-foot-by-50-foot synthetic ice rink with boards, lighting, rental skates and a staff member for the time period of Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, 2026,” Oestreich said.
In other action, the Board unanimously approved:
• on first reading, amending the Town code to replace its existing entire section on Copies of Records and Ordinances with a new section titled “Guidelines for Access and Reproduction of Public Records and Schedule of Charges for Reproduction of Public Records.”
According to Town recorder Allison Myers, “The State of Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Open Records Counsel established a model best practices and public records policy for use by records custodians in compliance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503. Ordinance 25-16 is based on the approved policy.”
The new policy outlines: the process for making requests in inspecting public records or receiving copies and a copy of the request form; the process for responding to requests; a statement of any fees charged for copies and procedures for billing; name or title of contact information of person designated as PRRC.
• a General Fund budget amendment to increase expenditures by $90,000 for the Administration Department budget in order to separate the roles of the finance director/treasurer and the Town recorder. Along the same line, the Board separated those positions.
• on second reading, by the late Alderman David White’s request, to amend the sign ordinance to state a sign is non-compliant when it: “has been placed on property without the consent of the owner … when a sign is placed in the Town’s right-of-way. For purposes of this ordinance, the right of way shall be deemed to extend from 12 feet from the back of street curb or the outer edge of the street pavement where curbing does not exist.”
• A resolution for the Town, Knox County and City of Knoxville joint hazard mitigation plan.
