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Commissioners delay votes on building code, curb cuts, discuss conditions for sale of Lynn View athletic fields to Kingsport

Published June 15th, 2009 | 1 Comments

BLOUNTVILLE — The Sullivan County Commission deferred action Monday on two planning-related items — adoption of a building code and creation of a permitting process for driveway cuts onto county roads.

Multiple commissioners sought additional information on both issues and asked that votes on each be delayed at least until next month to allow them to receive that information.

In other business, Commissioner Wayne McConnell introduced a proposal for the county to sell athletic fields adjacent to the former Lynn View Middle School to the city of Kingsport for $1.

McConnell’s said he was putting the resolution on first reading because “everyone” wanted him to. That means no vote was expected Monday, and the proposal will be up for debate as each of the county commission’s three standing committees meets in coming weeks. It could come for a vote by the full commission next month.

The county agreed last month to step aside and allow Kingsport to purchase the school from Tri-Cities Christian Schools, which purchased the property several years ago from the county.

That transaction did not include the adjacent athletic fields — which the county’s school department had continued to own. The Sullivan County Board of Education later transferred the property to Sullivan County general government.

McConnell’s resolution, co-sponsored by commissioners O.W. Ferguson and Joe Herron, describes the property as being approximately 7.56 acres. One section of the resolution indicates the county “desires” to transfer the property to Kingsport “at no cost to the city,” subject to the city using the property for “community recreational purposes.”

A subsequent section, however, list the purchase price at $1 — that being subject to inclusion of a reversionary clause being placed in the deed to state the property would automatically revert to county ownership if the city ever ceases to use the property for community recreational purposes.

The brief discussion that followed McConnell’s introduction of the proposal made it clear some county officials want more than $0 or $1 from the city in exchange for the athletic fields.

Commissioner Sam Jones said he and County Mayor Steve Godsey have been discussing the issue.

“I would ask that you come to the committee meetings and inform us of any discussions you’ve had with the city concerning any of the negotiations regarding this,” Jones said. “I had asked the mayor to look at waiving the senior citizens ... the additional appropriation the county seniors have to make, before we turn this over, that the city waive that, as part of this negotiation.”

Godsey said he’d just brief the commission immediately.

“I have met with the city on this issue,” Godsey said, “and made a couple of suggestions that they look at working with the county residents to help offset some of the expenditures that they have. One area that they are going to go back and look at, that I asked them to consider — and they seemed very favorable that they would go back and consider — is the new water and sewer rates for outside-city residents. I have gotten a lot of calls on that, and it seems to be very challenging for folks in these economic times.”

Godsey said he’d met with Kingsport City Manager John Campbell and Kingsport Public Works Director Ryan McReynolds to talk about the issue.

“I suggested we’re trying to be as agreeable in working with the city, Kingsport, with this Lynn Garden situation, with the ball field ... but that we really could use some assistance. It was a very good meeting. They haven’t gotten back with me on that, but the minute I do hear from them ... I will present that to the county commission.”

Godsey said due to the call volume he has received on the outside-city water and sewer rate increase, he felt that was a broader action to ask for, rather than asking the city to waive the senior citizens fees.

Jones said he appreciated Godsey’s efforts, “but I want to see it in writing.”

County Commissioner Moe Brotherton said he’d like to see something else in writing regarding the proposed deed transfer: the city’s promise to spend $100,000 improving the property within a set timeframe and a guarantee the “Lynn View” name will continue to be used for the former school building and athletic fields.

Godsey said he thinks those things can be gotten in writing.

Water and sewer rates for city residents will not be going up next fiscal year, but they will be for non-city residents. Outside the city limits, the water rate is increasing 2 percent (83 cents on the average bill) while the sewer rate is going up 10 percent ($4.38 on the average bill). The water rate increase will generate $135,000 in revenue for the city, while the sewer rate increase will generate $98,000 in revenue.

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Lease the fields to them. Everytime they increase fees to county residents increase their fees/lease for the use of the fields. The city wants to get along when ever it is convienent for them. Get it in writing------no increase in water/sewer fees for outside residentual users unless the same fee is passed for city consumers also.

Porcupine Kisser | 6/16/2009 - 8:05 AM - ( Comment

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