Anderson Council Adding Street Signs

CITY BUYING 60,000-GALLON WATER TANK FROM PINEVILLE

Motorists traveling through the streets of Anderson will notice a number of additions soon — rectangular and octagonal additions, to be exact.

During the Anderson City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, the board voted to lower the speed limit on Hillcrest Drive to 20 mph and install additional “CHILDREN AT PLAY” signs along the roadway.

Alderman Don Hines introduced the topic when he noted that the area is heavily populated with families, many of which have young children who play outside. He also said many GPS systems route drivers — including tractor trailers — through Hillcrest instead of down Highway F.

The council voted to install a “CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP” sign on Cedar Street, where the road meets Chapman Street.

Police Chief Daniel Gardner noted that many motorists fail to give those traveling down Chapman the right of way.

The council also voted to create a three-way stop at the intersection of Jefferson and Beaver streets, in front of Zion Word Church.

The Rev. Haskell Martin of Exciting Living Word Fellowship commented that many drivers turning right onto Beaver Street from Jefferson don’t fully stop and

often cross into the oncoming lane.

“A lot of the time they’re speeding through there and it would be terrible if a kid on their bike in the other lane were to be hit,” he said.

“Signs aren’t that expensive and we need to do everything we can to keep our streets and kids safe,” Sellers said.

Aldermen also voted to purchase a 60,000-gallon water tank from Pineville at a cost of $200,000 — plus disassembly and transportation fees.

Anderson currently has a storage capacity of 125,000 gallons — 75,000 gallons are stored in a tank on the west side of town and another 50,000 gallons in a tank on the east side of town.

The new tank’s additional capacity will provide 24-hour water storage for the city in the event of a power outage.

Departmental

Reports

Gardner said he spoke with a representative from the Department of Labor who noted that the department had been submitting hours scheduled rather than hours worked.

The rep recommended individually submitting a hard copy of each officer’s hours to the city clerk as a form of checks and balances.

Gardner mentioned that he would opt for a time clock, but officers often respond to a scene before going to the office in the event of an emergency.

He also noted that two to three months ago the department began using handwritten time cards and he will begin delivering the documents to City Clerk Andi Browning.

Gardner also discussed who is responsible for unlocking the FEMA shelter in emergency situations. It was agreed that both the police and fire chief should have a copy of the shelter’s key.

Fire Chief Shelby Turner reported 42 calls for aid last month — a slight increase from months past.

The council asked Turner’s opinion on the proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan from the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council. Turner said it is identical to the city’s adopted plan and he does not recommend adopting the resolution.

“I see no reason to change what we have,” Turner said. “We are part of a statewide mutual aid program as well, which we have called on before.”

With the statewide agreement, city’s have the ability to accept or deny requests for aid, which is a liberty the city appreciates.

Turner reported bunker gear was recently contaminated, and thus deemed combustible, during a fire.

He said he has filed an insurance claim against the homeowners and ordered replacement gear. It is expected to be delivered in eight weeks and he will pay upon arrival.

He noted that the city’s hydrants will be flow-tested soon in order to calculate an ISO rating.

Turner added that recent actions, such as fully adopting a fire code and requiring fire inspections in businesses, will help to improve the rating. But, he noted the code does not outline a penalty for failing an inspection.

The mayor suggested revoking the business’ operating license and invoking a fine if they don’t comply with requirements within 30 to 60 days — the time frame of which will be determined by the city’s inspector. Sellers noted that, in exceptional circumstance, where the time frame cannot be met, a letter must be provided.

Public Works Director Dane Small reported that the paving company has not set a start date for the Patterson Street project (between Cedar Street and U.S. Highway 71B), but he has requested one week’s notice in order to notify residents that the road will be closed for one to two days while the area is under construction.

The total cost of the project comes to $40,645 after the addition of Petromat overlay, which will prevent cracks in the existing pavement from cracking the new pavement.

“If we fix it right, it will stay fixed,” said Alderman Gene Cantrell. “If we patch it, it will need another patch in no time.”

Sellers said that an engineer recommended against propane-fueled emergency back-up generators in town due to the large amount of fuel consumed and the required storage to do so. He noted that the city is currently considering the pros and cons of diesel-fueled generators.

Small noted he is working to begin water line repairs in the Moss Church Community.

New Business

Mike Schlessman, director of the Summer Ball Program, reported 231 players and “lots of younger kids this year.”

Sellers noted one of the dugouts at the ball field had blown over during the storm last week — for the third, and hopefully final, time. Repairs should be completed soon.

In other business, the council voted to transfer $5,000 from the Street account to Operations and Maintenance to repay an internal loan for roadwork.