Commissioner Walker - Blount County, TN

Commissionerwalker.com

Commissioner Walker — 2010-01-12T01:57:00Z

When something is not working, you backup, re-evaluate, and try again.

CommissionerWalker.com will going off line in the up coming months. Rather than make it all about 1, I am going to try to make it about all. A new website/blog/forum is currently being developed and more will be posted here before this site goes down.

Stay tuned!

Thanks!

Mike

2010 Election

Commissioner Walker — 2009-12-02T20:12:00Z

Well,
It is that time again, Election Time.

I would like to thank the 8th District for the privilege of serving them over the last 4 years.

As of right now James Taylor, Gordon Wright and myself have picked up petitions to run for the District 8 Seat B County Commission seat.

For those who have online access and have questions or concerns during this election cycle as always feel free to contact me here or email me directly at commissionerwalker@gmail.com.

I be putting more information up soon.

Thanks again!

Mike

Coats for Our Community

Commissioner Walker — 2009-11-03T18:18:00Z

Coats for Our Community Auction to be held SATURDAY November 7 starting at 10 am at Blount County Fire Station #7 located at 5156 Sevierville Road (Hwy 411 North) across from Keeble Road.　

　All proceeds go to buy coats for kids.　

Many, many new and used items donated by individuals and business supporters, ranging in value from $1 to $1000 to be sold to the highest bidder.　 Support our community effort to keep our kids warm.　

See You Saturday, and don't forget to "Hear The Beep" (Test your Smoke Alarms) Thanks!! Chief McClanahan　

　865-983-2133

Also, FYI - Chief McClanahan said they have over 100 gift certificates for various vendors, including restaurants and over night stays!

Blount County Animal Shelter Now Open

Commissioner Walker — 2009-11-03T18:15:00Z

****Corrected Information******

Blount County AnimalShelter

233 Currie Avenue

Maryville, TN 37804

Telephone: 980-6244

Facsimile: 980-1929

Hours of Operations: Monday through Friday ~~8:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,~~ 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., closed 12-1 for lunch.

Shelter Staff:

Jeanette Saddler - Animal Shelter Director

Lynn"Chubby" Burchfield - Animal Control Field Officer

Whitney Shannon - Part-Time Shelter Staff

The Shelter is located on Currie Avenue which offMcArthur Road (Currie Avenue is across the street from our Blount CountyOperations Center where the Highway Department is located OR it can be accessedbehind the Richie Kreme Donut Shop off East Broadway.

As you have probably read in the paper, our first ever Blount County Animal Shelter is finally open. Iwanted to pass along the address and contact information for your records.

Blount County Animal Control
233 Currie Avenue
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: 980-6244
Fax: 980-1919

The staff is

Office Manager/Shelter Coordinator -Jeanette Saddler
Animal Control Field Officer - Lynn"Chubby" Burchfield
Part-time Field Officer - EddieBungalow

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am till 4:30pm.

October on the Commission

Commissioner Walker — 2009-10-14T14:17:00Z

Well we are now half way through the month of October.

Just thought I would make a couple of observations about FY 09-10.

In 16+ years I have never seen the County go from July through October without a budget committee Meeting. This should mean that all departments are operating within their filed budgets. Good Job!
Zoning, personally I am still not satisfied with the increased pace that rezonings are occurring, nor am I happy with the fact that we are making broad strokes on the largest single zone in the County, the R-1 zone.

Well, I guess we will see come November what is instore for the commission.

As always, if you have any comments feel free to drop me a note at commissionerwalker@gmail.com.

August 2009 Work Session

Commissioner Walker — 2009-08-06T18:41:00Z

Just got word through the County Commission office that the work session and commission meeting for August will be comprised of 98% zoning issues. This will include the setting of public hearings for campgrounds in R-1 zones. Sounds like it will be a long meeting.

County Commission Blog

Commissioner Walker — 2009-06-23T00:46:00Z

Before the beginning of the County Commission meeting last week I got the opportunity to speak to the IT Director and view the rough draft of the County Commission Blog software. It looks simple and clean not a lot of bells and whistles but it does allow for RSS and ATOM linking. It is not as sophisticated as some software that I have used or seen, but it is "free" and should do nicely.

I hope that this will be addressed at the July meeting so we can get it up and running as soon as possible.

Feel free to drop a note or your comments.

FYI- Info on Free Solar Workshop - Saturday, June 13, 10 AM at IjamsNature Center

Commissioner Walker — 2009-06-09T15:10:00Z

A email invitation I received but will be unable to attend. Maybe you have some free time.

Solar PV Technology - An In-Depth Look. A free Workshop at 10 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday, June 13th at Ijams Nature Center. This workshop is provided free through the City of Knoxville Solar America Cities program, and will give an in-depth understanding of Photovoltaic (PV) technology. Speakers from the City of Knoxville, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Tennessee Valley Authority will cover such topics as the legal requirements for a solar energy system in Knoxville, Market Trends in the PV industry, Building Integrated Solar, new innovations such as micro inverters, potential maximum efficiencies and Concentrated Solar PV. The workshop will also provide an update on TVA's new version of the Generation Partners program and have a small group "tabling" break out providing a chance to talk more in-depth with solar experts.
-------------
Agenda
10 AM - Introduction and Welcome - Erin Burns, Knoxville
10:05 - An overview of solar PV technology - Gil Melear-Hough, SACE
            The legal requirements and explaining Generation Partners
10:30 - Where the PV industry is going - Neil Placer, TVA
            Building Integrated solar
            Innovations, micro inverters
11:00 Conventional and unconventional PV technology - Curt Maxey, ORNL
            Efficiencies and fundamental
            Concentrated Solar PV
11:30 Q & A on topics and Solar Installer identification - facilitated by Gil Melear-Hough, SACE
12:00 Topic Tabling - Generation Partners, Industry Trends and More!
12:30 Wrap up

Blount County Commission Blog

Commissioner Walker — 2009-05-01T01:41:00Z

Good evening!

Just wanted to drop a note and let those who read know that I have requested that the idea to allow Blount County Commission to have a blog that follows the pilot program that Knox County has used for the last year will be on the agenda for the next commission meeting. The actual request will be for the IT committee to investigate and see if the means and money exist in the budget for this to happen.

More to come later.

Planning Purposal Letter

Commissioner Walker — 2009-04-15T02:42:00Z

I have forwarded a copy of the letter contained below to the planning commission to allow some level of flexibility to rezoning request within the Urban Growth Boundaries of the Cities contained in Blount County. Let me know what you think.

Dear Chairman Stucky and Members of the Planning Commission:

I would like to thank each of you for your service on the Blount County Planning Commission. I am aware and appreciative of the time and effort that each of you put into your positions.

I have a request that I would like the Planning Commission as a whole to consider. I feel that this request, if considered and implemented, would allow Blount County more flexibility and also allow it to meet the needs of the other municipalities contained within its boundaries.

What I am suggesting is for the Blount County Planning Commission to review the zones that are contained within each of the cities who have filed an Urban Growth Boundary with Blount County. After this task is completed, then implement the missing zones as available zones within each UGB for each city.

This would allow Blount County the flexibility to zone properties accordingly so it would meet future growth or annexations by any of these cities. Possibly, we could add the wording “such zones would only be applicable within the UGB of the related cities.” Thank each of you for your time, attention and service to Blount County and its residents.

Respectfully,
Mike Walker
County Commissioner, District 8 Seat B

Bill of Interest HB0513/SB1105

Commissioner Walker — 2009-03-10T17:31:00Z

There has been a bill of interest filed in both the House and Senate of the Tennessee State Legislature. HB0513/SB1105. The State Comptrollers office has the cost of this bill at over $5,000,000 to local governments. The interesting part of this bill is that it would be back dated to July 1, 2007 and end July 1, 2009.

"AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 20, relative to governmental tort liability.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-20-403(b)(4), is amended by deleting the final sentence and by substituting instead the following:

The provisions of this subdivision (b)(4) shall apply to any action arising on or after July 1, 2007, but before July 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-20-403(b), is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated subdivision:

(5) Minimum limits of not less than four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($425,000) for bodily injury or death of any one (1) person in any one (1) accident, occurrence or act; and not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) for bodily injury or death of all persons in any one (1) accident, occurrence or act; and not less than one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) for injury or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident, occurrence or act. The provisions of this subdivision (b)(5) shall apply to any action arising on or after July 1, 2009.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring"

Beer Board

Commissioner Walker — 2009-02-13T16:29:00Z

Effective Tuesday Evening I resigned from the Blount County Beer Board. This was due to the recent legislation that was brought to light concerning commissioner serving on committees to which they appoint. I am interested in knowing "IF" there is a possibility of appointing a resident to this committee is there someone within the 8th Commission District who would consider serving or you may like to see serve on this committee.

As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Mike

411 North Rezoning

Commissioner Walker — 2009-02-12T02:31:00Z

Just a quick note on the 411 North Rezoning request.

This item has been pulled from the Commission agenda indefinitely. Rumor is there will be a residential development go in on the property.

Question of the Month

Commissioner Walker — 2009-01-29T01:47:00Z

Realizing that each have their own concerns the following survey is to see where some may lay.

What is the single most important issue that is facing Blount County as a whole in the next 12 months? ( polls)

Changes to the Ethics Committee

Commissioner Walker — 2009-01-12T02:18:00Z

Good Evening!

I was able to attend the Blount County Ethics committee's meeting last Monday, 01/05/2009. During the committee meeting there was a discussion about changing the committee make up to include 2 citizens or possibly to be made up of all citizens. While this is an idea to be discussed, I would also like to see a couple of other changes to be discussed as well.

That when a complaint is brought to the committee, whether it changes or not, that the complaint be discussed solely based on the alleged transgression without the identity of the person being divulged.
When a decision is rendered and the ruling decided that it be entered into the policy for future infractions to be handle accordingly.
After the ruling is official as to handle the particular case in question then the identity and the person against whom the charge is made would be handled according to the policy as written.

I would like to hear your input on this idea.

Thanks as always!

Mike

Family Businesses and Rezoning

Commissioner Walker — 2009-01-09T17:49:00Z

Good Afternoon!

With the recent discussion related to the rezoning of properties on both 411 and Montvale Road. I have a question and I am seeking input. Family businesses for many years have been a backbone of both employment and taxes in Blount County. When zoning came along these business, many of which, were located out in the county and in what one would consider residential areas.

As our County grows so do these family businesses, I mean they are local and have a interest in the local economy and contribute to the local economy as well.

How are these businesses supposed to grow? Where are they supposed to grow? Are they supposed to grow?

Please feel free to chime in as I intend to bring this discussion up before the County Commission soon.

Thanks!

Mike

Hotel/Motel Tax Increase and 2 Rezoning request on Sevierville Road and Ridge Road

Commissioner Walker — 2008-12-16T19:42:00Z

Afternoon!

The increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax and 2 rezoning request seem to be the hot items on this months agenda.

The first is a request to amend a private act which enacts a hotel/motel tax for Blount County. Currently Blount County has a 4% tax on lodging, Maryville and Alcoa have amended this legislation to go 1% above the amount placed by Blount County.

The requested increase is to move to 5% on the County based tax which would mean that for Maryville and Alcoa it would go to a total of 6%.

The additional 1% would go toward the purchase of property located beside the current Townsend visitors center which the visitors bureau has had a 1st right of refusal on for approximately the last 2 years. After the property is paid for the tax would remain and be designated to go toward advertising or increasing tourism in the Townsend area.

This discussion should be interesting.

Next the rezoning on Sevierville road, the property in question is where the holding pond was constructed by the City of Maryville. Due to reasons beyond their control the city was not able to use the property for the reasons intended. The property was sold and now there is a request for the property to be rezoned so the zoning will allow the intended use.

Ridge Road rezoning request, this request involves the property which adjoins the current property of Blount Excavating, there have been several residents who have called and attended meetings related to this request and I am interested to see what the commissioners who represent this area have to say during the debate on Thursday night.

As always feel free to drop a note with your thought of these or any item appearing on the Blount County Commission Agenda.

mike@commissionerwalker.com

To Be or Not To Be.....This is the question!

Commissioner Walker — 2008-11-22T02:47:00Z

Continue or not?

CommissionerWalker.com blog is drawing near its 1 year anniversary and with this comes time to renew or not. The question of the day Should the CommissionerWalker.com blog continue to exist or should it fade by the way side?

Should the CommissionerWalker.com Blog site continue? ( polls)

Commission Meeting 11/20/2008

Commissioner Walker — 2008-11-17T17:59:00Z

The Blount County Commission is schedule to meet 11/20/2008 to discuss several matters including the possible purchase of the Cerama Speed property, several Zoning matters and other issues. Below is the agenda as it currently stands, weigh in on a item that is of interest to you.

AGENDA

BLOUNT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008, 7:00 P.M.

A. PRAYER – Rev. Willa Estell – St. Paul AME Zion Church.

B. PLEDGE – Durward Swanson, Past President of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

C. ROLL CALL.

D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. October 16, 2008 meeting.

2. November 6, 2008 zoning public hearing.

3. November 6, 2008 work session.

E. “BEST OF BLOUNT.”

1. Paul Bales – Empty Pantry Fund.

F. RESOLUTIONS FOR SPECIAL RECOGNITION, MEMORIALS, ETC.

G. PUBLIC INPUT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

H. ELECTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, AND CONFIRMATIONS:

1. Approval of Deputy Sheriff and Notary Public bonds and oaths.

2. Election of Notaries.

3. Approval of results of November 4, 2008 election.

4. Election of members to boards and committees:

a. John Lamb, James Tomiczek, Bill Dunlap, and Randy Ailey – Ad Hoc Committee for Organized

Events.

b. Lamar Dunn and Clifford Walker – Planning Commission.

c. Patrick O’Hara and Leon Williams – Board of Construction Appeals.

d. Maribel Koella and Tommy Enos – Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau.

e. James C. Fiegle – Blount Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

5. Establishment and appointment of ad hoc committee to study jail overcrowding.

I. REPORTS - COUNTY OFFICIALS, STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

1. Report of Budget Committee:

a. Monthly report.

b. Budget transfers:

 General County Fund - $4,743.00.

 General Purpose School Fund - $144,700.00.

c. Budget increases/decreases:

 General County Fund - $25,000.00.

 General Purpose School Fund - $279,745.00.

 General Purpose School Fund - $15,000.00.

d. Other Budget Committee items:

 Resolution authorizing the purchase of county property.

 Resolution of the governing body of Blount County, Tennessee, authorizing the issuance, sale,

and payment of capital outlay notes not to exceed $700,000.00.

2. Report of Education Committee.

3. Report of Animal Control Committee.

4. Report of Expo Committee.

5. Report of Ethics Committee.

6. Any other committee reports.

J. SETTING OF AGENDA.

K. UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

L. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Beer Board:

a. First reading for on premises Beer Permit application of Blackberry Farms, LLC.

2. Discussion and possible action regarding transfer of Sheriff’s Department Training Facility property to E-

911 Board.

3. Discussion and possible action regarding schedule of reasonable charges for copies of public records.

4. Zoning:

a. Resolution to amend the Zoning Map of Blount County, Tennessee, from Rural District 1 (R-1) to

Rural Arterial Commercial (RAC) for property located at 4421 Hwy 411 South, being Tax Map 89,

Parcels 112.0 and 110.03.

b. Resolution to amend the Zoning Map of Blount County, Tennessee, from Suburbanizing (S) to

Commercial (C) for property located at 2733 East Broadway, being Tax Map 37g, Group C, Parcel

37.00.

c. Resolution to amend the Zoning Map of Blount County, from Suburbanizing (S) to Commercial

(C) for the property located at the corner of East Lamar Alexander Parkway and Tuckaleechee

Pike, being Tax Map 48, Parcel 141.00.

d. Resolution to amend the Zoning Regulations of Blount County, to Section 9.1B, 9.2B, and 9.3B.

e. Resolution to amend the Zoning Regulations of Blount County, to section 9.10B.

5. Discussion and possible action regarding stormwater resolutions.

M. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STATEMENTS.

N. PUBLIC INPUT ON ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA.

Ad Hoc Committee Responsibilities Expanded

Commissioner Walker — 2008-10-20T02:05:00Z

Well, Good Evening!

The Blount County Commission has expanded the responsibilities and duties of the adhoc Buffers Committee. The members have now been charged with reviewing all pasted and future storm water related policies, incorporating them into a all incompassing policies rather that separate policies.

While I agree with the overall thought of one policies to address Storm Water controls, I am a little concerned with the expanded duties of the committee. We will attempt to stay on task and address what we have been charged to address.

The committee is scheduled to meet on November 3, 2008 at 5:00pm in the large commission room. I will attempt to begin gathering all documents that we are charged with addressing and start posting them here.

mike@commissionerwalker.com