Sewanee Community Council Takes Historic Vote

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“This is a historic moment,” said Vice-Chancellor John McCardell at the March 21 meeting of the Sewanee Community Council. “To the best of my knowledge, this is the very first time this body has taken a binding vote to allocate taxpayer dollars for community purposes.” The council approved allocating $9,975 to fund seven community enhancement projects. In other business taken up by the council at the March 21 meeting, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) President and CEO Michael Watson addressed residents concerns about electric and magnetic field (EMF) radiation; and Adam Tucker presented an initial analysis of public safety expenditures.

In June 2014, the Sewanee Community Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to be used by the council for physical improvements and amenities on the Domain. In an almost unanimous vote—one vote against and one abstention—the council voted to approve partial or full funding for seven community enhancement projects recommended by the review committee. See “Seven Community Enhancement Projects Funded” for details about the projects and disbursement of the funds.

Addressing residents concerns about EMF radiation from the Sewanee power station, DREMC’s Michael Watson said, “Concern about EMF radiation was a big issue 25 years ago. Subsequent research has shown the 60-hertz frequency we use has no adverse health effects.”

Peggy Bonds, president of the Sewanee Children’s Center, said the Center had a family withdraw its children from SCC because of concerns about radiation from the nearby power station. Struggling with comparing research statistics implying adverse health effects and World Health Organization (WHO) data using a different frame of reference, Bonds said, “What the center wants is a number that is comprehensible within WHO recommendations.”

“We’ll help you translate the statistics into data you can understand,” Watson said.

Steve Oden, DREMC director of member services, offered to meet with parents at the center, bring a meter to test EMF levels and help them interpret the results. 

Adam Tucker, chair of the Fees and Services Committee, reported on an initial analysis of the cost of municipal services in Sewanee compared to similar communities. Formed as a subcommittee of the University Lease Committee, the Fees and Services Committee wanted to determine “if Sewanee residents are getting a fair deal for the services they receive for what they pay,” Provost John Swallow said. 

Tucker’s preliminary report revealed some of the challenges in obtaining this information about other communities. He said that cities and towns often organize their budgets differently, making it hard to do an “apples-to-apples” comparison. Even determining the population of Sewanee is a challenge. 

Tucker pointed out that the parameters of the Sewanee community were defined in at least two ways: residents on the Domain, including students, and residents in the broader 37375 zip code area.

Council representatives pointed out excellent fire protection resulted in Sewanee area residents having lower insurance rates, and the municipal service fee paid by leaseholders is far less than what they would pay in municipal taxes.

Vice-Chancellor McCardell stressed this was only a preliminary assessment, and the council could expect future reports from the committee.

Fees and Services Committee Chair Tucker serves as a community representative on the University Lease Committee. The other Fees and Services Committee members are Stephen Burnett, Dennis Meeks, Barbara Schlicting, John Swallow and Nate Wilson. All except Burnett also serve on the Lease Committee.

The council’s next meeting is April 27.

Seven Projects Awarded Funding by Sewanee Community Council

At the March 21 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council voted to allocate $9,975 to fund seven community enhancement projects. The Sewanee Community Funding Project Committee, chaired by Sarah Marhevsky, reviewed 18 proposals, as well as “half a dozen informal suggestions” before reaching a decision about which projects to recommend for funding. 

“We’re grateful to everyone who submitted ideas,” Marhevsky said. In assessing proposals, the committee took into account community impact, need, cost and sustainability.

The committee recommended and the council approved the following projects for funding.

The Elliott Park playground rebuild, a project of the Sewanee Civic Association, was awarded $5,000 to improve Elliott Park using GameTime Playground Design’s play structure and installation. Civic Association Parks Committee Chair Stephen Burnett requested $7,500; the full cost of this portion of the project will total more than $60,000.

The Sewanee Dog Pound was awarded a $2,000 grant to improve its facilities. Applying on behalf of numerous like-minded community supporters, Lynn Vogel submitted the proposal for the pound, which houses dogs near the Equestrian Center. Plans call for installing K9 Kennel Store’s Pro Line Kennels to help maintenance, safety and sanitation. The pound has not had substantive updates since its creation in the early 1990s. Vogel requested $8,000.

Thurmond Library was awarded $1,000 to outfit its new space in the Otey Parish Claiborne House with equipment and furnishings that will make it  attractive, well-stocked, comfortable and electronically up-to-date. Thurman Library board member Karen Keele drafted the application; Keele requested $5,000.

On behalf of the Sewanee Children’s Center, a proposal from the teachers, coordinated by Carrie Mauzy, was awarded $650 for the creation and installation of a Little Free Library in the Sewanee village that will be paired with a butterfly garden. This project will involve both SCC children and the community. The center received the full amount of its request.

The Sewanee Community Center was awarded $610 to turn an under-utilized room into communal space for a variety of community uses, including small group meetings, classes and counseling sessions. Center Manager Rachel Petropolous drafted the proposal. The center was awarded the full amount of its request.

Michelle Calhoun, applying on behalf of the “Moms’ Group,” was awarded $515.95 for a special needs swing for a boy in the community. Physical Plant Services has agreed to install the swing at the Woodlands playground. 

Caroline Hiers was awarded $200 for the completion of her Girl Scout Silver Award Project, which will provide structural and informational updates at the kiosks at the University gates, Morgan’s Steep and Green’s View. Hiers was awarded the full amount of her request. She will provide the labor, posthole digger and router.

“We’re excited about the wide range of things we could fund,” Marhevsky said.

In discussion about whether the council would reimburse the awardees after project completion or provide the funds up front, Vice Chancellor John McCardell suggested in cases where the council only agreed to fund a portion of the project, the funds could be provided at the point in the project implementation where the funds were needed.

Members of the Sewanee Community Funding Project Committee were selected by Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and provost John Swallow. In addition to Marhevsky, the committee included Annie Armour, Pixie Dozier, Michael Hurst, Dennis Meeks, Theresa Shackelford, Sarah Sherwood and Adam Tucker. Armour, Dozier, Hurst, Meeks and Shackelford also serve on the Community Council.

—Reported by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Council’s New Municipal Fee Invites Proposals

A new effort, the Sewanee Community Funding Project Committee, invites individuals and groups to submit proposals for projects that enhance the community and improve the quality of life for area residents. 

In June, the Sewanee Community Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate funds to be used by the Community Council for physical improvements and amenities on the Domain. Charged with the task of deciding how those funds will be used, the new committee will receive and evaluate proposals.

The anticipated $10,000 in funds can be used for “practical, functional or educational purposes or somewhere in between,” said Sarah Marhevsky, chair of the committee. Large-scale projects such as sidewalks and projects of smaller scope such as bulbs for planting by Sewanee Elementary School students both fit the criteria outlined in the guidelines.

Applicants submitting proposals can identify new projects, as well as projects that are part of an already existing initiative undertaken by a group or organization. Applicants submitting proposals can identify new projects, as well as projects that are part of an already existing initiative undertaken by a group or organization.

The two-year pilot program, 2015–16, allocates $10,000 each year for municipal improvements, with any unspent funds from 2015 to roll over into the 2016 budget.

The application form asks how the project will benefit Sewanee and its residents, the estimated cost, who will be doing the work, and who will be accountable for completion. Applicants needing help determining the cost of a project or proposing projects requiring University involvement with contractors should contact the project committee at <sewaneeprojectfund​ing@gmail.com>.

Application forms are available at the Sewanee post office and the Sewanee Community Center. Applications can be returned by postal mail or email to the address on the form. The deadline for returning applications is March 1.

Members of the Sewanee Community Funding Project Committee were selected by Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and Provost John Swallow. In addition to Marhevsky, the committee includes Annie Armour, Pixie Dozier, Michael Hurst, Dennis Meeks, Theresa Shackelford, Sarah Sherwood and Adam Tucker. Armour, Dozier, Hurst, Meeks and Shackelford also serve on the Community Council.

For more information email <se​waneeprojectfunding@gmail.com>.

Reported by Leslie Lytle,
Messenger staff writer

Council Sets Municipal Service Fund at $10,000 • Majority of Leases Will See $25 Increase to Fee

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Aug. 25 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council set the amount allocated to the council for municipal improvements at $10,000. The council also defined the procedures to be followed in selecting municipal improvement projects and voted on two constitutional amendments affecting the election of council representatives.

At its June 30 meeting, the council voted to increase the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000–$20,000 in funds to be used by the Community Council for municipal projects benefiting the community. This is in addition to normal expense-related increases in the municipal service fee. The council-authorized fee increase is for a trial two-year period. All proposed allocations of funds will be reviewed by a project funding committee appointed by the chair before being brought to the council for a vote. Meetings of the committee will be publicized at least one month in advance.

Asked about the financial impact on leaseholders, Barbara Schlichting, superintendent of leases, said 318 leaseholders would see a fee increase of $25 or less; 136 would see an increase of less than $50 but more than $25; and 13 leaseholders would see an increase of more than $50.

The proposal to allocate funds to the council was drafted by a committee consisting of council representatives Pam Byerly, John Flynn and Theresa Shackelford, Provost John Swallow and Schlichting.

“This is the first time the University has turned loose any control” over financial decisions, Schlichting said. 

“We’re trying to give the council more authority than it’s ever had,” said Vice-Chancellor John McCardell, supporting the trial initiative.

Possible projects suggested include more lighting for the downtown area, a crosswalk for the Senior Citizen’s Center and improvements to the ball field.

Swallow said the “University would be glad to partner on selected projects,” especially those benefiting students, and in some cases might contribute more than the $10,000 in funding from the council. Council Representative Phil White pointed out the dog park project, but stressed the project would not have been realized without University support.

Echoing the objections made in June by two council representatives, several visitors at the Aug. 23 meeting said they supported the allocation of funds to the council, but took issue with the proposed motion not being publicized before the vote.

Following the vote at the June 30 meeting, Vice-Chancellor McCardell advised council representatives to speak with their constituents regarding the motion to allocate funds to the council.

Schlichting reported four major objections to the plan: some residents didn’t want more fees; some wanted a community meeting to discuss the proposal; some residents have no confidence in the council; and some objected that council members who were not leaseholders did not pay the municipal service fee.

To improve communication, the council discussed hosting a meeting with constituents as it did in 2013 and publishing district boundaries in the Messenger so constituents will know who their representatives are.

A community resident living off the Domain in an area without council representation expressed a desire to be more involved in future projects and the decision-making process. Council representative Flynn said the council was considering adding at-large representatives to the council.

The council approved two constitutional amendments related to council representation. The first decreased  the residency requirement for representatives from four years to two years. Also, council representatives elected in 2014 will serve only a two-year term rather than a four-year term, so that in 2016 all council seats will be open for election.

The temporary adjustment in term limits will provide an opportunity to implement other changes to council representation while keeping all council members on an equal basis. Changes being considered include adding at-large members, redrawing district boundaries and equalizing district proportions.

Election Officer Theresa Shackelford said nominating petitions for the November 2014 council election will be available at the post office, Community Center, Sewanee Senior  Center and the Blue Chair. Petitions must be signed by 10 residents living in the candidate’s district. Deadline for returning petitions is Oct. 15. In district one, there is one seat open for election. Two seats are open for election in districts two, three and four.

The council accepted an invitation to meet with the University’s Trustees Community Relations Committee on Oct. 15. The trustees want to give council members an opportunity to express their views and the views of their constituents. Also on Oct. 15, the community is invited to a reception with the Community Relations Committee. The time and location for events will be announced closer to the date.

The council will not meet on Oct. 13, as previously announced. The council will review agenda items and schedule a meeting for September or November, if needed.

Council to Discuss Municipal Fee Use

The Sewanee Community Council will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25, when members will consider a motion to adjust the municipal fee paid by leaseholders and how to allocate the funds collected. They will also consider a motion to change the group’s constitution.

At the June 30 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to $20,000 in funds to be used by the Community Council for municipal improvements. The fee increase is for a trial two-year period. 

The fee increase would be based on home value according to the Franklin County tax assessment. For example, to generate $10,000 of revenue, the owner of a home valued at $300,000 would see a fee increase of $56, said John Swallow, provost of the University, at the June 30 meeting. The average leasehold fee increase would be $22 annually.

Community Council meetings are open to the public; questions and comments from guests are welcome.