Council Approves $11,700 for Community Enhancement Projects

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At its May 23 meeting the Sewanee Community Council approved $11,700 in funding for seven Community Enhancement projects. The council also voted to adopt changes to the constitution and selected meeting dates for the 2016–17 academic year. Provost John Swallow chaired the meeting, filling in for Vice-Chancellor John McCardell.
The Community Enhancement program is in the second year of a two-year trial. In the summer of 2014, the Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to be used for physical improvements and amenities on the Domain. The total award for 2016 was increased because the Phil White Dog Park proposal funded in 2015 didn’t use its entire allocation.
Sarah Marhevsky chaired the project review committee. In discussion before the council voted, Marhevsky explained the committee did not recommend funding the two sidewalk projects because the cost exceeded $10,000 for each.
“As was our philosophy last year, we opted for helping a wider pool of people and groups instead of just one group,” Marhevsky said.
Council member Drew Sampson suggested the money in the fund could be “allowed to accumulate over time so more could be accomplished. This was part of the original thought when the fund was created.”
Swallow pointed out the program was still in the two-year trial phase, and “There was no presumption of reserving funds for future use during the trial period.”
Council member John Flynn stressed the importance of distinguishing between Community Enhancement projects funded by a “tax” levied on lease holders and the Sewanee Community Chest which funds projects through voluntary donations made by community members.
In praise of the Community Enhancement program, council member Barbara Schlicting said, “I was amazed by the diversity of ideas we saw in the proposals. We learned things we might not otherwise have known.”
Council representative Louise Irwin abstained from voting on the committee’s recommendations, citing her constituents need for clarification on how the fund was established and administered.
“There’s much to discuss in the fall when we take up possible continuation of the program,” Swallow said.
The council voted to fund the following projects: $3,179 for sand, refurbishing restrooms and other improvements at the soccer field; $2,800 for mulch at the Elliott Park playground; $2,200 for electrical repairs at the American Legion Hall; $1,800 for a picnic table at the Elliott Park playground; $1,271 for lighting at Angel Park; $300 for soil and bulbs for planting by children in the Plateau Playground group; and $150 to help offset operating expenses for Community Poetry Night.
Turning to administrative issues, the council approved changes to the constitution intended to increase involvement in the council and make representation more equitable. At present, there are three elected council representatives from each of the four districts. The council voted to reallocate the distribution of elected seats. Beginning with the November election, elected representation shall consist of four at-large seats and two seats from each district.
The council appointed Pixie Dozier to serve as the election officer for the fall 2016 election.
For the 2016–17 academic year the council will meet Aug. 22, Oct. 24, Jan. 23, March 27 and May 22, with four dates held in reserve for meetings as needed.
Sampson requested the council receive a report on the University’s proposed intention to reduce transfer fees. The nonprofit Folks at Home was assessed a very large fee for a recent transfer, Sampson said.

Community Funding Project Invites Proposals

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. 

Application forms are available at the Sewanee post office or by sending an email to <SewaneeFundingPro​ject@gmail.com>. The deadline for submissions is March 1.

In the summer of 2014, 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 Council makes the final approval of the committee’s recommendations.

The $10,000 in funds can be used for “practical, functional or educational purposes or somewhere in between,” said Sarah Marhevsky, chair of the committee. “Do you want the sidewalk that goes almost to Wiggins to go all the way? Do you want to see a bike repair kiosk downtown or some more flowers somewhere? What else is on your wish list?”

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.

Seven projects were approved last year, the first year of the program. $10,000 was awarded in 2015.

Four of last year’s projects have been completed: creation of the Robin Room at the Sewanee Community Center for free activities; installation of a special-needs swing at the Woodlands Park; assistance with improvements at Thurmond Library in Otey Parish House; and support for the new playground in Elliott Park. 

Projects yet to be completed include a Girl Scout Silver Award project to update kiosks at three Perimeter Trail locations; a Little Free Library and butterfly garden planned for Sewanee Elementary School; and improvements at the Sewanee pound.

The application form asks how the project will benefit Sewanee and its residents, the estimated cost and budget, who will be doing the work and who will be accountable for completion. For more information email <se​waneepro​jectfunding@gmail.com>.

Nov. 21 New Date for Elliott Park Opening

The date for the community work day to install the required surface material to complete the new playground at Elliott Park has been changed to Saturday, Nov. 21. 

Ongoing delays due to weather resulted in the need to move the date for the installation of playground equipment, which will take place during the week of Nov. 9. A variety of physical plant items will then be taken care of during the days prior to the final steps of spreading the fiber mulch. 

The work will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 21. Festivities to celebrate the completion and opening of the playground will begin at 3 p.m., with live music and the Shenanigans truck.

Please sign up ahead of time at <http://www.signupgenius.com>; search for the event by using the email address <eduncan@sasweb.org>. 

The Sewanee Civic Association, in partnership with the University of the South, has brought to completion the second project in the Sewanee community parks system. The community, along with the South Cumberland Community Fund, the Sewanee Community Council Funding Project, the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund, the Joel and Trudy Cunningham Charitable Fund, the Monteagle Sewanee Rotary and donations through a designated fund with the Sewanee Community Chest, donated more than $56,000 to purchase and install the new playground equipment, which is located in Elliott Park on University Avenue adjacent to the bookstore.

Elliott Park Ground- Breaking & Work Day

A special community work day to install the required surface material to complete the new playground at Elliott Park, will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7. This will be followed by a grand opening of the renovated Elliott Park, with a celebration and ribbon cutting. 

The Sewanee Civic Association (SCA), in partnership with the University of the South, has brought to completion the second project in the Sewanee community parks system. The Phil White Dog Park was the first park that SCA sponsored in the community.

The community, along with the South Cumberland Community Fund, the Sewanee Community Council Funding Project, the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund, the Joel and Trudy Cunningham Charitable Fund, the Monteagle Sewanee Rotary and donations through a designated fund with the Sewanee Community Chest, donated more than $56,000 to purchase and install the new playground equipment, which is located in Elliott Park on University Avenue adjacent to the bookstore.

The mulch-like fiber surface material needs to be installed; community members are asked to sign up for shifts, as well as bring wheelbarrows, rakes and pitchforks to lend for the event. 

Volunteers should wear gloves and closed-toe shoes when working and children are welcome to participate. Snacks and beverages will be provided during the four hours. Volunteers are asked to sign up via the Sign Up Genius form at <www.signupgenius.com>; click Find A Sign Up and search using the volunteer coordinator email address <eduncan@sasweb.org>.

A minimum of 50 volunteers will be needed during the course of the day in order to spread the fiber material throughout the playground. Students from the College, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School and Boy Scout Troop 14 have been invited to participate, as well, to help complete the task.

The phrase “The more the merrier” could never be more true.

The celebratory festivities to honor the park’s opening will begin at 5 p.m., with live music from Sewanee’s The Hill Brothers Band featuring Paul Schutz, Tom Adamson and Chris Crigger. 

The Shenanigans Food Truck will be on hand, and everyone is invited to bring a blanket and picnic dinner if they choose to enjoy the first day of the new Elliott Park. 

Council Discusses Transfer Fee & Ground Rent :: Local Trick-or-Treating Set for Oct. 31

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

On behalf of the Sewanee Leaseholders, Louise Irwin addressed the Sewanee Community Council at the Oct. 26 meeting, ushering in a discussion about hardship posed by the transfer fee and ground rent, especially for non-university employees. The council also received an update from the Project Funding Committee.

Chartered in 1986, Sewanee Leaseholders, Inc., is in the process of reinstating its corporation, Irwin said. The group’s goals are to promote the interests of leaseholders, to assist the University in arriving at a lease policy and to provide a platform for discussing grievances. At a public meeting scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 9, at the Sewanee Senior Center, Irwin anticipates discussion about plans to establish a Welcome Wagon and concerns about the transfer fee.

“I hope the University will consider re-evaluating the transfer fee,” Irwin said. “It’s a big issue with many people.”

The ground rent and transfer fee policies differ for University employees and non-employees.

“Some people can’t afford to live here,” one community resident said, pointing to the increase in ground rent for a person who lost University employee status. He also cited potential hardship imposed by the transfer fee in inheritance circumstances involving non-employees.

Council representative John Flynn concurred, saying black residents were leaving the community because of the transfer fee’s impact on inheritance decisions. The policy “divides people on economic grounds.”

Another resident said the ground rent posed an even bigger burden than the transfer fee, especially for low- and low-to-middle income residents, because it increases on an ongoing basis relative to the increase in accessed property values. “In 20 years, I will pay the entire value of my house in ground rent,” he said. He recommended a fixed fee for ground rent.

Council representative Drew Sampson reminded the council that the University committed to revisit the transfer fee in the future following a decision five years ago to lower the fee from 6 percent to 4 percent.

Vice-Chancellor John McCardell agreed with the need for reviewing the ground rent and transfer fee and said the committee charged with examining the fees impacting residents should give due diligence to the issues raised.

The committee made its first report to the council last March, Provost John Swallow said. Complexity associated with evaluating the municipal service fee data has prolonged the review process, Swallow said.

Theresa Shackelford updated the council on the distributions made by the Project Funding Committee. The committee was established to review proposals for community enhancement projects on behalf of the council and to make allocations of up to $10,000 annually. In March of 2015 the committee recommended and the council approved awarding $9,975 to fund or partially fund seven projects. The committee has distributed just under $8,000, Shackelford said. Two grant recipients did not undertake the goals outlined in their proposals, leaving an additional $2,000 to be awarded in 2016. Shackelford said the committee will initiate the next request for proposals cycle earlier than it did in 2015. 

Sewanee Police Chief Marie Eldridge said trick-or-treat activities will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31 this year, the calendar day for Halloween. The council next meets on Jan. 25.