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Contract on table for new City Manager

One Council member says ‘no’

By DAWN HANKINS - dhankins@t-g.com
Posted 8/16/22

During its regular monthly meeting Thursday night, Shelbyville City Council voted 5 to 1 to place a contract on the table with recent applicant Gregory Scott Collins for the open position of City …

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Contract on table for new City Manager

One Council member says ‘no’

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During its regular monthly meeting Thursday night, Shelbyville City Council voted 5 to 1 to place a contract on the table with recent applicant Gregory Scott Collins for the open position of City manager.
Councilman Henry Feldhaus made the motion to authorize Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) and City Attorney Ginger Shofner to present a contract for the position of City manager to applicant Collins.
Collins’ being hired as City manager is contingent on a background check and drug test. Council member Stephanie Isaacs seconded the motion to negotiate a contract with Collins.
The salary offer discussed was between $90 to $145,000. No definite salary amount has been approved.
Attorney Shofner stated that she would get a draft to the Council for them to work out the details. Council member Ewing stated for the record she was “not really in favor of this.” 
The vote to negotiate a potential contract with Collins passed 5 to 1 with Ewing casting the only ‘no’ vote. 
Ewing told the T-G: “I feel every part of City staff, administration as well as well elected officials are crucial when making decisions for any and all communities. I am not one  to quickly make a decision on a lot of things, so choosing a City manager amplifies this process for me since so many actions, decisions and protecting this community will placed with the individual serving in this position.”
Ewing said she feels Council should continue the interview process with other applicants. “I do not have a good feeling with Mr. Collins based on my personal background research.”
Collins, a resident of Caryville, is the former City manager of Fayetteville.
Council member Ewing said this position’s contract can be very complex with financial responsibility to taxpayers when it comes to relocation and moving fees, a great salary and whether there’s payout upon leaving the position, etc.
“With such a short term with our last City manager, I would rather take more time to make a much better and fitting decision. I will certainly work with any individual who lands the position, because it’s all about the citizens.”
She praised interim City manager Kay Parker, who works full time as City’s treasurer, for doing a great job with all other responsibilities on her plate.
Project Cardinal dollars
In other City business, Council approved for authorization of a contract with Tennessee Department of Transportation for the State Industrial Access (SIA) Road serving the new Project Cardinal. The City’s estimated cost will be $170,500, which is one-half of the right-of-way acquisitions.
Project Cardinal was recently unveiled as being a new industry named Duksan Electera America, Inc., which will be located in the North Industrial Park.
The branch of the South Korean-based Duksan Group, Duksan Electera is forecasted to create 101  new jobs in Bedford County over the next 5 years. and will be located in the Industrial Park off Highway 231 North.
All agenda consent items, as read by Mayor Wallace Cartwright, were unanimously approved by Council with no discussion.
The Mayor then opened a public hearing to field any comments and to approve:
•the regulating pattern book for 69.67 acres—Walking Horse Estates—located north of Highway 437 Bypass. This came before Council as a Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission recommendation.
•the rezoning of 2.23 acres owned by Johnny Smotherman, located at 904 Whitthorne St., from residential planned unity development (PUD) to medium density residential (R-3.)
•the rezoning of 21.46 acres, owned by Bedford County Board of Education, located on the west side of Fairfield Pike from low density residential (R-2) to high density residential (R-4.)
•There were no public comments pertaining to these three public hearing items and the regular Council meeting was reopened.
 Shofner then read captions only on the three ordinances from the public hearing again, as a matter of second and final reading. Council unanimously approved all three, respectively.
First reading: Rezonings
No discussion.
More Council business
Adopted new plan, Spark Shelbyville, and replaced the 2008 plan. All Council approved upon recommendation of Shelbyville Planning department.
In other business, Council approved a certificate of compliance for Kamil S. Habib. It was noted that he had completed all paperwork and was said to be of good moral character. Background checks were approved and sent to state and Habib’s liquor license was approved. He did not receive a beer permit, according to City recorder Lisa Smith during the meeting.
The agenda item which was for consideration of a motion to approve and authorize a certificate of compliance for Yoandy Perez of El Gallito Supertaquina, 1310 North Main St., was removed.
Sara Vargas of Pearl’s Authentic Home Cooking, 1838 N. Main St., received a certificate of compliance. She was approved for a beer license from beer board on Wednesday night, according to Smith. All background checks were good. The restaurant is located in the former China Buffet building near Walmart.
A GEO property scan for Willow Mount was authorized for Public Works.
Kelly Wilson was added to Shelbyville Municipal Airport board, with his term expiring next July. He replaces David McGee, who resigned from the board, due to other obligations.
Announcements
Due to repairs at Railroad Avenue, it was announced how that street would be closing noon Friday until 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15. All was dependent on weather and motorists were asked to follow detour signs.
Two special called Council meetings are planned for Aug. 22 at 12:30 and Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.
Qualifying deadline for mayoral and open council seats was announced by the mayor as being Thursday, Aug. 18, for the Nov. 8 City election.
Mayor Wallace Cartwright announced that there is a TCAT-Shelbyville meeting 11:30 a.m., to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday at the current facility on Madison Street.