Blue Bag Curbside Recycling Program-The voluntary recycling program will begin on July 12 on your regular solid waste pickup date. Everything but foam and glass may be placed in a blue bag curbside. This includes all plastics 1-7 and includes plastic bags. The object of the program is to reduce the amount of material going to the landfill and create savings thru reduced tipping fees and transportation costs. Glass may be dropped at any county recycling facility. Items for recycling should be rinsed and cardboard boxes will need to be broken down and placed beneath the blue bag. Blue bags may be purchased at most local grocery store and building supply stores. This program is another effort to make Franklin a sustainable city and demonstrates our leadership in this area. There is no additional fee for this service and is paid thru the savings generated from less material to the landfill and less transportation charges to the landfill which is in Murfreesboro. The recent increase in solid waste fees is not related to this program and is instead an effort to match the costs of providing the service to the eighteen thousand customers served by the City. The other important point to know is that this voluntary program is also a pilot program that will be regularly evaluated to monitor its costs and savings.
City Takes More Honors-The City received two awards at the recent Tennessee Municipal League conference. The first award was for excellence in Green Leadership and the second was for excellence in Municipal Government for our Sustainable Community Action Plan and the Live Green Business Partnership. TML officials said, “The city’s devotion to sustainable practices, not only in municipal departments but throughout the entire community, is commendable.”
Flood Update-The cost and damage related to the flood of 2010 seems to be leveling out. The City suffered about $800 thousand dollars worth of damage, most occurring to the Parks. The City over the coming months will be submitting project worksheets to obtain reimbursement for our costs.
A total of 449 private structures were damaged with 85% of these being residential. Of this number, 393 were in the 100 year flood plain. Inventories show that there are 929 buildings located in the flood plain and 49% had damage. Of the 34 significantly damaged homes, 26 have been assessed and nine of these will require rebuilding. FEMA has declared an important deadline of Tuesday, July 6, 2010 as the last date that you can declare flood related damage. If there is any question in your mind, go ahead and file because after the above date, you will no longer be eligible. We are awaiting confirmation but the flood of 2010 may be the worse non-hurricane related flooding in United States history.
Jackson National Life Insurance Company-Over 750 new jobs will be coming to Williamson County as Jackson National Life Insurance Company establishes a regional center for its insurance operations. The company is named after Andrew Jackson and is an AA rated insurer and has over $87 billion dollars in assets.
Police Station-The opening of the new police facility on Columbia Avenue has been overshadowed by the flood. The facility appears that it will be under budget by over $1 million dollars.
Small Capitalization Projects-The top three ranked projects were approved to be moved forward and included in the funding model. The three projects in order of ranking are Eastern Flank Battlefield Road, Signalization at General George Patton Drive, and Nichol Mill Road in Cool Springs off Mallory Lane. The funding will be studied and voted at future BOMA meetings. The Battlefield Road may be a combination of private funding and capacity from the Hotel/Motel tax. The latest proposal is a loop road without curb and gutter which lowers the cost. The portion that would remain open would be a form of asphalt and the other less frequently used limb would be gravel.
Septic Tank Certification-In recent BOMA work sessions, a manual for the Septic Certification Inspection Program has been proposed and studied. Anyone with a functioning septic tank system and their property is within 200 feet of an existing City sewer line would be required tohave an inspection on a regular basis. The manual would determine the frequency and the procedure. At present the proposal has been a visual ground inspection and pumping of the tank with interior inspection every three years. The estimated costs would be $300 for the pumping of the tank and a $75 City inspection fee. The frequency and the costs are an ongoing issue that is being discussed and will return to the work session again. The major concern is trying to keep the cost low and consider making the frequency of pumping at the outer range of State recommended guidelines.
Integrated Water Resource Plan- A public meeting will be held at City Hall on July 12, 2010 at 6:30 PM for comment on the plan for our water resources for the next thirty plus years. This program will look at our long range water requirements, storm water, and wastewater and the effect on the watershed. This is an important meeting to voice your opinion and learn what the stakeholders are proposing. Prior to this meeting, there will be a special board workshop to study the computer modeling and the alternatives that are being considered.
Establishing a Sustainable Building Policy for City of Franklin Municipal Buildings-The Sustainability Commission will be bringing to an upcoming work session a proposal for LEED certification of City buildings over five thousand square feet. The resolution would require that all City buildings in the future meet LEED standards unless it is not economically feasible or not reasonable. This potential ordinance does not apply to privately owned buildings but many landlords are finding that certification improves value and marketability and happier employees. Studies confirm that these energy efficient buildings have healthier, happier, and more productive workers not to mention increased value. More recent evidence also indicates for commercial buildings, the cost is almost negligible given the payback. Certification is important in my opinion for these reasons and also it is the current gold standard for buildings. I compare it to your physician: is he board eligible or is he board certified. You know what you are getting if you go with certified.
Sales Tax Report-The May report, which reflects April sales, was a 9.3% increase from last year while the State reported an increase of 3.7%. This is the third month in a row that we have seen an increase compared to last year.
Super Build America Bonds Sold-Franklin continues to hold a strong financial status as evidenced by the recent sale of Super Build America Bonds in the amount of $15.7 million dollars to finance the Hillsboro Road, Columbia Avenue, and Third Avenue North extension projects. A total of six firms bid on the bonds. An interest rate of 5.16% on face value will equate to 2.93% after the forty-five percent interest refund. For comparison, the yields on the December bond issue were at 3.17% which is also a very attractive rate. Estimates are that near $2 million dollars of interest savings will be produced over the life of the bonds when compared to a similarly structured tax-exempt issue.
Upcoming Events
- St. Paul’s annual BBQ-July 24
- 2010 Franklin Classic, September 6, 2010. Franklin Square www.franklinclassic.org
- Jingle Bell Run-December 4