Smithville CDBG Grant Approved for Substance Abuse Recovery Transitional Housing (View video here)

March 1, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville has been approved for a Community Development Block Grant through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in the amount of $433,790 to help fund a transitional housing program for at least eight females with or without children who are in recovery from substance abuse.

The Upper Cumberland Development District applied for the grant on behalf of the city last year and the program is to be administered by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. The grant is 100% funded with no local match requirement by the city.

During Tuesday night’s special city council meeting, UCDD and UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley presented a proposed memorandum of understanding between the city and UCDD, which could be changed, but will have to be adopted before the project can move forward. No action was taken Tuesday night as the mayor and aldermen still have questions. More discussions are expected in upcoming workshops and meetings before any final decision.

Farley said the city does not have to act right away.

“This is not the final agreement. There may be things you (mayor and aldermen) want to add to it and that is fine,” said Farley. “We have some time. There is no rush to this. We need to take our time and make sure we get everything correct and that you are happy and we are happy,” said Farley.

Under the grant program, the UCDD and city would partner with UCHRA to manage the transitional housing facility in serving at least eight women in recovery who would be charged rent of perhaps $100 to $120 per month.

“Through this transitional housing program we work with individuals to get them into recovery and once they get out of recovery we try to place them into housing, put them in jobs, and make sure they have all the supports they need to be successful coming back into society,” said Farley

According to Farley, UCHRA would provide wraparound substance abuse programs to the residents of the home along with all the standard programs and services already offered by UCHRA in DeKalb County. Other groups may also get involved.

“We may also look for other partnerships such as the Fletcher Group, which serves several states in the southeast in providing technical assistance to organizations that are starting up transitional or substance abuse housing. Another partner could be the Oxford House, which is a group the state contracts with in providing some oversight. They have a model which could be established inside this home to help maintain the structure moving forward. We also have standard partners we already work very closely with including Volunteer Behavioral Health of Cookeville and the Emmanuel House in Carthage which we would use as a model to pattern this home after as we develop this program,” said Farley.

Three properties have been identified by UCDD as possible locations for the home including at 411 Juniper Lane, 805/809 West Broad Street, and 1309 South College Street. However, due to the age of the structures, Farley said they will all require testing for lead and other issues. The property selected would be purchased through the grant program. Although all these lots have potential for expansion of the project, Farley said UCDD would return to the city for approval before any expansion plans were ever undertaken.

“Two of the proposed locations we (UCDD) like better than the third but right now for this type of endeavor these are the three best properties out there. Probably the number one property in our mind looking at it is 411 Juniper Lane. It is for sale and setting empty and has been recently remodeled. There is an adjacent lot to it we would probably purchase along with that which makes for a good size to provide sufficient parking and open space. We would do some outside work, putting in a driveway and making parking improvements but for the most part that house is ready to go with visibility to Highway 70,” said Farley.

The site is further described in the proposed memorandum of understanding. “It has been recently remodeled and has bathrooms via hallways, and its within walking distance to stores, restaurants and is close to public housing, and could easily accommodate eight individuals or a mixture of females and children. It is currently zoned commercial”.

“The second property is at 805 & 809 West Broad Street near the Smithville Church of God with visibility to Highway 70. There are two houses on that property and a total of over five acres. It does have some issues in that its in the wetlands on the back side flood plain and those are probably the two oldest houses (of those being considered) and they need some improvement. It could be done but its probably not as good a project as the first one (Juniper Lane),” Farley continued.

“The third house is at 1309 South College Street. It is the next to last piece of property inside the city about as far south as you can go,” said Farley. “It is a decent sized lot at 1.64 acres with a separate outbuilding for storage. You could easily move into that home. We would probably do some additional remodeling. There is a carport that we would probably want to enclose,” he said.

Farley said the UCDD is open to considering other properties as well that may not as yet be on the market.

Although the city has been approved for $433,790 in grant funds, Farley said more money will need to be put into the project but not from the City of Smithville.

“For us to do what we need to do to get it (property) suitable, we are going to have to put more money into it. That $433,790 grant will go toward this project, but it won’t pay for 100% of it. Through the development district and our non-profit entity, Cumberland Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) we have the capability to put extra money into it because we believe it will repay in time so any money beyond the grant amount ($433,790) we are committed to putting that in there,” Farley continued.

UCDD proposes to subcontract the project with CRDC which already houses approximately 400 UCDD rental units across the region.

“We ask that you (city) transfer the project over through a subcontract and let us (UCDD) take it and then we would handle every bit of the acquisition. The city would still have veto power over any of these properties you don’t feel is suitable. It is your prerogative to say no. We would not do anything prior to your approval. After you confer it over to us CRDC would handle all the steps to acquire the property, make any renovations necessary, and assume all expenses of the property moving forward. The site would remain on the tax rolls for collection of property taxes and whatever else is due from that standpoint,” said Farley.

Mayor Josh Miller has named Aldermen Beth Chandler and Jessica Higgins, with the approval of the city council, to co-chair an oversight committee to be established by the city consisting of community members, faith-based leaders, and other stakeholders including recovery court representatives to work with the partnering agencies on how the program would be established and operated.

“I believe this transitional housing is going to be a great thing for moms and children. I toured the Emmanuel House in Carthage, which is similar to this project, and was very impressed with how well it seems to function. I know this is our first time with something like this but I’m confident we will get it right. This needs to be structured and well thought out before any votes are taken. Forming a committee, I believe is also the right move and I have confidence that Aldermen Chandler and Higgins will go a great job at heading that up,” added Mayor Miller.

“We believe we have developed a model that can handle at least eight people and make it financially work,” said Farley. “Between the rental income we also have some contracts with the state that administers services which would help recover costs of it as well. The contract will probably have terms that require that the house be a recovery home for at least seven years. If for some reason it became not viable and could not sustain itself within that time, we would probably liquidate the property and that money would either go back to the state department of economic and community development or back to the city. If at the end of seven years, we thought it would not be sustainable going forward, we would probably turn it into low-income rental housing like we operate already,” said Farley.

March 1, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Building permit fees are going up in the City of Smithville.

During Tuesday night’s special meeting, the Aldermen adopted on second and final reading an ordinance to amend the current schedule of permit fees for building, mechanical, and plumbing upon the recommendation of the city’s building codes inspector Lewis Bryant.

Currently, building permits are calculated based on $80 per square foot cost for a single-family dwelling. Under this ordinance, the fee will increase to $120 per square foot cost. For example, the cost of a building permit for a 1,953 square foot structure will increase from the current fee of $694.10 to $951.50.

Mechanical permits currently include a $30 base fee for the first $1,000 and $3 for each additional thousand dollars. The new base fee will go to $50 for the first $1,000 and $5 for each additional thousand dollars.

The cost of a plumbing permit currently includes a $20 base fee plus $3.50 per fixture. The new plumbing permit will consist of a $40 base fee plus $5.00 per fixture.

According to the ordinance amendment, the final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official and may be adjusted upon current data provided by the International Code Council where applicable.

The ordinance amendment also establishes a $100 fee for consultation or inspection not otherwise covered by a building, mechanical, or plumbing permit.

In other business, the aldermen approved the roster of city firefighters for the year 2023 as follows. Also noted is their length of service in this report.

Kelly Ping-Rookie, Eric Gaw-Rookie, Ryan Evans-Rookie, Dylan Goodman-Rookie, Tyler Cantrell-2 years, Mark Riggsbee (Auxiliary)- 2 years, Cole Wright- 2 years, Dakota Nokes-3 years, Kayla Johnson (Auxiliary)-4 years, Andrew Cooper-4 years, Dillon Hicks-5 years, Seth Wright-7 years, Kim Johnson-7 years, Dalton Roberts-9 years, Bradley Johnson- 9 years, Shawn Jacobs (Auxiliary)-10 years, Becky Atnip- 10 years, Cory Killian-12 years, Glen Lattimore-15 years, Stephanee Wright-17 years, James R. Hunt-18 years, Gary Johnson-18 years, William (Wink) Brown-25 years, Greg Bess (Photographer)-28 years, Captain John Poss-32 years, Assistant Chief Jeff Wright-37 years, Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale-38 years, Captain Donnie Cantrell-43 years, Captain Danny Poss-43 years, and Chief Charlie Parker-43 years including 31 years as Chief.

The aldermen adopted a budget amendment ordinance for a capital outlay expense of $15,000 from the general fund balance for a greens mower at the golf course. Second and final reading action will come at the next meeting.

February 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Byrdstown man and Smithville woman believed to have been responsible for a recent rash of burglaries and thefts from a Nashville Highway storage unit business in DeKalb County have been arrested after an investigation by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.

24-year-old Nicholas Braedan Booher and 23-year-old Jessie Danielle Murphy of Fisher Avenue, Smithville are each charged with five counts of burglary and five counts of property theft. His bond totals $135,000 while the bond for Murphy totals $90,000. They will make a court appearance on March 9.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 5 and February 17 Booher and Murphy broke into and stole items from several storage units being rented by a total of five victims.

In each case, Sheriff Ray explained what was stolen as follows:

*January 5, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included several tools, a 40-inch Smart television, plates and antique chairs. The total value of the property is $1,650.

*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included a black safe, a wedding band with diamonds, four silver bars, and a golden class ring. The total value of the property is $4,430.

* February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included two firearms, assorted currency, jewelry, clothes, and other assorted items. The total value of the property is $4,100.

*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included three Easter baskets with content, a Halloween basket, and a master lock. The total value of the property is $95.

*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included a green air compressor and a master lock. The total value of the property is $500.

Two people were arrested during a routine traffic stop by the sheriff’s department last week.

28-year-old Raymond Marcelle Marks of Village Place, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation. He was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

33-year-old Nikki Leigh Harris of South College Street, Smithville was also charged with criminal impersonation.

Bond for Marks is $8,500 and Harris’ bond is $5,000. Both will appear in court March 2.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 22 a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Gold Dodge Ram on West Main Street, Smithville and spoke with the driver, Marks who identified himself as Juan Marks and said that his date of birth was February 2, 1992. Marks later gave his true identity and date of birth which is June 2, 1994. A background check through central dispatch revealed that Marks’ driver license was revoked for a prior driving under the influence offense. Marks also consented to a search of his vehicle and found inside were numerous glass pipes, scales, and straws.

Harris, who was a passenger in the vehicle with Marks, was asked to give her name which she said was Gina White and that her date of birth was May 5, 1984. She later gave her true identity and said that she was actually born on June 27, 1989.

37-year-old Eric Wayne Tramel of Andrew Street, Smithville and 34-year-old Anthony Wayne Tramel of Oakley Road, Liberty are each charged with resisting arrest. They are each under a $5,000 bond and will appear in court March 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 23 a deputy responded to a possible burglary in progress and upon arrival was told by witnesses that the two suspects fled into the woods. The officer gave chase, but they refused to heed verbal commands to stop. Both Eric and Anthony Tramel were subsequently taken into custody after a short foot chase.

38-year-old Brandon Dewayne Tucker of Northwest Broad Street, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license. He is under a $3,500 bond and his court date is March 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 25 a deputy spotted a white Ford F-150 traveling east on West Broad Street driven by Tucker. Knowing that Tucker’s license were revoked he initiated a traffic stop. A computer check confirmed that Tucker’s license were revoked for failure to comply with financial responsibility  on March 21, 2019. Tucker had previously been cited twice and arrested once within the last month for the same offense of driving on a revoked license. He was placed under arrest again.

55 year old Buddy Gene Williams of Academy Avenue, Alexandria is charged with filing a false report. His bond is $15,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 25 Williams intentionally reported an emergency prompting a response from the sheriff’s department knowing that the report was baseless. On that day the department received a phone call from a man stating he needed to speak with central dispatch. After the call was relayed to DeKalb E911 Williams falsely reported that a physical altercation was taking place at a residence on Academy Avenue and that a man there had a gun. Two deputies responded emergency traffic due to the perceived threat of life from the report. The officers spoke with the occupants of the residence who had been asleep prior to their arrival and found no such incident occurring there as had been reported. A further investigation revealed that several previous calls had been placed from Williams’ phone and that on at least one occasion he identified himself during the call. Authorities suspect the false calls from Williams was an attempt to disturb the residents while creating a false report of an emergency to get a response from the sheriff’s department.

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