ADVISORY WORKING GROUP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING MINUTES
26 AUGUST 2024
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting asking Commissioner Matt Rubelsky to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 4 August 2024 were moved later for approval by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, and seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, and were approved unanimously.
The Chair said the final outcome of the Working Group will be a report providing recommendations for the Giles County Economic Development Commission to consider. He noted in a previous meeting lots of topics were discussed with the decision to pick two later for today’s meeting, those being Tourism and Water/Wastewater Infrastructure. The Chair noted the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) representative was unable to attend due to illness but tourism was on the agenda and as a result, several members of the public were attending. He invited Ms. Tracy Monchilov, co-owner with husband Jeff, of three small businesses, Speedvet, 1st American Filling Station, and Real Estate Agency. Ms. Monchilov spoke to small businesses and tourism, noting that it takes teaming to reach the appropriate mass to be effective in getting the word out, and to have sufficient funding to provide advertising media such as brochures. Ms. Tammy Pierchoski, Executive Director of STAAR Theatre at Antoinette Hall, also spoke on tourism noting that funding from tourism could be used toward the schools, which would then encourage more population and associated tax resources. She discussed the grant from the TN Arts Commission, which is funding a major infrastructure to the Theater. Mr. Jeff Monchilov queried the use of the hotel/motel tax, noting that most surrounding counties use that to support tourism, whereas Giles County under a Private Act use the tax for county building refurbishments. Mr. Monchilov asked the group to please consider some percentage of that tax for tourism. Commissioner Joyce Woodard noted that the county has limited tourism brochures at the welcome center as well as the county hotels; Ms. Monchilov asked if they had digital QR codes noting she had a meeting the next day. Mr. Monchilov asked how you get the info to the welcome center and the process was described to them. Commissioner James Lathrop suggested consideration be given to thinking from an incoming tourist’s standpoint, noting that some might use digital where others might prefer hard copies. Ms. Monchilov discussed priorities within the limited budget, and for the CoC limited staff to address some of the tourism challenges. The CE noted the county is “maxed out” on allowable hotel/motel percentage, and Mr. Phil Reese, Economic Development Director, mentioned the city of Pulaski doesn’t assess a hotel/motel tax, but could. He also mentioned with UTS there will be more tourism coming into the county. Commissioner Wamble suggested at another group meeting that a representative of the city be invited. The Chair said that none of the comments would be lost; that tourism could come up again later. Commissioner Gayle Jones, mentioned Mayor Mike Magnusson, Ardmore, was in attendance and the Chair asked if he would like to comment. Mr. Magnusson said word of mouth is the most effective and Commissioner David Adams mentioned TN crossroads TV show which had addressed a local Campbellsville restaurant and had drawn several customers from out of town.
The Chair then moved to the second agenda item, Water and Waste Water Infrastructure. Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority (LCWSA) CEO Daryl Williamson spoke from his experiences, with the County Executive (CE) mentioning Mr. Williamson had also contributed to the consolidation of Tarpley Shop and South Giles utility districts. In particular Mr. Williamson addressed the challenges of new developments without a detailed understanding of the infrastructure required for increased water and waste water distribution. He discussed both the length of time of new infrastructure given the various permits, etc., required as well as the significant cost of that material/plants needed for that development. He discussed some of the last winter’s problems, noting that water loss at individual residences was the major cause that resulted in Ardmore being “cut off” for approximately two weeks due to the water loss as well as Limestone’s first priority were Limestone customers. He recommended an engineering water study which would be costly, but necessary. Commissioner Judy Pruett asked Mr. Reese if he was aware of this situation, and Mr. Reese answered not at the detail level. The CE noted that each of the three utility districts have their own, separate engineers but their tendency is to solve intra-district problems, not countywide problems. Mr. Williamson recommended that that one consolidated utility district would be more effective, e.g., currently the three utilities have varying rates. The Chair asked about the geo mapping grant with the CE noting that is being accomplished under the ongoing TDEC grant with each utility district. In response to another question about the Pulaski water plant, Mr. Williamson noted there could be bottle necks in distribution from there too. Commissioner Adams wanted to know how many taps a mile are needed for a utility to break even, with Mr. Williamson noting that is a complicated question due to some people using extensive amounts and others minimum. Commissioner David Adams mentioned the Campbellsville spring and Mr. Williamson discussed issues that would have to be studied/addressed for using the spring, e.g., water quality, water flow per day, treatment investment cost. Commissioner Matt Rubelsky noted that water is going to be the basic necessity and the county should work toward being self-reliant. Possibility of grants was discussed; if an older treatment plant permit no longer operable could be redone (to save lengthy permit approval time and cost); and the use of Rural Development loans (CE noted that allows a 40-year payback, is a loan, while Federal grants would want to see regional applications). Mr. Monchilov questioned current age of infrastructure and the necessity of replacing all or cherry picking which lines might be replaced. Mr. Magnusson noted that Ardmore’s problem is more the sewer part, and thanked Mr. Williamson for his help. The discussion then centered around modular wastewater treatement capability with Mr. Williamson noting that Harvest Alabama uses several. Mr. Monchilov asked if the hotel/motel tax could be used to pay for the study, with the CE noting that the Advisory Working Group report would be making recommendations, although he cautioned about anyone over-promising and under-delivering and that our problems would not be fixed by this winter or the next – that it will potentially be a long-term solution. Mr. Scott Stewart posed the question of if we can’t move toward one utility district, who can, with the CE answering only the state could force mandates but that would have to be statewide. Commissioner Annelle Guthrie said as one of the first steps to test the water at Campbellsville and who would do that. The CE said he would liaise with the City’s Water Department for a water test.
The chair asked if there were any other comments, and there being none, Commissioner David Wamble moved for adjournment, and with Commissioner Guthrie providing the second, the meeting was adjourned.
Members of the Advisory Group – Chairman Commissioner Evan Baddour, other Commissioners David Wamble, Judy Pruett, Joyce Woodard, Annelle Guthrie, absent Matthew Hopkins and Brad Butler Other Commissioners in attendance – Gayle Jones, James Lathrop, David Adams, Erin Curry, Tim Risner, Matt Rubelsky, and Carmen Brown commissioner-elect Others in attendance – County Executive Graham Stowe, Economic Development Director Phil Reese, Ardmore Mayor Mike Magnusson, Members of public who spoke LCWSA CEO Daryl Williamson, Jeff and Tracy Monchilov, Tammy Pierchoski , Scott Stewart
