JOHN COFFELTEditor

The final approval of which architect will design the new Coffee County Animal Control Shelter was postponed due to lack of attendance at the Nov. 30 special called Planning Commission meeting.

The approval of the architect was the only item on the agenda. Present were Planning Chairman Dennis Hunt and Commissioner Jimmy Hollandsworth, with fellow Commissioner Tim Brown arriving later to form a quorum so the meeting had enough member present to hold the meeting. Absent were Commissioners Tina Reed and Frank Watkins.

“I’m personally really uncomfortable making this decision with only three members present,” Hunt said. “I really wished we had all five members here.”

Hunt reiterated the importance of commissioners’ attendance.

“I don’t understand why people can’t show up for committee meetings when they’ve been selected to serve on these committees.”

Hollandsworth made a motion to postpone the vote until the next meeting when all members are present.

In addition to only three commissioners having the say on awarding what could amount to a contract for more than $90,000, a poorly attended meeting presents procedural problems and overall could give one member a disproportionate amount of influence.

Hunt suggested that to pass a motion a majority of the total membership has to vote yes. With only three members present, all would have to vote yes for it to pass.

When approached following the meeting Hunt clarified his statement:

“From an ethical standpoint — three or more members of a five member committee should be in agreement for a decision of this magnitude. From a procedural standpoint, two members of a three member quorum could have made the decision but that would erode the public’s perception and confidence in our ability to be fair, as witnessed recently by other county bodies making significant decisions without full representation of the body.”

The county had hoped to approve an architect before the Dec. 7 groundbreaking at the new shelter location, 3292 Hillsboro Highway.

County Purchasing Agent Stephanie Bush said that two firms 342 Architects and St. John Engineering responded to a request for qualifications. Architect Aaron Brown (no relation to Commissioner Brown) and Engineer Scot St. John offered presentations to the commission and answer questions.

Both firms’ presentations were well-received by the members.

St. John Engineering was recently named architect to handle the new Coffee County Health Department. The firm has also done preliminary work on the animal shelter site that dates back to former County Mayor Gary Cordell’s term, and is currently preforming a phase one study to ensure that there are no residual pollutants at the site.

St. John confirmed that his firm would have available time for the project.

“We would be glad to use any other local architects,” St. John said. St. John Engineering generally handles the mechanical, surveying and similar sides of the planning, while partnering with Hearth Architecture, PLLC of Manchester for its architectural needs.

A second special call Capital Outlay meeting was announced for 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.