shirleyNANNEY
Editor
The City of McKenzie plans to build a pickleball court.
At the Sept. 8 meeting council members awarded a bid of $174,640 to N-Site Company for the construction of the court. It will be built where the former tennis court were located that have not been used in sometime due to the poor state of repair. There will be six courts.
Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor racket/paddle sport where two players, or four players, hit a perforated hollow polymer ball over a 36-inch-high net using solid faced paddles. The two sides hit the ball back and forth over the net until one side commits a rule infraction.
It is the fastest growing sport at this time. The neighboring town of Paris has a number of courts at the Eiffel Tower Park.
“American Rescue Plan funds will be used,” said Mayor Jill Holland.
The only other bid was from PCC for $297,101.
In preparation for construction, Bobby Knight will be paid $9,000 for removal of trees that are in the way.
In other business, council members:
• Were informed by the mayor that the city has purchased a console for the fire and police departments from B & E Electronics for $71,575. She said the city asked E911 to pay for it but they declined.
• Passed the second and final reading on Ordinance 548 that changed the wording of public officer to be a designated person or persons.
• Approve five turnout gear for the fire department at a cost of $16,037.85 from NAFCO.
• Passed the first of two required readings on Ordinance 549 that amends the official zoning map on Cedar St. for tax parcel 002.00 from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to B-2 (highway Business) and the entirety of tax parcel 5.00 from B-2 (highway Business) to R-1 (Low Density Residential). MRH Holdings own parcel 2.00 and George Rogers owns parcel 5.00.
• Passed the first of two required readings on an ordinance that deals with rence requirements that says the finished outside of wood fences must face the adjacent property and enforce a $25 fence permit which includes inspection.
• were informed about a September 15 celebration for the town’s Small City Progress reward. Dr. James Padgett, Marvin Newman and Linda Coleman who have recently retired from business will be honored. It will be held at 6 p.m. in the downtown Veterans Park. Fajita Bros. Band will perform.
In a workshop session prior to the council meeting, a discussion was held concerning whether or not to put a cap on the number of package liquor.stores the town can have. Store owners David Barksdale and Barry Dillahunty want the city to limit the number.
They produced information about several towns in the state that do limit the number.
Dharmesh and Sachin Patel are wanting to open a package store.
The mayor said she would check with other towns who have limited the number of stores and see how it was handled.
