Better-looking city is '12 goal

Working to make Shelbyville look better is the main goal of the city's planning and codes office for 2012.

City department heads have submitted their ideas for what they would like to get done in the coming year following a request for the goals from city manger Jay Johnson.

Planning and codes department director Ed Dodson wants to look into implementing the "Administrative Hearing Officer" provision recently passed by the Tennessee State Legislature to streamline Shelbyville's prosecution of property maintenance and codes violations.

Not a 'court'

Johnson explained that there would be no "court," but a formal hearing process, which is hoped to be used for complaints dealing grass, weeds and solid waste. It would also save time by bypassing the city courts, where cases like these have previously been handled.

The city manager also said that the law was new and he was not sure if other cities are looking into the concept.

Johnson also told the city council this week that Dodson will be looking to see if they are in compliance with the latest edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, which was adopted by the city in 2005 to deal with the upkeep of properties.

Empty houses

One proposal for the upcoming year is an ordinance requiring a current registry of foreclosed properties, an idea that Johnson is backing, saying that a number of other communities in Tennessee are adopting it.

However, Johnson said the effort is causing financial institutions to "fight back" due to the increase in paperwork. The city manager said that there are "a number of foreclosed properties in Shelbyville" as well as homes where the owners "have simply walked away."

Earlier this year, codes officials said the foreclosures have made it more difficult to enforce code violations because the previous owners are forbidden from returning and there have been problems finding who holds the mortgage on the properties.

Other goals include a review and update to the city codes on signs and to analyze and compare Shelbyville's building code and planning fee structure with other cities in middle Tennessee.

The city will also continue to pursue grants and funding to demolish blighted buildings in the city, as well as grants for beautification.

Airport goals

Goals for the Shelbyville airport in 2012 include repairing its taxiway, and the city has already moved forward with that, asking for $150,000 in assistance from the State Department of Transportation for an engineering consultant to give information on how best to repair it.

Airport manager Hank Williamson told the council in November there are areas on the taxiway that have sunk due to some of the heavy aircraft that cross it on their way to the runway. The area in question would have to be dug up and the soil tested, followed by replacing the stone underneath. Then, the rest of the taxiway would be stripped and new asphalt placed.

One of the goals is to develop an online pilot shop, where people can buy the hats, T-shirts, maps and other items offered by the facility, producing more revenue.

Another effort is to increase the activities open to the public at the airport, such as their Wings Safety Program, open house, sponsored luncheons and aviation swap meets.

They also hope to have an electrician trouble-shoot the system inside the terminal, labeling all the circuit breakers and what they control, and remove all wiring that goes to nothing. It is hoped that this project will facilitate remodeling and refurbishing plans for the next calender year.