DATE: October 31, 2014
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
SUBJECT:
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Presentation of Harpeth River Navigation Project
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the city's efforts in marking the Harpeth River with reflective signage for citizens, staff and emergency personnel navigating the river.
Background
In October 2013, a meeting was held to discuss the Harpeth River and navigation emergency protocol conducted by Kevin Lindsey, Parks Facilities Superintendent. Representatives from various City departments and agencies were in attendance: Franklin Police Department (Maureen Culberson), Planning Department (Lori Jarosz),Fire Department (Jonathan Jenkins and several swift water personal), Engineering (Jeff Willoughby), MIT GIS(Chris Robinson) and outside stake holders Dorie Bolze (HWRA) with minutes shared with Molly Coulter with Williamson Co. EMS. During the meeting, the City's Greenway & Open Space Plan was discussed that involves constructing canoe access points/launches for a total of (11) eleven along the Harpeth River over the next several years. Discussions about how canoers, staff and emergency personnel navigate the river for fun or safety was the main topic. A plan was derived by all to mark the river by river miles going down stream for a point of reference. Chris Robinson from the City's IT Department created the Harpeth River ½ marker river map by using the most up-to-date methods and maps provide by US Army Corps. The map was then incorporated into the Police CAD system for emergency response. Kevin Lindsey (Parks) has worked with Jane Polansky (Scenic Rivers Administrator for the State of TN) and Burel Tidwell (TDOT) to design signage to mark not only the miles but also the bridges that cross the Harpeth in the city's UGB. There are (10) ten total bridge crossings which incorporates one County owned, six State owned, one Private and two City owned bridges needing to be marked. See Attachments.
In August 2014, the Parks Department received approval from each (State, County and Private) bridge owner to attach signage as per the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation recommendations. The project was then proposed to City personnel and the City Street's Department constructed each sign for the bridges.
Financial Impact
Financial impact for the materials of (15) fifteen signs on 24x24 aluminum sign blanks was a total cost of $1,500. The signs were prepared by the Street Department. Fire and Parks personnel will install the all signage this winter, weather permitting.
Recommendation
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The Parks Department recognizes that multiple departments and agencies take pride and understand the significant treasure and risks associated with having a river within the middle of the City. Going down stream, each sign will always be on the canoer's right, just above the 2010 flood line and from river mile (95) ninety-five at Ladd Farms going down stream and ending the marking system at river mile (80) eighty at Lynwood Park. A total of (10) ten bridges along the Harpeth will have signs attached.