Future locations of Norris city offices, departments to be meeting focus Aug. 8
A special meeting next Tuesday (Aug. 8) called by the City Council will seek public input on the future locations of Norris city offices and departments, including city administration, police, fire, public works, utilities, and the animal shelter.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers at the Norris Community Building, 20 Chestnut Drive. Mayor Chris Mitchell will lead the discussion.
Council members and other city officials have been pondering the possibilities of moving or expanding city facilities for about a year now, with some suggesting that a new fire station and police headquarters might be needed next to the Community Building, replacing the two departments’ joint headquarters now in the historic downtown area.
“I think we’ll be seeing the future of police and fire on the table as well as the animal shelter and the Public Works Department,” City Manager Adam Ledford said Monday.
The animal shelter and public works are now housed in buildings just above the Norris sewage treatment plant on East Norris Road.
But with the city under state environmental orders to upgrade the sewer system, there could be expansions of sewage holding and treatment facilities on that property that might force the relocation of the other departments.
“If there is a need for more space for the sewer plant, we would need to figure out a new home for those two (public works and the animal shelter),” Leford said.
“One of the things we’ll also talk about is where City Hall should be,” he said. “[With the current Community Building location] we’re off from the historic downtown area. Should we be in historic downtown?”
And if City Hall is moved, “What facilities should we have with us?” Ledford asked. “One thing I think the council would take off the table is moving out to Highway 61. I don’t think there’s any support for that.”
Councilman Will Grinder said last month that upgrading and expanding the Community Building and perhaps adding a fire and police station in that location could be on the table.
But the meeting will be seeking community input on the future of all city facilities, including offices for water and sewer department staff.
There are other buildings, including the library, that have needs, including new roofs and other maintenance or upgrades, Grinder said.
“We’re looking to get public opinion to see if there is a future need to rehab or add to the Community Building,” Grinder said. “It’s a nice building, but it needs some improvements. I think if the community got behind it, we could add to it for the police and fire departments.
“This is a dialogue, and I think we need more of that.”
The city manager and the city’s basic administrative staff work out of the Community Building, which also includes the City Council’s meeting room, along with a gymnasium and other space that is available for local groups to use.
The gym might be a victim of any expansion that would include a new fire andpolice building, Leford said.
Of the Aug. 8 meeting, Mayor Chris Mitchell said earlier: “It’s a discussion of all facilities, including where should the animal shelter and public works need to be located.”
The meeting is for discussion only; no action will be taken. It is open to everyone.