A small quake of 2.3 magnitude occurred last night at 11:45 pm in eastern Tennessee and many people in Macon County felt it and reported hearing a loud boom and the ground shaking. There was also another loud boom and shaking that many felt around 8:30 pm, but geologists are not reporting the earlier event as an earthquake.
If you felt the 11:45 pm event, you can let the USGS know by clicking the "Did You Feel It?" on the USGS Impact Page.
For those of you who felt something at 8:30 pm, you may report that event at the USGS Tell Us Page.
I will post an update if they decide the earlier event was a quake, too.
The red dot in eastern Tennessee on the map included with this post shows where the 11:45 pm quake happened.
You can read more about this quake and others that occur in this region at the USGS Event Page for this tremor.
Earthquake Hazards Map
This map show the relative hazards for earthquakes in the region with the scale showing highest risk as red progressively lower risks as orange, yellow, peach, green dark blue with light blue being the lowest risk for an earthquake. Most of Macon County is within the middle range and usually less than a dozen of these minor tremors are felt in Macon county in most years.
Most of this material was previously published on our Facebook Page.
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You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
MEETING SUMMARY The Macon County Planning Board met December 17th at the Environmental Resource Center on Sierra Drive and reviewed the latest changes to the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance, discussed the ongoing efforts of the various subcommittees to update the Macon County Comprehensive Plan and discussed what future tasks the board wanted to take on after these two projects are completed.
Brittney Burns, reporter for the Macon County News and Shopping Guide, declined her appointment to the board and Board member Becky Ramey resigned due to not having enough time to devote to the planning board because of her involvement in other boards and work. The Highlands Town Board of Commissioners still has not appointed a replacement for their unfilled seat, this brings the number of empty seats on the board to three.
The board will meet next on January 21, 2016 at the Environmental Resource Center.
VIDEO OF MEETING
This meeting was streamed live on Livestream and a copy of the video is embedded here so you can see and hear for yourself exactly what transpired at the meeting. This was made possible thanks to donations from Patreon subscribers.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCE
A draft copy of the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance is embedded here for your review. You may follow along with the video as you read the document and the board members discuss the latest revisions to the document. This document, once the planning board approves the changes, will send it to the Board of County Commissioners, then a public hearing will be held before they vote on the changes.
MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets that had reporters at the meeting)
Macon Media (Bobby Coggins)
The Franklin Press (Ryan Hanchett)
No other media outlets were present.
CROWD FUNDING
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.
You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight (12-08-2015) at 6 pm in the County Commissioners Boardroom. The public agenda, the agenda packet that is shared with local media outlets and a document dump of macon Transit documents are posted below. The nearly live play by play will be posted on Facebook.
MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 8, 2015
AGENDA
Call to order - County Manager
Election of chairman - County Manager
Election of vice-chairman
Examination of Official Bond for Public Officials of Macon County
Adoption of the 2016 regular meeting schedule
Announcements
NCACC Update Video
Moment of Silence
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Hearing(s) - NONE
Public Comment Period
Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
Reports/Presentations
Presentation honoring Beth Moberg for her service to the Cowee Community
Resolution naming County Bridge 99 after Ms. Edith Byrd
Old Business
Consideration of prequalification policy for landfill construction work
Consideration of assessment tool and criteria for landfill construction project
New Business
Macon County Transit System Safety Program Plan - Transit Director Kim Angel
Consent Agenda - Attachment #15
All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.
Minutes of the November 10, 2016 regular meeting and the November 16, 2016 continuation meeting
The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen met last night for their regular December 2015 meeting. Outgoing Aldermen Verlin Curtis, Joyce Handley and Farrell Jamison were replaced with incoming Aldermen Brandon McMahan, Adam Kimsey and Joe Collins. Patti Abel was elected Mayor Pro Tempore, or Vice Mayor. A text play by play (with photos) from the meeting can be seen on Facebook.
Pictured (R-L) are Joe Collins, Adam Kimsey, Brandon McMahan and Clerk of Superior Court Vic Perry
Last Thursday, a reception was held for the outgoing Aldermen in the lower level of town hall and a short video of that plaque presentation is below.
Now, back to the meeting that took place last night. Below are two videos, the first being a short one with Clerk of Superior Court Vic Perry administering the oath of office to the incoming Aldermen and Mayor Bob Scott, then a brief statement by the Mayor. AFter that, is a video of the entire meeting and below that is a copy of the public agenda and the agenda packet that is shared with the media.
MEDIA ROLL CALL
(In the interest of promoting transparency in the local media, this a list of the local media organizations with reporters at the meeting)
Macon Media (me)
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM (a reporter and the new News Director)
The Macon County News and Shopping Guide (one reporter)
The Franklin Press (one reporter)
Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen
Regular Scheduled Meeting
Agenda Monday December 7, 2015 7:00 p.m.
1.Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2.Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis
3.Approval of the November 2, November 16 and December 1, 2015 Board Minutes
4.Recognition of Service for Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis, Alderman Joyce Handley and Alderman Farrell Jamison- Mayor Bob Scott
5.Oath of Office for Mayor and Alderman- Macon County Clerk of Court Vic Perry
6.Approval of the December 7, 2015 Town Board Agenda
7.Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore
8.Public Session
9.New Business
A.)Message from Mayor Bob Scott
B.)Presentation of Appreciation Plaque for Buddy Huckabee- Mayor Bob Scott
C.)Presentation from the Macon Overdose Prevention Coalition- Stephanie Almeida
D.)Street Closing Request for the New Year's Eve Ruby Drop- Tim Crabtree
E.)Set Public Hearing for Special Use Application for Scenic Ridge Development- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
F.)Appointment of Members to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
G.)Forward Text Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance Regarding Tasting Rooms to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
H.)Budget Amendments- Finance Officer Kyra Doster
I.)Approval of the 2016 Town Board Regular Meeting Schedule- Town Manager Summer Woodard
J.)Approval of the 2016 Town of Franklin Holiday Schedule- Town Manager Summer Woodard
K.)Proposed Change to Town Personnel Policy Regarding the Accumulation of Compensation Time- Human Resource Officer Chad Simons
L.)Appointment of Donnie Bishop to the Tourism Development Authority Board- Town Manager Summer Woodard
M.)Appointment of Tim Crabtree to the Tourism Development Authority Board- Town Manager Summer Woodard
N.)Municipal Agreement for Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) B-5125- Town Manager Summer Woodard
10.Legal
A.)Policy for Police Body Camera's- Police Chief David Adams, Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.)Ordinance amending Chapter 130 of the ordinances to deal with possession of open containers on streets and sidewalks- Town Attorney John Henning Jr
11.Announcements
A.)Town Employee Luncheon will be December 18, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the Boiler Room
B.)Town Offices will be closed December 23, 24 and 25 for Christmas
The Franklin Town Board will be meeting at 7pm tonight in the lower level of the Town Hall.
The public agenda that is shared with the public is posted below and a copy of the agenda packet that is shared with members of the local media is posted below that.
Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen
Regular Scheduled Meeting
Agenda Monday December 7, 2015 7:00 p.m.
1.Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2.Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis
3.Approval of the November 2, November 16 and December 1, 2015 Board Minutes
4.Recognition of Service for Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis, Alderman Joyce Handley and Alderman Farrell Jamison- Mayor Bob Scott
5.Oath of Office for Mayor and Alderman- Macon County Clerk of Court Vic Perry
6.Approval of the December 7, 2015 Town Board Agenda
7.Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore
8.Public Session
9.New Business
A.)Message from Mayor Bob Scott
B.)Presentation of Appreciation Plaque for Buddy Huckabee- Mayor Bob Scott
C.)Presentation from the Macon Overdose Prevention Coalition- Stephanie Almeida
D.)Street Closing Request for the New Year's Eve Ruby Drop- Tim Crabtree
E.)Set Public Hearing for Special Use Application for Scenic Ridge Development- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
F.)Appointment of Members to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
G.)Forward Text Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance Regarding Tasting Rooms to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
H.)Budget Amendments- Finance Officer Kyra Doster
I.)Approval of the 2016 Town Board Regular Meeting Schedule- Town Manager Summer Woodard
J.)Approval of the 2016 Town of Franklin Holiday Schedule- Town Manager Summer Woodard
K.)Proposed Change to Town Personnel Policy Regarding the Accumulation of Compensation Time- Human Resource Officer Chad Simons
L.)Appointment of Donnie Bishop to the Tourism Development Authority Board- Town Manager Summer Woodard
M.)Appointment of Tim Crabtree to the Tourism Development Authority Board- Town Manager Summer Woodard
N.)Municipal Agreement for Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) B-5125- Town Manager Summer Woodard
10.Legal
A.)Policy for Police Body Camera's- Police Chief David Adams, Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.)Ordinance amending Chapter 130 of the ordinances to deal with possession of open containers on streets and sidewalks- Town Attorney John Henning Jr
11.Announcements
A.)Town Employee Luncheon will be December 18, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the Boiler Room
B.)Town Offices will be closed December 23, 24 and 25 for Christmas
Karl Gillespie has filed for County Commissioner in District II. He currently is not serving in elected office. He has been appointed to serve on the Macon County Planning Board.
Filing started at noon on December 1st and will continue until noon on December 21st.
The Franklin Town Board met tonight in a special called meeting to discuss adding a new Assistant Chief position to the Franklin Fire Department. After a very brief discussion, the board voted 4-1 to deny the request and directed the Town manager to begin advertising for a new Fire Chief. Alderman Farrell Jamison was the lone no vote and Alderman Billy Mashburn was not at the meeting.
The entire meeting from start to finish lasted about eight minutes.
A copy of the meeting agenda is posted below and a copy of the Town of Franklin Personnel Policy will be added below that once the Town Manager emails a copy to Macon Media, which will probably be sometime in the morning.
Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen Special Called Meeting Agenda Tuesday December 1, 2015 5:30 p.m.
1.Call to order- Mayor Bob Scott
2.Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis
3.Adoption of December 1, 2015 Proposed Agenda
4.Discussion on new position in Franklin Fire Department- Town Manager Summer Woodard
5.Adjourn
MEDIA ROLL CALL (media organizations with reporters present) Macon Media WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM Macon County News and Shopping Guide
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You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding athttps://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
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