Municipality also applying for THDA home grant program

By RANDALL ALLEN

Horizon reporter

CELINA-The City of Celina approved the process of applying for a grant to help fund the rehabilitation of the city’s sewer plant facilities at their February meeting held here last week.

Before the vote, mayor Luke Collins spoke to aldermen about the $559,550 grant and the sewer system.

“This item is a vote for the 2025 CBDG grant, (and) as you all know, our sewer plant needs a lot of work,” Collins said.  “I was hopeful that we would be in a position to bid this out and open the bids in February.  Obviously we didn’t make it (this month), but the grant is $559,550.  The match, the part that Celina would have to come up with, is $42,500.

“The total project cost is $602,000,” the mayor continued.  “Now, this is to request that grant.  There is no guarantee we will get it, by asking for around a half-a-million and with the issues that we are having at the sewer plant.  I feel like we are 99% confident that we will get this grant to help us with the sewer plant and we need it—it is a good match (and) the part that we have to contribute is low.”

The mayor also briefly discussed cleaning out ponds at the sewer facility.

“There are companies that do that,” he said.  “To my understanding, they bring a big machine that mashes the stuff and gets the water out of it.”

Additionally, Collins addressed recent litigation filed against the city by the environmental advocacy group Tennessee Riverkeepers.

“I know our attorney William Birdwell, he and I were talking about issues with the Riverkeepers, and the lawsuit, and working with TDEC,” Collins said.  “We really need to show progress and we are getting that fixed.

“The Cumberland River is pretty special to us.  I recommend we (apply for the grant).”

Alderman Brittany Kerr made a motion to apply for the CBDG grant and alderman Kenny Westmoreland seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.

Other business

In other business at their latest meeting, city legislators approved a THDA home grant for city residents, with no matching funds required.

“The way it works is we advertise it and ask people living in the city if they would like to have their home improved,” Collins said.  “This puts in things like heating and air units, more insulation, windows, doors, and, in some cases, they will tear the home down and build them a new house.”

Westmoreland made a motion to approve the resolution for the 2025 THDA home grant program, Kerr seconded the motion, and it passed 2-0.

Westmoreland also made a motion to give a one time $100 monetary bonus to Brandon Goad and Marcus Copeland for their efforts in finding 11 water leaks in a two-day time period.  Kerr seconded the motion and it passed 2-0.

Westmoreland made a motion to approve a one time $100 monetary bonus to the City of Celina office staff for performing extra duties.  Kerr seconded the motion and it passed 2-0.

City alderman also tabled a discussion about the Cumberland River Hospital water bill and a faulty meter, until further information could be obtained.