6.
Commissioner Reports & Comments
Commissioner Giles expressed appreciation to City staff for their hard work during Winter
Storm Fern and acknowledged the challenges faced by residents who experienced power
outages during the event. He also commented on the recent incident at Cedar Creek Marina,
thanking the Police Department for their response, and noted his enthusiasm regarding the
Police Department’s drone program now being operational.
Vice Mayor Trivett thanked those who attended and presented at the Downtown Proposals
Work Session and expressed appreciation to first responders for their advance planning,
communications, and preparation efforts in regards to the recent winter storm. He also
thanked the Public Works Department for their work during the winter storm and noted that
his district experienced significant power outages, and had residents without power for an
extended period. He stated that he had communicated directly with NES regarding affected
residents and thanked the Police Department for conducting door-to-door wellness checks.
Without objection, Vice Mayor Trivett yielded the remainder of his time to Chief Chandler to
provide a winter storm debrief. He further noted that approximately 2,000 residents were
initially without power and that coordination occurred with NES to obtain outage information.
He also stated that the Police Department identified several residences operating generators
in unsafe conditions and coordinated with the Fire Department to respond.
Commissioner Hefner echoed prior comments regarding the winter storm and thanked the
Public Works Department for efforts to maintain safe roadways, as well as utility crews
(linemen) for restoring power to residents. He also thanked the Police Department for their
response to the Cedar Creek Marina incident and expressed his concern for those involved.
Commissioner Hefner shared a recent personal health incident requiring ambulance transport
and expressed appreciation to the responders who assisted him. He also offered remarks
supporting Team USA in the Olympic competitions.
Commissioner Milele thanked MTEMC for maintaining power service and expressed
appreciation to the Public Works Department for roadway clearing efforts. She reminded
everyone that the mid-year budget review would be held during the upcoming work session
prior to the next meeting and encouraged residents to watch for information regarding the
upcoming Walk Across Wilson event. She also reminded the public of the Mt. Juliet Animal
Shelter’s “SPAYghetti” dinner fundraiser and noted that grapple trucks were actively collecting
storm debris throughout the city.
Mayor Maness extended birthday wishes to Commissioner Milele and expressed well wishes
to Commissioner Hefner. He thanked City staff, utility crews, and first responders for their
work during the recent winter storm and noted that Fire Station 3 is now operating from its
new facility. He also stated that a local State of Emergency was declared on January 30,
which may assist the City in recovering eligible costs related to the storm response.
