It was standing room only at the ‘State of Kahite’ meeting that took place Friday August 18th at the Kahite Community Center, with overflow out onto the patio! Attendees included TN State Representative Lowell Russell, POA CEO Chet Pillsbury, and Paulette Summey, District 4 County Commissioner.
Speakers included Mayor Mitch Ingram, Sheriff Tommy Jones along with Neighborhood Watch, Emergency Services and the Hopewell Fire Department representatives. Tom McPhee provided an update on the Kahite Pub and the much need renovations for the kitchen. Ed Grollemond (shown below) provided an informative update from the Long Range Planning Committee. It was also announced that Ed will be seeking a position on the POA Board 2024. This received a resounding round of applause. Advisory Committee reports included Governance, Parks & Recreation, Golf, and Marine.
A highlight of the afternoon for many ‘Kahitians’ was the announcement by Deb Marshall from the HOA Highway Safety Committee. A stoplight has been approved for the intersection of Hwy 411 and Niles Ferry Road. This has been the site of many accidents. Timing is not quick, but at least it’s approved and funded. Deb thanked Lowell Russell for all his help in getting this done.
Chet Pillsbury provided updates to many topics that were on the audience’s minds.
Q&A followed, with many great questions from the audience. Thanks to all who attended, and if any additional questions come to mind, please reach out to me at lavonnem2@gmail.com.
Thanks. Lavonne Mitchell, VP Programs. Tellico Village HOA
Additional information added 08/31/2023:
The following Questions & Answers were collected following the meeting and forwarded to the appropriate resources for response. Below are the results for your review:
- Responders: Chet? Not sure?
Lavonne has been kind enough to share my question to you in my absence.
My name is Terri Multz. Many of you have probably seen or heard about the invasive Asian carp.
My husband and I have read information about the impact of this fish as well as having attended the symposium led by Dr. Timothy Joseph-fisheries biologist and chairman of the Watts Bar Ecology and Fisheries Council a few weeks ago. He along with other representative spoke about the impact this invasive fish could have on our piece of paradise.
The impact of this fish entering the Tennessee River system, which include Tellico Lake, Lake Chickamauga, Watts Bar and Ft. Loudon, would affect not only people living on the water but entire communities. Communities that enjoy the water as recreation and sports fishing not to mention tourism. Our economy would suffer as well as our home values regardless if you are on the lake or not.
I realize you are here to talk about the “The State of Kahite” but should this invasive fish enter our waterways it will be something that we all will need to live with for many years to come. Once they get into our part of the TN River it’ll be a “Too Little Too Late”. This should be a concern for everyone.
What are your thoughts on this? Are you looking at a “wait and see” approach or a prevention approach??
8-25 (2 Responses)
Lowell Russell. TWRA is taking an active role in the management of invasive carp. TWRA monitors invasive carp populations in Tennessee and works with surrounding state and federal partners to develop and implement effective strategies aimed at the prevention and control of invasive carp. TWRA and partners are supporting a strategy that utilizes two main tools – removal and deterrents. The strategy that TWRA and partners support will benefit the entire Tennessee River, including both the Upper Tennessee River reservoirs – where no carp or only few isolated occurrences of carp have been documented – and the Lower Tennessee River reservoirs – where populations of carp are present and migrating in from the Ohio River. We appreciate you reaching out and understand your concerns about the potential impacts of invasive carp on the Upper Tennessee River and its communities, and TWRA is committed to conserving our aquatic resources and working to prevent the advancement of invasive carp through our waters.
[Chet] I have been working with several of the state organizations and they are taking some rather sever steps lower in the river, below Chattanooga. These are happening at the dams and other water restrictions areas in the river below Chattanooga. They are using options like electricity in the water which kill or stun the carp enough for them to be picked up and disposed of. The reality is we are dependent on the “experts” to come up with ways to slow or stop the progression of this invasive species. As I write, it has definitely slowed the progress down, however, I have not heard any long-term fixes.
2. Question for Hopewell Fire Dept. Responder: Zac Perry.
Could we please move the fundraiser golf tournament to the fall … we have it in the spring, and it always seems that it’s right after the greens have been aeriated, which is not ideal.
We have discussed the change over this past year. We are very grateful for the support of the Kahite Community. We care about our relationship with the members of this community. Our budget was already set for the 2023 calendar year. We will have one more Spring tournament in May of 2024. We will then move the tournament to September 2025. This will put us in a zero-income window for 14 months. We have initiated many new ways to finance the department in the last two years. It takes time and planning to change directions while staying steady and stable. As reviewed many projects have been completed and are in the pipeline for our department and community. We have been writing grants for special projects and upgrades. We are going to be sending out letters to ask for support throughout the community we serve. We are only mailing letters out to the residents outside of the Kahite community. We are a 501c3 Non-profit for those that need any tax deductions. If anyone has any donations that they would like to make Sue would be more than able to help us accept those. We are in great shape but are always trying to improve our preparedness and abilities. Thanks again for the opportunity to answer your questions. Asst Chief Zac Perry
3. Question for Golf Advisory Committee. Responder: Anne Parkhill
Practice facility can be a hazard to those playing the 9th hole and those driving down Kahite Trail due to errant golf balls. Understand there are warnings, but from the 9th hole, is that a liability? Any ideas?
August 26 response from Anne. I will be sure the golf question (#3) gets addressed at our next GAC meeting on September 11.
4. Question for Chet Pillsbury Responder: Chet Pillsbury or assignee
Updates to blue book related to fines. If you read Nextdoor, you’ll see a number of reports where the inspectors have allowed leniency in the rules. That is concerning.
Specifically, related to the fines, will there be a ‘warning’ to the resident in the event that they were not aware? Also, how do you expect these violations to be enforced? Hopefully you will not rely on the ‘good neighbor’ policy, which is never a good way to create lasting neighbor relationships.
[Chet] I will be addressing this very issue in my upcoming Town Hall on the 31st . It is troubling to me that we have either been selective in the enforcement of rules, or just as bad, we have left the homeowners with that perception. That is on me to remedy. As to the process of fines, the process will not vary from the current process. First you will be sent a reminder letter and email of what should be remedied and the time frame it should be taken care of. (Note: at the point the homeowner may request a review with the ACC which would put the time frame on hold until after the review) At the end of that time frame, a second letter will go out which will remind them again with the warning they will need to remedy the problem with the second time frame, or a notice of fining will be sent out. (Note: As mentioned after the first letter they may again request a review with the ACC and the time frame is paused again until after the review). If the homeowners still has not communicated their concerns or situation as to why they have not taken care of the situation, then the fining letter goes out with the time frame of when the fines will start being applied to their account. (Note: again they have the option to request a review. It should be understood though, if they have already requested review and ACC did not see thing their way, they would have the right to request a review/variance from the Board.) So, as you can see no one will be fined without the opportunity to resolve the matter long before fines are even involved. Also, if this cannot be resolved and we have to go to fining, there will be a cutoff time when we stop fining and put a lien on the home. It is at this point I really want to be clear. The Board (POA) has always had the ability to put a lien on a lot or home. To my knowledge, we have never foreclosed on a property. Most of the time the county will foreclose for not paying the taxes, but the POA has no desire to do that. My point in using that example of having your home foreclosed on for refusing to mow your lawn, was to make the point of how silly that would be for something that simple to fix not say that would be our plan or policy for that matter.
5. Question for the Marine Advisory Committee. Responder: Bruce Lawson
Road to the boat dock. I thought there was something that said they would be paving that road. Patching has occurred, but has been ineffective, with the rains we’ve received.
The road to the Marina until 2021, crossed property owned by the POA and Cooper Development. It was not possible to enhance the road up until that time due to the uncertainty of Cooper Development’s future development of its property. In 2021 the POA purchased Cooper Development’s remaining Kahite parcels.
It has been the POA’s intentions to have the former Cooper property in the area of the Marina developed. The POA Staff is in the process of performing a solicitation of interest from potential developers to develop a large portion of the property in the area of the Marina. There is no POA formal layout plan for the property and it is assumed that the POA will look to the potential developers to provide layout renditions that may include the relocation of the existing Marina road. Thus, at this point, it does not appear financially prudent to undertake an upgrade to the road when there are uncertainties of the roads future location.
6. Question related to the pub closure. Responder: Chet Pillsbury & assignees
What options will the residents have while the pub is closed?
(Chet) we have been working with the food committee and AWE to find some options that would meet the state requirements. They will be putting out some options for the community.
7. Question related to LRPAC Responder: Ed Grollemond?
This is Steve Nevins. I live in Kahite. I just attended the State of Kahite.
Thanks for coordinating a productive meeting. Long Range Planning spoke briefly about developing 2 parcels in Kahite. I would like a copy of the RFP regarding the parcel between the 7th and 8th holes.
Response from Ed Grollemond: the RFPs are available for anyone who wishes to bid on the development of the parcels. Two important requirements that Ed was adamant that they be included are 1. Sidewalks and 2. Roads that are compliant with county standards. Please contact Beth Kuberka and she can provide you with the RFPs for purposes of submitting a bid for the work.