Junaluska Assembly Community Council Meeting Notes
January 5, 2016
In attendance: David Baxter, Jack Carlisle, Jack Ewing, Jim Gilland, Alan Jackson, Bill King, Jimmy Pennell,
Jeannette Shaver, Ken Zulla. Staff: Jack Carlisle, Rachel Watkins (for Donna Towsey).
Call to order – Called to order by Jimmy Pennell at 4:01 pm
Opening Prayer – led by Jim Gilland
Approval of Minutes – minutes from the October 7, 2015 were accepted as presented.
Director’s Report – Jack Carlisle




Leaf Pickup Status – rain has delayed progress in completing leaf pickup by the end of
December. New target is end of January, weather permitting.
Christmas Tree pick up day – Friday Jan. 8
Garbage Contract results
o Contracted with CWS Services for garbage pick-up throughout the community, to begin
in the next few months with Wednesday residential garbage and Thursday residential
recycle service. An announcement will come from Jack C. when the new pick up
schedule begins.
o Brush and large item pick up will continue to be provided through APW.
o Representatives from CWS introduced themselves to the council and community
members.
o APW solid waste staff has reduced to two people. They will be used for brush pickup
and other public works functions going forward.
o One remaining garbage truck will be refurbished and used for tasks such as brush pickup
and the other will be sold.
o No new containers will be required for homeowners for recycling or trash at this time.
o As far as we know at this time, the cost will be roughly equal to current service
arrangements while avoiding the capital cost of a new truck. Billing will be the same.
Paving Plan
o Plans are underway to pave the following areas throughout 2016:
 Holston Village Road approaching Aldersgate Village including a culver
replacement
 Crum Drive – leveling extreme dips
 Completed water and sewer project areas on Carolina and Cokesbury
 Sleepy Hollow north of County Road between Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury
o


This work will begin when the weather warms up in the Spring allowing the asphalt
plant to resume operations. These projects are aimed at repairing what is already
broken in our roadways.
o Life expectancy for the repairs is unknown, but will prevent the need for more costly
repairs if left unaddressed.
Water and Sewer capital projects – remaining capital from 2015 projects will be used to address
further issues, completing the needed work on Cokesbury all the way to County Road. Other
2016 high priority planned work is replacement of water and sewer lines on Glenview.
Moving Security offices to Kern Center – This is a more centrally located and visible location,
more convenient to the majority of their call outs. Security vehicles will be parked in this area,
and signage will be added to further increase visibility.
Security Report – Mike Schuler




Responded to 80 calls for service in November and 86 in Dec.
Filed 19 reports in Nov, 31 in Dec.
Two arrests were made, one each month.
Printed reports were available for those who wished to see further details.
Ken Zulla suggested that in instances when the dam is closed communication needs to be shared
with emergency services. Jack explained that whenever there is a call out, our security team is contacted
first and can then work with other emergency services as needed. Mike shared that the communications
center is always notified when we close roads, and officers are trained to provide medical support until
emergency responders arrive.
Conference Center Report – Jack Ewing





Jack shared a recap of 2015. The largest improvement was the renovation of The Terrace, which
has exceeded expectations for increased occupancy and is receiving overwhelmingly positive
reviews from guests. The average rating on TripAdvisor has climbed from 3.4 to 4.7.
Heating and AC have been added to Jones Dining Hall, allowing it to now be used year round.
The kitchen and bathrooms will be addressed in the future.
Preliminary numbers show that the budget will end the year in the black again this year, for the
fourth year in a row. It is likely that there will be funds available for profit sharing with the staff.
Fundraising also experienced a record year.
Appalachian Christmas weekend was very well attended. Only two rooms were left available in
Lambuth and Terrace was full.
Election year information
The election board will be appointed in February and work will begin at that time. New terms will begin
on Sept. 1. Jeannette’s (Lambuth District) and Ken’s (South Lakeshore District) terms will end.
Calendar for 2016 budget process
Meetings will be held in Gaines Auditorium on 1/5, 2/2, 3/1, 4/5, 5/3, 6/7, 8/2, 9/6, 10/4 and 11/1.
The Budget Proposal will be presented on Aug. 2, a Community Forum will occur on Aug. 9 for
community input on the budget. Sept. and Oct. meetings will be used to make final decisions on the
budget before it is sent on the Board of Trustees for approval.
David Baxter inquired about follow up action from the Council retreat. Topics from that brainstorming
session will be addressed as appropriate.
Ken Zulla asked about the timeline for the lake drawdown. Drawdown will begin immediately after the
first weekend in February, and the goal will be to bring it back to full pool by Easter. Exact timing will
depend on how quickly the necessary projects – silt removal, dam maintenance, and a sewer manhole
repair – are completed. Jack E. recommended scheduling the lake clean-up in early March.
Meeting adjourned at 4:56pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Watkins, interim for Recording Secretary Donna Towsey