Fairview approves emergency debris-removal agreement after ice storm; city estimates $700,000 cleanup, expects federal/state reimbursement

The Fairview Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 authorized Mayor Lisa Anderson to execute state-authorized user agreements for emergency debris removal and debris-monitoring services in response to recent ice-storm damage.

City Manager Tom Daugherty told the board the contractors’ estimate to remove right-of-way debris is roughly $633,000 and the monitoring estimate about $67,000, putting the expected gross cost “right about $700,000” to clear debris. Daugherty said the city expects FEMA to cover 75% and Williamson County Emergency Management Agency to support state-level reimbursement that would reduce the city’s share to about 12.5% of the remaining amount. “If we get the 12 and a half percent, it would be about 87,500,” he said during the meeting.

The resolution (09-26) authorizes the mayor to sign authorized-user agreements under a Tennessee Department of General Services statewide procurement so Fairview can use vendors and pricing already competitively procured at the state level. City staff said permits under the contract would allow the city to move quickly if the Board approves the agreements; contractors were tentatively scheduled to begin work the week of Monday, March 16 and continue through Wednesday, March 25 if contracts were executed.

Board members sought details on scope and risk. Staff clarified the state contract covers debris in the public right-of-way (curbside piles) and noted volunteer hours and locally donated materials turned in to EMA could be credited toward the local match. Daugherty said the city can hold the contracts and wait for funding confirmations: “I can hold on to these contracts and not turn them in until I have the answer to that question.”

Commissioners discussed alternatives—leaving cleanup to private homeowners or using only city resources—but staff said city crews lack the equipment for rapid, large-scale removal and using city resources exclusively could be more expensive or take many months. The Board approved the resolution unanimously, 5–0.

What happens next: With the resolution approved, staff will finalize the authorized-user agreements and post public announcements about pickup procedures on the city website and social media. The public hearing already advertised for the zoning ordinance (March 5) is unaffected by this action.