The Greeneville Parking Authority Board voted Friday morning to explore the possibility of purchasing an electric UTV to be used by the town’s parking attendant in his duties. The vehicle could also be used to help those with mobility issues get around town.
Currently the parking attendant, Jack Sauceman, does not a a vehicle of any kind through the town or the Parking Authority and walks around downtown while on his shifts.
He brought the idea of getting a small, street-legal vehicle to the Parking Authority Board on Friday, and he noted that it would also give him an opportunity to help those parking in some lots that may have mobility issues. He stated that he could provide rides when needed, free of charge, particularly to those parking in the free lot along College Street.
Jack Sauceman
Members of the board said they were in favor of exploring the idea, and Chairman Tim Teague asked Town Recorder Lora Young to look into any liability issues related to giving citizens rides in the cart.
Sauceman said he found one UTV with three passenger seats that could run all day on a single charge and had a roughly $16,000 purchase price.
However, Young told the board that the purchase would have to be put out to bid due to its cost.
Therefore, the board approved a motion to research liability related to giving rides in the UTV, and to receive bids to be considered by the board. The board did not approve the purchase of a vehicle, but board members said they would like bids to consider in the case they did decide to move forward with a purchase.
In other business, the board approved a $5,435 bid from Brooks and Darnell Sealcoating to fill cracks, and reseal and stripe the Snapp Lot off Summer Street.
The board also recommended that Paige Mengel, Craig Ogle, and Tim Teague be reappointed to their positions on the Parking Authority Board. All three members’ terms are up, and all three applied for reappointment. Six other individuals from the community also applied for the three spots.
The board’s recommendation will go before the Greeneville City Council on Tuesday, and the council will then make a determination on which applicants to place on the board.
