At the Aug. 5 monthly meeting, the Town of Franklin Council received input on two funding decisions, in addition to a request for an updated Nikwasi Mound plan.
Nikwasi Initiative’s Vice Chairman Bob McCollum brought with him to the meeting Executive Director Elaine Eisenbraun, along with Nancy Taylor, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ treasurer, and Gia Myers, NikwasiInitiative project coordinator. The updated plan focuses on four distinct aspects relating to the ancient mound, which is situated just to the west of the Little Tennessee River bridge in East Franklin. They are: protect, monitor, educate, and report.
Thought to have been built some 1,000 years ago, the Nikwasi (also referred to as Noquisiand Noquisiyi) mound holds spiritual, cultural, and ceremonial significance for Cherokee.
The “protect” aspect of the updated plan includes intermittent stacked fencing to provide encouragement for visitors not to walk up, on, or around the mound. The intent is preventative in nature and would not include in-ground posts nor a complete circle of fencing. Regarding “educate,” this would consists of signage that informs visitors of best ways to honor the site. Planned additional signage will educate the public about the “Nunnehi spirit warriors of the mound.” This would be a temporary bridge to the eventual presence of a learning center planned for the future.
The “monitor” factor involves solar-powered security cameras on the Kanohesgi building and the Nikwasi kiosk. The field of view would encompass approximately 75% of the site. And finally, to “report” entails communication between the Nikwasi Initiative board mound committee, the Town of Franklin, and the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Additional reporting will include periodic updates from board representatives to the same entities.
McCollum framed his presentation as a request for approval to move ahead with the plan.
“Our timeframe, if we get approval, is for the installation to go on over the winter months. We intend to have an annual celebration event there [at the mound], beginning next spring.”
The plan will be discussed again in September before a decision is made.
TDA funding evaluated
Earlier this summer, Town Council Vice President Stacy Guffey requested that the Town’s Tourism Development Authority (TDA) provide a report on tourism-related funding. The TDA exists to allot funds for the purpose of promoting travel and tourism in Franklin. Town Manager Amie Owens commented that from the designated fiscal year 2025 TDA budget, which totals $180,000, $16,350 is considered undesignated/miscellaneous.
The impetus behind the request was whether otherwise undesignated TDA budget monies could be used for capital improvements, which also promote and encourage town and area tourism in a way different from, but as important as, festivals and events that have traditionally benefited from TDA funding.
After some prolonged dialogue among council members, Mayor Jack Horton stated, “I would like board members to think about and be prepared to give us some recommendations at or before our next meeting.”
“Those [capital improvement] fiscal investments are investments that you’ll get a return on year after year,” offered Council Member Mike Lewis.
Remaining ARPA expenditures approved
Earlier in the evening, Town Finance Officer Sarah Bishop, was recognized for achieving a Certified Local Government Budget Office Certification. She had to complete nine courses and three written exams to qualify for the certification, which she has been working toward since 2018.
Bishop then took to the podium and addressed how to best appropriate remaining funds from the original $1.3 million awarded as part of the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which originated during the 2020 pandemic. Franklin finds itself with a requirement to appropriate, commit, and allocate all ARPA funding by the end of calendar year 2024. The appropriated funding then has to be spent within two years.
Regarding expenditures executed to date, Bishop provided a total of $892,227.46, broken down as: water/sewer, $448,706.55; general, $434,297.76; and, fire, $9,223.15. That leaves a total of $417,900 still remaining uncommitted. Bishop and her team recommended appropriating remaining funding as: general, $92,000; water/sewer, $275,900, and fire, $50,000.
Some proposed projects include finishing the Wilkie Street sewer line construction, replacing galvanized and PVC water lines, acquiring a new generator for the fire station and an HVAC unit for Memorial Park, and undertaking various alleyway improvements.
Following the presentation, council members unanimously approved the recommended plan for appropriating remaining ARPA funds.