East Ridge officials are still basking in the glory of the groundbreaking of the Red Wolves soccer stadium and on Thursday during the City Council meeting Mayor Brian Williams presented council members with shovels used during the ceremony earlier this week.
“I hope you don’t expect me to use this,” Councilman Jacky Cagle said as he was holding the tool.
Mayor Williams thanked the council for working with Red Wolves owner and developer Bob Martino in helping clear the way for the city to capitalize on the project.
In “old business” the council approved on second reading the rezoning of two properties.
In the first instance, the council gave the go-ahead allowing the owners of Yogi’s Primo Promo at 403 South St. Marks to build a second structure on its property which fronts South Terrace.
The council also voted to allow the rezoning of four acres at 3400 Ringgold Rd. to zero lot lines residential for the construction of a mixed-use development including row houses on property once used for the sale of Jim Walter Homes.
There was a question from Councilman Cagle about access to the site that is across the street from the American Legion and adjacent to Blackhawk Drive. Cagle wanted a “no left turn” sign posted for safety reasons along the potentially congested site with an increased density.
Officials explained to Cagle that the issue before the council was merely a rezoning question. As the planning process progresses, issues with ingress and egress would be addressed.
The council approved a change order from Integrated Properties LLC. totaling $57,700 to the improvements in Camp Jordan Park. Those change orders include, electric service to aerate the fishing pond, a small sidewalk, a small area of turf, grease traps to concession stands and windows in concession stands instead of a roll-up doors.
City Manager Chris Dorsey said he was concerned about several of the change orders not being included in the original design. He said he would consult with the City Attorney about taking potential action to recover the money.
The council approved the purchase of 100 new garbage cans for trash and recycling at a cost of $14,750. It was noted that Councilman Cagle identified an illegitimate $25 cost over-run per can.
“That was no mistake,” Cagle said from the dais. “I know it’s not much but that $25 belongs to me and it belongs to all the citizens out there.”
The council approved staff to accept a grant from the Tennessee Municipal League’s Risk Management Pool for safety equipment for city employees. This competitive grant is a 50 percent match for equipment such as safety vests, gloves and boots. The grant, said grant specialist Amanda Bowers, allows the city to recoup about $3,000 in costs.
Mayor Williams received the blessing of the council to appoint Mickey Spence to the city’s Planning Commission and Jessica Crowe to the Library Board.
The council upheld the decision of the city’s Housing Commission to demolish a burned out house at 418 Cedar Glen Circle. The house burned in April of 2018. At that time the owner said it was a total loss.
City Attorney Mark Litchford explained that there was no effort to repair the house and the city received a complaint about the property in January of this year. The owners did not appear in three separate hearing before the housing commission. There was no representation by the owners at the appeal before the council.
Mayor Williams made the motion to sustain the demolition of the structure. The vote was unanimous.
