East Ridge residents may soon have recreational opportunities in the central part of town after the City Council voted on Thursday during its regular meeting to take over maintenance of the athletic fields at the high school.
The resolution, which passed unanimously, will allow City Manager Scott Miller to enter into an agreement with Hamilton County Schools giving the city deed to five athletic fields at the school on Bennett Road. The agreement, which officials said had been batted back and forth nine times between attorneys for the city and the schools, opens up the track, football, softball, baseball and a practice field to residents after school hours. In return, East Ridge will be obligated to maintain the facilities, something that Hamilton County Schools have neglected to do for more than a decade.
According to documents prepared by city officials, it will cost East Ridge $58,000 the first year, plus a $40,000 capital expense of repairing the decaying tennis courts, providing material for turf maintenance on the fields and materials to upgrade the concession, bathroom and dugout facilities.
Tim James, the ERHS football coach and interim Assistant Principal, said that coaches at the school will partner with city staff to help out some of the maintenance duties. James also said that the school’s vocational classes that includes masonry, carpentry and plumbing would contribute to the ongoing improvements and maintenance of the facilities.
Parks and Recreation Director Stump Martin said he anticipates many people in the community volunteering at the athletic fields as a result of publicity the effort will receive.
“I”m excited about it,” said Councilwoman Esther Helton. “It’s sewing good seeds in the community.”
City Manager Miller will attend next week’s Hamilton County School Board meeting where the board must formally approve the agreement. Miller said that the Hamilton County Commission must also approve the deal for it to be finalized.
The board voted on first reading to adopt a new sign ordinance. Kenny Custer, the city’s Chief Building Official, has worked for more than a year preparing the 22-page document. The ordinance regulates the design and placement of signs for businesses and “off-premise” billboards throughout the city. Custer said the new ordinance also addresses new LED billboards which have become a point of contention over the last several years. It limits LED signs brightness and the way the signs “transition” its messages.
Existing billboards and signs will not be effected by the ordinance, officials said. However, if a sign is deteriorating and requires replacement the new ordinance would be in play.
The council adopted an ordinance on second reading giving a small parcel of land to the developers of Jordan Crossing. The one-third acre tract is currently right-of-way into Camp Jordan Parkway. Construction of a new exit from Interstate 75 will create a new exchange onto Camp Jordan Parkway and the road will be abandoned. The land, officials said, will be used by developers for a parking lot at a new national chain restaurant that will be built nearby.
The Council inched closer to naming a new City Attorney. Last week four attorneys – Estes Cocke, Interim Mark Litchford, Alex Mcveagh and Gerald Tidwell – submitted applications and resumes for the permanent post. The council voted 4-1, Mayor Brent Lambert was the only dissenting vote, to interview two of the candidates, Litchford and McVeagh, who is affiliated with the Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel firm where former City Attorney Hal North was a partner.
Those interviews will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 20 at 5:30 at City Hall. The public is invited to attend.
The council also voted to move forward with selecting an engineering firm to design sidewalks and other amenities along part of Ringgold Road. City Manager Miller told the board that he wanted to have the design completed during this fiscal year and construction completed in two years. Miller said the project will begin at Tombras Avenue and proceed west to Belvoir Avenue. A second phase would extend the sidewalks and amenities from Belvoir to the tunnels in succeeding years.
Miller said that he hopes improvements on the west side of town would generate more interest by the business community to invest on the west end possibly to entice developers with new projects.
