City Council Minutes, November 14, 2024

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE November 14, 2024 6:00 pm The East Ridge City Council met pursuant to notice on November 14, 2024, 6:00 pm at East Ridge City Hall. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order. Pastor Daniel Beard, Action Church, gave the invocation. All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Haynes, Councilmember Cagle, Councilmember Tyler, Councilmember Witt, City Manager Miller, City Attorney Litchford, and City Recorder Middleton. Attendance: 7 Employee Milestone Awards for September — Mayor Williams announced the employee milestone awards for September. e Billy McKeel 20 years e Ashley Hewitt 15 years e Sam Roistacher 5 years The Mayor thanked these employees and all the employees for their service to the City. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Minutes October 24, 2024 Council Meeting B. Declaration of Surplus Property e Parks and Recreation e Building Maintenance e Street Department Vice Mayor Haynes made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Tyler,to approve the Consent Agenda. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. Communication from Citizens: None Communication from Councilmembers: Councilmember Tyler had nothing at this time. Councilmember Witt thanked everyone who voted for her and congratulated Councilmember- elect Jeff Ezell. November 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 1 of9 ORDINANCE,” BY REMOVING “AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE” PROVISIONS, PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF THE MOST CURRENT OF VARIOUS FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN HOUSEKEEPING PROVISIONS (2" and final reading) - City Attomey Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller stated the City must adopt these amendments to bring us up to code as all cities in Hamilton County must do. Councilmember Witt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Tyler, to approve Ordinance No. 1211 on second and final reading. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. RESOLUTION NO. 3611 —- A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE DBA CITY WASTE, LLC FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL/TRANSFER STATION SERVICES (Passed from October 24, 2024 meeting) - City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller stated this will be a five-year agreement for $43.75 per ton. It calls for an annual adjustment each year based on the Consumer Price Index. We received three bids for solid waste disposal services as follows: COMPANY BID AMOUNT Waste Connections dba City Waste $43.75 per ton BFI dba Republic Services $53.00 per ton Capital Waste Services $55.00 per ton The City has been paying $33.75 per ton, so this will mean an increase in what the City pays for disposal. Mr. Miller still has issues with the agreement, which City Attorney Litchford discussed. He stated the vendor is demanding that the City guarantees that no unacceptable items are deposited in trash cans. The vendor wants the right to terminate immediately if this happens. Councilmember Cagle made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to pass this item until the December 12" Council meeting until all the details are worked out. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. New Business: PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE NO. 1212 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE ZONING REGULATIONS AND THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE SO AS TO REZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6728 RINGGOLD ROAD FROM R-3 APARTMENT DISTRICT AND C-1 TOURISM COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, AND TO REZONE AN UNADDRESSED PROPERTY IN THE 6700 BLOCK OF RINGGOLD ROAD FROM C-1 TOURISM COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT - City Attorney Litchford read on caption. Mayor Williams opened the public hearing. Chief Building Official Howell stated this request is for Camping World. The property is classified as legal non-conforming, and this rezoning will bring it into compliance with the current usage. Planning Commission approved the request. There were no comments from the applicant and no one else came forward in favor of or in opposition to the rezoning. Mayor Williams closed the public hearing. ORDINANCE NO. 1212 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE ZONING REGULATIONS AND THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY November 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 3 of9 Resolution No. 3618 with the nomination of Michele Cunningham. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. Mayor Williams thanked Ms. Cunningham for her service on the Board. RESOLUTION NO. 3619 — A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL TO MEMORIALIZE THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE EAST RIDGE BEER BOARD- City Attomey Litchford read on caption. Mayor Williams nominated Roy Keown as the Chairperson of the Beer Board. Councilmember Witt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Tyler, to approve Resolution No. 3619, appointing Roy Keown as the Chairperson. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. RESOLUTION NO. 3620 — A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A BID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE ROOF ON THE CITY HALL COMPLEX SPECIFICALLY, THE PORTION OF THE ROOF COVERING THE EAST RIDGE CITY LIBRARY - City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller stated we discovered several leaks on the floors and shelving when the recent hurricanes came through. We solicited for bids and received the following: COMPANY BID AMOUNT AK Roofing and More $39,995.00 Tri-State Roofing and Contracting, LLC $42,680.00 Aspen Contracting, Inc. $50,000.00 JDH Company, Inc. $50,207.00 Foam-Crete, Inc. of Chattanooga $54,304.00 Rackley Roofing Co., Inc. $56,187.00 Ross Services Corp. $98,883.12 AK Roofing and More was the low bidder. Staff checked out projects and references and everything was positive. Staff recommends the low bid of AK Roofing and More in the amount of $39,995.00. Mr. Miller stated funding for this project will come from the Capital Projects Fund — Upgrades to Buildings and Various Sites. Councilmember Tyler made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to approve Resolution No. 3620. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. RESOLUTION NO. 3621 — A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A BID FOR IN-CAR TABLETS AND MOUNTING SOLUTIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT- City Attorney Litchford read on caption. Chief Uselton stated the City solicited bids for ten in-car tablets and mounting solutions. Two bids were received as follows: COMPANY BID AMOUNT Derry Software, LLC $32,726.70 Midwest Public Safety, LLC $45,340.00 Staff recommends the low bid of Derry Software, LLC in the amount of $32,726.70. Councilmember Tyler made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to approve Resolution No. 3621. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. November 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 5 of9 DESIGN SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. - City Attorney Litchford read on caption. Development Administrator McAllister stated the change order is to add a sprinkler system to the Community Center. Councilmember Tyler made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to approve Resolution No. 3626. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. RESOLUTION NO. 3627 —- A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 5.89 ACRES LOCATED ADJACENT TO JORDAN RUN ROAD- City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller stated that a resident on Jordan Run Road has property adjacent to the City’s property and wishes to purchase the 5.89 acres. It is in the 100-year flood plain and the City has no plans for the property. The property appraised at market value of $17,578 - $35,000. The resident is offering to pay $16,800 plus pay the $1,200 fee for the appraisal for a total of $18,000. Dan Mouw, Jordan Run Road, is the resident requesting to purchase the property. He stated that people hunt deer on the property and they cut through his property. He will sign a statement saying he will never develop the property. Councilmember Cagle made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to approve Resolution No. 3627, with the following restrictions added: 1. No structure will ever be constructed on the property. 2. There will be no storage of any vehicles, supplies, or materials. 3. No access road can be constructed from Frawley Road to this property. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. RESOLUTION NO. 3628 — A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN JOINT PROJECT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE AND HAMILTON COUNTY TO TURF CERTAIN ATHLETIC FIELDS AT CAMP JORDAN PARK- City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller stated that he, the Mayor, Director Skiles, and other staff met with Hamilton County Mayor Wamp and his management staff regarding the results of the Victus Study for Parks and Recreation, particularly to discuss turfing of certain athletic fields. He stated that Hamilton County will match the funds that the City puts in for this project, which is $3 million from the City and $3 million from Hamilton County. Mr. Miller is asking for direction on the issue. Mayor Williams stated that the County Mayor is very supportive in helping with improvements at Camp Jordan. He also stated the County contributed to the cost of the Victus study. Councilmember Cagle made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Tyler, for discussion purposes only. Councilmember Cagle discussed various studies regarding the dangers of artificial turf. He stated that these studies show that the turf contains cancer causing agents, various chemicals, and lead. He also stated that studies show that turf gets hot and heats up the environment. He stated that cities, such as Boston have banned artificial turf. Mr. Cagle stated that studies show there are more injuries on artificial turf. Vice Mayor Haynes stated that Hamilton County schools are turfing their fields, as well at the University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Councilmember Tyler would like to see more about the studies to have a more informed opinion, stating the studies could be overblown. November 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 7 of9 RESOLUTION NO. ___ - Approval to purchase signal cabinet for Traffic Control Department — City Manager Miller stated that Temple, Inc. supplied all the traffic signal cabinets for the signal upgrade in 2013 — 2014, so the new cabinet will have to be compatible with those. The cost is $15,149.00. RESOLUTION NO. - Approval of Nomination by Councilmember Tyler to fill a Term on the East Ridge Library Board - No discussion. RESOLUTION NO.____- Approval of Nomination by Councilmember Ezell to fill a Term on the East Ridge Library Board — No discussion. RESOLUTION NO. - Approval of Addendum to Ridgeside contracts for Fire and Police - City Manager Miller stated the addendum calls for a 4% increase for 2024-2025. If Council does not take action by the end of 2024, the agreement will automatically renew and we cannot make any amendments. Councilmember Cagle asked if we are going to move the dog park when the new multi-purpose facility opens. Mr. Miller stated we may have to consider this since the facility is going to be used for events, such as weddings, dinners, lunches, city events, farmers’ markets, etc. The building will have large garage doors that can be opened for these events, but with barking dogs we may lose these events. We need to look at moving the dog park, possibly to Springvale Park, where there would be room for two dog parks that we could rotate use in order to keep the grass growing. Mayor Williams stated the swearing in ceremony will be December 9, 2024 at 6 pm. Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED: MAYOR Cry RECORDER November 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 9 of9