City Council Minutes, March 27, 2025

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST RIDGE March 27, 2025 6:00 pm The East Ridge City Council met pursuant to the meeting notice on March 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the East Ridge City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order. Danny Lance gave the invocation. All joined in for the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Tyler, Councilmember Cagle, Councilmember Ezell, Councilmember Witt, City Manager Miller, City Attorney Litchford, Office Assistant Bowers. Attendance: 12 Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Minutes of March 13, 2025, Council Meeting B. Declaration of Surplus Property – Police Department, Sanitation Vice Mayor Tyler made the motion to approve the consent agenda, second by Councilmember Witt. There being no further discussion, Mayor Williams asked for a roll call. The vote was unanimous, motion approve. Communication from Citizens: None Communication from Councilmembers: Councilmember Ezell had nothing at this time. Councilmember Witt had nothing at this time. Vice Mayor Tyler asked that Staff to look into who owns the cell phone tower on Blackhawk Trail. City Manager Miller stated he would look into it. Councilmember Cagle had nothing at the time. Mayor Williams reported the events and programs from both the Parks & Recreation department and the Library. March 27, 2025 Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 Communication from City Manager: City Manager Miller reported on the following: o The Building & Codes department are working with new upcoming businesses – Smoothie King & Jersey Mike’s Subs in the old BB&T Bank property at the corner of North Mack Smith Road and Ringgold Road. o The building site beside Parkridge East Hospital is about to start construction on several homes in the Graston Multi-Family development. o Construction has begun on 2 acres of land beside Sweet Bay Apartments on Fountain Avenue – 15 patio homes are proposed. o The restaurant chain Whataburger is going to the site of the former Wally’s Restaurant. o In the old Seahorse Farms property, off Frawley Road, plans are under review. The neighborhood will consist of 108 two-story townhomes. o The new Welcome to East Ridge sign has been installed near the Chik-fil-a restaurant. Waiting on electrical hookups for both new welcome signs. o The newly named “Venue 1921at East Ridge” (12,000 sqft) have several active construction items – walls, fire protection, temporary electrical, the parking lots etc. o Informed the Council that the new City Clerk, Jennifer Deitrick, will start on Monday, March 31st, 2025. She comes from the Town of Farragut with 11 years of experience. He stated that she will be a great asset to the City. o Mayor Williams discussed taking one of the old Wally’s signs and placing it in the History Center. 8) Old Business: RESOLUTION NO. 3657 – A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A NOMINATION BY COUNCILMEMBER ANDREA WITT TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM O N THE EAST RIDGE HOUSING COMMISSION– City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Attorney Litchford explained that this is an appointment but in resolution form, memorializing the appointment to the unexpired term made by Councilmember Witt. After much discussion and editing of the resolution wording, Vice Mayor Tyler made a motion, seconded Mayor Williams, to memorialize the appointment of James Meyers to the East Ridge Housing Commission. Mayor Williams asked for a roll call. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. March 27, 2025 Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 RESOLUTION NO. 3658 – A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A NOMINATION BY CITY COUNCIL TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ON THE EAST RIDGE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD – City Attorney Litchford read on caption. Mayor Williams asked for nominations from the Council. Vice Mayor nominated Stan Allen to the appointment. Vice Mayor Tyler made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to memorialize the appointment of Stan Allen to the East Ridge Industrial Development Board. Councilmember Cagle stated that an error was found in the appointment service terms. The resolution will be updated to the correct term limits. Mayor Williams asked for a roll call. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. 9) New Business: RESOLUTION NO. 3668 – A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 3241, WHICH APPROVED THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANUAL – City Attorney Litchford read on caption. Human Resources Director Sinigaglio went over the proposed changes and additions. City Manager Miller explained that the upcoming updates were triggered by the audit of another city’s policies. These changes will help to make clear and enforce policies. Vice Mayor Tyler made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Witt, to accept the proposed changes to the Human Resources Manual. After discussion, Mayor Williams asks for a roll call. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved RESOLUTION NO. 3669 – A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VOLKERT, INC. RELATING TO THE JOHN ROSS ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT City Attorney Litchford read on caption. EDC Administrator McAllister gave the history of the grant. He explained that at the beginning of the project, Volkert, Inc. was selected to do engineering and CEI services and project administration when it became time for construction; this included bids. After the first round of proposals were open and rejected, Volkert, Inc. requested an additional fee to cover the costs of an additional bid for the project. EDC McAllister explained that a cost cut measure was to have WWTA take responsibility of the manholes along John Ross Road. The amendment cost will be $5,000. Councilmember Witt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ezell to approve the amendment with Volkert, INC. for $5,000. There was discussion amongst Council regarding street cuts that are not remediated to City specifications. Further, the department responsible for monitoring these road cuts must stay on top of these projects in order to make the party involved in the road cut held accountable to restore the project to the satisfaction of the City. After discussion, Mayor Williams asks for a roll call. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved March 27, 2025 Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 RESOLUTION NO. 3670 – A RESOLUTION OF THE EAST RIDGE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A BID FOR THE EAST RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT – City Attorney Litchford read on caption. City Manager Miller introduced Michael Prader from H&K Architects that works alongside Kimley Horn in the design of the expansion project. City Manager Miller began by saying that the funding is a 50/50 grant project under the State Local Parks & Recreations Fund. The City’s portion of the grant will be $600,000 and the State will be $600,000 for a total project cost of $1,200.000. He continued to discuss items, with subsequent costs for each. City Manager Miller also mentioned other items that were not included in the original bid, which would be needed and completed now instead of waiting. He asked for the additional funding to come from the Capital Improvement Fund Balance. City Manager Miller recommended awarding the bid to Pillar Construction in the amount of $1,718,000. Discussion was had between City Manager Miller and Council as to where funding for this and other related projects would come from. Councilmember Witt, seconded by Vice-Mayor Tyler to accept the resolution as captioned. After some discussion, Mayor Williams asked for a roll call. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved. Discussion of Tentative Agenda Items for April 10, 2025, City Council Meeting (see Attachment A) 8) Old Business: A) Discussion of City Charter Review Commission – City Attorney Litchford researched for the previous Charter Review Commission from 2008. Eight changes were put on the November ballot to approve or deny these recommended changes. He further found information on another Charter Review Commission around 2013. It hasn’t been indicated that changes were suggested at that time. City Attorney Litchford has reached out to previous City Attorney Hal North for any information he may have during that time and confer with MTAS for their opinion as well as find out more information. Council discussed that it would be time for another review of the charter and will discuss further at the April 10th meeting. 9) New Business: A) RESOLUTION NO. ___ Appointment to the Zoning Appeals Board Councilmember Cagle – No discussion. B) RESOLUTION NO. _____ Appointment to the Zoning Appeals Board Vice Mayor Tyler – No discussion Councilmember Ezell brought up the dog park. Discussion between Council and Mr. Miller was had regarding the cost of moving the dog park and where it could be placed. He stated that it would have to be investigated if property was purchased with grant funds, what can be done with it as far as putting the park, restrooms, lighting, etc. Mayor Williams brought up turfing an alternative to growing grass. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. March 27, 2025 Council Meeting Page 4 of 5