At Tuesday's meeting of the City Council of East Ridge it was reported that Mike Tallent, Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) consultant, had met with the council about an administrative assistant program.

According to the workshop minutes, "The program was designed to recruit and employ a MPA graduate for 18 months to three years to work with various cities for city manager training."

The proposal submitted to the council is for the intern to work with the cities of Athens, Cleveland, East Ridge, Red Bank and the Athens Utility Board. He or she will be an employee of MTAS. The cities will reimburse MTAS for the intern's salary and benefits.

The city of East Ridge was asked to provide the salary of the intern for the six months he or she will be working in the city. The first three months (March, April and May 2007) the intern will focus his or her attention on budgeting. The second term in East Ridge (November and December 2007 and January 2008) he or she will focus on public safety.

The salary for the first term will be $2,800.46 per month. The second three-month term will cost the city $2,940.48 per month, it was reported.

The council members approved this resolution on Tuesday evening.

Also at the regular meeting the City Council unanimously decided to sponsor the Pumpkin and Cider Festival. This annual event will be held on Oct. 28 at East Ridge Camp Jordan Arena. It will benefit the Needy Children's Christmas Fund of East Ridge.

The day will be filled with arts, crafts and musical entertainment. Council member Tom Card said there will be a professional fireworks display. The city of East Ridge will also celebrate its 85th anniversary at this event.

The council also decided to sponsor the Special Needs Fishing Derby to be held on Sept. 30.

The City Council approved an additional expenditure of $750 to raise/install a fuel tank. This is to raise an already approved tank above the flood level. This was not included in the Estes Equipment Company's original bid, it was said.

Mayor Vince Dean appointed Vice Mayor Louie Thompson to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mayor Dean reminded the council that he plans to delegate many appointments like this to other people.

Mayor Dean also proclaimed the second week in February as National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Week. A group of young members of this organization were present to receive a certificate from the mayor.