The East Ridge City Council on Thursday night approved on first reading a new Christian concert hall - with a number of restrictions.

Matthew Holland and Casey Whitaker said there would not be drinking or smoking at the hall at 5716 Ringgold Road, Suite 105.

There are to be no more than 175 patrons inside the hall at one time, and groups are not to loiter outside.

Hours are to be 7-11 p.m.

Mr. Holland said the hall is for people of all ages. He said there will be weekend concerts and there will be videos shown of Charistian youth ministries, including Compassion International and Invisible Children.

Interim City Manager Eddie Phillips said the group apparently has enemies. He said a call to police was made about a firearm at the hall, but that turned out to be false.

He said fliers were distributed in East Ridge purporting to be from the group, but which were actually not.

The application was filed under The Warehouse, but it was pointed out that name is already taken.

Mr. Holland said the group sought to get started in Hixson, but found it would cost $25,000 to fix up an available building near Abba's House.

The hall has already had two events, including one at which Mayor Mike Steele stopped by. He said the crowd was well-behaved.

Councilman Denny Manning suggested that the hall hire an off-duty East Ridge Police officer, but that would cost $25 per hour.

Mr. Holland said on the opening nights the hall had a guy placed out front for security. He said he was "basically a bounty hunter - a big ugly-looking guy."

In other action, Dick Cook said he is launching a business setting up "Green Zone" bike parking lanes, and he offered two of the bike parking spots free of charge to his hometown. The council accepted the offer.

Mayor Steele said one of the spots may be placed at Camp Jordan Park.

Or one may be at the library and the other at the nearby community center.

Mr. Cook said each will include green striping, a Green Zone sign and a bicycle rack.

He said he hopes to sell other cities on the idea.

Also, bids were taken to install a wireless closed circuit TV security system for the Pioneer Frontier playground near City Hall.

The low bid was just over $16,000.

But no one seconded a motion to approve, so the system will not be installed.

At the start of the meeting, Mayor Steele presented a David Mays Parkway sign to Mr. Mays, who recently retired after 38 years as city manager.

The actual sign will be placed at the entrance to City Hall.

David Mays and wife are shown after he was presented with David Mays Parkway sign