The East Ridge City Council will debate the controversial guns in parks law on July 9, officials said.

East Ridge City Attorney John Anderson said he does not know whether city officials will opt out of Tennessee’s new law that allows gun permit holders to bring guns into parks. The Municipal Technical Advisory Service has provided city officials with information on the new law, which was passed recently by the Tennessee General Assembly, he said.

In other business, the council on Thursday voted to clarify the city’s health benefits policy for retirees. The city recently switched from a state benefits system to a plan offered by Cigna, providing about $122,000 in savings, said City Manager William Whitson. But, the change in insurance providers caused confusion, and the city was paying premiums for several city retirees’ families, he said. The city policy is to pay for only retirees’ premiums, not family members, City Manager Whitson said. So, the council approved a resolution to clarify the policy.

The three retirees who are receiving family premium payments will continue to receive those benefits, City Manager Whitson said.

The council also discussed plans to create a billing agreement with the Catoosa County Water Board. The city currently has an agreement with Tennessee-American Water Co. to include garbage collection fees on water bills for some residents, Councilman Brent Lambert said. City officials hope to create a similar agreement with the Catoosa County Water Board for residents who receive water from that utility, Councilman Lambert said.

Also, the council discussed a drug card program that allows residents to buy discounted prescription drugs at pharmacies inside city limits. So far, more than 300 residents have picked up the cards, which are available at no charge, Councilman Lambert said. The cards are available at city hall, the East Ridge Library and the community center.

And, the city council approved three resolutions to allow the mayor to enact programs offered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation using federal stimulus funds. A $21,000 contract would provide 15 new safety signals for school zones, City Manager Whitson said. A $172,000 contract would pay for paving a pedestrian/bicycle path in Camp Jordan Park and the creation of a bicycle lane on Camp Jordan Parkway. And, a $41,000 contract would allow for resurfacing of South Mack Smith Road.

The contracts were approved pending the final documents being returned by TDOT, City Manager Whitson said. The deadline is Sept. 30.