Discussion of the city manager’s contract took place at the East Ridge City Council meeting Thursday night. Andrew Hyatt’s original contract started Oct. 21, 2013 for a period of one year. He asked the council’s approval to extend it with two changes. He requested that the new contract be started Oct. 22 and end on June 30 in order to coincide with the schedule of the city’s budget.
He also asked for a severance policy provision regarding health insurance in the event of termination.
Councilman Marc Gravitt made a motion to extend the contract including the insurance provision for the shorter of 90 days or if he obtains comparable employment in that period of time. Extension of his contract with both modifications was unanimously approved.
Parks and Recreation Director Stump Martin presented a revised site plan for a new city park that was originally planned for the old East Ridge swimming pool property on Monroe Street. Because that property has been sold, a new location for the facilities has been designated at Camp Jordan.
The city received a $65,000 grant for the project and designed it around that. With the larger space now being used Mr. Martin suggested building two tennis courts versus the one in the original plan. He also would like to build a whole basketball court instead of a half court that would have fit on the Monroe Street lot. The city would have to pay for these additions, which will be $30,000 for the second tennis court and $22,000 more to build a complete basketball court. Also planned is a new restroom near the pavilion, a walking track and a dog park. The city has up to two years to spend the grant money.
Approval was given for the city manager to proceed with sending a request for proposal for a collection agency to replace the one East Ridge has used in the past that went out of business.
Cameras for police vehicles will also be bid out. The price of each camera from the current supplier is $4,590. To install one on each of the 12 new police vehicles will be around $55,140. The money will come from the capital improvement fund. It was noted that the sale of the old vehicles would off-set some of this cost.
Deputy Fire Marshal Kenny Custer was unanimously appointed to represent East Ridge in the management committee of the Hamilton County Water Quality Program. He will replace Mark Dempsey.
After being assured that banners hung across the road are safe, the council gave approval for a sign advertising a fundraising barbecue held by the Masonic Temple. After an incident where a sign fell on a motorcycle, Fire Chief Mike Williams has added tethers to both sides of a sign for reinforcement.
Mimi Lowrey, an involved citizen, brought photos she took of campaign signs that she said are placed in violation of city codes. Many of them, large and small, are placed on city right-of-ways. In order to maintain the areas, city employees must weed-eat around or move them out of the way, then put them back. She said the employees should not have to do this “on the citizens’ dime.” Also, there are huge signs that block vision at some intersections, she said, and asked the city manager to enforce the ordinances.
Because two commissioners will not be in town for the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Oct. 9, that meeting will instead be held on Oct. 16.