While East Ridge is in a growth mode, officials are working to make upgrades in the city in addition to increasing retail businesses. It is anticipated that much of the cost for these improvements will come from grants. Currently there are 22 grants in the works; four of them are just in the application stage. If all the grants are received, East Ridge will get $5 million to use for projects by spending $6 million of city money.
At the city council meeting Thursday night, approval was given to apply for and accept a 2016 Building Better Communities Grant. This is a 100 percent grant for up to $150,000 with no matching funds required. The council was told that the application was by invitation only.
A LPRF grant (Local Parks and Recreation Fund) has been granted. It is a 50/50 match totaling $200,000 with Tennessee providing $100,000 and East Ridge contributing the same. This grant was originally planned for building a new city park on Monroe Street. After the application was accepted, the property was sold for the new Walmart Neighborhood Market requiring the application to be re-done and moving the project to Camp Jordan Park. This money will be used to build a track, a dog park, tennis courts and restrooms. The scope of the work will require an additional $8,000, which the council agreed to provide. Work is expected to begin in spring 2016, but the city has until June 2017 to spend this grant money.
Application is also being made for a multi-modal grant from TDOT that will provide funds for building sidewalks that connect to other modes of transportation. With this grant, the state gives 95 percent of the cost and East Ridge would provide just five percent.
A group of volunteers led by Friends of the East Ridge Animal Services collected 1,200 signatures on a petition that was presented to the council requesting that East Ridge provide an updated and respectable shelter for stray animals. The original use of the current building was to house animals for just 2-3 days. It is now a no-kill shelter that needs more and better space. Another grant has been applied for that would build the needed facility. The grant is for $100,000 and is for100 percent - no matching money would be needed it is received.
The East Ridge Police Department will be the recipient of the American Police and Sheriffs Association Equipment Grant. If won, this would buy tasers for the officers.
A few changes have been made to the Hamilton County stormwater program, and municipalities within the county must comply. The state has minimum requirements that came from the EPA. The council voted to accept this ordinance. Walden was also approved to join the interlocal agreement among the small cities and towns in Hamilton County that have joined to deal with stormwater requirements.
On second reading, the council voted to amend the municipal code to allow the issuance of beer permits within 250 feet of any residence.
Safety concerns were expressed to the council by a resident who lives by Camp Jordan, because of the increased traffic caused by the Christmas Nights of Lights in the park in addition to closed roads leading to the Bass Pro Shop construction site. He asked how emergency vehicles could negotiate Frawley Road to Jordan Run Road. Interim City Manager and Fire Chief Mike Williams assured him the city is prepared. He said that a fully staffed fire truck will be stationed at the entrance to Camp Jordan starting this weekend. Police officers will also be strategically positioned in three locations. Roads can be closed if necessary. There are also several designated landing zones for helicopters if an ambulance cannot get in.
John McNeil, another citizen of Red Bank, came to appeal to the council members to create safer transportation for the handicapped. He said he lost a leg and is now in a wheelchair because of being hit by a car. Thursday night, he told the council he had been hit for the third time in his wheelchair. Because he has previously asked for sidewalks and cross walks to be built and nothing has yet to be done, he told the council that he will be coming to the city with a lawsuit. The council was advised to say nothing.
Councilman Denny Manning requested that the city issue ID cards for police and firefighters that have retired from East Ridge. City Attorney Hal North told the council that these cards would automatically get a concealed carry permit for the person that was given one. The motion died for a lack of a second.
Interim City Manager Williams was given the authority to reassign use of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat with 41,000 miles that was purchased for use of the last city manager.
Discussion of advertising for a permanent city manager took place at the meeting. In addition to the minimum requirements established by the city charter, some other desired experience was identified. The charter specifies a bachelor’s degree and three years in a direct supervisory governmental position. Additional qualifications that the city would prefer is for the person to have experience in economic development, city planning or finance. The position will be advertised through Jan. 29, 2016.
Plaques were awarded to the winners out of 75 entries from the East Ridge Christmas parade. The East Ridge High School football team acted as the marshals. In the non-education category, first place went to Camping World of Chattanooga RV. Second place was given to the Chattanooga Lacrosse Team, and Fellowship Baptist Church won third place. In the Education category, Cub Scout Pack 3062 won first place and a $300 prize. Belvoir Christian Academy won second place and $200. Third place was awarded to Cub Scout Pack 3007 along with a $100 prize.
The next meeting of the East Ridge City Council will be held on Jan. 14.