East Ridge Council Asked For Another $1 Million For Jordan Crossing; Council Votes 3-2 To Leave Williams In Place As City Manager For Now

  • Friday, July 24, 2015
  • Gail Perry

John Healy, partner with Exit One LLC, came to the East Ridge city council meeting Thursday night asking for more money. In January 2014 Arcadis Engineering was hired to do a traffic study of roadways leading to the new development known as Jordan Crossing anchored by Bass Pro Shop. The road was found to be sufficient for Camp Jordan and Bass Pro, but it was determined that it would not support any additional development, said Mr. Healy.

 

The council at the end of May had agreed to pull $1 million from the city's rainy day fund to go toward a final payment of $4 million promised to the developers.

The council was concerned at the time that the drawdown might harm the city's bond rating.

 

The developers own around 40 acres and are in the process of acquiring more land adjacent to that. They already have plans to build 350,000 square feet of commercial space that will include a 90-room hotel and four restaurants with more in the future. They have paid Arcadis $100,000 for the study and design of a new road that will be able to service all the new development plus Camp Jordan traffic. The new road is estimated to cost around $3 million.

 

The state of Tennessee will pay $1 million of that and Mr. Healy believes that Hamilton County will contribute another million depending on a vote by the county commissioners. He asked East Ridge to also contribute $1 million, saying that the city will easily recoup that amount with the local option sales taxes collected. There will also be additional revenue received from property taxes and because of the border region status. He told the commissioners that their investment can be reimbursed from the state under the border region designation.

 

There will be a special meeting next Thursday at 6 p.m. solely for the purpose of discussing the Exit One project including the road and sewers. Mayor Brent Lambert said this is a good project even without the economic development that the new shopping area will bring because it would eliminate the perpetual traffic problems of getting down Camp Jordan Parkway where cars back up during events.

 

Mr. Healy said afterward, "We committed last summer that we would not ask East Ridge for any additional financial support for the Bass Pro project after their initial commitment.  That’s exactly what we have done.  As I said last night, this road is not for the benefit of Bass Pro, we don’t need it for the Bass Pro project to move forward.  It's for the benefit of Camp Jordan Park and the additional development that is being limited due to the capacity of the road.  This is why the Mayor voiced his support for the project and there was not a single person in the audience that spoke in opposition.  This is a great opportunity for this community to upgrade their infrastructure while having the state and county contribute to the cause.  They also get paid back by the state for their investment."

This is the first meeting since former City Manager Andrew Hyatt left that Fire Chief Mike Williams has attended functioning as interim city manager, and he thanked the council for the opportunity. With praises for his dedication and respect for his work, both Vice Mayor Marc Gravitt and Mayor  Lambert welcomed him. To keep the city moving forward, however, Mr. Gravitt suggested that the council begin discussions about what will be done long term and to advertise the job. Because filling the position permanently will be a lengthy process expected to take three-six weeks, the mayor and vice mayor agreed that the council should work up a list of desired qualifications to begin the process. Councilman Denny Manning, however, made a motion to do nothing for several months. Council members Larry Sewell and Jacky Cagle agreed and the vote was three to two to leave things as is for now, with the understanding the matter can be brought up again at any time.

 

One reason to make a decision on the city manager’s position soon has to do with the city’s infrastructure, said Mr. Gravitt. There are HUD grants available, but the state needs a contact person with public works knowledge to talk to and there is no one in East Ridge to contact. Another option, said Mr. Gravitt, would be to have an agreement with an engineering firm that would handle all of the city’s road and sewer needs.

 

Chief Williams told the council that he has been working diligently on the new fire hall that is planned to replace the one removed to make space for Jordan Crossing. The city will take up underground sewer and water lines soon after which an architect will look at plans to determine if the site will work for a three-bay station. He also said as many materials as possible that were salvaged from the old building will be used to save money. He said $1 million has been designated for the building from a $3.5 million loan to the city.

 

The commissioners voted to apply for and accept the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management “Safety Partners” grant. This is a 50/50 grant with the city spending $2,000 matched by TML for a total project of $4,000. The money will be used for training and education in the fire and police departments.

 

The city will also execute the “open roads policy” between the police department, TDOT, and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for attempting to keep lanes open in the event of a traffic incident.

 

Police Chief J.R. Reed asked the council and received approval to dispose of contraband weapons that have accumulated. They must be either sold or exchanged. The 40 firearms will be exchanged for four patrol rifles at $795 apiece. Chief Reed’s goal is to have a rifle in each police car.

 

The council was told that the relationship with Andrew Hyatt, ex city manager, has officially been severed. A number of vacation weeks have been paid, an agreement has been made with his attorney, and there are no pending claims. Mayor Lambert said, “We wish Andrew Hyatt the best” but it is time for the city to move on.

 

East Ridge High School has asked the city for $10,000 to improve the baseball field. The commissioners were opposed to giving the money since there is no one currently maintaining it. Director of Parks and Recreation Stump Martin suggested holding a fundraising dinner with a speaker to draw people interested in baseball. The council agreed this was a way to help the school without using city funds.

 

In his report, the mayor said he had seen a sign at Motel 6 near the entrance to Camp Jordan that claimed to be “Camp Jordan’s Official Event Hotel.” Because the city has never endorsed that, he asked what could be done to get the sign removed. City Attorney Hal North will contact the management and tell them to take it down.  

 

Mayor Lambert also asked for residents to remember that “Camp Jordan Jams,” a make-up event from the rained-out Fourth of July celebration, will take place Aug. 1. It will be held at the Camp Jordan Amphitheater. There will be barbecue available during the day and karaoke will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Forty participants have already signed up. The band Common Ground, the opening act, starts playing at 6:30 followed by “The Beaters.” Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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