An economic impact analysis of Camp Jordan that was done by Dr. William Legg was presented to the East Ridge City Council Thursday night. The analysis puts, in a tangible form, what city officials have suspected, said Mayor Brent Lambert. The existence of Camp Jordan is very important to East Ridge as the city looks to the future, he said.
The study showed that despite a $548,000 deficit at the end of the year in pure accounting terms, it has brought money into the city in other ways. The park brings many people into the community that stay in hotels and go to restaurants in East Ridge. This gives support to those businesses and brings sales taxes to the city. These businesses hire workers; increasing employment with people who may chose to live in the city where they will re-spend their money.
The mayor reported that growth and development is actively taking place in East Ridge, proven by the permit fees that were collected in 2015. In 2013, he said all permit fees totaled $53,700. That increased to $60,000 in 2014. In 2015 permit fees skyrocketed to $223,000.
The retail growth and building around the new Jordan Crossing development required that one of the city’s fire halls be moved. City Manager and Interim City Manager Mike Williams gave an update on the fire hall that will replace the one that was demolished. He told the council the architect has submitted several plans that are being reviewed by engineers. An engineering study has been done to determine the cost of the site work, and he felt the price was too high. Because of that, a less expensive option will be used. The old building that was dismantled will be reversed from front to back. More details should be determined by the first or second week of February.
The council is attempting to create improvements that will make East Ridge more attractive. One way is by creating a new sign ordinance. A delay in approving the new ordinance is due to the new technology of LED lighted signs that can be bright enough to blind drivers to on-coming traffic, or become a distraction. A vote on adopting the ordinance was tabled until representatives from the advertising sign companies have an informative meeting with the commissioners and codes enforcement officer Kenny Custer, to advise what to expect with the rapidly changing technology, and how to best manage signs using these lights. Until that meeting takes place, the council implemented a 90-day moratorium on any LED billboards and any conversions of existing signs to LED technology. This moratorium is effective immediately.
An ordinance was passed on first reading that prohibits parking of RVs in commercial parking lots for more than three consecutive days. Codes enforcement has received complaints about people living in RVs and campers parked in lots in front of businesses, but have been unable to act because the old ordinance had nothing that prohibited the practice. The new ordinance will have provisions for exemptions including businesses that provide sales, service and storage of these vehicles.
The city manager’s job has been advertised and 40 resumes have been received. Jan. 29 is the deadline for submittals. The next step will be for City Attorney Hal North to review them to assure they qualify under the rules established in the city charter. They will then be made available for the mayor and council’s examination.
Police and fire services that East Ridge provides for the city of Ridgeside is being evaluated to make sure that the city is not losing money while providing this assistance to another city. Commissioner Jacky Cagle put together an analysis of the costs and determined that the price being charged by East Ridge may be too low. Mayor Lambert said it should be revisited and if Police Chief J.R. Reed, and Fire Chief Mike Williams feel it is not worth the contract price, they should tell the council how they would like to proceed.
The city manager announced that the fire and police departments have decided to subscribe to a web-based service, Leads Online, that can be used as a tool for recovering stolen property. With this, pawn shops in the city will be required to submit documentation of transactions through the Leads Online system which is a national database.
On second reading, the council voted to comply with the updated FEMA flood plain maps and regulations in order to maintain eligibility for participating in the national flood insurance program.
Two grants were accepted from Walmart, one for the fire department and the other for the police department. Both were for $1,500 and were guaranteed and required no matching funds from the city. The money has already been received. The fire department grant has already been put into the East Ridge Needy Child Fund. Money given to the police department will be used to purchase 42 trauma kits for patrol cars.
Also given approval, was participation in the Governor’s Highway Safety Office Seatbelts are for Everyone Campaign. This is a campaign to encourage citizens to use seat belts. It involves no money or grants. It will be implemented with enhanced enforcement.