The Red Bank Board of Commissioners approved updating city regulatory codes at the Tuesday night commission meeting. Codes that pertain to all aspects of building such as plumbing, electrical and gas, and safety codes related to swimming pools and handicapped accommodations are among others that were revised. City Attorney Arnold Stulce said this would keep the city up to date and consistent with the surrounding cities and state laws. The codes all involve safety and health issues, he said.
This is also done so that people who work in multiple area cities will have uniform standards.
The provisions of the city’s international fire code were also amended to be uniform with the city of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the state of Tennessee, as was the property maintenance code.
The state of Tennessee has changed the official definition of beer, and Red Bank was required to follow. Beer traditionally has had an alcohol content of five percent. The new definition specifies the alcohol content can now be up to eight percent. Mayor John Roberts said this change was spurred by the popularity of craft beer.
The Red Bank fire hall #2 at 4901 Dayton Blvd. has not been painted since it was built 35 years ago. Approval was given on Tuesday night to repaint the building.
A vote also authorized an agreement with Robert J. Young Co. for information technology network maintenance and support because the city does not have its own IT department. The company will maintain computer equipment that is needed for running the city.
On second and final reading, a Homeland Security grant was accepted in the amount of $36,080. It will be used to purchase digital radios for the city’s police and fire departments.
Grants were received during the last fiscal year for some projects that were not completed during 2015-2016. The commissioners voted to roll that unused money into the current year’s budget so it can be used to complete the work for which the grants were designated.
Two businesses, My Discount Liquor, Beer and Tobacco, 2105 Dayton Blvd., and El Arca De Noe Tienda Y Taquera, 3027 Dayton Blvd., were both approved for a license to sell off-premise beer.
Mayor Roberts asked for citizen participation in a series of town hall meetings to discuss how to best use the middle school property which is owned by the city. The first of the meetings will be next Tuesday at 6 p.m. Two other meetings will be held to help determine what to build - one in November and the other in December.
Mayor Roberts said that one in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. suffer from severe physical violence from a partner. In recognition, the commission voted to proclaim the month of October 2016 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
A resident of Red Bank operates an animal rescue service, Stevie's Haven, from her home on McCahill Road. She said animals of all kinds are given a safe home environment and medical treatment they need and then permanent homes are sought. She realized after complaints from a neighbor that she was breaking city laws by keeping a petting zoo in her yard. The next door neighbor told the commissioners that, while hearts are in the right place, it is basically like running a farm and cautioned of problems caused by having so many animals next door to his home and in the city. The matter will be discussed at the next commission work session.
Resident Ruth Juno announced a candidate’s forum that is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Red Bank Community Center. In the upcoming election, there are two positions open on the board of commissioners. Rick Causer, now representing District 2, is not running for re-election. Three candidates are seeking to fill the position - Carol Rose, Bill Cannon and Paul Thompson. Vice Mayor Eddie Pierce will be running unopposed. Questions will all come from those attending the forum and will be collected at the door. Richard Floyd will be the moderator.
Mayor Roberts presented a resolution and proclamation on behalf of the board of commissioners, to the family of Joe Glasscock, who died last week. Mr. Glasscock served the city of Red Bank in many capacities, including three terms as mayor, several years as a city commissioner and member of the municipal planning commission. He also was instrumental in facilitating the completion of multiple projects in the city including organization of the first city-operated fire department and serving as the first fire chief. He also helped in acquiring land where the current city hall and post office are located. The proclamation honored the man who always operated with the city’s best interest at heart, by renaming the Red Bank Community Center the Joseph Glasscock Community Center.