A public hearing and vote was held at the Soddy Daisy Commission meeting Thursday night regarding an amendment to the city’s beer code. The city’s municipal code does not allow for short term beer permits. The amendment would have created a special use permit, limited to the west of Soddy Lake in the area of the ball fields. The purpose would have been to allow beer to be sold at the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration as a way to attract a bigger crowd.
Vice Mayor Jim Adams made the motion to approve the amendment but it failed for lack of a second. The commissioners decided that allowing beer at the celebration would have changed the atmosphere of what has always been a family-oriented event.
A grant of $23,200 was presented to the city from the Red Bank/Soddy Daisy Charitable Foundation by Arnold Stulce, chairman of the foundation. He told the commissioners that the money is restricted for the construction of a new fire hall #3 next to Veteran’s Park. Over many years the foundation has provided money that has been set aside, now totaling around $243,000 toward the building, which is now becoming a reality. The design has been completed and it will soon be put out to bid. The station has been planned to be functional for 50 years out.
A confrontation between two former friends at a birthday party has resulted in a Soddy Daisy police officer of 10 years being disciplined. During the citizen participation portion of the commission meeting, a resident of the city said that Soddy Daisy Police Officer Jeremy Wright had assaulted her husband because he was laughed at. “His behavior went to a full rage within five minutes,” she said “He went crazy.” Police should be held to a higher standard, she said, and asked if the city had addressed the incident.
City Manager Janice Cagle said an internal affairs investigation has taken place and that the disciplinary board has issued a punishment that includes Officer Wright being given two days off without pay and he will be on probation for one year. During that time, he will not be allowed to apply for promotions, and, if he is involved in any other incident, he can be terminated.
The city has about 120 miles of roads and around 60 miles have been resurfaced, said the vice mayor. An attempt is being made to get them all repaved as money is available. One resident complained about pot holes and sinking areas on Card Road where he lives. He asked to be put on the waiting list. Director of Public Works Steve Grant said to resurface that one road will be around $140,000.
Ms. Cagle received approval from the commissioners to accept the lowest bid of $26,216 for new Kubota lawnmowers for the public works department. The purchase of equipment used to take care of the city’s sports fields was also given approval. A refurbished machine will be bought for $6,000.
Mayor Robert Cothran announced that Soddy Daisy has been named the 13th safest city in the state of Tennessee. Thanks to the police force, he said.