Joe Shadwick
Soddy Daisy has multiple areas of town that have been zoned Tourist Court and Motel District (TCM) and no one knows why, unless the zoning came with the properties as they were taken into the city. At that time before Interstates, a lot of tourist courts were found along the highways, said City Manager Janice Cagle. As maps were being reviewed, she realized those TCM districts were out of place now. At the commission meeting Thursday night, four of those areas were rezoned to match what currently surrounds them.
A tract of land located at Clift Road, identified as Hamilton County Tax Map 49, Parcel 7.01 was changed to A-1 Agricultural District. A tract of land located at 469 Clift Road was changed to MH Mobile Home District. Tracts of land located at 11058 Dayton Pike and 11007, 11013 and 11017 Eustice Road were rezoned to R-2A Rural Residential District. And land located at 11200, 11204, 11206, 11210 and 11214 Hixson Pike was rezoned to R-1 Single Family Residential District.
State law requires all towns to stay current with codes. At the Thursday meeting, commissioners approved updating the city’s building, mechanical, plumbing, gas and electrical codes.
The Red Bank and Soddy Daisy Charitable Foundation made a donation of $23,200 to the city to help build the new fire station that is currently under construction. Commissioners voted to accept the donation and agreed to the terms mandated by the foundation.
Every two years cities in Tennessee can apply for a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant (TDEC) for local parks and recreation programs. The commissioners voted to apply for the 2018 grant. If received, it would be used to re-do the north playground and update it to be handicapped compliant. The grant would require a 50 percent match from the city.
Commissioners agreed to increase the amount spent on fireworks for the Fourth of July celebration by $1,000. They voted to spend $8,500 for this year’s show.
Budgeted items that were approved for purchase Thursday night include a John Deere backhoe in the amount of $91,425. The purchase of boots and gloves for firefighters for $7,029 and helmets for $7,227, both which were included in the budget, were authorized. Fire Chief Mike Guffey is in the process of getting every firefighter two complete uniforms.
Some vehicles used by the police department are in need of replacement. After discussion, it was decided to make the old cars work until budget time when new vehicles can be planned for versus buying used ones now.
Budget workshops for fiscal year 2018-2019 were scheduled for Monday April 23 and Monday May 7.
Mayor Robert Cothran received approval from the commissioners to acquire two new planes for the Soddy Daisy Veteran’s Park.
Mayor Cothran read a proclamation making April 5, 2018 Joe Shadwick Day, in Soddy Daisy. Mr. Shadwick was born in 1926 in Soddy Daisy. He worked in the Chattanooga public school system for 35 years and was known for inspiring children. He served as a commissioner in Soddy Daisy for eight years and as Vice Mayor for six. His proudest accomplishment, he told the commissioners, was helping get the road between Soddy Daisy and Red Bank built which reduced travel time between the two cities. It is now referred to as the by-pass.
A new non-profit organization, Affinity 42, has been created for the purposes of agriculture, community and education. The first project that was started by the group is a local library. Work on the library began Jan. 28, 2018 and it has already has received donations of 1,500 books, over 300 videos and magazines and manuals for an education resource center, said Curtis Cecil, Vice President of the group. All resources are available free of charge, he said but the donation of a book is requested. Starting on May 3 and continuing through Oct. 25, the organization will hold a farmer and artisan market from 2-7 p.m. every Thursday at Poe’s Tavern. Tables for participants will be free with donations accepted.