Adam Wilson
East Ridge City Manager Scott Miller is retiring in four weeks. At the city council meeting Thursday night, a discussion took place about how to fill the position after he leaves and before a new city manager is hired. City Attorney Mark Litchford is drafting an ordinance, with input from the council, to create a process that will allow the city to operate with continuity in the absence of a city manager. Continuity is needed because of the frequent turnover of city managers in East Ridge who average a stay of 18-20 months.
Instead of creating a position that would need to be added to the city’s organizational chart, it was decided that the “title” of assistant city manager would be created.
The person filling the job of assistant would be appointed by the city manager from the current employees and would be approved by the council. This person would serve in the position in the event of a vacancy, a temporary absence or disability of the city manager. The position is not predictable, said attorney Litchford, and so a protective clause guaranteeing it for a certain amount of time will be included. That employee would revert to their former job once a full time city manager is hired. The financial part of the ordinance will be decided at the Oct. 11 council meeting. Mr. Miller recommended Kenny Custer, currently the city’s director of community services, to be the newly appointed assistant city manager.
Councilman Larry Sewell suggested retaining Mr. Miller as a consultant, if needed, before his replacement is hired, but the offer was declined by the city manager. He said he would be living in East Ridge and, if needed, would come in to advise Mr. Custer without charging the city. “I’m going to miss his candor,” said Mayor Brent Lambert. “You stand up and say what you think and it is greatly appreciated.”
Adam Wilson, the new East Ridge parks and recreation director, was introduced to the council and the community members who came to the meeting. He is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and came from his previous job working for the Parks and Recreation department of Catoosa County. He is familiar with the recreational amenities available in East Ridge, said Mr. Miller.
On second and final reading, two properties were rezoned Thursday night. 3623 Fountain Ave. was rezoned from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Residential Apartment District. One of the most outspoken opponents of this development came to the podium to thank officials with Lexington Assets, the developers, and Mr. Miller and Mr. Custer with the city, for facilitating meetings between concerned East Ridge citizens and Lexington. "They never minimized the concerns of the citizens," she said. Conditions related to security at the property have been tied to ownership so if the apartments are ever sold, the conditions go with it.
Property at 1509 Waterhouse St. was also rezoned from R-1 to C-2 General Commercial District on second reading.
The council gave approval to apply for four grants. The TDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant would be used for building sidewalks and multi-use paths along Ringgold Road. This is an 80/20 grant. The request will be for up to $1,000,000 with East Ridge responsible for contributing $250,000.
The Blue Cross Health Foundation Healthy Places Program grant, if received, would provide money for clearing property, building fences and benches at a dog park that the city is creating. It is a 100 percent grant.
The state of Tennessee 2019 Recycling Rebate Matching Grant Program, a 50/50 grant, is applied for each year. It helps to buy recycling cans.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation Safe Places to Play Grant would provide 15 percent of the cost of the project with the city providing 85 percent. If received, this grant would be used to put artificial turf on one of the city’s soccer fields.
Mayor Lambert gave a reminder that the Tennessee River Rescue will be held on this coming Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Also, on Oct. 6 a “meet and greet” for candidates running for office in East Ridge will be held at Local Coffee, 5330 Ringgold Road, from noon until 3 p.m. Earl Williams announced that the Pioneer Fest benefiting the Children’s Fund will be held on Oct. 13.
On the agenda for the council meeting on Oct. 11 will be discussion about the acquisition of right-of-way for the pedestrian paths that are in the works along Ringgold Road. It will touch 74 tracts of land. The engineers in charge of the project are now getting bids from appraisers who will negotiate with property owners. As of now, the bids range from around $600,000 to $900,000. This cost can be counted toward Border Region expenses.
Police Chief J.R. Reed told the council that he has been investigating measures to fix the problems that the police department has been having with communications in multiple locations around the city. Reception between the dispatchers and police and between police cars is repeatedly a problem in certain areas, he said. The best solution will be to erect a communications tower at secure, city-owned property at McBrien School, which is geographically in the center of the city. This would be an expensive fix, estimated at around $725,000, he said, and would need FAA approval. It would be expandable if needed and would be considered a 20-year investment. More discussion will take place in October.