East Ridge officials are taking steps to attract new businesses to the city by reworking its rules concerning the sale of beer.
On Thursday evening, the City Council passed on first reading an ordinance that establishes guidelines for brewing beer and a new means of selling it.
The ordinance will keep Class I, II and III beer permits, which allow sales of beer in restaurants, taverns (where sales of food is less than 50 percent of receipts), and convenience stores where beer is purchased and consumed elsewhere.
City Manager Chris Dorsey told East Ridge News Online that he wanted to add two new provisions which would allow manufacturing and selling beer on premises, i.e. microbreweries. The second new provision would allow a retailer to obtain a self-service permit.
Dorsey said that Knoxville has businesses where a customer can come in, sample beer from taps on the wall. The business would have employees trained in alcohol sales mind the store. There are currently no such businesses in East Ridge.
The council approved a bid from Ford of Dalton for the purchase of four SUVs for the police department. The cost of the vehicles is $133,000.
The council passed on first reading an ordinance to rezone property at 529 Frawley Road from agricultural to residential and residential townhomes.
Jeff Ezell, Calandra Stevens, Kenneth Rogers, Jim Winters and Earl Wilson were appointed to the East Ridge Housing Commission. Casey Tuggle was reappointed to the city’s planning commission.
Councilwoman Aundie Witt is heading up the city’s efforts to get an accurate count of residents in the upcoming census. The “Complete Count Committee” will encourage all residents to fill out the forms. Populations of city’s effect federal funding.
It was noted that Jones Memorial Methodist Church will have its annual barbecue fundraiser on Sept. 21. Proceeds go to buy coats for children who need one in the city.
Award-winning magician Robert Jones will be putting on “Stars for Magic” at South Seminole Baptist on Sept. 24. The show starts at 5 p.m. Proceeds will go to the East Ridge Needy Child Fund and the youth of the church.
The East Ridge Needy Child Fund is hosting PioneerFest on Sept. 7 at Camp Jordan Park. The council approved waiving fees for the use of the amphitheater at the park.
Melissa Davenport of the Corner Cafe is hosting a “Cruise in at her restaurant at 3920 Ringgold Road. Money raised at the event will go to the food pantry at East Ridge Methodist Church.
