The East Ridge City Council discussed plans for the growth of Camp Jordan in its final meeting of 2016, Thursday night at City Hall.
After some discussion, the council agreed that the City Manager and the Mayor should move forward in getting information from Hamilton County and the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau on how the park could become a regional sports and recreational draw.
Some elements of a possible plan would be for additional soccer fields and sports fields to be financed with proceeds from money the city receives from the Border Region Act.
The council voted on first reading to allow property at 4333 Lazard Street to be rezoned from R1 (residential) to R2 (duplexes). A family had purchased a dilapidated duplex and is refurbishing the building. An amendment to the action was added saying that if the family sells and moves, the property would return to R1 zoning.
The council passed an amended resolution allowing the city to purchase two pieces of heavy equipment for the Streets Department. The original resolution would allow the city to borrow $134,000 for the purchase of a track loader and backhoe. The council voted to buy the equipment outright instead of borrowing the money and paying more than $20,000 in interest on the note.
The council voted on first reading to adopt an ordinance that would adjust revenues and expenditures on the 2016-17 budget.
A resolution was adopted to enter into an agreement with the Southeast Tennessee Development District to use an EPA grant to do a “brownfield” assessment at the old McBrien School building. The city would incur no expense. In a memo from City Manager Scott Miller, the council was informed of an asbestos issue in the old building. Before the building can be re-purposed or razed, the asbestos must be removed.
The council passed two resolutions authorizing the city to apply for small grants that would celebrate urban birds and one that would help reduce the spread of disease at the city’s animal shelter.
The council approved Mayor Brent Lambert’s appointment of Chief Building Official Kenny Custer as the city’s representative to the Hamilton County Water Quality Management Committee.
The council also approved a request from developer Jay Desai to relocate a house from outside the city limits to 354 Camp Jordan Road.
The winners in the city’s annual Christmas Parade were announced. In the “Non-Education” category, Alhambra Shrine Temple took first place. Ginger Brown Academy of Performing Arts was runner-up, while Camping World RV Sales took home third.
In the “Education” category, Belvoir Christian Academy took first prize and a $300 award. Cub Scout Pack 3062 got $200 for second place, while East Ridge High School JROTC Marching Unit was awarded third place and $100.
And finally, the council agreed to cancel the December 22 City Council meeting in light of the Christmas holidays.
