East Ridge council approves tent sites for May primary, community center bid authorization and janitorial contract

The East Ridge City Council approved three resolutions during its April 23 meeting, covering temporary campaign tent placements for the May 5 primary, bid authorization for concession cabinetry at the community center and a six-month janitorial contract for Venue 1921.

For the May primary, the council amended its tent rules to add Venue 1921 as an allowable location while the community center remains closed, but kept existing tent-size and setback requirements. Council and staff discussed placement options to maintain the 50-foot setback from polling entrances, the logistical need to station a city employee or police officer to manage one-way entrances, and a temporary change to the one-tent-per-candidate restriction for this election cycle. The council voted to approve Resolution 3811.

Council also authorized staff to advertise for bids to replace concession casework, cabinets and countertops at the East Ridge Community Center, noting the work would finish the center's renovations and would not affect the main kitchen. Resolution 3812 passed on a roll call vote.

Finally, the council approved a six-month service agreement with MCS Facility Services for janitorial and facility cleaning at Venue 1921. The presented pricing included a $300 base per small/medium event plus an hourly rate (minimum $69 noted in the bid documents); staff clarified that the hourly scope as negotiated covers kitchen, main halls and restrooms, and that porter service would be an optional add-on. Resolution 3813 was approved; Council member Kaggel recorded a no vote and one council member's vote was not recorded in the transcript (see note on vote records). The contract was authorized to proceed.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 3811 (add Venue 1921 for temporary candidate tents; May 5, 2026 primary): approved on roll call (recorded yes votes: Vice Mayor Tyler, Council member Kaggel, Council member Isel, Council member Wit, Mayor Williams).

- Resolution 3812 (advertise bids for concession cabinetry at East Ridge Community Center): approved on roll call (recorded yes votes: Vice Mayor Tyler, Council member Kaggel, Council member Isel, Council member Wit, Mayor Williams).

- Resolution 3813 (authorize janitorial services agreement with MCS Facility Services for Venue 1921): approved on roll call; recorded votes in the transcript show Vice Mayor Tyler — yes; Council member Kaggel — no; Council member Wit — yes; Mayor Williams — yes; Council member Isel's vote was not recorded in the transcript.

Council instructions and next steps included directing staff and police to coordinate traffic control and monitoring for the tent sites on primary day and to proceed with procurement and contract execution for the approved projects.

Note on vote records: the meeting transcript records the roll calls and individual spoken votes for each resolution; for Resolution 3813 one council member's spoken vote did not appear in the recorded transcript and is therefore listed as not recorded rather than inferred.