East Ridge council approves zoning corrections, budget readings and multiple grants

The East Ridge City Council met on June 11, 2020, and approved several ordinances and resolutions ranging from zoning corrections to grant acceptances.

The council passed Ordinance 1246 on second and final reading to rezone the property at 403 Donaldson Road from R1 single-family to R2 residential duplex district in order to bring a legal nonconforming duplex into compliance. The motion was moved by Vice Mayor Tyler and seconded by Council Member Witt; Council Member Teague voted No and the ordinance passed on roll call.

Council approved Ordinance 1247 on second reading to amend regulations governing dogs and cats; staff clarified that registration for park use is not required but current rabies vaccination remains mandatory. The council also passed Ordinance 1248 on second reading to place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would allow council members, including the mayor, to participate in the city’s health benefits if they cover the full cost.

On budget matters, the council approved a final FY2026 budget amendment (Ordinance 1249) on first reading and advanced Ordinance 1250 (annual appropriations for FY2027) on first reading. City Manager Coral reiterated that the property tax rate remains unchanged: "The property tax rate remains unchanged," he said, and council noted an identified capital project to upgrade the city website for ADA compliance.

Council also approved Resolution 38-20 to authorize an amendment to the Spring Valley Park redevelopment contract for added bidding assistance and coordination related to construction in a floodway. In public safety and animal-services funding, the council accepted two grants: the Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest Partnership award (eligible purchases $21,120; maximum reimbursement $9,745.21) and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture FY2027 Animal Friendly Grant to support spay/neuter services (staff reported 13 free surgeries provided last year).

Appointments to the East Ridge Industrial Development Board were confirmed with the reappointment of Tucker McClendon and the at-large reappointment of Stan Allen.

What happens next: several items will return to the council for additional readings or implementation steps. The charter amendment approved for second reading will appear as a referendum on the November ballot; the specialty shop ordinance and numerous zoning items will proceed to the Planning Commission for review before returning to the council.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 1246 (403 Donaldson Rd rezoning to R2): Passed, roll-call (Yes: Vice Mayor Tyler, Council Members Ezell, Witt, Mayor Williams; No: Council Member Teague).
- Ordinance 1247 (dogs and cats code amendment): Passed, unanimous roll-call.
- Ordinance 1248 (charter amendment referral): Passed, unanimous roll-call. Will appear on November ballot as a referendum.
- Ordinance 1249 (FY2026 budget amendment): Passed first reading, roll-call.
- Ordinance 1250 (FY2027 appropriations): Passed first reading, roll-call.
- Resolution 38-20 (Spring Valley Park amendment/change order): Passed, roll-call.
- Resolution 38-21 (Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant acceptance): Passed, roll-call.
- Resolution 38-22 (Animal Friendly grant acceptance): Passed, roll-call.
- Resolutions 3823 & 3824 (board reappointments): Passed, roll-call.

Reporting note: Roll-call tallies and recorded No votes were taken from the meeting record; if council minutes are later published with formal tallies that differ, the official minutes should be treated as authoritative.