[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6487972,"mediaKeyId","5477148-83c6b32c66e4c2cc93758beb3ed1ba02","parentId",5477148,"title","East Ridge council approves bond issue, transit contract, grants and multiple equipment purchases","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",1174000,"endMs",1451000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477148-83c6b32c66e4c2cc93758beb3ed1ba02&start=1174&end=1451","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477148-83c6b32c66e4c2cc93758beb3ed1ba02/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487972/East-Ridge/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/East-Ridge-council-approves-bond-issue-transit-contract-grants-and-multiple-equipment-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487972-9e242cf909c845337f068d4ad8e2d782/orig.mp4?Expires=1769648228&Signature=UcF0tEwUrplNWetA2RS7NyP0jQXTIklfWot1jGE4IHGJju5pqXRma5kThy98UkE~WjXLY0kQcCnbl82h7-Kq3~h37Fcfro8SeJGsV5n1QMvZLidurXimo1q5u3~Kp1as~O~jl1dSgagyy2DmNKaPchzNfHT2Px4iOjnkMUydeNeUfDGDB3QYFaIj~j-f8AvnpU~SgDpM-dmO2uALdujYbNEp-NuJWwMqx6taIAxWXX-lTIQ-U7nvqQH6XiWLO2sSJhH79FdOGCFIRiAcZGAFPUZ~eFK4qfyA9vYe4eDDnhGI3At2gh3TwOG-R391n0PLzh6BMz1UQQP8ljMneil~zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Ridge","date","2025-07-24T23:48:08.23Z","article","The East Ridge City Council on July 24 approved multiple routine and budgeted actions covering city vehicles, transportation services, grants and annual contracts.

Key approvals included a request to initiate a Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund borrowing of up to $400,000 to buy a street dump truck (with snowplow and salt spreader) and a sanitation rear loader; purchase of a replacement pickup truck for the sanitation department after a vehicle was totaled in an off-duty accident; continuation of a transportation service agreement with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) for senior and disabled residents; award of annual street department material bids; renewal of security-camera and fire-alarm maintenance; acceptance of an animal-friendly spay/neuter grant; and the city's application to the statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) program.

City Manager Miller provided project and finance details for the truck purchases and explained that the bond route was chosen to preserve a multi-million-dollar fund balance set aside for emergencies. Economic development administrator Cameron McAllister summarized grant awards: the city applied for 15 grants in fiscal 2024-25 and received 13 totaling roughly $2.18 million with a local match of about $362,522. McAllister also presented the city's acceptance of a $1,100 Tennessee Animal Friendly Grant to fund spay/neuter vouchers for East Ridge residents meeting eligibility criteria.

The Council also approved a CARTA interlocal agreement to continue a caravan-style rider service (primarily for medical trips and grocery/pharmacy access). The agreement sets the per-trip cost at $51 one-way ($102 round trip), with the city paying most of the subsidy and riders responsible for a nominal fare; the agreement automatically renews and may be terminated with 30 days' notice.

The motion to initiate the $400,000 bond (resolution 3703) and the other listed resolutions passed by roll call vote. Several votes were unanimous; one resolution (the purchase of a replacement pickup truck, resolution 3704) recorded Councilmember Witt as abstaining because of an identified business relationship. The more contested item at the meeting was resolution 3711 (synthetic turf at Camp Jordan Park), which the council approved 4-1 (see separate coverage).

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 3703 (bond authorization, up to $400,000 for sanitation truck and dump truck): motion by Councilmember Ezell; second by Councilmember Witt. Roll call: Vice Mayor Tyler yes; Councilmember Cagle yes; Councilmember Ezell yes; Councilmember Witt yes; Mayor Williams yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3704 (purchase of replacement pickup for sanitation department after accident, $38,006.50): motion by Vice Mayor Tyler; second by Councilmember Ezell. Roll call: Vice Mayor Tyler yes; Councilmember Cagle yes; Councilmember Ezell yes; Councilmember Witt abstain; Mayor Williams yes. Outcome: approved (4 yes, 1 abstain).

- Resolution 3705 (interlocal agreement with CARTA to continue caravan transportation service through June 30, 2026): motion by Councilmember Witt; second by Councilmember Cagle. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3706 (award annual street materials bids for FY 2025-26): motion by Vice Mayor Tyler; second by Councilmember Witt. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3707 (contract with Provincia Security for fire alarm and camera maintenance): motion by Councilmember Witt; second by Vice Mayor Tyler. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3708 (acceptance of FY26 Tennessee Animal Friendly Grant, $1,100): motion by Councilmember Ezell; second by Vice Mayor Tyler. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3709 (submission and MOU authorization for FY26 School Resource Officer grant, funding allocation ~$300,000): motion by Vice Mayor Tyler; second by Councilmember Ezell. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3710 (award fall/winter sports uniform bid to Crowned USA Inc.): motion by Councilmember Witt; second by Vice Mayor Tyler. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

- Resolution 3711 (installation of synthetic turf at Camp Jordan Park): motion by Councilmember Witt; second by Vice Mayor Tyler. Roll call: Vice Mayor Tyler yes; Councilmember Cagle no; Councilmember Ezell yes; Councilmember Witt yes; Mayor Williams yes. Outcome: approved (4-1). (See full article for debate and technical Q&A.)

- Resolution 3712 (change order #4 for North Mac Smith Road widening to realign and construct drainage structure at Slater Road): motion by Vice Mayor Tyler; second by Councilmember Ezell. Roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

Other items discussed during the meeting but not voted on on July 24 included planned future agenda public hearings for rezoning requests, development agreements for projects in the Border Region Retail District that will return on Aug. 14, and several unnumbered agenda items that were informational or scheduled for later consideration (police vehicle purchases, rifle packages, a firearms training simulator demonstration, and professional services for the animal shelter). The council also heard routine departmental project updates, including progress reports on the multipurpose building behind City Hall, the community center expansion and the North Mac Smith Road widening project.

Proponents of the routine purchases and grants framed them as necessary to maintain services; one council member argued against drawing down the city's fund balance for vehicle purchases and favored financing via municipal bond or capital note to preserve contingency funds. City management said the proposed bond will preserve the city's fund balance set aside for catastrophic events while financing necessary equipment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 7/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The East Ridge City Council on July 24 approved multiple resolutions authorizing vehicle purchases, a municipal bond application, transportation and maintenance contracts, and grant acceptances for the coming fiscal year.","taxTitle","East Ridge, Hamilton County, Tennessee","taxId",70972,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6487977,"East Ridge council approves $3 million synthetic turf project at Camp Jordan amid health and runoff concerns",1577,1984000,3561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477148-83c6b32c66e4c2cc93758beb3ed1ba02&start=1984&end=3561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477148-83c6b32c66e4c2cc93758beb3ed1ba02/thumbnail_1984000.jpg","/articles/6487977/East-Ridge/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/East-Ridge-council-approves-3-million-synthetic-turf-project-at-Camp-Jordan-amid-health-and-runoff-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487977-347f866a3bb6a2a660d188c1960c754c/orig.mp4?Expires=1769648228&Signature=Uk9qcQmWtJZ-QBPlY~Lre98qBK-TbpWrtCFSRJHZm61IsfvZwzrmowMR3Dsy9mocJVp7o4UlXxkfjchLa-LK2sTiJ~88~iALd3KKIJi7mOxIP3WP8JeBIspLSdPaC1UUy-rKLxoduxZhLaCVpBBsg0WZ0QcEPdqsmUTYXbz5ivD8eFQj4eTppsyg28IRgfzcuY3AzYyrDTQVs7EPZic0rZEcwiBcdTBk~ThPzPRBr0bQpM~3~t~GxSLBVkPEZPZzgO3cpgn83xORW56JWAbLpF7qp2GXOCSoLlCkqI~yB4o78~4NDWhBHyED48xcNxD8~9huhA-YIFFGF13qec7q8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Ridge City Council on July 24 approved a resolution to install synthetic turf on Baseball and Softball Fields 5 through 8 and the soccer stadium at Camp Jordan Park, authorizing up to $3,000,000 for the project.

The item drew the meeting's longest public discussion, with residents raising concerns about recycled crumb-rubber infill, potential \"forever\" chemicals (PFAS), lead, elevated surface temperatures, disposal after the turf's 8-to-10-year life and runoff into the park's pond and Chickamauga Creek. Parks and Recreation staff and vendor representatives said the product specified uses a sand-and-rubber blend infill made from recycled tires, cited an April 2024 federal study on crumb rubber, and described measures for drainage and end-of-life recycling.

Parks and Recreation presented the project and the vendors in attendance included Baseline Sports Construction, ASA Engineering & Consulting and a representative from Shaw Sports Turf. Jill Higdon of Connect Sports, a local tournament organizer, said turf increases field availability and helps attract events. A city resident questioned the safety of crumb-rubber infill and its runoff: \"So it's going to end up being our pond out there,\" the resident said, adding concerns about lead and other contaminants entering local waterways.

Parks staff and the Shaw representative answered that the proposed turf uses a sand-and-rubber blend and that Shaw does not use PFAS in its fiber or backing manufacturing. The Shaw representative cited an EPA-centered analysis, saying, \"the study found no significant difference in exposure from certain chemicals found between players who played on synthetic turf that used crumb rubber infill and those who played on grass fields.\" Shaw staff also said the company can reclaim and repurpose removed turf (for example into shock pad material) at a facility in Dalton, Georgia, though no written contract for end-of-life reclamation was included in the packet.

Engineers described the stormwater design under the turf: the backing is permeable, runoff is collected into a stone profile (approximately a 6-inch stone layer on specification drawings) with filter fabric and then discharged via collector piping to the site's conveyance system, which will route to either an onsite pond or the nearby creek. ASA Engineering said the design follows typical specifications for infiltration and conveyance; the firm agreed to provide the design documents referenced in the presentation.

Council members pressed vendors and staff on several details: whether PFAS are used in the product (Shaw said no for the proposed system), whether crumb rubber contains lead (vendors referenced the EPA study and other analyses and said lead exposure differences are not significant per that study), whether the fields will reach very high surface temperatures (vendors acknowledged turf can get hotter than grass and said cooling/mitigation options are available), and how demolished turf would be disposed of (Shaw said they offer a take-back/recycling program but the contract does not currently commit to that). Staff also committed to additional field subsurface checks at Field 8 and adjacent fields to test for rock or other obstructions and to report back to council before construction proceeds.

Councilmember Witt made the motion to approve the resolution; Vice Mayor Tyler seconded. The roll-call vote was: Vice Mayor Tyler yes; Councilmember Cagle no; Councilmember Ezell yes; Councilmember Witt yes; Mayor Williams yes. Resolution number 3711 was approved 4-1.

The council packet notes this authorization is consistent with a prior November action (resolution 3628) that set the budgetary authorization for turf at Camp Jordan. With the approval, staff said they will finalize contractor scheduling and pre-construction site investigations, and return with any required contract documents and any additional submittals required by the city.

Proponents say new turf will increase event reliability and tournament bookings; opponents and at least one council member expressed environmental and health concerns that staff said they will continue to address in final contract documents.","On July 24 the East Ridge City Council approved a resolution to install synthetic turf on four baseball fields and the soccer stadium at Camp Jordan Park at a cost not to exceed $3 million, after extended public comment about heat, chemicals and drainage. The vote was 4-1.","actionData","errors"]

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East Ridge council approves bond issue, transit contract, grants and multiple equipment purchases

East Ridge council approves $3 million synthetic turf project at Camp Jordan amid health and runoff concerns