[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"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","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_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,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6586047,"mediaKeyId","5563714-80bf5edf2aa47cd8ac0c7033292bd93a","parentId",5563714,"title","Oak Ridge council approves one-year transit contract with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency amid rider concerns","audioSeconds",4268,"startMs",2397000,"endMs",6665000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5563714-80bf5edf2aa47cd8ac0c7033292bd93a&start=2397&end=6665","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5563714-80bf5edf2aa47cd8ac0c7033292bd93a/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586047/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-one-year-transit-contract-with-East-Tennessee-Human-Resources-Agency-amid-rider-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586047-a1757d1e2acd4a8ccaac4b5128bf03ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977319&Signature=SxvoLxZpbCIowewaX9FEkAm1NVGn7DXjRfzJQasc3nGV8oSJUnCqAdNAcVmVUlnqjPxMdmL6O4BbgFPlSGnjkYsBGEo350OmXtwTtr2ZSygZR3lWyoXwVEyW7nHNc74xdy2YhPrYdDRJTAKrrOpO5vfPCJfLCkJc7gGWoyNTQfkgqXwz0q85q0MRpA8XEqPqHV~akfikCwMHC4CeimptdTraem4l8Hq7ODdYiuAoy1xVQ~OcgC2hGpEX9udMw9-KMxnw68fb5DhQmBEKDf6j~k64mtjqSG8HBTghzB4apaPomUF1Es3a58EQ2K8cqXeaa77DFQQ~yir~Z3EzFLh49g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oak Ridge","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Oak Ridge City Council voted to approve a one-year contract with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate the city's public demand-response transit system, contingent on grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

City staff presented the proposed contract at the August council meeting, saying the agreement extends weekday hours from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. to 7 a.m.–6 p.m., adds monthly reporting from ETHRA to the city, requires quarterly performance meetings between city staff and ETHRA, and establishes an online customer feedback form the city will have unfiltered access to. The contract is drafted as a one-year term with up to nine renewal options; the resolution before council authorized entering into the attached agreement contingent on receipt of TDOT grant funding.

Council and members of the public raised several substantive concerns during the meeting, focusing on (1) a carry-on grocery bag limit negotiated during contract talks, (2) a one-year trial waiver of rider fares included in the draft, (3) the length and renewal mechanics of the multi-year renewal language, and (4) whether transit users would have a seat at the quarterly and annual performance reviews.

City staff said the RFP originally sought an increase in the allowable number of carry-on bags from three to five to support riders who use transit for grocery shopping. ETHRA countered in negotiations with operational concerns and proposed limiting carry-ons to four; the final draft before council set the limit at four. Staff noted the fare-waiver proposal was ETHRA's idea in negotiation and would be a one-year trial so the city could measure ridership and budgetary impacts. The contract requires trip reservations \"up to 24 hours in advance or 3 p.m. the day before, whichever is less,\" and staff said the system will continue to combine multiple passengers on shared trips and use software to optimize routing.

Public commenters who use the service and members of the city's Disability Advisory Board urged council to include transit users in the quarterly performance reviews and in any annual renewal assessment. Robert Walker and Marion Wild Gruber said a no-fare trial could increase ETHRA's invoice for the city and reduce the number of rides the city can buy within its budget. Jean Spayowski (reading a statement for an out-of-town resident) and others also pressed for regular user outreach beyond online complaint forms, urging door-to-door outreach or sampling of riders because they said online forms typically capture only dissatisfied users. Commissioner Anthony Allen and several others spoke in support of continuing and improving the system.

During the council debate, an amendment to increase the permitted number of grocery bags to five failed on a roll-call vote. A separate amendment to require explicit citizen participation at the city's annual contract-review meeting also failed. Following discussion and two failed amendments, council approved the contract as presented. The contract authorizes ETHRA to manage the city's demand-response service for an amount not to exceed $230,000, contingent on TDOT grant funds.

Council members and staff emphasized that the one-year term and annual review provide opportunities to adjust policies in future renewals. Staff said the city will receive unfiltered access to ETHRA's customer feedback system, will hold quarterly meetings to review performance, and will conduct an annual evaluation prior to renewal. Staff also said ETHRA maintains a no-show policy (the exact threshold was not read into the record) and that drivers provide curb-to-curb assistance and limited help for non-ambulatory riders consistent with ADA obligations.

City staff provided ridership context in response to council questions: 6,000 trips in fiscal 2023; about 7,500 in fiscal 2024; and approximately 9,800 trips in fiscal 2025 (roughly 500 distinct users in the last year). Staff said ETHRA already uses trip-management software and is developing a mobile app; the contract will require that ETHRA include report exports as part of its monthly reporting to the city. The contract also lists ETHRA's Oak Ridge facility as on Emery Valley (county facility). Staff said any amendments adopted by council would need ETHRA's concurrence and could prolong the approval timeline prior to the September 30 contract expiration.

Council directed staff to continue outreach to riders and the Disability Advisory Board and to use quarterly and annual reviews to evaluate operational items including the fare-waiver trial, carry-on policy effects on space and ridership, and app usability. Staff said any changes found necessary after the trial year could be included in future renewals.

Votes at a glance: the final council vote to approve the contract as presented is recorded in the meeting minutes as an approval; the transcript does not print a roll-call tally for that final motion in a clearly legible numeric form. Two proposed amendments (increase bag limit to five; require citizen participation at annual review) failed on council votes recorded in the public record during the meeting. The contract will take effect only if TDOT grant funding is received.

Ending: Council members and multiple speakers described the contract as an incremental improvement over prior arrangements while also saying the trial features (no fares, bag limit, reporting) require close monitoring. Staff said the city will use the annual renewal window to reassess elements found to be problematic in practice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Oak Ridge - Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Aug 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Oak Ridge City Council voted to approve a one-year contract with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) to operate the city's public demand-response transit system, contingent on grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.","taxTitle","Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee","taxId",62219,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586042,"Oak Ridge council approves contracts, rezoning first readings and appointments; student representatives selected",5879,1984000,7863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5563714-80bf5edf2aa47cd8ac0c7033292bd93a&start=1984&end=7863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5563714-80bf5edf2aa47cd8ac0c7033292bd93a/thumbnail_1984000.jpg","/articles/6586042/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-contracts-rezoning-first-readings-and-appointments-student-representatives-selected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586042-97921be5f4fbd68c86480df855966225/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977319&Signature=W3KJ5TBiUD0dFSyCGRzAw7LOm2nAIRLUA3piPbUWjW6JfAKF7X-z5WUxl3U89H2D3AztrKbt7XIfOvDIouZkS0YgtpBL-M9kCl~WCXqeen~2Uy3ziBUQ5uqdfiBJUjXT~QxGHT5RrJQ1v8fawmmrZ1g1tZJO4V~eXOEBgjN~7DANENdMsR9dx1~AYKehUwTdwvHYAaWWhOFfs1MN2OppJqw4CPPPCYI~NzN0wSFWf8AqoNRs4LaUtzbFkfTvdcaJTQDMXlMZGdCni1QluYIQLjNHl434RvWLf1xiMHYq3bNkXhrPKEhqO9uB3SwzXPtqwm-6twevyYDUouZGWKZx8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge City Council approved a package of routine resolutions, several planning first readings and filled two student seats on the Environmental Quality Advisory Board during its August meeting.

Student appointments: Council conducted a public vote to fill two student representative seats on the Environmental Quality Advisory Board. Brennan Gleeson was elected (received five votes, per the roll call announced during the meeting) and was assigned a one-year term because he is a senior. Neely Brown was elected for the second seat (five votes announced) and was assigned a two-year term. Council noted there were 14 applicants for the two positions and encouraged applicants who were not selected to apply for future vacancies.

Resolutions and routine approvals: Council approved several staff-recommended resolutions with routine roll-call approvals during the meeting. Actions included:
- Transfer of a surplus 1994 Novastar rescue truck to the Morgan County Rescue Squad at no cost; the chief said the vehicle had been in reserve and that volunteer squads rely on surplus apparatus; council approved the transfer with no recorded opposition.
- Authorization to enter a professional services agreement with CTI Engineers for design and inspection services to repair leaks at the Louisiana and Orchard Lane water reservoirs (contract not to exceed $106,000). Staff said the work will likely require draining tanks one at a time and that system operations can be maintained by shifting flows during repairs.
- Purchase of four AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) base stations and associated hardware from Census USA in the amount of $136,728.34 to continue the city's AMI rollout.
- Renewal of the lease with Flock Group for license plate readers used by the police department (one-year renewal, not to exceed $52,000). Police staff said the 16 deployed readers have helped investigations and the department will pay the cost from its general fund this year.
- Approval to apply for State SRO (School Resource Officer) grant funding for eight SRO positions (including an alternative school) totaling $600,000; council approved the application and acknowledged state support for SROs.
- A nonbinding memorandum of understanding with a private developer (JME LLC and M&P Land LLC) to support a multi-building mixed-use project on approximately 6.5 acres on Wilson Street. The MOU lays out mutual expectations, a timeline for phase 1 design and permitting (target September 2026) and city support for utilities and parking; staff said the city will return with a development agreement after site-specific engineering and costing are complete.
- A resolution renaming the North Ridge Trail to honor Leanne and Bill Russell in recognition of their environmental work; council approved the renaming and directed staff to plan a recognition event.

First readings / planning items: Council voted to approve several planning items on first reading (public hearing to follow on second reading where required):
- A land-use map amendment and a zoning change for four parcels on N Lane (parcels referenced by parcel IDs in the packet) to allow multifamily residential (R-4) uses. Staff said three of the four parcels already contained apartment buildings that are nonconforming under current commercial zoning; planning commission recommended approval. Council approved the land-use map amendment and corresponding rezoning on first reading.
- An amendment to the Horizon Center Industrial Park zoning map to change Development Area 5 (approx. 96.5 acres) from IND-2 (industrial) to IND-3 (industrial) on first reading. Staff reported that prior deed covenants and Department of Energy environmental review had been consulted and staff said DOE counsel had indicated the rezoning did not create NEPA issues; public comment raised concerns about heavier industrial uses near conservation lands.

Public comment and compliance issues: During public comment, residents raised development-related environmental and erosion-control concerns, citing prior site work at local industrial projects that had overloaded silt fencing and discharged sediment. Council asked staff to address construction-site erosion controls and to report on enforcement steps; staff said a meeting was scheduled with enforcement staff and the developers to strengthen compliance.

Votes at a glance: Multiple consent and resolution items were approved by voice or roll-call with no nays recorded in the meeting minutes for most resolutions. The student representative votes were recorded during the meeting (Brennan Gleeson and Neely Brown each received five votes in the ballots announced by the clerk). Several planning items received approval on first reading; second readings and public hearings will occur on the schedule indicated in the agenda packet.

Ending: City staff will follow up with detailed development agreements, engineering scopes and outreach to transit and disability advocates as the items move to implementation or second readings. Council flagged the Wilson Street project for further cost estimates related to stormwater relocation and parking structure funding.","Oak Ridge City Council approved a package of resolutions, first readings and appointments at its August meeting, including a one-year engineering contract for reservoir repairs, purchases to support meter modernization, renewal of the police license-plate-reader lease, authorization to pursue state SRO grant funding and the selection of two student representatives to the Environmental Quality Advisory Board.","actionData","errors"]

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Oak Ridge council approves one-year transit contract with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency amid rider concerns

Oak Ridge council approves contracts, rezoning first readings and appointments; student representatives selected