Signal Mountain work session: 911 funding committee concern, board openings, pool shade requests and other updates

The Signal Mountain Town Council covered several smaller but substantive items at its July 28 work session, including procedural motions, committee and volunteer‑board matters, a town communication about the regional 9‑1‑1 funding committee, and multiple operational updates from town staff.

Procedural motions and agenda changes: The council voted to suspend the pledge and silence items for the work session and later voted to remove agenda item 7 (an appeal) after the appellant asked to have it pulled. The work session roll call recorded one absence; council members present approved both motions by voice vote.

Boards, committee appointments and volunteer attendance: Council reviewed one boards/committees application (applicant name not recorded in the work session transcript) and discussed filling openings on Parks & Recreation and other advisory panels. Council directed Council member Andrew Garner to contact non‑attending Parks & Rec members to determine whether they plan to remain; the council discussed the challenges of notifying active volunteers and the potential ramifications of asking underperforming volunteers to step down.

Communications and regional matters: Mayor Elizabeth Baker said she had forwarded an email from the executive director of the Hamilton County 9‑1‑1 Emergency Communication District about a newly proposed funding committee. The proposed committee would include the board treasurer as chair, a representative each from the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County government, and a single representative to represent the combined interests of Collegedale, East Ridge, Red Bank and Signal Mountain. The mayor said she had asked the district how one person could adequately represent the interests of four distinct municipalities and planned to await a response before placing the matter on a future agenda.

Citizen concerns and policy clarifications: Council members said several residents have asked about providing shade at the town pool; council asked staff to investigate options and pricing. Council also discussed an ambiguity in the town’s water‑leak policy language: members observed the current written policy does not clearly state that irrigation systems (irrigation/ sprinkler meters) are excluded from coverage and agreed staff should clarify policy language before further implementation questions arise.

Staff reports, events and infrastructure updates: Town staff reported that the suspension bridge at Rainbow Lake sustained catastrophic damage after a large tree fell; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) had visited the site and is expected to begin construction of a replacement bridge early in the next period. The manager’s report recognized Signal Mountain Police Sergeant Dylan Buckler and Officer Brandy Brown for completing a 40‑hour crisis intervention training; the fire department promoted Robert Clark to captain and noted anniversary milestones for other staff. Parks & Rec and the Playhouse were thanked for a recently held movie night and theater production; upcoming events include a Dive‑In Movie Night (Finding Nemo on Aug. 23) and a Parks & Rec community cleanup day scheduled for Sept. 27.

Adjournment: The council adjourned the work session after completing the agenda.