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Residents praise community garden programs and ask for school traffic enforcement; commissioners discuss patrol, paving and speed readers
Summary
During public comment, the Kelcurt Foundation thanked city staff for community garden cleanup, outlined food and book programs and announced Trunk or Treat and a coat drive. Residents also requested daily police presence at Soddy‑Daisy High School; commissioners discussed paving funds, patrol coverage in the Pocket Wilderness and speed reader devices.
Several residents used the June 20 meeting public comment period to thank city staff and press for safety and services.
Curtis Cecil of the Kelcurt Foundation thanked the Public Works Department for clearing brush at the Community Garden and said more than 35 volunteers assisted the cleanup. He announced the 5th Annual Trunk or Treat on Oct. 26 and the "Keeping Kids Warm" coat project, with preparations starting June 27; the foundation runs four food programs (breakfast at the wrestling arena, summer lunches and snacks, and a library program) serving about 40–80 meals per day and distributes books (223 books last Friday).
Bus driver Dale Lovelady asked the city to station an officer at Soddy‑Daisy High School and the Sequoyah Road intersection daily, saying buses sometimes wait 15 minutes or more before pulling out; he urged police presence when the school year begins.
Commissioner Penney and others raised additional community concerns: status updates on dog leash requests, dilapidated properties at Loop Road and Hallett Street and Old Dayton Pike, and potential city participation in paving costs for the Wrestling Arena (Commissioner Shipley said Hamilton County allocated $250,000 and the city’s share would be about $20,000 if it chooses to participate). Police Chief Petty said a ranger has been hired for patrols and that Sergeant Wright is pursuing a THSO grant for speed reader devices, which Petty estimated at about $3,500 each; he also noted that some traffic calming measures, like speed humps, may be needed and that the Pocket Wilderness is under Hamilton County jurisdiction.
Commissioners agreed City Manager Burt Johnson will report back on citizen requests rather than placing each on the agenda, and staff will follow up with relevant departments for enforcement, grant applications and project updates.
