City Council - Regular Meeting

of the Clarksville City Council. As Mr. Tindall's making his way up to the, or Mr. Spainhower, excuse me, making his way up, we want to wish our city attorney a very happy birthday today. We will refrain from singing. Thank you.

Can you ask him how old he is?

No, I will not ask him how old he is. But he was born before 1980. Thank you. All right, Mr. Spainhower, we're on the Planning Commission report, and the first item is Ordinance 95-2025-26.

Good afternoon, everyone. So as the mayor stated, 95-25-26 is the application of Youth Realty LLC for a zone change on a parcel located on the eastern frontage of Professional Park Drive, approximately 1,850 feet. South of the intersection of Dunlop Lane and Professional Park Drive. You can see here in the cross-hatch photo that's here. Directly north of this site would be the Vanderbilt Clarksville facility. Presently zoned 01. This request encompasses 2.11 plus or minus acres. They're proposing to go to C2 General Commercial District. I'll go through the zoning map here. This is the future, or the zoning map, and then you'll see a portion of this property already has the C2 zoning on it. Currently, it was a daycare facility, and it was compliant with both O1 and C2. And what they're proposing to do, as they stated on their application, is to develop a nursing home facility, and no new construction is planned. This is in the St. Bethlehem planning area. THIS AREA WAS REZONED IN 2006 FROM AGRICULTURAL TO C2 AND 01. THIS SHOWS THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY. AND THAT IS UNDER MIXED USE, WHICH DOES ALIGN WITH THE C2 PROPOSED ZONING CLASSIFICATION. THIS IS LOOKING DOWN THE STREET. THE SITE IS ON THE LEFT OF THIS PHOTO. This is the existing child care facility or structure. They plan to renovate into a nursing home. This is looking back to the north. Another view of the site. Both the Regional Planning Commission body and the staff both recommended approval. The request is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the adopted Clarksville Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan. The request brings the entire parcel and the existing structure under one zoning classification instead of being split between C2 and 01, and the C2 General Commercial District does align with the future land use designation of mixed use. We've received no public comment either for or against. If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to try to answer them for you.

Okay. Questions? Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I just have one simple question. What ward is this in, please? Where did y'all get that at? Oh, you know.

It should be Ward 11.

Thank you. You're welcome.

All right, other questions about this ordinance? Mr. Spanhauer, we're now on Item B, Ordinance 96, 2025-26. Yes, sir.

This is the application of Sean Robertson. The agent is Larry Ricconi. This property encompasses 1.4 acres. It is located on the southern frontage of Dover Road, approximately 520 feet. East of the Dover Road and High Point Road intersection, it's currently zoned R1, and they're proposing to go to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. It's currently two residential lots with two residential structures on them. You'll see the aerial overview of those. Dover Road is the frontage area. High Point Road would be on the left in this photo, in the left area. You have a mini storage facility to the south. This is the zoning for the area. The light colored is the C2. The dark color blue is the C5. This is the future land use designation map. These are the two structures that are on site. These are two separate parcels. Looking at the frontage of Dover Road towards downtown Clarksville. Back to the site. And that's going west towards the Woodlawn-Dodsonville area. High Point Road. This may seem familiar. This was a previous application in 2005. At that time, both the staff and the regional planning commission body recommend approval. It was disapproved at city council a little over a year ago. There were no department comments of any concern. Both the regional planning commission staff and the regional planning commission body both recommend approval of this application. The request is consistent with the goals and objectives of the adopted Clarkson Montgomery County comprehensive plan. And the proposed C5 highway and arterial commercial zoning request represents a logical extension of the existing commercial development pattern. If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to try to answer them for you.

We've got questions. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I understand this failed last time. Do you know what that case number was?

I don't remember the exact case number, but I can get that for you. I remember the vote, if that's important, if that's what you're looking for.

I wrote down the vote from the RPC. We'll be more than happy to share that with you. Okay, thank you.

Councilman Chandler, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor.

Have they indicated any kind of plan on what they're going to put in there? They have not expressed a specific plan to us, so... Can you refresh my memory of what possibly can go in there? C5 is a wide range of commercial, generally auto-oriented uses. One of the bigger differences between C2 and C5 is automobile sales are permitted in C5. A lot of overlapping different zones, so it's our most intense commercial zoning classification.

Okay, thank you. You're welcome, sir. Any more questions regarding this zoning case? Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

How close is this to homes or community? Are there any feedback from them? Any disagreement?

We received some questions. I know I took a couple phone calls. They didn't express any. We explained when the public hearing was. We didn't receive any public comments, and no one spoke in opposition. The two structures that are there were previously occupied homes. What I do recall is I'm pretty familiar with the area, so they appeared vacant for the past year since the last application. I believe they did transfer owners from that time last year to this. There are adjoining properties residential to the west or to the left of this photograph, and then directly south is just an extension of the the mini storage that has the frontage about three lots down. We do have a, while the C5 is vacant to the east, there is a site plan that was approved a little over a year ago, I believe for a strip center and a vape store center.

All right. Thank you. You're welcome.

Any more comment or question? All right. Mr. Spanauer, does that wrap you up?

It does. Thank you all for the opportunity.

All right. You're welcome. Thank you for keeping it brief. It was on Mr. Bittner's birthday wish list, a brief meeting. All right. Consent agenda. Madam Clark, please read the consent agenda.

All items in this portion of the agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council and may be approved by one motion. However, a member of the council may request that an item be removed for separate consideration under the appropriate committee report. Ordinance 71-2025-26, second reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Casey and Beth Brown Community Property Trust for a zone change on property located along the northern frontage of Merchants Boulevard, 980 plus or minus feet west of its intersection with Merchants Court from C3 Regional Shopping Center District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Ordinance 77 2025 26 second reading an ordinance authorizing the receipt of donated real property located at zero Jack Miller Boulevard for the purpose of a housing development. Ordinance 79 2025 26 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Marvin pits for zone change on a parcel located on the Northern frontage of craft street. 780 plus or minus feet west of the craft street and college street intersection from m2 general industrial district to c5 highway and arterial commercial district ordinance 82 2025-26 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of clarksville application of tanya bosley for a zone change on a parcel located at the northwest corner of the rosfee road and bosley lane intersection from R1, single-family residential district, to C5, highway and arterial commercial district. Ordinance 83, 2025-26, second reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Todd Morris for a zone change on a parcel located on the western frontage of Industrial Drive, 700 plus or minus feet to the north of West Dunbar Cave Road and Industrial Drive intersection, from M1 Light Industrial District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Resolution 71-2025-26, a resolution approving a certificate of compliance for sale of wine in a food store at Sudden Service Number 25, located at 601 Hornbuckle Road. Resolution 72-2025-26, A resolution approving a certificate of compliance for sale of wine at a food store at Sudden Service located at 990 Alfred Toon Road. Resolution 73-202526. A resolution approving a retail liquor store certificate of compliance for Gita Ben Patel for Planet Liquors 586 Cynthia Drive and repealing the certificate of compliance for Planet Liquors 2400 Madison Street. Approval of minutes from June 4th, 2026 and June 11th. And the resolution 74, 2025, 26, a resolution approving appointments to the beer board and the tree board.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Any comment or question from members regarding the consent agenda? All right, we're now ready for the finance committee report. Chairman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 93-20-25-26, first reading. An ordinance amending the operating budgets for the fiscal year 20-26-27 for the Clarksville Parking Commission Proprietary Fund. This was approved by the Finance Committee, and Mayor, as the sponsor of this, I would like to turn this over to the councilperson for Ward 5 for her to be able to discuss.

Councilman Marquis, you recognize to explain the ordinance.

Thank you. So typically we don't touch enterprise funds. They're outside of our general fund stuff when we do budgets. I didn't really look into it as closely until after the fact. But considering that this council has postponed the overall fate of the Parking Commission until August, I think it would be appropriate for this to wait until we decide what we're going to do with them, whether they are dissolved or if we figure out something else. That has yet to be determined until August. So I'm just proposing that this purchase, it's $500,000, be delayed until we figure that out ultimately.

Okay, questions about this ordinance and the delay is until when, Councilman Marquis?

until the council either makes a decision on whether we dissolve them or they stay as a parking commission.

So the August, not a date certain, just triggered by the decision.

Correct.

Got it. Okay. Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding this ordinance? Chairman Streetman.

Thank you, mayor. Ordinance 94, 2025, 26. First reading an ordinance authorizing the donation of real property from the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, montgomery county tennessee for the purpose of greenway development along matlock road the finance committee voted in favor of approval of this this is actually a piece of property that was donated to the city many years ago back when the city was the only one doing the greenway development however now the county is going to be building a park out there this is property located in the county and they're also doing greenway development so it just makes sense to transfer that property over to them to allow them to continue that process. And the Parks and Recreation Department is in full support of this. They are the ones that brought forward the ordinance to the Finance Committee.

Questions about this ordinance? Chairman Streetman.

That concludes my report, Mayor.

All right. Thank you. Neighborhood and Community Services Committee. Chairman Chikina, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I have a full report next week.

All right, thank you. We're ready for Parks and Recreation. Chairman is not here at a conference. You'll have a full report next week. Public Safety Committee Chairman Lovato.

I'll have a full report next week.

All right, thank you. Transportation, Streets, and Garage Committee Chairman Smith, you're recognized.

Yes, I have a report on July 2nd.

All right, next week. All right, thank you. one item under new business resolution 69 2025 26 resolution of the city council, the city of Clarksville, Tennessee requiring majority council approval prior to termination of the lease agreement with Ajax Turner senior citizen center at nine 53 Clark street. And we're sending the notice termination by the mayor on March 20th, 2026 councilman Smith. You are the sponsor. You're recognized.

Thank you, mayor. You just read the resolution and we all heard it. This was a resolution to, I know that on June the 30th that the lease will be terminated with Ajax Senior Center. And so this resolution is to restore, hopefully to restore the leadership and rights back to the nonprofit organization that has been operating for about 60 years as an independent non-profit, ran by the community and for the community, providing meals, health care, social connection, and the adult care center for most vulnerable among us. So we know that the adult care center is not operating now. But we know that this center has been operating, as I said, for 60 years. And so this resolution is hopefully to give the authority back to the senior citizen person that are operating. Give it back to the senior citizen. Put it back in their hands. Let them continue to operate as a non-profit for the good of the people. I have the resolution before me. I'll read it now and then next week I won't have to read it. It says, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Clonsford, Tennessee requiring majority council approval prior to termination of the lease agreement with Ajax Turner Center Citizen Center at 953 Clark Street and rescinding the notice of termination issued by the mayor on March 20, 2026. Whereas the city of Clarksville is a party to lease agreement with the Ajax Turner Senior Citizen a nonprofit organization providing essential services to senior residents of Clarksville, Tennessee, for the use of city-owned property located at 953 Clark Street, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040. Whereas, Ajak Turner Senior Citizen Center has served the elderly population of Clarksville for many years, providing programming, social services, community support, and its continued operation is a matter of significance PUBLICANS CONCERNED. WHEREAS, ON MARCH 20, 2026, MAYOR JOE PITTS ISSUED A LETTER TO AJAC TURNER SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER PURPORTING TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT EFFECTED JUNE 30, 2026, PURSUIT TO SECTION 11 THEREOF WITH 90 DAYS ADVANCED NOTICE. AND WHEREAS, THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS THAT THE TERMINATION OF THE LEASE INVOLVING A LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY organization and a city-owned facility is a decision of significant public policy that wants deliberation and collective action by the full legislative body of the city. And whereas the city council has the authority to establish policies governing the use and disposition of city-owned property and to require legislative approval for actions affecting such property, whereas when city tax dollars are utilized to support a non-profit THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS THAT ITS MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE A VOICE IN THE DECISION. FURTHER FINDS THAT CONSISTENT WITH PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DECISION OF THIS NATION SHOULD REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLARCEVILLE, TENNESSEE AS FOLLOWED. Notwithstanding any authority vested in the mayor under the agreement or otherwise, the termination of the lease agreement between the City of Clarksville and Ajax Turner Center senior citizens for the property located at 953 Clark Street shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire City Council before such termination may take effect. The notice of termination of lease contract dated March 20, 2026 issued by Mayor Joe Pitts to Ajax Turner Senior Citizen Center is hereby suspended until the city council votes by majority of its entire membership to approve the termination of the agreement. The lease agreement shall remain in full force and effect pending the outcome of such a vote. The City Council shall at this meeting take up and vote up on the matter of whether to approve termination of the lease agreement with Ajak Turner, Senior Citizen Center. TERMINATION OF LEASE SHALL ONLY PROCEED UPON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CITY COUNCIL AT THIS OR ANY SUBQUENT DUALLY NOTICED MEETING. THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON ITS PASSAGE AND ADOPTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLARCEVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Is that it? Council Member Smith, the city charter invests in the office of the mayor the authority to terminate leases and contracts, and this would be in conflict to that. So this resolution would be ruled out of order next week, and you're certainly... You certainly have the opportunity to challenge the ruling of the chair next week. And I would think after the information that's come out, you wouldn't want to hitch your wagon to this. But that's your right to do that. So I just wanted to let you know that.

Well, thank you, Mayor, for bringing that to my attention. I know that's in the city charter, but I was understanding that there was also an ordinance per the attorney that we should have the right to vote on such a resolution. It doesn't say... explicitly that we cannot bring forth a resolution to resolve this. If it is, if y'all show that to me, I will, you know, hey, terminate this.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right. We are now ready for public comments. Three people each. Any member of the public, three people, five minutes each. Any member of the public wish to address the council? If you would, give us your name. And you have five minutes.

Good evening, Mayor. And council members, my name is Kathy Wallace and I'm here tonight to oppose the proposed takeover of the senior citizen nonprofit organization by parks and rec. First, I want to make it clear. I'm not here to criticize your parks and rec department, even though y'all have some major issues going on. Parks and recreation serves as an important purpose in our community. However, that works well for the general public. It's not always what best serves our senior population. To most of us, this nonprofit organization is much more than a building. It's a second home. It's a place where friendships are formed, where people check on one another, where widows, widowers, all elders find companionship, and where seniors facing hunger, health challenges, loneliness, isolation, which leads to their depression, find support and encouragement. The atmosphere created by this organization cannot be duplicated simply by changing it to the parks and rec management. It has been built throughout the years through relationships, volunteerism, trust, and other genuine concerns for each other. One of my concerns with the park and rec already has a broad range of responsibility, which includes managing the athletic program, the youth activities, Facilities, community events, recreational programs, all require a significant amount of resources and attention. The senior citizens also deserve the same amount of focus and leadership. I did pick up your Parks and Rec program before I came here. If you look through these pages, you have three things for the seniors. The Ajax Turner, we have over 11 to 12 programs per day that do not cost an extra penny to participate. Your program, which changes quarterly, offers many programs, but, granted, we save the $5 on the membership versus $30, but your programs for us to sign up for are limited participation, specific time frames, and at an extra cost. Many of the people that come to the center do not have that money, not to mention they don't have the ability to actually go on the app and sign up. Let me go further. Okay. Many of the exercise classes that I've taken at your parks and rec is led by younger individuals. I get that. They need jobs. They're good at what they do. They don't have the problems that I have. I have heart issues. I have arthritis issues. I have many other problems and physical limitations that people of that age range do not have. The people at the Ajax Turner Center, They're going through this with us. They have those problems. They understand. They modify the pace. Parks and Rec does not. I'm speaking as a past participant in those programs. Our nonprofit organization has developed programs specifically for the people with arthritis, mobility challenges, balance concerns, various fitness levels. These programs are not simply activities. They're tools to keep us healthy and productive citizens in this community. There are also significant differences in the accessibility and the affordability, which I've already approached. Granted, our system does charge $30 a year for the membership. It is a little more than your $5, but if you look through the three programs that you offer through this catalog, it's over $30, and that's only for a quarter. So that makes it unreachable to a lot of people and unaffordable. So I just please ask you to think about that when you think about the citizens in Clarksville that are in Montgomery County that come and use the facility. Our senior citizen is different. Senior center is different. It provides a place where seniors can come and go, gather with our friends, participate in activities, enjoy meals. receive support and simply avoid spending another day alone locked in their home. The flexibility is invaluable for older individuals. I'm also concerned that the financial impact of a city takeover may be significantly underestimated if you have to go in and replace all of the furnishing, the programming, the services, the equipment, the activities, not to mention the numerous amount of volunteers that come in, I just don't think that your budget of $1.4 million is going to cover that. That's just not enough. We're battling about the taxes now. You'll have to increase. Today I respectfully ask that the council to preserve the independence of this nonprofit organization

Thank you very much. Your time is up. Anyone else wish to address? Yes, ma'am. We have time for two more, please. If you would, give us your name and you have five minutes.

Lois Greiner.

I just actually have an announcement tonight.

I have been authorized by Jill Crow to inform you that She has guaranteed a place for us to move to and that the name Ajax Turner Senior Center will stay with the nonprofit. Thank you.

All right, we have time for one more. Sergeant, if you'd lead her to the well and get the microphone situated. All right. If you'll give us your name and then we'll let you know when you have five minutes.

Okay. My name is Lorraine Watkins and I am the facilitator of the New Vision Support Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired at Ajax Center and I've heard so much about negative stuff about the center. We have been there since 2000 and all we hear is negative stuff that I feel That's what's going on at this center. It's created negativity because of the people that's running it. We have someone there who will not speak to you. She will pass by us and will not talk to us. She will go for days and ignore us. We need some love in that center. We need some joy. We need some peace in that center. And it's not going to get there the way it's going now. We have been there when she will not speak to us or come by us. What is it going to take for you all to realize? We are human. You all needs to know old people need love, they need peace, and they need joy. What are we supposed to do, go in a corner somewhere and sit down and let them do what they want to do? It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. So what are you going to do, just close us down and y'all go and just do whatever y'all want to do? Come on, look and see what these people are doing down at Ajax. Y'all got to see it. You got to see it and you got to know what they're doing. You got to know. Come on, y'all not crazy. Y'all see what they have done to that center. They have destroyed it. We were like family before they came down there. Now people go around and not speak to people, hate people. Come on, let's do something about this and get this center running back the way it used to be. When we had all those other people running that center, there was love, there was joy, and we all united as one. If one person hurt, we all hurt. If one peaceful person fell down, we picked them up. What do we do now? Ignore each other. Now, that's not love. That's not love. All you think about is money. All Rita worried about is what people is saying about her. If you are a child of God, you are up for the right thing. You don't care what people say. You do your job, and people are not going to talk about you. Now, that's all I got to say.

Thank you, Ms. Watkins. We're now ready for mayor and council member comments. Any member of the council have a comment? Members, as you leave today, you will be given a very low-tech version of what we call a smart book. It has copies of documents in there that will point the way toward our decision-making and budgets and operations. We think it's very important for you to have copies of those, even though much of that is available on our website. Things like annual report, budget priorities, the timeline for the budget preparation process, and other items in that book. And I want to say thank you to the chief and to the staff for putting that together for you. All right. Nothing else. We are adjourned. Happy birthday, Mr. Bittner. Don't get used to it.