City Council - Regular Meeting

room okay maybe looking for an umbrella or the arc okay next name is mr. Chris Lanier mr. Lanier you're in the house I see so if you'll come forward give us your name and you have five minutes you'll pull that mic up so it picks you up okay my name is Chris Lanier

Good evening, members of the council and fellow residents of Clarksville. My name is Chris Linear. I'm a parent, taxpayer, and chairman of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board. Tonight I come before you to discuss more than a line item in a budget. I'm here to talk about a promise. After we all worked together to develop and approve this budget, the proposal to remove the $3.5 million in funding from the Clarksville-Montgomery County school system is more than a financial adjustment. It's a decision that will directly affect the lives and opportunities of thousands of children. Budget reflects the community's promises. If we remove this funding now after the district has already built its plans around the approved budget, we send a message that we're willing to change course after commitments are already made to students, families, and employees. Let's look at who this decision affects. Nearly 31,000 students attend the CMCSS schools within the city of Clarksville compared with that of the 9,200 students that are in the county. For every one student in the county school, there are more than three students in the city schools. Our city schools are not simply part of the district. They're the heart of it. More importantly, our schools serve children with the greatest needs. Nearly 59% of our students in city schools are economically disadvantaged. Compare that with 40% that are in our city schools. In fact, the highest poverty rate in any county district school is about 60%, the average reality for most city schools. The rate of the students experiencing homelessness is also nearly twice as high in the city and as it is in the county. We know these challenges are connected. When children face housing insecurity and poverty, school becomes more than a place to learn. It becomes a source of stability, meals, support, and hope. Reducing funding weakens that support at the very moment these students need it the most. Our schools have vastly different needs. Some serve student populations with economic disadvantage rates below 25%, while some approach 90%. That reality, that requires flexibility, staffing, and resources to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. When the budget was approved in April 21st of 20, 2026, this district moved forward. Teachers were hired, supplies were ordered, programs are planned. Families were given expectations for the upcoming school year. These commitments can't simply be simply be reversed without consequences. The timing of this proposal is especially harmful when we're preparing to open new schools, not planning a budget, um, not planning this budget month in advance. At the same time, Clarkson, Montgomery County government approved a 2% cost of living raised to its employees and the city's proposed in the 3% asking the school system to absorb the $3.5 million reduction while honor commitments already made creates an impossible situation. It's also important to remember what this funding represents. The city contributes approximately $75 million now annually to CMCSS. About $72 million is required by the state law. The remaining $3 million to $3.5 million is a longstanding voluntary commitment that Clarksville has made for decades through its local sales tax revenues. It's not new spending. It's a promise that the city has constantly kept because previous leaders under that invested beyond the minimum was an investment in Clarksville's future. Tonight, I ask you to consider honoring that commitment. Stand with the nearly 31,000 students who attend our city schools. Stand with the families who trusted the budget that was approved on our side. Stand with the educators who accepted positions. Most importantly, stand by the promise this community has made to its children. Don't remove this funding. Our students need it. Our schools depend on it. And Clarksville's future deserves nothing less. Thank you.

Next name on my list is Michelle Ward. Ms. Ward, are you in the house? All right. We will convene at 6 p.m. for our regular session. Thank you. The July 2nd, 2026 regular session of the Clarksville City Council is now called to order. Pastor LT Whitley of the Christian House of Praise will serve as our chaplain of the day. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilman Brown. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to please stand and remain standing through the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Whitley.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to gather today in the service of our community. Your word says if any man lacks wisdom to let him ask of God and you will give it unto him liberally. Father, we ask for your wisdom, your guidance, your discernment for every council member and leader present. Father, we ask your choices, blessings upon the mayor and his staff. Father, we ask that you would grant them hearts that seek justice, integrity, and the common good. As Proverbs 11, 14 reminds us, where there is no counsel, the people fail. But in the multitude of counsel, there is safety. Father, we ask tonight that their discussions be marked by respect, unity, and a sincere desire to serve the citizens of Clarksville. Although the people may have been elected by the city, God, you appointed them. So Father, we ask you, help them to remember those that they serve as well as the God who's placed them in their positions. Lord, we ask now that you would bless our city, protect us, keep our families safe, strengthen our first responders, our educators, and even our businesses. And Father, we ask now, Each and every member will work for the welfare of this community. As Jeremiah 29, 7 says, seek peace and prosperity for the city and pray to the Lord and he will grant it. Father, may all the decisions that are made today promote peace, promote prosperity, and the well-being of all the people. Father, we ask this in your son Jesus' name. Amen. to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Members, please register your attendance. Madam Clerk, take the roll, please.

All members are present, with the exception of Councilman Shekinah, who is excused.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. We are now on our next item, which is the Planning Commission Report. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Madam Clerk, will you please read the two ordinances before us?

Ordinance 95-2025-26, first reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville. Application of youth realty for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the eastern frontage of Professional Park Drive. 1,850 plus or minus feet south of the intersection of Dunlop Lane and Professional Park Drive from 01 Office District to C2 General Commercial District. In Ordinance 96-2025-26, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Sean Robertson for a zone change on property consisting of two contiguous parcels on the southern frontage of Dover Road 520 plus or minus feet east of the Dover Road and High Point Drive intersection from R1 single-family residential district to C5 highway and arterial commercial district.

Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Mayor, I move we go into public hearing.

Motion been made and properly seconded to revert to public hearing. Without objection, we are now in public hearing. First item is Item A, Ordinance 95, 2025-26. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville application of Youth Realty LLC. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 95? Please come forward. Give us your name and you have five minutes.

Thank you. Good evening. My name is Hope Petonis. I'm the owner of Youth Realty. We are remodeling. We've had the building for years as a child care facility. For the last two years, it's been empty. We're remodeling and adding sprinkler systems and things that need to be done. And part of it's already C2. A third of one of the buildings is C2, and the rest is 01. So we're wanting to make it all C2.

Okay, thank you, Ms. Potomac. Did I get the name right? Potomac, uh-huh. Potomac, okay. Any questions for Ms. Potomac? Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 95? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 95? Next item is Item B, Ordinance 96-2025-26, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Sean Robertson. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 96? Mr. Riccone, you know the drill. Name in five minutes.

Thank you, Mayor. Larry Riccone, 308 South 2nd Street. I was asked how come I pick hard cases. I don't pick them, but this is hopefully the least controversial matter I will ever be in front of you all for. This is asking to extend the C-5 zone. There's C-5 directly adjacent to this track to the – East, there's C5 across the street to the northeast. There's C5 two lots to the west. There's C2 behind this lot. My owner, Sean Robertson, he has no immediate plans right now. I actually just spoke to him in the hallway. But this is changing. C5 is everywhere around it. There's actually some construction already out there, so we want to see what's going on. It meets the exact definition of C5. Dover Road is an arterial road. It needs to be C5. It's not suitable for R1 at this point anymore. So we're asking you to allow this zone change to C5.

Thank you, Mr. Riccone. Any questions for Mr. Riccone? Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 96? Anyone in the audience wish to speak against Ordinance 96? Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Mayor, I move we go back in a regular session.

Motion made and properly seconded to revert back to regular session without objection. We are now in regular session.

Ordinance 9520 2526 first reading an ordinance amending the zoning code. I'm sorry. I do need to lead with the, as per usual, um, based on the recommendation of our city attorney, all motions will be made in favor of approval. Ordinance 95-20-25-26, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville application of Youth Realty LLC for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the eastern frontage of Professional Park Drive, 1,850 plus or minus feet south of the intersection of Dunlop Lane and Professional Park Drive from 01 Office District to C2 General Commercial District. Both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommend approval and ISO move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 95. Any comment or question from council regarding Ordinance 95? Seeing none, hearing none, are you ready to vote? All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

11 yes, 1 no, 0 abstain.

Ordinance 95 passes. First reading, Councilman Streetman.

Ordinance 96-20-25-26, first reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville application of Sean Robertson for a zone change on property consisting of two contiguous parcels on the southern frontage of Dover Road, 520 plus or minus feet east of the Dover Road and High Point Drive intersection from R1 Single Family Residential District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff, recommended approval, and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 96. Any comment or question regarding Ordinance 96? Councilman Chandler, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor.

This came up last year, and I was against it, but this area here is inevitably going to be taken over by C-5. The... Two residential structures that are on it now are dilapidated, and so I think it'd be good at this time to go ahead and get that out. It's ugly. And again, I've talked to Mr. Riccone, and there's no immediate plans for it, and I will be in favor of it.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding this ordinance? Seeing none, hearing none, are you ready to vote? All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

12 yes, 1 no. I'm sorry, 11 yes, 1 no, 0 abstain.

Ordinance 96 passes. First reading. Councilman Streetman.

It's 6.09 p.m., Mayor, and that concludes my report.

Awesome. Don't apologize for that. All right, we're ready. Next item is consent agenda. Madam Clerk, 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 0 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 Pitts for a 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 Ross view road and Bosley Lane intersection from our one single family residential district to see five 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 Road, 700 plus or minus feet to the north of the 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 in a food store at Sudden Service Number 67, located at 990 Alfred Toon Road. Resolution 73, 2025, 26, a resolution approving a retail liquor store certificate of compliance for Gita Ben Patel for Planet Liquors at 586 Cynthia Drive and repealing the certificate of compliance for Planet Liquors at 2400 Madison Street. Resolution 74, 2025, 26, a resolution approving appointments to the beer board and the tree board and the approval of minutes for June 4th and June 11th, 2026.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'll entertain a motion and a second. Thank you. Motion has been made and properly seconded. Members wish to be recognized. Get my teeth in so I can talk. Councilman Marquis, you're recognized on the consent agenda.

Yes, I'd like to record a no vote on item I.

All right. Thank you. Councilman Chandler, you're recognized.

May I like to record a no vote on Ordinance 82, 20, 25, 26. Thank you.

Councilman Smith, you're recognized on the consent agenda.

Thank you, Mayor. I would like to put a no vote on C, F, G, H, and I. Thank you.

Okay. Councilman Peters, on the consent agenda.

Yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you. I'd like to put a no vote on Resolution 71-20-25-26, Resolution 72-20-25-26, and Resolution 73-20-25-26. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? Councilman Klontz, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to register a no vote on item H. Resolution 73, 25, 26. All right.

Thank you. Any other member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? Seeing none, hearing none, are you ready to vote? All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Consent agenda is adopted. We're now ready for the Finance Committee report. Chairman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 93, 20, 25, 26. And Mayor, I'd like to turn this over to the sponsor. I will go ahead and say that the Finance Committee recommended approval, but allow her the opportunity to read it and make her motion for it.

Councilman Marquis, you're recognized.

All right, so I guess I get the honor to read it tonight. All right. Ordinance 93-20-25-26, first reading, an ordinance amending the operating budgets for the fiscal year 2026-27 for the Clarksville Parking Commission, a proprietary fund. Ordinance 88-20-25-26, finance recommends approval. and I will make a motion.

Motion been made and properly seconded. You're recognized for an explanation.

All right. So, uh, basically we have, uh, postponed the fate of the parking commission until August. And this is a half a million dollar purchase that they are looking to spend. If we dissolve them, you know that they are an enterprise fund. So that is money that could either be utilized somewhere else or maybe if they are absorbed into the city, we can get a better rate for this. So I just think that we should wait until we as a body decide, are we dissolving them or are they staying as they are? Because if they stay as they are, then it's fine. It's their decision at that point. But if we absorb them, then that is infrastructure that they have. began to put in place that we should probably reevaluate from our side. So this is just a delay until a decision is made.

You've heard the explanation. Any comment or questions? Seeing none, hearing none, are you ready to vote? All members please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam clerk, take the vote.

11 yes, 1 no, 0 abstain.

The ordinance passes first reading. Chairman Streetman.

Ordinance 94, 20, 25, 26,

ordinance authorizing the donation of real property from the city of Clarksville Tennessee to Montgomery County Tennessee for the purpose of Greenway development along Matlock Road the Finance Committee recommended approval and I so move motion been made and properly seconded in favor of ordinance 94 any comment or question regarding ordinance 94 seeing none hearing none are you ready to vote all members please cast your vote every member voted any member voice to change their vote madam clerk please take the vote

Well, yes, zero, no, zero abstain.

Ordinance 94 passes. First reading, Chairman Streetman.

That concludes my report, Mayor.

Thank you very much. Now ready for Neighborhood and Community Services Committee. Chairman Peters, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. See, the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee, they'll meet on July 13th at 4.30 p.m. in the fourth floor City Hall Conference Room. On July 8th, the FaceBase Housing Education Cohort Information Meeting. scheduled for 830 a.m. it's for a developer funder and construction interest meetings and then 1130 a.m. the churches faith-based organizations and interest meetings the faith-based housing education cohort will equip local congregations with the knowledge and tools needed to engage in housing solutions in their communities through education collaboration and technical assistance Participating faith organizations explore ways to support affordable housing development, provide housing-related services, and partner with community organizations to address homelessness and housing instability. We're looking for congregations, big and small, builders, subcontractors, and funding institutions who are interested in learning more about the initiative and contributing to housing development in our community. The Clarksville Neighbor and Community Services team invites you to visit their booth at the CMCSS Back to School Bash on July 18th from 4 to 7 p.m. Help our students kick off the school year, support our families in transition programs, and learn about the programs provided by the department. This includes their 12-month rental assistance, first-time homebuyer, and home repair programs. Speaking of home repair, this is the season for HVAC outages. If you have constituents who are unable to afford repairs to their air conditioning equipment, CNCS can help. Our neighbors can apply online or call our office at www.clarksviltn.gov or 931-648-6133. Again, if anyone needs assistance with HVAC outages, that's www.clarksviltn.gov or 931-648-6133. And that concludes my report.

Thank you, Chairman Peters. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? Next item is Parks and Recreation Committee. Chairman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Parks and Rec would like to invite you to celebrate America's 250th with us on July 3rd and 4th in downtown Clarksville. This two-day celebration will feature fun and entertainment for all ages, including a 5K race, patriotic walking parade and costume contest, Car shows, food trucks, live music, patriotic trivia, drone show, fireworks display, and much more. Bring the whole family and join us for this unforgettable community celebration. And the Wonder Kids Triathlon, a swim, bike, and run event for youth ages 3 to 12 years, is designed to encourage kids to join in some friendly competition without the pressure of being timed. This event promotes physical activity and good sportsmanship. Activities will be held at Beach Haven Pool and Barksdale Elementary School on July 25th. And for more information and a complete list of programs, classes, and ongoing activities, visit clarksvilleparksrec.com. And that concludes our report.

Thank you. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We're now ready for the Public Safety Committee report. Chairman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. First, for Clarksville Police Department, they want to let everyone know we are seeing a slight increase in vehicle burglaries in the neighborhoods. Hiding valuables, locking your car door, and not leaving a key in the vehicle reduces the chance of a citizen becoming a victim. Please park smart. Upcoming events for anyone to join, Cone with a Cop is on July 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McDonald's on Sango Road.

Hope their ice cream machine works.

For Clarksville Fire and Rescue, CFR put its newest 100-foot aerial in service Tuesday at Station 1. On Wednesday, Austin Peay wrapped up its annual public safety initiative at CFR where they practiced teamwork, learned about CFR operations and equipment, and took on the task of cleaning every CFR vehicle over the last month. On Tuesday, CFR graduated two employees from the city's HR Leadership Academy. Captain Tyler Zokowski and Captain Andy Butler. Engineer Leonard Porter retired from CFR on June 30th after 28 years of service. Congrats to him. Administrative Support Technician Angela Moody retired from CFR on June 30th after 12 years of service. Congrats to her. And near midnight on June 28th, Station 6 crews answered a knock at the door, which resulted in the delivery of a baby boy in the front hallway of the firehouse. Kudos to the crew for always being ready. Building and codes, our construction division did 2,809 total inspections. Code Enforcement Division did 707 new cases. The Abatement Division did 94 work orders, and their total revenue generated was $338,657.94. And that concludes my report. Wow. Okay.

Birth and babies.

Birth and babies.

Won't the hospitals be jealous? All right. Yeah, transport. You want to put that on the record?

Yeah, I have four. Okay, all right.

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

Thank you, Mayor. The TSG reports are as follows. For the month of June, transit transported a total of 38,500 riders on fixed route, including 9,091 seniors who rode for free. CTS also transported 4,562 riders on paratransit for a total of 43,069 riders for the month of June. Now we go on to the city garage. There's no report from the street department. The total number of citywide work orders was 443. The total number of mechanic work orders hours was 958. Few purchases made by city garage for on site view pumps for the garage. Unleaded total cost was $104,185 for a total gallons of 31,631. Also, for diesel, the total cost was $44,111 for total gallons of $11,959. For the outlaw fuel, the total unleaded cost for gasoline was $27,313 for total gallons of $7,917. Diesel cost was zero. They didn't buy any diesel. Okay, fuel cost for unleaded was $3.17 per gallon. That was a decrease of 15%. It was $3.74. Okay, for diesel, it was a decrease in the cost. It was $3.28. Decrease was $0.33. It was $4.90. So the cost today was $3.28 per gallon. City garage vehicle repairs totaled $266.68. The city garage fuel usage total was 138 gallons for a total fuel cost of $534. Our next meeting will be on July the 14th, and this concludes my reports.

Thank you chairman Smith. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? All right, we're now ready for new business resolution 69 2025 26. Uh, councilman Smith, you're the sponsor and you're recognized.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. As you, as you know, this is a resolution to revert the lease agreement back to the Ajax senior citizen building. We know that on March the 20th, 2026, uh, Mary Pierce issued a letter to the Ajax senior citizen center purporting to terminate the agreement. which to terminate the lease affected June 30th of this year. Pursuit to section 11 thereof with 90 days advanced notice. And I won't read this whole resolution. I read it at the executive. And so right now I am proposing making a motion to bring this forward.

Motion to made and properly seconded in favor of resolution 69. councilman smith i mentioned that our city charter does vest in the mayor the duty and power to to sign and execute agreements such as contracts in this lease and the execution thereof means that you follow along make sure the contractor is doing what they want to and so the the charter is very specific on the fact that we are the mayor has the ability to terminate this lease Uh, and because your resolution is in conflict with the city charter, uh, I rule it out of order.

Mayor, respectfully, I disagree with your ruling, and I would challenge that based upon the fact that I have not found any provision expressly authorizing the mayor acting alone to terminate a lease approved by the city council. Article 4, Section 1 provides that the mayor execute contracts made in the name of the city, but it does not state that the mayor may unilaterally terminate those contracts. If there is a charter provision that expressly grant that authority, I respectfully ask that it be identified for the council and made part of the record.

Mr. Bittner, you're recognized.

Mayor, I'd like to assert the attorney-client privilege and ask for a motion to recess to discuss the Ajax Turner Center, please.

Motion been made to revert to attorney-client privilege session, properly seconded without objection. We're in attorney-client privilege session. Ladies and gentlemen, please, I invite you to please step outside the chamber.

Similar to what we do with the zoning. So we're going to say yes.

If you want here and it's always been June the 30th and I'm sorry that this might have thrown a kink into everything.

But our number one job

Gentlemen, we are back into public regular session. Mr. Bittner, you're recognized, please. Okay, so... If you'll pull that mic towards you.

There was... to make it easier for everybody i think we'll go with the question being should the appeal since it's a motion to appeal the decision of the chair should the appeal of the chair's decision that your out of order be sustained. Okay, is that clear for everybody?

Can you explain now what that, if you vote yes, what that means?

Okay, so since it's the motion of board number six, councilman, that I thought the question should be reflected in her favor. similar to what we do with the zoning. So we're going to say yes if you want the appeal to succeed. We will say no if you want to sustain the decision of the chair or vice versa that the appeal of Ward 6 would fail. that makes sense so mr. Bittner because because she has made the motion to overrule the chair overturn the decision of the chair it's it's her motion correct it's her motion so we're gonna frame it in the in the form that allows it to be a yes if her if you want her appeal to be successful yes Okay. If you don't want her appeal to be successful, vote no.

Okay. I'm going to come to the sponsor of the appeal motion and ask her to renew her motion. How's that? Councilman Smith, you recognize.

I would like to renew my resolution.

You're renewing your motion to challenge the ruling of the chair.

Okay. Renew the motion to challenge the ruling of the chair that I'm out of order, that my resolution is out of order.

okay and it's been properly seconded any further discussion so we're voting on the motion to that councilman smith made to challenge the ruling of the chair if you agree with her challenge you vote yes if you disagree you vote no right is that correct mr bittner yeah okay that's correct all right okay so madam clerk we're ready to vote how long may

Hold up. I got one question. Wait a minute.

We're in the middle of voting. What's your question?

Go ahead. Okay. So if you want, I want to make sure.

If you want to sustain your challenge, you vote yes. If you want to go against your challenge, you vote no. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Four yes, eight no, zero abstain.

Motion fails. We're now on mayor and council member comments. Any member? Councilman Chandler, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor.

I don't want anybody to take this wrong that's in the audience tonight, but one of our speakers at the beginning, Board Chairman Lanier, talked about the money that we removed for the school system from our budget. One of the things was that basically the city had a lot more citizens that were down on the lower end of the pay scale, supposedly. You've got to understand that this was done, our city residents pay more taxes. They already pay county taxes, which goes to the school. We pay will tax that goes to the school. And why would we want our citizens in the city to pay twice? Because the money that we give, comes from our property taxes. The city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on sidewalks around schools. And the reason we did that was, in their infinite wisdom, the school system decided to extend the walkers out a mile. and it was not necessarily this body but the city council and the mayor years ago well we don't want a six-year-old kid walking over a mile to school out in the middle of the street and i'm not you can go back look at our budgets hundreds of thousands of dollars on sidewalks we cover all the school zones inside the city limits that is the equipment for the lights, keep them up and running, and to pay for the personnel. Our budget is tight. If you don't know how tight our budget is, then I think you've been on Mars or something because four meetings and we haven't passed a budget yet because it's that tight. I just don't understand the comment that was made, and I'm not trying to cause any problem, but the comment was made, well, we passed our budget in April, and then you turned around and did that to us by taking it out of your budget. Our budget had been set in stone about since Moses was here, and it's always been June the 30th, and I'm sorry that this might have thrown a kink into everything. But our number one job here is the citizens of Clark. And we have gone above and beyond for years. Helping the school system out. But we're at a point now that we have to look at our own budget within the city. Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Smith, you're recognized for comments.

Thank you, Mayor. For the past seven years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving as the coordinator of the 8th of August block party celebration. It has truly been a labor of love, and I thank God for allowing me to serve our community in this capacity. Ecclesiastes chapter 3, 1 and 8 says, To everything there is a season. a time to every purpose under heaven. At the last year celebration as a prophetess, I prophesized that I might not be coordinating the event in 2026. My words has now come to pass as this is my season to focus on my campaign for the office of mayor for the city of Clarksville. Therefore, the eighth of August block party celebration will not be held this year. To everyone who has already submitted applications to participate, thank you for your interest and continued support. Although the celebration will not take place this year, we are hopeful that it will return next year. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to support the surrounding cities that will be hosting their own 8th of August celebration. Check the calendars. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the many sponsors, supporters, volunteers and participants who made this event possible each year to keep it free for our community. A special thanks to Robin and Queen advance, Kevin Ligon, Rudy Johnson tonight, Casey, Jennifer Willoughby, pastors, grant Washington and Pastor Charles Rafford of Fifth Ward Baptist Church led better signs. The Parks and Recreation Department Lee Harpell, street department, our city workers and volunteers, the chief of police and his department, the police department, and of course, Mayor Pitts and his staff. And Cindy, you as well. And Mr. Halford as well. He's always supported, made sure things are together. And thanks to all the talented solo performers, dancers, stepping teams, the color guards, Post 143 and the Elks Club, and also our DJ Folly, who has faithfully served throughout the seven years. We also appreciate the outstanding performance by the bands. We had the Nate Johnson Band, the Blues with Attitude Band, Tina Brown, and all of our vendors, to include the Hassan Temple for faithfully providing free snacks and drinks yearly, and everyone who served on the programs, every citizen who attended and supported this community celebration. Each of you have helped to make the 8th of August block party a memorable and meaningful event for our city. Your generosity, commitment, and participation will always be appreciated. Although there will not be a block party this year, the Clarksville Civil Rights Monument Committee, which I have the honor of chairing, will host a historical ceremony on August the 8th at 4 p.m. at Dixon Park to honor 12 civic leaders of Clarksville. We invite the community to join us as we recognize their contributions and to celebrate their shared history. Thank you again for seven wonderful years of support, and we look forward with hope to what the future holds to God be the glory. Thank you, Mayor.

Well said. Thank you. Any other member wish to be recognized? Let me read this statement, if I may. Members, because we've not yet passed a budget for the current year, it's triggered some actions that we must take and that will remain in effect until the new budget is adopted and we know what revenue we're working with. So I want to take a moment to let you all know what we've done. We've instituted a hiring freeze across every general fund department, including the transit system. All travel and training has been suspended. that the city would be sponsoring and paying for no purchase above $500 will be allowed without prior written approval by the chief financial officer. And we have a system in place for that. Further, the comptroller of the treasury for the state of Tennessee states that monthly expenses per department cannot exceed the monthly expenses from the previous year. The situation is serious and our bonding agencies and state and federal government agencies are likely watching us. So we, um, need to get busy, and while some might say a continuing resolution, which is very familiar to Congress, is okay, I'll say that the 2025-26 budget that ended on Tuesday is not sufficient to keep our government operating long-term. We'll meet again in special session on Monday, July the 6th at 4.30 to once again discuss and prayerfully adopt a budget ordinance. Thank you. That completes our business. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Without objection, we're adjourned.