City Council - Regular Meeting

According to Ryan Gay, data centers disproportionately impact black, indigenous, and low-income residents who are already prone to water insecurity. In other words, residents, often the most marginalized and vulnerable, will pay the costs for a data center they have neither consented to nor authorized. In contrast, the centers and their... wealthy operators will receive hefty tax breaks. Residents in close proximity to hyperscale data centers have already reported light pollution, sound pollution, reduced air quality, water pollution, race, cost of living, and medical symptoms as a consequence of this pollution. Clarksville residents have long expressed a desire for jobs. While many hope that these centers will bring jobs, they will do the opposite. Data centers typically require an average of 50 service workers per center. In other words, costs on citizens and the environment will far exceed the benefits. You, a citizen who did not vote for this, did not want this, and did not authorize this, will pay for it the most, but you don't have to. The city of Clarksville does not need this. When this was announced, I saw nothing but opposition. The city of Clarksville does not need this. This land, these residents, and the wildlife deserve better. While this will impact the most vulnerable members of our community first, just as the water and climate crises have affected the poorest people of the globe first, we will all be impacted. It is our duty to care for this land and the people in it. I am not here to incite fear or hopelessness. We, the community, deserve a say in issues that are impacting us and putting a strain on natural resources that we rely on. I will not be complacent. I don't want the people of Clarksville to suffer and I urge that authorities and developers reconsider this project. If they do not reconsider, I urge the conscientious people of Clarksville to further educate, organize, and be the change we wish to see. So long as we are organized, we do not have anything to fear. Thank you for your time and consideration tonight.

Thank you. Just a moment we'll call the next person up. Okay, the next name on the list is Ms. Jennifer Meyer. Ms. Meyer, are you here? Okay, in just a moment we'll call up the final person. Last call for Jennifer Meyer. Okay. It's Mr. Curtis Hill in the audience. All right, we'll wait, give him just a moment. Is Mr. Curtis Hill in the audience? All right. Thank you. Is Mr. Curtis Hill in the audience? All right, we will convene at 6 p.m. The August 6, 2026 regular session of the Clarksville City Council is now called to order. Minister Felicia Ransom of Gilfield Baptist Church will serve as our chaplain of the day. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilman Brian Zacharias. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to please stand and remain standing through the Pledge of Allegiance. And we'll invite Minister Ransom to come and lead us in prayer.

Let us go before the Lord in prayer. Father, in the name of Jesus, I first want to say thank you. I thank you for this day, and I thank you for the opportunity for this council and people to come together to work through the business of the city of Clarksville. I thank you for every council member on this panel, and I thank you for every ward and district represented, the people represented, and I thank you for the growth of this city. As this city grows, I thank you for the wisdom guidance, directions, decisions, and finances. I pray that we will let all things be done decently and in order as the Apostle Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 14 and 40. I pray for alignment of your will. Let us live out Matthew 6 and 33 as we seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto us, especially when it comes to the needs of the city. I pray against any form of division, strife, and selfish agenda. Let the council have a listening ear in the spiritual and in the natural for your will. I pray for unity and peace over this meeting and that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I do pray. Amen.

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

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk. We do have one special recognition. I'll invite Michelle Austin to please join me in the well.

Members and Mark, this thing's hot.

Members and ladies and gentlemen, we have an extra special recognition that we want to make tonight. And instead of me fumbling through it, I'm going to ask Michelle Austin, the director of our neighborhood and community services department to do the honors.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm going to ask the stewards of the canopy initiative if you would join me in the well. This is a very long proclamation, but there's a lot of words here that I feel everyone needs to hear, so bear with me. So the City of Clarksville Proclamation Canopy Initiative 100 Day Challenge. Whereas the City of Clarksville recognizes that homelessness is a complex community challenge that requires a compassionate, coordinated, and sustained response that addresses both the immediate needs of individuals and the families experiencing homelessness and the systematic barriers that contribute to housing instability. And whereas, the Canopy Initiative was established as a community-led collaborative impact effort to bring together community partners, service providers, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and individuals with lived experience around a shared vision of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in the Clarksville-Montgomery County. And from April 27th, 2026 through August 4th of 2026, the Canopy Initiative undertook a 100-day challenge designed not only to house individuals and families but to strengthen the community's ability to work together through new coordinated mechanisms, shared decision-making, case conferencing, data-informed practices, and the strategic use of flexible resources. And whereas the 100 Day Challenge demonstrated the extraordinary power of collaboration when organizations move beyond working alongside one another to working as a coordinated system. Building trust, sharing information, identifying barriers together, and aligning resources around the needs of each household. And whereas, through this unified community effort, 53 families, including 124 children, Nine seniors and 52 veterans were housed while dozens of additional seniors and households received intensive wraparound support and assistance as they navigated the path towards permanent housing. And whereas those accomplishments represent more than numbers, they represent children returning to stable homes, veterans finding a place to call home, families regaining stability, and individuals experiencing homelessness being connected to a community committed to seeing them not simply housed but supported in remaining housed. And whereas the 100 Day Challenge has also demonstrated that meaningful progress requires more than a successful campaign or a single intervention. It requires continued collaboration, sustained investment, shared accountability and a willingness to confront the gaps that remain within the community housing and support systems. And whereas, the City of Clarksville recognizes that the conclusion of the 100 Day Challenge is not the conclusion of this work, but rather an important milestone in building a stronger, more coordinated, and more effective community response to homelessness. And whereas, the City of Clarksville commends the Canopy Initiative for creating a foundation upon which this collaborative work can continue and encourages the community to carry forward the relationships, practices, accountability, and the spirit of partnership developed during the 100 Day Challenge. And whereas the City of Clarksville celebrates the lives changed, the families housed through this effort express its deep gratitude to every partner who contributed in its success and recognizes that the work must continue until every neighbor in Clarksville Montgomery County has a safe and stable place to call home. Now, therefore, I, Joe Pitts, Mayor of Clarksville, on this day, August 2026, do hereby recognize and commend the Canopy Initiative and its many dedicated partner agencies for their extraordinary commitment, collaboration, and accomplishments during this 100-day challenge. I am. Thank you. And I want to recognize the folks that are up front. The Canopy Initiative, and I'm going to let Chris Dyle speak in just a second. But the Canopy Initiative is made up of close to 30 partner agencies. But the folks that are up here today, we're missing a few folks, are the leaders of that group. Each person that's represented up here serves as a steward of a committee or a co-steward of one of the many committees that have been set in place by this initiative. With us today is Ann Waddell. She's with Irene Center for Hope. Gosh, I could say so much about each person, but if you know a child in the school system in the FIT program who has been housed recently and while on her team have touched that family. Jody McBryant with Urban Ministries. I feel like I've stood in front of people with a microphone several times next to Jody as we keep on this ongoing effort to support our homelessness. Kristen Jaggers with United Way. United Way has been such a strong partner through this initiative, and they have provided us a lot of funding to support those emergency expenses and getting people housed, and we're very grateful for United Way. And then Chris Dial. Chris Dial is the project manager for the Canopy Initiative, and he's the one that has really gotten us organized and kept this train moving. And his position is actually funded through United Way. So I'm going to hand the mic to Chris, and Chris has no more than five minutes.

I'm a native Clarksvillian, so I'm taking my watch off. Mayor Pitts, esteemed council members, very dear neighbors, and those watching beyond, we are so honored by this auspicious recognition. It represents the culmination of not only great collaboration, but it represents the opportunity for massive transformation in our community. We have created a forum for the community to come together. in neutrality and commitment to taking care of our most vulnerable populations through understanding through authenticity, through devotion to seeing each other in the ambiguous unknown. The people that are standing before you are my heroes. They've answered a call. I gotta check on my time. You keeping time on me? Okay, Michelle is our official timekeeper. Thank you very much. They are heroes in our community because they've answered a call with absolutely no guarantee of payout. They've answered a call to address a challenge that overwhelms our entire world, has overwhelmed societies throughout our history, and they've stepped into this challenge with just the commitment to seeing it through, understanding how to work together, learning from each other, and engaging the community in direct, honest, candid conversation to understand this issue from multiple perspectives. The Canopy Initiative is technically a collective impact project, which is a little jargony, but essentially it means that we're addressing an incredibly complex social issue, again, one that has overwhelmed multiple societies over the course of human history. It's an issue that is so complicated that there is not one government office, there's not one agency, there's not one congregation, there's not one nonprofit that can single-handedly address this issue. It's also an issue that evolves constantly over time, and so it requires that we stay vigilant and responsive to the needs of our community. the people that are standing before you have laid the foundation for this conversation and we would like to take this opportunity to call our community to action if you've ever felt very overwhelmed in this current age and not sure where to invest your energy or had very little hope in the possibility of transformation we have created a space for you and we welcome you to join us we're ready for you and we're here for the long haul thank you very much everyone

And we have several other people here in the audience. If you are a regular attendee of our Canopy Initiative meetings or sit on a committee, I encourage you to stand up and to recognize. Mr. Swallows, Tyler, Casey. Casey serves on our communications team. So thank you all.

Okay, next item on our agenda is the Planning Commission Report. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Madam Clerk, will you please read the ordinances and resolutions before us tonight, please?

Ordinance 01-2026-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Lewis contracting for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the western frontage of Evans Road, 350 plus or minus feet south of the intersection of Britton Springs Road and Evans Road from RM1 Single Family Mobile Home Residential District to R33 Family Residential District. Ordinance 2-2026-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of OKH Gutierrez for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the northern frontage of Tiny Town Road, 440 plus or minus feet west of the intersection of Green Acres Drive and Tiny Town Road from R1 Single Family Residential District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Ordinance 3, 2026-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Harris Homes Holding for a zone change on a parcel of land located at the southeast intersection of Gibbs Lane and Trenton Road from AG Agricultural District to R5 Residential District. ordinance 4 20 26 27 first reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of clarksville application of the regional planning commission for a zone change on properties east of public square south of college street north of madison street and west of south fifth street to also include property on the northeast corner of south fifth street from cbd central business district to cbd central business district and h1 historic historic overlay ordinance 5 20 26 27 First reading in ordinance are repealing chapters 9.3 and 9.5 of the city zoning ordinance of the city of Clarksville Tennessee And replacing them with new chapters with regard to the regional historic zoning commission common design review board historic overlay and downtown overlay districts I Resolution 5, 2025-26, a resolution annexing a parcel of land west of Little Hope Road. Resolution 6, 2026-27, a resolution adopting a plan of service for a parcel of land west of Little Hope Road.

Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, 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. The first item on our public hearing agenda is Item A, Ordinance 1, 2026-27. an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Lewis contracting. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of ordinance one? If you would please come forward. Give us your name, and you've got five minutes.

All right. My name is Bryce Lewis. I'm with Lewis Contracting. Whenever I acquired this property, it currently had a house trailer on it. It was pretty dilapidated. I'm seeking a modest rezoning from RM1 to R3 in hopes to put three single-family homes in this location, utilizing existing infrastructure, and hopefully rejuvenating that area further.

That's all. All right. Questions for Mr. Lewis? Thank you, sir. Oh, hang on just a minute, Mr. Lewis. We do have a question. Okay. Councilman Peters, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a pretty small lot to put three homes on. I'm thinking about families here, children.

Correct. Where are they going to be able to play? So if you look at the lot, it is pretty narrow, but it is pretty deep. So there are room for backyards in this lot. They're much like the ones that have already been approved right up the road from there. And you can see in those homes, many of those have already sold, and they have families living in them currently.

Yeah, I just got reservations about it, but I also believe in this neighborhood needs some uplifting. Absolutely. So that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Any more comment or question for Mr. Lewis? Thank you, sir. Thank you. Anyone else in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 1? Anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 1? Next item is Item B, Ordinance 2, 2026-27, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of O.K.H. Gutierrez. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 2? there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against ordinance to next item is item C ordinance 3 20 26 27 an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Harris Holmes holding is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of ordinance 3 is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against ordinance 3 Next item is item D, Ordinance 4, 2026-27, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of the Regional Planning Commission for a zone change on properties east of Public Square, et cetera. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 4? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 4? Next item is item E, Ordinance 5, 2026-27, an ordinance repealing Chapters 9.3 and 9.5 of the City Zoning Ordinance of the City of Clarksville, Tennessee. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 5? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 5? Next item is Item F, Resolution 5, 2026-27. A resolution annexing a parcel of land west of Little Hope Road. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Resolution 5? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Resolution 5? Next item is Item G, Resolution 6, 2026-27. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PLAN OF SERVICE FOR A PARCEL OF LAND WEST OF LITTLE HOPE ROAD. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF RESOLUTION 6? IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK AGAINST RESOLUTION 6? COUNCILMAN STREETMAN.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE WE GO BACK INTO REGULAR SESSIONS.

MOTION MADE AND PROPERLY SECONDED. REVERT TO REGULAR SESSION WITHOUT OBJECTION. COUNCILMAN STREETMAN.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. As always, based on the advice of our legal counsel, all motions will be made in the form of an approval. Ordinance 01-2026-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Lewis Contracting, LLC. for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the western frontage of Evans Road, 350 plus or minus feet south of the intersection of Britton Springs Road and Evans Road from RM1, Single Family Mobile Home Residential District, to R3, Three Family Residential District. Both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommend approval and ISO move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 1. Any comment or question from Council regarding Ordinance 1? 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 1 passes. First reading. Councilman Streetman.

Ordinance 02-20-26-27. First reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville application of OKH Gutierrez for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the northern frontage of Tiny Town Road, 440 plus or minus feet west of the intersection of Green Acres Drive and Tiny Town Road from R1, Single Family Residential District, to C5, Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommend approval, and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 2. Councilman Chandler, you're recognized on Ordinance 2. Thank you, Mayor.

You know, last week I stated my objections because of all the traffic And one of the things that was asked, did anybody speak against this, any of the residents? Well, they didn't because there's really no residents around it. It's mostly commercial. I'm going to show my age. You can't sling a dead cat in this town without hitting a strip mall. And all I'm doing is looking out for, we don't need to add any more traffic out there. We just need to start using common sense. And my last comment is I'm going to put people on notice. If you don't show up to speak for your project, I will vote no, even if it's a goldmine project. You've got to come here and show us some attention. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you.

Councilman Klotz, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I concur with... My council member in Ward 4, we don't need another strip mall right over there. We absolutely do not. I think that land could be utilized for something different. I know it's been, is this the one that's been back and forth with the RPC? We just don't need another strip mall. I know what's right across the street. There's about four strip malls on the other side of Tiny Town. And on that same side, we've got the tire shop, a couple of restaurants. Like, let's slow down. Let's slow down. That's all I have, sir.

Councilman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I have a pretty long history of opposing increasing residential density on Tiny Town, but this is not residential density. I made the statement, it might be close to a year ago now, and I said I think Tiny Town has probably outgrown its appropriateness as a residential road. And I know I certainly wouldn't want a Tiny Town road address at this point. And for that reason, something else to consider is residential traffic and commercial traffic tend to happen at different times of the day. I am in favor of this because it is commercial, because it is moving from residential to commercial, because I think it's kind of hard to deny with recent announcements of projects down at the other end that this Tiny Town is primarily a commercial street at this point. Thank you.

Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding this zoning ordinance? Ordinarily, I would agree with those who say we may be overbuilt as far as commercial centers, but this is what, a driver and a five iron from the new museum? Wings of Liberty Museum, and people will be driving by there. So commercial may be needed. Some more commercial may be needed. People make some money. All right. Any other comment or question? 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.

Six yes, six no, zero abstain.

Ordinance two fails. Councilman Streetman.

Ordinance 03-20-26-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Harris Homes Holding, LLC, for a zone change on a parcel of land located at the southeast intersection of Gibbs Lane and Trenton Road from AG Agriculture District to R5 Residential District. Both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommended disapproval. I move for approval.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 3. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. As the council person for this area, I'm asking you all to vote no due to the traffic on Trenton and the awkward road of Gibbs Lane.

Thank you. Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding Ordinance 3? Councilman Klontz, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I may add on to that, the grade on that road is... significant pulling out on the Trenton either way as well as what is really back there and the amount of land work that would have to be done in order to facilitate that. And oh, by the way, if you go, Oh, I don't know, half a stone's throw away. There's a bunch of townhouses right there to the closer to, um, 101st in that direction, sir. That's all I have.

All right. Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding this ordinance? Hearing none, seeing 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.

Zero yes, 12 no, zero abstain.

Ordinance 3 fails. Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Based on the advice that we were giving from Mr. Tindall on the next two items to ensure that we want to be sure that these next two items pass or fail together, I'd like to make a motion to take up items D and E as one motion.

Any objection to considering items D, Ordinance 4, and Item E, Ordinance 5 together? Hearing none, seeing none, that is approved. Councilman Striegel.

Ordinance 04-20-26-27, first reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville. Application of the Regional Planning Commission for a zone change on properties east of Public Square. South of college street North of Madison street and West of South 5th street to also include property on the Northeast corner of South 5th street from CBD central business district to CBD central business district and H one historic overlay ordinance. Oh five 2026 27 first reading. ordinance repealing chapters 9.3 and 9.5 of the city zoning ordinance of the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, and replacing them with new chapters with regard to the Regional Historic Zoning Commission, Common Design Review Board, Historic Overlay, and Downtown Overlay District. In both cases, the Regional Planning Commission and staff recommended approval and ISO move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of ordinances 4 and 5. Any comment or question regarding those two ordinances? 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.

Ten yes, zero no, one abstain.

Ordinance 4 and Ordinance 5 are passed first reading. Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. I would like to make a motion to take up the next two items together as well, please.

Any objection to considering Resolution 5 and Resolution 6 together? Hearing none, without objection, please do.

Resolution 05-20-26-27, a resolution annexing a parcel of land west of Little Hope Road. Resolution 06-20-26-27. a resolution adopting a plan of service for a parcel of land west of Little Hope Road. I make a motion for approval. Second.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of resolutions five and six. Any comment or question regarding these two resolutions? 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.

Eleven yes, zero no, zero abstain.

Those resolutions are adopted. Councilman Streetman.

Mary quickly concluded my report awesome thank you we're not ready for the consent agenda madam clerk 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 remember the council may request that an item be removed for separate consideration under the appropriate committee report Ordinance 93, 2025-26, second reading. An ordinance amending the operating budgets for the fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Clarksville Parking Commission, a proprietary fund. Ordinance 94-202526, second reading, an ordinance authorizing the donation of real property from the city of Clarksville to Montgomery County for the purpose of greenway development along Matlock Road. Ordinance 95-202526, second 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. Ordinance 96-2025-26, second reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville. Application to 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. Resolution 2, 2026-27, a resolution approving a certificate of compliance for sale of wine in the food store at Chum's Discount Tobacco located at 811 Peters Mill Road. And the adoption of minutes from June 11th, June 16th, June 22nd, July 2nd, July 6th, and July 9th.

Thank you, Madam Clerk, to get this properly before us. I'll entertain a motion and a second. Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of the consent agenda. Any member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? Councilman Claunch, you're recognized on the consent agenda.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to register a no for echo.

Which one? I'm sorry.

Resolution 02-2627.

Oh, okay. Got it. All right. Thank you. Councilman Peters, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would also like to register a no on Resolution 02-2026-27. Okay.

Any other member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? All right. We're now ready to vote on the consent agenda. All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

11 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

The consent agenda is adopted. Now ready for the Finance Committee report. Chairman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Resolution 64-20-25-26, a resolution of the City Council of Clarksville, Tennessee, rescinding the city's obligation to pay 20% of the division of one-half of the proceeds of the additional tax levied by resolution of the County Court of Montgomery County, Tennessee, as earmarked for instructional salaries in the county's general purpose school fund and for other purposes. This failed for lack of a motion in the finance committee meeting. Mayor, would you like the opportunity to present this?

Yeah, I'll take it forward. I'll make a motion for approval. Properly seconded. We do have several amendments to this. I know of no other way to do it other than to, like we did on the budget amendments, to go around the room and take those up without objection. Any objection to that? I object. Not to the plan, but can we take a brief recess so the councilman can report more? Without objection, we'll take a recess. Lieutenant, can you check on Councilman Chandler and make sure he's okay? We'll stand in recess for five minutes.

Mark, I don't know what's wrong with these mics.

They're just jumping all over me. Okay, we do have four amendments by my count, and we, without objection, we're going to go around the horseshoe here and take them one at a time, starting with Ward 1. Councilman Zacharias, you're recognized for your amendment.

Thank you, Mayor. The amendment that I passed out, changes some some wording in the resolution as presented to affirm the city's obligation to continue this allotment I make a motion for approval fail for lack of a second okay councilman marquee you're recognized on your amendment I'm sorry let me get you turn microphone turned on your record

Thank you, Mayor. Since we passed out our amendments early enough for us to kind of take a look at it, I will withhold mine until the other ones come forth. I have an almost identical one to a different councilperson, and it's just a difference in years. So depending on how that goes, I will decide to play mine later on.

Okay. We'll come back to you at the end. Next, I have Councilman Brown. You're recognized on your amendments.

Thank you, Mayor. So my amendment on this kind of spreads this out over three years instead of it being a – I passed them around.

Everybody got a copy of Councilman Brown's amendment? It says so at the top. Here's an extra copy here. Who else needs one? We've got to warm up the horse and buggy there, Lisa.

Do you need this one? Do you need this one?

Has everybody got a copy of Councilman Brown's amendment? Okay. Councilman Brown, everyone has a copy, so you're recognized on your amendment.

Thank you, Mayor. So my amendment is to spread this out over three years. I know doing this in one year in a is a big lake or especially doing it right now when all the budgets are passed. So my amendment is to right now it's 20%. Um, in July of 2027 through June 30th, 2028, the city shall contribute 14% and then starting July one, 2028 it would go to 7% and then after July 1st, 2029, it would sunset at that time to go to zero at that time. So instead of this being a big hit at one time, this would spread it out over three years and gives the school system and the county time to make adjustments or more businesses come in that are funding more sales tax that would make up that difference. So that's my amendment and I'll make it as a motion.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of this amendment. Councilman Zacharias on the Brown Amendment.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm disappointed. I know the history of this allotment. It's likely still in effect due to an oversight. I understand that. Um, but the reality is there have been at least three that I know of, uh, attempts to, to end this. Um, and there has been no appetite. The most recent attempt to do this was last month and it didn't pass in a budget where we were cut so thin that we were considering laying off a city employee to save the average property owner in Clarksville $7 a year. Um, I do not think that we should be considering any reduction in this allotment. In the last year, we have looked at, we have seen our first responders receive salary increases, and they absolutely deserve it. Let me make that very clear. And we've said the most expensive employee is the new one. We targeted salary as a means of retention for first responders, and now we are targeting salary for our teachers, and it's wrong. Tennessee is already not just towards the bottom of the barrel for per student spending. In 2021, we were 46th in the nation. Today, in 2026, we are 51st in the nation. Guys, we've already won the race to the bottom, okay? There's no reason to run up the score at this point. I hope you will consider the message that we are sending our teachers when we are targeting a sales tax allotment that is specifically earmarked for their salaries.

Thank you. Councilman Chandler, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. My first statement is going to be is that I'm all for teachers. My wife taught school for 40 years. And so I know how tight it is and I know how much money the teachers spend out of their own pockets. I'm going to start off by saying when it was brought up last month in the budget process, that would have reduced our, if it had passed, it would have reduced our property taxes by five cents, which, you know, people were coming unglued for anything two or three cents. I did a little figuring today. The great state of Tennessee, now per year, will be spending $637 million a year for voucher programs. When you divide that among the 95 counties, that's $6,705,263 million that could have gone to the school system. If you remember last week, I made the statement that the oath we took for office was is to do our very level best for this city. And when we live in a state that will not give what is due to our school systems and $6,705,000 that the state took away that they never intended on putting into public education. And I'm going to say it, don't care. All they were worried about is lining the pockets of some of their big donors. If you go back and look, the company that getting the lion's share of the money, 200 and something million dollars, was kicked out of Arkansas and fined $10,000. I believe it was Maryland. that kicked them out and rescinded their agreement with them. My point being, folks, if the state can't afford to give the school system $6 million, what makes everybody think that the city can afford it? Again, 5% reduction in our sales tax. I mean, a property tax, excuse me. So, you know... If the only person I'd believe, if Jesus come down out of heaven and told me that this money that we're supposed to be giving was going to teach your salary, I'd say praise be to Jesus, yes. But it's not. Drive by over off of Crossland Avenue and look at the number of vehicles sitting in the parking lot at the central office. So the school system can find the money when they need it for something. The county can give them the money when they can find what they need and give it to them. So with this, I mean, there's no way that I can be able to vote any other way. I agree with Councilman Brown, and in a minute you're going to hear one from Councilman Markey. I agree. Let's not do it all at once. Let's make it slowly so that they can adjust their budget as it comes along, not doing all at one time. Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I will say that... I am in favor of the amendments because, for one, it doesn't take effect until next year, and for two, it is spread across three years. However, I know, I believe last week I mentioned something about I really wish what we would have instead is something where we could sit down with the city, the Clarks-Montgomery County School System, and the county, all sit down and try and work out something together that's going to be beneficial because, for one, as was referenced by the council person from Ward 12, I don't want to see a lawsuit come our way over the money that's involved. And like I also said, I could see both sides of the coin in that that money, if it wasn't going to the school system, would instead go into the city's essential fund bucket to be able to reduce what is needed from property tax payers and looked at it also as it could be considered a double taxation because of that $0.05. course it won't lower the tax rate this year even if we passed it as it stood today and because we've already certified our tax rate and I also looked into some numbers in regard to the number of students that attend our city schools that reside within the city limits and it is approximately seventy seven point five percent of our students that attend the Clarkson-Montgomery County school system reside within the city limits. The teacher salaries alone in the general purpose fund for fiscal year 27 are $170 million. And the approximate benefits for that, which is Social Security, Medicare, retirement, is around $28.5 million. So 77.5% of that total amount is just under $154.6 million. So without a doubt, I would say that $3 million that we're talking about is going to our teacher salaries because there's a lot going towards it. But I also asked for information. I wanted to know about some of the schools that are primarily city residents attending it. So this is at Kenwood Elementary. The salaries... Sorry, I'm trying to open it to where I can see the whole thing. I hope I'm looking at this correctly. You're looking at salaries are $4.8 million at Kenwood Elementary, with the benefits being $1.5 million. At Kenwood Middle, $5.9 million, with the benefits being $1.7 million. And at Kenwood High, you're talking about $6.8 million with a little over $2 million in benefits. So those are the costs, again, at a school where you're looking at the, I believe it's actually almost entirely city students. So I was trying to get those numbers as best I could. And that actually comes from fiscal year 25, so it's gone up since that time. Again, I looked at this to where it could be considered a double taxation, but I don't know the exact percentage of this, but a number I have heard stated before, I believe from a fellow council member, is that approximately 70% of our taxpayers for Montgomery County, approximately 70% of the property tax for Montgomery County comes from within the city limits. When you think about it, that the students are 77.5%. then you would actually look at it as that's more than the burden of the 70% within the city tax within the city limits I would like us to look at this more holistically look at how much sales tax dollars is going in general look at everything that is actually shared expenses between the city and the county. and see if there's something that could be worked out altogether for the benefit of our city residents. So again, I'm voting for the amendment only because it does push it out and does spread it across, but my preference would be that we come back with something else that works for everybody involved, for all the services, and can best serve our citizens.

Councilman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. If there is anybody else waiting to speak, I just have a statement that I need to read before we cast a vote on this issue.

Okay, there is one more person in front of you. I'll defer and make my statement. Councilman Peters, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

This puts us in a bad situation, and I'm going to say it like this. We can sit here and we can say we're going to pull this funding. We're not going to give it all day long. What's going to happen next year? County's just going to raise the taxes on everybody getting the city residents to get raped one more time, right? We already pay more taxes than we should to the county as a city. So let's sit here saying we're going to take $3.5 million away. They're just going to take it back next year and then some. That's exactly what they're going to do. Mark my words. That's the way it works. This two-government situation that we got here, county and cities, doesn't work. We need to change our government. And the only way we're going to do that is when the citizens get fed up with paying too much in taxes. That's $1.01 to the city, $2.10 to the county. That's $3.11. Imagine what the city could do with $3.11. We could do a lot. We could cut taxes and still pay all the bills. But until the citizens decide they no longer want that, we're stuck with what we got. And unfortunately, in this situation, the county controls us. We don't have any say in it. We could take the money away all we want. They're just going to raise it up next budget. So that's all I got to say on that. Thank you.

Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Mr. Brown, I'm sorry, Ward 9. Your resolution is for a two-year period, not a three-year period. You've been saying three years, but here on this resolution, it states the city contribution shall be phased out over a two-year period, not three years. I THINK WE DO NEED TO HELP THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT'S HERE IN YOUR RESOLUTION. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW IT, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS, TWO YEARS, NOT THREE YEARS, OKAY? SO ANYWAY, IT'S STILL GOOD. BUT WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE GIVING VOLUNTEERING MONEY TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITHOUT THE STATE enforcing us to do so. By state, I think we're required to give $3.5 million. Is that correct, Mayor?

We are required by state law to give 50% of the sales taxes collected within the city limits to the school system.

So how much is that going to be this year? How much would that be this year that we have to give them for this?

Over a year's time, I think it was $75 million.

We have to give $75 million?

Well, that includes the 20%.

How would this affect our budget? Do we really need the money?

Well, we went through six meetings over the last six to eight weeks talking about the need for funding for this government, and we cut to the bone and beyond. Yes, we need additional revenue to support this city government. We stopped every single capital project that the citizens are crying for and need. except for those already under contract. So, yes, the simple answer is yes. We need the funding, and it breaks my heart to have to think about taking it from the public education system, but we have no other means to raise revenue. Sorry, that was more than you asked.

Well, no, I appreciate that. I appreciate you being thorough about that because the citizens would like to hear why we don't want to give or why we want to give money We definitely want to help the school system. I'm not against that. I know we need help here in the city as well, but I know that this kind of makes it won't be so harsh to do it in the two-step period, taking it 14% first and then 7%. I think this is a good resolution, but I definitely want to support the school system. Not against that... Education is power and I always say that though and our children need to be educated For those who do want to be educated and I know I don't think this is gonna pay that many salaries What we're proposing to give them? but We do what we can Thank you, Mayor Councilman clutch.

Thank you. Mr. Mayor. I would like to first of all commend Ward 9. Thank you sir for breaking this up. I also understand the complexity of potential issues with the county. But again, to Ward 12 and Ward 10, I feel like there's an accountability piece that we have lost our aperture on as the city, right? Like they just take the money and they're doing what they want with it. Understanding that any of us can go ask to see where the funds go. But again, If you go to central office, there's a whole parking lot of cars, and I've gotten four pages of executive-level salaries that were mind-blowing to me. So I would argue that the $3.5 million, $3.4 million, again, very similar to the military. A lot of times you get a new product, a new shiny thing, and the headquarters sucks up 90%. It doesn't go down to the end user. It doesn't go down to where it needs to go, to the infantryman, to private launch. He doesn't get it because there's some major that wants it because it's shiny and new. I think this is a forcing function for CMCSS, the county, and ourselves to reevaluate the things. We did. We sat in here many, many hours arguing about many, many things. And we've had to tighten the belt. And I've also been at many, many events with... County commissioners, and they're real, real proud to say that they did not raise taxes. Well, twice as much. And we need our money back. And I think a tiered system is the lesser of all the evils. Nobody's going to like it. Nobody wants to give money back. But I do believe that there's an accountability piece that starts from the top of CMCSS that is lacking that maybe will be a forcing function for them to reevaluate what they're doing and potentially cut or reduce salaries at that executive level at a parking lot that I go to. And there's really, really nice cars there in the middle of the day. And the teachers, it's not making it down to the teachers, the actual end users, the SPED teachers, the elementary school teachers. And then you could even take it beyond that. Look at Kirkwood. How old is Kirkwood? The roof, four years old. The roof is already leaking. It's already leaking. Northwest High School is a systemic issue, right? Minglewood. They just now are getting the parents off the street. And that was a county commissioner over there that worked that through the highway department. We have to get creative with what we have. And this is a creative solution to needing that money back. It's not pretty. It's not kind. It's the reality of the situation of where we're in in 2026 with the 13 of us making the decisions about the budget. I do also agree that it would be absolutely wonderful to have representatives from CMCSS, the county, and ourselves to sit down. I know that you've extended that. You said you extended that way back in, I believe it was March, sir, initially. The problem's not going to go away. It's not going to go away. So if we were to be the ones to rip the scab off, We need our money back. That's all I have, sir.

Anyone else before I call on Councilman Zacharias? Okay, I'll come back to you for closing. Councilman Zacharias.

Thank you, Mayor. So I was planning to read this statement, and I will, but I just wanted to comment on a couple things that had just been said. I've heard this from a couple places, not only in this room but elsewhere as well, that if we end this allotment that the county is just going to raise our taxes. Maybe, possibly, likely. But when we are sending this allotment over to the school system through sales taxes, it means a portion of it is paid by visitors to our cities. to our city. If this does move to property tax, as I think we all expect that it will, it is absorbed 100% by the people of Clarksville. All right. Last week in the Finance Committee meeting, a colleague raised a concern with some members of the council who are employed by the school system and possibly having a conflict of interest, and that is a completely valid concern. That concern is not justified because that member doesn't have complete information, and they wouldn't. So I just want to clear some things up. For the past seven years, I've been a classroom teacher in the middle and high school levels for the Clarkson Montgomery County School System. And that work has been some of the most rewarding of my life outside of the uniform. But as of next Friday, I will be leaving my classroom. I want to be clear about how I got there. I requested an unpaid leave of absence so I could step away temporarily and return to my students later this year if necessary. That request was denied. So the choice in front of me was not between staying and leaving. It was between staying halfway and leaving honestly. My students deserve a teacher who's fully present. They deserve someone who can commit to them every day, not someone splitting attention and asking them to make up the difference. Students know when their teacher is only partly there, and I was not willing to be that teacher. This was a difficult decision, and I made it in their best interest, not mine. So to the students, families, and colleagues at Kirkwood Middle School, thank you. I'm not walking away from public education I'm walking away from one classroom, and I intend to continue fighting for it in a new capacity.

Thank you Councilman Brown closing remarks about your amendment Thank You mayor so just a reminder to the citizens that The city still gives like the mayor said about over 70 million dollars a year to the school system This is going to help us in the years down the road. It may be a penny to a penny and a half each year that we'll be able to come back into the city that we don't have to raise those property taxes. I do expect the county to raise property taxes next year when I was already told me they were going to do it anyway. So I just ask for your support. of spreading this out over several years so it's not as big of an impact, especially not right now.

Thank you. We have a statement from Councilman Haywood. You're recognized. Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to, in light of Ward 1's comment there, I am a paid wrestling coach for Northeast, so I will be voting, but I just want to make that publicly clear.

All right, thank you very much. We are now voting on the Brown Amendment to Resolution 64. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Nine yes, three no, zero abstain.

That amendment is adopted. Anything else, Councilman Brown? No, Mayor. All right. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. What you have in front of you is something completely different than the resolution before us. So I'm not actually going to ask you to vote on this. I'm asking you to postpone the resolution that we have in front of us indefinitely so that we can bring this ordinance forward in front of the council next month to be voted on. What this does is instead of eliminating that extra tax that is given to the schools, it actually puts this on the referendum to increase our sales tax by a quarter, and it does remove the additional 20% given. But with raising the sales tax, it will give the school more money so that they will not be without, and it will also give

city of clarksville more revenue as well so my motion is to postpone this resolution indefinitely motion been made and properly seconded to postpone resolution 64 as amended indefinitely any comment or question regarding this motion to postpone councilman marquis you're recognized on the motion to postpone

Just I guess the comment because since the intent here is to present this as an ordinance for next month with regards to the increase in the sales tax I am a little concerned because when it comes to North Clarksville, at least around the post for Campbell, when new soldiers come in, something that is told to new soldiers is to go grocery shopping in Hopkinsville or Grove because of the sales tax, which is a lot cheaper. And I think that if we increase the sales tax here, there's going to be a bigger push to push people to go grocery shopping in Kentucky. And it is also playing a part as to why it's a little difficult to get grocery shops in North Clarksville because the borders right there, it's cheaper for them to do that. So I would caution raising it. I don't have a problem with the rest of this. It's just that the increase. Thanks.

You're recognized for a point of information.

This ordinance does not increase the sales tax. It puts it on the ballot for our voters to decide if they want to increase the sales tax and give the city and the county more revenue. That's all.

Councilman Marquis, you have the floor.

I mean, I guess people will decide. Yeah. Yeah.

Councilman Brown, on the motion to postpone indefinitely.

So my question will be, so if this was to pass, to put it on the ballot, we're talking two years before it would be on the next ballot, I'm assuming, because that's the next kind of general election is two years.

Well, there's some gymnastics we'd have to do. Mr. Bittner, can you kind of give us a rundown on what the timing would be?

So if you brought this next month and it passed, uh, then you would have to take two readings cause it'd be an ordinance. So it had to pass again. And at that time under, uh, TCA 6 7 6 7 0 3, we'd have a 40 day, uh, pause period to see if the county would also raise, uh, also agree to this. Um, If they did, then ours would be in pause also until there was a referendum. The referendum would require a certified ordinance to be sent to the Election Commission with 75 to 90 days notice. Um, so if let's say we pass it next month is, um, September. So then if we didn't have a special session, we pass in September, October, then we'd have 40 days to wait, uh, on top of that. And then you'd have to add 75 days. If you were going to do a special, uh, election that that would be your time period. So if it was a special election, and so you're looking at somewhere in the spring, uh, Otherwise, you would try and shoot for the November. You could bring it and shoot for November. You're right, because you wouldn't have a November election next year. Correct. You'd have a special election or you'd wait.

A special election is not cheap to have a special election. And then it's also dependent on if the county... decides to adopt it also?

Right. If the county would get an option to adopt it, if they chose not to, then we could move forward with ours. That would be the charge in the city. The second part of your question, what is the cost? I think the cost is somewhere in the neighborhood of $150,000. Thank you.

It's an expensive neighborhood. Thank you. Councilman Smith on the motion to postpone indefinitely?

Yes. So if we vote to put this to a referendum so that the people can vote on this and make the decision, are we going to do this every time we have to raise taxes or do anything about taxes? We're going to always request a referendum from the people when it's our job as the council to make the decision as to whether we raise the taxes or not. That's our job. We're the voices for the people, and so I'm just trying to understand, are we going to do this every time we get ready to talk about taxes, or is this just going to be a one-time hit for our space and that's it? Is this just a one-time punch? Who can answer me?

Well, is that directed at the sponsor?

Whoever can answer it will be fine with me.

Councilman Lovato, you want to take a shot?

Yeah, I mean, I think Mr. Bittner wants to arm wrestle me. He looks like he's ready to go up there. So to increase the sales tax, it has to go on a referendum anyway. And the reason that I thought that this was important to go on a referendum is because it started on a referendum. The voters voted to give the money that 20%, that extra 20%. So I think that it should be up to them to remove it. And because the increase in the sales tax has to go on the referendum anyway, killing two birds with one stone. Did I get that right, Mr. Bittner?

Yes. Okay.

Councilman Smith.

I'm missing something because I didn't know to increase cell tax goes on a referendum. Yes, it does. I didn't know that.

State law.

What cell tax are we increasing? Just if it's food or just for money to go to the school system? And what cell taxes are we talking about?

It would be the local option sales tax that we're allowed by state law. To go from 2.5 to 2.75, which is the maximum allowed by state law.

Oh, okay. This is what the state is. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Councilman Klotz, you're recognized on the motion to postpone indefinitely.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. To my council member from Ward 6, we do represent the people, but that's why we're in this room is to come up with creative solutions and respect to council member from ward 12 for this recommendation to give it fully back to the people for a vote uh understanding the timeline is a little bit longer uh and i actually just this week spoke in county commission about a lack of county commissioners engaging their constituents so um i know we all do but uh i i think it would be a mis We would misspeak if we said we have the pulse of every single person in our wards, by ward, without, in this short amount of time frame that this has been brought up. So again, it's a great recommendation, and that's why we do this. That's why we have these conversations. That's why we don't all agree on all of the things, is to come up with the best possible solution. That's all I have, sir.

Councilman Streetman, you're recognized on the motion to postpone indefinitely.

Yeah, I guess I have a question, and it may be for Mr. Bittner. Without the sales tax, the potential of a sales tax increase going on there, is the sales tax increase the only way this could go on a referendum?

Yes. Short answer. You can't have a referendum unless it's provided for in the Tennessee Code. We were interpreting this, and the way MTAS was interpreting this, is we're not, with the sales tax division, that's not increasing the sales tax. That's just focusing on the agreement to divide the current sales tax. So that doesn't count as a sales tax, which would grant the referendum. So the only way I think... to get it on there would be with the referendum for the sales tax increase.

And if the county doesn't go along with it, then the city has a higher, potentially has a higher sales tax than which pushes, pushes business out of the city into the county, as was mentioned. I mean, people are recommended to go out of state already to be able to

Yeah, that I can't comment on. I don't know if people would not shop in the city or in the county. If it was a higher sales tax, I don't know. I don't know. I mean, if you want me to debate you, I would say, oh, I don't know, maybe they'll spend more gas going to Oak Grove. I don't know.

Depends on where you live.

True, very true.

All right, thank you. Sure, thank you. Councilman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm going to offer one more reason that I believe that this should be on a referendum. When we considered this last month as part of the budget and voted it down, many of us, at least one, cast that vote based on the understanding that this was off the table. My vote would have been different otherwise. And I remember it being a pretty close vote. So I don't mind being overruled by the people in the form of a referendum. And I say we give it to them. Thank you.

We have a point of order, Mayor.

Point of order, Councilman Chandler.

We have approved a resolution. So...

We approved an amendment to the resolution. Councilman Lovato made a motion to postpone the resolution as amended indefinitely, and that's what we're debating.

Councilman Brown?

Yes.

Thank you, Mayor.

So she can bring an ordinance next month to put it on the ballot. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you. We're sitting here talking about putting this to a referendum so the voters can decide if we should take this $3.5 million amendment from the school system and keep it in the city. Except when you add the caveat of asking the voters, do they want to pay more in sales tax? We're not actually asking them, do you want to move this $3 million from the school system back into the city budget? You're asking them, do you want to pay a higher sales tax? And so I don't think you're going to get the same answer for that question as you would get for moving the money. Now, I will say I've heard from more people than not opposed to taking the money away from the school system. So I don't differ on that, but we're not truly putting it to a referendum of moving this money back into city budget. What we would be looking at is we're asking them, can we just increase taxes on something else now? So I'm not going to be in favor of even doing that because I'm also concerned with not only just talking about if we had a higher sales tax rate than inside the city limits than we do outside the city limits. Um, on top of that, I'm concerned for what it could mean in the aspect of a lot of work's been done to bring forward Costco where the County portion, I know they're not, they're going to keep that. I don't want to do anything. That's going to be detrimental to bringing more businesses here. I don't want to send more sales tax dollars into the state of Tennessee. I want people coming from outside the area and spending money in our community. versus people in our community going to outside of our community to spend more money.

Councilman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. With respect to the previous speaker, your reservations can be reflected in your vote on the referendum, and I don't believe should affect the decision about whether or not the people of Clarksville get to weigh in on this.

Thank you. Okay. We are ready for closing remarks on the motion to postpone indefinitely. Councilman Lovato?

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to address some of the things that have been said. When you talk about our residents going out of state or out in the county, you're splitting hairs. First of all, Kentucky has income tax, so of course their sales tax can be lowered. The state of Tennessee does not have an income tax, so that's always going to be an issue regardless of what our sales tax is. As far as driving out into the county, if people are going to drive out into the county to get their groceries delivered, If this were to pass, they're doing it right now. We're just splitting hairs to make an argument. I do find it a tad bit disturbing how much resistance we're getting to putting something on a ballot and getting direct input from our voters on how and where they want their money to be spent. Because, yes, in this ordinance it does talk about removing that 20% and giving it back into city general. So, you know, we can... Pass the resolution tonight as is and that money be locked up for two to three years while a court decides what's going to happen. Or we can take another look at this and try to find a different way that keeps our schools funded and puts more revenue. And as we heard before, the county is already looking at possibly increasing their property taxes. Perhaps this is giving them an avenue to save some of our property taxes that way as well. So I'm asking you to postpone this indefinitely. It can be brought up if this ordinance should fail over the next couple of months. That's all I have. Thank you.

Okay. We are now voting on the motion to postpone indefinitely Resolution 64 as amended. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Five yes, seven no, zero abstain.

That motion to postpone indefinitely fails. We're back on Resolution 64 as amended. Councilman Marquis? No? All right. Any other comment or question regarding Resolution 64 as amended? All right. We're voting on Resolution 64 as amended. All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Six yes, six no, zero.

Resolution fails. Chairman Streetman, you're recognized.

Oh, gosh. Hold on, Mayor. I apologize.

My screen closed on me. Okay.

Resolution 01-20-26-27, a resolution authorizing retirement of a patrol service dog, Draco, from K-9 unit and donating to police officer Logel Oakley. The Finance Committee recommended approval and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Resolution 1. Any comment or question? 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, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Resolution 1 is adopted. Chairman Streetman.

That concludes my report, Mayor.

All right, thank you. We're ready for Neighborhood and Community Services Committee. Chairman Shekinah, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. The next Neighborhood and Community Services Committee meeting will be on Monday, the 10th of August, at 4.30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. At the 10 August meeting, the department will present its new rental housing repair program before it actually launches on the 11th of August. The new initiative is designed to preserve existing affordable housing opportunities and improve the quality of rental homes throughout the community. Through this program, eligible homeowners of residential rental properties may receive assistance for critical repairs rehabilitation that addresses health safety and housing quality concerns in return participating property owners commit to maintaining their run units as affordable housing for a required period of time in accordance of HUD fair market rent limits and program requirements the next item I want to highlight is the faith-based housing initiative We have a faith-based housing education cohort, thanks to Mayor Pitts and council members and stakeholders who attended one or both of the housing workshops on the 8th of July, 2026. Three congregations have committed to the cohort, and the department continues to have conversations with several others. The first cohort will include five congregations who will complete the program. Next, I want to highlight our department, has updated its webpage to reflect the vision and mission of the department and to provide clarity on how its funds will be used. So I encourage all to go to the website for Clarksville Community and Neighborhood Services. And as always, we continue to welcome feedback from the community and all of our stakeholders. Thank you, Mayor. That concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? Seeing none, we're ready for Parks and Recreation Committee. Chairman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. The Parks Department provided 9,845 lunches and 9,848 snacks to the participants of the Summer Youth Program this year. And that funding came through a 90-10 grant through the State of Tennessee's Summer Food Service Program. that help ensure children are provided with nutritious meals while school is out of session. On August 9th, the Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council and Clarksville Parks and Rec will present Exposé into the Mind of the United States Colored Troops with Nick Nicholson at the L&N train station. This is a powerful dramatization exploring the journey of a United States Colored Troops soldier and the physical, mental, and emotional challenges faced in the fight for freedom. The Clarksville Downtown Market Farm-to-Table Dinner, presented by Altra Federal Credit Union, will be held September 12th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Freedom Point, and guests will enjoy a locally sourced meal, live music, local artists, and the opportunity to meet the farmers and producers who made it all possible. And for more information and a complete list of programs, classes, and ongoing activities, visit clarksvilleparksrec.com or download our app at the Google Play Store or the App Store. And that concludes my report.

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

Thank you, Mayor. First, for building and codes, the construction division did 2,585 total inspections. The code enforcement division did 570 new cases. The abatement division did 88 work orders, and the total revenue generated was $394,000 for the month. For the Clarksville Police Department, CPD is going to have trouble replacing Sergeant Jeffrey Scott Jackson, who is retiring on August 16th. He has served our community for 25 years, and his leadership and experience will be missed. The National Night Out was on August 4th at the Forterra Stadium parking lot at APSU. This was a free event to the public and we want to thank the 55 plus vendors and the organizations that participated. For Clarksville Fire and Rescue, CFR is currently accepting applications for the testing process for its next academy, slated to start January 11th. CFR is happy to report that the fireworks-related responses were down almost 50% during the 4th of July holiday period. All 25 recruits have achieved their HAZMAT and EMR certifications, and 20 recruits have advanced to firefighter level 2. They are approaching the last six weeks of their six-month academy. And last but certainly not least, CFR received two awards at the final Mayor Summer Night Lights event for perfect attendance and community connection. So Chief Montgomery was very ecstatic to give that update.

All right. That's all I have. You heard it here first. Okay. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? Thank you, Chairman Lovato. We're now ready for Transportation, Streets, and Garage. That will be Chairman Markey. You're recognized.

Or tonight. Sure. The TSU reports for the month of July, 2026 hours followed CTS reported 39,926 writers on fixed route buses in July, including 9,168 seniors who wrote for free. CTS transported 4,339 riders on paratransit vehicles for a monthly total of 44,265 riders for the month of July 2026. Thus far, in... Fiscal year 2026, CTS has transported 532,925 riders. This was an increase of 17,103 riders from fiscal year 2025. Fixed routes increased ridership by 11,442, or 2%, and paratransit increased ridership by 5,551, or 11%. Now for the street department report Street Department completed 323 work orders including some storm debris work should resume on tire time road in August with full mobilization in September Spring Creek Parkway is on a schedule to be completed next summer the city garage report is a total of 353 citywide work orders have been completed. For the fuel purchases, the garage had a total of $104,449.37 of unleaded cost. The total unleaded gallons is $31,448. The easel total is $30,000. and $6.76. Diesel total gallons, 7,907. Fuel costs for unleaded increased 9.5% from $3.17 to $3.47. Fuel costs for diesel increased 25% from $3.28 to $4.10. The next TSG meeting will be August 11, 2026. at 4.30, and this concludes the report.

Thank you, Chairman Markey. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We're now ready for some unfinished business. Item A, Ordinance 74, 2025-26. Councilman Shekinah, you're recognized. You're the sponsor.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. I'd like to make a motion that we postpone this until the October regular session.

We'll need to get it before us first. Okay.

A motion that we accept this.

Motion been made and properly seconded. Now back to you for the motion to postpone.

Yes. A motion that we postpone this into the October regular session.

All right. Properly seconded. Any comment or question regarding the motion to postpone it?

We're kind of in a quandary because we have the amendment as well.

Okay. So would postpone both until the until the October 2026 regular session yes okay councilman Lovato you recognize on the motion to postpone to October 2026 that would be an amendment to the motion to postpone is that a proper motion okay do I hear a second Properly seconded. Okay, we're now debating whether to postpone this ordinance until March 2027. Yes. All right. Go ahead. You're recognized.

The follow-up on the audit is going to be in front of the audit committee in October, so I want to give the council and the new administration time to review all that and to give a proper recommendation.

Councilman Shekinah, on the motion to postpone until sometime in the future.

Yes. Yes, Mayor. If we motion to postpone until March of 2027, then we should also postpone our commission meetings until that time as well.

Thank you. Okay. Any more comment or question regarding the motion to postpone this ordinance, the amendment to the motion to postpone until October to March 2027? Did I get that right, Mr. Bittner? I got close. All right. All right. We're voting on the amendment to the motion to postpone until October 2026. Councilman Streetman, for what purpose?

I did want to speak. I'm sorry.

Oh, okay.

Go ahead. I'm really torn even on voting on postponing this because I'll tell you, whether it's now or whether it's in March, I'm never going to be in favor of turning it over to our police department again. to be able to handle and I think it also just leaves things lingering out there for even longer and about what's going to happen with making the changes and waiting as long as March if it's going to be something substantially different that's coming back you could bring back an entirely different ordinance at that time and basing it off of what the results are that come back from the audit. But I do believe there is benefit to our parking commission. I think there's been a lot of conversation recently. And like I said, I'm just never going to be in favor of the potential of a $40 parking ticket issued by the police department and having sworn officers walking the street handling that. I'd much rather allow our parking commission to be able to look at other ways, and I'd really like to see if there's some way we can look into trying sending out notices to people, especially those that have a high balance. I know many years ago when I was a server at a restaurant downtown and I had a substantial amount of the parking tickets, I all of a sudden got a letter in the mail telling me, oh, this is many years ago. It's been 20 years. Hi. All of a sudden got a letter in the mail letting me know that all the $5 additional fine was waived, and I raced down to City Hall, and I got all my parking tickets paid because I wasn't going to have to now pay the additional amount. I don't know if that's something that the city could look at doing to try and recoup some of those parking tickets that have gone unpaid. But like I said, there's at no point that I'm going to be okay with turning it over to the police department, whether it's now, whether it's November, whether it's March. Okay.

We're Discussing the motion to postpone until March 2027, Councilman Shekinah, be recognized.

Yes, Mayor. I don't think we should postpone each council member. will continue to have the opportunity to draft whatever they want to see. But a change is going to come because you ask yourself, who commits the government to a debt? Who does that? This body does that, right? So if you say a parking limit is free for two hours, who makes that determination? Because there's a cost involved. There's an administrative cost involved. So a change is going to come, whether it's going to be three months from now, six months from now, but there's going to be a change because some things, you know, they just have to change. Thank you.

Councilman Lovato, on your motion to postpone until March 2027.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to clarify something that one of the previous speakers said. Just because I'm asking to postpone until March does not that I, I'm not saying that I agree with it going to CPD. What I am saying is that there are obvious changes that need to be made. I don't agree with getting rid of the parking commission. I do think that they need to stay and that their processes need to be perfected. I'm super grateful for the sponsor of this bringing this to our attention so that we can uh, make these positive changes. But the audit committee in 2023 found significant issues and we need to know if they have been addressed or not. If they have not been addressed, then that gives the new administration and the possible new council members that are coming in January a leg up. I think it's inappropriate for us to make a firm decision tonight or in October when we know that this governing body is going to look a lot different in January. Um, That's all I have.

Thank you. Councilman Clonch, on the motion to postpone until March 2027.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If we can postpone it to October and October, then we can postpone it beyond that, right? Like a tiered system. Because I remember there was, when this was initially brought up, quite a bit of conversation about kicking the can down the road and I'm not going to ever want to do this, understanding that the sponsor, there is change needed. Do I believe there's also value in getting all the reports? Absolutely. Absolutely. This body is going to look different as well. It's six and a half one ways or the other. At some point, we're going to have to deal with it to the sponsor's point. Is it in October we say let's postpone it again? Is it in March when all these other reports have come in? Is that new governing body going to feel as passionate about it as members in this current room do? And I know that's not really an answer to anything. Yay. I guess my statement, sir. I'm done.

Okay. Just want to make sure. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Yes. I just want to say that unless it's the exact same thing coming back in March, if we were to vote this down tonight, if we brought something back that was substantially different, then it can be voted on again in March. Unless it is identical to what we're looking at, then the red rule would apply. Otherwise, there's nothing to say that we can't still get the report. We can't still do research. We can't still look into other items. and see what's necessary to be able to be done. But again, if our thought is that this isn't what it needs to look like, then we can vote this down and it can be brought forward later with how it needs to look in taking in all of that information. That's just where my thought is on that.

Any more comment or question on the motion to postpone until March 2027? I'll just say it was never contemplated that the police department would be walking to beat issuing tickets on time meters, expired meters. We were transferring assets, people to the department to monitor parking, especially in the downtown where we seem to have the most attention paid. Okay, we're voting on the motion to amend Councilman Shekinah's motion to postpone to October to postpone it until March 2027.

Do you all understand what I said?

I don't. All right, we're voting on the amendment to Shekinah's motion. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Five yes, five no, zero abstain.

That motion fails. We're back on the motion to postpone until October 2026. Any comment or question? Seeing none, are you ready to vote? We're voting to postpone until October 2026, every member, as soon as we get it on the board. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Nine yes, one no, zero abstain.

That ordinance is postponed until the October 2026 regular session. We now have some new business. Item A, Ordinance 6, Councilman Streetman, you're the sponsor. You're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 06-20-26-27, an ordinance approving commercial driveway access for applicant Bill Mace to Ted Crozier Boulevard with access points designated on survey of McKay, Burchett & Company engineers dated July 20, 2026. I make a motion for approval. Second.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 6. You're recognized. Any further comment?

I covered it in detail last week.

Okay. Any 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.

10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Ordinance 6 passes first reading. Next. Members, items B and C, Resolution 3 and Resolution 4 are from the Designations Committee. They seek to name portions of roads after two great Americans who served our country and have served our city. The late Sergeant Major Retired Theophilo Macias will designate a portion of the Spring Creek Parkway from the Triple Nickel Bridge to William Rudolph Boulevard, and Resolution 4, We'll designate Dunlop Lane from Ted Crozier Senior Boulevard to the bridge as the Lieutenant Colonel Retired Thomas L. Ely, Dr. Ely Lane. Any objection to taking those two resolutions up together? Seeing none, hearing none, so I make a motion. in favor of resolutions three and four. Properly seconded. Any comment or question regarding those resolutions? Seeing none, hearing none, are you ready to vote? All members, please cast your vote on resolutions three and four. And I'm stretching it, Madam Clerk, so you can get it all on the board. These two people serve not only our country, but our city nobly. And it is my honor to bring that to you. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

Ten yes, zero no, zero abstain.

Resolutions three and four are adopted. Thank you. We're now ready for mayor and council member comments. Any council member have a comment? Ladies and gentlemen, speaking of great citizens of our community, we lost one of our great citizens a few days ago. His name is Dale Sims. Dale and his wife Sandra serve our community and serve our community nobly. Dale was a Vietnam veteran. He served for 22 years in the United States Army, came back to Clarksville with his family, raised his family here, and started a thriving business. He passed away, leaves behind his wife Sandra, children, and grandchildren. He will be missed. He was an outstanding man in every way. and I will ask you to keep that Sims family in prayer. Any other comment or question? Seeing none, that completes our business. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Without objection, we are adjourned. Thank you.