City Council - Regular Meeting

September 3rd, 2026, regular session of the Clarksville City Council is now called to order. Our chaplain of the day will be Minister Brett Norfleet, retired police sergeant Brett Norfleet of Redemption Church. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilman Clonch. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Sergeant Norfleet.

I just want to tell you thank you, Mayor. This is truly an honor to stand in front of this council again. as a civilian. So let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you humbly but in authority by your son Jesus. As Clarksville's pastor Jimmy Terry would remind us in John 14 6, no one comes to the Father except by the way of the Son. In Ecclesiastes, your word tells us over and over that there is a time to but not once does it tell us that there is a time to quit. I thank you for this mayor, council, and city leaders that do not quit on the city or citizens. Though the weapons of the enemy may be formed, I pray that the mayor, council, and city leaders pick up their shield of faith to ward off those weapons. To have knowledge is good, but wisdom comes from you, Father. I pray as Elijah did. I pray for a double portion of your wisdom to fall on the mayor, council, and these city leaders. You order our steps, but you also order our stops. If you stop us. And as we wait on you, let us do as a waiter would do and serve. Lastly, God, I ask that no other spirit but the Holy Spirit be allowed to operate in this building. No other spirit is welcome. Let your spirit guide us as we not only focus on the city's business, but let us be about your business. I pray this in your son's precious name, Jesus. Amen.

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

All members are present, with the exception of Councilman Peters, who's been excused.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. First and 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 before us?

Ordinance 12-2026-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville Application of Blick Homes for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the northern frontage of Ava Drive, 133 plus or minus feet east of the Britain Springs Road and Ava Drive intersection from RM1 Single Family Mobile Home Residential District to R2A Single Family Residential District. Ordinance 13-2026-27, first reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville. Application of Honeycutt. for a zone change on a property located on the eastern frontage of Calvert Drive, 360 plus or minus feet south of the Central Road and Calvert Drive intersection, from RM1, Single Family Mobile Home Residential District, to R2A, Single Family Residential District. And Ordinance 14-2026-27, an ordinance amending portions of the City of Clarksville zoning ordinance as it pertains to smoke shops and design guidelines.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Move we go into public hearing.

Motion been made and properly seconded to revert to public hearing. Without objection, we are in public hearing. First item is Item A, Ordinance 12-2026-27, an ordinance amending the zone code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Blick Homes. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 12? Mr. Blick, if you'll give us your name and you have five minutes.

Jonathan Blick. We just come before you to ask for R2A on this property. Just looking at cutting it in half. We've already built a house on One side of the property, and we're just looking to get a better yield out of that and trying to keep the area affordable. As you guys can see in the picture there, we built a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home on one side of the house, or on one side of the lot, and we'd like to build something similar on the other side. And that's about all I have for you.

Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Blake? Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Councilman Clonch, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir, are you going to drop those trees on the other side?

I would say what's on our lot within the building footprint, my brother's the builder, so he would be better to answer those questions, but this is kind of my role as the zoning area. But whatever's in the footprint without... danger to the house, of course. Existing trees keeps it cool, so we would like to keep the existing trees that we can have there.

There's trees on the perimeter, but there's a rather large, and I'm not a tree expert, that one tree.

I think there may be one, two, or three trees that might be in that building footprint, and those would be probably what we would be removing, and I think that would be at risk to both the existing house and the house that we're going to probably build.

Thank you, sir. I also would like to say I appreciate the fact that just because you could put three on there, you did not. I mean, it's not a huge lot, and the house that you did build looks good. Also, when you say affordable housing, what does that mean to you?

I would say dual income is affordable. Anything under that would be... maybe single income, that would be very affordable. So as far as price relies, our niche is $225,000 to $300,000. Currently we are building homes at the $165,000 to $200,000 mark, but in that area we're staying around $225,000 to $300,000, and $225,000 is a two-bedroom, just so you know.

So I looked it up through a real estate agent friend of mine that was listed for $389,000.

Which one?

The property that we're talking about, the blue house with the white.

I'm the agent on it, and it's apparently never been listed, and that's a $275,000, $300,000 house. And I would say to match the picture with the – because I promise you we've never listed it. Okay. And I think the – Square footage on the own is probably 1,300 square feet. So just $200 a square foot gets you at 260. So that's pretty much the going rate. I mean, you might be able to squeak a little bit more with the garage as far as.

I mean, again, I'm not. Yeah, I know. 389, 165 a square, 2,300 square feet.

I'm seeing a red notation on there. It says sold. I mean, we own the property. So I would say that that's wrong. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

No, there's no reason to apologize. I'm learning just like everybody else.

Right.

Thank you, sir.

Yep, no problem. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Mr. Blake, this has come in front of the council several times at this point. Can you just kind of walk some of the newer council members through the history and what's different with this versus what's come in front of us before?

Okay. So with the history, we've asked for R3. There's been a lot of pushback with the community. And with R3, there is multifamily options, and I think that was kind of misled to the council members. Obviously, single family is the route that we always want to go just because it's just more affordable for everybody, and we can get that out there. And then if you're selling to... You're building multifamily, you're building to an investor. Investors don't like to pay as much because they're investing. If you're selling a home, they may be more willing to pay what it's worth.

So what you're requesting today is considerably less than what you've requested in the past?

Correct. We asked for a three-lot yield. Now we're asking for a two, and there's no misinformation on any kind of multifamily that could be available.

Thank you.

That's all I have.

Any more comment or question for Mr. Blick? Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Anyone else in the audience wish to speak in favor of Ordinance 12? Anyone in the audience wish to speak against ordinance 12? I hope we have room for two people. If you would please come Opie and give us your name and you have five minutes.

My name is, uh, Earl Minter, but everybody calls me Opie and I got some handouts here and some pictures that you'll give them to Sergeant Tranberg. Can you put one on this side, one to the mayor and one over here? Um, What I'm fighting about is our infrastructure. And if you would also, sir, pass these out.

Yes, please, Sergeant Tranberg, if you don't mind.

Zacharias, there are pictures and stuff. The first ones are the map of our area, our roads. We just got a new blacktop on them. It's great. But the guy that done it didn't fill in the potholes or the sinkholes. He just paved over top of them. Now our water lines, two breaks, one corner of Eva drive and Britain Springs and one at seven Oh eight Eva drive. So they had to come up and dig it. Part of the road up to fix it.

If you don't mind kind of hang close to that microphone. It can't pick you up when you walk.

I'm sorry. All right. Um, our sidewalks, we're getting new sidewalks now from Jordan, the one Oh first, down to 41. We're grateful. Thank you. Now from this, I'm going to go to my pictures that I want everybody to look at in the paper that I passed around. I want you to all read. Um, this area was established in the sixties, so the people are mostly retired and they bought the lots because they're bigger. Now they're trying to take, um, a third of an acre and put two houses on it.

I hope he, will you get close? I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I like to move around. I thought I spoke loud enough, but they're trying to put two houses on this. Where's our kids going to play? The yard is no bigger in this room. So you take two, two rooms and put them at your backyard. Where's your kids going to play? What's our family values. Let's raise our kids to have somewhere to play and stay out of the streets. Now lot sizes, 704 is 6.3 acres, one house. Oh, 0.63, I'm sorry. 0.63 acres, one house. A nice big backyard, two side yards. Kids can play. They don't have to play on the street. 711, 0.48. I can have my dog in the backyard. I got my junk pile. It's a big yard. I can do stuff. When kids come, we have somewhere to play. 713, or 715, .35 acres, one house. Then you go to 713 for Mr. Blick, .33 acres. That's pretty small. You divide it in half because he's trying to put two houses on it. That's less than an eighth of an acre for kids to play on. His backyard, like I say, is no bigger than this. So put two of them side by side, and if I'm a mean neighbor, your kids ain't coming on my property. See what I mean? Where can they play? No parks around there. So I feel it should be one house, one house only. The new zoning for these houses... make them too close. And if you look at them pictures, you'll see houses that caught fire. Well, the neighboring houses, since they are too close, also caught fire. The siding has melted. And they're building them 10, 20 feet apart. I think our council here ought to go to codes, anything under a half an acre, one house. That'd be great. It gives you room to grow and you don't have to worry about your house burning. I like to sleep at night sometimes. Also, when they built this, put the driveway in, now I don't have much of a ditch line that comes from my driveway to his to let water drain naturally downhill. They built the driveway up and it blocks my natural drainage, and there's no drain under his driveway. So now the water is going to go out onto the road, and in wintertime, this area, it's freezing rain, right? Well, all that water on there, that's going to be nothing but ice, and it's a steep grade to the stop sign, then a straight down drop off over that hill.

Opie, your five minutes is up. Any questions for Mr. Teer? Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 12? Mr. Hollis, do we have a microphone down here for her?

You probably can hear me.

We can hear you, yeah. You're not going to move around as much as him, are you?

No, because I have to roll.

Got it. Give us your name and you have five minutes.

My name is Yvonne Latham, and I live at 715. If he builds another house on that property, it's going to be a room enough to where I can just spit across and I could be there. But it's been already disapproved for more housing twice, and it's got denied most times. Why is he taking up y'all folks' good time and doing this again? I mean, it's getting ridiculous. There's not enough room for another home. I wish I would have taken pictures before I left because if he's going to build it beside the house that he has there now, it's going to come up to my fence. And the only thing between my fence and my house is my driveway. And like I said, it's going to be ridiculous. I'm like, oh, people are saying if it's going over the... If his water drain is going over and it's going down, people have a hard time getting up that road as it is when they turn on to even drive to go up and around to Burton Springs or wherever it is, they might go up that way. It's going to be nothing but a mess up. The buses aren't going to be able to get down. I mean, it's going to be frozen, like Opie said, but it's crazy. The water is... My water now is to where... We don't have enough water pressure for all them houses. My pressure isn't all that great. The sewage isn't all that great. I have to call. They don't come out and inspect the sewage line at the bottom of the hill because I call them to have them clear it out because it stops up sometimes. That's like I called not too long ago, and I live on Eva Drive, and I called the department to have them do a street light down on Bass Lane, because when they go around that corner there, the lighting is so dark there. It's dark where my light is, so I keep an eye on our street light also. I just don't understand why we need another house there. There's just not enough room. Like Obi said, I've got a third of an acre, and it's comfortable. You know, you've got a big backyard or a side yard or whatever. But if he puts two homes there side by side, how are they going to get through them to get to the backyard? Because the way it looks right now, it looks good, as Mr. Eric there said. But if you put another home there, I don't see how he would have the – It just wouldn't be right. And then he tears down all them trees, and the one that needs to be taken down, he didn't take down because it's half dead. And it's right next to my yard. I mean, it's like ridiculous. And then he mows it today because he probably thinks we were going to say something about it not being taken care of because he only takes care of it whenever he thinks it's going to get in trouble. But it's crazy. But anyhow, that's all I've got to say.

Thank you, Ms. Latham. Any questions for Ms. Latham? Thank you, ma'am. We allow one person each for rebuttal if you're in favor of Ordinance 12 and would like to offer rebuttal. All right. We're now ready for Item B, Ordinance 13-2026-27, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Honeycutt LLC. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 13? Anyone in the audience wish to speak against Ordinance 13? Next item, Item C, Ordinance 14-2026-27, an ordinance amending portions of the City of Clarksville zoning ordinance as it pertains to smoke shops and design guidelines. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of Ordinance 14? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak against Ordinance 14? Councilman Streetman.

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

Motion been made and properly seconded to revert to regular session. Without objection, we are in regular session. Councilman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. As I've stated before, based on the advice of our legal counsel, all motions will be made in the form of approval. Ordinance 12-20-26-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the City of Clarksville, application of Blick Homes, LLC, for a zone change on a parcel of land located on the northern frontage of Eva Drive, 133 plus or minus feet east of the Britain Springs Road and Eva Drive intersection from RM1 Single Family Mobile Home Residential District to R2A Single Family Residential District. Both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommended approval and I so move.

Motion has been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 12. Any comment or question regarding Ordinance 12? Councilman Clontz, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to publicly apologize to Mr. Blick. I had the wrong information, not the right property. So in a public forum, I will own that. I made a mistake, and I will own my mistake.

Thank you.

I apologize, Mr. Blick.

Any more comment or question regarding Ordinance 12? 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, please.

Five yes, seven no, zero abstain.

Ordinance 12 fails. Councilman Streetman.

Ordinance 13-20-26-27, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Honeycutt LLC for a zone change on a property located on the eastern frontage of Calvert Drive, 360 plus or minus feet south of the center road and Calvert Drive intersection from RM1. single-family mobile home residential district are to a single-family residential district but the regional planning commission and staff recommended approval and I so move motion been made improperly seconded in favor of ordinance 13 any comment or question from council regarding ordinance 13 councilman Clark you recognize I thank you mr. mayor I know mr. Tyndall talked about the limiting factor was depth it is significantly wider but it is not as deep I

I understand I can't conditionally approve anything, but I would love to see two properties on this as opposed to three because you could have a side yard, you could have more area for children, but three I will be voting no on this. Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Councilman Chandler, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor. I've said this before, and I'll say it as long as I sit on this council. When a person that has interest in this doesn't show up to give... present their case to us then Evidently, they don't care much about it as it would need to be for me to get a yes vote So I vote no for that matter. Thank you.

Thank you any more comment or question regarding ordinance 13 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.

I

Three yes, nine no, zero abstain.

Ordinance 13 fails. Councilman Streetman.

Ordinance 14, 20, 26, 27. First reading. An ordinance amending portions of the City of Clarksville zoning ordinance as it pertains to smoke shops and design guidelines that both the Regional Planning Commission and the staff recommended approval and ISO move. Second.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 14, Councilman Streetman.

Thank you. As I stated last week, I would just ask for your approval of this change. I've talked to a lot of people in the area that are in favor of these changes that we're making. Like I stated before, currently the vape and tobacco and all that, that is all in with candy as far as the zoning regulations are concerned. This is just taking it from where it can go in all commercial zoning cases, all commercial zoning, though I can't think of the word, I apologize. It can go in all categories, and this would limit it to where it can only go into C5. It would also limit it in the distance from our schools, just like we have for our liquor stores. that aspect and also as mentioned last week the county is also now requested the rpc to create the same type of changes for them on the county side except theirs is looking to be stricter in the distance that they would be from schools churches and parks so again i would ask for your approval on this as well as some changes that we have to our design guidelines for the overlays

Councilman Holloman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. So this is a good ordinance. I know last week I was kind of on the fence about it, but I've read it and I've thought about it, and it's a good ordinance, you know. The fact of the matter is our society has a drug problem. All these smoke shops exist on every single corner in our city, Clarksville, the smoke shop city, because we residents of Clarksville, we shop at them, and that's why they exist. It's a free market. Someone's giving them money. But this is a very, very bad problem. And we need to get ahead of it. And so this is a step in the right direction. It doesn't affect stores open right now. It just affects future stores that will open to where they can open, keep them away from religious institutions and schools. And so, like, why is that bad? I know last week they talked about, it was mentioned up here that, you know, what's next, gas stations and And the answer is, yeah, I think absolutely we should regulate gas stations because you can buy drugs in gas stations. And so, like, you know, like how many drugs do we need? You know, I mean, look at the precursors. There's things called precursors. They're chemicals to make other drugs. A lot of them come from China. You know, fentanyl, it's illegal, but a lot of them, the precursors come from China, go to the cartels, manufacture fentanyl. And this is adding up everything all together. This is not just, oh, this is one issue separate from this issue. No, it's all together. So all these smoke shops with all these chemicals and all these drugs that we don't exactly know what's in them, and then mix in all the illegal drugs, it's a recipe for disaster. If you study history, I've said this once and I'll say it again, the Chinese opium wars is a perfect example of what's going on right now. But just look it up, Chinese opium wars. That's all. Thank you.

Councilman Chandler, you're recognized.

I'm going to have to apologize to this council because I said last week I was going to have my say and not say anything this week. But very rarely do I ever go back on my word. I try not to belittle anybody on this council. But to compare this to opium wars, we're acting like we have some kind of, I don't know out here. It's not going to stop people from opening up smoke shops. The vape industry is already regulated by the state. There's all kind of state laws that covers exactly what this is supposed to be doing. And if you remember last week, I said, just because there's a state law doesn't mean we have to put a city ordinance in. The state law, again, against murder, but we don't have a city ordinance against murder. I got a big question here. Okay, I heard, well, anything 25% or more, who's going to go around? Who's going to go to these places and say, OK, well, Walmart, we need to see, make sure that you didn't have more than 25% sales in tobacco products. And Walmart's going to tell you to go get out the front door. Again, government overreach. We are adding on to what department? I don't know. More work. Who's going to keep up with it? I'm sure that if this is approved, then it will be, tell me, it won't be, you know, maybe building codes. And so, you know, we just went through a budget where we cut everybody bare bones. And we're sitting here fixing the vote on adding another task. And all of us know how far behind employees that building codes has. And the last thing, if this was a safety issue, I'd be the first one up waving my flag. And, well, we control alcohol. People, alcohol has killed. more people in DUI crashes than all of the fatalities of all the wars we've ever fought. And I have yet to, yeah, you know, long term, you're going to get cancer possibly. But, again, I just, government overreach. Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Clonch, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Respectfully to my council member, I wholeheartedly disagree. They're not disguised. They're neon lit, big windows, lit up at night. And it is not gas stations that our youth are going into because gas stations don't want to lose their license to sell gasoline. That is predominantly what they sell. These vape shops, there's one right down the road from us that is lit up. And I have personal experience with underage persons going in there time and time again buying vapes. There's a store very close to where I live. The same thing. It's lit up like a Christmas tree and neon lights designed to attract our youth. We're not saying you can't have them. We don't want them near our schools. We don't want them near our youth. I don't understand why that seems to be such a problem. I also understand that yes, gas stations do sell cigarettes as well, but they're not painted in neon colors with flashy lights that say youth come, come here, come here, come here. We still have to buy gasoline. We still have to buy Pepsi, but do we need a flashy neon building lit up like a Christmas tree so close to our school for our youth to purchase these items when it is The regulation or the assessment of are they old enough is less than in a gas station. That is all I have.

Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I do want to answer the question of regulating this. Yes, it would be building in codes, and I can assure you that I did talk with building in codes before ever bringing this forward, and they were very much supportive of this ordinance. I would not have brought something without at least talking to them first and getting feedback from them. in regard to what the councilman from Ward 2 talked about. Very correct in exactly what you're saying. The difference is a gas station, they're not marketing their tobacco products, their vape products. That is not what they're looking to market as their number one. When you look at their big sign, what you're going to notice on there is the price of their gasoline. That's what they're looking for to sell in regard to, you know, The 25%, I don't think anybody would ever think that 25% of sales for Walmart are going to be falling within, are going to be the vape and tobacco that you have there based on the size and the volume of things that are sold at a Walmart. And again, it goes back to what's being marketed and the group they are trying to market to. Like I said previously, this is something that I had numerous people talk to me about prior to even doing this. And I went back and talked to a very large group of people to get their feedback and see if they felt like this was the right move in trying to establish some guidelines for our vape shops and tobacco shops. And again, this takes them out of falling in with candy. It's not the same thing in any way. So to me, this is a good move. And again, I would appreciate your support on this.

Councilman Holloman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. First off, from my knowledge, gas stations, their profit margins for the gasoline is actually pretty low, so then they have to sell items inside the gas station. If you ever bought a Gatorade in a gas station versus a grocery store, there is quite a substantial price difference because that's where their profit margins are. So what they do is they try to sell whatever they can, what people buy, and that has been other types of drugs. Um, there, there was a, there was a epidemic. Um, it's called like a bottle. It's called feel, feel free. Um, I really don't know, but supposedly like people were getting, getting addicted to it. Um, but, uh, but that's besides the point we're not talking about gas stations. We're talking about, uh, uh, school children and smoke shops. And so, yeah, like why would you want your kid staring at a smoke shop like when he gets on the bus and it's like, oh, yeah, just, you know, just drive by the smoke shop, big flashy lights like it was mentioned. You know, it's bright. It's colorful. It is designed to draw attention to itself. Like you can make an argument that it's designed to draw attention of children, you know. And it's like you turn on TV and TV, what is it, drinking and smoking and, you know, kid says, hey, what do adults do?

They watch TV, they cuss, they drink, and they smoke.

There's smoke shops right across from the school. It must be okay. There's liquor stores everywhere. It's about exposure. Why do you want your child's mind to be looking at that? Especially a developing mind. That's all I'm going to say on that. Thank you.

One last comment. I dare anybody sitting in here and I dare anybody listening to this meeting to drive by a convenience store gas station and find one that doesn't have a cigarette advertisement either on the doors, on posters out front, something. If we're going to tighten up on smoke shops, again, I go back to who's going to go to Beech's Market. Nothing against Beech's Market. They just first popped in my mind. And say, okay, we want to see your receipts. Because what are you going to do? I know that the council lady over in Ward 10 doesn't agree with me at all on this, which is fine. That's good. But I'm just trying to look out, again, government overreach. Every time we turn around, somebody's wanting to add something. And that's all, Mayor.

I'm frustrated. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

I just have a point of clarification, Mayor. And I did it myself, so it's on me just as much. It's not based on sales. It's based on your merchandise display area. So it's more than 25% of the customer-facing merchandise display area. So it's not the sales, so they're not going to be looking at the receipts. It's strictly based on their display area itself.

Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. There's been a lot of talk about kids and students and protecting them, and as someone with four children, I think I'm more than qualified to say that I don't want the government to ever help me co-parent. When it comes to discussions about Alcohol and smoking. I'm more than capable, and I know other parents are as well. And I just want to say I do agree with the Councilman from Ward 4. When we're looking at government overreach, we shouldn't be using our kids as the fallback, and I feel like that's what we're doing here. This is government overreach. This is limiting small business owners. As it was pointed out last week, if someone currently owns a vape shop and they want to find cheaper rent somewhere, this is going to very much limit them. Um, another thing that I am going to put out is not just one council member, but several, um, will bring information and bring legislation to this council and they will cite sources that are not verifiable. For example, group discussions. If you're having group discussions, but you bring nothing forward to this council to verify it. I'm not listening to that. Um, and I'm not taking it into consideration. I have no idea what groups you're talking to. And I think that we need to be very careful when we are putting words in the mouths of our department heads when they're not even here to have those discussions. I would assume that it is accurate that Building and Codes agrees with this legislation, but they're not here to say that. So that's all I want to say. Thank you.

Thank you. Any more comment or question? Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm listening to my fellow councilman, and I think both of you on each side has made some good points. But I think we need to start somewhere, making a difference for the safety of our students. I know we say it's government overreach. Well, our job is to make sure that our children are safe. Our job is to make sure that these smoke shops are not so close to our schools, where it's so accessible for the children to get hooked up before they go to school or after school. I've had complaints from some of the people that sell uh... these smoke cigarettes i don't know what you call them but uh... and they said that they wish that we could regulate this because uh... so many children are coming in or teens they're getting people to buy them for them and i think we have to start somewhere we have to look at this from uh... the sense that hey that could be my child going over there before school to get a cigarette or whatever they call the things, smoke things. But anyway, I think it's for the safety of the children. I think we need to start somewhere making a difference so that we can regulate. We need to regulate. If we didn't have laws in place, we would be uncivilized. So we need laws to keep us civilized. And so I don't think this is so much of a government outreach. I think it's for the safety of the kids. Number one, number two. Um, also, uh, there could be a robbery in the place where the smoke shops are. This could also be safety where the police's can get their own time to protect the schools from being so close or being involved in this shooting or anything, robbery, anything. I think we need to make a difference, start doing something to make a change for a better Clarksville, for a safer Clarksville, for our students, parents, and citizens. Thank you, Mayor.

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.

Nine yes, three no, zero abstain.

Ordinance 14 passes first reading. Councilman Streetman.

That concludes my report, Mayor.

Thank you very much. We're LARPing along here. Consent and agenda. Madam Clerk, please read the consent and 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 1-2026-27, second 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 Britain Springs Road and Evans Road. from RM1 Single Family Mobile Home Residential District to R33 Family Residential District. Ordinance 4-2026-27, second 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 H1 Historic Overlay. Ordinance 5, 2026-27, second reading, an ordinance repealing chapters 9.3 and 9.5 of the City Zoning Ordinance of the City of Clarksville and replacing them with new chapters with regard to the Regional Historic Zoning Commission, Common Design Review Board, Historic Overlay, and Downtown Overlay Districts. ORDINANCE 6-2026-27, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY ACCESS FOR APPLICANT BILL MACE TO TED CROSIER BOULEVARD WITH ACCESS POINTS DESIGNATED ON SURVEY OF MCKAY, BURCHETT, AND COMPANY ENGINEERS DATED JULY 20, 2026. RESOLUTION 13-2026-27, A RESOLUTION APPROVING APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND PARKING COMMISSION. RESOLUTION 15-2026-27, a resolution approving a retail liquor store certificate of compliance for Carol Partners, Nick and Bi Patel, sole member for Top Dog Liquors located at 2896 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, and repealing the certificate of compliance for 931 Liquors at 2896 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and the adoption of minutes from August 6th

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'll entertain a motion and a second on the consent agenda. Properly motioned and seconded. Councilman Klontz, you're recognized on the consent agenda.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to pull ordinance 01-2026-27 and register no vote for ordinance 06-26-27 as well as resolution 15-2026-27. Okay, you wanted to pull item A, ordinance 1? Yes, sir. Okay. And then Register No for D and Foxtrot, Delta and Foxtrot.

Okay. Without objection, we'll take up Ordinance 1 immediately following the consent agenda. Councilman Chandler, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd also like to pull Ordinance 06-26-27. Okay.

Without objection, we'll take that up. Immediately following the consent agenda any other member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda Saying 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 book, please The consent agenda is adopted we're now on the item a that was pulled from the consent agenda ordinance 1 20 26 27 councilman Claunch you pulled that so I'll Call on you to read it and make the motion

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance 01-2026-27, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Lewis Construction LLC for a zone change and 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. Motion to... Motion been made.

improperly seconded. You're recognized. Councilman Clonch.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. Uh, so we just this past the first time and we just denied a parcel that had one home already built that could have had three that was 0.33 acres. We also denied a parcel that was 0.34 acres for three homes in the exact same area. And this is .37 acres, and they have requested three homes. So, ironically, I say that every case is independent in and of itself, and there are members of this council that I have spoken to prior to being a council member about consistency in voting, as well as consistency candidates running for positions and why I vote the way that I vote and how it doesn't seem consistent across the board. I do believe that every case is individual, but I think that virtue virtue of the location of this property compared to the two that we just denied, it warrants another discussion based on the size of the land, the proximity to the other properties in Britain Springs and a disenfranchised community. that arguably could seem like they've been pushed out, uh, and homes built. I guess that's all mayor.

Okay. Any comment or question regarding this ordinance? Councilman Smith, you recognize on ordinance one?

Yes. Um, yeah, thank you. I just want to know, has the contract to start building on these or have they finished or what? I don't know. Usually they start after we, pass it on the first reading. So I want to know where are we?

This is second reading, so they wouldn't be allowed to even pull a permit without it properly zoned. So it's not enacted yet.

Okay. Thank you.

Any other comment or question? Councilman Brown, you're recognized on this ordinance.

Thank you, Mayor. I understand the reason for pulling this, and I'm not opposed to that. My recommendation would be to postpone this a month to give this person that applied for this a chance to come back and speak to us about this so that they were here last month and it was approved and they didn't know this might come up this month so to pull it back just to give them another chance to voice their reasons for this but I understand putting three on this one but just the next street over denying them being able to put two I totally agree with that, but I would ask for postpone for a month for the requester to have a chance to speak.

Motion been made to postpone ordinance one to the October 2026 regular session. Do I hear a second? Properly seconded. We're Addressing the motion to postpone now, Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Correct me if I'm wrong, but even on a second reading, if it is postponed, they wouldn't be able to come up here and speak.

No, there would be no public hearing.

Okay. So it wouldn't really be beneficial to postpone it.

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

Thank you, Mayor. I mean, this is just my opinion. I mean, even if they were to speak, like... we're pretty generous to the builders, you know, like, I mean, how many times have we sent a rezone back to the regional planning commission so that we give the builders another shot? You know, I mean, it's like, oh, well, we'll, we'll let them speak here, you know, on second reading, but you know, we can't do that. That's okay. Um, and so it's like, we, we, we don't owe them anything, you know, like we're, we're up here, we're making the decision and anybody that's gone through a rezone at least once knows that there's two votes. And so that's, you know, I'm ready to vote on it. That's all. Thank you.

Thank you. Any more comment or question regarding the motion to postpone? Seeing none, we're voting on the motion to postpone Ordinance 1. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clerk, please take the vote.

One yes, 11 no, zero abstain.

That was close. Motion to postpone fails. We're back on Ordinance 1 as presented. Any comment or question regarding Ordinance 1? Okay, we're now voting on Ordinance 1. Every member, 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 abstain.

Ordinance 1 fails. We're on Item D, Ordinance 6. Councilman Chandler, you pulled that. You are recognized. Thank you, Mayor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the case that went before the RPC and then deferred this property?

I'm going to recognize our representative on the Regional Planning Commission, Councilman Streetman.

No, this is not gone yet before the Regional Planning Commission because this would need to be done first. in order to determine exactly how the zoning request and layout would be for that, as well as for the other departments to be able to dictate exactly how the traffic would work if you're going to have various accesses, because they would be realigning it with, I'm just drawing a blank today, I apologize. They would be realigning, no, Dunlop is where they'd be realigning one of the roads as well as having another access point.

Okay, but wasn't there a case before the Regional Planning Commission on the Feltoner property that got deferred by the Regional Planning Commission? It was on their original agenda, I thought, and then it was pulled.

Hold on. I'm looking right now. I've got it here with me.

Well, while you're looking, I'm going to go ahead and state some more. Before you do that, get a motion if you don't mind. Excuse me?

We need a motion for... A motion to... Motion for approval, properly second now.

Okay, there we go. Thank you. There we go. If we're saying that we give right-of-ways before we ever find out what they want that right-of-way to lead to, that's kind of like putting the cart before the horse, isn't it? I mean... This stretch of road out there is absolutely ungodly to try to drive on right now. I have to go out to Premier Medical and to Arcadia, assisted living quite often, and especially in the morning, 8, 10, 30, Traffic is bumper to bumper. I think the speed limit's 40 or 45. It's got the one traffic signal on it. It's at turning Dunlop Lane. Again, what has been asked of us is to approve driveway connections. Driveway connections to what?

That's all. Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Streetman, you want to answer the question?

Yes. It was deferred. It was already recommended for deferral, so we didn't even vote on it or look at it because it was waiting for this to come through first. It was actually determined by the Regional Planning Commission, Street Department, everyone, that this was the process that needed to happen first. First, they needed to go through and get the access granted before they could then bring forward because that would dictate the zoning lines. Otherwise you would do one, then the access would come through and then it would have to come back again because that would change what their plan was to do there. So this is actually the proper step and it was looked at by Mr. Bittner was involved in conversations. Mr. Tindall was involved in conversations. Mr. Smith, there was a lot that worked on this to determine the exact path this needed to go. be able to do this and again it's to give two access points to Ted Crozier Boulevard only we can grant that in this particular area and when one of those would be to where it would realign Dunlop the old Dunlop part of the road where it would realign with Dunlop Lane and intersect right where the light is they're going to be the ones doing the work and paying to do everything to realign that road which would allow then with anything that is developed over there you actually have a straight shot for the police the emergency to be able to go to and from to get access into there. There is, bear with me, my iPad turned off. If you even look, you can see right where they are in the attachment what their plan is for where they're wanting to access and how they would be realigning that. Right now, you have the old Dunlop that doesn't line up right with the light. So it's just beyond it. This would put it where it intersects directly with it. It's just a better plan and better traffic movement to be able to go through there than having that traffic come in and out just beyond the lights.

Back to you, Councilman Chandler.

You know, maybe I haven't paid attention. Maybe I've got brain cramp. Maybe I've got a brain tumor. I don't know.

Don't say that. Don't say that. Don't say that.

I don't ever recall us ever voting on giving a driveway connection without some kind of plan. I understand they're going to realign this, realign that. What are you realigning it to? That's my big question. This is quite a bit of property over here. Are we going to put whatever in there? And we're saying, okay, well, one driveway at Dunlop Lane, realign that. Where's the other one going? Because they asked for two. Where's the other one going? You're going to bring it out in the middle of all that curve and traffic and stuff down there? Again. I'm sorry, folks, but I don't care what the Regional Planning Commission said. I don't care what building code said. I don't care what street department said. If you will look at this ordinance, it's these 13 people sitting right here that says yes or no. And for once in our lifetime, let's look at... I saw a thing the other day, okay, with development, development, development. I saw a thing the other day where a government is going to spend $5 million so a contractor can build houses. How long does it take for that government to reclaim that $5 million they just spent I know what the cash is going to be. Well, this is just farmland over there. We're not getting any tax revenue off of it. But when we start having to put in extra lanes, when we have to start putting in more traffic signals, when we start having to make up for what's not done to open up an area as big as this is, then maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but I'll guarantee you, you look at all over town, five, 10 years down the road, we're going to pay for it. Thank you, mayor.

Councilman Brown, you recognized.

Thank you, mayor. So, you know, to me, what this is saying is this is where we're going to let you connect to the road at. Now you have to design off of that saying, It's connecting here and it's connecting here. The other connection is down closer to Weatherly and looking at where it's going to be, it's already at where there's a break in the center, you know, to where they can connect to that would be able to make a turn at to cross the road. But to me, what we're doing is saying these are the only two connections you're going to have. And what you design for putting in there, which will be reviewed later, is you're not going to put any more connections. That's all you get. So they're not going to be able to put three or four more in there just wherever they decide. It's this is what you get and that's what you get. So to me, it's kind of making them work with what we see on the road That's what you get, and you've got to work with what we're allowing.

Thank you. Councilman Shekinah, have you recognized?

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. An easy way to put this, and I'm going to do an example on Rossview Road. Right there at the Virginia Hills entrance, we have a three-way intersection. About 150 feet up on Basham and Rossview, we have another three-way intersection, and And I've talked to the street department about trying to get that to be just one single four way intersection, because it's very hard for either one of those, um, those turning lanes to try to gauge. And even there, there's a blinking light there on Basham. Um, it's still very hard to gauge because now instead of just looking one and two ways, you got to watch these other guys at another three way intersection. So you have the same thing right there on, on Dunlap and Ted Crozier, just right up from it. Um, The Dunlap connector is a three-way, and then you've got Dunlap as a three-way. Connect them before they do any building, and that way you've got one strong four-way intersection versus when you build all this stuff, someone's going to say, why didn't they connect this the right way the first time around? And we'll miss it, right? And I deal with it every day right there on Rossview, coming out of Virginia Hills on Roanoke, and then on Basham Lane.

The roads are so close to through intersections that we have to maneuver because someone didn't connect it the first time around Thank You mayor councilman Streetman you recommends Thank You mayor I couldn't say it any better than the person that spoke before me just now Again that you can see their plan and where they are asking to connect it is right here in our packet for you to be able to see the realignment of the other road and then just as was stated from the Uh, ward member from ward nine or the council member from ward nine, then you can see the other one is where there's already a break in the curb. to be able to connect there the zoning case would come before us right now it's owned ag so we'll be voting on the zoning at a later date this particular stretch of the road cannot have accesses without us approving the access that is why and when it had to do with when this road was put in and right away was purchased this particular area requires us for them to be able to change that access, and do this. So that's why this is different than in other cases. And again, as was stated from the council member from Ward 11, this is allowing us, we have the opportunity to weigh in on this and ensure that it's built in a safer manner. And again, they're the ones paying to make this connection and realign this road, not us as city taxpayers.

Councilman Chandler? One more time, Mayor. Thank you. Now, don't forget about the big development that's fixing to go in just north of all this. And I'm not talking about just a little strip mall. We're fixing to have a huge, major development. Look at that road.

That's all. Thank you, Mayor. Any more comment or question regarding Ordinance 6? 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.

Nine yes, three no, zero abstain.

Ordinance six passes. Second reading. Ready for the Finance Committee report. Chairman Streetman.

Thank you, Mayor. Sorry, I had the other item pulled up. I wanted to make sure I was on the right one. Ordinance 08-20-26-27, first reading, an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his designee to conduct negotiations and to enter an agreement for purchase of easements and or rights of way, or should negotiations fail, to pursue condemnation through the use of eminent domain for acquisition of property for a public purpose for Jordan Road and Eva Drive sidewalks project. The Finance Committee voted in favor. The Finance Committee voted in favor of approval. The Transportation, Streets, and Garage Committee voted to postpone to the September Transportation, Streets, and Garage Committee meeting. I make a motion for approval.

Motion made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 8. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Tonight I am going to vote in favor of this, but I think that he should still bring those appraisals to TSG as requested in the September meeting.

Okay. 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, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Ordinance 8 passes. First reading. Chairman Streetman.

Ordinance 09-20-26-27. First reading. An ordinance amending the official code of the City of Clarksville, Title 12, streets and other public ways and places, Chapter 3, drainage, Section 12-304, Land Disturbing Activities, Paragraph 2G and Chapter 3 Drainage. Section 12-309, Non-Storm Water Discharges, to provide needed updates. Both the Finance and the Transportation Streets and Garage Committees voted in favor of approval, and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Ordinance 9. 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.

12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Ordinance 9 passes. First reading. Chairman Streetman.

Resolution 09-20-26-27, a resolution authorizing a memorandum of agreement between the City of Clarksville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives pertaining to reimbursement of overtime salary costs and other approved costs incurred in connection with with joint operations, both the finance and public safety committees voted in favor of approval, and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of Resolution 9. Any comment or question regarding this resolution? 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.

Resolution 9 is adopted. Chairman Streetman.

Resolution 10-20-26-27, a resolution of the City of Clarksville, Tennessee, City Council declaring the identity of certain cybersecurity vendors to be confidential pursuant to TCA 10-7-504I3C. The Finance Committee voted in favor of approval, and I so move.

Motion has been made and properly seconded in favor of Resolution 10. Any comment or question regarding this resolution? Seeing none, Councilman Klontz, you're recognized.

I apologize, Mr. Mayor. I just have a question. Who will have privy to that information, the mayor only or just to make sure that nothing is wonky, so to speak? In the military, if I wanted access to information, I'd apply for a clearance or justify the reason why. And I think that there still needs to be some type of checks and balances, not that it needs to be public. But if it's the mayor that holds the key, that I can go ask the mayor for the key and sit in his office and see who it is, understanding that I'm not going to repeat that information in a public forum or setting.

Well, the Freedom of Information Act would regulate what is allowed to be redacted. And state law gives us the authority provided the local government opts in. So the only people privy to that would be the IT department as well as the finance department who will pay the bill. it would not be broadly shared and you could not come and see that information. It would have to be redacted just because it would be a security risk if we put it out there.

No, again, sir, I understand that. But if I feel like maybe there's a potential conflict of interest with the vendor that was selected. Like, what's the checks and balances of, I didn't, my sister isn't who gets hired to do X, Y, and Z because I pushed the contract to her, and obviously I'm not in IT. They would not want me down there. Me either. Yeah. But, like, what is that, the balance of that? Like, what does that look like, I guess, is my thought process or question there.

I'm not sure I'm following the question.

Maybe.

Okay. Mr. Attorney Bittner, would you bail me out here, phone a friend?

Well, bail me out, too, apparently.

In that particular case, I think you're talking about purchasing department. They could do a bid protest if they had any question about that. Whether they were selected properly, they could do a bid protest, and then we would have a hearing on it to determine if it was done accurately.

Thank you, sir. I guess I would like to redact my question.

What he said. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Mr. Bittner said exactly what I was going to say. Well, not exactly, but I was going to talk about purchasing, and that's who would be keeping that checks and balance in place.

Okay, any more comment or question regarding this resolution? 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.

Resolution 10 is adopted. Chairman's treatment.

That concludes my report, Mayor.

All right, thank you. Neighborhood and Community Services Committee report. Chairman Shekinah, be recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. The next meeting for the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee will be on Monday, the 14th of September at 4.30 p.m. in the City Hall's conference room. All are invited. The next item I want to mention is the Consolidated Annual Plans report The caper review and public comments for this will begin on the 4th of September tomorrow. The annual report outlines the measurable outcomes of the department's use of its annual hood entitlement funds. The draft 2025 through 2026 caper will also be posted on the city's website the same day for public review and comments. The caper remains scheduled for the presentation to the committee. at the September 14th Standing Committee. This concludes my report from Community and Neighborhood Services, Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We're now ready for Parks and Recreation Committee Report. Chairman Zacharias, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. The Parks and Rec Committee would invite you to join us on September 12th and 13th for the Mayor's Golf Classic. This two-day tournament features a two-person scramble or select drive format and is open to golfers of all skill levels. Teams will be flighted as evenly as possible, giving everyone a chance to participate and to compete for prizes. Also, if you are looking for a family night out, you can join us at the Inclusive Family Game Nights at the Kleeman Rec Center from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. on September 16th. Get moving and enjoy some music at Family Movement and Music Night on September 23rd. Work together, solve clues, and have fun during our inclusive scavenger hunt. And on September 30th, it's time for Disney game night. So bring the family and join the fun. And I'm sorry that Opie left, because this is for him. You can come out to Fort Defiance and join the Tennessee Wood Carvers for a free wood carving demonstration. The Tennessee Wood Carvers is a local carving club, and they're going to be at Fort Defiance Interpretive Center on Saturday, September 26th. And they will be demonstrating simple carving techniques and have some examples of their work and offer lessons to beginners. Wood and tools are provided for that. And for more information, you can download our app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store or visit clarksvilleparksrec.com. And that concludes my report.

And medics will be standing by, right? That's right. Okay. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We're now ready for Public Safety Committee. Chairman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. For the Clarksville Police Department, they would like to inform our community that the Montgomery County emergency 911 system includes a non-emergency number that is 931-552-1011. Our next student traffic awareness training will be held at the Civic Hall building at 350 Pageant Lane. More information and sign-up instructions can be found on our website. Clarksville Police Department continues to ask our community to lock their vehicle doors and remove keys and weapons. Clarksville Fire and Rescue wants to congratulate Lieutenant Scott Valaquez and Captain Bradley Higwood On their recent promotions, the pinning ceremony will be September 9th at 2 p.m. at CFR headquarters, and only family and friends are invited. CFR will host the annual 9-11 ceremony on September 11th at 845 in front of the headquarters building on 821 Franklin Street, and the public is invited to attend. 24 recruits remain in the academy, set to graduate on September 18th at 9 a.m. at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. They will graduate following the completion of their final long drill night in Chiefs Run. We have two retirements, Engineer Brian Patterson with 31 years of service, and Lieutenant William Sens with 30 years of service. For our building and codes department, the construction division did 2,585 inspections. Code enforcement did 570 new cases. Our abatement division did 88 work orders, and the total revenue generated was over $394,000 for the month, and that concludes my report.

All right. Thank you. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We're now ready for Transportation, Streets, and Garage Committee. Chairman Smith, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. We have an ordinance that we'll have an amendment to it by Ward 9, but I'll go ahead and read the ordinance, and then I'll let him speak on his amendments. ORDINANCE 10-2026-27 FIRST READING AND ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLASHVILLE TITLED 12 STREETS AND OTHER PUBLIC WAYS AND PLACES CHAPTER 1 IN GENERAL SECTION 12-124 SIDEWALKS TO ADD PARAGRAPHS L AND M REGARDING EXEMPTIONS AND SIDEWALK APPEAL NOW TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO UH what not for his amendment.

If you'll make a motion first.

I'll make a motion. I'm sorry.

Motion been made and properly seconded. Now, Councilman Brown, you have an amendment. Yes, sir.

Did everybody get a copy of it?

Everybody have a copy of the amendment?

Okay. So I'd like to make a motion to amend this. The changes in Section L where the way it was written, it gives the director of the streets the...

It's properly... Properly second. Go ahead, Councilman Brown.

Thank you. So the original ordinance gives the street department director the permission to waive a requirement that we have put in place for sidewalks in certain instances. This council has put these in because we want sidewalks in certain places, which the reason for it, this issue has came up which i totally understand agree with but i don't think it should just fall on the director of the streets department so my amendment is for any request to waive the requirement of the sidewalks would come to the transportation streets and garage committee for approval

All right, you've heard the explanation of the amendment. Any discussion on the amendment? Are you ready to vote? We're voting on the amendment to Ordinance 10. Every member please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam Clark, take the vote.

11 yes, 1 no, 0 abstain.

Amendment is adopted. We're back on Ordinance 10 as amended. Councilman Lovato, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I did vote for that amendment, but I will be voting no on this. I feel like this is the easy button. For consistency and transparency and full fairness, we should just rewrite the code. If there's a consistent issue where a waiver is needed, then for fairness, let's just rewrite the code. And I don't understand why that's not the path that we're taking where we're just giving authority to waive sidewalks. In general, I don't think that any sidewalk should be waived, so I will be voting no for this. Thank you.

Councilman Zacharias on the ordinance as amended.

Thank you, Mayor. Generally, I'm not a fan of pushing my button and saying, yeah, what that person said, but I didn't know what my colleague was going to say before. Before I push it, but I agree completely I voted for the amendment Because if an exception is going to be made it should be made by at least a portion of the people who pass the ordinance in the first place But our walkability score in Clarksville is 18 out of out of 100 Okay, that means that unless you own a vehicle in Clarksville. It is very difficult if not impossible to to do the things that you need to do to live in this city, and I'm not in favor of Anything that's going to make it or could potentially make it less safe for somebody that needs to move around Clarksville and do their business, and that includes sidewalks.

Thank you. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I will be voting in favor of this. While I think, without a doubt, sidewalks are important for us to have, and when you're talking about a brand-new development, New roads, everything with that, yes, you've got to have those sidewalks. But when you're talking about infill and you're talking about building one, two, maybe three homes on a road where there's no sidewalks at this time at all, you're building a sidewalk to nowhere with the requirement as it currently is stated. So you've got two, three houses with a sidewalk in front of it and nothing else. And that does affect the affordability for homes. I know that I serve on the joint affordable housing committee. And this is something we've talked about in there as something that adds to the cost of affordable houses. And one of the things that was referenced was even Habitat for Humanity brought forward a plan where they're building one house. And the rule required that sidewalk had to go there. So this does affect that affordability. and we know that prices are continuing to rise on that. So I think there are occasions where that sidewalk could be waived, but I like it better with this amendment in place where it is the committee looking at it and at least there's a reasoning that can be brought and explained to the committee why that is being requested, and then the committee has that opportunity to choose to waive it or not.

Councilman Brown, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. So, you know, this is, you know, I agree. I don't want to waive any sidewalks in a residential area neighborhood. The problem that's come up is there's a business, just this particular one, is wanting to build, and we're requiring them to put sidewalks on the State Route 374 that people should not be walking on. And the state is not going to let them put sidewalks on there. So we're kind of in a bind here. It's like this business is wanting to move here, but we're requiring them to put sidewalks where the state route is saying you're not putting sidewalks on us. So this just gives us a route to say, okay, this incident is – we can waive those. But residential – I'm not going to want to waive any sidewalks for any residential area, but it's those cases where the planning commission says, well, this is your rule, so we can't approve these site plans because your rule says they have to have