City Council - Regular Meeting

You have five minutes.

I'm Lenor Ericson. I live in W 7. Um, first let me tell you how many um, thank you for the many hours of service you give this city every month. Some of you have been providing these services for years and this kind of commitment shows your love for the people of Clarksville. Although we disagree on the ma best means of providing services to the people of this city, I continue to defend you on any occasion when I hear you criticized. I often hear people saying something to the effect of quote, "What is this government doing with our tax money if they aren't providing unquote whatever kind of particular service that person wants?" I explained that you have the lowest property taxes in the country and you don't have the money to pay for things not in the budget. They don't believe me. Frankly, I don't think you have understand the consequences of refusing to raise property taxes year after year. Therefore, I have researched more than 60 city financial reports to prove to you that you have the lowest property taxes in the country and then delineated that data. in the table I presented to you. I've told you where and how I found this information and you can look it up for yourself. The 2024 Clarksville general government funds revenue was 162 million. All the other cities with revenue beho below 210 million were in financial trouble. 30 of the 50 cities I researched had revenues more than a hundred million more than Clarksville. Our first responders are complaining that they are making 60% of what other cities are playing. Our police have virtually no applications to replace the people who have left this year. Our taxpayers are paying for training police and firefighters only to have them leave the city for more money.

When Chief Berdine told you he had raised the salary to 57,000, the next lowest starting wage in the state, the news reported that you told him you wouldn't be able to pay that increase for next year. I don't know if that's what you said or not, but that's what was reported. The city of Salem, Oregon, is in serious financial trouble. They have a property tax cap and cannot maintain services. So, they've closed the library, the parks, laid off police officers. The the only pro the only tax cap the city of Clarksville has is the refusal of some council members to allow property tax increases, even if it means we have to cut essential services like police and firefighters. Clarksville's average salaries are below the state average. I believe that is because when the city government doesn't pay your employees a living wage, then other employees in Clarksville follow your lead and they don't pay their employees a living wage either. I got my Clarksville city tax bills out for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Where's the timer?

It's right up here, Miss Ericen. I've got it until the clerk gets back. Uh

you've got you've got two minutes. Okay, good. Um, in 2023, the tax rate was 1.23 and my house was appraised at 195,000 and my taxes were $62. In 2024, the tax rate was 88 and my tax was appraised at $250,000 and my property taxes were $550, $50 less than in 2023. In 2025, the tax rate was 92 and my house was appraised at 313,000 and my taxes increased by $170. But that was only $120 more than in 2023, which is $10 a month. And that's a subscription or Walmart delivery or anything. Um, our memories are short. We're all complaining about gas being 360 a gallon, but a little over a year ago, before President Trump took office, we are paying 360. Many of you are running for reelection this year, and all of you will have to face constituents when you have public hearings in June. I beg you to defend yourselves. You are the most frugal public servants in the United States. Tell them how careful you are with their money. Please consider the consequences of not giving police and firefighters a living wage, even if you have to raise property taxes to do it. The majority of people in this city want adequate police and fire protection and are willing to pay for it. Many people in Clarksville don't understand that essential government services are paid for by property taxes. There is no other way to provide them. And since I have another minute, I will say that when we lived in Illinois, our city property taxes were $2,200 each year.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next person on our list is Gilbert Pulley. Mr. Pulley, you'll give us your name. And you have five minutes. My name is Gilbert Pulley. Been uh a citizen of this city and county for a long time. And I'm here tonight to uh issue our concerns about our local citizen center here in Clarksville. And before I bring that before you, uh, it might be appropriate, might not, but I respectfully request if everyone here would lift up the families and the students of Kenwood. Their thoughts are with us, their prayers are with us, and we just lift it all up to the good Lord to take care of them. getting to where uh that I'd like to go tonight. And uh I would like to just take a few minutes to go back a few years. In 1963, there were a group of uh local leaders and senior citizens that met at the First United Methodist Church in Clarksville to uh discuss the need in this town and in this county for a place for our senior citizens to go. And if any one of you have had a mother or a father or a sister or brother

that's already up in years, you know what it means. If they lose someone that is very dear to them and they've spent a lot of years with them, they uh they have a choice of to continue with their life or to sit down in a chair and give up. And that's what our senior citizen center does. It provides a place to where we can come together in fellowship and we become so close that majority of the people consider all of us as a family. And uh the people that spearheaded getting uh our senior center started was the uh the Turner family here in Clarksville. They're a well-known group of people that uh have the best interest of each and every one of us. And in 1965 after their meeting and getting together, the senior center here was uh chartered and founded and has been prospering ever since. Then again later in 1983, this family came together again and donated enough funds to build a new senior center here in Clarksville. That was some uh 18 years later. And uh it this building is currently at 953 Clark Street.

And this is our 60th year after being chartered. And it has always been since the first day it was chartered a 501c3 organization that was funded in part by the city, the state, the federal, United Way, GNRC, and funds uh to our members are based on income. And we also have fundraisers and grants and donation that helps bring up the money that we need to keep the operation going. The works that the people do at our senior center is not how am I going to say this? It's just it's just treated as a must and a way that our seniors can live throughout their senior years with dignity and respect and it has been brought to my attention and to others attention.

Mr. Pulley, your five minutes is up. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you, sir. Next person on our list is Lois Grider. Miss Grider, give us your name and you have five minutes.

My name is Lois Grider. I'm a former board member of the senior center and still volunteer. uh here recently. Well, the first thing is the last lease on file for our facility with the city was back under D down in 2003. How's that happen? Now, we know uh GNRC has been approached to shift funds to the city rather than to the center. And being Mr. Pittz's on the board, that's kind of a conflict of interest, I feel. Now, back a week ago, there was a uh young lady that was let go at the center. She was the director of the adult daycare. And immediately she got on the phone, called the city, and had employment with the city just like that and walked out the door that don't worry, I'll be back. And there's another backstory that I'll leave out, but the same day we got the notice from the mayor that he was cancelling our lease and we had 90 days. Now, by law, if your landlord gives you uh a notice that he's cancelling your lease, that's not saying, "Hey, I want to come live with you." That is an eviction, plain and simple. Now, we do also uh

there's title six, which we get uh or the city gets uh $576,000 a year for nonprofits. We want to see kind of where all that money is going. Now in this uh it has been brought up that this lateral move is uh that the mayor would like to acquire some of our assets. One of the things brought up was a van we just purchased with grant money for the center at the tune of $48,000. There was no discussion. Nobody came to talk to the members, the volunteers or even the employees. So now everybody is sitting in limbo not knowing what's going to happen come July. And there's no way that we can find another facility for what we need at a cost that we need in 90 days. It's not possible. I feel basically what you're looking at is a government takedown. of a nonprofit to roll this over under the city and not be able to be independent without the city bureaucracy and the politics is not going to work.

It's just not. And it takes away our independence to service our seniors and listen to them. And no offense, but know how the city works. If we have an event and we think we need six tablecloths and figure out we need seven and have to go through the bureaucracy of getting that approved and then trying to explain why we had another table. This is insane. And whoever is over in uh parks and wreck that's got to deal with this I feel sorry for because there's always something going on and it's not always a lot of money. But when you have to get approval for a couple bottles of paint or tablecloths or balloons for an event, whatever the case, this poor person is going to lose her mind over us. But this is not fair to us. We have worked hard to get this center where it is and the programs that we have and the volunteers that

Miss Grider, your time is up. Your five minutes is up. Thank you. Next person on the list is Robin Welch. Miss Welch, if you'll give us your name and you have five minutes.

Good evening. My name is Robin Welch and I'm a former uh board meeting uh member and I'm here and for the same reason. My husband and I came to Clarksville 16 years ago and I immediately became an active member of the Ajax Turner Center. Our lives have been enriched by the many programs and activities ever since we began. Our life have been blessed by all the relationship ships that we have developed and formed through the years. All of these people are now our family and we are their family and we have formed relationships and um commitments and opportunities to share and just support the system spiritually and socially. Our physical and emotional well-being is enriched by an abundance of physical activities such as dances, sever um several times a week, sewing, quilting, uh the things that I enjoy doing. My husband enjoy the pool room, him and his buddies and uh working together in that area to keep it uh afloat. and and and um just to name a few of the things that we do that we're involved with every day for eight hours, five days a week, we have this option to participate with our friends in activities and classes if we choose. We even have opportunities on the weekends to visit with in dances Saturdays on Saturday evenings with our close friends. I am very concerned that should these wonderful unique 60 years old center has um if it be dissolved and taken over by another uh form of management we will no longer be uh singularly focused on the seniors. It won't be focused on us and the community. All our programs and activities are now almost exclusively exclusively run by a large um group of

skilled and dedicated volunteers. To lose this special center would be a um tragedy. Generally speaking, the following things are very important to all of us. the seniors the health and independence that they have and um and e an easily ethil uh ethical facility tailored to the needs of seniors. They also focus uh we also are f they're focused on the senior specific programming only remaining the priority consist uh consistency and routine of critical import are important to seniors. are available um five eight hour days per week. That's important for people to have the opportunity or the option to participate in various programs there and things of um their interest even um meal preps and all of that. And uh that that's really important to seniors that they don't have to feel lonely and eating by themselves. They could eat with the same group. We could meet up and share stories and do so much together. specifically and singularly focus on the seniors to make them feel safe and value is very important to me and a lot of our people and I'm only not speaking in behalf of myself. I'm speaking in behalf of all our seniors who have that desire to come out and enjoy themselves there and feel safe. Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you. Next person on our list is Maren Potter. Miss Potter, if you'd give us your name and you have five minutes. My name is Moren Potter. I have brought center newsletters and kind of put them around so that you I'm not going to go through all the stuff we do because you can see there's a bunch of it. Two things I want to emphasize is our mission statement which is to provide a multi-purpose facility and services for seniors that will enhance their enjoyment and quality of life. We have another saying the pl this is the place where strangers come to make friends and friends become family. I've written a script so hopefully I can get way under five minutes. 23 years ago, I arrived in Clarksville as a total stranger to begin a new job. I soon after connected with the Clarksville Senior Center because the senior center, where I came from, had been a support for me and my mother for whom I was the sole caregiver. It is also where I first learned to line dance. That's important to me. I have been a member since that time with varying levels of involvement through the years. I am now experiencing life as an elderly person. I retired five years ago, so I'm learning about loss in a whole new way. Declining health little by little, declining energy levels, loss of a once pretty good memory, to name a few things. Perhaps the most difficult loss is that of family members and friends. I am now one of the oldest living members of my extended family. This amazing senior center in Clarksville is in fact my

lifeline. It has become my extended family. I don't know if I can go on. Just take your time. Like 99% of the families on this planet, there are family members with whom I share little and some I share much in common. It is a place where I go to enjoy countless activities, learn many skills, socialize, exercise every day if I choose. I don't know if I'm going to be able to do this. Perhaps the most wonderful part of being involved in this unique center, totally focused on seniors, is that when the chips are down for any one of us, we are all there to support each other. A place that is designed to minister specifically to seniors is invaluable. Having seniors self-determine the programs and activities at the center is especially important to us. The Ajax Turner Clarksville Senior Center is a wonderful place. It would be a catastrophic loss to this city's seniors and their families. I'm so sorry. Should it be transformed into anything other than a senior center. Thank you.

Thank you. The next person on our list is Mr. Brett Beamer. Mr. Beamer, are you in the audience? All right. We will convene at 6 pm. Thank you.

2026 regular session of the Clarksville City Council is now called to order. Dr. Cory Corey Sturdivan, pastor of Champions Christian Community 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, Pastor Sturdivan, if you would please. Thank you so much uh Mr. Mayor. I want to uh join in with the gentleman earlier and um and ask if you all would join me in prayer for Zoe and Ariana at Kinwood. Um we all understand the u tragedy of um the of the vehicle accident and we definitely want to lift them up in prayer this evening. Uh so eternal God, we honor your holy presence in this room this evening. We pray God under this s certain sub situation that you would grant peace that surpasses all understanding. In fact, your word declares that you would give perfect peace to those who keep their minds on you. So father, we pray for those who are mourning today. We pray for the families. We pray for the classmates. We pray for the school staff uh and the community at large that you would grant them that peace just as you promised on tonight. God, as we consider your righteousness, we realize that we cannot possibly compare to you because your ways are beyond our ways and your thoughts are far beyond ours. And while we might have come with agendas tonight, Father, I pray that you would give each person the courage and the good sense to surrender our will to yours. Just as Christ taught his disciples to pray, we ask that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It is appropriate, oh God, that we ask your forgiveness for the times we place any authority, ideal, and imagination above you. And though we declare allegiance to the US flag tonight, convict us if we idolize it. And if we are truly a republic, let us not forget the interest of those who put

their trust in us. Moreover, oh Lord, we if we are claiming one nation under your sovereignty, remind us that your plans of your plans whenever we stray. As the prophet declared, "Your plans are of for us are good and not of evil to bring us to a successful end where we're divided, give us the courage to set aside differences for the sake of unity. For Christ said he would that we would all be one just as the he and the father are one." And so, while we are blessed with liberty and freedom, let us not abuse it and take your grace for granted. With this all in mind, we expect a productive meeting where the end result and the people are unified and God is glorified. We ask these things in the character, nature, and reputation of Christ Jesus. Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Members, please register your attendance. Madam clerk, please take the role. All members are present.

Thank you. We have two recognitions this evening. If it is if it is April and we're wearing purple, it must be time for the month of the military child. And so tonight joining us is former council member Diana Mclofflin who is here representing a state agency and really a a national organization that takes good care of our military children and dependence. And we have the command sergeant major of the 101st garrison uh command sergeant major Ryan Jeffers with us this evening as well as General Susie Yates uh and um you'll have to tell that joke later and and some students here. Uh, so I will invite you all to come forward and let me present this proclamation and then ask you, Command Sergeant Major Jeffers, if you wouldn't mind say a word or two and recognize this outstanding group of students who are with us. But it is my honor, members of the council, to declare April as the month of the military child. April is designated as the month of the military child, a time to honor the sacrifices made by military dependents worldwide. And whereas the Department of Defense has honored this initiative since 1986 when Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger established April as the month of the military child. Whereas while their parents prepare for deployment, respond to natural disasters and man-made threats to our homeland. Military children serve on the home front. And whereas they offer their support and understanding to loved ones whose commitment to their nation sometimes mean miss birthdays, sports events, and other milestones. And whereas Fort Campbell today blesses our community

with more than 22,000 courageous military dependents. In honor of all our military children, we ask you to purple up for military kids on April 15, 2026. Now therefore, I, Joe Pittz, mayor of the city of Clarksville, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as month of the military child. And I'd like to invite all citizens to join in and help honor all of the military children throughout our community and around the world. is signed, sealed, and now delivered. And ladies and gentlemen, I'll present to you our military children. Let me present this to you. Would you like to say a few words?

Um, give us your name. I am Jerusale Garcia. Um, I have been a military child for 12 years. Um, I have gone to so many different places. Um, I was born in North Carolina and I have always loved traveling. My parents are not always home sometimes. Um, it is very hard when my dad has to deploy or go to training. My mother is a substitute for schools and she does a lot. My parents are very hard workers and I always thank them for everything that they do. Um, my mother is really really great. I'm happy that she birthed me and um, thank you to her. Um, that's it. I'm sorry.

No, don't apologize. That's the line of the night. Thank you. Thank you, Command Sergeant Major Jeffers. Well, Mayor, thank you. Thank you for the support. Uh, she hit everything right there. Couldn't have couldn't have asked for better comments. These military children are so resilient. They have to go through so much throughout their lives. The the moves, the parents always being gone, going to the field, you you name it. There's a lot of things and it's it's it's challenging. It's hard on a family. It's hard on a military family. But I do want to thank not just the military children here. Thank you to the community for supporting us. Clarksville, McGomery County, you have always rose above to support the military and support our children. So, thank you.

And I'm going to ask former Councilman Deanna Mclofflin to tell us about the organization and and your role.

Thank you. So, um, I'm the Tennessee Commissioner to the Military Interstate Children's Compact. The compact is a law that has now been adopted by all 50 states in Washington DC that talks about how educational transfers of military children happen from stateto state. Not everybody has a Department of Defense school where a child can have a smooth transition on the same curriculum, but we facilitate that in Tennessee. We have two the two schools and officers from Fort Campbell, uh, Miss Garrett and, uh, Miss Watskin Dorf. And a lot of times the schools and officers handle the education transfer issues before they get to me, which is great news. And, um, the best thing that that parents in the military can do in the community is make sure that we understand that what a child takes in Colorado doesn't get wiped out just because they come to Tennessee or vice versa. It's not their fault that their parent chose to serve our country. Um, and they should get credit for what they've done and under this law they do. And all the these kids are from the Taylor Youth Centers that cracked on Fort Campbell. And um, we're we're just lucky to have them here and I appreciate everybody supporting them. And if you're a business or an organization on the 15th of April, please light your buildings up in purple if you have purple lights. That's National Purple Update. Thank you, Mayor. And that concludes my report. We were waiting on that. Okay, Jimmy, can you get a picture of this great looking group minus me?

What I would like to ask are taller folks kind of in the back. You understand? Okay, come on in. Come on in. Go ahead. I'm not short. No, you're good. Come on over here. I didn't want I think we might have everybody.

Thank you. Thank you so much. We also want to recognize April as Earth Month. So, I'm going to invite Miss Macintosh, Joanne Macintosh with the Sierra Club and your group because I think we have some West Creek students here as well who are interested in continuing the work of what they're doing. So, I'm going to invite all of you here. Don't now's not the time to be shy. And while you're making your way up, I want to say that this is the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22nd, 1970 with the goal of inspiring an appreciation of our nation's natural and cultural resources through conservation and protection. Whereas the Clarksville community will be observing Earth Day through events the entire month of April as Earth Month. And whereas the Clarksville community's commitment to environmental stewardship is evidenced by substantial action items such as creating a 20-year comprehensive plan guiding smart growth and development. Receiving the designation of Tree City USA 32 years in a row, I believe. supporting the healthy yards program, expanding greenways and blueways, investing in the department of parks and recreations programs and events, supporting a vibrant downtown farmers market, installing CE light band solar farm and electric vehicle charging stations, supporting days of action such as the great American cleanup coming later this month. Whereas the city of Clarksville recognizes the opportunity for the Clarksville community to participate in various Earth Month festivities and encourages everyone to take a proactive role in shaping the future of our environmental security.

Now therefore, I Joe Pittz, mayor of the city of Clarksville, do hereby proclaim Clarksville support of Earth Month 2026 throughout the Clarksville community. Joanne, I'm going to present this to you and ask you to say a few words and then I'm going to ask you to say a few words. Hello. Is it okay? Yeah. All right. So, you got time to think about it.

Yeah. I'm on the spot first. I'm Joanne Macintosh. I'm the chair of the the Sierra Club, Clarksville, McGomery County. And for those of you who might not know, Sierra Club is the the largest grassroots environmental group in the country. And we're very pleased that we've got a branch right here in Clarksville, which we started back in 2018, and love to have more members. But we've been working very diligently with the city and the county on a number of of green uh initiatives. And we're very happy now that we've got some schools involved with us as well. And uh yeah, I will have have you talk about what what West Creek is doing a little bit with your initiative,

but we encourage everyone to come out during April, enjoy the weather. Uh there's so many events going on that we had to actually create a calendar of Clarksville Earth Month events. So if you just Google that, do search the web for the Clarksville Earth Month calendar, you will see how many different things are going on this month that will get you outside and get you back in touch with nature. So thank you very much, Mayor Pittz.

Um my name is Natalie Watson. I am the future president of the Key Club at my school and my amazing president over here created this wonderful project called Clean Green Clarksville and we used to go and clean parks every third Saturday of the month and recently we've started working on the different schools around us. So, our school, the elementary school, the middle school, the other schools that go to West Creek, it's just a really amazing thing to do for my community. Um, Malaya, thank you.

Um, yes. Uh, so our group when we first started, we kind of basically just did what normal key clubbers do. We help out in nonprofits that are around. We see what we can do to help the community. And this year, we kind of focused on helping out the environment itself. And I really started to love that. Okay. And I've been able to meet people like Joan Mintosh, Mr. Brian Zacharias, Mr. Pitts. I'm just now meeting you. Thank you. Uh, and our goal at this meeting is to hopefully network and see if we can expand this project because I'm leaving. Natalie's taking over. I want this to be a continuous thing. Okay. Our environment is very important. All right. I I want to continue this when I go to New York. I'll be attending NYU and Yes. Thank you. very thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. But um yeah, I just I just really love the environment. I feel like going to meetings like this at young ages, it really helps people that are the youth learn. So, thank you.

Let's give them a round of applause. Now, we need a picture or it didn't happen. Oh. Oh, picture. Okay. Don't forget to write.

Very well done. Very well done. Thank you. Next item on our agenda is the planning commission report. Councilman Streetman, you're recognized.

Thank you, mayor. As a reminder, uh based on a recommendation from our legal council, all motions are made in the form of approval. Ordinance 65 202526 first reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Batson Eastland Company Inc. for a zone change on attractive land consisting of one full parcel and a portion of another located on the northern frontage of Edge Edgewood Place 950 plus or minus feet west of Wilmer Rudolph Boulevard and Edwoods Place intersection from AG agricultural district to C5 highway and arterial commercial district both the regional planning commission and the staff recommend approval and ISO move

before you do that how about a public hearing. Motion for public hearing. Okay. Motion that is tonight. I am I You know, I thought I wasn't going to get it wrong because we only had one. I was so focused it threw you off. Um I I make a motion for a public hearing.

Motion been made and properly second to revert to public hearing. Without objection, we are now in public hearing. First and only item on our public hearing list is ordinance A. Ordinance 65, excuse me. Item A, 202526, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Batson East Land Company. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of ordinance 65? If you would please come forward, give us your name and you'll have five minutes. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Rustin Corey. I'm the president of Carnegie Management and Development Corp. Uh we are the awardee who has been selected by the Department of Veteran Affairs to design, construct, and maintain long-term ownership of the new VA clinic coming to the community of Clarksville. Um we are extremely excited to be here. I just wanted to say very briefly uh what a pleasure it has been to be in this community. I've been here six or seven days in the last month and I have yet to have a bad conversation. I had an absolutely fantastic burger at Johnny's. uh and every single person I have spoken to is in some way, shape or form connected to the mission associated with this project. Um obviously this community has a deep rooted uh history with the military. Uh but even more so I spoke to a few uh nursing students at Austin P the other day getting a coffee from that Barnes & Nobles and uh they're in the nursing program and this could be a place where they ultimately seek employment. Uh the project itself, I think most of you are aware of its importance. Uh this community has one of the highest and most densely populated uh veteran communities within it. Uh and a lot of folks uh currently have to have long drive times in order to get uh some of the basic subsp specialty services that will now be included in this facility. Uh the project itself uh is a four-story structure over 250,000 ft inclusive of more than 1300 parking spaces. Uh its design has been very thoughtful over the years uh and is really prioritizing uh delivering an optimized care to our veterans from the moment their car enters the site. We want that experience to be calming and healing for them. Um and so when we come back for site plan approval, you'll see the incorporation of gardens and walking trails and opportunities for uh our veterans, their families, their caregivers uh to connect

with nature. You know, oftent times veterans will have multiple appointments in any one given day. Uh and so trying to put in uh some consideration to opportunities in between appointments to connect with nature, to eat in the canteen, to utilize the exercise trail uh or to socialize with their with their friends and peers uh is really at the cornerstone of this design. Uh our company Carnegie Management Development Corp. uh is a full-ervice real estate development and management company uh with a long-standing history of working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Uh this Clarksville facility will be the 12th uh project in our portfolio with the Department of Veterans Affairs, all of which are still under our ownership and management. Uh so we have a a very long-standing and deeply rooted connection to veterans. I I serve on the board of directors for the National Veterans Museum in Memorial uh in Columbus, Ohio, which is the only museum in the country dedicated to telling the stories of individual veterans. Um, and so our company is is very long-term focused and we care deeply about the product in which we develop. Uh, and we will maintain accountability to that quality today, tomorrow, uh, and for the entirety of its useful life, which we hope to be, uh, several several decades. Um, so I'm here to address uh any questions. I did want to make sure it was clear that this project has been awarded. We have fully executed lease that is uh, binding and non-cancellable. Uh, and I know it has been a very long road um, for this community to get this project, but I can uh, thankfully say that the roadblocks have been removed and we are moving as quickly as we possibly can. Uh, which has been the directive we've received from the VA. Um, so you will see us again uh, shortly as we kind of um, feverishly work through the final design um, and try to get into the ground. We're really trying to target a groundbreaking for this project uh by late summer uh and move as quickly as we

can so we can get delivery through activation and ultimately see our first patients. So, thank you, Mr. Corey. We do have questions. Councilman Shaab, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor. Um thank you, Mr. Corey, for that um presentation. Um I do have um two questions and the first one is about the ingress and egress the road system going to this large facility and away from this large facility. Can you um talk about um the main roads, how many roads we're going to have because you're talking about how big this is. What about the traffic?

Uh the the project will have three primary curb cuts associated with it. uh with one really being primarily identified for patient uh ingress and egress. Uh one curb cut for overflow patient and overflow employee and then one curb cut that'll likely have a security component associated with it that'll serve as our service drive um and some employee overflow. Uh the facility will have uh an ambulance pickup component to it, but it will not have patients in an emergency scenario coming to it. Um but we feel like with the expansive site, we've tried to incorporate significant infrastructure um to maintain as much traffic as we can on site and then offsite. Um as you know, we are the beneficiary of this beautiful brand new road, Spring Creek Parkway or um and I want to get this right because I saw it on the agenda. Uh the Willie J. Freeman Memorial Parkway. Um, so we we feel like we've uh we feel like we've taken the appropriate considerations on site to try to maintain as much of that vehicular activity as we can, but then once it uh leaves the site, we think we've we're well located within your community to be in a roadway network that can sustain the additional traffic.

Okay. And my next question, um, will this, um, facility, will it, um, come with a private access road? As an example, um, Lowe's Drive where off of Wilm Rudolph, there's a road called Lowe's Drive that runs in front of Lowe's, but it goes all the way back out to Trenton. So, a lot of businesses are on this road, but this is a private access road. It's not city- owned. So, when we have problems with this road, that's a problem, right? So, will the VA center have a private access road leading to or from SP Spring Creek? All of our roadways on site will be private access drives that we will maintain and own as a part of the VA project

because because that was going to be part two of that part of that second question. Are you going to maintain it? Yes. Because I hear problems already now with low drive loads drives. I want to make sure um I'mma keep your card. So, every time somebody call me with a problem, I'm going to call you. So, I don't change your number. I won't. And I promise you this will be the nicest uh nicest parking field you'll see in Clarksville. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Marquee, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. And thank you for being here to answer our questions. Uh you briefly actually touched upon it earlier where you did mention that um you expect groundbreaking late summer. Do you have or a more long-term timeline of what you expect or on average since you've done other hospitals, how long from groundbreak until you open doors? Generally, uh I would say generally for a facility of this size, because this is a larger, uh leased clinic in VA's portfolio, I think it might be their largest facility that's leased in Tennessee. Uh it'll probably be every bit of three years. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, Councilman Brown, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I believe uh you answered this at the planning commission, but there'll be access from Fairbrook Place also along with the the Spring Creek Parkway, North Edgewood Place, whichever it's currently called, but u so you know, looking at the the map here, others may not know y'all acquired that property that's a C2C4 that connects to Fairbrook Place. And so there'll be an access road from there also. Correct. That's correct. But there will be no uh vertical structure on that portion of the site. So the C2 zoning that it has is perfectly fine for its use.

All right. So just so you know people understand it'll be from two sides of it that some of the traffic can doesn't all have to go to one spot. Yes. Thank you. Yeah. Great. Any more comment or question for Mr. Corey? Thank you, sir, very much. We welcome you to Clarksville. It's been a long time coming. We're excited to be here. Thank you very much for your consideration. Anyone else in the audience wish to speak in favor of ordinance 65? Anyone in the audience wish to speak against ordinance 65? Councilman Streetman. Mayor, I move we go back into regular session.

Motion been made to revert back to regular session. Properly seconded without objection. We are now in back in regular session. Councilman's treatment. As stated before, based on the recommendation of our legal council, all uh motions are in the form of approval. Ordinance 65202526, first reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville, application of Batson East Land Company, Inc. for a zone change on attractive land consisting of one full parcel and a portion of another. Located on the northern frontage of Edwood Place, 950 plus or minus feet west of Wilmer Rudolph Boulevard in Edgewood Place intersection from AG Agriculture District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Both the regional planning commission and the staff recommend approval and I now make a motion for approval.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of ordinance 65. Any comment or question regarding ordinance 65? 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. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstain. Ordinance 65 passes. First reading. Councilman Streetman. To quote the former council member in attendance. I That concludes my report.

All right. Thank you very much. We're now ready for the consent agenda. Madame clerk, please read the consent agenda. All items in this portion of the agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council and may be approved by one motion. However, a member of the council may request that an item be removed for separate consideration under the appropriate committee report. Ordinance 39202526, second reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Kevin Hu for a zone change on two properties located on the east frontage of College Street east of the College Street and Craft Street intersection from M1 Light Industrial District to C5 Highway and Arterial Commercial District. Ordinance 47 202526 second reading. An ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Tommy and Reissi Bard for a zone change on property located at 1911 Old Russellville Pike from R1 single family residential district to R2A single family residential district. Ordinance 54 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Mark and Katherine Barton for a zone change on three parcels located north of the intersection of Wilco Street and Marian Street from R4 Multiple Family Residential District to CBD Central Business District. Ordinance 55 202526, second reading, an ordinance accepting the donation of certain real property from Aspire Clarksville to the city of Clarksville for the purpose of greenway development approaching Ringold Road. Ordinance 56 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Bryce Powers for a zone change on property located at

1018 Swift Drive from 01 office district to R2A single family residential district. Ordinance 57 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of John Mark Hollowman for a zone change on property located at 2610 Ashlin City Road from R1 single family residential district to R5 residential district. Ordinance 59 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Terrence Bernie for a zone change on property located at 2075 North Ford Street from M2 General Industrial District to R2A single family residential district. Ordinance 60 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Lian homebuilders for zone change on property located at 1640 Evans Road from R2D two family residential district to R1 single family residential district. Ordinance 62 202526 second reading an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Chris Blackwell for a zone change on property located at 3341 and 3351 Penroke Road from R1 single family residential district to R5 single family residential district. Ordinance 63 202526. Second reading, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville. Application of Richard Collins for a zone change on property fronting on the north of Dober Road east of Paula Drive and west of Aurelia Lind Drive from C2 general commercial district to C5 highway and arterial commercial district. Resolution 51202526,

a resolution approving appointments to the Arts and Heritage Council, Adult Oriented Establishment Board, the After Hours Establishment Board, the Beer Board, Board of Equalization, Designations Board, Fire Appeals Board, Regional Solid Waste Board, and the Tree Board, and adoption of minutes from February 11th and March 5th. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'll entertain a motion and a second. We have a motion and a second in favor of the consent agenda. Any member wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? Councilman Hollowman, you're recognized on the consent agenda. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to register a no vote for ordinance 57 and ordinance 59, please. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. You got that? All right. Thank you, Councilman Sheen. You're recognized.

Yes, Mayor. I'd like to register a no vote on B, ordinance 47, on F ordinance 57, and on I, ordinance 62. Madame Clerk, I would like to pull ordinance 47 or item B and I want to read a statement and we'll take that up without objection right after the consent agenda. Anybody else wish to be recognized on the consent agenda? Seeing none, are you ready to vote? All members, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madame clerk, please take the vote. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstain.

The consent agenda is adopted. We're going to take up now item B, ordinance 4720526, an ordinance amending the zoning code and map of the city of Clarksville application of Tommy and Reesei Bard for a zone change on property located at 1911 Old Russell Pike from R1 single family residential district to R2A single family residential district to get it properly before us. I'll entertain a motion in a second.

Motion been made and properly seconded. Ladies and gentlemen, there was a considerable amount of discussion among uh the council last week about the debris that was in the railroad rightway. Um, after several of you trespassed and walked walked through that uh, railroad right away, a constituent, I'm kidding, a constituent shared with me during the meeting that I didn't see until after the meeting that they had reached out to a representative of the railroad and put them on notice about the debris and they've agreed to address it and they've confirmed they're responsible for it and they will be sending a crew out to clean that up. So, we should see a noticeable difference in the next few weeks. Any other comment or question regarding ordinance 47? 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. Madame clerk, please take the vote.

Seven yes, five no, one abstain. Ordinance 47 passes. Second reading. We are now on the finance committee report. Chairman Streetman, you're recognized. M mayor, before we uh do that, can I make a motion to move up the new business resolution 52 and 53 before the department reports? Motion been made to to move the new business up to this point in the agenda. Any objection to that?

Okay, without objection, we will move that up the new business. We are now ready for item A under new business resolution 5220526. A resolution approving the designation of Spring Creek Parkway phase 1 as the pastor Willie J. Freeman Memorial Parkway. That comes as request from me to the designations committee and they did approve it. I will entertain a motion and a second.

Motion's been made and properly seconded. Before we take a vote, I would like to recognize Mrs. Joelen Freeman who is in the audience tonight. Miss Freeman, if you don't mind standing and let us properly recognize you for your service to our community. And she sent a proxy to threaten me that I not call on her to make comments because we may not get get out of here on time. Okay, I got I understand. Any comment or question regarding this resolution? This is for phase one of the Spring Creek Parkway that's already com completed and from Trenton Road down to the to the bridge, the Triple Nickel Bridge. Uh, Councilman Smith, you recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I just think this is a great thing to do. Uh, I know Pastor Freeman. Uh, he's been a warrior for for what is right and um he stands up for against things that are wrong. I know his family, his wife, and I just want to thank her for allowing us to to have him for a little while when he was alive to do the work that he did in this community. I think we made the best choice to do this. Thank you. Any any more 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.

13 yes, zero no, zero abstain. That resolution is unanimously adopted. Thank you very much. Next item under new business is resolution 53 202526, a resolution approving the designation of Peters Mill Road from Tinytown Road to 101st Parkway as the Reverend Alvin O. Old Senior Memorial Road. That comes as a request from me through the designations committee as approved and I will entertain a motion in a second. second. Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of resolution 53. Any question or comment regarding this resolution? Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

I always got to speak up for the warriors of Clarksdale who have helped to make change in this community and also for Reverend Adam. I know him very well. Uh I know he's the late Reverend Alm now both. And so we just thank God for you all uh bringing this forth mayor and the council. We continue to vote in favor for people who are doing great things or who have done great things here in Clarksville. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Hollowman, on this resolution.

Thank you, mayor. Uh, so I voted for the last resolution and I'll probably vote for this one as well, but I still have my reservations just naming roads after people. And you know, an example would be like if you look at what's going on in the country, like the the demographic change, you know, like what's going on in New York. I mean, it's only a matter of time before like everyone's all swapped out. And then there's someone that says, "Oh, these people are Christians. We don't we don't like Christians. We're going to change the name." And like that does happen. And so I think uh I think as time goes on, I I do think uh eventually there will be a governing body that will change the name. So, it's kind of like why are we why are we naming it? But, um, but I'm I'm going to vote for it, but I just wanted to kind of get that off my chest. Thank you.

Councilman Chandler, you're recognized on the resolution. Hold on. I don't give a frog's fat rear end. We name streets after people that deserve them. I'm sitting here bridges and streets and these are people that was the the cement in our foundation and we owe it to them. And if I'm alive and still breathing, I'll vote against anybody trying to change him again. Thank you, mayor.

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? Madame clerk, please take the vote. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstain. Resolution 53 is unanimously adopted. Thank you. We're now ready for the finance committee report. Chairman Streetman. Thank you, Mayor. Resolution 4820526, a resolution authorizing retirement of a patrol service dog rigs from K9 unit and donation to police police officer Pacheco. The finance committee and the public safety committees both recommended approval and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of resolution 48. 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. Madame clerk, please take the vote. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstain. Resolution 48 is adopted. Chairman Streetman.

Resolution 49202526. A resolution to authorize and appropriate funds for an actuarial actuarial study of the cost associated with granting a hazardous duty supplemental benefit to certain public safety officers pursuant to Tennessee code annotated section 8-36-212. Both the finance committee and public safety committees recommended approval. And mayor, I'd like to allow the sponsor the opportunity to get to make the motion for this. Okay. Councilman Lovado, you're the sponsor. You're recognized. Motion for approval. Second.

All right. That was a moving speech. Thank you. All right. 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. Madame clerk, please take the vote. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstain. Resolution 49 is adopted. Chairman Streetman. Resolution 50-202526, a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between the city of Clarksville and McGomery County pertaining to the division of 2025 burn justice grant fund allocations and the administration and use of such funds. The finance committee voted in favor of approval and I so move.

Motion been made and properly seconded in favor of res resolution 50. Councilman Brown, you're recognized. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to make a statement that this grant is split between the county uh sheriff's office and the police department. And as an employee of the sheriff's office, I'm still going to be voting in favor of this because I think this is just a good deal. Anyway, uh but I just wanted to make that statement. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Any more comment or question or statements? 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, please take the vote. 13 yes, zero no, zero abstaining. Resolution 50 is adopted. Chairman's treatment. That concludes my report. Mayor.

All right. Thank you. Neighborhood and community services report. Chairman Shaen, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. The Clarksville Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will publish its annual action plan tomorrow, the 3rd of Febru. This annual action plan is required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it serves as the city's yearly guide for how federal funds will be utilized to address priority needs such as affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, homelessness prevention, and community services. The plan outlines the department's new and ongoing initiatives and identifies measurable goals and expected outcomes to help track progress towards improving the quality of life for Clarksville residents. Community members are encouraged to participate in the public review process and provide feedback. There will be two public hearings uh to gather this feedback. The first will be on Tuesday the 21st of April at 4:30 p.m. at the Burke Cobb Community Center. The second will be on Wednesday the 22nd of April at 10:30 a.m. at the Clarksville Neighborhood and Community Services Office. A 30-day public comment period will run from the 3rd of April tomorrow through the 4th of May. The documents will also be available online at the city's website. residents, community organizations, and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit a written comment by the 4th of May via email. And that email address is community ofclarksville.com. Again, that email is communityoflarksville.com. I also have a save the date for the 8th

of July for all faith-based housing education cohort information meeting. This is a meeting to equip um local congregations with the knowledge and tools that are needed to engage the housing solution within the community through education collaboration technical assistance. Participating faith organizations can explore ways to support affordable housing development and provide housing related services as well as partner with community organizations to address homelessness and instability. Mayor, this concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? Let the record record reflect that Councilman Hollowman and Councilman Streetman are excused. We're now ready for the parks and recreation committee. Chairman Zachariah, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I want to share a few upcoming events from Parks and Wreck. Uh first, homeschool Heritage Day will take place on April 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Uh this annual event gives participants a chance to explore life in the 18th and 19th century. Uh oh, in 18th and 19th century Tennessee through hands-on demonstrations like wool carding, sewing, calligraphy, weaponry, and uh medical care. Uh registration is required for that event. Um, next on April 18th, uh, from 1 to 2 pm at the Ellen Train Station, uh, the department will host Defying Convention: The Radical Life and Writings of Evelyn Scott. Uh, this guided discussion will highlight the life and influence of the Clarksville born author and her role in shaping modern American literature. Uh, then on May 2nd, uh, the Greenway 8K will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. uh, along the Clarksville Greenway. Uh this event gives residents a chance to enjoy one of our most scenic outdoor spaces. Uh and this year will also include a new ruck division for those who like their exercise with a little extra regret. Um also parks and wreck is currently hiring for a number of positions across the department including lifeguards, uh recreation staff, maintenance staff, instructors, and several aquatics and program leadership roles. Uh so whether you attend, participate, or apply, there are plenty of ways to get involved. And that concludes my report.

Thank you. Any question regarding this committee report? Just not. Seeing none, we are now ready for the public safety committee. Chairman Lovado, you're recognized.

Thank you, mayor. Um, first with our building and codes, the construction division did 2,149 total inspections. Code enforcement did 284 new cases. Our abatement division did 27 work orders. and the total revenue generated was a little over $391,000 for the month. For the Clarksville Police Department, we had a significant retirement. On March 25th, Sergeant Channing Partell retired with over 24 years of service. His leadership and experience will be missed. We also had several promotions. Alyssa Wade, Lindseay Fowler, Kenan Dresccoll, Grant Berlingum, Marcus Lax, Ariel Wall, David Diaz, and Amanda Buckley. The next Coffee with a Cop will be held at Mugshots Coffee. That's fitting. On April 15th at 111 Strawberry Alley, anyone is welcome to stop by for a great conversation. for Clarksville Fire and Rescue. Uh we they started its uh six-month academy with 29 new recruits. They hosted the 2026 NFPA summit today, welcoming departments from all around the region, and CFR celebrated two promotions in the maintenance division, Chris Ireland to assistant chief, and Jacob Flores to captain. And that concludes my report.

Thank you. Any more 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. Uh the TSG report for March are as follows. Uh CTS transported uh 40,640 riders on fixed route buses, including 8,413 seniors who rode for free. CTS also transported 4,984 riders on par transit vehicles for a total of 45,624 riders for the month of March. We will now move on to the street department. The street department completed a total of 265 work orders and picked up debze and brush at 175 locations. Spring Creek Parkway storm uh water work near Wilmer Rudolph will result in traffic delays. The dates I do not have. Uh just look out for them or you can call the street department to find out the dates that this will occur. Final road topping work and permanent stripping is underway on Ross Dumbar of realignment and on E and B street sidewalks work is 80% completed. That concludes that report. We will now move on to the city garage. The total number of city work orders total 292. The total part cost for all city vehicles total $54,984. Fuel purchases made by city garage for on-site fuel pumps. Unled total cost was $93,123 for a total gallons of 32,055. Uh diesel total cost $32,848 for a total gallons of 8,000. Few cost for unled increased by 50%. It was from $2.18 to $328. Fuel cost for diesel, it also increased

63% from $2.67 to $4.36. Uh, this concludes my reports. Our next meeting will be on April the 14th. That's the second Tuesday. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. Any comment or question regarding this committee report? We've taken up the new business already. Members, we're now ready for mayor and council member comments. And I usually allow you to have comments before I um call on you before I speak. That is, but let me just say this. We heard a lot of passion tonight from members of the Ajax Turner Senior Citizen Center. Uh and that's a good thing. Uh but there are a growing number of concerns and issues uh with the operations of the Ajax Turner Senior Citizen Center. As a reminder, the city owns the building and the city provides nearly 90% of the funding for that organization um in addition to making capital improvements to the building. And it's become abundantly clear to me over the last year and a half that we need to do two things. We need to stabilize the center for the health and well-being of the members of the center as well as the staff. And we need to put the center on a long-term plan for success. Those can only be achieved, I promise you, by moving the operations of the center under parks and recreation department. Not unprecedented because other communities in our state have a senior center as part of their city government. I'll share more information with you about all of the issues that are going on. I've informed the board of directors several weeks ago and met with them countless times to try to iron out some of the issues, but I've notified them of our intent. This is an operational, administrative, and management decision. And I'll be meeting with the employees and the members of the center over the next two to three weeks, which should dispel some of the deliberate misinformation that some of these members are being given. I don't fault those five members who stood up here tonight. what I do is fault the person that's causing the division and I will address that with them. So just wanted

you to know for the record this is not going to be a diversion of resources taking away the senior center. It will ensure that that senior center, the Ajax Turner Senior Citizen Center sustains and survives all of us. Thank you. Councilman Clunch, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I just wanted to say that Captain Black Metton and uh, Lieutenant Duke at District 1 went above and beyond this past week after hours communicating with me and my crazy emails at 2 o'clock in the morning, as well as Mr. David Smith was with with an issue in a a ward over by me, responded on the weekend, and Mr. Mark Riggins, who also responded to me on the weekend. Uh, so sir, I appreciate what you just said, but also we've got some great people in this city working to make it better 24 hours a day. Pick up the phone. They will respond. They will address issues. This is not a 9-to-five job. There are people, and I would argue that all of us as well will answer the phone and heed the call at any time. And I just wanted to say thank you to those individuals that specifically help constituents in my ward, but also the constituents of everyone's ward and all the work that we or that everybody else does. That's all I have, sir. Thank you.

Well said. Councilman Smith, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd just like to make this announcement. Uh several people has been coming up to me asking me, am I running for mayor? That everywhere I go, are you running? Have you announced it? Uh what are you going to do? Well, I'm going to let everybody know that I am running for Clarksville mayor. Um, I believe that people should be first. Progressive leadership should take control in a good way for a better Clarkville for all to live in. So, yes, I officially announced that I am running for mayor on on March the 21st at the Hilton Garden Inn during my team meeting. Wonder for mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Any more comment or question? That completes our business. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Without objection, we are adjourned. See you Monday at the special session.