“It all depends on local leadership determining and doing all that needs to be done to make Ringgold a better place,” session facilitator Jack Talley said. “This is a collaborative effort to get leaders to come together.”
Talley worked with the group to compile a list of strengths, weaknesses and issues needing to be pursued.
Of the 15 issues brought forth by the process, the leading two are the completion of the Depot restoration project and solving the city’s traffic woes.
Some other issues voted upon are protecting the historical integrity of Ringgold, beautification of the city, creating a unique economic position and re-routing U.S. 41 around the city.
A compilation of the results of the strategy session will be provided by the Department of Community Affairs to city manager Dan Wright.
Leaders will have the opportunity to serve on committees to help pursue a way to address these issues and improve upon them.
The Ringgold City Council will continue looking at whether to become part of the Better Home Town Program, which could open up additional opportunities for grants and assistance in improving the city.
The Better Home Town Program is a self-help community development program for small cities designed to improve the community’s quality of life through sound planning and implementation by community stakeholders.
The program utilizes a four-point approach to community revitalization: policy, design, economic development and marketing.
Last week’s strategy session laid the groundwork for Ringgold’s possible implementation by reviewing the interest of community leaders.
In other business at the July 9 City Council meeting:
* Council voted unanimously to consider a storm water problem at Welcome Hill Baptist Church a civil matter. Councilman Bill McMillon made a motion. Councilwoman Martha Denton seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to meet at 5:30 p.m. July 10 to inspect a clean-up complaint at 35 Cedar Street. Councilman G. Larry Black made the motion. Councilman J.B. Petty seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to approve low bid of $1,562 for installation and materials for the upstairs hallway of City Hall. Petty made a motion. McMillon seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to begin the local-options sales tax negotiations. McMillon made the motion. Black seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to spend $2,000 for an engineering study for Moccasin Bend sewer option. Petty made the motion. McMillon seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to table an update on smoke testing and camera work for sewer lines. Black made the motion. Petty seconded.
* Council voted unanimously to have a town hall meeting to inform the public about the new trash removal system. Petty made the motion. Black seconded.
The next meeting of the Ringgold City Council is July 23 at 7 p.m. at City Hall
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