Clarksville Town Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026
Clarksville Town Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026
The Clarksville Town Council held a work session followed by a regular meeting on August 18, 2026. The work session covered six items including an Eagle Scout service project, a proposed food and beverage tax, a rental property inspection program, a landfill transfer station trial, a major development presentation (Main and Clark), and a notice of deficiency for a taxpayer agreement. The regular meeting included approval of consent agenda, a second reading of the fire hydrant fee ordinance (passed 4-3), and new business items including contracts for sewer void detection, natural gas, road improvements, surplus vehicles, and a new fire engine purchase. Special recognition was given to Rick Barr, outgoing Building Commissioner.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of July 21st (with corrections) and August 4th (with correction to clarify first reading only).
- Approved claims of the town (current and pre-written, wastewater sewage, bonds, grants, payroll).
- Approved acceptance of minutes and placement on file. All approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A member of the public questioned the need for a $5 annual rental registration fee, stating property tax records already identify owners. Town staff explained that tax records lack contact information and that the fee helps identify out-of-town owners and third-party managers.
Discussion Items
- Lapping Park Eagle Scout Service Project: Logan Conklin, a ninth-grade Scout from Troop 4010, proposed refurbishing trail signage at Lapping Park. Total project cost $3,000; he requested $1,500 from the council. Council members expressed strong support, praising his initiative.
- Food and Beverage Tax: The town manager proposed a 1% food and beverage tax to fund capital improvements, estimated to generate revenue for roads, sidewalks, parks, and municipal facilities over 20 years. Council members debated the need, noting recent fee increases (trash pickup, fire hydrant fee). Council President decided to pull the item from the agenda for further public discussion, moving it to the September 1 meeting.
- Rental Property Inspection Program: Staff recommended removing the inspection component due to state restrictions that limited effectiveness, but keeping the registration component ($5/year) to identify property owners. Council member Munich argued the program was a violation of privacy and that he had documented proof of coercion. Rick Barr defended the program, stating it was designed to improve housing quality, and accused Munich of having a conflict of interest due to family involvement with rentals. Public comment opposed the $5 fee. No vote was taken; discussion only.
- Clark County Transfer Station Trial: Public Works reported results of a two-week trial using the Clark County transfer station instead of the Clark Floyd Landfill. Drivers strongly preferred the transfer station due to cleaner conditions, safety, and shorter driving time. Estimated net cost increase after fuel and tire savings is about $16,380 annually ($13/trip). Staff recommended trying it for one year; council indicated it will come back for a vote at a future meeting.
- Main and Clark Development Presentation: Corey and Kyle Hain (Cornerstone Group) presented a mixed-use project at Main and South Clark Boulevard: 85,000 sq ft, 67 apartments, ground-floor commercial space (14-20 units), total project cost ~$21 million. They requested a TIF pledge of up to $4.6 million to cover a $3.8 million gap. The project received state redevelopment tax credits. Council had questions about parking and the building's height relative to the Colgate clock; answers satisfied concerns.
- FGP LLC Notice of Deficiency: FGTB LLC (owner of The Bend apartments on Greentree Road) overpaid property taxes by ~$400,000 due to early assessment after certificate of occupancy. They are requesting forgiveness of a $239,392 deficiency notice for the 25 pay 26 tax year only. No vote; discussion for future action.
- Fire Hydrant Fee Second Reading (Ordinance 2026-G15): The ordinance shifts the cost of fire hydrant maintenance from the town to property owners (approx. $4.02 per month for a 5/8-inch service). After debate, the ordinance passed 4-3. Council members emphasized that the vote was not against firefighter support but about prioritizing other budget cuts first.
- Approval of General Services Contract with Project GPR: Contract for ground-penetrating radar to detect voids along a new sewer line on North Clark and Lincoln Drive, where 14-15 failures have occurred. Cost $32,000. Approved unanimously.
- Constellation Natural Gas Agreement: One-year contract locking in a rate of $4.03 per unit. Approved unanimously.
- Origin Park Entrance Interlocal Agreement with Clark County: Agreement for the town to maintain and improve a county-owned road section near Origin Park. Includes receipt of $53,500 from the county and a paving contract with Libs Paving. Approved unanimously.
- Surplus Vehicle Ordinance (Resolution 2026-12): Declared three surplus vehicles (one 25 years old, two 15-16 years old) for disposal to save maintenance and insurance costs. Approved unanimously.
- Authorization to Purchase New Fire Engine: Approved purchase of a new fire engine from McQueen for not to exceed $975,000 (including $25k contingency), funded in part from TIF funds. Approved unanimously.
- Transfer Ordinance (2026-BUD04): Amended the current year budget to reflect actual spending, including reallocations for vehicle purchases and debt payments. Passed first and second reading unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Logan Conklin’s Eagle Scout project: Council expressed strong support; no formal vote but direction to proceed with funding.
- Food and beverage tax: Pulled from agenda; will be discussed September 1.
- Rental inspection program: No action; discussion concluded without a motion.
- Clark County transfer station: Staff will prepare a formal proposal for a future vote.
- Main and Clark development: Council received information; a bond ordinance will be considered at a later meeting.
- FGP LLC deficiency: Will be brought back for a formal vote by both the council and redevelopment commission.
- Fire hydrant fee (Ordinance 2026-G15): Passed 4-3 on second reading.
- Project GPR contract: Approved.
- Natural gas agreement: Approved.
- Origin Park interlocal agreement: Approved.
- Surplus vehicles: Approved.
- Fire engine purchase: Approved.
- Budget transfers: Approved on both readings.
- Rick Barr recognition: Council thanked him for his service and contributions to the building department.
- Fire department recognition: Council commended the firefighters for their professionalism and maintenance of equipment.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, and I'd like to go ahead and call uh to session our Clarksville Town Council meeting this evening. We're gonna start off with our work sessions, but before we do that, I ask that everybody rise and say our pledge with us, please. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. We have about six items this evening for our work session, and uh go ahead and kick that off with item one uh Lapping Park Eagle Scout Service Project. And I believe John Bowlington is here this evening, who serves on our parks and is going to introduce. Welcome, John. Thanks. This young man is um Logan Conklin, and he came before our parks board here a week ago. And um Lapping Park for however many acres that that um is out there. Um there's a lot of trails out there and a little bit of disrepair, just age, wear and tear of um the signage that we've got, and Mr. Logan's come up with a good plan of how to refurbish that, and he is uh what year are you now at high school? Ninth grade. Ninth grade. So when he is with the uh Scout Troop 4010, is that correct? Over here in Clarksville. And um, so I think um we're gonna provide some materials. I think that he might need. I know he's looking for a little more cash and fusion. I think there's gonna be some uh private donations as well. So with that, I think Logan's got a presentation he's gonna show you. Welcome. Thank you. Hi, my name is Logan Cochran. I'm working on my Air Scout project for two 4810 tried by the town of Coxo. I am fixing wrapping park trail signage. An Eagle Scout is a major community service project planned developed and read by the Scouts. I want to give back to the community and develop my relationship scores too. I chose this project because I've enjoyed rapping park my entire life. I also accomplished my joy my hike there. I was attending the Farsay rights, and I also appreciate an amphitheater. We are I also named the meadow at my sister. I also named the subclear, and I also attended some works for camps there. After the park board approval, I am currently on phase five, which is fun amazing. I hope to complete the project in the fall of 26 year. Here are the current signs. The total cost is $3,000. Park department is helping with ghetto to move supplies, storage for the materials, and water for concrete. I am asking family, friends, and my scout families for money. Tonight, I'd like to ask the council for $1,500 to support my project. Thank you for your time. I hope you support my project. I would I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have. So many. Thank you so much. I think the signage looks great. I think you're right. That that is a little bit overdue, so to put that out there would be very good for our parks. Does anyone have any questions at this point? I used to run back in that park all the time, so I think that's a great project.
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