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Record of Proceedings

Clarksville City Council Regular Session – May 7, 2026

City Council — Thursday, May 7, 2026
BodyClarksville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

I've been a lifetime member of our Ajax Turner Senior Center for 13 years.

0:06

And one of my concerns for speaking to y'all is we've been waiting and waiting and waiting for somebody from city government to come and speak to the members only at our center to let us know what's going on and for the very the reasons behind for parks and recs taking over our center.

0:36

Ajax Turner's been a nonprofit this year's 61 years.

0:43

We've been operating under a nonprofit for for that length of time.

0:50

And our members are worried that the future of changing this now when everything's been working up until this point for that many years.

Unassigned speaker

1:02

And

Speaker 1

1:03

there's been a long list of uh violations been given to New Channel 5.

Unassigned speaker

1:08

And

Speaker 1

1:09

if I'm not mistaken, the way I understand it is we work off a lease from the city of Clarksville.

1:17

So and the way I look at it and the way I was raised, uh when I see something like that, it says uh I think the city being that's their building and we lease

Unassigned speaker

1:29

it

Speaker 1

1:29

are responsible for repairs in that uh in that in that building.

1:34

And some of the violations that are listed, the city maintenance actually done those repairs.

1:42

So that's kind of on on the on the side there that just doesn't make a lot of sense.

1:48

And it shouldn't be the expense of the Ajax Turner Center to have to do those repairs because it's a city owned building.

1:57

And the very last thing I want to bring up is about our members.

2:09

That covers a lot of uh a lot of our seniors.

Unassigned speaker

2:13

But

Speaker 1

2:13

I'm gonna point out one individual group, and a lot of them are in this room today.

Unassigned speaker

2:20

I

Speaker 1

2:20

don't know if any of y'all know anything about pool or billiards, as they call

Unassigned speaker

2:25

it,

Speaker 1

2:26

or your older your relatives didn't know anything about

Unassigned speaker

2:30

it.

Speaker 1

2:31

But uh when I came there in uh 2013 before they built the new edition, which was

Unassigned speaker

2:45

a

Speaker 1

2:45

2.5 million dollar addition paid for by the city under the Ms.

2:52

Kim McMillan's leadership.

2:55

And that that building itself was built strictly for a senior center, the way it was designed and set

Unassigned speaker

3:04

up.

Speaker 1

3:05

But uh getting back to the pool thing and billiards, myself and Mr.

3:11

Ed Poston come there in 214 or 213.

3:16

A year later, we got with all of our members in that room, and we decided that as members, and this is the kind of members you have there, that we would take donations

Unassigned speaker

3:30

up

Speaker 1

3:31

to help the center pay for that uh

Unassigned speaker

3:36

for

Speaker 1

3:37

the pool tables repairs and set so forth.

3:42

But uh since then

Unassigned speaker

3:46

we

Speaker 1

3:46

took in enough money that uh for 12 years, the center didn't have to take any money out of their budget to take care of that room.

3:59

It cost somewhere between 900 and a thousand dollars per table in that room.

4:07

We've got eight now to just put the felt the cover that you shoot

Unassigned speaker

4:14

on

Speaker 1

4:16

thirteen hundred dollars if you have to replace the rail rubbers that the balls hit.

4:24

So that lets the the center take the money that's in their budget to use in other areas of the center rather than

Unassigned speaker

4:32

to

Speaker 1

4:33

have to worry about that room.

4:36

Six of those tables in there probably if you had to do the replacement on

Unassigned speaker

4:42

them,

Speaker 1

4:43

uh, would be somewhere around 28,000.

4:47

Six of those tables these members bought and donated to our 5013 C Center.

Speaker 2

4:53

Mr.

4:53

Pulley, your five minutes is up.

4:55

Thank you, sir.

Speaker 1

4:56

I thank y'all very much.

Speaker 2

4:57

Next bits.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

Y'all have a blessed afternoon.

Speaker 2

5:01

Thank you.

5:01

Next name on my list is Mr.

5:03

Ross St.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Procedural█████████10%
Transportation Safety████████9%
Parks and Recreation███████8%
Public Safety██████7%
Community Engagement█████6%
Affordable Housing███3%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Public Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Clarksville City Council Regular Session – May 7, 2026

The Clarksville City Council met on Thursday, May 7, 2026, beginning public comments at 5:30 PM and calling the formal session to order at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at 106 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. Mayor Joe Pitts presided, and the meeting adjourned at 9:38 PM. The agenda identified the meeting as a Regular Session, while the approved minutes refer to it as a Special Session. Public testimony focused heavily on the Ajax Turner Senior Center and on first-responder pay in the FY27 budget.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gilbert Pulley, a 13-year member of the Ajax Turner Senior Center, said the center has operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for 61 years and that members are worried about Parks and Recreation taking it over. He argued the city, as owner of the building, should be responsible for repairs, and he described member fundraising that covered pool and billiards table upkeep for 12 years.
  • Ross St. Louis said the FY27 budget proposal did not do enough for police and firefighter pay. He cited Clarksville’s population as 176,456, with starting pay of $57,712 for non-POST-certified police officers and $44,000 for fire cadets, compared with Hendersonville, Tennessee (population 63,091) at $61,025 for police and $51,940 for fire cadets. He stated that first responders deserve more.
  • Jill Turner Crow, daughter of Ajax Turner, said her family made a large financial gift to the city more than 30 years ago with the expectation that the center would remain a nonprofit 501(c)(3). She criticized Mayor Pitts for terminating the center’s lease by registered letter with 90 days’ notice, without city council approval, and called on him to reverse the decision, seek council approval, and work with a new board.
  • Rita Allsop said the center has more than 1,400 members, including people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and serves three hot meals a day. She asked the council not to close the center as a nonprofit at that location and said the mayor had entertained complaints rather than directing them to center management.
  • W.L. Burnett, a former council member, said the center has money in the bank and no bills, and he requested time for an audit and for answers about why the change is being pursued.
  • Lois Greider said the center’s budget was under $900,000 compared with the mayor’s stated figures of $1.3 or $1.6 million. She raised liability concerns about city-run adult daycare, warned that grant-purchased furnishings would leave with the nonprofit, and asked the council to help establish a functioning board.

Special Recognition

  • Mayor Pitts presented a Mental Health Awareness Proclamation to Tennessee Voices. Representatives Lesika Edwards, Veronica Williams, and Robin Ochoa described the Intensive Care Coordination program, which serves ages 0 to 21 across Tennessee.

Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearings

Councilman Streetman moved the council into public hearing at 6:11 PM; the council returned to regular session at 7:34 PM.

  • Ordinance 51-2025-26 (Z-57-2025): CGH Properties requested a zone change at 1182 Rossview Rd from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial. The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) recommended approval. Grayson Smith spoke in favor; Chris Guinn spoke against, citing traffic and unknown commercial uses. The council adopted first reading by an 8-5 vote.
  • Ordinance 58-2025-26 (Z-2-2026): Infinity Investment, LLC requested a zone change on Seven Mile Ferry Rd from R-1 to R-3 Three Family Residential. The RPC recommended disapproval. Ricky Reda and Billy Lange spoke in favor; Jeff Fletcher and Virgil Nunn spoke against. A motion to postpone to the June Regular Session failed 4-9, a motion to cease discussion passed 9-4, and first reading passed 8-5. Council members cited contradictory street department statements, possible infrastructure improvements, and resident safety concerns.
  • Ordinance 72-2025-26 (Z-12-2026): Richard Garrett requested a zone change at Trenton Rd and Hayes St from R-1 to O-1 Office District. Staff recommended disapproval, but the RPC recommended approval. Garrett and Billy Lange spoke in favor; no one spoke against. First reading passed 13-0.
  • Ordinance 73-2025-26 (Z-13-2026): Raul Lozano requested a zone change on Center Rd from RM-1 Mobile Home Residential to R-4 Multiple Family Residential. The RPC recommended approval. Jalee Ramos spoke in favor; no one spoke against. First reading passed 13-0.
  • Ordinance 74-2025-26 (Z-14-2026): KNW Investments requested a zone change on Marion St from R-3 to R-6 Single Family Residential. The RPC recommended approval. Kevin Doss spoke in favor; Ladell Jones and Giovanni Marshall spoke against, citing neighborhood character, traffic, parking, and infrastructure concerns. First reading failed 5-8.
  • Ordinance 75-2025-26 (Z-15-2026): Paul Richard Pinkstaff requested a zone change on Fantasy Ln from R-1 to R-1A. The RPC recommended approval. David Blessing spoke in favor; Stephanie Fullertson, Denise Dudley, and Jacob Hambrick spoke against. First reading passed 9-4.

Consent Calendar

Councilman Smith moved to adopt the consent agenda, and Councilman Holleman seconded. The motion passed 12-0. The consent agenda included:

  • Ordinance 65-2025-26 (second reading): Batson-East Land Company’s request to rezone Edgewood Pl from AG Agricultural to C-5 Highway and Arterial Commercial.
  • Ordinance 70-2025-26 (second reading): City of Clarksville’s request to rezone Frosty Morn Dr and Red River St from M-2 General Industrial to PUD Residential. Councilmen Peters and Smith asked that “no” votes be recorded on this item, although the roll-call tally for the consent agenda was recorded as 12-0.
  • Resolution 58-2025-26: Certificate of Compliance for wine sales at Wawa #7015, 1290 Parkway Place.
  • Resolution 59-2025-26: Appointments to the Adult Oriented Establishment Board, Arts & Heritage Council, Common Design Review Board, Fire Board of Appeals, and Tree Board.
  • Resolution 63-2025-26: Certificate of Compliance for wine sales at RaceTrac #2550, 1810 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.
  • Adoption of minutes from April 2, 2026 and April 6, 2026.

Finance Committee

  • Ordinance 67-2025-26 (first reading): Authorized eminent domain for utility easements and rights-of-way. Passed 11-1, with Councilman Peters voting no.
  • Ordinance 68-2025-26 (first reading): Approved conveyance of city real property to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Museum. Passed 11-0.
  • Resolution 55-2025-26: Authorized an interlocal agreement with Montgomery County for utility relocation at Rossview Rd and Rollow Ln. Passed 11-0.
  • Resolution 56-2025-26: Authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Clarksville Arts & Heritage Development Council. Chairman Streetman explained it relates to an IRA statue to be placed at the L&N train station. Passed 12-0.
  • Resolution 60-2025-26: Initial resolution authorizing not more than $42,500,000 in general obligation bonds. Passed 12-0.
  • Resolution 61-2025-26: Authorized issuance of the bonds, bond anticipation notes, terms, and related tax levy. Passed 13-0.

Committee Reports

  • Neighborhood & Community Services (Chairman Joe Shakeenab): Announced the May 13 Appalachia Service Project Tornado Recovery New Home Dedication at 1321 Cedar St, with 13 homes completed; a May 13 public input meeting on the proposed $400,000 CDBG-funded acquisition of 1485 Golf Club Lane; the first meeting of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Joint Housing Advisory Committee on May 27; an Opportunity Zone 2.0 briefing at Austin Peay State University on May 27; and a July 8 faith-based housing education cohort.
  • Parks & Recreation (Chairman Brian Zacharias): Announced Downtown Market opening May 9 and running Saturdays through October 3; the 50+ Games on May 11; and seasonal hiring opportunities.
  • Public Safety (Chairman Keri Lovato): Announced the promotion of Scott Jackson to fire captain, the retirement of Engineer Scott Weiss after 29 years, a May 15 United Way hot dog lunch, a May 9 motorcycle safety event, a May 16 STAT class, and a teen C.P.A. class beginning in June. Building and Codes reported 2,785 inspections, 574 new code enforcement cases, 40 abatement work orders, and revenue of approximately $342,000.
  • Transportation-Streets-Garage (Chairman Wanda Smith): Reported April transit ridership of 42,254 fixed-route riders, including 8,719 seniors riding free, and 5,155 paratransit riders, for a total of 47,409. City Garage reported 365 work orders, an unleaded fuel price increase of 14.6% to $3.76 per gallon, and a diesel price decrease of 9% to $3.96 per gallon.

New Business

  • Resolution 57-2025-26: Councilman Chandler sponsored a resolution requesting the Regional Planning Commission to study Title 11, Chapter 11, Section 11.11 (amendments affecting the same parcel of land) and return an ordinance for council consideration. Chandler argued the council should be able to reconsider zoning cases before the 12-month waiting period. Councilman Streetman opposed, noting the current rule already requires a three-fourths vote to revisit a case and that in the past five years the request had come forward only seven times, with three requests passing and only two cases ultimately passing on a second attempt. The resolution failed 5-8.
  • Ajax Turner Senior Center discussion: The city attorney asserted attorney-client privilege due to threatened litigation, and the council voted 13-0 to enter closed session at 8:56 PM. The council returned at 9:30 PM. A motion to consider discussion regarding the Ajax Turner Senior Center, which required a three-fourths majority (9 votes), failed 7-5. Because that motion failed, Councilman Chandler’s separate discussion item was not considered.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted first reading for zoning ordinances 51, 58, 72, 73, and 75; Ordinance 74 failed on first reading.
  • Approved the consent agenda, including two second-reading zoning ordinances, two wine-sale certificates, board appointments, and the April 2 and April 6 minutes.
  • Approved all finance committee items, including the $42,500,000 general obligation bond authorization.
  • Rejected Resolution 57 regarding a Regional Planning Commission study of the zoning reconsideration rule.
  • Declined, by a 7-5 vote, to hold discussion on the Ajax Turner Senior Center.
  • The meeting adjourned at 9:38 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I've been a lifetime member of our Ajax Turner Senior Center for 13 years. And one of my concerns for speaking to y'all is we've been waiting and waiting and waiting for somebody from city government to come and speak to the members only at our center to let us know what's going on and for the very the reasons behind for parks and recs taking over our center. Ajax Turner's been a nonprofit this year's 61 years. We've been operating under a nonprofit for for that length of time. And our members are worried that the future of changing this now when everything's been working up until this point for that many years. And there's been a long list of uh violations been given to New Channel 5. And if I'm not mistaken, the way I understand it is we work off a lease from the city of Clarksville. So and the way I look at it and the way I was raised, uh when I see something like that, it says uh I think the city being that's their building and we lease it are responsible for repairs in that uh in that in that building. And some of the violations that are listed, the city maintenance actually done those repairs. So that's kind of on on the on the side there that just doesn't make a lot of sense. And it shouldn't be the expense of the Ajax Turner Center to have to do those repairs because it's a city owned building. And the very last thing I want to bring up is about our members. That covers a lot of uh a lot of our seniors. But I'm gonna point out one individual group, and a lot of them are in this room today. I don't know if any of y'all know anything about pool or billiards, as they call it, or your older your relatives didn't know anything about it. But uh when I came there in uh 2013 before they built the new edition, which was a 2.5 million dollar addition paid for by the city under the Ms. Kim McMillan's leadership. And that that building itself was built strictly for a senior center, the way it was designed and set up. But uh getting back to the pool thing and billiards, myself and Mr. Ed Poston come there in 214 or 213. A year later, we got with all of our members in that room, and we decided that as members, and this is the kind of members you have there, that we would take donations up to help the center pay for that uh for the pool tables repairs and set so forth. But uh since then we took in enough money that uh for 12 years, the center didn't have to take any money out of their budget to take care of that room. It cost somewhere between 900 and a thousand dollars per table in that room. We've got eight now to just put the felt the cover that you shoot on thirteen hundred dollars if you have to replace the rail rubbers that the balls hit. So that lets the the center take the money that's in their budget to use in other areas of the center rather than to have to worry about that room. Six of those tables in there probably if you had to do the replacement on them, uh, would be somewhere around 28,000.

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