Clarksville City Council Regular Session - June 4, 2026

The Clarksville City Council held its regular session on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, four first-reading zoning ordinances, a consent agenda with pulled items, and several finance committee items. Key outcomes included the failure of a high-density residential zoning change and an employee leave benefits ordinance, and the adoption of a resolution reducing the minimum fund balance policy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shirley Ghoering spoke in support of the Senior Center, thanking Mayor Pitts for his commitment and leadership, and emphasizing the center's importance to senior citizens.
• Lenore Erekson criticized the city's debt and capital project management. She noted that the city borrowed $50 million a year ago and $73 million more in October, arguing that borrowing for operational expenses increases interest rates. She claimed only 4 of 58 announced capital projects have been completed, and that spending on most projects is below 10%. She urged the council to provide adequate revenue and vision, suggesting selling Mason Rudolph Golf Course to fund infrastructure.
• Ross St. Louis argued that budgets for police and fire departments are insufficient, citing a recent missing child search that took eight hours despite great effort. He noted CFR had 1,816 calls in May, 65% first responder. He said pay for first responders is too low compared to other cities (starting pay $10,000–$15,000 less), and urged a gradual, smart increase.
• Jimmy Phillips questioned why the city subsidizes Swan Lake Golf Course at over $600,000 per year. He cited low revenue at Mason Rudolph ($66,000 average over 3 years), poor management (driving range hours, no grass hitting), and asserted Swan Lake has not made a profit in 20 years. He asked the council to review operations.
• (Mary Pagano did not appear; Chris Lanier rescheduled to July 2.)

Discussion Items

Planning Commission Public Hearing and Zoning (First Readings)

The council considered four zoning changes from the Planning Commission, all moved to approval by Councilman Streetman as required by legal counsel. The public hearing ran from 6:05 PM to 6:19 PM.

• Ordinance 71-2025-26 (Casey & Beth Brown Community Property Trust): Rezone from C-3 to C-5 on Merchants Blvd. No public comments. Passed unanimously (13-0).
• Ordinance 79-2025-26 (Marvin Pitts): Rezone from M-2 to C-5 on Kraft St. No public comments. Passed unanimously (13-0).
• Ordinance 82-2025-26 (Tonya Bosley): Rezone from R-1 to C-5 at Rossview Rd & Bosley Ln. Jeff Parnell, the real estate agent, spoke in favor, arguing it is needed for a daycare and retail center near a school; he stated the property is over 4 acres on a state highway near an interstate interchange. Councilman Streetman opposed, citing C-5 allows too many uses beyond daycare and that residents near Ward 10 do not want heavy commercial. Councilman Shakeenab supported it, saying constituents want convenient commercial. Councilman Chandler opposed due to traffic concerns (150 children, 5–6 stores). Councilman Smith supported, noting no citizens spoke against and a daycare is needed. Passed (9-4). (Streetman, Chandler, Claunch, Holleman voted no.)
• Ordinance 83-2025-26 (Todd Morris): Rezone from M-1 to C-5 on Industrial Dr. Stanley Ross spoke for the applicant, saying it aligns with the area's trend (a recent similar rezoning nearby) and is less intensive. Councilman Brown supported, noting the buildings are new and the area is no longer industrial. Passed unanimously (13-0).

Consent Agenda

All items were routine and non-controversial except two that were pulled.

• Passed as a whole (13-0) with the following councilmembers registering no votes on specific items: Councilman Peters on Ordinance 51, Ordinance 67, and Resolution 67; Councilman Smith on Resolution 62 and Resolution 67.
• Pulled Item B: Ordinance 58-2025-26 (Infinity Investment, R-1 to R-3 on Seven Mile Ferry Rd). Councilman Claunch pulled it, citing overwhelming resident opposition and traffic concerns. He argued it would add ~80 homes (originally ~42) and that $400,000 price is not affordable. Councilman Holleman opposed high-density growth, linking it to the upcoming 33% tax increase. Councilman Streetman clarified the traffic assessment is grade E (failing), not F as he previously stated, and still voting no. Councilman Chandler noted that without rezoning, the developer could still build 40 homes but with fewer improvements. Failed (6-7).
• Pulled Item G: Ordinance 75-2025-26 (Paul Pinkstaff, R-1 to R-1A on Fantasy Ln). Councilman Holleman argued it is “finger zoning” leading to higher density; a resident provided an appraisal showing current value assumes subdivision into two R1 lots. Councilman Streetman explained R1 already allows three lots (flag lots), and R1A allows three side-by-side lots with no density increase. Passed (11-2). (Holleman and Shakeenab voted no.)

Finance Committee

• Ordinance 74-2025-26 (Parking violations and parking commission repeal): Sponsor Councilman Shakeenab argued the current parking (enterprise) system is failing, after three years on the commission. Councilman Marquis proposed an amendment adding accounting and annual reporting sections. After lengthy procedural motions (postpone to July, then to August, reconsideration, etc.), both the Marquis amendment and the main ordinance were postponed to the August 2026 regular session (final votes 13-0 on each).
• Ordinance 76-2025-26 (Employee leave benefits): Would increase annual leave, sick leave, bereavement, maternity leave, and add a holiday to improve recruitment/retention. Councilman Lovato opposed due to unknown overtime costs and an HR step for bereavement. Councilman Streetman supported the vacation accrual changes but planned to amend to remove the added holiday. Councilman Marquis said separation data is incomplete (quits vs. firings vs. retirements). Councilman Brown suggested lengthening the three-year vesting to five years if it passes first reading. Failed (6-7). (Chandler, Claunch, Haywood, Lovato, Marquis, Peters, Smith voted no.)
• Ordinance 77-2025-26 (Donated property at 0 Jack Miller Blvd for housing): Passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution 65-2025-26 (St. Thomas Hospital Economic Impact Plan and TIFF): Councilman Marquis amended to set aside 20% of the city's TIFF allocation into a fund for future maintenance, repair, and capital improvements of public infrastructure. Councilman Brown expressed concern restricting funds to only that development. Marquis then amended her amendment to broaden to “public infrastructure” generally. Adopted unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution 66-2025-26 (Reduce minimum fund balance from 20% to 17%): Councilman Streetman argued it would reduce the needed tax increase from 31 cents to 25 cents. Councilman Chandler opposed, saying it is premature before the budget is finalized. Adopted (10-3). (Chandler, Pitts, Smith voted no.)

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 58-2025-26 (R-1 to R-3 on Seven Mile Ferry Rd) FAILED (6-7).
• Ordinance 76-2025-26 (Employee leave benefits) FAILED (6-7).
• Ordinance 74-2025-26 (Parking) and its Marquis amendment POSTPONED to August 2026 regular session.
• Resolution 66-2025-26 (Fund balance reduction) ADOPTED (10-3).
• All other zoning changes and resolutions PASSED.
• The council also received department reports from Neighborhood & Community Services (Opportunity Zone, faith-based housing cohort), Parks & Recreation (Fitfest, Summer Night Lights, hiring), Public Safety (building inspections, police/fire retirements and promotions), and Transportation (CTS ridership, fuel costs).
• Mayor and council members made closing comments including recognition of the city clerk, discussion of racial demographics (Councilman Holleman’s controversial remarks sparked rebuttal), and a statement of unity by Councilman Haywood.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.