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An ordinance proposed by Alderman Daniel Berry regarding unlawful solicitations was introduced to the board in their first June meeting.

“The proposed amendment to the Tullahoma Municipal Code aims to address and regulate solicitation activities within the city. The need for this amendment arises from increasing concerns about public safety, quality of life, and the overall experience of residents, visitors, and businesses in Tullahoma,” said Berry in a memo. “The city seeks to create a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone by defining and prohibiting aggressive and harmful solicitation behaviors.”

He laid out six points of “Rationale for Specific Provisions” which included Definitions of Aggressive Manner and Solicitation, Prohibition of Aggressive Solicitation, General Solicitation Restrictions, False, Misleading or Harmful Solicitation, Severability Clause and Penalty Provision.

“Implementing these regulations will enhance the overall atmosphere in Tullahoma by reducing aggressive and harmful solicitation practices. Residents and visitors will benefit from a more pleasant and secure environment, which can positively impact local businesses and tourism,” stated the memo. “Moreover, these measures align with the city’s commitment to public safety and quality of life for all its citizens.”

When Berry addressed the board, he said the ordinance was proposed to “help clean up” some recent incidents, emphasizing aggressive manners and false or misleading material.

Alderman Jenna Amacher said she thought it was “gross overreach” for the board. She said she felt it was not the board’s place to regulate private-owned businesses or land. She warned that the city could “end up in another lawsuit” if they kept placing “generalized restrictions” on the city. She further expressed that unless it was specified for city property, she could not be in support of such an ordinance.

Berry said he thought that Amacher had not read the ordinance.

“What this does keep from doing is people randomly walking out in your alleyways or on street corners, running out to your vehicle when you’re stopped, begging for money,” he said.

He said there wasn’t an intention to stop charitable solicitations, such as the Salvation Army, which he used as an example.

Alderman Kurt Glick said he wanted to be sure that the ordinance was not restricting those invited on a property to solicit, and Berry responded that the city could not be involved in that kind of situation.

He made the motion, and Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Mathis seconded. The motion, in its first reading, passed six to one, with Amacher in opposition.

In their second meeting of the month, the second reading was put forward to a vote. Before the vote, Alderman Bobbie Wilson wanted to know if there had been research regarding how the city could enforce the rule. Berry said it would cost more money to do a study than to just enforce the ordinance.

The second reading passed four to one, with Wilson voting against it. Amacher and Glick were not in attendance at the second monthly meeting.