Mayor Tom Gifford told the Lookout Mountain., Ga., City Council members on Thursday the Town Center plan is moving forward, on schedule even though it is never as fast as he desires. He said officials are moving away from planning and development to begin cost estimates. He said he is also working with the state on financing options.

Chambliss & Bahner attorneys have requested that both parties involved in the redevelopment, Maclellan Properties and the city of Lookout Mountain, Ga., sign a letter of understanding that both parties are being represented by the firm and the firm cannot nor will not become proactive toward one party against the other.

Council members passed a motion for the mayor to sign the agreement of joint representation with the understanding that the City Council reserves the right to obtain additional counsel if ever deemed necessary.

Also, the mayor said he has spoken with EPB about their substation that is within the redevelopment area and could infringe on some of the plans. They were very cooperative, he said, about moving the substation and said that new technology will reduce it to two 10-foot square areas, perhaps in two separate locations.

Mayor Gifford, reading from the monthly stormwater and sewer report, said the city has boosted dioxide levels this summer to control odors. Also, the backup sewer pump that was purchased recently has been installed and is operational, if needed.

Councilman Daniel Pettway asked the mayor to consider sending a letter to residents reminding them about what is allowed to be flushed into the sewer system. Grinder pumps are failing due to inappropriate items being put into the system, he said. The city charges for repairs whenever inappropriate items are found to be the cause of failure.

Mayor Gifford said that Councilman Raymond Seipp has resigned his position to accept a job in Pennsylvania. He said he personally feels a sincere sense of loss to the council and to the mountain. He asked council members to send him their recommendations to replace Mr. Seipp. The council will vote on a replacement. The mayor will only vote in the case of a tie.

In other business, the council approved a business license for Cazabba, Inc. Cazabba is a home-based web design business at 1420 Wood Nymph Tr.

Mayor Gifford said he was pleased that the SPLOST initiative was passed by a large majority in the recent election even though only 134 voters went to the polls. That represented fewer than 14% of registered voters.

Mr. Pettway told the council that the new pathway lighting installation has been completed after a two-month wait for parts. EPB will be turning them on very soon he said.

Joe McGinness was reappointed by the council to another term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The mayor reported that he sent a letter and has talked with the owners of the house who have been offering short-term rentals of the residence online. Short-term rentals of residences are not allowed within the city. The owners were very accommodating and asked to allow the current renters to stay until their agreement ends at the end of July. The mayor said he consented and, beginning in August, the residence will only be offered for long-term rental and leasing.

Golf carts on city streets are still illegal, the mayor said, but one resident has purchased an LSV (low-speed vehicle) that resembles a golf cart and is legal on roads in Georgia and Tennessee. These vehicles can achieve speeds of 25 mph and will be allowed on streets with speed limits up to 35 mph. They are equipped with seat belts, turn signals and headlights. Tags, titles, insurance and decals are required.

The mayor told the council he desires an online database of all city ordinances. He has discussed this with City Attorney William Pickering. Mr. Pickering reports that a proper electronic version of a city code book could be created by his law firm for $3,500 to $4,000. The council approved a motion to enter into an agreement to have this done for a price not to exceed $4,500.

The mayor welcomed vice mayor Dennis Eischeid back to the council. Mr. Eischeid had been away for medical reasons.

Dana Wilbourn
dbwilbourn@yahoo.com