Lookout Mountain, Ga., Raises Sewer Rates; Joins In Kudzu Fight

  • Friday, November 21, 2014
  • Matthew Smisson
The Lookout Mountain, Ga., City Council on Thursday night approved an increase in sewer charges.
The council approved ordinance 281 increasing sewer rates to $6 per 100 cubic feet of water from the previous rate of $4.77.  The new increase will be in effect in January 2015. 
 
City Manager Brad Haven said the town will be replacing the flow meter for the pumping station at Chickamauga Trail.  The cost will be $9,858.  Mr.
Haven said the original meter is over 15 years old and has stopped functioning.  The repairs are mandatory and will be done immediately, he stated. 
 
Mr. Haven said Talley Construction wlll begin repairs to Fort Trace in coming weeks.  And Councilman David Bennett announced that the installation of the new street signs will begin in December.
  
Applying for a business license were Beth and Greg McCoy.  They are developing a new restaurant in Fairyland called Lookout Eats and Sweets.  Mr. McCoy addressed the council and gave a brief synopsis of his business model.  The McCoys intend to have a family friendly small restaurant that would serve pizzas, hot sandwiches, and desserts.  He is presently considering the property attached to Fairyland Pharmacy, formerly Dr. Bill Moore Smith’s office, for the location.  The council approved the business license.
 
Also addressing the council were Lori Carter of Lookout Farmers Market and Grace Ratchford of Market Above the Clouds.  They thanked the council for allowing them to use the yard in front of city hall to host their markets.  Ms. Ratchford asked the city to continue to support the markets so that they can continue to create a destination for communal activities.  Ms. Carter requested that the city support the markets with any means possible.  The Lookout Farmers Market takes place every Thursday afternoon and Market Above the Clouds takes place the first Saturday of every month, both at City Hall.   Both markets will continue to take place even during the winter months; the council is allowing them to use the adjacent garage to set up.  Market Above the Clouds will host the mountain’s first chili cook off with Santa Claus present on Saturday, Dec. 6.
 
Robyn Carlton, president of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, briefly told the council of the growing kudzu problem in various parts of the community.  She asked that a representative from the council join a new board on kudzu management that they are developing.  They will have representative on the board from the various garden clubs, city of Lookout Mountain, Tn., city of Chattanooga, and the National Park Service.  Councilwoman Taylor Watson volunteered to represent the city of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
 
City Manager Haven and Catherine Fox addressed the council about the city’s revision to building codes and development procedures.  Their goal is to have all of them revised and a new development fee schedule in place by the end of March. 
 
In Mayor Sandy Gothard’s report to the council he shared that the city’s 6th annual Share Your Christmas Drive and Parade will take place on Dec.1 at 5 p.m.  The police and fire departments along with council members will take to the streets and be accepting donations, unwrapped new toys, and non-perishable foods to donate for Christmas.  They will drive up and down city streets with the fire truck and police vehicles.  Mayor Gothard encourages all citizens to participate as they are able.  He stated that if you would like to donate but are not able to during the parade you can drop by city hall.  If there is inclement weather, the date for the parade will be Dec. 8.
 
The meeting was opened with a resolution adopted by the council in memory of Councilman David Fussell’s dedication to community and its people.  Mr. Fussell passed away in October.  He served on the city’s planning commission from 2005-2008, the city council from 2009-2011 and again in 2013-2014.  Besides his civic duties he was involved in the community in many capacities, such as president of the Fairyland Club and president of the Boys and Girls club of Chattanooga.  The council presented the official copy of the resolution to David’s wife, Sharon. 
 
The next regular meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m.
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