Lookout Mountain, Ga., is getting closer to finally having a town center. At a special meeting tentatively set for Oct. 1 at 5:30, a Request for Proposal will be discussed “to get the ball rolling.”
The town has a plan for the property in front of city hall. The land along with the design will be sold to a developer, officials said.
Several years later, the city hopes to replace the city hall and fire hall.
Because the latest assessments lowered real estate prices in Lookout Mountain, Ga., the city faced a loss of $9,600 in property taxes from the amount received last year. To make up this loss, the city council voted Thursday night, on first reading, to increase the millage rate .04 percent. With this move, the city will have no loss of revenue, and will receive an additional $267.
Preparations are being made to update zoning in the town that was last done in 1983. To be in compliance with state rules, a procedure was adopted that most cities in northwest Georgia follow. Because the town has 650 undeveloped acres, a system that makes zoning fair needs to be in place.
City Judge Buddy Presley addressed the council to inform of a change needed to the city charter. Now the maximum fine limit is $500 for code or ordinance violations. He would like to increase that amount to not exceed $1,500. Contempt of court fines now are a maximum of $50. He has proposed to increase that to an amount not to exceed $1,000. For other fines the city would adopt the schedule used by the state.
In his report, City Manager Brad Haven said it is now possible to pay fines and property taxes on the town’s website. He said he is in the process of applying for grants to be used for parks and green spaces. He also hopes to have roads restriped soon. One sewer pump has been replaced, he said, and another has been purchased for $23,000 as a back-up. Finances are in good shape with over $40,000 now in the grinder pump repair fund.
Chief Todd Gann read the August statistics from the police and fire departments. During the month 3,001 miles were patrolled, 10 traffic stops made, four citations and eight warnings given. There were six traffic accidents and assistance was given to eight motorists. The department responded to a combination of seven fire and burglar alarms, and investigated four suspicious vehicles/persons. There were 12 medical and four fire calls during the month and assistance was given to seven citizens. There were no thefts, arrests or burglaries. The speed limit is 25 M.P.H. on all roads on the mountain except on Lula Lake south of Marvin Lane where it is posted as 35. Upon recommendation of Chief Gann, the council voted to lower the speed limit in that area to 25 as well.
Council member Caroline Williams reported on events at Fairyland Elementary School. She said that Music on the Mountain had a record attendance and raised close to $50,000 for the school. The Great Pumpkin Chase on Oct. 1 is an event to involve children with fundraising with a goal to raise $20,000. Last year the PTA paid $124,000 toward staffing the school. This year Walker County was asked for financial help, which resulted in money for the school to use for art and music as well as some administrative expenses. It also paid part of the cost of hiring an additional teacher. The money that the county helped to save the PTA will be put toward the technology program.
Principal Jeremy Roerdink told the council that Fairyland Elementary, which was ranked number 20 out of 200 elementary schools in Georgia last year, is always looking to improve. A new initiative is being planned as a place to give children a place to experiment and become thinkers. This project is an Aquaponics program that will involve building a floating greenhouse on the pond in front of the school to create a symbiotic environment where fish help sustain plants. The principal said $125,000 is needed for the greenhouse dome, five iPads with temperature and humidity sensors, and a dock. The campaign is off to a good start, he said, having already received $15,000.
To honor the Lauralwood Garden Club’s 50th anniversary, the club will plant 50 trees on the mountain. The annual fundraiser of making and selling Christmas decorations for mailboxes uses hemlock branches as a base. These trees are being attacked by the Hemlock wooly aldegid. The club would like to plant Cryptomeria, which could be used for the wreaths, sycamore, oak and maple trees. Susan Phillips from the club asked the city for recommendations of places to plant them.