The Lookout Mountain, Ga., town center project that has been a source of slow development is seeing some progress, officials said Thursday night.
The city is moving forward with surveys for development. At the advice of Councilwoman Beth Soloff, the city will hire an owner’s representative to oversee the construction process from inception to completion. The council approved this initiative and the appropriation of SPLOST funds up to $15,000 to do this.
Mayor David Bennett gave a SPLOST update stating that there is presently $303,000 of funding left during the 2014-2019 period. More SPLOST funds will come throughout the coming fiscal years. Some of the items the city has budgeted SPLOST funds for are a new garbage truck and new fire truck. Mayor Bennett also suggested the city consider using some of those funds for long term planning for development.
Councilwoman Taylor Watson reported that the Georgia Municipal Association has lines of credit for cities wanting to purchase large equipment such as a new fire engine.
She is pursuing avenues other than SPLOST funds for the purchase of the new fire engine. She also announced the city’s new fire and police manual highlighting all of the policies and procedures has been put in to place and approved.
The council passed on second reading ordinance 296 pertaining to portable storage containers and ordinance 297 restating the sewer ordinance in its entirety. In the sewer report Jimmy Campbell sewer board chairman, said he has finished his three-year term and is rolling off. The council thanked him for his years of service and volunteer time.
The next regular meeting of the city council will take place Thursday, Aug. 18, at 5:30 p.m.