Commissioners Jim Bentley, Walker Jones, Brooke Pippenger and Carol Mutter were sworn in
photo by Barry Parker
Newly elected officials were sworn in by Town Judge Flossie Weill Tuesday evening at the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission meeting. All commissioners were re-elected after running unopposed. The commissioners then voted unanimously for Carol Mutter to continue serving as mayor and she appointed Jim Bentley as commissioner of fire and police, Walker Jones commissioner of public works, Mayor Pro Temp Brooke Pippenger commissioner of parks and recreation and Don Stinnett as commissioner of schools and treasurer.
Brian Smith will continue serving as town attorney and clerk, and Dwight Montague as town consultant and assistant treasurer. Chief Randy Bowden was re-appointed to chief of fire and police, town marshal and building and plumbing inspector.
Everyone has worked together so well, said Mayor Mutter, that she would like for positions to remain the same.
Two members of the school board are retiring, Susan Probasco and Sherry Pollock. Jim Hailey remains on the board with two new members, Haven Glascock and Karen Welborn.
Attorney Smith has rewritten an ordinance in order to eliminate short-term vacation rentals from the town. Any single-family detached dwelling unit cannot be rented in part or entirely on a daily or weekly basis for less than 30 days. The restrictions do not apply to hotels, or bed and breakfast establishments. The ordinance must now go to the Regional Planning Agency for review and approval. The mayor said their recommendation is not binding - the commissioners will be allowed to make the final decision.
Mr. Montague reported that another company has shown interest in building a cell tower on the mountain after the last proposal fell through. Gulf State Towers from Fairhope, Ala. has offered to pay a $2,400 base price and $1,000 for each additional antenna. In their lease, however, the company would tie up the property for up to two years while they secure providers. Commissioner Bentley warned the council to do due diligence on the company. A representative has been invited to the October commission meeting.
Commissioner Bentley said that golf carts have been causing problems, with close calls of two accidents while children were driving them. In Lookout Mountain. Tn. the law requires that the carts are licensed and have mountain stickers. Drivers must be at least 16 with a valid driver’s license and everyone must wear seat belts. The commissioner is notifying residents that the police will be enforcing this ordinance.
Problems continue at Sunset Rock. On Labor Day, 35-40 cars were parked on both sides of West Brow Road completely blocking the street so that first responders could not get through before the police cleared the way. If any resident on the street is planning a party, they are asked to notify the police ahead of time that cars will be parked there.
Chief Bowden prepared statistics from the fire and police departments for the month of August which showed there were 98 police calls and 5,578 miles patrolled. Response was made to 19 burglar alarms, all false, eight assist citizen calls and 18 calls to 911.There were 17 traffic stops made during the month and two auto accidents. Two thefts occurred - both were entering cars. There were 10 medical calls and three fire alarms were answered, two false and one kitchen fire with minimum damage.
A lot of homes in the town are not marked well, which makes it difficult for first responders. Chief Bowden is requesting that residents make sure house numbers are clearly visible. He also read a letter of praise and thanks from a family in Georgia who the Tennessee police have helped multiple times. He said it is nice to hear, especially at this time.
The commission voted to apply for a TDOT grant with an 80/20 match for building streets and roads. The town would like to put a sidewalk along Watauga to the school. Commissioners Pippenger and Jones were appointed to handle the details and make a decision on behalf of the board about whether to move forward with the project. The outcome will be reported at the next meeting.
In the financial report, Mr. Montague said the town’s money is now earning interest after being moved. Revenue from parking and the Incline are continuing to increase showing that tourism is doing well. The last election cost the city $4,300, and the summer librarian at the school was paid $2,000.
In the absence of Commissioner Stinnett, Principal Ruth White gave the school report. She thanked Chief Bowden and the police and EMTs for being available whenever needed around the clock. Police manage the car-pool lines daily and are now helping to set up the LMS Carnival that will be next Tuesday with the rain date of Sept. 22. Coupon books sales have started and will continue until Sept. 23. Students who sell the most will become king and queen of the carnival. The school keeps $7 of the $10 cost of the books and will use the money for technology. Science teacher D’Arcy Hughes also spoke of the advantages her students have due to contributions of equipment and help provided by the town and involved parents.
Brush pick-up will be slow until the carnival is over because the public works department is also helping with the put up and take down at the Commons, said Commissioner Jones. The next time the dumpster will be on the mountain is Saturday, Oct. 1. The gates will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wrestling for 3rd-6th grade starts Nov. 9 and ends Dec. 13 with a tournament, said Parks and Playgrounds Commissioner Pippenger. Flag football will replace tackle football this year for 3rd-5th grades; sign-ups are currently taking place. Girls can participate in this sport. Ms. Pippenger said the town had contributed to a fund for Joe Wilson’s family. He was very active in the sports community in both Lookout Mountain, Ga. and Tn. and she said his unexpected death was a great loss.
T
he town’s personnel policy was revised on first reading of the ordinance that deals with how sick leave is handled for employees. The town will provide a short-term disability policy for each employee and will increase their salary by the cost of the insurance. Employees will be required to participate. Benefits would kick in after an eight-day illness and would pay 60 percent of their regular salary. The insurance company would have to determine if the person is capable to work eliminating the difficult decision being made by the commissioners. Mr. Montague believes the cost can be covered by changes that are being made to save money with the medical insurance renewal.
Mayor Mutter recognized King Jemison for participating in mission work in Cuba. She also stressed the importance of supporting the small businesses on the mountain. The business owners would like to add signs that would make the stores more visible.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission will be Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.
Judge Flossie Weill gives oath to new school board members Haven Glascock and Karen Welborn
photo by Barry Parker