Councilman Banks Asks Bradley Schools To Dismiss Liquor-By-The-Drink Lawsuit; Fivas Hits The Ground Running

  • Monday, September 26, 2016
  • Gail Perry

The courts have twice ruled in favor of the city of Cleveland regarding taxes generated by the sale of liquor-by-the-drink, Councilman Richard Banks noted at the Cleveland City Council meeting Monday afternoon. Therefore, he made a motion to ask the new Bradley County School Board to dismiss its lawsuit against Cleveland. That board has been seeking to be paid a large portion of the mixed drink tax. Because the money from this tax comes from sales inside the city, it has been ruled that the tax should go to city, not county schools, retroactively as well as in the future.

The council approved the recommendation.

 

Also approved was an amendment to the city’s municipal code concerning open burning. This clarifies the ordinance in order to give the fire department leeway to decide if ceremonial fires such as bonfires or cooking fires should be allowed, and gives them ability to require that a fire be extinguished.

 

After receiving approval from the planning commission to abandon a portion of the right of way located on Harle Ave. N.W., the city council agreed, and approved the ordinance to abandon the designated area.

 

Joe Fivas, recently chosen city manger of Cleveland, gave updates to the city council for plans that he has for Cleveland. He suggested creating a three-year plan with an annual review, of where the city should be heading. He said that a strategic plan is “an important tool to define a mission and to designate resources in a well-thought-out manner.” It will provide a road map from vision to reality without losing track of the goals, he said, as he proposed gathering information from citizen surveys, focus groups, and through council and staff workshops among other things. The council would approve each step, he said.

 

He also gave an update on the downtown Cleveland initiative, but he noted that plan was drawn up 12 years ago. People are interested in what happens in downtown Cleveland because it is “the beating heart and economic engine of the community,” he said. It is one way to bring in a new tax base, and he presented the council with a slide show of examples of what cities of similar size to Cleveland have done successfully.  Repurposing old, abandoned buildings in the downtown areas of those cities is one way they contribute to urban renewal. The work can be paid for with help from historic tax credits and grants, he said. His example for Cleveland was to renovate the old Woolen Mill in order to increase the property’s value. He said that would generate tax increases that could be used to fund other projects.  A team to guide the downtown development is needed, he said, and he appointed Assistant City Manager Shawn McKay to head this team. Mayor Tom Rowland said it is important to learn from the successes of others.

 

Mr. Fivas also reported on his 100-day plan by implementing such items as staff outreach, developing work plans, taking anonymous employee surveys and focus groups. The plan also calls for reviewing the budget process and organizational structure. Just an observation, said Commissioner Banks, “Looks like you’ve hit the ground running.”

 

Items on the consent agenda were approved with a single vote. The council authorized a loan agreement in the principal amount not to exceed $110,418 for wastewater systems projects. The mayor was also given the authority to sign a grant application for the 2017 TML Safety Partners Matching Driver Safety Grant for $10,000, which requires a 50/50 match.

 

Mayor Rowland was given the authority to sign an amendment with the Army Corps of Engineers due to increases for the flood risk management study. A memorandum of understanding with both Bradley County and Cleveland for 911 emergency communications facilities was approved. One new feature this will allow is to back up 911 facilities at the police department in the event they become non-functional.

 

Approval was given to apply for two grants from TDOT for transportation alternatives. One is designated for work on the 25th Street corridor area and the other for the Gaut Street area. The grant money would be used for building sidewalks, and the project on Gaut Street will be given priority between the two areas, if the council has to choose just one.  

 

The council accepted Spring House Road NW and a 700-foot section of Timber Creek Road as city streets.

 

A pedestrian crossing on Adkisson Drive near Cleveland State is planned. Councilman Banks made the suggestion to modify a design that was created for a similar crossing, rather than paying for a completely new design.

 

Three appointments were made for the Greenway Board - Annie Robbins, Dr. William Reynolds and Councilman Bill Estes. Chris Broom and Ryan Stephens were appointed to the HR Committee, and Larry Bryant as an alternate for the Wrecker Board.

 

Issues that will be considered at a later date once all needed information is obtained include consideration of purchasing property at Stuart Avenue NW that could be used for greenway parking. Another issue that will be decided later concerns a fence at 3811 Woodcrest Circle that was on city land when the house at the location was sold two years ago. The city will consider giving the property owner either an easement with conditions or declare it surplus property and transfer it to the property owners. A run-down house at 933 Harle Ave., in the historic district, has been sold and the owner has applied for permits to do renovations, the council was told.

 

The next meeting of the Cleveland City Council was scheduled for Monday, Oct. 10, when city hall will be closed in observation of Columbus Day. That meeting has been cancelled and a special called meeting to discuss just two items has been planned for 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17. The next regular meeting will be Monday, Oct. 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Headlines
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/19/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: AWOLOWO, APRIL 105 EUCLID STREET ATHENS, 373030000 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OVER $1000 BARNETT, ... more

Senator Colton Moore Challenger Hits "An Incumbent Bent On Self-Promotion Instead Of Humble Leadership"
  • 3/18/2024

Angela Pence, a Chickamauga resident who is making a race against 53rd District Senator Colton Moore, said she aims to bring principled, effective leadership "to a district that has gone unheard ... more

Wamp Pushing For Tighter Local Lobbying Rules, Tax Abatement Policies; Bigger Share Of Sales Tax
  • 3/18/2024

County Mayor Weston Wamp spoke to the Pachyderm Club on Monday about the significance of a state basketball title, the need for local lobbying regulations and tightening up on tax abatement policies. ... more