Discussion about what the town center should be, dominated the May Lookout Mountain, Ga., council meeting. The final plan that was presented at a public meeting at the Fairyland Club in April, and again at a special meeting at city hall the following week, was called into question by David Williams, a resident of the town. He contended that since the announcement that The Mountain Market is closing and that residents are more interested in having a grocery store and café than a new building for city hall.
These retail stores would be a destination for walkers and bikers and place for people to meet, he said. He and a few other citizens at the meeting told the council that there needs to be more public feedback on how the estimated $3 million should be spent.
There have been seven to eight years of city council meetings, public meetings and presentations of multiple proposals for building a town center where citizens have had the opportunity to participate and give their opinions, said Vice Mayor Jim Sabourin, who sat in for Mayor David Bennett at the meeting. Wes Hasden, a longtime resident of Lookout Mountain, Ga., agreed, but said the problem is that people do not show up. About 150 people attended the meeting where the latest plan was revealed. A video of that presentation has also been available on the town’s website and has had 220 views.
For the town to shift some of the money allocated for a town hall, to build and own a retail development, as proposed by Mr. Williams, was perceived as a bad idea by all council members present. If that store goes out of business, the city would be holding the mortgage for an empty building, said the vice mayor. Council member Tony Towns noted that the back buildings are in disrepair, so money must be spent on them regardless. Even though the development as proposed, will require no property tax increase, said another resident, it will cost each property owner because the project will be paid from their tax money that could be used for other things.
Vice Mayor Sabourin said the council does not want just a city building, but how to get retail there is the real question. You need a business and a building. "We can have another discussion because we do not want to do something the public does not want. We’re all interested in doing something that will revitalize the city.” He said the town center is the “heart and soul” of the comprehensive plan that is now being developed and should become part of that plan.
Council member Taylor Watson, the liaison to the fire and police departments, asked Chief Todd Gann to give the statistics from the departments for April. Officers stepped up the number of miles patrolled during the month to 3,598 to increase police presence. There were 27 traffic stops made, seven citations and 23 warnings given and two auto accidents. There were 20 alarms that were checked, and 19 citizens and eight motorists were given assistance in April. Four suspicious persons and three suspicious vehicles were investigated. There were no burglaries or thefts. “All is well,” he told the council.
Chief Gann is in the process of purchasing six new radios for the fire and police departments to replace the old ones that have become obsolete. Preliminary plans are being made to create temporary livable space for the fire and police to use if and when construction begins on a new fire hall, said Ms. Watson
An ordinance was passed that gives the town legal authority to demolish old deteriorating, WWII era buildings on what is locally referred to as the Sims property at the corner of McFarland and Fort Trace. An environmental company has been hired to identify asbestos. Bids will then be sought to remove it and clear the property. A lien will be put on the land that the city will recover whenever it is sold.
A vote also approved a preliminary survey of town-owned property that is located between Mark Wardell’s property and the town’s maintenance barn. He has been maintaining it and has asked for the lot that is 88 feet by 176 feet to be deeded to him. After the survey is done, the request will go to the planning committee for a recommendation.
Wes Hasden, community volunteer, told the council that when Northwest Utilities severs the relationship with Lookout Mountain, Ga., the town will take over billing for sewer services. A lock box will be available for residents to use for paying bills. He reported that the sewer board has identified some long past due sewer bills from renters that “skipped out” without paying. There are outstanding bills totaling $26,000-$28,000 that will now be billed to the owners of the properties. It is expected that the town will collect $15,000 of these unpaid bills.
The council members unanimously agreed to participate in the Bee City program for a second year. The programs that organizers put together last year made people aware of the problems and dangers present for pollinators, said Council member Watson. The $100 membership fee to participate for another year was approved.