A new plan to ensure the safety of children getting to and leaving Fairyland Elementary has been put in place. It was developed by the new “safety committee,” comprised of council members Taylor Watson and Caroline Williams, Police Chief Todd Gann, the vice principal of the school, Buddy Presley, and several residents. Cars will no longer be allowed to park along Cinderella waiting for students. Instead, children can be picked up at city hall where there is ample parking.
Children who walk to and from school from the neighborhood will go down Rock City Trail toward Cinderella where an officer will be stationed. To slow traffic on Lula Lake, laws pertaining to speeding, running stop signs and using cell phones will be strictly enforced and drivers ticketed. There will also be four solar powered speed signs and new radar equipment purchased.
The school year started two days ago and the new traffic controls surrounding the school have been working really well, said Chief Gann. There are 290 children enrolled this year and the staff is strong at every grade level, said Council member Williams who is also the new PTO president. Aquaponics is now a class for all students with a dedicated teacher.
Statistics from the fire and police departments for the month of July show 2,990 miles patrolled, 60 traffic stops were made and there were 45 citations and 39 warnings given and six auto accidents. Police gave assistance to eight citizens, six motorists and to the Lookout Mountain Police on five occasions. There were five fire calls and 14 medical calls during July.
An ordinance that allows home sharing was passed in September 2017 with a two-year sunset provision. It requires that the homeowner must remain in the home with the guests. There have been no problems since it has been allowed. The council voted to make the home sharing ordinance permanent. One new applicant, Teresa Hubbard who lives on Rock City Trail, was approved.
The town currently does not have an ordinance dealing with brush. The council voted to have City Attorney Bill Pickering draft one that will be ready by the next meeting. It will regulate the size of brush piles, separating leaves and brush and the size of branches, among other things. Debris and trees cleared by professionals will have to be removed by the company that cuts them and, if homeowners put limbs and leaves at the street, placement will need to be away from utility boxes, meters and gas lines. The intent of the ordinance is to create efficiency in clearing the streets and it will provide a way to enforce violations.
Community volunteer Jimmy Campbell has been continuing to work on the town’s comprehensive plan which includes connectivity with trails and pathways. He has found two state funded grants that could provide $500,000 if both are received. One grant is for trails and sidewalks and the other is for stewardship of land and environmental protection. It could be used for parks and playgrounds. Each grant is capped at $200,000 and would require a 20 percent match from the town. The town would contribute $50,000 for each. There is a possibility that local foundations could provide the town’s matching funds. Mayor David Bennett said the council is committed to building trails and will decide if to submit the grant applications at the September council meeting. The town itself will undertake continuing a sidewalk along Lula Lake Road from Wood Nymph to Rock City Trail at the cost of $57,100.
The first sewer bills sent out by the town should be arriving at homes this week and so far there have been no glitches, said Wes Hasden. He said if homeowners do have questions, they should call the phone number for city hall that is printed on the bill. The expense of setting up the billing system will be paid for by an additional 90 cents per month on each sewer bill. If the direct deposit option is chosen for payment, that resident will receive a one-time credit of $25.
An issue with swimming pools is also being addressed by the sewer board. Whenever a pool is drained and when it is backwashed, the water should be discharged into the sewer, not into a yard or the woods, which is a violation of state laws and local ordinances. Chemicals in pool water kills all vegetation and wildlife in any stream it contaminates.
In the near future, the town will have to decide whether to update the 20-year-old sewer pumping station by repairing or replacing it. Mr. Hasden said the town would spend more on a new one but there would be less maintenance and newer technology. A consultant will help to determine the best way to proceed.
Mayor Bennett said the asbestos remediation at the Sims property has been problematic. Only one company submitted a bid to do the work. The cost of up to $62,000 was approved and the work should begin in two to three weeks. A lien will be put on the property for the cost incurred by the town for demolition.
A Tag Team from Covenant College will be working with residents of the town to create a plan for better communications between the government and citizens, Mayor Bennett told the council. He also reported that the town center plans are on schedule. Work is being done at the church in preparation for the town’s employees to relocate when construction of the town center begins.