Minutes of the
CALLED MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
January 21, 2008
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Council Members Dennis Eischeid, Catherine Kelley, Daniel Pettway, Sandy Gothard, Ray Seipp, City Clerk Dana Driver, City Attorney Bill Pickering, and Chief Wallace Taylor.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gifford called the meeting of the City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1214 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular meeting held on December 20, 2007 were approved as submitted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the called meeting held on January 9, 2008 were approved as submitted.
LAND USE PLANNING/FAIRYLAND SHOPPING CENTER: The mayor called the meeting to order and introduced the topic of discussing the idea of future land use of commercial property for the City.
Scott Maclellan, owner of the property where the Mountain Market stood, spoke about his plans to develop a new “Fairyland Plaza” that would incorporate all of his property and the city’s property if available. His conceptual plans would include a market/grocery store, retail space, office space, and possibly restaurants and living spaces as well. He confirmed that he is definitely willing to pursue purchasing the City’s property in the commercial area as part of his development.
Matt Stovall, a landscape architect with Barge Waggoner who has worked with the City on the Pedestrian Pathway for the past several years, was asked to present his views on the best way for the City to proceed. He advised he thought this would be an excellent opportunity to develop the “heart of Lookout Mountain” or a town center. He encouraged the Council to consider hiring a firm that specializes in localized town planning.
Bob Franklin, a local architect, urged the council as well to develop a “sense of place”. The Council would develop an RFP once a firm was selected. The key is to have everyone participate to achieve the end result.
The mayor invited comments from the public which included:
· Making sure the local government was a part of town square planning.
· The city look at the whole land use planning not just the town center.
· To find a firm that specializes in small towns that specialize in towns fewer than 5,000 in population.
· Any plan must show financial feasibility to become a reality.
The council agreed to do their “homework” between now and the next meeting and have some items to report.
1st READING OF ORDINANCE FOR STATE & CABLE FRANCHISE FEES – City Attorney Pickering read in its entirety an ordinance to obtain a 5% franchise fee for any cable company that chooses to go the state route as opposed to a local route. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, the ordinance was approved and adopted on first reading.
APPOINTMENT OF MARIAN HARRIS AND WARREN HUDSON TO
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – Mayor Gifford stated that Warren Hudson and Marian Harris current terms on the Board of Zoning Appeals had expired and that both had agreed to serve another term. The motion was made, seconded and approved to renew the terms of Mr. Hudson and Ms. Harris to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT WALKER COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN - As requested by Coosa Valley Regional Development Center, a resolution was passed approving the Walker County Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Management Plan for the years 2007 – 2017.
PATHWAY UPDATE – Councilman Pettway reported that good progress is still being made on the pathway. Kleenco is slightly behind due to weather delays but is still scheduled for the first week of February. The pathway project also is under budget at this point. He also reported that the intersection of Lula Lake and Red Riding Hood will now become a 3 way stop. There will also be a marked crossing at the stop to connect the pathway from one side of Lula Lake to the other.
STORMWATER REPORT– Catherine Fox, our storm water consultant, filed the City’s 2007 annual storm water report to the Georgia EPD. Copies of the current storm water activity report were distributed to the Council. A copy of which is attached.
MAYORS REPORT
1) The mayor reported that the new police car has been purchased for $17,446.00. The council approved the purchase and the additions to the police car for a total of up to $21,500.
2) Mr. Eddie Francisco has withdrawn his request for the portable restaurant he was going to put on the sight of the Mountain Market.
3) Absentee voting will begin Tuesday, January 22, 2008 and continue with advance voting the week of January 28, 2008 leading up to the Super Tuesday election of February 5, 2008. The Lookout Mountain GA City Hall is a designated voting location for this election.
4) 15 tons of salt have been used on the roads so far. 45 tons of salt are still left. The road crews have been hard at work salting the roads. The mayor thanked and praised the road crews’ efforts.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver