Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
July 17, 2008
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Council Members Dennis Eischeid, Daniel Pettway, Sandy Gothard, Catherine Kelley, and City Clerk Dana Driver.
ABSENT: Council Member Ray Seipp, City Attorney Bill Pickering
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 June 19, 2008 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the called meeting held June 27, 2008 were approved as submitted.
APPLICATION FOR A PRIVILEGE LICENSE – Kenneth and Donna McElrath presented a request for a privilege license to operate a web and graphic design business out of their home at 1420 Wood Nymph Trail. There would be no signage outside and no customers would be coming to their home. After discussion and confirmation their business met the city guidelines it was moved, seconded and approved to grant the license as requested.
APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – The Mayor stated that Joe McGinness, Jr. has agreed to serve another term on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The motion was made, seconded and approved to renew the terms of Mr. McGinness, Jr. to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT Copies of the current storm water activity report were distributed to the Council. A copy of which is attached. Mayor Gifford informed the Council that the City would be increasing the use of bioxide to control the increased odor from the summer heat. Councilman Pettway suggested to the Council that the City send a reminder letter to its citizens regarding what can be flushed into the sewer system. The new sewer pump has been installed and is running.
TOWN CENTER PLAN – The Mayor informed the Council that the town center is still moving forward. Mr. Scott Maclellan has contracted with Artech to develop some preliminary plans and building cost estimates. The Mayor is discussing possible financing with the State for the City Hall portion. Chambliss Bahner attorneys have requested that both parties sign a potential conflict of interest waiver letter. Vice Mayor Eischeid made the motion for the mayor to sign an agreement of joint representation between Maclellan Properties and the City of Lookout Mountain, Georgia with the understanding that the City Council reserves the right to obtain outside legal counsel if necessary. Motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
MAYORS REPORT –
1) The Tennessee Dixie Youth state baseball tournament is underway with games being played at Fairyland School ball field.
2) The Mayor announced that Councilman Ray Seipp has resigned from the City Council immediately because of a job transfer to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Mayor expressed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Seipp’s contributions to the City and that he would be greatly missed. The Mayor asked to Council to submit to him recommendations to replace Mr. Seipp. The Council will vote on the recommendations and the Mayor will vote if there is a tie.
3) The SPLOST referendum passed by a large majority in the July 15th primary election.
4) Councilman Pettway informed the Council that the equipment has been installed on the pathway lights and EPB should be turning on the lights in the next few weeks.
5) The owners of a house in Fairyland have agreed to quit advertising the house on the internet as a vacation rental house. The owners will keep their bookings through August 5, 2008 and then will try to secure a long term lease agreement.
6) A resident has purchased an electric LSV as an alternative to a golf cart. These vehicles can go to speeds up to 25 mph. These vehicles are equipped with extensive safety equipment such as seat belts, brake lights and turn signals. These vehicles, when properly licensed and with a licensed driver, can be driven on roads in Georgia where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph. It was pointed out that this is not a golf cart which remains illegal on or crossing any state roads.
7) The motion was made, seconded and approved to put the City’s ordinances into a proper City code book by Chambliss, Bahner with the costs not to exceed $4,500.00. These ordinances would also be available in a PDF format online.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver