Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
May 21, 2009
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Vice Mayor Dennis Eischeid, Council Members David Bennett, Sandy Gothard, David Fussell, Catherine Kelley, Attorney Michael Stewart, and City Clerk Dana Driver.
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 April 16, 2009 were approved as submitted.
THE GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA – Jodi Clark, Cindy Whitaker, and Lollie Jones representing the members of the Garden Club of Lookout Mountain, presented the City Council with the Garden Club of America Club Civic Improvement Award. The Garden Club specifically recognized Daniel Pettway for his leadership, persistence, and dedication to the whole project culminating in our Pedestrian Pathway.
FLINTSTONE SEWER – The Mayor asked the Council for approval to take ownership of the Flintstone neighborhood sewer system which would be at no cost to the citizens of Lookout Mountain, GA. The mayor explained while this is in Dade County, their sewer currently is serviced by Lookout Mtn., GA through the Covenant College system. Due to its poor condition, obsolescence, and resulting infiltration it can put a strain on our pump station. The criteria for the City taking it over are.
- That it be brought to current standards as approved by CTI/City.
- The estimated cost of $500,000 to do this is paid by others.
- The ongoing income stream to operate the system is comparable to Lookout Mt. Ga. residents.
The motion was made, seconded and passed to allow the Mayor to proceed with all legal documents first being reviewed by the City Attorney.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS – The Mayor recommended to the Council to hire Phil Walker of the Walker Collaborative to prepare a completely updated comprehensive plan for the City. The contract is in the amount of $54,970 and does not include the expense of writing new zoning. The Mayor stated that Mr. Walker was the best candidate for developing the plan based on his prior experience working with the City on the Town Center plan and his very positive reception following his review of our existing comprehensive plan and the proposed PUD ordinance.
Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to contract with the Walker Collaborative for $54,970 to develop the city comprehensive plan. The Mayor asked Councilman Sandy Gothard chair the comprehensive plan steering committee.
EXISTING FENCE ORDINANCE – AMENDMENT – The Mayor stated that the amendment to the existing fence ordinance was sent back to the Municipal Planning Commission after City Attorney, Bill Pickering found another correction to the wording to be considered and will be brought back at the June meeting.
DECAL SALES – Decal sales are underway. The cost of a decal will increase to $10 a vehicle on June 1, 2009. Citizens can receive a citation for not having a decal after June 1.
JUNE COUNCIL MEETING – The Mayor announced that the regular Council meeting for June 18 has been cancelled and that a called meeting will take place on Monday, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. A public hearing will be held on Monday, June 15, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the 2009-2010 budget and to consider the 2008-2009 amended budget.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT – Copies of the current storm water activity report were distributed to the Council a copy of which is attached.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) Councilman David Fussell told the Council that EPB is using new street lights that direct downward rather than outward spread. The Mayor asked Mr. Fussell to invite EPB to the July, 2009 Council meeting to make a presentation.
2) Police are issuing friendly warning citations for overgrown grass and cars parked illegally in accordance with our new ordinance prohibiting parking cars in yards.
3) There will be a budget workshop in early Jun. Sales tax revenues are expected to be down by approximately 10%.
4) Vice Mayor Eischeid attended the Walker County Senior Citizens Day which was a great success.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver