Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
December 17, 2009
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Vice Mayor Dennis Eischeid, Council Members David Bennett, David Fussell, Catherine Kelley, City Attorney Bill Pickering, Police Chief Wallace Taylor and City Clerk Dana Driver.
ABSENT: Sandy Gothard
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 November 19, 2009 were approved as submitted.
MOUNTAIN SECURITY CAMERAS - The Mayor informed the Council of a plan to add security cameras at the 5 exit points on both the Georgia and Tennessee sides of Lookout Mountain. Chief Bowden of Lookout Mountain, TN has asked us to join TN in this effort. The cameras would be used for security purposes only with very limited access through the two police department chiefs. The Town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee has tentative commitments for the estimated cost of approximately $50,000 through private donations to cover the costs of installing the cameras. The cameras will have a small, monthly maintenance cost. David Fussell seconded Catherine Kelley’s motion to approve the concept of adding the security cameras and all present unanimously approved the motion.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS – The draft comprehensive plan has been received from the Walker Collaborative and copies have been distributed to the City Council and the Steering Committee. The Mayor stated that the draft plan will be posted on the website before Christmas. Mayor-elect Glascock and Councilman Sandy Gothard will schedule a public meeting in January, 2010.
TOWN CENTER UPDATE – The Town Center is moving forward with the City and Mr. Scott Maclellan. Mr. Maclellan has requested the necessary zoning changes to accommodate the plans presented.
FLINSTONE SEWER SYSTEM – The Mayor informed the Council that the three attorneys for the City of Lookout Mountain, Dade County Water Authority and Covenant College have been working on the required Intergovernmental Agreement, needed for the additional funding for the Flintstone sewer renovation project. Once funding was approved and renovations completed, the City would assume ownership of the Flintstone sewer system. The documents should be ready prior to the end of the year and after review and discussion with City Attorney Bill Pickering, it was moved and passed to allow the Mayor to sign the documents with any minor modifications approved by Mr. Pickering.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT. The final annual report to the EPD will be submitted in January, 2010. Copies of the current storm water activity report and sewer report were distributed to the Council, copies which are attached.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) Councilman David Bennett read a letter to Mayor Gifford, a copy which is attached, for his diligent, hard work to the City. Mayor Gifford thanked the citizens, employees and the City Council for their support throughout his years as Councilman and Mayor.
2) Mayor Gifford asked for a motion to approve a salt spreader for the new dump truck in the amount of $5,720.00. The Mayor obtained three bids and SPLOST would pay for the new spreader. Catherine Kelley seconded a motion made by Dennis Eischeid to approve the new spreader and all voted unamimously in favor of the new salt spreader in the amount of $5,720.00.
3) There will be a called meeting on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. to swear in Mayor Elect Bill Glascock and newly elected City Councilman, Blair Ramey.
4) Mayor Gifford presented a memorial resolution honoring the dedicated and respected work of John Tallman, who reported the City Council and Planning Commission meetings for the Mountain Mirror. Catherine Kelley seconded Dennis Eischeid’s motion to adopt the resolution and all members present were unanimously in favor. A copy is attached.
5) Mayor Gifford presented a resolution honoring the many years of dedicated service Dennis Eischeid provided the City serving as a member of the City Council, Police Commissioner and Vice Mayor. David Fussell seconded Catherine Kelley’s motion to adopt the resolution and all members present were unaminously in favor. A copy is attached.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver
City Clerk