Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
December 18, 2008
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Council Members Dennis Eischeid, Sandy Gothard, Catherine Kelley, David Fussell, City Attorney Bill Pickering, Police Chief Wallace Taylor 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 November 20, 2008 were approved as submitted.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION – The Safe Routes to School Grant application has been submitted and received by GDOT on December 12, 2008. Funding for this grant should be announced in March, 2009.
1827 LULA LAKE ROAD PURCHASE AGREEMENT–The Mayor requested the Council recommend closing the purchase of the property between Christmas and New Years Day. Motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to close on the purchase of 1827 Lula Lake Road between Christmas and New Years Day or as soon as possible.
1827 LULA LAKE ROAD REZONING ORDINANCE - The Mayor announced that the Public Hearing took place on the proposed rezoning on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. with no negative response from the public. The legal description of the property was not completed so the Council may have a called meeting in early January, 2009 to pass the rezoning ordinance.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT – Copies of the current storm water activity report were distributed to the Council a copy of which is attached. Catherine Fox, the City’s stormwater consultant, will be returning in January, 2009 to complete the City’s annual stormwater report.
WALKER COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE UPDATE – Walker County will now begin operating its own ambulance service starting January 1, 2009 replacing Hutcheson Medical Center which had provided service in the past. The closest ambulance would be located in Rossville which would be better for Lookout Mountain residents.
CITY CLERK PROPERTY TAX RECEIPT UPDATE – City Clerk Dana Driver announced that the City had collected 63% of its property tax revenue to date. City Clerk Dana Driver reported that 63% of revenue has already been collected from property tax receipts. 308 parcels are outstanding. The property tax payments become delinquent January 2, 2009 with a 5% penalty applying in the first month of delinquent taxes.
City Council Minutes
December 18, 2008
Page 2
Ms. Driver reported that at the beginning of 2008, approximately $18,000 was outstanding in delinquent taxes. The mayor and the council thanked Ms. Driver for her continuing efforts to collect delinquent taxes in the current year.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) The City was looking at different options with the updating of the City’s computer backup and network system.
2) Chief Taylor asked the Council to approve the purchase of items for the police department including a digital camera and fingerprinting equipment. This equipment would assist the police department in investigation matters. Motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to Police Chief Wallace Taylor asked the council for $1,551.85 to purchase items to be used for investigation purposes. The items include a camera and fingerprinting paraphernalia that is state of the art. The camera can be used by fire and police officials as well. The council approved a motion to purchase the items.
3) The Planning Commission will be scheduling a PUD workshop toward the end of the year.
4) The city’s Workers Compensation insurance premium has increased for the year. The Mayor and Vice Mayor will be meeting with another firm to possibly change carriers due to the premium increase.
5) The Town Center project is moving with the pieces probably coming together quickly in January.
At the close of the meeting, Bill Chapin appeared before the Council to ask the Council’s approval on exploring the possibility of Lookout Mountain becoming a sister city to the town of Oldenburg, Germany. The Council granted and supported Mr. Chapin’s pursuit.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver