Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
November 19, 2009
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Council Members David Fussell, David Bennett Sandy Gothard, Catherine Kelley, City Attorney Bill Pickering, and City Clerk Dana Driver.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Dennis Eischeid
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 October 15, 2009 were approved as submitted.
FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RESOLUTION – FEMA representative Daryl Walker addressed the Council on the topic of adopting a resolution to make flood insurance available to residents. The city would make an application to FEMA, pass a resolution of intent to participate and enforce a floodplain management program, and adopt floodplain management regulations. The Mayor and the Council took the matter under advisement for future consideration.
LOOKOUT FOR SMART GROWTH – Gail Bryan thanked the Council for not taking any action on the PUD ordinance until the comprehensive plan is finished.
FRANK BROCK – Mr. Frank Brock appeared before the Council as a follow up to his previous request by letter that the Council approve a Comprehensive Plan and appropriate zoning by the end of December, 2009 that would allow the proposed retirement community, Chapelbrow, to apply for zoning. Mr. Brock explained that the option to purchase the property for the proposed Chapelbrow project expires in January, 2010. Realizing the actions requested previously are not realistically possible by the end of Dec., Mr. Brock also stated that he would be looking at other properties outside the city limits that could be suitable for Chapelbrow. A copy of his prepared statement is attached to these minutes.
ELECTION – Mayor Gifford congratulated Mayor Elect Bill Glascock and incoming Councilman Blair Ramey on their election in the November 3, 2009 municipal election. The Mayor and Mayor Elect Glascock are already working on the transition. The new term will begin January 1, 2010. The Mayor also thanked Jane Pickering, Dana Driver, Nancy Ahmadi and Patti Holmes for their outstanding service, hard work, and long hours to insure a smooth and fair election.
TOWN CENTER UPDATE – Mr. Scott Maclellan and his architect
and Mr. Rick Thompson of Artech presented an update on the Town Center which included showing renderings depicting the proposed building elevations and site layout. The plan had been presented and well received by the Municipal Planning Commission. Mr. Maclellan verbally requested any zoning changes required to move forward. The Mayor advised the lawyers would prepare an outline for the next step to move the project forward.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS - Mayor Gifford stated that the comprehensive plan process will continue under Mayor-Elect Bill Glascock. He thanked Councilman Sandy Gothard for his work as head of the Steering Committee. Councilman Gothard said the draft Comprehensive Plan will be sent to the Steering Committee as soon as possible by the Walker Collaborative. After review by city officials, there will be a final public hearing in January prior to the final plan being presented for approval by the City Council.
FLINSTONE SEWER SYSTEM – The Mayor announced that the City has received $450,000 of the $533,000 needed for the restoration of the Flintstone sewer system. The Council approved a resolution authorizing and approving Mayor Gifford City Clerk Dana Driver as authorized agents to execute respective grant forms and submit an application on its behalf to the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. A copy of this resolution is attached hereto the minutes. The Mayor and City Attorney Bill Pickering are working with Covenant College and Dade County officials to prepare a required Intergovernmental Agreement.
REAPPOINTMENT TO MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION – The Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Beth Soloff to the Municipal Planning Commission and thanked her for her outstanding contribution to the commission.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT- Copies of the current storm water activity and sewer report were distributed to the Council a copy of which is attached.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) The Mayor announced that the Workers Compensation carrier has gone bankrupt. He proposed that the City go back to the GMA Workers’ Compensation Fund. The Council approved a resolution for the City to join the GMA Workers Compensation fund.
2) The Mayor announced that the City has applied for FEMA relief funds in the amount of $24,403 for the sewer department and $6,865 for public works. The funds will be used to replace a main station pump and a broken culvert.
3) Councilman David Bennett thanked the Council for the contribution to the Lookout Mountain Joint Recreation Board for the Fairyland School playground renovation. He reported that the old playground at Fairyland School will be demolished December 14 and the new playground will be installed December 21.
4) The Stocking full of Love campaign was a success in its first year. $2,425 was collected in cash and check donations as well as toys and non-perishable food items. The Stocking Full of Love was sponsored by the Walker County Sheriff’s office and over 1,500 Walker county families will be assisted.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver
City Clerk