Questions about the Mayor’s Qualifications, A feud over land, the definition of a meeting, and the disposal of dangerous chemicals were all packed into one Blue Ridge City Council Meeting on October 6, 2015.

The Mayor informed the council that the potential land sale of 1/10 of an acre to Mr. Jim Sisson is currently “at an impass”. The property in question is on Summit Street is currently leased to the Swan-Drive In and backs up to Mr. Sisson’s property. Mr. Sisson has been using the property for deliveries. The Swan Drive-In was informed of the potential property sale and asked the city to lower their current lease of $500 a month. The operation of the drive-in will not be affected by the land sale.

The tone of the room got progressively more heated throughout public discussion time. First the council heard from Brenden Walsh with Lehigh development, who gave the council a presentation on a mixed-use development project his company is designing for Blue Ridge, 50 & 209 Main Street (formerly the Temple Baptist Church). Mr. Walsh’s plan is currently unable to begin construction because of the current development ordinances restrict buildings to have only 4 loft per buildings, which can only be on a floor above ground level. Mr. Walsh suggested residential units be at any level or have no restrictions on the number of units in a building. He also suggested keeping the current ordinance of having 2 parking spaces per building. He asked the council to focus on ordinances that will promote a walkable community and a sense of place.

Brenden Walsh of Lehigh Development Gives a Presentation to the council of development-friendly ordinances

Elma Ettman, with the Friends of the Mineral Springs Walking Trail, was unable to attend, but did leave a letter requesting to set up a non-profit organization to take care of the park. Councilwoman Thomas suggested buying a sign for the walking trail at Church Street and Mineral Springs Road, so it can be easily identified.

Mr. Ron Long with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway also spoke on several issues regarding the depot. First he spoke about safety issues such as the lack of a ramp inside. People have fallen down the steps and Mr. Long urged the council to act upon this issue or perhaps risk a lawsuit. Mr. Long also complained about the traffic problems on Roberts Way and requested the council blockade it off, in order to ensure the safety of pedestrians, motorists, and their trains. Lastly, Mr. Long spoke about a wagon the city has put up near the depot, which he suggested be blocked off to prevent people from climbing on it. Mayor Donna Whitener assured him that there will be extra hay put on it to deter people from climbing on it.

Lastly, Mr. Patrick Crain once again came before the council and asked for Mayor Donna Whitener’s removal because of violating state law and would continue to speak at every meeting until an investigation was launched into the matter. Mayor Whitener asked him would she have been able to run for re-election if she wasn’t qualified and pointed to Mr. Thomason who “spent a lot of time trying to disqualify me the last time. He spent thousands and thousands of dollars in our last election, thanks to Mark Thomason, and they didn’t disqualify me then”,according to the Mayor. Whitener also asked Mr. Crain to produce a copy of any statues broken by her that may disqualify her for office. Mr. Crain was unable to produce the list and insisted he would be back by day end. Mr. Crain had not produced evidence by the end of the day. FYN is unaware if any evidence has been produced by Mr. Crain.

The Council also approved revising the Meeting Rules of Procedures to make 2 meetings per month instead of a workshop and a meeting every month. This will let the council approve more items during the month.

The council looked at several quotes during the meeting. First was a mechanical aerator for the waste-water treatment plant. Lanier Contractors were the highest bidders at $83,000 because they were sub-contracting out electric work. Oliver Electric was the mid-range bidder at $65,000. Oliver Electric has been used before by the city. The lowest bidder, R-W Contractors, bid $46,000 and has also done some work for the city. The Council decided to table approval of a bid until more detailed quotes could be obtained.

A new bid from Judge Weaver for Appalachian Pretrial Probation Program contract was also explored during the meeting. The mayor was concerned with the lack of community service being preformed, so she suggested going with Judge Weaver. Some positives of using Judge Weaver’s services are it keeps money in Fannin County. A negative, however, would be that probation services would be under two entities for a while. The council decided to table the bid until all council members were present.

The city also heard bids for snow plows. The most expensive bid was for a Ford F-150, which, the city does not own. The SnowDogg snow plow was the lowest bid at $3,200 and fits the current fleet of trucks. The Council approved the SnowDogg.

The city shop currently has old paints, chemicals, and weed killers that need disposing, so waste disposal was bid out to Tri-State Government Services of Chattanooga for $7,800, the higher bid, but the city is able to make payments on it.

Rhonda Thomas excused herself from a vote approving a bid for propane between Appalachian Propane and Ferrellgas, since she is related to an employee of Appalachian Propane. Appalachian Propane was the lowest bidder at $0.98 per gallon for the city, $1.18 for city employees, and Ferrelgas bid $1.29 per gallon for the city and $1.39 for city employees. The council approved Appalachian Propane’s bid for propane.

The last bid was an agreement to service pumps at the sewer plant. The council decided upon Monumental Equipment to service the sewer plant pumps.

The Council also discussed a filing for a grant from Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to help fund the storm-water drain project from the area around Country Stitches to the dry creek bed. It would cost $8,000 to file the grant and the grant will give 20% forgiveness on the cost of the storm drain. The application does have a deadline of December. The council decided to table the application until they can conduct a further review of it.

The Council began the process of approving several new ordinances, including one that will annex the Lake Blue Ridge Marina into the City of Blue Ridge. The Marina would be zoned as C-2 (Medium Commercial). The city also looked at a new solar ordinance, which will allow for “solar farms” to harness solar energy in the city. The ordinance will also provide structure for regulating solar power in Blue Ridge. The city also looked at the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget and the millage rate, which is planned to remain at 5.772 mils. All were first readings and were approved for a second reading.

Lastly, the council approved of April 29, 2016 being Cross Country Flag day in Blue Ridge in honor of Pastor Walter McGill, who completed a cross-country journey on foot on April 29, 2015.