Final plans are being engineered for the structures and a lease is being drawn up for the new cell tower complex that will be built in Lookout Mountain, Tn. At the commission meeting Tuesday night Dwight Montague gave an update and timeline for the project. Once completed, the information will be sent to each commissioner for input. Final drafts of both the design and lease should be ready for approval at the April commission meeting after which both will be released to the bidders.
A bid date will be set for early July along with a sealed bid opening date. The winner will be picked the following day.
The plan has been designed to minimize the visual impact of the 120-foot pole with close mount antennae. Two small buildings will have space to hide the ground equipment for four carriers. These will be built in a linear configuration that sits below and follows the driveway at city hall. The tower will be positioned between the buildings and a wall, constructed of batten siding with mountain stone columns placed in front, will shield them from the ball field and commons.
Of all the invasive plants, kudzu is the one most out of control, Robin Carlton from the Lookout Mountain Conservancy told the commissioners. A “Kudzu Coalition,” including the National Park Service, Rock City, Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain, Tn. and Ga. along with the utility companies that have easements on Guild Trail, has been formed to attempt to eradicate the vine on Lookout Mountain. M. Carlton said if private landowners want it treated on their property the coalition will work with them on an individual basis.
The reason that goats will not eliminate the problem is because for the vine that is visible there is 10 to 15 times what can be seen that is underground. The herbicide used is specific for kudzu and will be sprayed with a high-powered hose that gets to the underside of the leaves where it is absorbed. Spraying will take place at the hottest, driest time of the summer and will require three consecutive years of treatment to get rid of the plants. The town was asked to help identify priority areas, and will be asked to help with the cost when it is known. The association will meet at the Community Foundation on Market Street Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. Brian Smith, town attorney, said there already is an ordinance in place that coincides with the new plan, which authorizes the town to treat kudzu upon complaint.
Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett reported on the activities taking place at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Winners from the spelling bee held at the school in January went to the next level and, of the five winners there, three were students from LMS. They will go on to compete in the Hamilton County regional spelling bee.
Feb. 27 is a big day for the school, he said. Grandparents and Special Friends day will be that morning from 8:30 – 10:30 and Night Out for Lookout will be that night at 6:30 p.m. There will be a silent and live auction and all money raised will go to support the school. The “White Elephant” sale is scheduled for March 6, 7 and 8. He also said the new after school program this year has been successful and a great service to the mountain. The police department was thanked for their presence at the school.
Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley read the department statistics prepared by Chief Randy Bowden. During January, police answered 64 calls, patrolled 5,806 miles, and investigated 17 burglar alarms that were all false. There were 11 calls made to 911, eight calls to assist citizens, and one disorder. There were 11 traffic stops and no auto accidents or arrests during the month. Response was made to nine medical calls and six fire alarms (four that were false and one in a construction trailer), and assistance with one chimney fire in Georgia.
During the last few weeks, the police have recognized residences that have bushes growing into the right-of-ways. He said that letters would be sent to those homeowners to give them a chance to fix the problem areas before the city does it, which will come with a charge.
The new tennis backboard has been received, said Brooks Pippinger, commissioner of parks and recreation, and it will be installed sometime in March. Baseball and softball sign-ups for both boys and girls ages five through 12 will be Saturday, Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at the gym.
Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones said that 1,300 reflectors, which are needed on foggy roads, have recently been placed. Paving on North Bragg Avenue is now complete and repairs to Bartram Road will soon be made. He said there is plenty of salt in reserve in case of icy roads this winter. April 4 is the next time a dumpster will available on the mountain.
In the financial report, Town Consultant Dwight Montague said that both property and sales taxes are ahead of where they were this time last year. The new police vehicle planned for purchase this year has been received and is already in service. A much-needed renovation to the kitchen at city hall was done this month. The new security system for the school has been installed and paid for with help from a $1,200 contribution given by Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham from his discretionary fund.
Mayor Carol Mutter and Commissioner Stinnett recently attended the Elected Officials Academy sponsored by the University of Tennessee, where they learned a lot about increasingly complex municipal governments, said the mayor.
Mayor Mutter reported that The Café on the Corner now has a building permit. She encouraged everyone to patronize businesses that are on the mountain.
The next Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission meeting will be March 10 at 5 p.m.