The Lookout Mountain, Tn., Commission is set to choose on Sept. 8 which provider will be allowed to erect a new cell tower on the mountain.
Town Consultant Dwight Montague said engineering drawings have been provided to the two companies competing to build the tower and their comments are due May 28 at which time attorney Jim Murphy will tweak the lease if needed.
The next step will be for the commissioners to give their final approval of both the document and drawings, and on June 11 RFPs will be issued. Sealed bids will be opened on Sept. 7 and a decision will be made at the commission meeting the next day. Because there are no variables with the drawings, the decision will come down to which company offers the town the most money.
Activities at the commons are ready to begin for the summer. “Commons Camp is the best deal in town,” said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippinger at the commission meeting on Tuesday night.
The day camp will be open from June 8-24. Campers can register for the entire summer for $150 or can attend one day at a time. Gwin Tugman is running the program that is more supervised and structured for ages 4-6. The second group, for ages six and up can enjoy the new tennis and sports court.
Signs have been put on the new tennis courts that ban pets and all wheeled toys such as bikes since both can damage the surface. Lights are controlled by an electrical box at each court. A button on the top will light the court for 90 minutes.
Events that will be taking place at the school during the summer were announced by Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett. Lee Cook will open the library for 109 hours. Hours will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club is planning to build a greenhouse at the school, and work will take place on the playground that is funded by the PTA. Camp Invention, a summer day camp enrichment program, will take place next week, headed by teacher Bryan Mann. Mr. Stinnett also wanted to thank Principal Ruth White and PTA President, Michelle Coakley for outstanding jobs this year. Dwight Montague presented a certificate to Commissioner Stinnett for completing the level one course from the elected officials academy at the University of Tennessee.
Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley read the monthly statistics report from the department that was prepared by Chief Randy Bowden. During April officers patrolled 4,205 miles and responded to 84 police calls and 17 burglar alarms that were all false. There were 10 calls to 911 and nine residents were given assistance. During the month, 19 traffic stops were made and there was one auto accident with injuries. Four arrests were made involving drugs and drug paraphernalia and there was one arrest for DUI where a yard worker was struck. A stolen auto reported in March has been recovered. There were two thefts in April. One was an identity theft and the second was a statue taken from the Good Shepherd Church. Paramedics answered 11 calls and response was made to four fire alarms, two that were false, and one was assistance in Georgia for a kitchen fire.
Chief Bowden reported on the success of the U.S. Pro Cycling race up the mountain on Memorial Day. He thanked Chief Fred Fletcher and Sergeant Austin Garrett with the Chattanooga Police Department for providing men and resources. The chief expected to hear traffic complaints, but said he had received none from residents.
Car decals are now on sale. The cost is $5 until the end of May, but on June 1 the price will increase to $10.
Chief Bowden also warned that recently some residents have been approached by workers saying “we can give you a good deal” on seal coating driveways. Shawn Griffin, a legitimate provider, was invited to speak at the meeting in order to alert citizens to be aware of scams.
Walker Jones, commissioner of public works, said that seasonal work is now being done by his department. Potholes are being repaired and shrubbery is being trimmed in areas where it obstructs vision to keep the roads safe for travel. The dumpster will be at the public works building on June 5 and 6.
Building permits were lagging during the month. However, Chief Bowden said in May applications had picked up. The commissioners approved a budget amendment that is required by the state to make sure that the estimated cost of items at the beginning of the fiscal year match actual costs at the end of the year. Modifications were needed due to the difficulty in receiving grant money for construction of the tennis courts, the increase in actual cost of the kitchen renovation at city hall, the unanticipated need for paving Bartram Road, the change of status from contract to W-2 employee for one person, and the need to add two weeks of payroll that will come on July 2. There were also additional legal and engineering expenses for the cell phone tower applications. Some of the cost due to the tower will be recovered when the town begins receiving lease payments for it.
Greg Brown, on behalf of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, has requested permission from the commissioners to host a movie night at the town commons in August. A unanimous vote of approval was given for the community event. The movie will be open to all kids and adults and will be content appropriate. It is scheduled for Aug. 4 from 8-10:30 p.m.