Blue Ridge council hears water, sewer, tax, bathroom updates
A City of Blue Ridge lift station will be abandoned, and $206,349.23 is being spent on water and sewer repairs and improvements as a result of a Tuesday, March 9, council decision.
Councilman Nathan Fitts expressed a desire to close the lift station near CVS and reroute it to Industrial Park.
He said this would end up saving the city around $60,000, per Utility Director Rebecca Harkins.
With that said, a task release for the work from Carter & Sloope was approved at $172,500.
Parts for the Sewer Plant’s treatment basins were approved in the amount of $8,099.55.
Mayor Donna Whitener added that this will be covered in their grant for the water and sewer improvements.
A mole for the Water Department was approved for $5,749.68.
Patch repair for water and sewer cuts were approved for up to $20,000.
Paving quotes for Bearden Street, West 1st Street and Summit Street were approved totaling $160,587.71.
Incorporating Depot Street parking for train employees was approved for $28,000.75.
“In front of the depot, the grassy area, we’d take that out and make parking there for the depot employees, the train folks,” Planning, Zoning and Project Manager Jeff Stewart said.
Councilman Mike Panter provided an update on delinquent taxes and business license.
He noted that although there was around $500,000 owed in delinquent taxes and business license from as far as 10 years back, only $317,000 is able to be collected legally as they can only collect back to seven years.
Thus far, $270,000 has either been collected or written off of the $317,000, and around $48,000 is being paid over a 12-month contract.
There are currently 81 businesses connected to city water that do not have a license, which is to be addressed next, he said.
Of $92,000 in late business license fees, $56,000 has been collected.
FiFas were postponed as errors were noted and will now be sent out in June.
Additionally, Panter suggested hiring a consulting firm for an infrastructure review.
Fitts expressed concern on the upcoming election and asked that Whitener return her key to City Hall during that time to ensure the security of the election, and Whitener agreed to do so.
Fitts also mentioned that Whitener has made 15 city charter violations during her tenure.
Councilwoman Rhonda Haight explained that since the Streetscape project is over, it is now a priority to focus on improving residential streets.
Haight also brought up the city’s Adult Entertainment Ordinance and suggested it be reviewed to ensure it is as strict as possible.
Hopes for a “community aquatic and wellness center” were expressed by Panter as he claimed to be collaborating with Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley and Fannin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney on the endeavor.
Plans to expand the bathrooms in the downtown park have been sent to Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Design Chair Nichole Potzauff, Fitts said.
This will include five urinals, one toilet and two sinks in the men’s room and five toilets and two sinks in the women’s.
The council agreed to move forward with plans to place a fence around, or in front of, the cemetery on College Street.
During public commentary, Larry Henderson spoke as the founder of the Facebook group Fannin County Citizens for Honest Government, and he made note of his displeasure in the council’s actions.
He stated that if he would’ve known how “dysfunctional” the county’s government is as a whole, specifically referencing the former Fannin County Commission Chairman Stan Helton, he would not have moved here.
“The guys over there at the courthouse (current Fannin County Commissioners), there’s three of ‘em, and they got the other 24,000 (residents) in this county that they take care of,” Henderson said. “Maybe y’all might wanna ask them for some help because y’all aren’t getting the job done.
“We’re your (the council’s) new watch dogs. We plan on being on you like white on rice. I will guarantee you that. We’re not stupid. We’re not unintelligent. ... So don’t play us for fools because we’re not, and we’re not gonna take it anymore.”
DDA and Blue Ridge Business Association (BRBA) Chairman Cesar Martinez asked the council to make agendas more transparent as some of the items seem to come out of thin air.
With that said, he added that uploading the supporting documents to the website would be appreciated.
He also urged the need for sidewalk repairs on East Main Street near Pedego Electric Bikes.
A quote for the work was later approved for $51,100.
He questioned when the deck and wall on East Main Street will be completed to which Whitener referenced weather as the cause of delay even though the work began February 2020.
Donna Thompson also spoke on the council’s need to be more transparent.
The vote on the townhome proposal from Johnnie Hastings was removed as Hastings’ requested his application be withdrawn as he plans to develop it commercially instead.