Blue Ridge’s downtown park and City Hall will not reopen until at least Monday, July 6.
City council members agreed during a Tuesday, June 9 meeting to decide on a plan to reopen city properties.
After debating for some time, members agreed to wait until after the Fourth of July to begin opening properties.
In other action, the council agreed to reduce department heads’ spending limits from $5,000 to $2,500. This means that heads will need to seek approval from their designated council member before making purchases over $2,500.
Councilwoman Rhonda Haight proposed amending the meeting policy to sending agendas out 48 hours prior to meetings.
This is to ensure that all necessary items are placed on the agenda before it is sent out, Haight said.
A motion to approve this amendment was unanimously approved.
Additionally, the council decided to grant 1% of the hotel/motel tax to the Downtown Developmental Authority (DDA), effective immediately.
Of the 5% the city currently collects, 2% is managed by the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. The remaining 3% is left for the city to use at their discretion.
Using figures from 2019, the DDA could bring in over $38,000 a year with a rate of 1% from hotel/motel tax dollars.
Councilman Mike Panter explained that the DDA is able to apply for loans that the city is not, and the city is not liable for any loans the DDA seeks out.
Mayor Donna Whitener said that if the DDA were to default on a loan for property, the city would have the ability to take over the property.
The city also agreed to have City Attorney James Balli look into creating a protest permitting policy.
Members agreed that deciding on a policy, permit and location is needed.
During discussion, Panter explained that Councilwoman Robbie Cornelius and City Clerk Kelsey Ledford have been updating records pertaining to delinquent taxes.
“In May of 2019, we collected about $1,800 in taxes here in the city,” Panter said. “This past May 2020, since we’ve started discussing this, we’ve collected over $18,300.”
“An outside source” has been hired to mail out bills to those in debt. Debtors will be charged a late fee, which will go to the source, and the city will not be responsible for any costs other than postage.
“From mail out, we can give them 90 days,” he said. “At the end of 90 days, we’re going to post every resident name ... be published in the paper. We will spend $5 to put a lean on the property, and we will have, do the Fi Fa with the intent of selling that property if taxes are not paid.”
Payment plans can be issued, but if a payment is not made within 15 days after its due date, the deal will void.
Businesses who have closed and moved from Blue Ridge but still operate in the State of Georgia will be required to pay owed taxes.
Members discussed implementing a leaf blowing policy to prevent residents clogging city drains.
Residents would be required to bag their leaves and debris and have the city come and pick them up.
A GEFA resolution was added to the agenda, which involves extending the time period for work on water meter replacements until September 1.
“Nothing changed except the time frame,” Whitener said.
$31,786.10 was approved for the city’s software equipment.
A change order for an overlay in the Overlook community was approved, which costs the city $7,994.59 with Johnson Paving.
$15,675 was approved for Holloway Trenching, LLC. to repair sewer mains on Bradley Street.
Panter discussed a softball tournament that occurred the weekend of June 5, which brought in $1,500 profit for the city.
He would like to do more things like that in the future, Panter said.
A new and improved city website is also underway.
Whitener proposed having Atlanta Gas Light, who is currently completing a project beside Wholesale Supply Group, perform other work around the city so that structures look more uniform.
Members agreed to add it to next month’s agenda.
Whitener also expressed the potential of help with revenue short falls from the CARES Act.
Traver Aiken with the Blue Ridge Housing Authority informed that as of June 1, they are now operating as multi-family housing under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from public housing under HUD.
“What that does is opens up avenues for us for possibility for development, rehabilitation, purchase of property,” Aiken said.
An update on the DDA from Chairman Cesar Martinez revealed that member Brandon Lofton has resigned, which council members will accept at their next meeting.
After the council held a closed executive session over personnel, no action was taken.