Elizabeth Grimes was sworn into office as a Copperhill alderman Monday, March 8, prior to the city’s workshop meeting.
Grimes was appointed by the council after Mayor Kathy Stewart’s recommendation to have Grimes fill the seat vacated by Horace D. West last month.
During the workshop, Stewart answered several questions concerning specific residences along West Tennessee Avenue.
Complaints from citizens were made in regards to individuals living in the debris of the house that recently burnt down, the appearance of the burnt home, the appearance of other homes along that same road and a specific truck revving their engine between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. each morning.
Stewart said that individuals have been notified of the issues and are working to rectify the situation, but as far as the truck complaint, she said to notify the police.
“I’m sure I’ve called them ‘til they’re tired of me,” Connie Quinn said.
Additionally, Stewart informed aldermen and citizens alike of the legal process that must be followed in order to resolve such complaints.
The process first begins with a noted complaint, then the code enforcement officer conducts a site inspection and confirms whether or not a violation exists.
If there is a violation, a resolution plan must then be created, and after some time, a summons or citation can be issued.
The city attorney must then become involved if necessary.
If applicable, a building permit must be approved, and then an outside agency may become involved.
After those steps, a notice or lien will be issued, and after that’s accomplished, the case can be resolved or closed.
Alderman Charles Burnette expressed the need for activities for the area’s children.
“If there’s anything that I can do to help this city out, I was born here in 1943 on top of Cemetery Hill, and I dearly love this city, and I’ll do anything in the world for it,” Burnette said. “And I made a thing. All the money that I get off of being an alderman down here, I’m going to take that money and try to get where we can get some place for the kids to have a little park and play.”
Grimes reminded Burnette of plans to get a Boys & Girls Club in the area.
The main issue is the city not having property, Stewart said, but the YMCA gym is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Stewart also said that folks are able to use the baseball fields on West Tennessee Avenue as long as individuals notify the city in advance, and she said there is a project in the workings for a music stage near the city hall.
Burnette also explained the need for speed humps along the streets.
He claimed that children often run out in the roads while playing without paying any attention to traffic.
A new Copperhill sign is to be placed at the four-way stop of McCaysville and Copperhill by the U.S. Forest Service, Stewart said.
Rewiring and replacing bulbs in the star on Cemetery Hill was also discussed, along with painting and placing flowers on the sidewalk on Ocoee Street.