Council acts on move discussed without vote
There will be no special events within the City of Blue Ridge until further notice.
The decision came during a special called meeting Tuesday, October 20, in which some members did not realize events were still being allowed.
“There’s something booked in the park tomorrow?” Councilman Nathan Fitts asked after learning there was an event scheduled downtown the following day. “I didn’t think we were allowing anything though.”
Mayor Donna Whitener explained that the council had previously discussed ceasing events downtown, but a formal vote was never taken.
As for the ordinance itself, council members refrained from a reading and voted to make necessary corrections to be read during the October 29 meeting and to vote on the passing in a November meeting.
After previously having the ordinance vetoed by Whitener, council members have thought about ways to make the ordinance more clear.
Whitener had an issue with the definition of a parade as well as the amount of people that must be present to constitute a special event.
Fitts asked if Whitener read the charter prior to vetoing the ordinance to which Whitener said yes and that she spoke with City Attorney James Balli prior.
According to Section 3.23 of the city charter, the mayor may veto an ordinance through written statement explaining the reasons for the veto within 10 days of the receipt of an ordinance.
The statement must then be presented by the city clerk to the council at the next meeting.
Concerns of Whitener’s included the fact that birthday parties, study groups and more may end up having to pay hundreds of dollars to have their gatherings in the park.
Council members agree this would not be fair.
The council heard from Joe Webb with the Blue Ridge Community Theater.
Webb asked for the council to consider waiving their 2021 Alcohol Renewal as they will not be serving alcohol until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available.
The council first heard from Webb during a workshop Tuesday, October 6.
A vote was taken later in the meeting to waive the permit.
Fitts and Panter opposed.
AirMedCare coverage was granted to part-time employees. This excludes seasonal workers.
Blue Ridge Turkey Trot Director Cherie Wasit spoke to ask that the council allow the race this year.
She informed that they have considered staggered start times, non-contact packet pick-ups and a virtual option all in effort of following CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Despite hearing the precautions, the council did not feel comfortable allowing the race this year.
Cesar Martinez, on behalf of the Blue Ridge Business Association, asked for help from the police department to direct traffic during this year’s Halloween Safe Zone Drive-By.
He also suggested placing picnic tables throughout the downtown area so that visitors can enjoy their meals outdoors the weekend of what would have been Light Up Blue Ridge.
Portable bathrooms and a mask requirement for the weekend were also suggested.
He said that, although there will be no official Light Up ceremony, the tree will be decorated and lit, and food vendors will be around.
“We’re not gonna stop the people from coming,” Martinez said. “They’re gonna come, so we need to find a good way to find that they have ample everything.”
The Downtown Development Authority has received its first request from the Georgia Cities Foundation for a grant, which they’ll be able to use to help a new business, Martinez said.
After hearing complaints from locals about amplified music, Haight suggested sending a letter to restaurants in the city informing them that amplifiers are not permitted.