Three new Ellijay City Councilmembers joined two returning incumbents at the council’s first meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 27. Mayor Pro Tem Sandy Ott and councilmembers Tom Crawford and Kevin Pritchett were elected last November, as were incumbent councilmembers Katie Lancey and Al Fuller.
Prior to a premeeting workshop session, all councilmembers, as well as Mayor Al Hoyle, were sworn in for their new terms by Gilmer County Probate Judge and Election Superintendent Scott Chastain.
TSPLOST agreement adopted
An intergovernmental agreement was adopted that would go into effect if an upcoming TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) item on the May 19 General Primary election ballot passes.
The agreement between the county and the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay outlines how money garnered from the 1-percent special sales tax rate will be distributed for transportation purposes including road, street and bridge projects.
Under the agreement, the county would receive 92.35 percent, Ellijay 5.72 percent and East Ellijay 1.93 percent over a period not to exceed five years.
Mayor Hoyle noted that having the agreement in place would result in more funds for the cities and county if the TSPLOST passes.
“With the absence of an intergovernmental agreement, the maximum the county could collect would be .75 percent. With an intergovernmental agreement they can collect the full penny. With (an agreement in place), they’re estimating over a five-year period it would bring in $25 million. The city’s portion would be roughly $1.5 million over five years,” he added.
In other news ...
﹣ Two members of the Keep Gilmer Beautiful advisory committee spoke to councilmembers during the workshop session.
Jay Zipperman and Karen Vitelli highlighted the purpose and objectives of the local nonprofit, while also inquiring about the possibility of the city council partnering with them to put recycling cans and cigarette butt receptacles around downtown Ellijay.
“Our mission statement is Keep Gilmer Beautiful works with Gilmer County government and county citizens to promote a clean, healthy environment in which to live, work and enjoy. Anything to help do that is what we’re about. Tonight, we’re here to plant some seeds and see if we can open up some dialogue. We’d really like to see the City of Ellijay partner more with us,” said Zipperman.
“A lot of people who visit Ellijay are from places like Atlanta or Florida where they already recycle. They’re looking for the (recycling) cans because they already do it. It’s just a matter of getting it done and we think we could do that,” said Vitelli.
﹣ Code Enforcement Officer Don Schneider gave an update on recent business and building activity in Ellijay.
“Parkside (Skilled Nursing Care) has just pulled a permit to add the old north wing of the hospital to the nursing home and refurbish it. The Church of Christ is adding a 3,500- square foot fellowship hall. We just issued a permit for the building right beside us known as the Kay Building (and) there’s a (business) going in across from the hardware store on South Main Street that’s going to be a little landscaping business,” he told councilmembers.
﹣ Crawford asked for an item to be added to the next meeting agenda.
“Ellijay has become a destination and, as people drive into town, we certainly want everyone to see that Ellijay is open for business. I have so many people that come to me and say (they) wish we could keep those lights on the trees coming up River Street and around the square up all year long. It just adds to what we are as a community. I feel like not only are you enhancing downtown all year long, but the illumination of streets at night is always a good thing (from a) public safety concern,” he said.