The Summerville City Council met in its regular work session and monthly meeting Monday night and AM1180’s Margaret Dillard was there. Here is a summary of the meeting’s events.

 

Ronald Montgomery of the Jottem Down Café and Grill on Highland Avenue addressed the Council in the work session about the possibility of his establishment serving alcohol for private parties. City attorney Albert Palmour advised the Council that according to City Ordinance no alcohol can be served at private parties. Also, Montgomery’s business could not be issued a pouring license because it is located too close to housing projects. Therefore, no alcohol could be served, even at private events.

 

The city is fortunate in that it is going to receive the donation of the old Tutton Auto Parts property, but that donation will come with a price. The city will have to pay to have the property cleaned up. Since the property is adjacent to the Summerville Depot property, it is of particular interest. However, considering that it was used as an auto parts business for years, it may contain hazardous material. The estimated cost for clean-up is $15,000 to $20,000. The Council authorized Mayor Norton to sign the necessary documents.

 

In other action, the Council:

  • Voted to spend up to $15,000 to clean out sewer lines connecting the Industrial Park to the Waste Water Treatment Plant
  • Re-appointed John R Humphrey as commissioner to the Housing Authority Board to serve another 5 year term.
  • Authorized Mayor Norton to sign documents regarding the TE Grant of $275,000 for the preservation of classic railroad cars
  • Put the Kangaroo Store on Highway 114 on a 12 month probationary period and fined them $360 for selling alcohol to underage persons
  • Asked that by the Council’s next meeting that members be provided a list of streets to be paved
  • Agreed to discuss the use of city vehicles by employees at the next monthly meeting
  • Tentatively set the Council’s next meeting for September 8th at 5 PM
  • Announced that city offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of the Labor Day holiday

 

From the reports portion of the Council meeting…

 

  • City Chief of Police Stan Mosely reported that officers patrolled 3,990 miles, housed 74 inmates, and issued 182 citations in the month of July.

 

  • Fire Chief Echols reported that the Summerville Fire Department responded to several calls in July: 9 were medical, 4 were structural, 2 were electrical in nature, and 1 was a rescue from the elevator at the Courthouse.

 

  • The City Manager announced that a location has been found for the Victorian Christmas Committee to meet to work on Christmas scenes. The old Summerville Appliance building, now owned by Jon Dennis, will be used until after Christmas for the purpose of preparing for holiday festivities.

 

  • Congressman Phil Gingrey will hold a town hall meeting at the Summerville Depot on Friday, August 22nd at 10 AM. All citizens are invited and encouraged to participate.