During Tuesday night’s meeting, the Piedmont City Council did an about-face concerning a recent agreement with local businessman Kevin Fagan, who is seeking to establish a restaurant in a city-owned building.
The council had previously agreed that instead of charging Fagan monthly rent and utilities fees, the city would receive 20 percent of the restaurant’s gross profits with an additional 5 percent for sales tax.
However, Council Member Ben Keller, who was absent for that vote due to health-related issues, expressed concerns over such a deal. Keller said that the agreement was unfair to prospective and existing business owners. Several council members agreed, adding that they had received some complaints from residents and other business owners.
It “sounds like to me we need to get out of the restaurant business,” Cobb added.
After some heated discussion, it was decided by a 4-1 vote with one abstaining vote that the city would cancel their current agreement with Fagan in favor of charging the traditional rent and utilities. If Fagan isn’t interested in the new terms, the city will then put the building back up for rent.
Shorty after the vote, a visibly agitated Fagan arrived to meeting and asked the council why the vote was taken without his presence:
Mayor Bill Baker then asked Fagan if he would still be interested in renting the building.
Fagan’s response:
Council Member Kenney Kelley apologized to Fagan for what he called the council’s “ignorance.”
Baker invited Fagan to a work session on Tuesday to discuss the matter further.
Craig Russell, manager of the city aquatic center, was on hand to give a report on the 2015 season. The city pool’s total income this year was $108,433 with total expenses coming to $49,119, with a total profit of $58,575. The city saw an increase of more than $47,000 from 2014, according to Russell.
In other business, the council entered into a contract with the Piedmont Rescue Squad and EMS to provide dispatching services for the squad’s expansion into the city of Ohatchee for an annual payment of $11,000.
After many repeated requests from Council Member Ben Keller, the council finally voted to install lights at the Bethune Center’s athletic fields.
Also, the council agreed to accept the sole bid of $2,750 for two parcels of land on Anniston Avenue.
Bills for payment were approved in the amount of $543,033.99 in addition to a payroll amount of $165,103.43 for a total of $708,137.42 with Council Member Brenda Spears voting “No.”
At Mayor Baker’s request, the council voted to hold a 30-minute work session at 5:30pm, prior to each regular council meeting.
The next regular Piedmont City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th, at 6 pm.