by Joy Warren
Elizabethtown Town Council recognized the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy’s John L. Foye Drill Team for their achievements during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Mayor Campbell congratulated the Team for their recent accomplishment for excellence in drill in the Pershing Rifles National Drill Meet. The cadets are the first high school team to win the National Championship. The competed against many college and university Drill Teams. The Team is under the leadership of Lt. Colonel Carl Lloyd .
Several public hearings were conducted Monday evening. The 2017-18 Budget was presented during a public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Later in the meeting Council adopted the budget as presented.
Andrew E. Robinson requested a special use permit for 404 Martin Luther King Drive. He wants to change the use of the property from an Event Center to a Nightclub, Bar and Lounge. One citizen, Minnie Price, who owns residential property adjacent to the center, spoke in opposition of the change to a Bar. Later in the evening, Council members discussed the special use request. Councilmen Clark and Lloyd spoke in favor of the business and did not see it as a detriment to the community. Mayor Campbell allowed Mr. Robinson to address the Council, although he did not sign up during the public hearing to speak. He assured the Council that he and his board of directors would be responsible business owners and make improvements that would make the community a better place. He stated he was requesting the change so that they could add an ABC license. Council approved the request of the Special Use Permit. “Thee Factory” property is located at 404 Martin Luther King Drive.
The final public hearing for the evening was regarding a text amendment request from Hilda J. Odom to add churches, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship as a Special Use in the CBD-Central Business District. The Planning and Zoning Board made a favorable recommendation to the Town Council. No public comments were made during the hearing. Councilman Leinwand expressed his concerns about altering the CBD which may “open up a can of worms” in the future. Councilman Clark stated he was in favor of the text amendment adding “I would have a hard time voting for a bar and against a church”. After much disucssion among Council and Town Lawyer Goldston Womble, Council members approved the text amendment as presented.
In other business matters, Council awarded the bid to replace the Chlorine Contact Chamber at the Elizabethtown Wastewater Treatment Facility to Columbus Utilities in the amount of $92,700.00; awarded the bid to purchase the grapple truck with side arm loader to Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc. in the amount of $140,479.00 and to First Bank for financing of the equipment; approved purchase of a factory rebuilt motor for the 2005 GMC Leaf Truck ($19,500) and allowing Fire Chief to sell 2 fire trucks to assist in payment on a new truck. Council approved monthly budget amendments, tax releases, and reappointed Beth Alford and Ericka Campbell to the Elizabethtown Housing Authority.
Town Manager, Eddie Madden announced that the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Lloyd Park has been scheduled for June 19th at 6:30 p.m.
The July meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, July 10th at 7:00 p.m.
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