UC Industrial Board may assist South Fulton; motel violations aired

Union City, Tenn. businessman and member of the Union City Industrial Development Board Bedford Dunavant addressed members of the South Fulton Regional Planning Commission Aug. 9, offering his board’s assistance in South Fulton’s endeavor to recruit new businesses to locate in South Fulton.

Dunavant reported his board could theoretically be used as a means by which the city could offer incentives, such as tax breaks to businesses interested in locating in South Fulton, as Obion County as a whole does not have an Industrial Development Board.

Currently the City of South Fulton’s Industrial Development Board, recently re-activated, is dormant, following the discovery of the board’s indebtedness, while no assets are held by the board.

Dunavant noted “we would not do that without the concurrence of the city commission...” but that his board could assist the city in making decisions such as what percentage of taxes a business could pay and what percentage could potentially be forgiven.

“I want to help you all,” Dunavant said, adding at present the city has “no retail growth” and is “totally dependent on property taxes.”

Board members Kenny Mayo, Cody Caksackkar, Mayor David Lamb and City Manager Jeff Gabbert agreed to present the proposal as to the Union City Industrial Development Board offering assistance, to the full South Fulton City Commission, for discussion.

Dunavant and the board held discussion on the difficulty of oftentimes securing a workforce for industries interested in locating within the county.

Businesses such as convenience stores and truck stops were offered by the board as possible targets to pursue for the city.

Code Enforcement Officer Nicole Berner presented her report, offering information as to the number of notice letters she had mailed to residents currently in violation of city codes.

She said she had mailed by certified mail, 14 letters associated with junk cars, 10 regarding junk yards, 91 letters for violations relating to non-compliance with mowing regulations, one for stagnant water and one for health and sanitation issues.

Berner said city court was set to convene Aug. 10, and the Judge had indicated the city, by the court’s action, would be able to remove three inoperable vehicles from city property.

Berner will be authorized to begin issuing citations within the next couple of weeks, she said.

Discussion took place by the board regarding I-69 Interchange areas which could have an effect on traffic in the area and the potential for South Fulton to capitalize on that future increase in traffic, by seeking out locations which could be used for new businesses.

The only other item on the night’s agenda, was in regard to Fulton Plaza, which Gabbert, Berner, and Lamb reported had major violations at the location, in some of motel rooms, as well as apartments behind the motel which are operated by Fulton Plaza. Fire Chief Dennis Pittman reported he had witnessed infestations of roaches in the location, as did Mayor Lamb, and that garbage and debris is piled behind the motel, as well as the overgrown conditions creating a safety hazard for emergency vehicles which might need to respond to the location.

Berner was directed, following approval by the South Fulton City Commission at their next regular meeting on Aug. 16, to mail notice to the owner of Fulton Plaza, to appear before the South Fulton Municipal Regional Planning Commission on Aug. 31, during a special called session at 5 p.m. to respond to the violations, and submit a plan to correct them.

Board members Billy Williams and Thomas Pettigrew were absent from the meeting.