Fulton officials to consider business owner's proposal for expansion

Meadows Hotel owner Jeff Campbell presented a proposal to Fulton's City Commission Monday night, which would potentially, according to Campbell be a "win-win-win" situation for his business, the city and Fulton County Senior Citizens.

Campbell was included on the night's agenda, listed as "a proposal for economic development", as he explained to Mayor David Prater, Commissioners Martha Vowell, Elaine Forrester and Jeff Vaughn, his plans to expand his business, increasing the number of rooms as well as exploring the idea of creating an event center to accommodate 150-190 people.

He first assured the officials he wanted to go on record as being a supporter of the Fulton County Senior Citizens centers, and his desire was for the center to remain in Fulton.

However, Campbell said as he evaluated his options for expansion, the "logical place" to expand, for his Commercial Avenue business, was the city-owned property which now houses the Fulton County Senior Citizens Center.

He told the Mayor and Commissioners he had become aware of the financial stress now experienced by the Senior Citizens centers, and had understood that recent action taken by the Fulton Housing Authority had resulted in the offering of one of Fulton's Community Centers, on North College, which the Senior Citizens could utilize for their center, with no rent required.

Campbell shared projections of increased revenue for the city through payroll tax, with an additional two-three fulltime positions and six-10 parttime positions with expansion, as well as an increase in property taxes, hotel taxes, food and alcohol tax.

He noted in order to secure retaining the crew and superintendent used for the construction of The Meadows, recently marking one year in operation, he would need to confirm with the contractor by the end of January, 2019, to begin the expansion project in June.

Campbell said he would like for the commission to consider an answer to two questions, which include whether the senior citizens center can be relocated to a facility which will continue to meet their needs, and if the answer to that question is yes, then consider selling the two buildings where the center is now located, to Campbell for the Meadows expansion. Then, he continued, he requested a "point person", which could be the city manager, mayor, city attorney or other official, to enter into negotiations to arrange the sale.

Mayor Prater said he and city manager Mike Gunn had previous conversations with the acting Director of the Fulton County Senior Citizens Center, including the potential relocation of the center to the community center, however at that time, the idea did not seem to be well received, citing the reduction in space for the center, should they relocate to the community center.

The Mayor suggested another conversation with the Director, informing them of the now official proposal from Campbell. Both Commissioner Jeff Vaughn and City Clerk Helen Lee suggested the Director be notified of the proposal prior to the publication of the report of the meeting, as a courtesy.

City Attorney Allison Whitledge said she had performed some research as to whether there was an existing contract with the Fulton County Senior Citizens, for use of the city's buildings, but had not been able to locate such an executed document. Gunn said he had searched minutes from 1992, the year in which an unsigned agreement was discovered, and found no reference to any contract, however City Clerk Lee said she had not yet done research to include subsequent years' minutes from city meetings, to see if there was any reference or official action pertaining to such an agreement.

Both City Commissioner Elaine Forrester and Martha Vowell indicated they would support Campbell's proposal, as well as the relocation of the Senior Citizens Center, suggesting the Director of the Center be informed of the possibility of the city selling the property where they are now located.

Mayor Prater suggested he and Gunn return to the Director for more "in depth conversation" about the option of the center locating to the community center, as well as confirm with the Fulton Housing Authority that their offer was "still on the table" and then report back to the commission on their findings.

For the complete report of the Nov. 12 Fulton City Commission, see the Nov. 14 edition, in print and online, of The Current.