Flowery Branch agrees to help out

FLOWERY BRANCH - Flowery Branch City Council's vote to help the city's biggest residential water customer drew fire, but passed 3-2 Wednesday.

The city's new water rates raised water bills at the 400 unit Wilwat/TreePark Apartments by 50 percent. Wilwat Properties Manager Kim Watkins asked for and got a 12-month phase-in to the 143 percent increase.

"It'll be a graduated increase over the next 12 months up to the city's new rate, and that is what we've accomplished," Watkins said.

Councilmen Chris Fetterman and Craig Lutz cast the 'no' votes, with Lutz saying he opposed the new rates as discriminatory, capricious and unfair to all water customers.

City Manager Bill Andrew said the city could afford the $40,000 cost of adjusting new water rates to help the apartment complex. He said the city's $244,000 contingency budgeted into the Water and Sewer fund could cover the cost.

A ROAD PROBLEM

The city council looked for an affordable solution to a road access problem affecting Tidewater Cove subdivision, but found none was immediately available.

Residents are complaining but re-construction on Jones Road could amount to $200,000, and City Attorney Ron Bennett pointed out another problem.

"We all know we have an undersized road for two way traffic and that we need to do something about it, so that certainly does expose us to some liability," Bennett said.

City Planner James Riker said he would report back to the council with more information on a possible short-term solution until the city is able to fix the road.

HE'D RATHER HAVE THE MONEY

The city council wants more information on a landowner's request to get $471,000 plus interest back from the city.

Riker said the owner clearly indicated he needs money after his town home development near Lake Lanier was never built.

"The owner contacted us and has asked to receive monies back that have been paid for water and sewer taps," he said.

Council members indicated they might be willing to provide a partial refund; the value of the water taps has more than doubled since the developer paid for them six years ago.