Members of the Athens City Council committees met last night to discuss installing a fountain at the Athens Community Center and prohibiting off-road vehicles, among other issues.
Members of the arts and recreation committee discussed installing a fountain to complete the landscaping at the community center and fill the gap of the old rec center
said Councilwoman Carol Patterson, D-2nd ward.
The current draft of the city's comprehensive plan includes putting fountains in Athens and talks about installing something grander in front of the community center to draw attention to it, Patterson said. The fountain area would occupy a space of about 20 feet.
Funding for the fountain would come from the recreation department's budget, Patterson said. The estimated cost would be between $24,000 and $30,000, she said.
Athens Rotary has plans to donate all surface enhancements to the fountain, including tile, decorative artwork and flowers, Patterson said.
Council members plan to put forth an ordinance to begin accepting bids for the construction and installation of the fountain.
Council members also discussed making additions to city code to prohibit off-road vehicles in parks, open spaces and nature preserves in Athens.
Council members said the changes to city code will be made because off-road vehicles can cause severe erosion to trails and paths. They also discussed the conflicts created between off-road vehicles and other trail users, as well as the noise created by the vehicles.
Members of the finance and personnel committee met, as well, to continue what Councilman Dale Tampke, D-at-large, called the ongoing discussion of the 2005 city budget.
Council members heard projections for the end of this year's budget from City Auditor Kathy Hecht.
Hecht said the city's income tax receipts, which make up about 71 percent of the city's general fund, are down for the year by around $300,000. Tax revenue is also down, about 6.5 percent.
The income from the city's water, sewer and garbage fees appear to be on track with what was projected, Hecht said, as well as the city's parking garage.
Hecht said she plans to report back to the council every few weeks as her office makes progress on next year's budget.
It's going to be a real real tight budget said Athens Mayor Ric Abel. Council will have to pass the budget in December and may need to work on it again in January after it is in place, he said.
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