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The Jan. 5 council vote to allow the Linden City School system to purchase the Fun Factory property was opened again at the March 9 Linden City Council meeting. Council member Vonda Wilson requested to discuss the property during a closed session, to which the council agreed.

The Fun Factory Property is on Coats Avenue, near the LHS football field, and was sold to the school system for $30,000. At the Jan. 5 meeting, the council voted to waive the $75,000 lien. The lien was initially thought to have been included in an agreement with the city. The agreement said that if the property were to become successful and was sold for a large profit, the city would be entitled to a $75,000 fee. However, no written documentation of this agreement has been found.

Although the purchase has been finalized, Wilson said the vote to allow the Linden Board of Education to purchase the property for $30,000 was not handled in a proper, legal manner.

The closed session lasted for more than 30 minutes, and no explanation or comment was given on the discussion.

Under the Mayor’s report, Mayor Gwendolyn Rogers announced that Whitfield Regional Hospital will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Linden High School in the next two weeks. There will be an estimated 500 vaccines. Rogers said that CEO/Administrator Doug Brewer will let her know the time and date.

The city will place dumpsters in certain areas around town for two weeks as part of “spring cleaning.” Cleaning will be in April, and exact dates will be announced at a later time.

Secretary Bruce Ward asked the council about holding the Summer Carnival in late July or August. Last year’s carnival was canceled due to the pandemic. He also said that the council needed to begin thinking about Chilly Fest in December and whether to host it.

Mrs. Wilkerson approached the council to request a business license to temporarily operate a carry-out restaurant from her home on Perry Street. Wilkerson said her neighbors have no objection to her operating the business. She said the building has been inspected and approved by the Health Department.

Attorney Woody Dinning said that since the business is in a residential neighborhood if the city gets any complaints from surrounding residents, the city council may terminate the license.

Board appointments:

Gary Williams was reappointed to serve another term on the Utility Board

Lilie Tate was appointed to serve on the Linden City Board of Education. She will replace Xonome Bryant whose term has expired and does not wish to serve another term.

The next Linden City Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.