With Chipley Councilman Brett Butler absent at Tuesday night’s meeting members of the Chipley City Council continued discussing the proposed amendments to the Chipley City Code dealing alcohol being served in restaurants.
by Kathy Foster
The move is being made in an attempt to attract restaurants to the Chipley area and council members have been looking at possible changes for a number of weeks. City Attorney Michelle Jordan said the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the residents to make some changes.
Council members are looking at distances of restaurants serving alcohol from churches, schools and public parks, residential dwellings and similar establishments.
There was a handful of local residents present at Tuesday night’s meeting and several of those suggested that the City adopt the same ordinance put in place for the unincorporated areas of Washington County. However, council members indicated they wanted the City’s ordinance carefully crafted to meet the exact needs of the city residents dealing with restaurants, bottle clubs, and private clubs.
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Council members also set a General Election for the election of Council members for Aug. 7, 2018, at the Chipley City Hall, and if necessary Aug. 21, 2018 for a runoff election for the following posts:
- Ward 1 – currently held by Karen Rustin
- Ward 4 – currently held by Brett Butler
- Council Member-at-Large – currently held by Ellis Reed
Any person who meets the qualifications set forth in the City Code for holding an elected office desiring to qualify as a candidate for any of the offices has from 8 a.m. on June 11, 2018, until 4 p.m. on June 16, 2018, to qualify with the City Clerk of the City of Chipley.
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In a separate action, Council members approved a new Residential Improvement Grant Program for the Chipley Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The grant agreement is for up to a total amount of $1,500. Persons wanting to apply for the grant (available only for persons owning property in the CRA designated area) can pick up paperwork at the CRA office located at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce on 5th Street in Chipley.