Special Called

3. Items for Consideration A. Downtown Waterfront Development – Dover Signature Properties Presentation

F. Request for Additional Staff Members at Facilities and Maintenance Department

H. Use of COVID Relief Funds for New Audio/Visual Equipment to Enable Virtual Meetings in Municipal Building Meeting Spaces

Loudon City Council could soon have a new member following the sudden resignation by Tim Brewster last month for health concerns.

The city charter allows the remaining members of the five-person council to fill the seat within 20 days. If they don’t, voters would then fill the seat in a special election.

There is no formal process for council to make an appointment, Ty Ross, Loudon manager, said.

Jeff Harris, Loudon mayor, said the appointment could be discussed during a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday. A special called meeting to vote on any candidate could follow.

“That will give us the opportunity to discuss it,” he said.

Harris said at least four or five people have expressed interest to him in serving. Most have also expressed interest in campaigning for election in November 2022. He declined to name potential candidates because he wasn’t sure if they had publicly announced an intent to seek the office.

Potential candidates considered for the appointment include people who may have served on council or residents who might be helpful, Harris said. He suggested a reluctance to appoint someone who might run for election next year.

“That’s the last thing we want to do is give someone an advantage,” Harris said.

The person appointed will serve until the November 2022 election.

Brewster’s vacancy isn’t “something that happens very often,” Harris said.

Key issues for the city government include projects that are in early stages.

The city purchased 12-13 acres on the riverfront a few years ago and tore down the old Hutch manufacturing plant. Potential developments could include condominiums, apartments and mixed-use areas with retail shops on ground floors and apartments above.

One developer would like to start in January, Harris said, but details are still being worked out. A public meeting on the waterfront development could come as early as October.

Another Loudon project is paving streets. Harris said the city has a three- to five-year plan to pave roads. Loudon has borrowed $4 million, which would allow the city to pave every street in Loudon in three to five years with the exception of state routes.

Loudon City Council’s workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at city hall. Meetings can be viewed as scheduled programming on the government access LCTV3 on the cable television system.