Council approves building variance

Troup City Council members considered just one item at Tuesday's abbreviated meeting: a variance request for property owner Jim Jarvis.

Jarvis removed two old outbuildings from his property and requested a variance to rebuild a garage and shed. He has limited space between the alley and his house.

Council approved the variance, with member Jeff Hale saying that the renovations should improve the lot and everything around it.

At the suggestion of Carole Wilson, mayor pro tem, all other agenda items were tabled due to the absence of Mayor John Whitsell and City Administrator Russ Obar. Council member Nancy Boothe was also absent.

Council also accepted a report from the Troup Police Department for Nov. 13 through Dec. 10.

According to the report, the Troup PD made 13 arrests, issued 61 citations and gave 105 warnings.

The citations included $14,910 in assessed fines, of which $14,018 were collected. Revenue from the fines was listed as $5,115.

Tabled items from Tuesday's agenda include reports on: -- subdivision updates -- two annexations

-- efforts to get a city flag

-- efforts to establish a zoning ordinance for the city

-- surface water projects being considered by the city including Lake Columbia, Lake Striker and working with the City of Whitehouse

-- cur rent infrastructure needs requiring large capital expenditures including sewer plant upgrades, water holding and distribution upgrades and street resurfacing

-- needs of the Troup Volunteer Fire Department.