The annexation of Lucy’s Branch Marina into the city of Athens took another step Monday as members of the City Council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution in favor of the proposal.

The agreement sets out how police, fire and sanitation will be addressed at the marina, located in southwestern Limestone County along the Tennessee River. 

The owners of the marina — Billy Christopher and a silent partner — have already asked the state Legislature to allow them to annex into Athens but they also needed the approval of the city.

The request is detailed in House Bill 579, which is currently before a Senate committee after passage by the House.

Christopher and his partner bought the marina and 9.5 acres in April 2015, and have spent $3 million in the past two years rebuilding the property after it was destroyed in the February 2014 tornado.

Christopher has said they wanted to annex in because the city would do a better job than Limestone County of promoting the marina. The annexation agreement affects only the marina and not the resident in surrounding condominiums or homes.

As part of the agreement approved Monday, Clements Volunteer Fire Department will cover fire calls, while the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office will cover crime and other calls, said City Attorney Shane Black. The city has the same arrangement for Black’s Landing in Athens, he said. City Clerk Annette Barnes-Threet said the city would incur no costs for fire and police coverage.

The marina owners do not require city solid waste services because they already contract with a sanitation company for that. However, the agreement puts that in writing.

The agreement also says the property will not be used for residential purposes and that if the city decides to de-annex the property, the marina owners will agree to that without objection.

Questions, comments

Mayor Ronnie Marks said if a property owner contiguous to the marina wishes to annex in, that would be up to the council. He also said the annexation would not lower the city’s No. 2 fire-insurance rating, which has translated into low fire insurance rates for residents.

District 2 Councilman Harold Wales voiced his support of the annexation during the premeeting work session.

“I think this is a win-win for us,” Wales said. “It’s riverfront property, and I’m just tickled to death with this.”

District 3 Councilman Frank Travis asked about the city’s liability at the marina in the event a storm causes something to fall on someone’s car. The city attorney explained.

“As to general liability, any time the city annexes it opens itself up to any liability,” Black said. “To mitigate it, it can contract with other entities to serve it. As far as wind damage, no. As for code-enforcement issues, if there is a facility down there, it will have to be under city codes.”

Wales wondered if the Legislature approved the proposed legislation tomorrow how long would it be before the marina is the city’s property.

“As soon as the governor signs it (the bill),” Black said.

Benefits for city

The marina would benefit the city since Christopher said it generated about $600,000 in sales tax last year, a figure that was already up 30 percent in the first quarter of 2017. The city would receive a portion of the sales tax, along with the state. Being part of the city could have additional benefits for the marina.

Unlike in the county, the sale of alcoholic beverages is legal in the city. Although Christopher has said legal alcohol sales was not a factor in the decision to want to annex in, such a change could appeal to someone who wants to locate a restaurant or bar on the developable land at the marina.