New store disputes city economic zone agreement

Parker Kilgore, Attorney-in-Fact for Fred’s Stores of Tennessee, addressed the Franklin City Council Tuesday concerning the possibility of rescinding the 1 percent sales tax agreement entered into with the Franklin Economic Development District in August of 2016.
According to Kilgore, the agreement was made with the developer of the land with whom Fred’s had a lease agreement prior to the adoption of the ordinance that created the FEDD. Kilgore further claimed that the developer of the site for Fred’s current Franklin location had no legal authority to enter into such an agreement, as the developer was purportedly not authorized to represent Fred’s in the matter.
Kilgore said it was his understanding that at the July 2016 meeting of the city council, the developer of the site addressed the council under the auspice of representing Fred’s in the creation of the FEDD, which was supposedly never the case.
“Our deal with the developer was not contingent on the developer entering into a deal with the city’s economic development district,” said Kilgore.
He said Fred’s was happy to have been able to open their Main Street location, and to be able to provide goods and services to the city. However, they were made aware that their customer base was unhappy with being charged an extra penny for every dollar spent there.
Russel J. Cremaldi, attorney to the city, said, “What we are hoping to be able to get, for Mr. Kilgore’s efforts, is to have that developer join in on this request.”
Cremaldi went on to say the next step in the process toward resolution should be for all three parties: the city council, Fred’s and the site developer to meet and discuss a solution.
In other business, a representative of Franklin Masonic Lodge 57 reported the construction crew working on the Main Street lodge-building is currently conducting necessary welding on the structure, and as soon as they have completed the welding, and while they are waiting on the bricklayer to become available, they will remove the current sidewalk blockage in front of the lodge.
They also anticipate having to return the safety cordon to the sidewalk once the bricklayer arrives to work.
Further addresses to the council included:
—Chez Hope will hold its annual trivia night on March 17 at the Legion on the Bayou. Tables are $120 each, with food and refreshments provided by St. Mary Parish Council on Aging.
—St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce representative Dawn Kaiser Melancon suggested a biker rally to be held next year on Teche Drive, to commemorate the upcoming 50-year anniversary of the film, Easy Rider. “Bikes on the Bayou,” was further suggested as a possible name for the event.