Ellijay City Council tonight confirmed that the city has filed suit against CBS Contracting. According to City Attorney Kayann Hayden West, the suit was filed late last week. During council’s April meeting this evening, council went into executive session to discuss, among other topics, litigation against the contracting firm, which was previously working on the year-long Harrison Park renovation project. When asked about the nature of the litigation, council would not discuss specifics about the matter. FYN has requested a copy of the suit.

Last month, council approved a new contract to finish the stalled project. The contract approved at last month’s meeting was with DSR Contracting LLC. DSR will complete the remaining work, which includes addressing the eroding edges of the trail, importing topsoil for shoulder construction and replenishing low areas adjacent to the trail. The contract also states the City of Ellijay will furnish gravel, grass seed and hay needed for the work. Council did not discuss, though, the cost of these items to the city. Additionally, and perhaps, most important, the contract states the project will not exceed $15,000.

As of January sixteenth, the city has already spent over $70,000 on the project. City Clerk Sharon Spivey says the project is funded by a $142,000 Department of Natural Resources grant. Eighty percent of the grant is reimbursable, while the city is responsible for the remaining 20 percent, approximately $30,000. Ultimately, the state will pay $113,760 for the project. The city, however, is required to pay the cost of the work upfront and will then be reimbursed later, Spivey said.

In a recent conversation with FYN, Mayor Al Hoyle said he expects the project to be completed soon. He also called it on-going, citing further work to be done, specifically the installation of a parking lot.

FYN will report further on the suit as documents are received and new information unfolds.