J’s Restaurant, dumpster fees

LISA HOBBS

News Editor

Those were the two topics dominating the county Building and Grounds Committee meeting held this evening, July 14.

Warren County government is in negotiations with J’s Corporation over a five-year lease agreement at Three Star Mall. Currently J.C. Petit Jr. is paying $3,441 a month. The county’s first offer was to keep that amount the same.

“They have countered the county’s offer with 50 cents a square foot,” said Finance Department Director Justin Cotten. “That would be $1,050 with no additional fees at all.”

Judging by their facial expressions, members felt the offer presented to them was low-ball at best.

Cotten recommended they send a counteroffer of $1.12 cents per square foot, plus trash and fees. J’s Restaurant has an exclusivity clause in its agreement and that exclusiveness is worth a higher rental price, he added.

His suggestion would bring the rent down to $2,596 per month.

“So, that would be a difference of approximately $1,546,” said Commissioner Micheal Bell, of the difference between what they want and what the county is willing to accept.  

Cotten replied, “Yes.”

Petit says he requested a decrease due to the lack of foot traffic and reduced revenue.

“I understand slow years and not being able to have the business you used to have,” said Commissioner Scott Kelly, “I’ve had slow years. You have to do what you have to do to survive. I think this proposal is more than fair.”

Committee members unanimously approved making that counteroffer. Also in attendance were commissioners Cam Montgomery, Chris Rippy and Tommy Savage.

During the meeting, it was brought to commissioner’s attention that J’s Restaurant and Bath and Body Works have failed to pay their dumpster fees for the last seven months.

“We were asked to send invoices to businesses at the mall,” said Sanitation Department Director Josh Roberts. “We’ve got one paying and two that are not. It’s not my job to enforce that. Am I correct? If it is, I’ve failed for the past seven months to do that from two businesses. I don’t want that on my back.”

Members couldn’t decide whose responsibility it was, but Cotten recommended that it could be placed on the manager of the mall when one is hired. He suggested that those businesses not be allowed to use dumpsters, if they fail to pay.

J’s Restaurant owes $1,694 and Bath and Body Works owes $2,296, according to Bell.

“No free ride,” said Savage.

Upon questioning, Petit stated that he didn’t pay the invoices because it was not in his current lease agreement.

Savage asked Petit if he’s happy with the county’s service, to which he stated that he was.

“You haven’t paid since January first,” said Savage. “Can you give us a reason why you haven’t paid this bill? Obviously, you paid the other bill.”

Petit replied, “I was kind of forced to eliminate a dumpster fee from the city when you implemented that. Yet, it wasn’t in the contract. If it had been typed up, it would have been fine.”

“Did you bring this to the attention of the county since January first,” said Savage.

Petit replied, “When I got notified that I was going to get a fee, I asked questions about who all was getting a fee and all this and that. When I was told who wasn’t and who was not and an explanation, I said ‘we’ll just see about it.’ It wasn’t a nasty see about it, but I wanted to look into it more.”

“Because it wasn’t implemented in the contract and you knew what the terms were, why did you keep on using it,” said Savage.

Petit replied, “Because it was right there at my back door.”

“You knew it wasn’t going to be for free,” said Savage.

Petit replied, “It sounds like it is when you’ve got others not paying as well.”

“Well, one more,” said Savage. “If my neighbor isn’t paying somebody, does that give me the authority to not pay somebody – that same person. No.”

Committee members unanimously decided to send both businesses letters giving them 30 days to pay or have their access to the dumpsters denied.