The West Point City Council continued discussions Tuesday about a request to pay for a proposed event space using the city’s Revolving Loan Fund. 

Kesha and Michael Coniglio presented their application at the meeting, explaining their plan to start a wedding and event space in the former Chattabrewchee location on West 4th Avenue. Kesha Coniglio is one of five candidates for three open spots on the West Point City Council. 

The business would also include prop rental for home stagers, wedding planners and movie crews.  

Kesha Coniglio presented the company’s vision and potential impact on the community. Catering and food service for events would create jobs, according to the proposal. Events would create the need for hotel space, and gas stations would see more traffic. 

Coniglio told the council that her marketing background could help draw events from as far away as Roanoke, not only for the proposed event space, but for the Depot as well. Her husband Michael’s experience is in event management as a college facilities director. The couple also plans to add an event planner to the leadership staff.

Jobs created from the project include nine to 12 full-time employees throughout five years. 

The loan of $170,000 would be financed at 2 percent for 15 years.  

The council asked her whether Coniglio’s candidacy might be a conflict of interest.

Coniglio said she applied for the Revolving Loan Fund before deciding to run for office and did not see a potential conflict. 

As both her candidacy and fund application are undecided, the council said it would need to consider how one might affect the other.  

The public is invited to make comments on the potential project at the next city council work session Oct. 10, 2019.  

In other new council business, Mobis, a Kia parts supplier, presented an amendment to their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an agreement between the company and the West Point Development Authority. 

The original MOU misclassified some jobs by including contract workers.  

For PILOT policy, these must be Mobis workers, so the company requested the correction. 

The MOU amendment was approved by the West Point Development Authority at their meeting on Monday, and by the Troup County Board of Tax Assessors on Tuesday. 

The West Point City Council is scheduled to vote on the amendment at their meeting Monday, Oct. 14.  

The council also presented corrections to a contract for providing water and sewer service outside the city limits.  

Mayor Steve Tramell announced an upcoming event, a Senior Prom for residents 55 and older. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the West Point Active Life Center. An individual can also sponsor a ticket for a senior who cannot afford the ticket price. The prom is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Depot.