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REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2004
CALL
TO ORDER:
The
Dahlonega City Council met in regular session January 5, 2004 at City
Hall. Council members
present were Larry Crowel, Gary McCullough, Terry Peters, Bill
Northquest, Bill Scott and Dudley Owens. Mayor Loy Jones called the
meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Rev.
Bill Hutchenson opened the meeting with prayer.
OATH
OF OFFICE:
The
attached oath of office for Council Members Bill Northquest, Terry
Peters and Gary McCullough were administered by City Clerk Janet
Jarrard.
Mayor Loy Jones recognized the new City Manager
Bill Lewis. Mayor Loy Jones also recognized Boy Scout Troop 303.
Members of the Boy Scout Troop were present in order to receive their
Communication Badge.
MINUTE
APPROVAL:
A
motion was made by Gary McCullough to approve the minutes of the
regular council meeting held on December 1, 2003. This motion was
seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
Isabella
Lynn presented a copy of David Williams' book about the Georgia Gold
Rush to the city and copies to each member of the governing body. Ms.
Lynn recommended that the city recognize that gold history is very
much a part of Dahlonega's economic base today in the tourism
industry. She also stated that it is the city's responsibility to
protect the character and heritage of the historically sensitive areas
and she recommended that the council appoint members to the Historic
Preservation Commission who are well grounded in history, architecture
and the principles of design appropriate to the designated historic
areas.
The council was advised that all paperwork has
been completed to grant a beer and wine license to David Meyer for the
Piazza Restaurant. A
motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve this request. The motion
was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
Hal Williams advised that the Downtown Development Authority recommended
that Frank (Mac) McCullough be appointed to the Downtown Development
Authority. A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Gary McCullough and
approved by all members present.
Mr. Williams expressed appreciation for the funds allotted to
the Authority in the City budget. He also advised that some of the
activities for which these funds will be used are: 1. Incentive grants
for the buildings in the Central Business District to make facade
improvements and for wiring upgrades. These projects will require
appropriate approval prior to grant funding. Grants will be limited to
10% of the cost of $1000 whichever is lower. 2.
Funding for approved marketing studies to increase the appeal
of the Historic Square. 3 Approved travel to recruit new business in
the Business District such as Genuine Georgia. 4. Surveys and title
searches for properties the DDA expects to acquire renovate, and
resell. 5. In house needs such as accounting, clerical and other
office activities. 6. General improvements on the Historic Square such
as the sign kiosk. 7. A
portion will be preserved for potential down payments on properties to
be acquired, renovated, and resold.
DEPARTMENT
REPORTS:
Bill
Scott advised that reports have been received concerning activities of
the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Department for the months of November
and December 2003. An
annual report was also received.
Mayor
Jones advised that the council has received a copy of the report concerning activities of the Code
Enforcement officer for the month of December 2003. The council also
received a report from the Planning Department for the month of
December 2003.
Gerald
Lewy, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission,
advised that the Commission met on December 17, 2003. The Commission
approved a banner application for Masterpiece Photography. A
remodeling application was also approved for Ken and Bonnie Richmond
for a new addition to the house located at 83 Choice Street.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Bill
Scott advised that Code Enforcement Officer Pam Teal is to be
commended for receiving a $10,000 grant to purchase a vehicle for the
Code Enforcement Office. Bill Scott also advised that the Police and
Fire Committee met on December 22.
Terry
Peters advised that the Ways and Means Committee met on December 19.
The committee discussed county contracts and they were advised that
more time is needed to evaluate the services provided by the county.
The county is willing to extend the current contracts for up to 60
days. The committee also discussed a contract for the Downtown
Development Authority. The FY 04 Budget approved a monthly expenditure
of $4,000. The committee recommended that $12,000 be paid to the DDA
that is now past due. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve
this recommendation contingent upon a contract being signed.
This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all
members present. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the 2004
Tourism Contract with the Chamber of Commerce.
This motion was seconded by Gary McCullough and approved by all
members present.
SECOND READING
AMENDMENT 6-ORDINANCE 85-4-SOIL ORDINANCE:
City
Attorney Doug Parks requested that the second reading of Amendment 6
to Ordinance 85-4 concerning updates to the Soil Erosion Ordinance be
delayed until next month to give more time to review the fee
structure.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT 7-ORDINANCE 75-7-SEWER ORDINANCE:
A
motion was made by Gary McCullough to approve the first reading of
Amendment 7 to Ordinance 75-7-Sewer Ordinance.
This amendment is
concerning industrial pretreatment requirements and rates.
This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all
members present.
FIRST
READING AMENDMENT 7-ORDINANCE 94-9-RETIREMENT:
A
motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the first reading of
Amendment 7 to Ordinance 94-9-Retirement Ordinance.
This amendment would delete the requirement for the City
Manager to participate in the city's retirement plan.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all
members present.
FIRST
READING AMENDMENT 1-ORDINANCE 91-5-ANIMAL CONTROL:
A
motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the first reading of
Amendment 1 to Ordinance 91-5-Animal Control. The motion was seconded
by Bill Scott and approved by all members present. City Manager Bill
Lewis recommended that the City Attorney and Sheriff Berry review the
ordinance before the second reading.
GMA
DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN ADOPTION AGREEMENT:
A
motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the GMA Defined Benefit
Plan Adoption Agreement. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott
and approved by all members present. This agreement would allow city employees to
participate in the GMA Defined Benefit Plan on a voluntary basis and
would also provide for payments by the city to the retirement plan for
the new city manager as per his contract agreements.
MAYOR'S
COMMENTS:
Mayor
Jones recommended that Claudine Earls be reappointed the Dahlonega
Housing Authority for a one-year term.
A motion was made by Gary McCullough to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved
by all members present. Mayor Jones announced that a meeting would be
held tomorrow at City Hall at 3:00 p.m. concerning the city's
Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Jones also announced that a work session
would be held on January 21 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss committee
assignments and appointment of the Mayor Pro-Tern.
CITY
MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City
Manager Bill Lewis advised that the 4-wheel drive vehicle cost $10,000
for the Code Enforcement Officer. The grant totaled $9,310.00 and the
city will be required to pay only $690.00. The old vehicle for code
enforcement will be transferred to public works. The council was
informed that the solid waste facility is almost complete and Mr.
Lewis recommended that a ribbon cutting ceremony be held. The facility
will require fencing, which was not a part of the original contract.
The cost of the fencing will be $5,000.00. This has already been
ordered due to the fact that there is a 14 ft drop off area, which
would be exposed to the public. Mr. Lewis recommended that a tractor
be purchased to haul garbage from the transfer station. Arrangements
had been made for a private hauler to provide this service but the
contractor decided not to provide the service. Mr. Lewis stated that
in the long term it would be more cost effective to own a tractor and
utilize existing personnel to provide the service. A 1996 tractor has
been located that has a engine and front end rebuild at a price of
$23,000 plus $3,000 to install a well system to operate the walking
floor in the trailer. The numbers show that we can save enough in
hauling charges over a two-year period to pay for the tractor.
Owning a tractor will also make it possible to exchange our old
10-wheel dump for a dump trailer, which
is more efficient. A
motion was made by Gary McCullough to approve the purchase of the
tractor and wet system. This motion was seconded by Dudley Owens and
approved by the following vote count: Voting for the motion were
McCullough, Peters, Northquest, Scott and Owens.
Larry Crowel voted against the motion.
Mr. Lewis also advised that he met with Sheriff Berry to
discuss law enforcement in the downtown area. Sheriff Berry agreed to
continue discussions and to keep the council informed. The council was
informed that the format for the monthly financial report has been
changed. Water and sewer revenues have been changed to water and sewer
sales. These revenues
should be increased to cover operating expenses.
Mr. Lewis recommended that tapping fees be put into a separate
fund for capital recovery fees.
COUNCIL'S
COMMENTS:
Bill
Scott advised that there has been a request to consider extending the
farmer's market through the month of October.
Mayor Jones recommended that this request be referred to the
work session planned for January 21. Bill Northquest stated that he is
honored to have been elected to serve as council member.
Gary McCullough also stated that he appreciated the support
from city voters and he has enjoyed serving for the past fourteen
years.
CITY
ATTORNEY COMMENTS:
City
Attorney Doug Parks advised that the Intergovernmental Agreement with
the State for the Reservoir Agreement has been extended for another
year to complete all the mitigation requirements. A meeting will be
held with GEFA authorities within the next few days and a report will
be provided to the council.
ADJOURNMENT:
A
motion was made by Gary McCullough to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members
present.
APPROVED BY ME
THIS ___ DAY OF
_______,2004.
Loy Jones, Mayor
Attest:Janet
Jarrard, City Clerk
-------------------------------------ATTACHMENTS------------------------------------
CITY COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I
WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE STATE OF
GEORGIA, THAT I WILL IN ALL RESPECTS OBSERVE THE PROVISIONS OF THE
CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DAHLONEGA AND I WILL FAITHFULLY
DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF COUNCIL MEMBER SO HELP ME GOD.
THIS 5th DAY OF JANUARY, 2004
Gary
McCullough
William
Northquest
Terry
Peters
Attest:
Janet Jarrard, City Clerk
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