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REGULAR MEETING
DAHLONEGA CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 2008
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City
Council met in regular session on January 7, 2008 at City Hall.
Council members present were Michael Clemons, Guy Laboa, Gerald
Lord, Sam Norton, and Terry Peters. Mayor Gary McCullough called
the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Gary McCullough opened the
meeting with prayer and called on Guy Laboa to lead all present in
the Pledge to the American Flag.
OATH OF OFFICE:
Council members
Michael Clemons, Sam Norton and Terry Peters were sworn into a
four-year term of office by City Clerk Janet Jarrard.
PUBLIC
HEARING-REZONING:
A public hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks for a rezoning request
submitted by Roberta Green. The application is for rezoning of 9.54
acres located on the corner of Morrison Moore Parkway and Mechanics
Street. The request is to rezone from Industrial to B2-Highway
Business. Joy Walker advised that a contract is pending approval of
the rezoning request. Ms. Walker advised that the rezoning would be
an enhancement to surrounding areas and would be used for an
office/retail complex which is a more appropriate use than
industrial. Mr. Parks called for comments from the public either
for or against the request. Hearing no comments, the public hearing
was closed and Mr. Parks asked for Planning Commission
recommendations. Planning Director Chris Head advised that the
Planning Commission recommended approval. Staff also recommends
approval contingent upon each individual parcel receiving approval
from the Dahlonega Corridor Committee. Mrs. Head advised that the
property has been subdivided and will be sold as separate lots.
Mayor McCullough advised that a traffic study will be completed for
Morrison Moore Corridor from Chestatee Street to the Wal-Mart
traffic light. After the study has been completed Mayor McCullough
plans to meet with DOT representatives to request funding for some
of the needed improvements. A motion was made by Terry Peters to
approve the rezoning to B2 conditional upon each individual lot
owner receiving approval from the Corridor Committee for their site
plans. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all
members present.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by
Sam Norton to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting
held on December 3, 2007. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and
approved by all members present. A motion was made by Sam Norton to
approve the minutes of the special council meeting held on December
11, 2007. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all
members present. A motion was made by Guy Laboa to approve the
minutes of the special council meeting held on December 18, 2007.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters. It was pointed out that
there was a mistake in the minutes in which the dates were listed
incorrectly. A motion was made by Guy Laboa to amend the motion to
reflect this correction. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
DEPARTMENT
REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough
advised that reports were received from the Dahlonega Planning and
Code Enforcement Departments for activities during the month of
December, 2007. Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission
Chairman Susan Newell advised that the commission met on December 19
and approved a sign application for Cohen Center located at 87 North
Chestatee Street.
Dahlonega/Lumpkin
County Chamber of Commerce Director Gary Powers advised that
Jennifer Herring was reelected as Chairman for the Chamber Board for
2008. A seven-member Chamber Board has also been appointed. Mr.
Powers announced that the Chamber Board will hold its annual retreat
at the Jaycee Building. Eggs and Issues will be held January 16 at
NGCSU. Senator Johnny Isakson will be the speaker for the event.
The Celtic Festival will be held March 8 and 9. Tour De Georgia
will be held April 25. The Finish Line for Tour De Georgia will be
in Dahlonega. Mr. Powers also advised that Amy Booker has been
hired as a new Chamber Staff Member. Hal Williams advised that over
eleven million people viewed the Chamber’s website during the year
2007.
CITY MANAGER’S
COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill
Lewis advised that the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Contract needs to be
ratified due to changes in the payment schedule. Lumpkin County
approved a new pay and classification study for employees which will
change the contract price by an additional $5,000 annually. A
motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the attached contract.
This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa. The motion was approved by
the following vote count: Voting for the motion were Laboa, Norton
and Peters. Michael Clemons and Gerald Lord voted against the
motion.
Mr. Lewis presented
the attached GMA Resolution to authorize the lease purchase of a
Kubota Trackhoe. Mr. Lewis advised that the low bid for the
trackhoe was $49,710.00. This will replace the existing trackhoe
used by the water department. The old trackhoe will be transferred
to the cemetery department. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to
approve the Resolution to purchase this equipment. The motion was
seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis
recommended that the annual contract for Tourism Development
Services through the Chamber of Commerce be approved. A motion was
made by Michael Clemons to approve the attached contract. This
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor McCullough
recommended that the council’s annual planning retreat be held
during February. The retreat was tentative set for February 21 and
22. A special meeting was called for January 10 at 4:00 p.m. to
hold a performance review for the city manager. Mayor McCullough
announced that the National League of Cities Congressional City
Conference will be held in Washington March 8-12, 2008. Any council
member wishing to attend needs to schedule this as soon as
possible.
COUNCIL’S
COMMENTS:
Gerald Lord asked if
the appraisal for the school property has been completed. City
Attorney Doug Parks advised that this should be completed soon.
CITIZEN’S
COMMENTS:
Hal Williams advised
that merchants on the square will miss city employee Barney Reeves
who has recently retired.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by
Sam Norton to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. This motion was
seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME
THIS____________DAY OF____________________,2008.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK |
