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REGULAR CITY
OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 9, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council
met in regular session at City Hall on January 9, 2006. Council
members present were Michael Clemons, Guy LaBoa, Gerald Lord, Bill
Northquest and Terry Peters. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting
to order at 6:05 p.m. Guy LaBoa opened the meeting with prayer. Mayor
McCullough requested everyone present to stand for the Pledge to the
American Flag.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Terry
Peters to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held on
December 12, 2005. This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and
approved by all members present. A motion was made by Bill Northquest
to approve the minutes of the special council meeting held on January
5, 2006. This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all
members present.
PUBLIC HEARING-PRELIMINARY PLAN APPROVAL:
A public hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks for preliminary plan approval
for the Milson Group. Mark McCannon presented the preliminary plan for
a 32 unit development located off Old Airport Road. Mr. Parks asked
for comments from the public. Vernon Bowdish objected to PUD zoning in
all areas of the city. Mr. Parks asked for comments from staff
Planning Director Chris Head advised that some revisions to the
preliminary plan are in progress and recommended that the plan be
approved contingent upon staff approval of the revised plans. Mrs.
Head advised that the revision would also require engineers PE
certification. A motion was made by Guy LaBoa to approve the
preliminary plan contingent upon staff's approval of the revised
plans. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all
members present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised
that department reports have been received From the Dahlonega Planning
and Code Enforcement Departments for activities during the month of
December, 2005. A report of the Dahlonega Historical Commission
Meeting held December 21 was also submitted to the council.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2005-7-ANNEXATION:
A motion was made by Terry
Peters to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2005-7 -annexation
of the Milson Group property located off the Morrison Moore Connector
and the Old Airport Road. The property consists of 81 acres to be
zoned as PUD. The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved
by all members present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT
2-0RDINANCE 2005-2-ALCOHOL ORDINANCE:
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the
second reading of Amendment 2 to Ordinance 2005-2-Alcohol Ordinance.
The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present.
TOURISM CONTRACT:
Mayor McCullough advised that the present tourism
contract needs to be revised. After revision, the contract will be
presented at the February council meeting.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis advised that more information
is needed concerning the task order to perform pilot test for membrane
filter systems for the water plant. Engineers are to submit this
information next week.
Mr. Lewis requested that JJ & G Engineer Ben Williams give
an update on the Water and Sewer Master Plan. Mr. Williams advised
that council members attended a work shop concerning the master plan
which has recently been completed by JJ & G. Mr. Williams stated
that the reason for the plan is that it is required by Georgia EPD. It
is a comprehensive plan that will be adequate for the next twenty
years. It is a management tool to identify infrastructure needs for
both water and wastewater that can be used by staff. Two major
recommendations are contained in the plan which is construction of a
new four million gallon per day water treatment plant. It is
recommended that the new plant be a membrane filter system which
allows for expansion of the plant when needed. This is a process to
filter raw water which provides a better barrier for contaminants than
other methods. The plan calls for the city's current waste water plant
to be updated. The capital expenditures for the wastewater plant will
not be as extensive as capital expenditures for the new water plant.
Mr. Williams also advised that a plan has been designed by JJ & G
Engineers for the Lumpkin County Water Authority. City Manager Bill
Lewis advised that once the Lumpkin County Water and Sewer Authority
give their blessings on their plan it will be included as an
attachment to the city's final document. This document will be
submitted to EPD. A motion was made by Terry Peters for approval of
the Water and Sewer Master Plan. The motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa
and approved by all members present.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary McCullough
recommended that regular council meetings be held on the first Monday
of each month during 2006 with the exception of July 10 and September
11. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and
approved by all members present. Mayor McCullough recommended that
Claudine Earls be reappointed to the Dahlonega Housing Authority. A
motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve this recommendation. The
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present. Mayor McCullough announced that George Brink has been
appointed to the Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission. Mayor
McCullough recommended 1hat Guy LaBoa be appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem
for 2006. A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve this
appointment. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by
all members present. Mayor McCullough announced that this will be Bill
Northquest's last meeting as he is moving to Hall County and will be
resigning on January 31. Mr. Northquest was thanked for all his hard
work and Mayor McCullough stated that Mr. Northquest will be missed.
COUNCIL’S COMMENTS
Guy LaBoa asked that
Lumpkin County be requested to assist in funding for gravel needed at
the reservoir parking area. He also asked about the status of the
county's response to the reservoir agreement. Bill Lewis advised that
there has been no response. Mr. LaBoa also inquired about when the
repaving of city streets will occur. Mr. Lewis advised that we have
been waiting for the contractor to complete the projects. The city
attorney has also contacted the contractor. Mr. LaBoa asked about the
status of the traffic light for Pine Tree Intersection. Mr. Lewis
advised that he has been waiting for DOT permit approval and the
project will be bid as soon as this is received.
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Hal Williams announced that
the Heritage Tourism Conference will be completed in Dahlonega.
January 19 and 20 the Appalachian Regional Tourism Commission will be
meeting at NGCSU. The Georgia Lottery Commission has asked Dahlonega
to host a new three million dollar gold rush game. Mr. Williams also
advised that tourism is up approximately eleven percent during 2005.
Vernon Bowdish stated that he is upset that no parking signs
have been installed at the reservoir and that a trench has been set up
on the reservoir access road. The reservoir should be used for
recreation. Mr. Bowdish also expressed his opposition to all PUD
zonings within the city as he feels that this brings in unrestricted
growth.
It was also announced that a special election will be held on
March 21 to fill the unexpired term of Bill Northquest. Qualifying
dates will be announced at a later date. New council member Gerald
Lord was welcomed. Bill Northquest stated that he is pleased to have
served on such a quality council.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Guy LaBoa to adjourn the meeting
at 6:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by
all members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS ________ DAY OF _____________________, 2006.
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK
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