|
City
Council Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2004
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session
February 2, 2004 at City Hall. Council
members present were Larry Crowel, Terry Peters, Bill Northquest and
Dudley Owens. Mayor Pro Tem Dudley Owens called the meeting to order
at 6:00 p.m. Rev. John Stewart opened the meeting with prayer.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
Larry Crowel made a motion to approve the minutes of
the regular meeting held on January 5, 2004. Terry Peters seconded the
motion. Bill Northquest made a motion to amend the minutes on Page 3
by adding the action taken to approve the GMA Defined . Benefit Plan
Adoption agreement and for corrections to Page 1 concerning grant
funding. The motion as amended was seconded by Larry Crowel and
approved by all members present. A motion was made by Terry Peters to
approve the minutes of the Work Session held on January 21, 2004. This
motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present. A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the minutes of
the Special Council Meeting held on January 21, 2004. This motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
City Manager Bill Lewis announced that the Georgia Department
of Industry and Trade advised that Leg 5 of the Tour De Georgia Cycle
Race would end in Dahlonega on April 23, 2004. This will bring
approximately 5,000 to 10,000 visitors into Dahlonega for the weekend
and the media exposure for Dahlonega will be tremendous, as Lance
Armstrong will be participating in the race. 128 cyclists will be
staying overnight in Dahlonega. Planning
meetings will be held and the council will be informed.
PUBLIC HEARING-REZONING
REQUEST:
A public hearing was held concerning a rezoning request
submitted by Joseph Dewitte. City Attorney Doug Parks acted as
moderator for the Public Hearing. Marilyn Mason advised that she is
purchasing the property located on Turner Road and the request is to
rezone from R2 Multifamily to Bl-Neighborhood Business. She intends to
remodel the existing structure for use as office space. There is
sufficient parking in both the front and rear of the property.
Planning Clerk Chris Head advised that this zoning classification is
adequate. No comments were received from adjoining property owners.
Mr. Parks advised that no comments were received from citizens present
at the meeting and the public hearing was closed. The Dahlonega
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the request be
approved. A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved
by all members present.
CITIZENS:
Mayor Pro Tern Dudley Owens advised that Edgar Land
will present the FY 03 Audit
Report at the next council meeting which is scheduled for March 3,
2004.
Mike Van Heck requested the city's permission to hold a
"Welcome Home Parade" on Saturday, March 20, 2004. Mr. Van
Heck advised that this would be held in honor of US Troops returning
from the war in Iraq. Plans call for an all day event with BBQ at
Hancock Park and a parade. Four different counties have agreed to
participate in the parade. Insurance will be provided and VFW members
have volunteered to clean up and to assist with parking.
The Sheriff has been informed and he has agreed to provide
security. A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve this request.
The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
CODE ENFORCEMENT
The council was informed that a report was received
from the Code Enforcement Officer for activities of the department for
the month of January 2004.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The council was informed that a report was received
from the Planning Department for activities of the department for the
month of January 2004. Chris Head advised that 1300 surveys were
mailed concerning the amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan. As
of this date, 216 responses have been returned.
DAHLONEGA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Gerald Lewy, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation
Commission, advised that the commission met on January 2, 2004.
The commission approved sign applications for A Wedding Company
located at 61 Boyd Circle and for the Corkscrew Cafe located at 51
Main Street. A banner application was also approved for the Literary
Festival.
SECOND READING-AMENDMENT
6-ORDINANCE 85-4:
Bill Lewis recommended that the second reading of the
soil erosion ordinance be postponed until the full council can be
present to review.
SECOND READING-AMENDMENT
7-ORDINANCE 75-7-SEWER ORDINANCE:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the second
reading of Amendment 7 to Ordinance 75-7-Sewer Ordinance. This motion
was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING-AMENDMENT
7-ORDINANCE 94-9-RETIREMENT PLAN:
A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the second
reading of Amendment 7 to Ordinance 94-9-Retirement Plan.
This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all
members present.
SECOND READING-AMENDMENT
1-ORDINANCE 91-5-ANIMAL CONTROL:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the second
reading of Amendment 1 to Ordinance 91-5-Animal Control.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all
members present.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended that a contract be
approved with GMA to provide revenue enhancement services relative to
hotel/motel tax collections and to approve a performance based
contract in which GMA will receive 35 percent of revenue collected as
part of the agreement. A
motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve these recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all
members present. Mr. Lewis advised that the city would be obligated to
proceed with all legal means to collect funds owed to the city from
hotel/motel taxation.
Mr. Lewis recommended that an easement be approved for
TT Folger and Guy Middleton for a 40 ft. permanent and 60 ft.
construction easement in the vicinity of the reservoir. A motion was
made by Larry Crowel to approve the easement. This motion was seconded
by Terry Peters and approved by all members present. Mr. Lewis also
recommended that the council ratify a prior easement agreement for
Marvin Anderson and Guy Middleton.
Both the mayor and county commissioner have already signed this
agreement. A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve this
recommendation. The
motion was seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all members
present.
The council was informed that the large window units at the city hall
building were built and installed incorrectly and the window units
were caulked and sealed incorrectly.
The estimated cost for window frame replacement and caulking is
$8256.00. This is in addition to glass replacement. Mr. Lewis
requested authority to spend up to $10,000 to correct all the
problems. A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve this request.
The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all
members present.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor Pro-Tern Dudley Owens advised that the Georgia
Supreme Court has ruled that it is illegal for counties and cities to
indemnify contracts for private parties. This is concerning a request
by County Commissioner Steve Gooch that the city sign a letter of
assurance that the city will reimburse grant funding if the developer
fails to create the jobs required by the grant. City Attorney Doug
Parks advised that it is beyond the capacity of the council to enter
into this agreement as the Georgia Supreme Court's ruling is very
clear concerning this matter. A motion was made by Bill Northquest to
deny the request made by the county commissioner. The motion was
seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all members present.
Dudley Owens advised that a training course would be
held in Rome, Georgia concerning the relationship and responsibilities
of council members and city managers. This will be held on April 2 and
the council was encouraged to attend.
The council was also urged to set a meeting date to visit the
capital. City Manager Bill Lewis advised that he would contact our GMA
Representative Bill Thornton to visit the Legislature while they are
in session. Nugget and Chamber representatives were encouraged to
coordinate a public forum for candidates in the upcoming special
election.
COUNCIL'S COMMENTS:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the
attached contract for the Downtown Development Authority. This motion
was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
Bill Lewis advised that city staff would perform administrative work
for the Downtown Development Authority until the work load becomes
unmanageable.
Larry Crowel advised that members of the council
attended Mayor's Day training courses. There have been recommendations
from citizens and others that the city change their method of voting
to the Post Method. Public hearings will be held concerning this
matter. Citizens were encouraged to vote in the Special Election on
March 3.
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended that the Code Enforcement Office
be changed to the title of City Marshal. This designation gives
broader responsibilities and expands the duties of the office.
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve this
recommendation. The motion
was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis advised that proof of council action concerning this change
must be submitted to state authorities.
Mr. Lewis recommended that a Strategic Planning Workshop be held after
the special election. Mr. Lewis also recommended that a five year
Capital Improvement Program be approved to assist staff in budget
preparation.
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS:
A citizen advised that there are numerous problems with
cyclist on the roads. She
recommended that there be designated routes for cyclist or bike lanes.
Dudley Owens advised that right of ways would be needed before state
assistance can be obtained.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to adjourn the
meeting at 7:15 p.m. This motion was seconded by Larry Crowel and
approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS _____DAY OF_________ ,2004.
Mayor
Attest: Janet Jarrard, City Clerk
COPIES
OF ALL CONTRACTS AND ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY
HALL
|
