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REGULAR MEETING
DAHLONEGA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4, 2008
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City
Council met in regular session on February 4, 2008 at City Hall.
Council members present were Michael Clemons, Guy Laboa, Gerald
Lord, Sam Norton, Terry Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary
McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Gary Powers
opened the meeting with prayer and Bill Scott lead all present in
the Pledge to the American Flag. Mayor McCullough welcomed students
representing the NGCSU Governmental Classes.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by
Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting
held January 7, 2008. This motion was seconded by Michael Clemons
and approved by all members present.
DEPARTMENT
REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough
advised that reports have been received from the Dahlonega Planning
Department, Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission, and Corridor
Committee for activities during the month of January, 2008. Guy
Laboa commented that the Dahlonega Historical Commission report
advised that another sign was installed in the downtown area without
approval. This is the third incident in which sign regulations have
been disregarded. City Manager Bill Lewis was requested to follow
up on this and to report back to the council. Chamber of Commerce
Director Gary Powers presented the Chamber Report. He advised that
Christmas lights were taken down today. The Chamber Board held a
retreat and developed a business plan for 2008. The annual Chamber
Banquet is planned for March 1. The Celtic Festival is planned for
March 8 and 9. A cycling website has been developed. This website
will feature the cycling activities planned including the 6 Gap and
Tour de Georgia. All cycling trails in this area will also be
included. A City Membership Plaque was presented to Mayor
McCullough. Hal Williams gave the highlights of 2007. He reported
that the chamber’s website had approximately 11,000,000 hits since
January from 104 countries, all 50 states and 2 territories. There
were 261,000 visitors to the Welcome Center during 2007. Marketing
by the Chamber resulted in Dahlonega being selected by US News and
Word Report as one of America’s Ten Best Retirement Communities.
Dahlonega has also been featured in over 150 articles by national,
regional and state magazines. The Chamber received the Governor’s
award for Best Marketing in Georgia Tourism. Gayle Jones and
Joel Cordle presented the quarterly DDA and Better Hometown Report.
Mr. Cordle advised that Mission and Vision Statements have been
developed. A five-year work plan has been on-going for two
years. A financial report was also presented. Mr. Cordle
advised that an annual DDA/Better Hometown Economic impact summary
showed that during 2007 seventeen buildings were rehabbed, forty new
jobs were created and the total dollar amount of property
investments was $7,322,162. Gayle Jones invited the Mayor and
Council to attend a reception and awards program to honor special
downtown achievements for 2007. Special awards will be presented to
downtown’s current business owners who have operated continuously in
the historic central business district for 25 or more years. This
event will be held March 22 at the Smith House.
FIRST READING OF
AMENDMENT 1-ORDINANCE 2000-6:
A motion was made by
Michael Clemons to approve the first reading of Amendment 1 to
Ordinance 2000-6-Tattoo Studio/Artist Regulations. This motion was
seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER’S
COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill
Lewis presented an Addendum to Contract B. This change to Contract
B will replace the sewer line currently located under the reservoir
and replace it with a sewer line attached to the reservoir bridge.
Mr. Lewis recommended that the old sewer line be capped and left in
the reservoir. JJ & G Engineer Frank Rombardo advised that the
estimated cost of this change with a 30 percent contingency is
$187,500. Mr. Lewis also requested that an estimate be given for
other contract changes that were presented at the January 31 Work
Session. The estimated cost presented by JJ & G Engineering with a
30 percent contingency is $2,633,000. Mr. Lewis advised that the
city may not be able to afford this project at this time. He
requested that another work session be held to look at all
alternatives and to also give time to explore all revenue sources.
Mayor Gary McCullough advised that a work session would be held
next week concerning this matter. Mr. Lewis recommended that the
Addendum to Contract B be approved at this time. The bid opening
date is set for February 7 and the contractors would need to be
advised that the bid opening date would change to allow for this
addendum. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the Addendum
to Contract B to remove the existing sewer force main from under the
reservoir and to replace it with a sewer force main across the
reservoir pipe bridge. This sewer force main will be designed for
the raw water and distribution lines from the new water treatment
plant and also the installation of a 12 inch sewer force main for
future development. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and
approved by all members present.
MAYOR’S
COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary
McCullough recommended that a six percent salary increase be
approved for City Manager Bill Lewis. A motion was made by Sam
Norton to approve the six percent salary increase retroactive to
October 1, 2007. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and
approved by the following vote count: Voting for the motion were
Laboa, Scott, Norton, Lord and Peters. Michael Clemons voted
against the motion.
Mayor McCullough
recommended that Claudine Earls be reappointed to the Dahlonega
Housing Authority and Jewell Hood be appointed to replace Louise
Riddle. Ms. Riddle has decided to retire after many years of
service. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve these
appointments. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved
by all members present.
Mayor McCullough
recommended that Cal McGraw be appointed to the Dahlonega Planning
and Zoning Commission to serve the remaining term of Glenn Conner.
A motion was made by Guy Laboa to approve this appointment. The
motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members
present.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by
Gerald Lord to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. This motion was
seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME
THIS____________DAY OF_______________,2008.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK |
