REGULAR CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 5, 2007
CALLED
TO ORDER:
The
Dahlonega City Council met in regular session on February 5, 2007 at City Hall.
Council members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, Terry
Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough opened the meeting with prayer and
asked everyone to stand for the Pledge to the American Flag.
AUDIT REPORT:
Edgar Land, owner of Land and Associates Auditors, presented the FY 06 Audit
Report. Mr. Land advised that the city had an excellent year and an excellent
audit. He thanked the staff for the hard work in completing the audit. Mr. Land
stated that the city's assets increased over 2.3 million dollars. He also
reported that the only reportable comment was the usual comment concerning
internal control. He noted that the city has already implemented changes to
separate duties with the hiring of an additional employee in the accounting
department. Mr. Land complimented the mayor and council and staff for an
excellent audit. Mayor McCullough thanked Mr. Land for the presentation and
advised that the mayor and council are proud of the city staff. A motion was
made by Terry Peters to accept the FY 06 Audit Report. The motion was seconded
by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
MINUTE
APPROVAL:
A motion
was made by Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the council meetings held
January, 2007. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all
members present.
CITIZENS:
The council was informed that all paperwork has been completed for issuance of a
wine license to Sam Norton for Dahlonega Dessertery. The GCIC report for Mr.
Norton indicated no record. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the
license. The 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 and Code Enforcement Departments concerning activities during the month
of January, 2007. Gerald Lord asked about the process for zoning violations.
Code Enforcement Officer Pam Teal advised that after a zoning violation has been
confirmed pictures are taken for documentation and verbal contact is made. If
the violation is not corrected with ten to fifteen days a written warning is
issued and the final stage for non compliance of a zoning violation is the
issuance of a court citation.
Susan Newell, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission,
advised that the commission met January 17 and approved a sign application for
The Humble Candle Shop located in the old Jack's Cafe. Dale Steenburgen, Chamber
of Commerce Director, announced that February 22 will be Dahlonega and Lumpkin
County Day at the Capitol. The Mayor and Council were invited to attend. A
Transportation Summit will be held on February 27 in which a county wide
transportation plan will be presented. Mr. Steenburgen advised that the
transportation plan will have major implications for Dahlonega. The Chamber of
Commerce Banquet will be held March 3 at R Ranch. Business After Hours will be
held February 13 at Mountain State Bank.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2007-1:
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that the Corridor Overlay Ordinance has not
been completed. The second revision of the ordinance has been submitted to
consultants and the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission are scheduled to
review the final draft next week. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to
approve the first reading of Ordinance 2007-I-Corridor Overlay Ordinance. The
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by the following vote count:
Voting for the motion were Scott, Peters, Clemons and Norton. Gerald Lord voted
against the ordinance.
DDA REVOLVING LOAN RESOLUTION:
City Attorney Doug Parks presented a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute
a Dahlonega Downtown Authority Revolving Loan Fund Application to the Department
of Community Affairs on behalf of the Smith House, Inc. A motion was made by
Michael Clemons to approve the attached Resolution. The motion was seconded by
Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended that an amendment to the current banking
contract be approved. This would extend the city's current bank contact until
June 30, 2008. Mr. Lewis advised that the city has a Tax Anticipation Loan with
United Community Bank to provide interim financing for the water treatment plant
construction. There will be a fee of $2,500 for this loan and United Community
Bank has agreed to pay for one half the costs. A motion was made by Terry Peters
to approve the attached agreement. The motion was seconded by Bill Scott and
approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis advised that a water withdrawal permit has been executed and sent to
EPD. He also advised that DOT plans to pave Highway 60/52 during early spring.
DOT is currently doing milling work to resurface the streets. They also plan to
redo their handicap ramps downtown after paving has been completed. Mr. Lewis
advised that he plans to request DOT to add the city's handicap ramps to the
same contract.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor McCullough recommended that Rosalie Jensen be reappointed to the Dahlonega
Historical Preservation Commission. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to
approve this recommendation. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved
by all members present. Mayor McCullough recommended Eddie Wayne be reappointed
to the Dahlonega Housing Authority. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve
this recommendation. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all
members present. The council was informed that Michael Neubauer has resigned
from the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor McCullough announced
that Arbor Day will be observed on February 16. A tree has been donated by
Wallace Landscaping and it will be planted on February 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the
Reservoir.
COUNCIL'S COMMENTS:
Gerald Lord urged personnel to follow up on all code violations. Bill Scott
requested sidewalk work to be a priority. He recommended that more ramps be
added for wheelchairs. Mayor McCullough advised that a meeting will be set to
hear concerns of the Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission members and
Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission members.
CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks presented an updated Resolution concerning the Tax
Anticipation Note Agreement with United Community Bank. A motion was made by
Michael Clemons to approve the attached Resolution. The motion was seconded by
Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gerald
Lord announced that February 10 will be Family Day at the State Legislature.
Robert Bridges advised that he is concerned about too many signs posted at
various construction sites. The City Marshal was requested to address this
problem.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion
was made by Michael Clemons to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
APPROVED
BY ME THIS ____ DAY OF_____________ ,2007.
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK
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