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REGULAR
CITY
OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City
Council
met in regular session at City Hall on
February 6, 2006
.
Council
members present were
Michael Clemons
, Guy LaBoa, Gerald Lord,
Terry Peters
and
Bill Scott
.
Mayor
Gary McCullough
called the meeting to order at
6:00 p.m.
and 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 Gerald
Lord to approve the minutes of the regular
Council
Meeting held on
January 9, 2006
. This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all members
present. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of
the special
Council
Meeting held
January 18, 2006
. This motion was seconded by
Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
PUBLIC HEARING-PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION APPROVAL:
A Public Hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning preliminary
subdivision approval for James Parks.
Mark
Buchanan presented the request for subdivision approval for 31 acres
off
Wimpy Mill Road
. The subdivision will be constructed in phases and all lots will be
served by city water and sewer. The roads will be constructed to city
standards and dedicated to the city. Mr. Parks asked for comments from
the public. Hearing no comments, Mr. Parks asked for staff
recommendations. Chris Head advised that all lots meet city
regulations. She also advised that engineered drawings are in progress
and recommended approval contingent upon staff approval of the
drawings.
Mayor
McCullough recommended two curb cuts off
Wimpy Mill Road
to serve four lots. Mr. Buchanan stated that would not be a problem
and one common driveway could serve two lots. The water and sewer
lines will be installed on the road right of way which will be
dedicated to the city. A motion was made by
Bill Scott
to approve the recommendations of the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning
Commission for preliminary subdivision approval. The motion was
seconded by
Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
TOWN HALL MEETING-DEVELOPMENT DESIGN STANDARDS:
City
Manager
Bill Lewis
advised that the city has contracted with University of Georgia
Fanning Institute to assist in developing design policies and
guidelines. UGA representatives Pratt Cassady and Danny Bivins held
interviews with a citizens committee to understand their vision of
what our community and its major transportation corridors should look
like in the future. This information was given to a Design Committee
for evaluation and it will be used to formulate the design policies
and guidelines for Dahlonega. A Town Hall Meeting was also held for
public comment. A short survey was distributed to all citizens present
concernng their impressions about the exit and entrance points into
Dahlonega. Mr. Cassady and Mr. Bivins gave a video presentation
concerning design standards that have been established for other
cities in
Georgia
. Mr. Cassady commended that the corridors in any city should be the
most beautiful part of town; growth should occur but not at the
expense of losing beauty. Mr. Cassady advised that developers will
play by the city's rules concerning construction and sign guidelines.
Other buildings that are already constructed along the corridors can
be retrofitted to conform to the city's guidelines.
Mayor
McCullough thanked Mr. Cassady and Mr. Bivins for their presentation.
CITIZENS:
Mayor
McCullough recognized Boy Scout Leader Steve Roy who was present at
the meeting along with several Boy Scouts who are working on Merit and
Communication Badges.
Larry Sorohan announced that Arbor Day will be February 17. A
tree will be planted at
11:00 a.m.
at
Hancock
Park
.
The mayor and council were informed that Laura Estrada has
completed all paperwork for a distilled spirits license for Pueblos
Restaurant. The GCIC report for Ms. Estrada indicated no record. A
motion was made by Guy LaBoa to approve the license. This motion was
seconded by
Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
The mayor and council were informed that Patrick Beidle has
completed all paperwork for a distilled spirits license for Birch
River Golf Management. The GCIC report also indicated no record for
Mr. Beidle. A motion was made by
Bill Scott
to approve the license. This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and
approved by all members present.
The mayor and council were informed that Hoyt Wilson has
completed all paperwork for a beer license for American Legion Post
239. The GCIC report indicated no record for Mr. Wilson. A motion was
made by Guy LaBoa to approve this license. The motion was seconded by
Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
City Manager
Bill Lewis
advised that AAMPR has offered to deed to the city .51 acres of
property located between
Tipton Drive
and
Ansley Drive
. The developers have no use for the property because there is not
enough space to construct a building. Mr. Lewis stated that the city
has no practical use for the property and it would require future
maintenance. A motion was made by
Michael Clemons
to accept the property. This motion was seconded by
Bill Scott
. Other council members asked if there were any outstanding loans,
etc. and
Mayor
McCullough asked the city attorney to check on this. The motion was
then withdrawn and the request was deferred to the next council
meeting.
Susan Newell, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historical Preservation
Commission, advised that the Commission approved exterior alteration
applications for the Back Porch Oyster Bar and The Crimson Moon. Sign
applications were also approved for Renegade Cycle Gear and Mountain
Memories Gift Shoppe. Ms. Newell also advised that Anne Amerson
resigned as an Ex-Officio member. The city's building inspector was
also asked to check on possible code violations concerning restroom
facilities for Back Porch Oyster Bar Restaurant.
FIRST
READING
ORDINANCE 2006-1-ANNEXATION:
The Dahlonega Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of an annexation request
submitted by Wyman Walden for 5.7 acres located on Highway 19 North.
The annexation would allow his property to be connected to city sewer.
The property is to be zoned as B2 and .5 acres as R2. A motion was
made by
Bill Scott
to approve this recommendation and to approve the first reading of
Ordinance 2006-1 for annexation and zoning. The motion was seconded by
Michael Clemons
and approved by all members present.
FIRST
READING
ORDINANCE 2006-2-ANNEXATION:
The Dahlonega Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of an annexation request
submitted by Larry Banister for 2.25 acres located on Highway 19
North. The annexation would also allow his property to be connected to
city sewer. The property is to be zoned as B2. A motion was made by
Terry Peters
to approve this recommendation and to approve the first reading of
Ordinance 2006-2 for annexation and zoning. The motion was seconded by
Michael Clemons
and approved by all members present.
Bill Lewis
advised that both properties have access to city sewer from the new
school administration building. Both property owners have agreed to
share in the cost for the extension of the sewer line.
SPECIAL ELECTION & APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor
McCullough advised that action needs to be taken to call for a special
election on March 21 to fill the unexpired term of
Bill Northquest
for
Council
Post 5. Qualifying dates for the special election will be
Monday, March 20, 2006
beginning at
8:30 a.m.
through Wednesday, March 22 ending at
12:00
noon
. A motion was made by
Michael Clemons
to approve the call for the special election and to make the following
appointments: Election Superintendent,
Janet Jarrard
, Asst. Superintendent
Lou
Wimpy, Frankie Caldwell, Election Poll Worker Manager,
Lou
Wimpy and
Janet Jarrard
, Absentee Ballot Clerks and
Janet Jarrard
, Qualifying Clerk. The motion was seconded by
Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
TOURISM CONTRACT:
The Tourism Development Services Contract was deferred
until the next council meeting. A work session will be held with
Chamber of Commerce members concerning the contract.
CITY
MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager
Bill Lewis
advised that proposals have been received from four companies for an
automated meter reading system. This system will reduce personnel
costs. It is recommended that all water meters be changed out every
ten to twelve years and city meters have not been changed out since
1987. Over a period of time water meters have a tendency to slow down
and revenues are therefore decreased. City staff are reviewing the
proposals and this will be submitted to the council. RFP's are also to
go out for construction of a new water plant. At this time the
proposals will be for a water plant that will be capable of producing
four million gallons daily initially and ultimately ten million
gallons per day.
Citizens were informed that the mayor and council plan to
consult with DOT officials in
Atlanta
on February 10 to meet with Commissioner Harold Linnerkohl. Four miles
of city streets have been paved and the council plans to request
$100,000 funding for additional paving. The mayor and council will
also meet with Rep. Amos Amerson to talk about possible funding from
the Legislature to rehabilitate the city's sewer system.
Mr. Lewis advised that draft copies of the FY 05 Audit were
distributed to the mayor and council. A work session concerning the
audit will be held on March 6 before the next regular council meeting.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor
Gary McCullough
recommended that Tona McConnell be appointed to the Lumpkin County
Board of Health. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by
Michael Clemons
and approved by all members present.
Mayor
McCullough recommended that Gene Westmoreland be appointed as an
Ex-Official member of the Dahlonega Historical Commission. A motion
was made by
Bill Scott
to approve this appointment. The motion was seconded by
Terry Peters
and approved by all members present.
Mayor
McCullough announced that he has been appointed to the National League
of Cities Small Cities
Council
for 2006.
A ceremony will be held on the public square on February 22 to
install a historic marker. This will be held at
8:30 a.m.
near the
Fred
Jones
Building
.
COUNCIL'S COMMENTS:
Michael Clemons
recommended that the council look into purchasing the Lumpkin County
Farmer's Association property and also the
Clark
property which adjoins the Lumpkin County Farmer's Co-op. Mr. Clemons
also asked that the city inspector check to see if businesses are in
compliance with the smoking ordinance. He also recommended that the
council check into purchasing a street sweeper. Guy LaBoa asked about
the status of the traffic light installation at the Pine Tree Road
Intersection.
Bill Lewis
advised that the permit should be issued soon. Gerald Lord asked that
the city manager check into the price of using decorative poles for
installation of the traffic light.
CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks
advised that he is working with United Community Bank on the financial
side of interim financing for the new water plant construction. He is
expecting a commitment from the bank this week. The wetland mitigation
for
Camp
Glisson
is about one half complete. The project should be completed within the
next six to eight months.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at
7:30 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS ______ DAY OF ___________________,
2006.
Mayor
Gary McCullough
Attest: City Clerk,
Janet Jarrard
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