|
REGULAR
MEETING DAHLONEGA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH
3, 2008
CALL TO
ORDER:
The Dahlonega City
Council met in regular session on March 3, 2008 at City Hall. Council
members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, Terry
Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to
order at 6:10 p.m. Mayor McCullough opened the meeting with prayer and
Sam Norton 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
Bill Scott to approve the minutes of the regular Council Meeting held
February 4, 2008. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved
by all members present. A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the
minutes of special Council Meetings held February 12 and February 29.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present.
FY 07 AUDIT REPORT:
Rushton and Company
Representative Chris Hollifield presented a report concerning the FY 07
Audit. Mr. Hollifield advised that the he met with the Mayor and
Council at a work session held before the regular meeting and
distributed copies of the FY 07 Audit Report and also gave a
presentation concerning the report. Mr. Hollifield stated that he
appreciated the cooperation of city staff and he also advised that he
was happy to report that the city has a clean opinion letter. He
reported that the General Fund has a ten month reserve balance and the
Water and Sewerage Fund has a three month reserve fund balance. Total
net assets were reported at $20,046,038. The mayor and council were
given a letter with suggestions for improvements in operating
procedures. Mr. Hollifield advised that the city is in good financial
health and FY 2007 has been a good year for the city with a healthy fund
balance. Mayor McCullough thanked Mr. Hollifield for the report and
also expressed appreciation to the council and staff.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised
that reports have been received from the Dahlonega Planning and Code
Enforcement Departments for the month of February, 2007. A report was
also submitted by the Dahlonega Corridor Committee. Dahlonega
Historical Preservation Commission Chairman Susan Newell advised that
the committee met in February and approved three sign applications and
one temporary banner application. A signage plan was also approved for
Ruby’s Crossing and a residential sidewalk plan was approved.
Dahlonega Chamber of Commerce Director Gary Powers advised that the
Chamber’s first newsletter has been published. The Chamber plans to
publish a newsletter each month. Copies of the newsletter were
distributed to the mayor and council. The Chamber’s annual banquet was
held last Saturday. Mr. Powers advised that three citizens received
awards during the banquet. Awards were presented to Jack Anthony, Judy
Galvin and Todd and Amy Strickland. Mr. Powers advised that the total
number of visitors to the Welcome Center total 17,249 for this year.
Over two million people visited the Chamber’s Web Site this year. A new
Cycling Web Site will be set up this week. Mr. Powers also advised that
Dahlonega has been designated as one of the Top 5 Off Beat Locations in
the US. Mr. Powers expressed appreciation to Greg Moore and other
volunteers who made repairs and repainted the Welcome Center
restrooms. They also installed a hot water heater and added gutter
guards at no cost to the Chamber. Volunteers are also looking at ways
to expand the current facility. Mr. Powers announced that this weekend
will be the first annual Celtic Music Festival. Mayor McCullough
expressed appreciation to the Chamber for all they do to bring tourists
to Dahlonega.
SECOND READING
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. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and
approved by all members present. City Attorney Doug Parks advised that
this amendment will create a means for dual enforcement of the ordinance
between the city and county. The Lumpkin County Health Department will
provide enforcement.
CITY MANAGER
COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis
recommended approval of the attached GEFA Loan Contract. This loan will
fund seven projects related to the construction of the new water plant.
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this recommendation.
The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members
present. In order to qualify for the loan the city was required to
set aside $35,000. Bids were acquired for the Certificate of Deposit.
Mr. Lewis recommended that the council approve the attached Investment
Report. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by
all members present. Mr. Lewis advised that March 17, 2008 is the final
date to award the contract to proceed with construction of the new water
treatment plant. March 17 is also the date that the bonds will be
validated. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to give authority to City
Manager Bill Lewis and City Attorney Doug Parks to award the contract
contingent upon validation of the bonds. This motion was seconded by
Michael Clemons and approved by all members present. Mayor McCullough
advised that this is the largest project in the history of the city.
The bonds totaling $27,470,000 will be used to fund the new water
treatment plant.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor McCullough
recommended that Gerald Lewy be reappointed to the Dahlonega Planning
and Zoning Commission. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve this
appointment. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all
members present. Mayor McCullough advised that engineers are to make a
recommendation for improvements to Arcadia Street. Council members were
asked to make decisions concerning a pavilion for Hancock Park. A Work
Session was scheduled for March 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. to agree on an
architectural design for a new pavilion for Hancock Park.
CITY ATTORNEY’S
COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks
advised that he is working on revision to a sidewalk ordinance and other
ordinances. Mr. Parks expressed appreciation to the Dahlonega Nugget,
Clerk of Court Edward Tucker, Judge David Barrett and District Attorney
Stan Gunter for their assistance with the city’s bond project. Mayor
McCullough also expressed appreciation to City Attorney Doug Parks, City
Manager Bill Lewis and City Clerk Janet for their work with the bond
project.
CITIZENS:
Emily Lewy urged the
city council to cooperate with the county in assessing the impact fee
system. Mayor McCullough advised that he would contact county officials
concerning this matter.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was
adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS DAY
OF_______________________, 2008.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK
|
