REGULAR CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 5, 2007

CALLED TO ORDER:

The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session on March 5, 2007 at City Hall. Council members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, Terry Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor McCullough asked Michael Clemons to open the meeting with prayer and asked everyone to stand for the Pledge to the American Flag.

 PLAQUE PRESENTATION:

Mayor McCullough stated that Michael Neubauer had resigned from Planning & Zoning and the City would like to present him with a plaque for outstanding service for the six years that he served. Mr. Newbauer was not present to accept the plaque. The City also had a plaque to present to Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation for their display of corporate citizenship for their continued support of Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas. No one attended to accept Amicalola plaque. Mayor McCullough stated he would get their plaque delivered to them.

 PUBLIC HEARING:

City Attorney Doug Parks advised of a public hearing from Mountain Music Park Phase lA plat approval. Mr. John Rymer requested final approval of Phase lA. Planning Director, Chris Head was asked for staff recommendations on this request. Mrs. Head informed council they were in the process of completing some of the infrastructure of Phase 1 A. Planning Commission and staff recommend approval contingent upon submittal of performance bonds. Michael Clemons asked if approval was given, when would they have the revision of the entrance complete that DOT has requested. Council was informed that they had met with Dale Westmoreland, Field Inspector with DOT and he had asked them to make some modifications. They have a revised set of plans for DOT approval and a scheduled meeting tomorrow. As soon as approval has been given they will start work immediately. They will be relocating the entrance 110 feet and widening Hwy 60 to put in a left hand turn lane into the new community. A motion was made by Sam Norton to accept this request. The motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.

 COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Councilman Michael Clemons made a motion to amend the Council Agenda to add a request for discussion of a city lobbyist. Motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.

 MINUTE APPROVAL:

A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the minutes as written of the work session held on February 5th. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present. 

A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the special meeting held on February 7th. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present. Mayor Gary McCullough stated that the council will discuss rescinding the portion of the minutes containing hiring a lobbyist.

 CITIZENS:

The Council was informed that all paperwork has been completed for the transfer of a Beer and Wine License to Russell Wallace for Golden Pantry. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.

 The Council was informed that all paperwork has been completed for the transfer of a Beer and Wine License to Kimberly Dowdle for Fast Stop Convenience Store. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present. 

The Council was informed that all paperwork has been completed for the transfer of a Beer license to Mushtaq Shafqat for Golden Express Convenience Store. A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord 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 February, 2007. The Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission and Chamber of Commerce also submitted reports. 

MAYORS COMMENTS:

Mayor Gary McCullough asked for a motion to rescind former motion concerning a lobbyist. Sam Norton made a motion, seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present. Michael Clemons made a new motion to fund a years contract with Troutman. This would include payment of $8,000 monthly with $500.00 yearly for expenses. This contract would be solely with the City. Mayor McCullough stated he would speak with Steve Gooch to let him know, so if the County does decide they also want to participate. Terry made a motion to approve the new motion. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.

 Mayor Gary McCullough asked for a motion to change the date of the September council meeting from September 10th to September 4th. Michael Clemons made a motion for the date change. Motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.