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REGULAR CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING MAY 1, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session at City Hall on May 1, 2006.
Council members present were Michael Clemons, Sam Norton, Terry Peters and Bill
Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Mayor
Gary McCullough opened the meeting with prayer and requested everyone to stand
for the Pledge to the American Flag.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A public hearing was conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning a rezoning
request submitted by Nick Schiltz. Mr. Schiltz presented the request and advised
that the property is located at 1083 Morrison Moore Parkway. He is requesting
rezoning from R2 to B2 to utilize the existing structure for commercial use. The
adjoining property is zoned B2 and the property across the street is also zoned
as B2. Mr. Parks asked for public comments. Hearing no comments from the public
Mr. Parks asked for staff recommendation. Planning Director Chris Head advised
that staff recommends approval and the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission
also recommended approval. Mrs. Head advised that a site plan would be needed if
additional structures are constructed. A motion was made by Bill Scott to
approve the request to rezone the property to B-2. The motion was seconded by
Michael Clemons and approved by all members present
A public hearing was conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks
concerning a rezoning request submitted by Chris and Donald Bryan. Randy Harvey
spoke representing the applicants. The rezoning request is From R2 to B2. The
Dahlonega Zoning Board of Appeals granted variance requests for this property.
Mr. Parks asked for public comments. Hearing no comments, Mr. Parks asked for
staff recommendations. Planning Director Chris Head recommended approval of the
rezoning conditional upon the property being used for a bank facility and
conditional upon lighting being shielded down light only. A motion was made by
Bill Scott to approve this recommendation. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton
and approved by all members present.
A public hearing was conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning PUD
Amendment submitted by Norman Adams and Tony Anderson for their property located
at 48 Crown Mountain Drive. Glen Melvin, engineer for the project, presented the
request of reduction of road horizontal curvature. The road will meet ASHTO Road
Standards for 15 mph which is appropriate for this type of development. The
asphalt width, ROW and curb and gutter will remain the same. Mr. Melvin stated
that 15 mph is a much safer speed through the subdivision. The streets will be
public streets and the driveways will front on each unit Mr. Parks asked for
public comment Hearing no comments, Mr. Parks asked for staff recommendation.
Planning Director Chris Head recommended approval and also advised that the
Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. A motion was made
by Michael Clemons to approve these recommendations. The motion was seconded by
Bill Scott and approved by all members present. Mayor Gary McCullough
recommended that all city street speed limit requirements be reviewed and the
ordinance be updated accordingly.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the regular
council meeting held April 3, 2006. 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 council meeting held April 11, 2006. This motion was
seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
Dominique Chambon requested outdoor sales of beer and wine for Dominique's
Restaurant. Mr. Chambon presented plans for additional fencing and a gate on the
outside patio area. Mayor McCullough advised that when the renovations have been
completed and approved by the city's Building Inspection and Code Enforcement
Departments, the council will consider the request.
Gretchen Robertson requested a beer and wine license for Moe's Southwest Grill.
The council was informed that all paperwork has been completed and the GCIC
report indicated no present record. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to
approve the license. This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by
all members present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that reports have been submitted from the Dahlonega
Planning and Code Enforcement Departments for the month of April, 2006. Susan
Newell, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission, advised that
the commission met on April 19 and approved sign applications for Mystic Gifts
and Treasures, Bleu's, Compass Realty Services, Inc. and Dumond's. An exterior
alternation application was also approved for the Smith House. Ms. Newell
announced that a work session will be held on May 4th at 6:00 p.m. Hal Williams
advised that a report was also submitted for the Chamber of Commerce. He also
reported that Tour de Georgia was a success.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2006-4:
A motion
was made by Terry Peters to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2006-4
Georgia Power Franchise. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by
all members present.
LIDAR
CONTOUR CONTRACT:
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended paying $27,741.10 to Lumpkin County for the
city's share of costs for the GIS mapping system. Mr. Lewis stated that the city
encouraged the county to use 2 ft. rather than 10ft. contours for updating the
GIS mapping system. He advised that the 2 ft. contours will prove to be
invaluable to us when doing planning and engineering for the city's utility
system. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this recommendation. The
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
WATER
PURCHASE CONTRACT:
The
council was informed that the water purchase contract between the City of
Dahlonega Utility System and the Lumpkin County Water and Sewer Authority will
expire on August 22, 2006. To be in line with other large water users it has
been recommended that the rate per 1000 gallons of water change from the current
$1.78 per thousand gallons to $2.76 per thousand gallons or the current
commercial rate whichever is greater. For water consumption in excess of 125,000
gallons per day the rate will be $3.76 per thousand gallons. A motion was made
by Terry Peters to send a letter to inform Lumpkin County Water and Sewer
Authority of the upcoming rate changes. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott
and approved by all members present.
RESOLUTION-COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT:
Mayor McCullough recommended that a Resolution be approved concerning the
expansion of Dahlonega Timken Plant. The council plans to seek a Community
Development Block Grant to assist with sewer upgrades that will be required. A
motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the attached Resolution. The
motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City "Manager Bill Lewis recommended that Bob Smiley be retained to perform
alcohol audits. Mr. Lewis advised that the city's alcohol ordinance requires
that audits be conducted to insure compliance with the city's regulations. Mr.
Smiley has extensive experience in performing these type audits for governments
and he has offered to perform this type work at the rate of $40.00 per hour. He
anticipates that five serving establishments would take approximately 100 hours
to complete. City Attorney Doug Parks also recommends to negotiate a contract
with Mr. Smiley to perform these services. A motion was made by Bill Scott to
give the city manager and city attorney authority to negotiate a contract with
Mr. Smiley. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members
present. The council recommended that letters be sent to all alcohol licensees
and that they be given ten to twenty days to prepare for the audits. Michael
Clemons also recommended that the council set guidelines on penalties that would
be imposed on restaurants that are not complying with the city's regulations.
Mayor McCullough advised that a work session will be held concerning this
matter.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor
McCullough recommended that Edith Higgins be reappointed as a member of the
Dahlonega Housing Authority. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve
this recommendation.
Mayor
McCullough recommended that a leave of absence be granted to Council Member Guy
LaBoa who is currently in Iraq. Mr. LaBoa was elected for a four year term of
office with the term beginning January, 2006. A special election could not be
held until July, 2006 and Mr. LaBoa plans to return April, 2007. City Attorney
Doug Parks advised that the city's Charter allows for the leave of absence. A
motion was made by Michael Clemons to grant a leave of absence for Council
Member Guy LaBoa. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by the
following vote count: Voting for the motion were Norton, Clemons and Peters.
Bill Scott voted against the motion.
Mayor McCullough recommended that the council approve sponsorship of $250.00 to
Celebrate Etowah. The Celebrate Etowah Steering Committee is asking for support
to join them to enlighten citizens of the importance of the Etowah River
Watershed. Bill Scott stated that public education is needed to support our
environment. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all
members present.
COUNCIL'S COMMENTS:
Bill Scott asked if council members were agreeable to change the July Council
Meeting to July 3 rd. Michael Clemons advised that he would be out of town July
3 and other council members have already voted to hold the July Council Meeting
on July 10th due to the July 4th Holiday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gerald
Lewy announced that Lumpkin County Commissioners will hold a SPLOST Meeting
tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at the Lumpkin County Courthouse. They also plan to hold a
Town Hall Meeting on May 9 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
City
Attorney Doug Parks advised that he plans to send an E-Mail Report concerning
the Reservoir Project tomorrow to the Mayor and Council. The deadline for
Lumpkin County to submit their proposal concerning the reservoir loan is May 5.
It is apparent that the county may not meet this deadline.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion
was made by Michael Clemons to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. This motion was
seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
APPROVED
BY ME THIS ________DAY OF _______________________, 2006.
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK |
