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DAHLONEGA CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 3, 2004
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session on May
3, 2004 at City Hall. Council
members present were Larry Crowel, Michael Clemons, Guy LaBoa, Terry Peters,
Bill Northquest, and Dudley Owens. Mayor
Gary McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Rev. Ricky Cornett opened the meeting with prayer.
Mayor McCullough called on all present to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American Flag. Plaque
presentations were made to former Council Member Bill Scott and to former Mayor
Loy Jones. Danny Ingram, GWPCA
District II Director, presented certificates to the Dahlonega Water and Sewer
Plant Operators. Allen McCallister,
John Jarrard, Ronny Phillips, Clint Fortner and Jerry Lunsford were present to
receive the awards. Mr. Ingram
advised that the Dahlonega Water Plant was voted the “Best Operated Water
Treatment Plan in Georgia” and also the “Best Tasting Water Award” for
District II. Allen McCallister
was voted the top “Sewer Plant Operator” in District II.
City Manager Bill Lewis stated that he is very proud of these city
employees as they project a very positive image for Dahlonega.
Mayor Gary McCullough also commended Dahlonega’s dedicated employees.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the minutes
of the council meeting held during April 2004.
This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all members
present.
CITIZENS:
Joyce LaBree requested transfer of the beer and wine
license for Denise & Williams Restaurant located on West Main Street.
The council was advised that all paperwork has been completed for
transfer of the license and the GCIC report indicated no record for Ms. LaBree.
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve this request.
The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that reports have been submitted
from the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Department and Dahlonega Planning and Code
Enforcement Departments for activities during the month of April 2004.
Gerald Lewy, Chairman of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission, advised
that the commission met on April 21, 2004.
A sign application was approved for Horse Play Café located at 27 South
Park Street. The commission
held a discussion concerning various ideas for banners on the light poles around
the city. The Merchants Association
will bring back the final designs for the banners at the May Commission Meeting.
The final designs will then be submitted to the Council at their next
regular meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the minutes
of the Street Committee Meeting held on April 15, 2004.
This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT 6-ORDINANCE 77-1-PARKING:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the second
reading of Amendment 6 to Ordinance 77-1-Parking.
This motion was seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all members
present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT 1-ORDINANCE 81-5-DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the second
reading of Amendment 1 to Ordinance 81-5-Disorderly Conduct.
This motion was seconded by Dudley Owens and approved by all members
present.
RESOLUTION 2004-4-SERVICE DELIVERY STRATEGY:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve Resolution
2004-3 regarding Service Delivery Strategy and to approve the completion date
for the renegotiation of no later than July 15, 2004. This
motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended that signs be
installed at Hancock Park and Anthony Park that would restrict use of the parks
without a special use permit to daylight hours.
Lights would also be installed. Mr.
Lewis advised that vandalism is a problem at both parks.
Signage would be installed as soon as possible as follows: April
1-October 31- Park open 7 am closed 9 pm.
Nov. 1 through March 31- Park open at 8 am and closed at 6 pm.
An ordinance will also be drafted concerning hours of operation and
special use permits. A motion
was made by Michael Clemons to approve these recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis also recommended that a Special Project’s Manager Position be
created. The Job Description for
this position was outlined. Mr.
Lewis also recommended combining the duties of the Water and Sewer Distribution
Superintendent and the Public Works Superintendent under the Job Description for
the current Water and Sewer Superintendent’s position.
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve these recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Dudley Owens and approved by all members
present.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary McCullough recommended that Jewell West be
reappointed to the Dahlonega Housing Authority.
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve this recommendation.
The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present. Mayor McCullough
recommended that the Outdoor Dining Regulations be reinstated for 90 days and
that the Street Committee meet to draft an ordinance.
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve these recommendations. The
motion was seconded by Dudley Owens and approved by all members present.
Citizens were advised that all restaurants cannot meet the space
requirements for outdoor dining and a permit is required.
Mayor Gary McCullough commended City Manager Bill Lewis for planning the Retreat
held at Amicalola State Park this past weekend.
Mayor Gary McCullough, City Manager Bill Lewis and all council members
were in attendance. The
attached Vision Statement and Mission Statements were composed during the
Retreat. A motion was made by
Larry Crowel to approve the Vision Statement.
This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all members
present. A motion was made by
Bill Northquest to approve the Mission Statement.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present. Principles of Public
Service Ethics were also composed during the Retreat.
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the attached Principles of
Public Service Ethics and to approve drafting an Ethics Ordinance.
This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present. These documents will
be framed and displayed in the Council Chambers and all city facilities.
Mayor McCullough also advised that a letter has been received from the Carl
Vinson Institute of Government thanking Bill Lewis for serving as a guest
lecturer on February 4. The topic of
the lecture was “Managing Government Board Relations”.
Both the Mayor and Council commended Mr. Lewis.
COUNCIL’S COMMENTS:
Michael Clemons advised that Cindy Bailey has resigned
her Chamber Director position. Mr.
Clemons spoke for the council saying they are sorry to see her position with the
Chamber end, as she was a true ambassador for the City of Dahlonega.
Mr. Clemons also stated that the Retreat was very successful.
The governing body came together as a “True Team”.
Bill Lewis was commended for his organizational abilities.
Terry Peters also commended Bill Lewis stating that the council has made
a tremendous amount of progress. Bill
Northquest stated that the council is truly committed to serving the city.
Guy LaBoa stated that he was truly impressed with the new purpose of the
council and the way the group came together to work as a team.
Larry Crowel and Dudley Owens also expressed their appreciation to City
Manager Bill Lewis. Bill Lewis
advised that the council worked as a team toward the best interest of all
citizens and he also thanked Janice Saylors who served as facilitator for the
Retreat. Dahlonega Nugget
Reporter Sharon Hall also attended the Retreat and advised that a report will be
available for public review.
Dudley Owens recommended that voters be allowed to vote on a Distilled Spirits
Referendum on September 21, 2004. He
also recommended that if this question is approved that the question of Sunday
Sales be added to the ballot. This
would only be allowable for restaurants and distance requirements from schools
and churches would be required. City
Attorney Doug Parks advised that a Resolution of the Council must be drafted and
approved. A motion was made by
Dudley Owens to draft a constitutionally appropriate Resolution concerning this
recommendation. The motion was
seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
CITY ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that the council has
previously approved a Declaration of Taking to acquire land required for
conservation, mitigation, and recreation purposes for the Reservoir Project.
The council is required to ratify the agreement.
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve this request.
The motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present. Mr. Parks also advised that
an amendment of the Occupational Ordinance is being drafted to deal with a
conflict in our present ordinance concerning attorneys.
One local attorney has pointed out that an amendment is needed to deal
with a ruling concerning a recent Supreme Court Case.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to adjourn the
meeting at 7:00 pm. This
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS_____________DAY OF______________,2004.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK
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