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REGULAR CITY OF
DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 5, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met
in regular session at City Hall on June 5, 2006. Council members present were
Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough
called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Michael Clemons opened the meeting
with prayer. Mayor McCullough requested everyone to stand for the Pledge to the
American Flag. Mayor McCullough presented a plaque of appreciation to Larry
Sorohan. Mr. Sorohan retired as director of the DDA and Better Hometown
Program. Mr. Sorohan expressed his thanks to city staff for their assistance.
Joel Cordle was introduced as the new DDA and Better Hometown Director.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A public hearing was conducted
by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning subdivision approval for four lots owned
by James Parks. These lots front on Wimpy Mill Road and are adjacent to city
water and sewer lines. Doug Parks asked for public comment, and hearing no
comments staff was asked for recommendations concerning the request. Planning
Director Chris Head advised that the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended approval of the request and staff also recommends approval. A
motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve these recommendations. The motion
was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
A public hearing was conducted
by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning final approval for the Gables Town home
Development. Doug Sherrill presented the request for final approval of six
town home lots. These lots are located on Wimpy Mill Road. Doug Parks asked
for public comment, and hearing no comments staff was asked for recommendations
concerning the request. Planning Director Chris Head advised that the Dahlonega
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval and staff also recommends
approval. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve these recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Bill Scott
to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held May 1, 2006. This
motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
JJ & G Engineer Ben Williams
presented an update on four city projects: The Yahoola Reservoir Management
Plan should be completed by July 31, 2006 and submitted to EPD for approval.
This plan is required by EPD as part of the water conservation plan. The
Yahoola Creek Watershed Assessment and Protection Plan is to develop the draft
watershed protection plan for waste water treatment. This project is scheduled
for completion by June 30, 2006. The Water and Wastewater System Master Plan
has been completed and it was presented to the council. Mr. Williams advised
that this is a management tool and should be used as a roadmap for city
budgeting and response to service requests. The Yahoola Creek Reservoir Water
Treatment Plant planning documents have been delayed approximately one month due
to EPD recommendations. Mr. Williams advised that a meeting with EPD officials
has been scheduled tomorrow and a special meeting will be needed to select
vendors for membrane testing. Mayor McCullough set a special meeting for
Thursday, June 8, 2006. City Manager Bill Lewis advised that the cost of these
four projects was one half million dollars and all of the projects were mandated
by EPD.
Dominique Chambon requested
alcohol outdoor sales approval for Dominique’s Restaurant located on North Grove
Street. Building Inspector Jessie Layne completed an inspector and advised
that the outdoor serving area meets the requirements of the city’s alcohol
ordinance. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the request. The
motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present. Mr.
Chambon asked if this applies to distilled spirits as well as beer and wine
sales. City Attorney Doug Parks advised that it applies to all alcoholic
products. Mr. Parks also advised that Mr. Chambon must meet all state
guidelines concerning sells of alcoholic beverage products.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that
reports have been received from the Dahlonega Planning and Code Enforcement
Departments for activities during the month of May, 2006. Reports were also
submitted by the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission and the
Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director of the
Chamber of Commerce Dale Steenbergan advised that he had met with DDA Director
Joel Cordle and he reported that they will be working together as a team. Mr.
Steenbergan reported that tourism numbers are up as well as chamber membership.
Currently the Chamber of Commerce has over five hundred members. The Chamber is
working on plans for an ice skating rink to be incorporated with Old Fashioned
Christmas Festival and working on a family type New Year’s Eve Event.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
3-ORDINANCE 2005-2:
A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the first reading of Amendment 3 to Ordinance 2005-2. City
Attorney Doug Parks advised that the amendment will outline penalties for
violation of the alcohol regulations. If it is determined that a licensee has
violated Sections 49, 44, 31 or 25, the license will be suspended for fourteen
consecutive days with a fine of $1000.00; a second violation by the licensee
will result in a fine of $1000.00 and suspension for twenty-eight days; a third
violation within a five-year period from the first violation shall require a
fine of $1000.00 and suspension for fifty-six consecutive days.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis gave a
cost estimate for City Hall renovations. Mr. Lewis also advised that plans for
the renovations are available to citizens and to the council. The reception
area and walkway to the portable unit will cost approximately $40,000. This
includes a wall around the portable unit, phone, computer, electrical and
security. The portable office unit lease includes delivery, set up, electrical,
computers and phone at a cost of $7,737.00. The lease will cost $645.00 per
month for a three year lease period. Furniture including a conference table,
ten chairs, and mayor’s desk was estimated at $5,000.00. The total estimated
cost will be $78,343 which includes a contingency of $2,387.00. A motion was
made by Michael Clemons to approve the renovations to City Hall. The motion
was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
City Manager Bill Lewis advised
that Georgia DOT has notified him that the bid for the street resurfacing
program came in at $318,000. This is $118,000 over our budget of $200,000.
DOT had agreed to contribute $100,000 to match the City’s $100,000. DOT has
offered to contribute $30,000 additional funding instead of rebidding the
projects. Mr. Lewis recommended to take $30,000 out of fund balance and to
budget $75,000 for street repaving next year which would put $25,000 back in the
general fund. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all
members present.
Mr. Lewis announced that the
meeting with GEFA authorities concerning the reservoir loan issues has been
rescheduled until June 14 at 2:00 p.m.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary McCullough
recommended that Jimmy Faulkner be appointed to serve on the Dahlonega Planning
and Zoning Commission. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all
members present.
CITY COUNCIL’S COMMENTS:
Council Member Sam Norton
commended Angela Wilson for chairing the Mountain Arts Flower Festival. He also
commended the Chamber of Commerce and stated that they are doing a great job
promoting Dahlonega.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at
6:45 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS
____________DAY OF________________,2006.
MAYOR
ATTEST: CITY CLERK |
