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REGULAR CITY OF
DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11,
2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met
in regular session on November 11, 2006 at City Hall. Council members present
were Michael Clemons, Terry Peters, Gerald Lord, Bill Scott and Sam Norton.
Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor McCullough
called for a moment of silence in commemoration of 911. He also expressed
condolences to City Attorney Doug Parks and his wife Caleta in the recent death
of Caleta’s mother. Michael Clemons opened the meeting with prayer and everyone
was requested to stand for the Pledge to the American Flag.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A Public Hearing was called to
order concerning the FY 06 Budget. The attached Budget Hearing was advertised
and was explained by City Manager Bill Lewis. Citizens were asked for comment.
No comments were made. Mr. Lewis advised that three public hearings were held
concerning the proposed property tax increase. The recommended levy for
property taxes for 2006 is 4.37 mils which should produce $814,055 in revenue.
Mr. Lewis advised that approximately 25 percent of the total General Fund
Revenues comes from property tax and that percentage is pretty standard for most
cities. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve the recommendation to set
the millage rate for 2006 property taxes at 4.37 mils. This motion was seconded
by Sam Norton and approved by all members present. A motion was made by Gerald
Lord to approve the first reading of the FY 07 Budget. This motion was seconded
by Terry Peters and approved by all members present. The Public Hearing was
closed.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the minutes of the special Council Meeting held on August 7,
2006. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members
present. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of the
regular Council Meeting held on August 7, 2006. It was noted that changes were
made to the minutes concerning the Wallace rezoning request after the minutes
were distributed. The minimum sq. footage for the homes was incorrectly listed
as 1300 sq ft. instead of 1200 sq. ft. Also comments made by Mr. Tischer
concerning the generator were changed. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton
with the above changes approved. The motion was approved by all members
present. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the
special Council Meeting held on August 31, 2006. This motion was seconded by
Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that
the Planning and Code Enforcement Departments submitted reports for activities
of their departments during the month of August, 2006. A report was also
submitted to the council concerning the Dahlonega Historical Preservation
Commission Meeting held August 16, 2006. Chamber of Commerce Director Dale
Steenbergan reported that chamber officials are working on plans for Old
Fashioned Christmas and also securing funding to assist with advertising
concerning the SPLOST Referendum. Mr. Steenbergan announced that Gap 60 will
have approximately 1900 bike riders. He also announced the DOT 400 Corridor
meeting will be held September 21.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
10-ORDINANCE 94-7-SANITATION:
A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the first reading of Amendment 10 to Ordinance
94-7-Sanitation Rates. This motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved
by all members present.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
28-ORDINANCE 75-1-WATER & SEWER RATES:
A motion was made by Bill Scott
to approve the first reading of Amendment 28 to Ordinance 75-1-Water and Sewer
Rates. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members
present.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
1-ORDINANCE 2005-4-RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Scott
to approve the first reading of Amendment 1 to Ordinance 2005-4-Reservoir
Management. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton. Sally Sorohan,
Chairperson for the Lumpkin County Trails Committee, advised that this ordinance
amendment will allow walkers to access the reservoir at any point. As it now
reads public access is limited to the two parking lots. The motion was approved
by all members present.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
4-ORDINANCE 2005-2-ALCOHOL ORDINANCE:
A motion was made by Sam Norton
to approve the first reading of Amendment 4-Ordinance 2005-2-Alcohol Ordinance.
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that the amendment allows for fee changes and
also consolidates all amendments to the ordinance. This motion was seconded by
Gerald Lord and approved by the following vote count: Voting for the motion was
Lord, Scott, Norton and Peters. Michael Clemons voted against the motion.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT
25-ORDINANCE 82-1-MALT BEVERAGE/WINE:
A motion was made by Sam Norton
to approve the first reading of Amendment 25 to Ordinance 82-1-Malt Beverage and
Wine. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott. City Attorney Doug Parks
advised that this amendment takes out all references to consumption on premises
and also reflects new rates for package sales. The motion was approved by all
members present.
RESOLUTION 2006-8-AMENDMENT
OF FY 06 BUDGET:
A motion was made by Terry
Peters to approve the attached Resolution 2006-8 to approve the first amendment
to the FY 06 Budget. The motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all
members present.
DDA INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICE
AGREEMENT:
A motion was made by Gerald Lord
to approve the attached Dahlonega Downtown Development Intergovernmental Service
Agreement. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present.
GA INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES
AGREEMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Scott
to approve the attached Georgia Indigent Defense Service Agreement. This
motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present.
CHOKECHERRY LANE EXTENSION:
A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the acceptance of Chokecherry Lane Extension. Planning
Director Chris Head advised that this is a city street, but at the time of
annexation the asphalt did not extend the length of the right of way. The
property owner has agreed to continue the asphalt and install a turnaround. The
right of way deed for the turnaround has been provided to the city as well as a
certified check to be held for one year as a performance guarantee. The motion
was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis
recommended that the attached investment report be approved. A motion was made
by Terry Peters to approve the recommendation. The motion was seconded by
Gerald Lord and approved by all members present. Mr. Lewis recommended that a
workshop be held to review the Lumpkin County Water Purchase Agreement. He also
recommended that the attached Resolution 2006-9 to authorize the execution of
the GMA Lease to finance the purchase of a new dump truck. A motion was made
by Michael Clemons to approve this recommendation. The motion was seconded by
Bill Scott and approved by all members present. Mr. Lewis announced that the
council’s retreat is planned for November 9 and 10 at Cohutta Lodge. He also
announced that EPD plans to hold a Public Hearing on September 26 at 6:00 p.m.
concerning protection of required stream buffers and provisions for a local
buffer variance application.
CITY COUNCIL’S COMMENTS:
Gerald Lord stated that city
taxpayers are paying twice for certain services: street lights, planning,
zoning, soil erosion and building inspection. He recommended that county
officials resolve these issues per House Bill 489 Service Delivery Agreements.
A motion was made by Gerald Lord to recommend that Mayor McCullough write a
letter to Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Steve Gooch and request that the
county resolve this matter by September 25, 2006. This motion was seconded by
Bill Scott and approved by all members present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by Gerald Lord
to adjourn to Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Sam
Norton and approved by all members present.
REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED:
The regular meeting was
reconvened at 7:20 p.m. A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the
attached Hold Harmless Agreement concerning property acquisition. The motion
was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present. A motion was
made by Michael Clemons to approve the attached Resolution 2006-10 to borrow
$400,000 from United Community Bank to finance the purchase of the Lumpkin
County Board of Education property, and $200,000 will be taken from fund
balance to purchase the property. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and
approved by the following vote count: Voting for the motion were Norton and
Clemons. Voting against the motion were Lord and Scott. Mayor McCullough
voted for the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at
7:35 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS
_____________DAY OF___________________,2006.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK |
