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DAHLONEGA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 4, 2004
CALL
TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session on October 4,
2004 at City Hall. Council
members present were Michael Clemons, Larry Crowel, Guy LaBoa, Terry
Peters, Bill Northquest and Dudley Owens. Mayor Gary McCullough called
the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Rev. Frank Colladay opened the
meeting with prayer. Mayor McCullough asked all present to stand and
repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Mayor McCullough
presented and read a proclamation to SSG Andrew 1. Bullock. SSG
Bullock, who is currently assigned to the Ranger Training Battalion,
was recently picked as the US Army NCO of the Year for 2004. To
express thanks to SSG Bullock for his outstanding service to our
country, October 5, 2004 was proclaimed as SSG Andrew J. Bullock Day
in Dahlonega. Everyone present gave a standing round of applause for
SSG Bullock.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the minutes of the
regular council meeting held September 13, 2004. This motion was
seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: REZONING
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that the Dahlonega Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request submitted
by James S. Abernethy. Mr. Abernethy advised that this property fronts
both Hwy 19 and Auraria Road and should be rezoned from B-1 to B-2 to
give more flexibility when leasing the recently completed building.
Mr. Parks asked if anyone had any objection to the rezoning. Hearing
no objections, a motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the
recommendations of the commission concerning this request.
The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all
members present.
FY 05 BUDGET HEARING
City Manager Bill Lewis advised that a public hearing was
advertised for the FY 2005 Budget. Mr. Lewis stated that the General
Fund has increased 3.2 percent due to the new position in the Public
Works Department, landscaping contract and increased budgeting to
repave city streets. Mr. Lewis advised that over one third of city
streets are in need of repairs. Mayor McCullough, Council Members
Crowel, Clemons, Peters, City Manager Bill Lewis and State Rep. Amos
Amerson met with the GA DOT Commissioner and requested $100,000 in
funding to match the city's expected expenditures for street repaving.
Mr. Lewis advised that he was happy to report that this request has
been granted and it will have a significant impact on city streets.
$145,000 has also been added for contingencies in the General Fund FY
05 Budget. The property tax milage rate was rolled back to 2.867 for
the 2004 property tax digest. Some of the significant increases in the
FY 05 Budget are for cemetery lots and alcoholic beverage license. The
goal of the enterprise fund is to make it financially self-supporting.
Mr. Lewis advised that there is a large capital budget over the next
ten years and Mr. Lewis asked Tim Grogg and Todd Barnes to give a
presentation concerning the capital needs and financing options. Mr.
Barnes, who is a financial advisor for AG. Edwards, commended the
council for taking action to enable the city to address their capital
needs on a long-range approach. He stated that this will enable the
city to operate on a fiscally sound basis. Mr. Grogg gave a slide
presentation. He advised that the proposed fee increases will assist
the city to meet regulatory requirements and to meet population and
housing growth needs. It is projected that NGCSU will increase their
student population by 1000 students by 2012. It is also projected that
1369 new housing units will be constructed by 2012. The city must also
maintain their current capital assets to maximize their useful lives.
Among some of the capital projects itemized was the need to conduct a
watershed protection study and water and sewer master plan and demand
projection study. New water and sewer withdrawal permits must be
secured and land must be purchased for the construction of a second
water and wastewater plant. One of the immediate needs is phosphate
removal at the current wastewater treatment plant. The city must meet
growth needs and also maintain their current assets. Major water and
sewer line replacements are also needed. The city has already
inventoried their capital needs, investigated financing options,
projected their operating and maintenance needs and made growth
estimates. Mr. Grogg advised that the money for all these projects
could come from operating funds, state and federal loan grant
programs, water and sewer revenue bonds, and special purpose local
option sales tax. A handout was given to all citizens present that
itemized the capital projects funding which totaled $48,243,100 over
the next ten years. It also projected a revenue analysis to FY 2014.
Mr. Grogg explained what the fee increases will mean to individual
citizens. He also advised that large customers will also be affected
by the proposed fee increases. City Manager Bill Lewis advised that
the water treatment plant is presently at 64 percent capacity and EPD
normally notifies the city when the plan reaches 70 percent capacity
that they must begin plans for a new plant. It is also expected that
the waste water treatment plant will run out of capacity by 2008. Mr.
Barnes and Mr. Grogg were thanked for their presentation. A motion was
made by Terry Peters to approve the attached Resolution 2004-9 to
adopt the FY 2005 Budget. This motion was seconded by Michael Clemons
and approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
Bogie Patton gave a report on the Buisson Arts Center which was
formerly the Folkways Center. He introduced the new owner of the
center, Bob Buisson. Mr. Patton outlined plans for the center and
advised that capital improvements are currently underway including a
new roof, heating and air improvements, and sound and lighting
improvements. Mr. Patton stated that the new cultural arts center will
attract tourists. They are involving local organizations including the
Georgia Mountains Cultural Alliance, Dahlonega Arts Council, Southern
Appalachian Research Arts Center, Holly Theatre and the NGCSU Fine
Arts Program. Mr. Patton asked for the council's blessing and invited
them to come over and inspect their facilities. Mayor McCullough
advised that the council appreciates what they are doing. Mr. Patton
was also advised that he must present his plans to the Dahlonega
Planning Commission before the council can act on any changes.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that reports have been submitted for
activities of the Lumpkin County Sheriff' s Department and Dahlonega
Planning and Code Enforcement Departments during the month of
September, 2004.
Dahlonega Historic
Preservation Commission Chairman Gerald Lewy advised that the
commission met September 15 and September 29, 2004. The commission
approved a new addition for the Buisson Arts Center located on South
Chestatee Street. The concept design for an amphitheater for the art
center was approved. A new addition for David Causey buildings located
on Hawkins Street was also approved. Exterior alterations were
approved for Mary's Mini Mall located at 34 South Public Square.
Exterior alterations and a name change for Horse Play Cafe was also
approved. Sign applications were approved for Discover North Georgia
Realty, located at 30 Public Square and Baker Street Clues located at
21 B. Grove Street. Commission members also conducted a walk around
the square and noted several problems concerning overgrown shrubbery
and dead trees.
SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2004-6-HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES:
City Manager Bill Lewis recommended that the second reading of
Ordinance 2004-6 concerning horse drawn vehicles be postponed until a
workshop can be held. Mayor McCullough advised that a workshop will be
held this week concerning this matter and also to discuss a contract
with the sheriff's department for extra patrol for the square. Council
members also advised that a work session is needed with county
officials. They pointed out that good communications is important
between city and county officials.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT
24-0RDINANCE 82-1-BEER/WINE:
A motion was made by Larry Crowel to approve the second reading of
Amendment 24 to Ordinance 82-I-Beer and Wine Ordinance.
This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all
members present.
SECOND
READING AMENDMENT 6-0RDINANCE 83- 7-CEMETERY:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the second reading of
Amendment 6 to Ordinance 83-7-Cemetery Ordinance. This motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
SECOND
READING AMENDMENT 24-0DINANCE 75-1-WATER & SEWER RATES:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve the second reading
of Amendment 24 to Ordinance 75-I-Water and Sewer Rates. This motion
was seconded by Dudley Owens and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT
1 - ORDINANCE 2001-8 TREE ORDINANCE:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve the second reading
of Amendment 1 to Ordinance 2001-8-Tree Ordinance. This motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT
4-0RDINANCE 94-4-BUILDING INSPECTION:
A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the second reading of
Amendment 4 to Ordinance 94-4-Building Inspection. This motion was
seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING FY 05 BUDGET:
A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the second reading of
the attached FY 05 Budget. This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest
and approved by all members present.
RESOLUTION
2004-10-BUDGET AMENDMENT 1-FY 2004:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the attached
Resolution 2004-10-Budget Amendment 1 - FY 2004. This would amend
the FY 04 Budget to reflect the actual revenues and expenditures. This
motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members
present.
MAYOR'S
COMMENTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that he has reappointed Michael Neubauer
to the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission.
COUNCIL'S
COMMENTS:
Bill Northquest recommended that the council discuss the post
system for elections at the next work shop. Guy LaBoa recommended that
the council also discuss the status of the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment specifically what the status is of the Solid Waste Plan.
Council members agreed upon a meeting date of Thursday, October
7, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. A special council meeting will be held followed
by a work session.
CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that a new rate schedule for
municipal court fines has been established to make municipal court
fines consistent with probate court fines. A motion was made by Dudley
Owens to approve the new rate structure. This motion was seconded by
Larry Crowel and approved by all members present.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to adjourn the meeting at
7:25 p.m. This motion was seconded by Larry Crowel and approved by all
members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS
DAY OF ,2004.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK
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