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DAHLONEGA
CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER
5, 2007
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council
met in regular session on November 5, 2007 at City Hall. Council
members present were Michael Clemons, Guy Laboa, Gerald Lord, Sam
Norton, Terry Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough called
the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mayor McCullough called for a
moment of silence to remember former Council Member Robert Green who
passed away last week. Rev. Green was also pastor of the Dahlonega
Baptist Church for several years. Michael Clemons opened the meeting
with prayer. Gerald Lord led all present in the Pledge to the
American Flag. Mayor McCullough welcomed members of a NGCSU
Government Class. Mayor McCullough advised that James Brady was
present to film the meeting which will be available on Lumpkin News
Information Web Site.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A public hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks for Achasta preliminary site
plan approval. Steve Foulke, Development Manager for Achasta,
presented the plan and stated that the plan has been revised per
comments from staff and the city’s consultant. He also advised that
three lots that were left out of the original plan have been plated
and recorded. City Attorney Doug Parks asked for comments either for
or against the request. Ron Canni advised that he is a resident of
Achasta and he is concerned with an additional 220 more units in
light of water restrictions. He also asked if there are any
guarantees that the green space requirements will be protected or if
changes will be made at a later date. John Bell, who is the city’s
consultant recommended approval of the preliminary site plan. He
advised that the zoning and site plan were approved by the council
in August and this request is for approval of the preliminary plat
for single family homes only. Any amendments to the plan would
require the developers to come back to the council. The Dahlonega
Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval subject to
Mr. Bell and city staff comments being incorporated into the site
plan consisting of nine sheets prepared by Geo Image dated 9/17/07.
Mr. Bell advised that all comments have been incorporated into this
plan. A motion was made by Guy Laboa to approve the revised site
plan dated November 5, 2007. This motion was seconded by
Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by
Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting
held October 1, 2007. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and
approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
Marlene Anthony, retired
NGCSU Professor, requested that the council consider inviting a
Mayor from a Polish City to Dahlonega. No city expenditures would be
required. In order for the Mayor to obtain a VISA to visit Dahlonega
as a “Sister City” the council would be required to provide a
written invitation. Mrs. Anthony advised that a similar exchange
program has been in place with the college for students and teachers
for five years. This particular city in Poland is very similar to
Dahlonega as they are very dependent on tourism. They would plan to
visit for ten days and visit the Chamber of Commerce, water plant
and other sites. The college has already planned for free housing,
food and transportation. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve
this request. The motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and
approved by all members present. Guy Laboa stated that Poland is
very supportive of the US War on Terrorism.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Dahlonega Historical
Preservation Commission Chairman Susan Newell advised that the
commission met on October 17 and approved one banner request and one
sign request. They also disapproved a request by Park Place Hotel
for landscaping and retaining wall improvements. Ms. Newell also
requested that the Historical Commission be included in the sign
ordinance amendment process. City Attorney Doug Parks advised that
this is under legal review at this time and should be completed
within the next few days. The Planning Commission, Historic
Commission and Council will address these revisions in a joint work
session.
Chamber of Commerce representative Hal Williams advised that the
Chamber recorded 78,000 visitors during the month of October. This
was up approximately three percent from October, 2006. Mr. Williams
also advised that Dahlonega has been featured in twenty different
news articles. Chamber officials are updating the chamber’s website
which had over 1.3 million hits in October. Mayor McCullough stated
that he appreciates the job the Chamber does.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2007-7-RETIREMENT ORDINANCE:
Ordinance 2007-1 was
presented to the council for first reading. Gerald Lord and Terry
Peters recommended that this be postponed until the council can
consider all employee benefits. Bill Scott made a motion to approve
this recommendation. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and
approved by all members present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT 4-ORDINANCE 95-6-OCCUPATIONAL TAX:
City Manager Bill Lewis advised that the Occupational
Tax Ordinance would need to be considered at a special meeting. The
final draft has not been reviewed at this time.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS:
Mr. Lewis recommended that
a resolution be approved to purchase two large trucks and one pickup
truck to replace current vehicles. The price of the vehicles will be
$78,944.83 through the GMA Lease purchase Program. A motion was made
by Sam Norton to approve the purchase and the attached Resolution
for lease payments under the GMA Leasing Program. This motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis advised that staff will have a recommendation tomorrow
concerning the bids for Contract B-Water line construction.
Mr. Lewis recommended that the 2007 tax millage rate be set at
3.959. This will produce $892,248 in revenues and $853,955
was budgeted. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Terry Peters and approved
by the following vote count Voting for the motion were Council
Members Peters, Clemons, Laboa, Norton and Lord. Bill Scott voted
against the motion stating that he would like to see an increase in
the millage rate designated for sidewalks and parks.
The council was advised that a special meeting is needed concerning
the Revenue Bond Resolution. The meeting was set for November 29,
2007 at 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Lewis recommended that Georgia Rural Water Association conduct
a water leak survey for the city at an estimated price of
$10,600.00. This estimate is based on 53 miles of pipe at $200 per
mile. Mr. Lewis stated that repairing these leaks in the city’s
water system would help to conserve our water supply. A motion was
made by Michael Clemons to approve this recommendation. The motion
was seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all members present.
The council was informed that DOT has transferred ownership of the
DOT right of way for all downtown streets. Council members requested
that DOT be contacted to remove their signs designating the streets
as a state route.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor McCullough advised
that he does not have a recommendation for appointments to the
Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor McCullough also advised that
he plans to meet with Lt. Coy. Casey Cagle concerning next year’s
Tour De Georgia. Mayor McCullough stated tat he would like to see
Dahlonega as the finish line for the event
Mayor McCullough urged NGCSU students to take measures to conserve
water and to report any leaks in plumbing.
CITY COUNCIL’S COMMENTS:
Sam Norton requested that
a report from the Dahlonega Clerk of Court on activities of the
municipal court for each month be included in the council’s packet.
Council members agreed with this request.
Bill Scott recommended that the square be closed For Halloween next
year. He also asked why the “Bubble Car” is not being used. Mr.
Lewis advised that overtime would be required during the week days.
Guy Laboa announced that a Veterans Memorial Ceremony will be held
at Lumpkin County High School November 9~ at 9:00 am. Lt.
Gov. Casey Cagle will speak at this ceremony. Achasta plans a free
lunch for all veterans at 12:00 noon and Mr. Laboa will be speaking
at the luncheon.
CITY ATTORNEY’S
COMMENTS:
City Attorney Doug Parks
advised that the information concerning the Achasta Water Tower site
will be presented at a later date. The Sheriffs Contract will be
added to the Special Meeting Agenda for November 29, 2007.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Citizens were reminded to
vote in the City General Election tomorrow.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by
Gerald Lord to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME
THIS DAY OF
2007.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK
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DAHLONEGA
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOVEMBER
5, 2007
The Dahlonega Zoning Board of Appeals
met at City Hall on November 5, 2007. Council members present were
Michael Clemons, Guy Laboa, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, Terry Peters
and Bill Scott.
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the
October 1, 2007 Zoning Board of Appeals. This motion was seconded by
Guy Laboa and approved by all members present.
City Attorney Doug Parks called a public hearing to order
concerning a sign variance request submitted by River Junction
Development. Glen Melvin presented the request to be allowed to
install two directory signs. He advised that the project has two
levels and a total of sixteen units, eight in the upper level and
eight on the lower level. Mr. Melvin stated the tenant text area is
48 sq. ft. plus the River Junction text area. He also stated that
each business will have a 15 inch by 40 inch space on the
directory. The size of the directory signs are appropriate for this
project. Mr. Parks called for citizens wishing to speak either for
or against the request. No comments were made. A motion was made
by Michael Clemons to approve the recommendations of the Planning
and Zoning Commission. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa. It
was pointed out that the project includes an internally illuminated
sign. Michael Clemons amended his motion to approve the Planning
Commission recommendations and to add the condition that the only
internally illuminated signage allowed will be the area on the
directory sign noting River Junction. This amended motion was
seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all members present.
The meeting was
adjourned.
Mayor
Attest: City Clerk |
