REGULAR CITY
OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2005
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session at
City Hall on December 12, 2005. Council
members present were Bill Northquest, Dudley Owens, Terry Peters, Bill Scott and
Guy LaBoa. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:1 0 p.m. Rev.
Frank Colladay opened the meeting with prayer. Mayor McCullough requested
everyone to stand for the Pledge to the American Flag. A Plaque of Appreciation
was presented to Dudley Owens for service to the city as Mayor Pro-Tern and
Council Member.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
Bill Northquest pointed out
that a motion to go into Executive Session was left out of the minutes of the
regular meeting held November 7, 2005. Mr. Northquest made a motion to approve
the minutes with the above correction. This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and
approved by all members present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
City Attorney Doug Parks
conducted a public hearing concerning a request for final plat approval for the
River Knoll Subdivision. Glen Home advised that the residential units have been
reduced from 88 to 70 lots. Roads and water and sewer have been installed and
inspected by the city. Mr. Parks asked for comments from the public. Hearing no
comments from the public Mr. Parks asked for comments from staff Planning
Director Chris Head advised that staff recommends approval. Mrs. Head also
advised that the applicant will be requested to post a performance bond or a
letter of credit which will guarantee completion of landscape and tree
replacement. State approval letters from EPD have also not been received. The
Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission also recommended approval. Dudley Owens
made a motion to approve the final plat contingent upon EPD approval of the
project. The motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all members
present.
City Attorney Doug Parks conducted a public hearing concerning zoning for
approximately 80 acres located off the Morrison Moore Connector and the Old
Airport Road. Guy Middleton, President of the Milson Group, LLC advised that
they are requesting that the property be annexed into the city. Mr. Middleton
presented the conceptual plans for 64 townhouse units. These units will be sold
exclusively to adults ages fifty-five and older. The property will be developed
in phases and phase one will be developed in two segments of approximately 32
living units and a clubhouse. Depending on market conditions other phases of the
development could include a hotel, convention center complex and a continuation
of the retirement concept living. The streets will be twenty foot in width and
will be curbed and guttered inside the gated subdivision. Mr. Parks asked for
comments from the public. Hearing no comments Mr. Parks asked for staff
recommendation. Planning Director Chris Head advised that staff recommends
approval of the conceptual site plan, zoning of PUD and annexation. The
Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission also recommended approval. Mr. Parks
asked for comments from the governing body. Guy LaBoa asked if the streets would
be private.
He was advised that the streets within the gated community will be private
but the entrance off Morrison Moore will be brought up to city standards and
will be requested to be a city street. Dudley Owens asked if the portion of the
street dedicated to the city will also be required to be curb and gutter. City
Manager Bill Lewis advised that this would not be required by the city. Guy
LaBoa asked if the sewer will be gravity flow. Mr. Lewis advised that the sewer
will be gravity flow back to the city sewer pump station and each unit will be
required to have a separate sewer tap and grinder pump. Mr. Middleton also
advised that they plan to disrupt trees as little as possible and additional
trees will be planted. A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the zoning
as PUD. This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members
present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised
that reports have been received by the Dahlonega Planning and Code Enforcement
Departments concerning activities for the month of November, 2005. Susan Newell,
Chairman of the Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission, advised that the
commission met November 16 and approved applications for exterior alterations
for the Smith House and for Chestatee Village. The commission also discussed a
sign violation for Caruso's Restaurant and exterior alternation violations by
Oyster Bar Restaurant and Crimson Moon. These violations are being addressed by
the city's Code Enforcement Officer.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2005-7-ANNEXATION:
A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the first
reading of Ordinance 2005-7Annexation of the Milson Group Property. This
motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING AMENDMENT 1-ORDINANCE 93-2-SMOKING:
A motion was made by Bill
Scott to approve the second reading of Amendment 1 to Ordinance 93-2-Smoking
Ordinance. This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by all
members present. Mayor McCullough advised that this amendment to the smoking
ordinance will bring it into state compliance.
FIRST READING AMENDMENT 2-0RDINANCE 2005-2-ALCOHOL:
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the first
reading of Amendment 2 to Ordinance 2005-2-Alcohol. This motion was seconded by
Terry Peters and approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis
recommended approval of a three-year contract for landscape maintenance for the
Streetscape Project. Better Hometown Manager Larry Sorohan advised that Wallace
Landscape Group has proposed to extend this year's contract to maintain the
landscaping at the Gateway Parks, Morrison Moore Connector, and a portion of
North Grove Street and Wimpy Mill Road at the same annual cost of $43,140. Mr.
Sorohan also stated that the original contractor planted 1,415 plants including
twenty different varieties; however the contractor did not maintain the
landscaping after planting. The city considered suing the contractor but after
consideration the cost to sue would be more than the cost of the performance
bond. Guy LaBoa stated that he was
concerned about accountability. Mr.
Lewis advised that Wallace Landscaping submits monthly reports and city
employees check on the work performed. Mr.
LaBoa also recommended that Wallace Landscaping be requested to submit a
proposal on the cost for landscaping for the downtown area.
A motion was made by Dudley Owens to approve the attached contract.
This motion was seconded by Bill Northquest and approved by the following
vote count: Voting for the motion were Owens, Northquest, Peters, and LaBoa.
Bill Scott voted against the motion.
Mr. Lewis advised that four quotes have been received for survey
equipment. The lowest bid was from Allen Precision for $6,260.00. Mr. Lewis
stated that there are numerous opportunities to use survey equipment and Ricky
Stewart has the knowledge and skills needed to perform surveying for water and
sewer projects. A motion was made by Bill Northquest to approve the low bid and
to purchase the equipment. The motion was seconded by Dudley Owens and approved
by all members present. Mr. Lewis also asked about the council's desire to
purchase an automatic meter reading system. Staff has evaluated and interviewed
five different companies and is ready to proceed with sending out an RFP for
further evaluation. Council members gave their consensus to proceed with the
project. Mr. Lewis also recommended that a committee be formed to look at the
proposals. Mayor McCullough recommended that Guy LaBoa serve on a committee
composed of Bill Lewis, C. L. Grizzle, Ricky Stewart, John Tolbert and Lou
Wimpy. Mr. Lewis also advised that
the contract with Tim Grogg for analysis of the water and sewer rates and
capital improvement plans is expiring at the end of the year and he intends to
extend the contract for a total cost not exceeding $$2,500.00. Mr. Grogg charges
on an hourly basis of $50.00. The council agreed that the contract should be
signed. Information obtained at the National League of Cities Conference was
distributed to the council.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary McCullough announced that the January
Council Meeting would be held on January 9 due to the January 2 holiday.
A complete calendar for 2006 will be submitted at the next council
meeting. Citizens were also advised
that Cable TV is changing a number of channels.
The information will be submitted to city customers.
CITY ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS
City Attorney Doug Parks
advised that substantial progress has been made in negotiating the reservoir
trout stream mitigation. Tommy Craig has also advised that he anticipates
approval of the Garwood Tract by the end of the year. The next step will be to
prepare for DNR review. A meeting will also be held with the Governor's office
staff and EPD officials.
CITIZEN'S COMMENTS:
Rev. Frank Colladay thanked Mayor McCullough for
participation in a fund raising event for White Christmas.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Bill Northquest to adjourn the
meeting at 7:05 p.m. This motion was seconded by Guy LaBoa and approved by all
members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS ______ DAY
OF __________________, 2005.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK
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