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REGULAR
MEETING
DAHLONEGA CITY COUNCIL
MAY 5,
2008
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City
Council met in regular session at City Hall on May 5, 2008. Council
members present were Michael Clemons, Terry Peters, Guy Laboa, Sam
Norton and Gerald Lord. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to
order at 6:15 p.m. Mayor McCullough opened the meeting with prayer and
requested Michael Clemons to lead everyone in the Pledge to the American
Flag.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A Public Hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning an application
submitted by Greg Scott for preliminary site plan approval for the
Appalachian Center located off Morrison Moore Connector and for Phase I
final approval for the new Appalachian Community Bank Building. Mr.
Scott presented the plans and advised that they have agreed to
participate in a traffic study for the area. Mr. Parks asked for
comments either for or against the application. Hearing no comments,
Mr. Parks asked for staff recommendations. Chris Head, Planning
Director, advised that the Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended approval. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve
the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission contingent
upon the applicants agreeing to pay a portion of the cost for a traffic
study. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by all
members present. Gerald Lord recommended that the city take the lead in
seeing that a traffic study is conducted. Mayor McCullough recommended
that the city work with the county concerning a traffic study from
Highway 60 to the Wal-Mart Intersection. Mayor McCullough also
recommended that ordinances be amended to require developers to pay for
a traffic light when required.
A Public Hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning an application for
rezoning submitted by Bobby Self. Mr. Self advised that he is
requesting rezoning from R2 to B3 for his property located at 70 Leger
Drive off Happy Hollow Road. Mr. Parks asked for comments either for or
against the application. Hearing none, Mr. Parks asked for staff
recommendations. Planning Director Chris Head advised that the
Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the
request with the condition that the project comply with the site plan as
presented and all R2 zoning conditions except for density. Mrs. Head
also advised that staff will review any request for tree removal. A
motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the recommendations of the
planning commission to rezone to B3 with the stipulations recommended.
This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members
present.
A Public Hearing was
conducted by City Attorney Doug Parks concerning an application
submitted by Brett Pearson for final plat approval for Cleve’s Crossing
located off Barlow Road. Mr. Pearson advised that he has submitted
letters of credit for water, sewer and streets. Mr. Parks asked for
comments either for or against the project. Hearing none, Mr. Parks
asked for staff recommendations. Planning Director Chris Head advised
that staff recommends approval. Letters of credit have been received
for water and sewer lines and streets within the development. Mrs. Head
advised that she is waiting test results from new water and sewer lines
that will be connected to the city’s mains but staff will not sign plats
until the test results are in. Gerald Lord asked whether a retaining
wall is needed. Mr. Pearson advised that a guard rail will be
constructed and the bank will be hydro-seeded. Mrs. Head advised that
the city’s code enforcement officer and engineer have inspected the site
and found no problems. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve
the final plat. This motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved by
all members present.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
A motion was made by
Michael Clemons to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting
held on April 7, 2008. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and
approved by all members present. A motion was made by Sam Norton to
approve the minutes of the special council meeting held April 10, 2008.
This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all members
present. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the minutes of
the special council meeting held April 7, 2008. This motion was
seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all members present.
CITIZENS:
The council was informed
that Vishnu R. Patel has applied for a beer and wine license for package
sales at the Enterprise Convenience Store located on South Chestatee
Street. All paperwork has been completed and the background check has
been approved. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the
license. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and approved by all
members present.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The council was informed
that reports have been received from the Dahlonega Planning and Code
Enforcement Departments, Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission, and
Corridor Committee concerning activities during the month of April,
2008. Gary Powers, Director of the Dahlonega Chamber of Commerce,
presented a plaque to Guy Laboa. Mr. Powers thanked Guy Laboa for
serving as coordinator of the Tour De Georgia. He announced that
Business after Hours will be held tomorrow at Forrest Hills Resort. He
also announced that the Chamber had published their third newsletter. A
special event will be held at Cottrell Ranch honoring J. B. Jones.
Senator Saxby Chambliss will hold a Breakfast Event on May 24 at Park
and Rec. Mr. Powers commended Mayor McCullough for working so closely
with employees concerning the closing of Dahlonega’s Mohawk Plant. He
announced that a Job Fair will be conducted May 20. Georgia Department
of Labor has tremendous opportunities for anyone seeking employment.
They will offer CDL Training along with training to receive GED
Diplomas. Hal Williams advised that over 16,000 people were in
attendance of the Tour De Georgia Bike Racing Event. He stated that he
appreciated the support of the city. Visitation to the Chamber was up
twenty-three percent last month. Restaurants and lodging establishments
reported that their business was up. Major articles featuring Dahlonega
were published in nationwide magazines and newspapers. Mayor
McCullough thanked Chamber representatives for their work to promote
Dahlonega.
City Manager Bill Lewis
advised that a meeting needs to be scheduled as soon as the report is
received from UGA concerning the site plans for the Hancock Park
Pavilion.
SECOND READING
ORDINANCE 2008-2-UNSANITARY CONDUCT:
A motion was made by
Michael Clemons to approve the second reading of Ordinance
2008-2-Unsanitary Conduct Ordinance. This motion was seconded by Guy
Laboa and approved by all members present.
SECOND READING
AMENDMENT 1-ORDINANCE 2080-10-95:
A motion was made by Sam
Norton to approve the second reading of Amendment 1 to Ordinance
2080-10-95 Speed Zones. This motion was seconded by Guy Laboa and
approved by all members present.
CITY MANAGER’S
COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis
advised that the current banking contract ends June 30, 2008. Bids were
solicited from local banks for this service. Mayor McCullough appointed
Terry Peters, Guy Laboa, Janet Jarrard and Bill Lewis to review the bids
and make a recommendation to the council.
Mr. Lewis advised that
the Wallace Landscaping Contract was reviewed by the council during a
work session held prior to this meeting. A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the attached Contract. The motion was seconded by
Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
Mr. Lewis advised that
the council also recommended that Arcadia Street be made one way from
Park Street to Riley Road. The direction of travel would be from Park
Street to Riley Road. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve
this change and to install no parking signs. This motion was seconded
by Sam Norton and approved by all members present.
Council members were
informed that the attached Administrative Order concerning water
conservation was approved administratively.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Gary McCullough
recommended that the Proclamation be approved concerning Preservation
Month during May, 2008. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve
this Proclamation. The motion was seconded by Sam Norton and approved
by all members present.
Mayor McCullough
recommended that the attached Trail of Tears Proclamation be approved.
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this Proclamation. The
motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.
Mayor McCullough
advised that a Resolution is required for support in efforts to procure
financing for the Cooperative Resource Center through Georgia Department
of Community Affairs to assist in upgrades for Golden Hills Apartments.
A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the attached Resolution of
Support. This motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by
all members present.
The council was
informed that Bill Scott submitted a letter of resignation as a City
Council Member. He is seeking office of Lumpkin County Commissioner
District # 1. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to accept the letter of
resignation. This motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved
by all members present. Mr. Scott was thanked for his many years of
service to the city.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by
Gerald Lord to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss land
acquisition. This motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved
by all members present.
A motion was made by
Guy Laboa to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:15 p.m. This motion was
seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present. The
regular meeting was reconvened. Mayor McCullough announced that no
action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Guy
Laboa to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord
and approved by all members present.
APPROVED BY ME THIS
___________DAY OF_______________,2008.
MAYOR
Attest: CITY CLERK |
