DAHLONEGA, Ga. –– During a special called meeting at 4 p.m. on March 25, the Dahlonega City Council concluded its state of emergency discussions which began during a special called meeting on Monday. The Council unanimously adopted the emergency declaration which covered a number of areas specific to city operations and not currently addressed as part of Governor Kemp’s state directives and the County’s emergency declaration earlier this week.
“We believe this action helps further ensure public health and safety,” said Mayor Sam Norton. “It also makes it possible for our city staff to continue their work on behalf of our residents.”
Among the emergency measures adopted by the Council:
- Boards, commissions and agencies of the city are permitted to conduct meetings and take votes by teleconference.
- The city manager, with approval of the mayor, is authorized to take necessary actions to protect the public health and safety including temporary closures of city facilities, cancelling certain city functions, and allowing staff and business to be conducted at alternative locations, among other administrative and emergency actions necessary to protect the public health and perform essential functions.
- Restaurants must suspend dine-in services, but are permitted to continue delivery, drive-thru, or take-out services. Patrons, employees and contractors must maintain at least six (6) feet of personal distance. Restaurants licensed to sell beer or wine for consumption on premises, may sell unopened containers of beer or wine with the purchase of food for take-out consumption off-site, during the state of emergency.
- Gyms, fitness centers, and entertainment facilities are required to close immediately and must remain closed until the state of emergency has been amended or lifted.
- Public and private gatherings of more than 10 people, occurring outside a household are prohibited (This provision does not prevent business activity or the delivery of medical and other health services unless otherwise specified, but it does prohibit any public gatherings on city-owned or controlled properties for the duration of the emergency.).
- Following the City Charter and Dahlonega’s current form of government, the finance director is designated to succeed the city manager in the event he is unable to perform his duties. If both the city manager and the finance director are unable to perform these duties, the mayor as chief executive officer of the city will assume the city manager duties.
- The bid and competitive portions of the City’s procurement policy are temporarily suspended, authorizing single-source purchases by the City Manager with mayoral approval and Council-reporting, for COVID-19 related needs.
The full emergency declaration is available
here. The Council plans to meet weekly and revisit the declaration as needed and as circumstances change.
“I appreciate our Council’s leadership during this difficult time,” said City Manager Bill Schmid. “These aren’t easy decisions, but we’re trying to take the necessary steps at the most appropriate time.”
The city’s emergency declaration follows both state and county restrictions announced earlier in the week, aimed at curbing the spread of the Coronavirus. According the Georgia Department of Public Health
daily status report website, Lumpkin County currently has three reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as of the March 25, 7:00 p.m. update.
“Health officials tell us the numbers will grow across Georgia, so how our community responds now is important,” said Norton. “I’m hopeful that if we take steps now, we can possibly get back to normal sooner rather than later.”
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