First Reading of Ordinances for Regulations on Package Stores Approved
Community May 3, 2022
DAHLONEGA Ga.- The first reading for ordinances 2022-02, 05, 06, and 07 ordinances that outlined regulations on package stores was approved at the City Council meeting on May 2.
The council also approved the amendment to the budget for additional tourism funds in order to renovate the visitor center’s bathrooms. They additionally approved the 2022 Comprehensive Plan.
The first reading of the ordinances gave the council a chance to view how the ordinances are set up and make any changes that they needed to. For ordinance 2022-02 the council adjusted the minimal inventory requirement to $500,000.
“Very few times do we have an opportunity to pass an ordinance where we foster and encourage economic development, and I think the increase the minimal inventory levels will foster or encourage some type of development here in our city,” explained councilmember Roman Gaddis
All other ordinances were approved as written. The remainder of the ordinances dealt with where in the city the package stores would be able to be set up. To view the ordinances visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-13fa0930e847417fb90b0f82e93af92d.pdf. They begin on page 22.
The council will also be hosting a special call meeting on Tuesday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. to further discuss the distilled spirits package stores. There will be a second reading of the ordinances before they are formerly passed into law.
The next item that was approved was the amendment to the budget for additional funds to go to the tourism department. Finance Director Allison Martin explained the plan in the work session on Apr. 18. To review what was discussed visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/04/19/council-reviews-master-sidewalk-plan/.
This approval gives the tourism an additional $54,000 for the renovations of the visitor center bathrooms. The county is taking point on planning for the project.
“I have lived here for 27 years and in 27 years looking back those are the worst bathrooms. I’m so excited that we are finally coming around to do this,” exclaimed councilmember Johnny Ariemma.
The council approved the 2022 comprehensive plan that Planning Administrator Jameson Kinely presented to them at their work session. This is a plan done by the city and county and it is completed every five years. The county has already approved its version of the plan.
“We’ve had lots of community input into the comprehensive plan and just as a reminder to everyone this serves as a very eye level plan, we may read it and think well there’s not a lot of detail in there and that’s kind of deliberate so that as each component of that plan comes up they develop a more extensive plan,” commented Mayor JoAnne Taylor.
Mayor JoAnne Taylor while reading the proclamation.
An item that was not on the agenda was a proclamation to make the week of May 1 through May 7 Professional Municipal Clerk week was also read at the meeting. The city clerks that were recognized with this proclamation were City Clerk Mary Csukas and Assistant City Clerk Danna Foster.
Council Discusses Employee Pay Adjustments
Community, Lifestyle March 22, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- City Manager Bill Schmid brought the City Council a request to consider an allocation of funds for an adjustment in the employee pay rates.
Planning Administrator Jameson Kinley also brought before the council the 2022 amended comprehensive plan. Finance Director Allison Martin informed the council of a new leak protection program that they can vote in place at the next meeting.
City Manager Bill Schmid while explaining to the council the need for the employee pay adjustment.
The last time the city did an employee fee adjustment was in Oct. of 2020. Due to a 9.9% inflation increase, Schmid felt that this was a good time to request the council to consider the allocation of funds. The request is for a 4 to 7% increase.
If the 7% increase is met it will cost $150,974.63. This is to allow the employees the cost of living pay. The city conservatively budgets every year so there are funds available for this increase and will not adversely affect the budget. The council will vote on this at their Apr. 4 meeting.
Every five years the Department of Community Affairs DCA for short requires cities do a comprehensive plan update. This is a chance for the community to voice what they want the city to look like in the next 25 to 50 years. The county also does one and to view theirs visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/02/02/commissioners-review-2022-comprehensive-plan-draft/.
The plan is broken up into three areas community vision, development strategy, and implementation. This is to keep the city looking to the future and working towards its goals.
Kinley shared that they had many public meetings for the community to provide input on the plan. To view the current plan visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-0391d6b9167e45308a070f2234ff9686.pdf, it begins on page 19. The council will also vote on this in their next meeting.
The city currently makes adjustments to water and sewer bills when there is a leak. On average the city makes 150 adjustments per year. With this in mind, staff sought out a new means of handling leaks. They found Servline Leak Protection Program.
This would be a four-dollar increase to the consumer’s bill with the option to opt-out if they do not wish to pay for the service. However, if they do opt-out then the customer will have to pay for the leaks themselves with no bill adjustment from the city.
Martin will be able to set up meetings for the council members so they can fully understand the program and its implications before taking action. If the council chooses to approve the plan the program will show up on the next bill after the vote.
“I think these can be some very challenging, very argumentative so for the safekeeping of our staff reducing the amount of negativity that comes in trying to resolve these things, this really helps alleviate a lot of this,” commented Councilmember Ron Larson.
Troy Armstrong while going to accept his award from the council.
Mayor JoAnne Taylor started the meeting off by presenting Troy Armstrong with an award from The Sunshine Rotary Club for his hard work and dedication to the city. Armstrong was present to receive the award.
City Council to Hold Special Call and Work Session
Announcements, Community March 20, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council will be holding a special call meeting and having their regularly scheduled work session on Mar. 24 at 4:00 p.m.
The special call and work session meetings are open to the public. This is the agenda for both meetings.
Work Session:
OPEN MEETING
BOARDS & COMMITTEES:
1. Cemetery Committee—February 2022
Chris Worick, Committee Chairman
2. Main Street / DDA – February 2022
Ariel Alexander, Main Street/DDA Interim Main Street Manager
TOURISM: Sam McDuffie, Tourism Director
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
3. Community Development – February 2022
Jameson Kinley, Planning and Zoning Administrator
4. Dahlonega Police Department- February 2022
George Albert, Chief of Police
5. Finance Department Report – February 2022
Allison Martin, Finance Director
6. Water & Wastewater Treatment Department Report February 2022
John Jarrard, Water/Wastewater Treatment Director
7. Public Works—February 2022
Mark Buchanan, PW Director/City Engineer
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
8. Amended – Resolution 2022-07 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
David Wimpy, Director/Fire Chief
9. Amended – 2022 Comprehensive Plan
Jameson Kinley, Planning Administrator
10. Request to increase the allocation of funds for pay adjustments for employees.
Bill Schmid, City Manager
11. Amendment of Personnel Management System Policies
Allison Martin, Finance Director
12. FY2021 Fourth Quarter Budget Amendment
Allison Martin, Finance Director
13. Servline Leak Protection Program
Allison Martin, Finance Director
Special Call Meeting:
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
1. City of Dahlonega Employee of the Year 2021 – Troy Armstrong
Bill Schmid, City Manager
2. Joint Proclamation City of Dahlonega & Lumpkin County – Lumpkin County High School
Girls Basketball Team
JoAnne Taylor, Mayor
3. Amended – 2022 Comprehensive Plan
Jameson Kinley, Planning Administrator
4. Amendment of Personnel Management System Policies
Allison Martin, Finance Director
5. FY2021 Fourth Quarter Budget Amendment
Allison Martin, Finance Director
ADJOURNMENT
UPDATE:
Special call meeting has been canceled.
Comprehensive plan reminder
Community November 3, 2021
LUMPKIN COUNTY, GA.- The County Manager, Alan Ours, reminded the commissioners and community of the open house for the comprehensive plan on Nov. 9 at 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Ours also reminded the board of the Lumpkin 101 program. Lastly, the Library gave a report to the commissioners for the 2020 and 2021 years.
Every 5 years, every county is required to review the comprehensive plan. This year is that year for Lumpkin County. The comprehensive plan outlines a framework for the development of the area.
The public is able to go and review the plan and make any comments on the plan. There will be a free event at the park and rec building on Nov. 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The community is welcome at any time during that period. To get an idea of what the plan looks like view the plan from 2017 at https://www.lumpkincounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/275/Lumpkin-County-Comprehensive-Plan-Update-2017-PDF
There are also public surveys that can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K726GMS and https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YWMHHXK
Ours brought up the Lumpkin 101 class opportunity at the meeting. The class is a free 12-week program that gives citizens an opportunity to learn how their government works. There are 30 open positions and they are filled on a first come first serve basis. To register for this class, visit https://www.lumpkincounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=166
“I wish I had taken this class before I took this job,” stated Chris Dockery, Chairman of the Board.
The Lumpkin County Library also gave a presentation at the meeting. They have moved into a new building which gives them 21,000 sq. ft. of space. The new library opened on June 15, 2020.
Board reviewing the library presentation.
This year they have had 13,798 visits. They currently offer 53 programs and have 1,320 people attending these programs.
In the 2020 year due in part to the shut down they were only able to offer their Gingerbread program for the kids, this year though they’ve had more variety and just recently completed their pumpkin decorating program. The summer reading program had 229 children, 54 teens, and 208 adults enrolled.
When visiting courthouse hill there is also a new addition to the front lobby. The tractor that was donated has been installed. For more information about that visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/08/04/commissioners-consider-donation-of-antique-tractor/
Donated Tractor in Front Lobby.