City Discuss Housing Study
Business, Community July 19, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council continued discussions regarding undertaking a housing study to address the community’s growing needs.
Council members also spoke about what they learned at the Georgia Municipal Association or GMA conference they attended in Savannah. Mayor JoAnne Taylor gave an update on how the negotiations with the county are going for the local option sales tax agreement.
One of Mayor Taylor’s goals when taking office had to do what addressing the community’s growing needs. To help with that goal the council has begun looking into a housing study. They currently have an offer from KB Advisory Group to do a city-wide assessment.
KB has identified six tasks to focus on during the study. Those tasks include supply and demand analysis, assessment of local preferences, comparing Dahlonega to surrounding cities, housing gap analysis, aligning current policy to housing needs, and a final report.
The Mayor also would like for them to take a look at the professional housing need, short-term rentals, workforce, and affordable single-family housing. The lump sum cost for KB to do all six of the task outline is $45,500.
Heard in the clip above is Councilmember Roman Gaddis commenting on his views on the task and what needs to happen with the study once complete. The council did not take action on accepting the proposal for the study at this meeting, they will take action at the Aug. 1 council meeting.
There were some concerns expressed about how the university is affecting the housing problems within the city and also an example of using the city of Gainseville for the comparison. To review the entire proposal visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-3237c9bdd01a4fa39c5cb55e1319f946.pdf, the documents begin on page 22.
The City Council recently attended the GMA conference in Savannah, Ga., and the Mayor asked them to present what they learned while attending. The conference is an annual conference and hosts sessions and training classes for elected officials to attend, there is also a trade show that features products and other services to help improve operations in cities.
Councilmembers Lance Bagley, Ross Shirley, and Ryan Reagin were all first-timers to the conference. Their takeaways were the number of people they were able to communicate with and how informative the classes were.
“The first thing I learned was a healthy appreciation for the amount of support out there to help us succeed,” explained Bagley.
Councilmembers Ron Larson and Johnny Ariemma also took some informative classes such as an annexation class. During this class, Airemma learned how difficult the process of annexation is.
Mayor Taylor gave a presentation on literacy. She spoke about the programs Lumpkin has to offer for literacy and piqued the interest of other representatives. Taylor and Ariemma were also present for Larson receiving a certificate of excellence for his 120 hours of training completed.
The update Taylor gave on the negotiations for the local option sales tax is that the county would like to remain at the current 75% for the county and 25% for the city. However, Taylor is hopeful that she can still sway the commissioners. They have until Dec. 31 to reach an agreement.
City Attorney Doug Parks reminded the council that the deadline for the package store license is July 25. To review the ordinance visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/05/17/council-approves-distilled-package-store-ordinances/.
The Mayor also spoke about the rising numbers of COVID cases in Lumpkin county. In addition, she also wanted to add to the permit for the walking tours to include that there would be no tours allowed when there was an active burial taking place, the council agreed to the addition.
Council Hears Public Concerns on Rezoning
Business, Community January 19, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council heard the concerns of residents over the rezoning application for 60 Skyline Drive at a public hearing on Jan. 18.
The council also heard the proposed budgets for the asphalt leveling and resurfacing of the city streets project and the local maintenance and improvement grant resurfacing project. They also approved a Mayor Pro Tem in a Special Call Meeting that took place after the work session.
Chris Head while explaining the application to the Council.
Don and Chris Head have asked the council to consider a rezoning change for their property at 60 Skyline Drive. The zoning for the property is currently an R1 single-family residential zone. The Heads would like the property to be rezoned to a B1 neighborhood business zone.
The Heads are currently selling the property to a local lawyer for the use of law offices. Some of the citizens that live off of Skyline Drive attended the meeting to voice their concerns with the rezoning of the property.
Chief among those concerns is the possible increase in traffic on Skyline Drive. The solution that they offered was to close off the driveway into Skyline and only use the entrance on North Grove Street. Another concern that was expressed was what would be allowed to move into the space once the law offices were no longer there and the possible noise impact that future business would have on the surrounding areas.
The site plan of the property at 60 Skyline Drive.
The council addressed the concerns and talked over the possibility of closing the entrance into Skyline Drive however they were uncomfortable moving forward with that course with DOT approval. They also explained to the citizens that in order for another business to come in that future business would have to go through a process of approval from the council.
Staff at this time has recommended that the council approve the application for the rezoning of 60 Skyline Drive. To view the application along with the site plans for the project visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-80aa5b0863524c56b0d23653b3320d98.pdf. The council will vote on this matter at their next regular meeting on Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
The next item that the council heard was the budget for the asphalt leveling and resurfacing project. The streets involved in the project include Welch Drive, Housely Road, Dogwood Drive, Woodland Hills, Hill Crest Drive, Self Drive, Trahlyta Trail, and Laurel Lane.
The budget for this project is $150,000 based on the required quantity of asphalt needed for the project. This will go out for bid on Feb. 7 and then will come before the council for a vote.
Vince Hunsinger Capital Projects Manager also brought the local maintenance and improvement grant (LMIG) project before the council. This is a project for resurfacing as well and will include North Hall Road and Dalton Drive.
The proposed budget for the project is $110,000.00, 30% of that comes from the City’s general fund and the other 70% comes from the GDOT Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant Program. This will also go out to bid on Feb. 7 and once there is a bid come back to the council for approval.
Council also approved councilmember Ron Larson as the Mayor Pro Tem. This means if Mayor Taylor is not able to attend a meeting Larson takes on the responsibilities of Mayor at the meeting.
The Council and Mayor also made comments regarding the work that the City staff did during Winter Storm Izzy this past weekend. Taylor also gave an update on Dahlonega’s COVID numbers.
Currently, the numbers are up 42% in the last 2 weeks, and in total there have been 446 hospitalizations and 94 deaths since COVID began. To stay up to date on the current COVID numbers and CDC guidelines visit https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home.
“We had a large number of employees and staff who spent literally 24 hours in some cases working on that storm with very little opportunity to get food and drink since all the restaurants were closed, it was definitely a team effort and we are so thankful for them,” praised Taylor.
Council approves 2022 employee benefits program
Community September 21, 2021
DAHLONEGA, GA.- The city council approved the 2022 employee benefits program during the special called meeting on September 20.
The breakdown of the possible insurance plans.
Finance Director Allison Martin brought before the council the renewal plan for the 2022 employee benefits. The employee benefits are increasing by 6.23% from this year to next. The deductibles are increasing to $1,500 or $750 ($2,250 for families). The emergency room deductibles are also rising to $200 and the out-of-pocket threshold is increasing to $3,000 ($6,000 families) and $2,000 ($4,000 families).
There will be no increase to the vision, dental or basic life and disability plans. This will put a freeze on the levels of employee contribution. Open enrollment will be from October 1 through November 5. To view the presentation given to the council visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-70bb26ee19d84570b17f1737a0dac87d.pdf
” This GMA package is really really nice, you know when you look out beyond this and see what is available even on the marketplace this is a really really great benefit for the city employees,” commented Councilmen Johnny Ariemma.
The next item that the council approved was the full budget amount for the 2021 off systems safety project. This project is using a GDOT grant and a match from the city to restripe areas in the city that are in need due to public safety.
Peak has bid $52,355.00 for the project. This was the second time that the city put the project up for bids the first time they had none.
The council chose to vote early on this. They were originally not scheduled to vote on this item till the October 4 council meeting. With the council going forward with the vote Peak can start the work as soon as their schedule allows.
“If we can get those crosswalks, that’s a safety issue,” stated Mayor Sam Norton.
There were two joint proclamations approved at the meeting. The first was to proclaim that the Community Helping Place Ornament is the official 2021 Collectors Ornament for the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
The second proclamation was to acknowledge the job that Matthew Garner Chair of Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors has done for the past two years. At this time, the Lumpkin County Commissioners have not made their side of the proclamations.
Resurgens Capital made a presentation at the council during their Public hearing for the phase two project at The Summitt. The proposed plan is to add 61 additional homes on 21.75 acres at The Summitt.
Bill Rath President of Summitt Board of Directors speaking in opposition to parts of the proposed project.
Part of their proposal includes an option to have short-term leasing available and currently, the residents at The Summitt are strongly against that. Residents spoke in opposition to that part of the plan during the hearing. The matter will be voted on at the Council Meeting on October 4 at 6:00 p.m.
New Cheif of Police George Albert being recognized by the Council.
Mayor Sam Norton recognized the newly appointed Chief of Police George Albert. He has been in law enforcement for 33 years and begins his duties on October 25. Mayor Norton also appointed Councilmen Joel Corrdel his mayor pro tem which the council later approved.
Councilmen Johnny Ariemma along with the rest of the council strongly encouraged the citizens of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County to take the Covid pandemic seriously and get vaccinated if they haven’t already.
Council Reappoints Member to DDA/Main Street Board
Business, Community, Health September 8, 2021
Dahlonega, Ga.- The City Council reappointed Donna Logan to the DDA/Main Street Board at their meeting on September 7.
The council also approved the FY2021 third-quarter budget amendment and the banking service contract renewal.
The City Council reappoints Donna Logan to the Downtown Development Authority/ Main Street Board. Mrs. Logan is currently the longest-serving member on the board.
“Donna you are a veteran and I can not say enough how much we appreciate your public service through the years and you keep spinning out hits so they keep bringing you back,” congratulated Mayor Sam Norton.
Finance Director Allison Martin brought the FY2021 third-quarter budget amendment to the council for their approval. The revenue changes to the budget are 12,000.00 to the Local Option Sales Tax, 22,586.00 from transfers in from other funds, and 701,995.00 in Appropriated Fund Balance.
The FY21 budget, the changes are in Bold.
The expenditure changes to the budget are 12,000.00 in Legislative, 22,586.00 in General Administration, 3,326.00 in Maintenance and Shop, 3,995.00 in Community Development, 830.00 in Contingentices, 10,156.00 in Principle-Notes, and 704,000.00 in transfers out to other funds.
This gives a total of 736,851.00 in Revenues and 736,851.00 in expenditure changes. The council did vote to approve the changes to the budget. To see the full layout of the FY2021 budget visit file:///home/chronos/u-24e9d901837ca97689469b2093c9623467e062a1/MyFiles/FetchYourNews/City%20Council%209-7/MEET-Packet-f9326f71e8344f6799a893341d657d0e.pdf
“I want to make sure the public understands that the city is in excellent financial condition, that’s not something we should take lightly in light of what’s going on around the country, we are very blessed to be in this stable financial condition,” explained Councilmen Ron Lawson.
Martin also presented the United Community Bank Contract renewal for the council to consider. The bank is offering a variable rate not fixed. This is due to the current market levels. The council approved this contract renewal.
Lastly, due to the rise in the delta variant, the merchants on the square will not be hosting trick or treating again this year. The city council supports their decision and advises that people use their best judgment when it comes to trick or treating this year.
Many of the city council members are also strongly encouraging those who have not been vaccinated to get it for their own wellbeing and that of those around them. For more information on the vaccine visit https://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section
Ask The Doc! Types Of Breast Cancer And The Flu Season
Community February 28, 2021
This week, the doctors discuss the different types of breast cancer. They also touch on a question from a viewer regarding the treatment of their husband’s heart tumors. Is he getting the right treatment? What happened to Flu Season? What’s the latest on Covid-19? All this and more on Ask The Doc!
Ask The Doc: Long Term Effects of Surviving Cancer
Just For Fun, Lifestyle February 14, 2021
This week, Dr. Whaley and Dr. Raymond Tidman discuss some questions sent in by viewers. They touch on the long term effects of Cancer and some possible complications of surviving cancer. They also discuss how to know when you’re cured of cancer. Is there anyway to prevent future complications for cancer survivors? The doctors also discuss the current numbers of cancer survivors compared to in the past.
Ask The Doc! Gastric Bypass Complications And Sarcomas
Lifestyle January 31, 2021
This morning, the Doctors discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery and its complications. When is this surgery needed? What are its complications? They also answer a question regarding a Sarcoma. Dr. Whaley discusses why you shouldn’t google medical information. They also discuss the latest vaccine news. Who should be receiving the vaccine?