City Recognizes Officer
Business, Citizens Speak, Community, Police & Government July 6, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council recognized Dahlonega Police Officer Christopher Weeks for his hard work for the City of Dahlonega during the regular meeting on July 5.
The council also heard the concerns of local citizens about the special permit request for Dahlonega Walking Tours and they took action on the request. They also took action on the purchase card program.
The round of applause that was given to Officer Weeks.
Recently Officer Weeks helped Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office solve four open theft cases and was able to return stolen property to those victims. Chief of Police George Albert also informed the council of compliments he received via email in regards to Officer Weeks’s assistance to some individuals.
Heard above is the story that Mayor JoAnne Taylor read aloud before recognizing Weeks. To review the story in its entirety visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-1ea4cf40dc584f879ca35a23f12f8ae5.pdf, it begins on page 13.
Numerous citizens have come forward to speak in response to Penny Sharp’s request for Dahlonega Walking Tours to be allowed in Historic Mt. Hope Cemetery from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Sharp currently is allowed to host tours of the cemetery for 30 minutes after sunset.
The citizens that came forward feel that allowing Sharp to hold the tours is putting the cemetery at risk for vandalism, there is a greater risk of liability for injuries, and they also felt that it was disrespectful to those buried in the cemetery for it to be used for entertainment purposes. Sharp is required to have a $1 million insurance policy and is also required to stay on the pathways in the cemetery.
Chairman of the Cemetery Committee Chris Worick while explaining his concerns to the council.
The cemetery is currently still active so Chairman of The Cemetery Committee Chris Worick was concerned about guests falling into open graves if they ventured off the path. He was also concerned that seeing people in the cemetery after visiting hours might encourage others to visit without being on the tour.
After listening to all the concerns and many more sent to them via email the council took action on the matter. They voted to approve the hours 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m with the stipulation that signs be put up stating that only those with the permit shall be allowed into the cemetery after hours. The vote was 3 to 1 with Councilmember Ron Larson being in opposition.
“Having been on the council almost seven years now this is not something new Mr. Worick indicated as chair of our cemetery committee this has come to us numerous times in the past and we’ve asked Penny and her business to abide by the guidelines, I think its significant councilmembers if we are going to be voting on this to appreciate the feedback we’ve gotten from our cemetery committee,” explained Larson.
The next item that the council took action on was the authorization for the use of purchase cards. Finance Director Allison Martin brought this before the board at the last work session. To review that please visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/06/21/city-enters-into-new-fleet-replacement-contract/.
The council voted to approve the use of the cards for their travel needs. These will not be used for personal travel just when the members need to go to conferences or attend educational classes for the benefit of the City.
Martin also brought the fiscal year 2023 budget before the council. Currently, it is a balanced budget however she has not received the millage rate yet. Martin believes she will receive the millage rate on July 11.
In the budget, there will be three new full-time positions added in. There will not be a salary increase yet due to the adjustment that was already made. That was a 7% increase.
There will be a public meeting held on Aug. 1 to give the public an opportunity to review the budget before the council makes a decision on it on Aug. 15.
City Enters Into New Fleet Replacement Contract
Community June 21, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- Finance Director Allison Martin presented a fleet replacement contract with Enterprise to the council for their approval, they voted unanimously to enter into the contract.
Martin also presented the council with an option to start an authorized purchase card program for their travel expenses. The council will also be sending a letter of support to Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority.
At the May 16 work session Martin and a representative from Enterprise Rachel McGirr presented the council with Enterprise’s options for a new fleet replacement contract. To review that meeting visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/05/17/council-approves-distilled-package-store-ordinances/. At the time the council opted to take more time to think and discuss the contract.
McGirr and Martin brought this back before the council due to purchase windows closing for new vehicles. Since COVID the car manufacturers have made their windows for orders for companies smaller, in some cases, they can open one day and then close the next. If the council wished to enter into this contract time was of the essence.
The annual lease for the fleet replacement will be about $90,000. The maintenance will be handled locally, a local shop has approached McGirr about a partnership with the company. This will give the one maintenance worker employed by the city an opportunity to focus on the diesel vehicles that Enterprise will not handle and other equipment.
Martin has reached out to five other jurisdictions that have a contract with Enterprise to verify their experiences. Four of those she contacted responded to her request and stated they were delighted with their experiences. The minium time frame any of those jurisdictions had been in contract with Enterprise is 18 months.
Rachel McGirr while answering the council’s questions on the contract.
McGirr’s estimate for the amount the city will save in the first year of this alone is about half a million dollars. She did state that this was a conservative estimate. If after the first year the city decides to end their contract there will be no plenties, they will be required to pay however much is left on the lease for the vehicles.
There is a possibility for the fleet to transition into electric vehicles, McGirr’s suggestion is to start with just one admin car and go from there. There is also the potential to set up tracking in the vehicles to ensure safe driving practices and also for staff to know where everyone is when an incident occurs so they know how can respond the fastest.
“I just want go on record that we will not be buying Teslas,” stated Mayor JoAnne Taylor.
Martin also presented the council with an option to start using a purchase card program. They currently use bank-issued cards, city-issued checks, or their personal debit/credit cards.
Under this current approach, the cards do not get rebates on purchases. Also, hotels are starting to not accept the city-issued checks. The city is also having to issue reimbursements for personal card usage.
Using the purchase cards they will be able to gain rebates and there will be less need for reimbursements. Martin has run similar programs with other cities she has worked with and seen good results.
The cards would be through Bank of America. There is also the potential for department heads to be able to check out the cards for some purchases if the council approves that course of action.
Currently, both councilmembers Roman Gaddis and Johnny Ariemma have stated that they are not interested in being assigned a card. The council took no action on this for the time being.
The letter of support that the city has issued for the Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority is for the authority to seek out a Publicly Owned Treatment Works or POTW to support the hospital going in on 400. The city and county have a partnership and the city can’t support the amount of wastewater that a hospital needs. To review the letter visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-e8042dd11a244230a1499d8dd7ae8903.pdf, the letter is on page 48.
The hospital will have its groundbreaking Wednesday, Jun. 22 at 10:00 a.m. Due to parking this event is not open to the public but can be viewed online via https://www.facebook.com/events/388048413373142/?ref=newsfeed.
The events are planned for the 4th of July celebration.
The 4th of July celebration will also be held back in the city this year. There is a full day of events for families to enjoy.