John Walden sworn in as city council member

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — John Walden was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the Dawsonville City Council. Walden has 20 years’ experience as a design and civil engineer. He ran unopposed to represent Post 3 and will take his seat on the council on Jan 6.

Council approved several issues under the consent agenda, including:

• Newly elected officials training in the amount of $1,100 for John Walden;
• 2020 staff appointments of Bob Bolz (City Manager), Beverly Bannister (City Clerk) and Tracy Smith (Deputy City Clerk);
• 2020 mayor and council board designations and compensation;
• A budget amendment in the amount of $6,115 to bring City Hall into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• A GEFA loan modification with debt forgiveness that increases the amount of forgiveness the city will receive from $112,200.77 to $134,640.92. The loan was utilized to finance the 2017 water meter replacement program.

A number of professional services contracts were renewed under the consent agenda. But Councilman Mark French requested the contract with City Attorney Dana Miles be voted on separately.

Miles will be a witness in Friday’s Ethics Board hearing in which French is accused of having violated provisions of the city’s Ethics Ordinance. French voted against renewal of Miles’ contract but was outvoted 2-1.

Earlier in the meeting, French also made a motion to remove the executive session from the agenda, stating, “The mayor failed to notify me of what would be discussed. I asked a week ago and have heard nothing.”

In a phone conversation with Fetch Your News Wednesday, Mayor Mike Eason confirmed he did not tell French what would be discussed. “I did not,” he said. “I could have but we don’t always do that. If he would have asked me, I would have told him, but he didn’t ask.”

Council unanimously approved the appointment of Alexa Serrano to the Planning Commission.

A public hearing was held on the request by Sachinkumar Patel that a portion of the five acres located at 60 Hwy at Hwy. 136 be annexed into the city limits. There were no objections and the Board of Commissioners has signaled the city that it will have no objections.

 

 

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