Board of Commissioners Work Session July 17th, 2023

Announcements, Business, Community

This week’s Board of Commissioners Work Session will begin at 4 p.m. and a Voting Session will immediately follow on Thursday, July 20.

Additional staff request for SWMP tabled to explore other options

News
Additional staff request by Public Works tabled until later session.

Originally presented at an earlier work session, the additional staff request for the Public Works Department’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) will require further examination.

The Board of Commissioners voted to table the request until Public Works can evaluate other options, such as contracting work out to third parties.

While no timeframe has been given, the Public Works staff will have the opportunity to present the alternative of contracting the services to the Board at a later session.

Dawson County Board of Commissioners voting session.

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners decided it needed more time to evaluate before approving the request to add a full-time employee.

SWMP’s requirements and responsibilities

Back in March 2014, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division approved the SWMP in Dawson County. It also issued the General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the county.

The EPD issued the permit for Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) to the state’s waters.

The permit acts in accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act and the Georgia Water Control Act. It requires each MS4 permittee to submit a SWMP to the EPD.

With each permit lasting five years, Dawson County will need to submit its third permit application in March 2024.

The MS4’s stormwater program requires that all inspection and administrative staff become certified through the NPDES.

After recent certification classes, the county learned of the EPD’s increased focus in certain areas: funding, staffing and response time.

Denise Farr, the director of the Public Works Department, presented the additional staff request because of concerns that the program may not adequately cover these areas.

She also shared the EPD could increase the MS4 areas for counties without a county-wide MS4, which includes Dawson County.

SWMP’s minimum control measures

As a part of its SWMP, the county must address six minimum control measures.

Public education includes school presentations and activity books as well as social media and website updates. Similarly, public involvement focuses on programs that utilize the community, such as river cleanup.

Additional staff request for SWMP tabled.

Public Works highlighted efforts to increase public involvement, such as storm drain stenciling, with its stormwater program presentation.

The county must also detect and eliminate illicit discharge, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as any discharge into a storm drain system not composed entirely of stormwater.

To further execute the program, staff members oversee construction site discharge controls and post-construction controls for new developments.

Responsibilities range from weekly inspections to continuing awareness programs with commercial management companies.

The minimum control measures conclude with good housekeeping and pollution prevention. The county provides a public reporting system for illicit discharge to aid these efforts.

Although the Board tabled the additional staff request, readers can view Farr’s presentation at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/daga-pubu/MEET-Packet-580e84d8ea0a4c2a9806e8fb90677fcc.pdf.

Public Works budget increase for de-icing products approved

Community
Public Works de-icing budget increase approved.

During the Dawson County Board of Commissioners work session, the director of the Public Works Department, Denise Farr, requested to increase the salt budget.

Following the movement of the request to the voting session, the Board voted unanimously to approve the additional funds.

The 2022 budget allocates $3,500 for salt product costs. The department staff sought to increase the budget to $20,530.

Public Works presented budget increase to Board of Commissioners.

Denise Farr presented the department’s budget increase proposal and addressed the Board’s questions at the Feb. 17 meeting.

JPCS, LLC currently holds the county’s contract for salt/de-icing product purchases. The contract did not specify the salt’s density.

The county received a low density product, which proved unsuitable for its use.

Current product’s performance in recent storm

During January’s storm event, crews used the most recently delivered product for de-icing the roads.

Crews distributed 175 tons of salt. Pre-treatment of the area included eight concrete deck bridges and four highly traveled county roads.

Following pre-treatment, the de-icing process implemented three spreader trucks and 14 crew members.

Over the course of 14 hours, they salted 113.35 miles of county roads, which covered 51 roads.

While working, crews noticed large amounts of salt blew off the roads. The product remaining on the roads quickly melted.

Upon noticing the effects of the lower density brown salt, crew members combined it with the existing supply of higher density white and blue salts.

Public Works utilized existing supply of salts.

Crew members utilized existing supplies of higher density white and blue salts during de-icing.

Crews used approximately 125 tons of brown salt and 50 tons of mixed salts. 20 tons of mixed salts remain at Public Works.

In past storm events, the de-icing treatment with white and blue salts completed road coverage using 75 tons of product.

According to the current contract, the low density salt product costs $148.98 per ton. For a storm event lasting two days, the estimated quantity would be 250 tons, which equates to $35,745.

For the high density salt product, the department estimates a cost of $267 per ton. To respond to a two-day storm event, the estimated quantity needed would be 75 tons, equaling $20,025.

With the approved budget increase, the department will restock the salt supply with higher performing salt product.

Along with the complete agenda, readers can view Farr’s presentation at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/daga-pubu/MEET-Packet-d8e634ff71b64c099e2fee96955a4fbe.pdf.

Telecommunications tower request pushed to later session

Community
Aerial view of land selected for telecommunications tower request.

After tabling the matter at the voting session on Dec. 16, 2021, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners further delayed the telecommunications tower request until the March 3 meeting.

On behalf of Verizon Wireless, Greg Spence first presented the request to the Dawson County Planning Commission on Nov. 16, 2021.

The Board of Commissioners tabled the telecommunications tower request.

The Board of Commissioners further considered Verizon Wireless’s proposal at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Spence proposed special use of land at Wesley Chapel Road and Highway 52 to construct a communications tower. Joyce Hutcheson has owned the selected parcel, which is currently vacant land, since 2004.

The area primarily consists of undeveloped woodlands and large estate lots.

Telecommunications tower discussion tabled.

Hutcheson’s property, currently a wooded lot, will house the tower upon approval.

Although the tower would likely not be visible from the roadway, it would likely affect neighboring lots’ views. The list of adjacent property owners includes five affected addresses.

All properties, including the parcel selected for the tower, are zoned Residential Agricultural.

Considering the proposed land use’s effect, the tower could decrease property values by a small percentage but should not diminish the area’s general character.

Even with possible negatives, the public benefits through the opportunity to improve general and emergency cellular communications.

Specifications of the proposed telecommunications tower

The overall tower height of 195 feet, which includes the monopole and attached lightning rod, satisfies the minimum height needed to properly provide improved rural coverage.

Also, the height accommodates anticipated future growth for wireless demand in the area.

According to the company, Verizon Wireless made attempts to utilize any existing structures to meet the network design goals. It did not find any registered antenna structures within two miles of the search area radius.

Upon the structure’s completion, the facility will be unmanned. Workers will visit once per month on average for routine maintenance purposes.

Along with other discussed items, the Board made supporting documents for the telecommunications tower available at https://www.dawsoncounty.org/meetings.

The Board of Commissioners tabled telecommunications tower request.

The Board of Commissioners requires more documentation before voting on the request.

Fetch Your News previously announced Verizon Wireless’s balloon test, which readers can find at https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/10/verizon-wireless-to-conduct-balloon-test-for-proposed-cell-tower-on-1-12/.

While waiting on additional documents, the Board will continue to deliberate until its next discussion of the tower on March 3.

Recycling budget increase proposed to Board of Commissioners

Community
Additional staff request by Public Works tabled until later session.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – At the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meeting held on Jan. 20, the Public Works Department requested a recycling budget increase as well as direction in repairing the transfer station.

The Board of Commissioners listened to a presentation on the recycling budget.

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners discussed the grant and budget proposals presented at the Jan. 20 meeting.

Denise Farr, the director of the Public Works Department, explains the county currently uses the single-stream recycling process. This process handles cardboard, paper products, plastics, glass, aluminum and metal cans.

The county budgets $13,000 for recycling but spent $18,090.70 in 2021. With waste management significantly increasing its costs, Public Works estimates a yearly recycling cost of $57,222.

In her presentation, Farr outlines the current recycling process’s positives and negatives for the Board to consider an increased budget or economical alternative.

The single-stream system encourages recycling since people do not have to separate materials. It also gives municipalities lower upfront costs.

However, the quality and number of useable recyclables are lower because of contamination and issues separating materials. And although the system offers lower upfront costs, the sorting and processing rates lead to higher costs.

Farr elaborated on issues with the current system saying, “Sometimes in the compaction, especially with the metals, they can’t get everything apart so some of that is ending up in the landfill that really shouldn’t be.”

After listening to her presentation, the Board asks Farr to return with alternative recycling processes which could be more beneficial and financially effective.

In addition to recycling budget, transfer station requires examination

The Public Works director also presented to the Board the structural issues of the county’s transfer station. The station can no longer accept construction or commercial debris.

Recycling budget and transfer station damage presented at meeting.

Farr included examples of the damage in her presentation to the Board.

Farr explained how the impact force and positioning of construction, commercial dumping and packing equipment have caused damage to parts of the building, including the loading area’s steel plates and beams.

Example of damage at transfer station.

Excessive loads and continued force of debris and clearing equipment have damaged the transfer station’s loading area.

Replacing and installing additional steel beams, along with the steel plate flooring, is estimated to cost $120,000. To replace siding and siding supports, the estimated cost is $25,000.

When considering the facility’s future with construction and commercial dumping, Farr states, “If we’re going to continue with that, then we’re going to have to have a whole different design in mind.”

The Board agrees with Farr’s analysis that the station requires repairs for safety and efficiency. During the voting session, the commissioners decide to send out a bid for an engineer to inspect the site.

To access the agenda and voting session packets, visit https://www.dawsoncounty.org/meetings?date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Bmonth%5D=1&date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Bday%5D=1&date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2015&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Bmonth%5D=3&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Bday%5D=20&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2022&field_microsite_tid=All&field_microsite_tid_1=All

To view the sessions, visit https://www.facebook.com/DawsonCountyGovernment

BOC will hear Broadband Ordinance proposal during Thursday’s work session

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.The Board of Commissioners will hold a voting session Thursday (June 17)  immediately following the work session which begins at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room, 25 Justice Way in Dawsonville.

The voting session will begin with a public hearing on a Comprehensive Plan update and a possible extension of an existing moratorium on the Acceptance for Approval of Final Subdivision Plats that Create New Roads.

Commissioners will then hear the following zoning requests:

  • ZA 20-25 – Fall Leaf Residential requests to rezone TMP 085-016 from RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) to RS2 (Residential Suburban 2) for the purpose of developing a 120-residential-lot-subdivision (Highway 9 South)
  • ZA 21-10 – Chip Green requests to rezone TMP 104-062 and 104-061 from CHB (Commercial Highway Business) to CHI (Commercial Highway Intensive) for the purpose of opening a landscape supply business (Highway 53 East and Gober Road);
  • ZA 21-11 – Jim King requests to rezone 23.11 acres of TMP 114-033-005, 114-018, 114-033-001 and 114-046-001 from RA (Residential Agriculture) and CCB (Commercial Community Business) to CHB (Commercial Highway Business) for the purpose of building a retail/office/warehouse space;
  • ZA 21-13 – Dawson County requests to rezone TMP 114-019 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RMF (Residential Multi-Family) for the purpose of constructing 89 townhomes (Highway 53 and Hughes Court).
  • ZA 21-09 – Dawson County requests to vary from the Dawson County Land Use Resolution Article III, Section 308 C.6.b. (Highway 53 and Hughes Court).

Under New Business, commissioners will consider and updated Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension State Office

Other New Business items include:

  • Consideration of IFB #382-21 – Road Rehabilitation Project for Dawson County for the full reclamation of Howser Mill Road, G.W. Taffer Road, and Wesley Chapel Road. Blount Construction was the low bidder on the project at $2,394,552.11;
  1. Consideration of Board Appointments:
  2. EMS Advisory Council Danny Thompson- reappointment (Term: July 2021 through June 2024)
  3. Library Board appointments Peter Thomas — reappointment (Term: July 2021 through June 2025)
  4. Alexandria Williams- replacing Susan Roof (Term: July 2021 through June 2025)

During the work session, commissioners will consider a request by Family Connection to accept an Underage Drinking Prevention Stipend Awarded to Family Connection by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

Also to be considered is a request by KARE for Kids, host of the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival for use of county facilities for parking space during the festival which runs from Oct. 22-24.

County Attorney Angela Davis will present a proposed Broadband Ready Community Ordinance to regulate applications to provide broadband service to the county.

Planning Director Jameson Kinley will present proposed updates to the Animal Control Ordinance to include new definitions of a dangerous dog, vicious animal and new sections on neglect and penalties.

County withdraws objection to Allen Street Properties annexation into City of Dawsonville

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – With the cards stacked heavily in the City’s favor,  the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously today (May 11) to withdraw its objection to the request of Allen Street Properties LLC and B&K Turner Family LLP for annexation into the City of Dawsonville for the purpose of construction of a subdivision.

The vote came during a special called session and ended the process of arbitration before the Department of Community Affairs.

County Attorney Angela Davis said, “The law in Georgia on annexation affords the City all the authority and rights. It’s all in the City’s court, so to speak. What we’re left with is an arbitration that will not stop the annexation. That is not possible. It will only go to certain conditions and how the annexation will take place.

The property to be annexed is approximately 74.865 acres, a portion of TMP 090 004 001 at Perimeter Road. The applicants have also asked for the property to be rezoned from County zoning Residential Sub Rural (RSR) and Restricted Agriculture (RA) To City zoning Residential Single-Family (R3).

On hearing the news, Mayor Mike Eason was pleased. “It’s always better when you can work things out,” he said.

The Board also voted 4-0 to acquire approximately 6.961 acres from Bart Bruce designated as Dawson County Tax Parcel 119 037 002 in the amount of $210,000.00, the appraised value of the property.

Dawson County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting May 11

Press Release

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — There will be a special called meeting of the Dawson County Board of Commissioners Tuesday (May 11) at 11 a.m. in he Dawson County Government Center Assembly Room, 25 Justice Way in Dawsonville.

Agenda items include:
1. Consideration of purchase agreement with Bart Bruce to acquire 6.961 acres, more or less, designated as Dawson County Tax Parcel 119 037 002 in the amount of $210,000.00
2. Consideration and action concerning City of Dawsonville Annexation, Perimeter Road -Allen Street, and Arbitration Proceedings

BOC to address issue of paramedic pay

News

EMS Director Danny Thompson

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners will tackle an issue that has become a problem throughout the state and nation, – attracting and retaining full-time paramedics when it meets in a voting session Thursday afternoon.

The voting session will immediately follow a work session that begins at 4 p.m.

Two weeks ago EMS Director Danny Thompson informed the Board that three full-time paramedics have left the county in the last couple of weeks and that he has seven full-time firefighter/paramedic six part-time firefighter/paramedic vacancies but only one application in the past six months.

The problem is that the county has to compete with larger counties with larger budgets as well as hospitals and private companies, all of which pay more than Dawson County.

Thompson presented commissioners with three Paramedic and Educational Incentives plans that have a price tag range of $75,592 to $207,276 annually.

The Board will also consider Thompson’s request to purchase an ambulance and equipment at a cost of $395,000. The department has $240,000 available from impact fees and will need $155,294 to make the purchase. Thompson said he has five ambulances and three have logged more than 130,000 miles.

Other items on the voting session agenda include:

  • A public hearing on the adoption of a Broadband Ready Community Ordinance that would allow the county to apply for funding through state grants;
  • A request by Kyle Woody to rezone 1.5 acres of TMP 097-009 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel per RSR guidelines of the parent parcel and building a primary residence;
  • A request by Corey Gutherie requests to rezone 6 acres of TMP 053-015 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RRE (Residential Rural Estate) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel per RRE guidelines;
  • A request by Larry Bishop to rezone TMP 104-022 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel per RSR guidelines;
  • Consideration of Intergovernmental Agreement Between City of Dawsonville and Dawson County Concerning Trail Infrastructure for Pedestrian Access Between Main Street Park and Library;
  • Consideration of Board Appointment of Don Cargill to the Library Board.

Items that will be discussed during the 4 p.m. work session include:

  • Presentation of Ambulance Billing Ordinance and Policy Change;
  • Presentation of Request to Accept FY 2021 Georgia Trauma Commission EMS Trauma Related Equipment Grant;
  • Presentation of FY 2021 Legacy Link Contract Addendum No. 2;
  • Presentation of Request by Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne to Use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VI Overage Funds;
  • The appointment of David Yenerall to the Library Board;
  • A discussion of Special Tax Districts by Commissioner Tim Satterfield;
  • County Manager Report.

 

Family Connection Coordinator Rebecca Bliss gets OK to seek $160,500 Partners in Prevention Grant

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Dawson County Family Connection Coordinator Rebecca Bliss’ request to apply for a Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities (DBHD) Partners in Prevention Grant during Thursday’s voting session.

Family Connection has used the grant to fund its underage drinking prevention program the last 10 years. However, DBHD requirements have changed. Now counties must be considered high risk to apply for the grant. Since Dawson County is no longer a high risk county, it no longer qualifies.

Bliss explained that Family Connections would like to partner with neighboring Lumpkin County which is a high-risk county, to be eligible to receive the grant. The grant is $160,500 a year for five years with no county match. If approved, the funding would come to Dawson County but would fund a Partners in Prevention program in Lumpkin County.

“Dawson County would not reap direct benefit but would reap some benefits,” Bliss said. “We would benefit in that we would be able to keep our prevention specialist position.”

She also noted that Dawson was once a high-risk county and without the program, it would be in danger of slipping back into the high-risk category.

The county noted that if the grant is approved, it would be necessary to implement an intergovernmental agreement with Lumpkin County.

This item was moved from the earlier work session due to it being time sensitive. Bliss must apply for the grant by April 9.

Commissioners also unanimously approved:

  • A special event permit for the Dreamland Amusement Carnival to be held at the Outlet Mall from April 29 through May 9. The event will take place from 5pm until 11pm Monday through Friday and from noon until 11 pm on Saturday and Sunday;
  • A 4H Rabies Clinic application for a parade and assembly permit for an event that will take place May 1 from 10 am until 1 pm;
  • Moving forward with a public hearing on an update to the county’s Mobile Home Ordinance;
  • Moving forward with a public hearing on a Vape Ordinance update;
  • The appointment of Karen McCord to the Department of Family and Children Service Board;
  • The appointment of Steve Sanvi to the Planning Commission to replace Emory Dooley (Term: April 2021 through December 2024);
  • The 2021 Local Maintenance Improvement Safety Grant.

During the earlier work session, Emergency Services Director/Fire Chief Danny Thompson went before the Board during Thursday’s work session to discuss recruitment and retention of paramedics and the need to purchase a new fire truck.

Thompson said the county is losing paramedics at an alarming rate to hospitals, private emergency services and other counties that offer greater salaries and benefits.

Thompson told commissioners that three full-time paramedics have left the county in the last couple of weeks and that he has seven full-time firefighter/paramedic and six part-time firefighter/paramedic vacancies but has only received one application in the last six months.

He presented the Board with three options to consider that would cost between $75,592 and $207,276.

Thompson then asked commissioners to consider the purchase of an ambulance and equipment at a cost of $395,000. The department has $240,000 available from impact fees and will need an additional $155,294 to make the purchase. Thompson said he has five ambulances and three have logged more than 130,000 miles.

Commissioners do not typically vote on issues during work sessions.

During the work session, commissioners also heard a presentation of an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Dawsonville and Dawson County concerning trail infrastructure for pedestrian access between Main Street Park and the library.

 

 

Dawson County Public Works Director leaving to become Forsyth County Assistant Manager

Business, News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Dawson County lost a gifted and highly-respected member of its staff during Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting when Public Works Director David McKee announced has resigned to accept the position of Assistant County Manager in Forsyth County.

David McKee

McKee has worked for Dawson County for 16 years. He also worked as Director of Planning and Development and Director of Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Georgia Southern University and is a registered mediator.

“I believe the good Lord put me on this path to help people,” he said. “I owe many thanks to everybody who is standing in front of me and to the many, many colleagues I have worked with over the years. I would put those guys and female up against any staff that I will work with or have ever worked with. I simply want to say thank you.”

Individual Board members expressed their appreciation for McKee’s service.

Chairman Billy Thurmond said, “You have done an outstanding job and you will truly be missed.”

Commissioner Chris Gaines joked about McKee’s move to Forsyth County. “I told Kevin (Tanner), Forsyth County’s new county manager, ‘you’re welcome’.” Tanner is the former Dawson County Manager and state representative. Your leadership has been exemplary day in and day out. Thank  you for everything you have done.”

Commissioner Tim Satterfield said, “I watched you grow up here. You’ve done a lot of great things here.”

Commissioner Sharon Fausett said, “It’s a good move for you. You have done a wonderful job and I’m sure you will in Forsyth County too. You truly will be missed.”

Friday (April 2) will be McKee’s last day with Dawson County.

Dawson County has difficulty attracting and keeping paramedics due to pay disparity

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Emergency Services Director/Fire Chief Danny Thompson will alert the Board of Commissioners during Thursday’s work session that the county is losing paramedics at an alarming rate to other counties that offer greater salaries and benefits.

The work session will begin at 4 p.m. to be followed immediately by a voting session.

Thompson will inform the Board that three full-time paramedics have left the county in the last couple of weeks and that he has seven full-time firefighter/paramedic six part-time firefighter/paramedic vacancies but only one application in the past six months.

He will present three Paramedic and Educational Incentives plans for the Board to consider that would cost between $75,592 to $207,276.

Thompson will also ask commissioners to approve the purchase of an ambulance and equipment at a cost of $395,000. The department has $240,000 available from impact fees and will need $155,294 to make the purchase. Thompson said he has five ambulances and three have logged more than 130,000.

During the work session, commissioners will hear:

  • Presentation of Family Connection Request to apply for Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Partners in Prevention Project Grant;
  • Presentation of Intergovernmental Agreement Between City of Dawsonville and Dawson County concerning Trail Infrastructure for Pedestrian Access Between Main Street Park and Library;
  • Presentation of 2021 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant Safety Action Plan;
  • Presentation of Board Appointments: Library Board i. Don Cargill- reappointment (Term: April 2021 through June 2024) b. Planning Commission (Chairman Appointee) i. Steve Sanvi- replacing Emory Dooley (Term: April 2021 through December 2024);
  • A discussion of Impact Fees.

In the voting session that follows, the Board will consider:

  • A Special Event Business License Application for Dreamland Amusement Carnival;
  • An application for Parade and Assembly by 4-H Rabies Clinic;
  • Moving forward with a Public Hearing for a Mobile Home Ordinance;
  • Moving forward with public hearings for a Vape Ordinance Update;
  • A Board Appointment of Karen McCord to replace Nancy Stites on the Department of Family and Children Services (Term: April 2021 through June 2024).

 

 

Board of Commissioners will consider new mobile home policy for Dawson County Thursday

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Planning Director Jameson Kinley will present a proposed mobile home ordinance that will regulate all mobile homes moving into or within the county during the Board of Commissioners work session Thursday at 4p.m.

The county does not have a minimum standard code for mobile homes and commissioners believe it is in the best interest of the public to update the Land Use Ordinance to accommodate the new ordinance.

Other items on the Work Session agenda include:

  • Presentation of FY 2022 Council of Accountability Court Judges / Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Enhancement Grant for Dawson County Treatment Court;
  • Presentation of FY 2022 Council of Accountability Court Judges / Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Enhancement Grant for Dawson County Family Treatment Court;
  • Presentation of Special Event Business License Application for the Dreamland Amusement Carnival;
  • Presentation of Application for Parade and Assembly for the 4-H Rabies Clinic;
  • Presentation of Vape Ordinance Update;
  • Appointment of Karen McCord to replace Nancy Stites who is retiring
  • Discussion of Sewer Issues at Fire Station.

Commissioners will kick off the voting session with a special recognition of the Rotary Club’s Employees of the Year, County Manager David Headley and Rotary Club President Sharon Hall.

The Board will then hear a series of zoning requests including:

  • SU 21-01 – Candie Parkey requests a special use of TMP 067-005 for the purpose of placing a second mobile home on 5 acres in a RA (Residential Agriculture) zoning;
  • ZA 21-01 – Lucas Ray requests to rezone TMP 104-032 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSRMM (Residential Sub-Rural Manufactured Moved) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel per RSRMM guidelines;
  • ZA 21-02 – Alex Myers requests to rezone TMP 113-093-001 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to CIR (Commercial Industrial Restricted) for the purpose of relocating an existing transfer station and constructing a new facility
  • ZA 21-03 – Jim King requests to rezone TMP 096-036 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel per RSR standards.

Under New Business, the Board will consider:

  • Moving forward with Public Hearings for a Broadband Ready Community Ordinance;
  • Moving with Public Hearings for an Alcohol Ordinance Update;
  • A Drug and Alcohol Program Manager policy update;
  • Ratification of Fire Station 2 Sewer Emergency Purchase Repair and Budget.

 

Board approves two new residential subdivisions

Business

Chairman Billy Thurmond

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga – County Commissioners approved the development of two new subdivisions during Thursday’s voting session but tabled another to give the developer and nearby property owners time to work out a compromise.

Speaking as the agent for the property owners, attorney George Butler requested rezoning 111.9 acres on Dawson Forest Road near the intersection of Blacks Mill Road from Residential Agricultural (RA) to Residential Sub Rural 2 (RSR) for the purpose of building a 194-residential lot subdivision. The Board approved 3-0 with Commissioner Sharon Fausett recused.

The Board also unanimously approved a request to rezone 20 acres on Hwy. 53 East for the purpose of developing a 120-unit townhome community with a commercial component. One portion of the property to be rezoned from Commercial Highway Business (CHB) to Residential Multi Family (RMF) and another to be rezoned to RMF (Residential Multi-Family) and CHB.

Commissioners tabled the request by Fall Leaf Residential to rezone 65 acres on Hwy. 9 South from Residential Sub Rural (RSR) to RA 3 for the purpose of building a 141-lot residential subdivision. Six area property owners objected to the development which they said is out of character for an area populated by homes built on 2, 3 and 4 acres. Commissioner Chris Gaines said, “To me this is not the right zoning for this piece of property.” The Board then voted to table the request indefinitely.

Attorney Joey Homans

Commissioners also approved a Dawsonville Gun and Pawn request to rezone 3.43 acres on Hwy. 53 next to their existing business for the purpose of constructing a 7,000 square foot, 10-stall indoor shooting range. The vote was 3-0 with Commissioner Chris Gaines abstained.

Commissioners voted to table Sheriff Jeff Johnson’s request for additional staffing. At the Feb. 4 County Commission meeting, Chairman Billy Thurmond gave a power point presentation that demonstrated that Dawson County citizens pay more per capita for law enforcement than surrounding counties like Lumpkin, Pickens, Hall Forsyth and Cherokee that have larger population.

On Thursday, the Sheriff’s attorney, Joey Homans, countered with his own 15-minute power point presentation. He said that to compare the per capita cost of Dawson County law enforcement to surrounding counties without taking into consideration those counties have city police departments with their own budgets is meaningless. He argued that when the city budgets are included in the comparison, Dawson County’s cost per capita is lower than all surrounding counties except Lumpkin.

Chairman Billy Thurmond made a motion to table the issue until the Board could assess the presentation and he could meet with the Sheriff.

Commissioner Tim Satterfield questioned why the Sheriff did not present this information before the Board approved the budget in December. “We went through budget hearings and meetings and I would have liked to see these numbers then. We have set the numbers and the numbers are tight. Now you come to us after the budget was approved. We didn’t see these.”

 

 

BOC to consider renewal of agreement with Georgia Forestry Commission Thursday

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Director of Emergency Services Danny Thompson will ask the Board of Commissioners to renew a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Forestry Commission during Thursday’s work session.

The agreement will facilitate the purchase and operation of Georgia Forestry equipment and trucks at a reduced cost to address response to urban wildlife interface fires.

Thursday’s meeting will begin at 4 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a regular meeting and public hearings.

Industrial Building Authority Chairman Gary Coates will make a presentation of the staggered terms and appointment of members to the IABDC.

During the voting session commissioners will hold the following public hearings:

  • Alcohol License Transfer (Retail Package Sale of Beer, Wine and Distilled Spirits) – Gopika Liquor dba 400 Package;
  • George Butler as agent for owners requests to rezone TMP 097-099 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RS2 (Residential Suburban 2) for the purpose of developing a 194-residential-lot subdivision (Dawson Forest Road East).
  • Mincey Land Management requests to rezone TMP 113-017 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to CHB (Commercial Highway Business) for the purpose of constructing an indoor gun range (Highway 53 East);
  • Fall Leaf  Residential requests to rezone TMP 085-016 from RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) to RS3 (Residential Suburban 3) for the purpose of developing a 141-residential-lot subdivision (Highway 9 South);
  • Jim King on behalf of Jackie and Jerry Townley requests to rezone TMP 115-044 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel (Blue Ridge Overlook);
  • Dawson County requests to rezone TMP 113-011 and 113-092 from CHB (Commercial Highway Business) to RMF (Residential Multi-Family) and CHB for the purpose of developing a commercial component and multi-family dwellings.

In other business, the Board will consider:

  • A study concerning the cost of services by Land Use Type;
  • The Sheriff’s request for additional staffing;
  • A local Emergency Operations Plan Update;
  • An amendment to ‘Section 2-111-Solicitations. 13.b. $25,000.00 and above, Sealed Solicitations’ of the Purchasing Policy Ordinance;
  • Ratification of the Liberty Church Road Emergency Repair Request

 

 

Passarello provides Development Authority update

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Development Authority of Dawson County (DADC) Chairman Tony Passarello gave the Board of Commissioners an update on the Authorities work on behalf of the citizen during Thursday’s voting session.

DADC recently elected new members to the Executive Board, including Mandy Powers, the new Chairman of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.

Passarello said county unemployment fell from a high of 11.7 percent last spring to 3.6 percent today. With regard to workforce development, Passarello said, “I would like to report great success there. He cited the Authority’s work with Lanier Tech and the University of North Georgia that enabled the awarding of a three-year startup grant worth $20,000. It’s a way for us to integrate some of their students into our economic development,” he said.

“We also continue to have a lot of interest in participating in areas of office-to-the-front, distribution to the rear type of businesses,” he said. “Right now, we just lack the capacity for them to go into the time frame they need.”

He also pointed out there are some companies interested in relocating from Forsyth County and several existing Dawson County facilities that are looking for additional space.

In other business, commissioners approved:

  • An alcohol license for Akshar Priya, LLC doing business as Bo’s Food Mart;
  • A modification to the employee handbook that will allow a limit of 20 hours buyback of paid time off;
  • Acceptance of a Georgia Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant’
  • A change order to the Rock Creek Park berm construction project;
  • Acceptance of the Harry Sosebee Road Right-of-Way and Development Agreement;
  • The Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Program;
  • A 2 percent supplement to salaries for elected official salaries;
  • Elected Emory Dooley as Board of Commissioners Vice Chair for 2021;
  • Tabled consideration of Study Concerning Cost of Services by Land Use Type;
  • A revised resolution requesting the Calling of a Special Election to Impose a County One Percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales and Use Tax.

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