August 19th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, August 20th, 2024

The Dalton Mayor and Council met on Monday night for their second regularly scheduled meeting of the month. The meeting agenda included a purchase agreement for a new aerial platform truck for the Dalton Fire Department and a number of actions on rezoning and annexation requests among other items. You can watch the meeting in its entirety on the City's YouTube channel by clicking here. 

The meeting began with Rocky Face resident Madeline Smith spoke during the public commentary period at the start of Monday's meeting to express her concerns over discrepancies she's found in recent property tax assessments made by the Whitfield County Board of Assessors. The City of Dalton issued a statement on those assessments on August 9th. After Ms. Smith's presentation, Mayor Sams repeated the City's stance in that statement, saying, "we are extremely concerned about the known errors that exist in this digest... we insist that it be corrected." You can watch this portion of the meeting by clicking here. 

Mayor Annalee Sams also presented a proclamation declaring the week of September 17th-23rd as Constitution Week in the City of Dalton. The proclamation included a message urging all residents of Dalton to study the Constitution of the United States and reflect on the privilege of being an American. You can read the proclamation by clicking here and watch this portion of the meeting by clicking here. 

Caption: Mayor Sams presents a proclamation declaring Constitution Week 2024 in Dalton to Bitsy McFarland

During Monday's meeting, the Council voted to: 

  • Approve a rezoning request for 417 Sheridan Avenue - The council voted 3-0 to rezone the parcel from heavy manufacturing (M-2) to general commercial (C-2). This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Deny a rezoning request for 407 Sassafras Street - The council voted 3-0 to deny a request to rezone the parcel from medium density single family residential (R-3) to high density residential (R-7). This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended against the rezoning. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve a rezoning request for 512 Abigail Street - The council voted 3-0 to rezone the parcel from heavy manufacturing (M-2) to rural residential (R-5). This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve a rezoning request for a parcel on Frances Street - The council voted 3-0 to rezone the parcel from rural residential (R-5) to transitional commercial (C-4). This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Deny a rezoning request for 702 Northview Drive - The council voted 3-0 to deny a request to rezone the parcel from medium density single family residential (R-3) to rural residential (R-5). Planning staff had made a recommendation to deny the request, but the Planning Commission had voted to approve it. This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Annex a tract of land at 1218 Frazier Drive into the City of Dalton - The parcel at 1218 Frazier Drive is zoned medium density single family residential (R-3). This request was first brought up for a first reading at the Council's previous meeting August 5th. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve matching funds for a state grant for taxiway resurfacing at the Dalton Municipal Airport - The Georgia Department of Transportation tentatively allocated a $2.525 million grant for the rehabilitation of the taxiway surface and lighting equipment at the airport. The grant required a 25% local match for funds in the amount of $841,667. Airport director Andrew Wiersma pointed out that airport groups have lobbied for greater grant support from the state and that this is a rare opportunity for the airport. City administrator Andrew Parker said that staff would work to limit the impact of the local match on the general fund budget with the use of bond money and other sources. The council voted 3-0 to approve the match and grant. To read the GDOT grant offer letter, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve the purchase of a Sutphen 100' Heavy Duty Mid-Mount Aerial Platform Apparatus for the DFD - The council voted 3-0 to approve a purchase agreement for the new fire truck. The agreement will cost $2.199 million which will be paid from the 2024 SPLOST. The truck will not be delivered for approximately 34-36 months, and the vehicle will not be paid for until delivery. However, by locking in the purchase price, the City stands to save a great deal of money as the costs for Sutphen fire trucks are constantly going up. To view the purchase agreement, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve temporary construction easements for the Valley Drive channel stabilization project - The council voted 3-0 to approve the temporary construction easements in the Valley Drive and South Thornton Avenue area.  The project is the fourth phase of the Walnut Avenue North Drainage Project, one of the key components in Dalton's 21st Century Stormwater Management Plan. To view the construction easements, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
  • Approve a change order to the John Davis Rec Center Project contract - The changes to the scope of work include equipment changes necessary for stormwater management permits and also electrical and HVAC modifications to address low voltage equipment relocations in the plans and addition of bi-polar ionization HVAC units. The cost of the changes is $134,174 but that money will come from contingency funds already budgeted for the project. No additional funding is required by the changes. To view the change orders, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Note: Monday night's action items only received three votes because Councilmember Dennis Mock was out of town and unable to join Monday night's meeting. Mayor Annalee Sams typically votes only in the event of a tie.

The meeting closed with the announcement of a public information meeting on Monday, August 26th at 1:00 pm in the City Council Chamber to discuss the proposed changes to the City's alcoholic beverage ordinance. You can read more about that meeting by clicking here. Mayor Sams also announced that City offices will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for the Labor Day holiday. The Mayor and Council meeting scheduled for that day will instead be held Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:00 pm. 

Click "Play" below to watch Monday night's meeting

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