April 15th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024
The Dalton Mayor and Council met on Monday, April 15th for their first regularly scheduled meeting of the month. Mayor Annalee Sams had previously announced at the March 18th meeting that the April 1st meeting would be canceled. Before the meeting, the Mayor and Council met as part of the Finance and Administration Committee to hear a financial and budget update from Finance Director Cindy Jackson.
Councilmember Dennis Mock was not present at Monday night's meeting, but did attend the meeting via videoconference. He did not participate in any votes.
The full video of Monday night's meeting can be viewed by clicking here.
During Monday's meeting, the Mayor and Council voted to:
- Approve an alcoholic beverage license - The pouring beer and wine license for Juan's Wieners, Inc. was approved by a 3-0 vote (Councilmember Nicky Lama recused himself from the vote because he was the applicant for the license and therefore Mayor Sams cast the deciding vote). To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Renew the maintenance agreement with EMCOR HVAC for 100 S. Hamilton Street (Dalton Chamber of Commerce/CRI) - The renewal extends the HVAC preventive maintenance agreement for the building, which includes a 7% "cost of living" increase which is the first increase in the contract in several years. The council voted 3-0 to approve the agreement. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Renew the carpet cleaning contract with Spectra Floor for City Hall - The renewal extends the contract for cleaning services at City Hall for the same cost as the previous term. The council voted 3-0 to approve the agreement. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Approve an amendment to the employment agreement for Municipal Court Judge Rob Cowan - The amendment changes the way that Judge Cowan is paid, with checks now being paid to the Cowan Law Firm instead of Judge Cowan individually. The contract's terms remain the same. The council voted 3-0 to approve the agreement. to watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Adopt an urban revitalization plan - The council moved to approve a resolution to adopt an urban revitalization plan that was developed in cooperation with the City of Dalton, Whitfield County, Believe Greater Dalton and the Dalton Housing Authority. The plan deals with the geographic area including all City and County land bounded by the Highway 41 bypass and I-75 to the west which is the most urbanized area of Whitfield County. The plan is a guiding document that provides recommendations to future developers on how best to build and develop in the area. To read the plan document, click here. The council voted 3-0 to approve the resolution to adopt the plan. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Approve a professional services agreement with the Arcadis firm for design services - This resolution approves a professional services contract for the design of the Temple Beth-El memorial park and stormwater management project. The council voted 3-0 to approve the professional services agreement. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Award the 2024 Annual Milling and Resurfacing Project contract - The council voted to award the annual LMIG milling and paving contract to North Georgia Paving which was the lowest bidder. The Public Works Department received a total of three bids for the project. The council voted 3-0 to approve the contract. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
Before the council's agenda, the Mayor and Council heard public comments from three individuals. Jose Martinez voiced his concerns over his belief that a downtown merchant was selling alcohol without a license. Irwin Koplan spoke about his memories of growing up and living in Dalton. Mark Reagan spoke about his concerns over antisemitism in the community. You can watch the public commentary period by clicking here.
The next Mayor and Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 6th at 6:00 pm. A work session is scheduled for the council at 5:00 pm preceding that meeting.
