TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting for September 7, 2017 of the City Council of Tallulah Falls, Georgia was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Mayor Teri Dobbs.
- Mayor Teri Dobbs
- Councilperson Deb Goatcher
- Councilperson Bill Coldren
- Councilperson Larry Hamilton
- Attorney Allyn Stockton
- Fire Chief Mike Early
- Town Administrator/Clerk Patti Polk
OTHERS PRESENT:
See attached sign-in list. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Reverend Turpen to open the meeting with prayer.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the minutes of the August 3, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and Executive Session as well as the August 23, 2017 Special Called Meeting and Executive Session. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the agenda for the September 7, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
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Attorney Report:
TTown Attorney, Allyn Stockton, was asked by Mayor Dobbs to discuss the question of zoning regarding the Hardman House. Attorney Stockton indicated no action is required since the location in question was just to confirm how it was zoned.
Fire Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Fire Chief Mike Early made the Council aware of the drowning death that occurred on August 6, 2017 at Tallulah Gorge State Park in case of possible litigation.
Police Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
In Chief Goatcher’s absence, Councilperson Hamilton stated the need for a $400 transport seat for the new patrol car. The transport seat will assist with the safety of officers by preventing objects to be hidden in the seat by those being transported.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to authorize the purchase of the $400 transport seat cover. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Water Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs reviewed the agreements presented by Rindt McDuff Associates (RMA) Engineering, which were discussed in the earlier workshop, for two projects concerning the Tallulah Falls Water System.
Project 1 – Evaluate the existing water system at a cost of $22,500. As part of this project, RMA will:
- Determine the adequacy of the quantity and quality of delivered water for ALL town residents.
- Iron and manganese removal capability and alternative removal options.
- Projected future water needs.
- Pressures and flow options for the Hickory Nut Mountain sub-system including a storage tank on the mountain.
- Evaluation of the condition and adequacy of the existing storage capacity related to the existing 37 year old poured concrete ground-level reservoir.
- Consideration of a different storage reservoir at a different location, capacity and elevation.
- Pipe sizes and system pressures as related to the adequacy of fire flow delivery.
- Expected useful life of the system components, including pipes, meters, wells, and storage reservoir.
- Other materials including drawings, maps, reports, and recommendations.
Project 2 – Provide support of the Tallulah Falls Water Withdrawal Permit Application at a cost not to exceed $25,000. As part of this project, RMA will:
- Engineering support to complete a water withdrawal application as required by the Georgia Surface Water Allocation Act.
- Engineering services to justify water withdrawal including prospective users and downstream impacts.
The cost of both projects will be paid from SPLOST funds approved specifically for water projects.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to approve both projects, in the amount of $47,500, and send a letter advising residents of the Council’s approval via letter in the water bill, email, and adding to the Town’s web site. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Councilperson Coldren stated, because of the amount of money being spent on the water system,
Mayor Dobbs reviewed the Demorest Water Agreement discussed in the earlier workshop and asked for vote from the Council to represent at the Demorest Council meeting to speak on modifying the agreement as it relates to late fees and rate increases.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to authorize the Mayor to represent the Town at the Demorest Council Meeting and negotiate the terms of the agreement for late fees and rate increases. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Councilperson Hamilton made a motion suggested finalizing negotiations with Demorest first and allow Council to vote at next meeting.
Financial Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs noted the new Profit & Loss Budget Performance report. So far, the Town is working well within its’ budget.
Street Report:
Public Safety Report:
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Dobbs commented on how well the eclipse event was organized and little trash was left behind to clean up. The Fire and Police departments raised approximately $3,000 from parking on the Irvin’s property and Terrora Building. Thank you notes have gone out to the Irvin’s and Georgia Power for the added security they offered during the event.
Mayor Dobbs asked for approval of sending a representative to the Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) Annual Fall Training Conference. The Conference will be held in Helen, Georgia, October 23 – 25th, for a cost of $340.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to have a representative to attend the GRWA Conference. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs announced two more volunteers for the Sign Ordinance Committee, resident Barbara Rice and local businessman Michael Gill, and a meeting will be scheduled in the very near future.
Mayor Dobbs noted MuniCode notified the Town the ordinances would be shipped to us by the end of September 2017.
Mayor Dobbs stated Tallulah Falls School would be hosting the Twin Rivers Challenge again this year and has asked the Town for a $250 Silver Sponsorship.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to authorize the $250 Silver Sponsorship for the Twin Rivers Challenge. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs reminded residents of the upcoming November 2017 election and named the qualifying candidates including Deb Goatcher, Larry Hamilton, Paul Marsteller, and Carol Nelms. Early voting will be October 16 – November 3rd, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm at the voting office in Clayton. The November 7th election will be held at Tallulah Falls Town Hall, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Mayor Dobbs stated the Department of Transportation (DOT) had been contacted to cut the grass on Highway 441. The DOT stated the grass would be cut no later than September 17, 2017.
Mayor Dobbs discussed the information received from Habersham County Mike Beecham regarding Tallulah Falls participating in the consolidated boundary/annexation survey at no cost to the Town.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to participate in the Habersham County survey. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs recognized Dan Hayes and asked him to give an update on the Habersham Bicentennial.
Mr. Hayes gave an overview of marketing and promotions being done for the event. Each city is also being asked to develop a brochure for distribution at public events. Effective 2018, the Big Red Apple Festival in Cornelia will be held on a different date so it does not compete with the Tallulah Falls Founder’s Day event.
Mayor Dobbs reminded residents of the upcoming Founder’s Day and fundraiser for our volunteer fire department on October 7, 2017 and asked for volunteers to help out. Tickets for BBQ are being pre-sold at Town Hall for $10.
Open Floor:
No comments were made.
Councilperson Hamilton made the Motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilperson Coldren. The Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.