BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK LIVE SITE: CITY OF HIAWASSEE
OPEN TO PUBLIC – October 27th, 2025 6pm
Hiawassee City Hall 50 River Street Upstairs Training Room
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AND WORK SESSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order
1.1. Invocation –Amy Barrett
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance
1.3. Approval agenda as distributed
2. Special called meeting
2.1. Ratify the sale of the Shook House
3. Adjourn Special called meeting
4. Consent Agenda
4.1. Minutes of October 7, 2025 Council Meeting
4.2. Minutes of October 27, 2025 Work Session Meeting
4.3. July 2025 financials
5. Old Business
5.1. Grading at Sewer plant to prepare for the equipment building (tabled at October Council Meeting)
5.2. Sign Ordinance (tabled at October Council Meeting)
6. Mayor’s Report
7. Alcohol Licenses for 2026
8. AirMedCare Contract
9. Department Head Report – Andrew Sims
10. Economic Development update – Lily Ponitz
11. Executive session
12. Adjournment
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AND WORK SESSION AGENDA October 27th, 2025 6pm
The Hiawassee City Council met for a Special-called meeting and the October Work Session in the Upstairs Training Room at City Hall on October 27th, 2025, at 6:00PM. The meeting was open to the public and broadcast over FaceBook Live. The Special called meeting was called to order by Mayor Jay Chastain. Present, in addition to the Mayor were Council members Amy Barrett, Scott Benton, Nancy Noblet, Patsy Owens and Jonathan Wilson. Staff present were Police Chief Paul Smith, Police Officer Jose Carvajal, Economic Development Director Lily Ponitz, Water Treatment Operator Andrew Sims and City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick.
The Invocation was given by Council member Amy Barrett and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Chastain stated the work session agenda would need to be amended to add the PTSD insurance for first responders at 9.5
Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Council member Nancy Noblet seconded by Council member Patsy Owens with all in favor.
Mayor Chastain stated that the Shook House was sold at auction for $310,000.00 to AJ Patel. Motion to ratify the sale of the Shook House and authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary documents was made by Council member Amy Barrett seconded by Council member Nancy Noblet with all in favor.
Motion to adjourn the special-called meeting was made by Council member Jonathan Wilson seconded by Council member Patsy Owens with all in favor.
The consent agenda for next week will consist of the minutes of October 7, 2025 Council Meeting, the minutes of October 27, 2025 Work Session Meeting and July 2025 financials. The Council agreed to allow the AirMedCare contract and the PTSD contract to be on the consent agenda. Council member Amy Barrett asked to have the July financial reports emailed to her again and asked if the Council would get the minutes of the retreat to approve. Mayor Chastain stated that they had been received, and they would be distributed to Council as soon as possible.
In Old Business, the grading at Sewer plant to prepare for the equipment building was tabled at October Council Meeting for further discussion. The Council agreed to remove this item from the agenda.
Also, in Old Business the Sign Ordinance, tabled at October Council Meeting, was presented by Attorney Thomas Mitchell. Attorney Mitchell outlined the changes made to the sign ordinance. He asked the Council for guidance on what they wanted in the ordinance. There was a great deal of discussion around window signs, electronic signs and what the Council wanted to be prohibited. Council member Scott Benton asked about restaurant drive through menu boards and asked if it was possible to allow electronic signs limited to 20 square feet and not facing the thoroughfare. Attorney Mitchell urged caution as that might be considered content based and that is not legal. One static electronic sign would be allotted with a business license not to exceed 20 square feet. Parcel size limits the amount of signage as well as the 30% coverage limit on window signage. Council member Barrett stated that the prohibition on electronic billboard signage was related to the night sky ordinance former Economic Development Director Denise McKay had worked on with the County. Attorney Mitchell felt he understood the wishes of the Council and will have the ordinance ready for reading next week.
Mayor Chastain updated the Council on the taxes. The assessments were to be completed today and Michael Andreson, Tax Commissioner, is expecting to receive the assessment results by noon tomorrow. He will send the rollback numbers as soon as possible and needs our decision (to take the rollback or not) by November 6th to get the digest published in the November 12 edition of the paper. The Kimsey Ridge water line has been run, and Attorney Mitchell is working on the easement to put in the pump house. The 3rd master meter is installed and will begin billing based on our numbers as of December 1, 2025. The City has been notified by our insurance broker that AETNA will not be offering us a level funded plan next year. Level funded means that if we don’t exceed our expected expenses, they split the difference with the city. Our broker, Tommy, is working on quotes including GIRMA and will have information as soon as possible. The city has also been notified of a small increase in the cost of term life insurance for employees. The speed zone permit has been approved. Wednesday the City will meet with TVA and officials from the state regarding expediting the permitting process for the changes needed because of the anticipated lake drawdown. Mayor and Economic Development Director Lily Ponitz attended a very informative class on housing. Halloween trick or treat will again be at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, and the City will be in booth 15. November 29th is the Sheriff’s parade and the City is preparing a float.
Alcohol licenses for 2026 will be on the agenda for approval next week.
The AirMedCare contract has been received and is the same price as last year ($5,390.00). This will be on the Consent agenda next week.
The PTSD insurance for first responders have billed the City for the semi-annual payment ($602.00). This will also be on the Consent agenda next week.
Andrew Sims of the Water Treatment plant gave the Department Head update. He thanked the Council for supporting the tank maintenance program. He stated that the first tank to be cleaned will be the school tank. The cleaning will take place on Wednesday.
Economic Development Director Lily Ponitz gave an update and history on the Hikeawassee initiative. This is an all-volunteer program and brings the north bound through hikers into the city during the slow season (March – May). So far $23,000 has been raised to pay for a new van for the program and the hope is to expand to the fall season when the south bound through hikers are in the area. Light up Hiawassee dates for decorating have been set. There are three dates, to decorate Mayors Park, the City Square and the booth at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
There being no need for executive session, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council member Patsy Owens, seconded by Council member Jonathan Wilson will all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:46pm.