HIAWASSEE COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA/MINUTES June 30, 2026

BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK LIVE       SITE: CITY OF HIAWASSEE
OPEN TO PUBLIC – June 30, 2026, 6pm
Hiawassee City Hall 50 River Street Council Chambers
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

1. Call to Order 

1.1.   Invocation –Nancy Noblet
1.2.   Pledge of Allegiance
1.3.   Approval agenda as distributed

1. Consent Agenda

2.1.   Minutes of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting
2.2.   Minutes of June 30, 2026 Work Session Meeting
2.3.   April and May 2026 financials
2.4. Payment of the PBC Loan from SPLOST (26,535.89)

1. Mayor’s Report

1. Aclarian Contract discussion

1. Second Reading of the Home Rule Ordinance – Hearing Procedures for Removal of Officers

1. Southern Tank Discussion

1. Department Head Report – Carl Grizzle

1. Public Comment

1. Executive session

1. Adjournment

   
   CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES- June 30, 2026, 6pm

   The Hiawassee City Council met for the June Work Session in the Upstairs Training Room at City Hall on June 30, 2026, at 6:00PM. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jay Chastain. Present, in addition to the Mayor, were Council members Nancy Noblet, Scott Benton, Andrea Bell, Jeff Scott and Jonathan Wilson. Staff present were Economic Development Director Lily Ponitz, Police Chief Paul Smith, Water Superintendent Carl Grizzle, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Andrew Sims, Water Department Operations Manager Ryan Osborn City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick, and Court Clerk Sheryl Branson.
   The Invocation was given by Nancy Noblet and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
   The agenda was amended to add Chief Smith and was approved as amended 1st by Nancy Noblet, 2nd by Jonathan Wilson with all in favor.
   The Consent agenda, consisting of minutes from June 2, 2026, City Council Meeting, June 30, 2026, Work Session, the April and May 2026 financials, and the payment of the PBC Loan from SPLOST (26,535.89) will be voted on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
   Mayor’s Report
   The Mayor stated that we continue to repair water leaks throughout the system. Leaks continue to occur on a nearly daily basis. Until portions of our ageing infrastructure are replaced this trend will continue.
   The hand audit of every water meter is nearing completion. We continue to find meters that have not been billed and non-functioning meters, which are being replaced as discovered. This, along with our limited staffing and ongoing leak repairs, has slowed the process.
   The DNR has been patrolling in the no-wake zone. This has helped reduce the possibility of damage to the floating structure supporting our water intake.
   We have had a conference call with the EPA regarding the previously awarded $2 million grant. We have been advised that we must reapply for the grant. GMRC is assisting with the process and has acknowledged they have not previously administered an EPA grant. We are awaiting further guidance from the EPA.
   The strategic planning process is underway. I have received mixed feedback regarding how the process is being handled. The next meeting will occur after next month’s work session and will focus on infrastructure.
   Next Tuesday, he will meet with County Commissioner and the Mayor of Young Harris to finalize the SPLOST referendum for the November ballot.
   We still have not received a firm date from TVA regarding the planned lake drawdown.
   The water distribution truck we ordered has still not arrived. The sewer jetter is reportedly on its way. Equipment lead times continue to be extremely long.
   The projected timelines for the wastewater treatment plant improvements have not changed.
   He applied for and successfully received the LRA grant this month.
   We will enter executive session this evening to discuss legal proceedings.
   Number four on the agenda is Aclarian contract discussion. There is nothing new to discuss at this time. Attorney Mitchell has just received the contract and is going over it.
   Next is the Second Reading of the Home Rule Ordinance – Hearing Procedures for Removal of Officers due to a typo. This will be voted on at the July 7, 2026, Council Meeting.
   Next on the agenda is the Southern Tank Discussion. Michael Frye with Southern Corrosion Tank Care is here to talk about the company. Southern Corrosion proposes our current tank program citing severe deficiencies, charging us around $40,000.00 more than their company. They evaluated our tanks and found lichen growth, bare steel spots, access issues, and inconsistent prior maintenance by our current vendor. Southern Corrosion proposes multiyear maintenance programs with annual inspections, washouts, and scheduled exterior/interior recoating; divers to use for interiors on two tanks to avoid draining them. The cost comparison suggests around $40.000.00 annual savings vs our current vendor. The company highlights transparency, replacing locks with city locks, and rapid repairs. Mr. Mitchell, the city attorney, indicates contract exit from current the vendor is feasible with written notice; no break fee expected. The Council will consider authorization at the July 7, 2026, meeting.
   Number seven is the Carl Grizzle of the Water Department will give us an update on the Water Plant. Carl stated that the mayor had told most of what he had to talk about. We are continuing to repair leaks as they happen. The Kimsey Ridge pump house is approximately two weeks out. The SCADA fiber optic integration is planned; the temporary protruding conduits will be buried and connected upon building completion. The valve at the red light in town is leaking. We plan to repair it at night to minimize traffic impact. We are waiting for the DOT permit to start work on the lift station.
   Number 8A on the agenda is Chief Paul Smith. Chief Smith wanted to discuss a contract for Leads on Line which is an investigative tool. The annual cost is $2396.00. It has demonstrated past success in burglary case resolution and efficiency in fraud investigations. It saved many hours helping officers track down stolen items that were in pawn shops.
   No Public Comment was requested.
   Executive Session was needed.
   Motion to enter executive session was made 1st by Andrea Bell and 2nd by Scott Benton with all in favor.
   Motion to adjourn executive session was made 1st by Andrea Bell and 2nd by Scott Benton with all I favor.
   Motion to adjourn was 1st made by Jonathan Wilson and 2nd by Nancy Noblet with all in favor.
   Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM