HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION AGENDA
June 24^th, 2019

The June Work Session Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Upstairs Training Room

1. Call to order
   • Invocation – Nancy Noblet
   • Pledge of Allegiance 
   • Mayor’s Introductions of Guests and Announcements 
     • July City Council meeting will be July 9^thinstead for July 2^nddue to Independence Day.
   • Motion to Adopt Final Agenda as Distributed.

2. Old Business
   • Mayor’s Report
   • 2nd reading of BroadBand Ready Ordinance --July 9^thAgenda
   • 2nd reading of Ordinance to move personnel ordinance to resolution -- July 9^thAgenda
   • Fluoride Update-Waiting for EPD for Petition Info-Nancy to keep petition
   • Excess furniture and vehicles to be sold at auction instead of Govdeals.com 
3. New Business
   • Consent Agenda for July 9^th
     • Minutes of May 7^thCity Council Meeting 
     • May 22nd Special Called Meeting
     • June 4th City Council Meeting Minutes
     • June 24^thWork Session Minutes
     • April Financials not received as of 6-14-19

4. Police Report
5. Economic Development Report
6. Executive Session
7. Adjournment

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION MINUTES
June 24^th, 2019

The June Work Session Meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Anne Mitchell at 6:00 p.m. in the Upstairs Training Room at City Hall.

Present in addition to the Mayor Pro Tem was Council members Patsy Owens, Nancy Noblet, Amy Barrett, and Kris Berrong.  Staff present included Economic Development Director Denise McKay, Police Chief Paul Smith, and City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick. Also present was City Attorney Thomas Mitchell.

The invocation was given by Councilmember Nancy Noblet and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Pro Tem Anne Mitchell welcomed Zachary Mitchell and all in attendance and presented to the audience the front page of The Georgia’s Cities publication on which is a wonderful article entitled “Hiawassee Proactively Seeks Tourism Dollars”.  She also reminded guests that the July City Council meeting will be held on July 9^thinstead of July 2^nddue to Independence Day.

Council member Amy Barrett mentioned the bake sale at the Towns County Library went very well and the Towns County Fishing team has made it to the national fishing competition.

The motion to adopt final agenda as distributed was made by Councilmember Patsy Owens, seconded by Council member Amy Barrett with all in favor.

In old business, the 2nd reading of Broad Band Ready ordinance will be on the July 9^thagenda.  This ordinance makes the city ready to accept broadband providers with staffing and permitting processes and is designed to facilitate making broadband available for everyone.  The 2nd reading of Ordinance to move personnel ordinance to resolution will also be on the agenda.

The Fluoride Update-we have received a reply from EDP, but Attorney Mitchell has not had an opportunity to review it.

The excess furniture and vehicles are to be sold at auction instead of govdeals.com. When reviewing GovDeals to set up the account, etc. it was discovered to be more difficult than anticipated so we will dispose of the furniture by sealed bid, published in the newspaper (bid will be due in approx. 3 weeks) and the vehicles will be disposed of at the auto auction.

In new business, the consent agenda for July 9^thwill include the minutes of the May 7^thCouncil meeting, May 22^ndSpecial Called meeting, June 4^thCouncil meeting and the June 24^thwork session.   The April financials have not been received and will not be on the agenda for approval.

In the Police report, Chief Smith provided information regarding scams and how to recognize them and provided some handouts on specific scams. He also reminded us all that Facebook is a significant area of risk.  He cautioned all to check your privacy settings to make sure your information is not out in the public domain.  He also displayed a check received in May from the GT Smokies for Shop with a Hero this year.  The group fundraises every year and chose to support us in this way.  There was a question from the audience regarding the legality of fireworks in the state of Georgia.  Chief Smith responded that the permissible fireworks for sale had been broadened some years ago by the state.  

In the Economic Development report, Denise McKay gave an update on progress to date. Each city and the county have a critical project she is working on. She has completed the draft strategic plan for the City of Young Harris; is working on the Rural Zone project of the City of Hiawassee, and the County project is a grant through Firehouse Subs, which she had to rework and has resubmitted. Eastern Metal Signs have expanded into a second building and we have two new businesses, Trailful Adventures, and WashWorx. She has been working on a plan for the County and has a group of people meeting weekly to define the strengths and weaknesses and how to move those strengths and weaknesses to opportunities. Tata’s has been sold as well as their house.

There was no need for an executive session.

There was a discussion on signage and Chief Smith has been speaking with business owners regarding their signs and permits. “Feather” flags at the fireworks stand and AT&T were specifically discussed and have been addressed by Chief Smith.  There was also discussion regarding the signs on Big Sky Drive.  Council Member Nancy Noblet mentioned the new stone pillars on the Square.

Julie’s Nails is under new ownership.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla will be on the Square in Hayesville giving away 500 new life vests on Saturday, June 29^th.

Scottie Scott mentions that if you find stray animals, please call the animal shelter and if they won’t take them for any reason - they are full or the animal is sick - contact Commissioner Bradshaw.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Nancy Noblet, seconded by Council member Kris Berrong with all in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m.