BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK LIVE       SITE: CITY OF HIAWASSEE
OPEN TO PUBLIC – City Hall Training Room Upstairs

Public hearing for 2021 Millage rate will be at 6:00 PM.  The City Council Work Session will follow the Public Hearing meeting.

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION AGENDA
September 27^th, 2021 

1. Call to order
   • I nvocation – Amy Barrett
   •  Pledge of Allegiance 
   •  Mayor’s Introductions of Guests and Announcements 
   •  Approve the Agenda as distributed 
2. Old Business
   • Mayors Report
3. New Business
   • Millage Rate – 5 Year Digest discussion
     • Adoption of millage rate October 5^thCity Council Meeting 
   • Halloween Event 
   • City Hall Shed purchase – Capital 
     • Approval at October 5th City Council
   • Service Delivery Agreement discussion 
     • Approval at October 5^thCity Council meeting 
   • Consent Agenda – August 3^rd  
     • September 7^thCity Council Meeting Minutes 
     • September 27^thWork Session Minutes 

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

HIAWASSEE PUBLIC HEARING AND WORK SESSION MINUTES
September 27^th, 2021 

The City of Hiawassee Public hearing for 2021 Millage rate was held at 6:00 PM on September 27, 2021, in the City Hall Training Room.  The meeting was open to the public and broadcast on FaceBook Live.   Mayor Ordiales presented the tax digest and advised that the Council had voted 3 to 2 to roll back the millage rate to 1.977 from 2.097.  Public comment was requested of those present at the meeting.  The only comment made was that the difference in the rollback was minimal.

There being no other comment, the September Work Session was called to order at 6:10PM by Mayor Liz Ordiales. Present in addition to the Mayor were Council members Anne Mitchell, Amy Barrett, Patsy Owens, Nancy Noblet, and Jay Chastain.  Staff present were Economic Development Director Denise McKay, City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick, and Police Chief Paul Smith. Also present was City Attorney Thomas Mitchell.

The Invocation was given by Council member Amy Barrett and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Mayor paused for a moment of silence for Manny Carrion.  Mr. Carrion passed away over the weekend due to complication of COVID-19.  He and his family had moved to Florida, but Mr. Carrion had been a strong supporter of the City and had donated a great deal of time and talent to City projects such as the clean-up of Lloyds Landing.  He leaves behind his wife and 4 young children.

Motion was made by Council member Amy Barrett to approve the agenda as distributed, second by Council member Anne Mitchell, all in favor.  

In the Mayor’s Report, the Mayor reminded all that, although the election for Mayor and Council seats (all incumbents are running unopposed), there will still be the Package Sales Referendum question and urged all City voters, to get out and make their choice known. The Covid update (54% vaccinated in Towns County, Union General Hospital is at 160% capacity in ICU, 117% capacity for inpatient overall).  Please continue the 3 W’s – Wear a mask, wash your hands, walk away.  Council member Nancy Noblet expressed interest in how many people have had COVID-19 and were not vaccinated (natural immunity in contrast to vaccination immunity).  In the last 2 weeks there have been 49 new cases.  The 9/11 Tribute was well attended.  A group of firefighters walked in full turnout gear from the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds to the Square, Blairsville Bagpipers played several tunes and the City unveiled this year’s Hometown Heroes banners.   We are new on the Purple Heart Trail as a Purple Heart City.  The Mayor updated the Council on the status of the Water Department building 6-8 weeks out for final installation of the Sewer system, lift station alarm agents, tie on fee charge (Tap onto sewer force main ONLY) increased to $3,500 will require an ordinance change which Mr. Mitchell will provide.  Michael Courey gave a presentation on the public forum on drug abuse which will provide a platform for young people to present their thoughts and perspectives on drugs of abuse.  This forum will take place at the Towns County Rec Center on October 11^th at 6:00pm.  SquareCrows will invade the Square on October 2^nd – not October 1^st due to First Friday on the Square.  Fall began on September 23^rd, but the time change won’t happen until November 7^th.  Shred event last weekend was gratefully attended by residents.  The Cultural Corridor map has been designed and covers all the area between Blue Ridge and Clayton.  The City has been named a Plan First City for another 3 years which, among other things, provides the City with .5% off any GEFA loans.  There is a pickleball tournament this weekend – there will be lots of people in the area for that.  250 players are registered for the 3-day event.  Yoga on the Square continues.  Due to space constraints at City Hall, the Mayor is asking the Council to approve the purchase of a metal building to be placed at the end of the parking lot.  This building will provide covered and protected space for the Police Department (Vector, barricades, etc) and convenient space for the Economic Development/Downtown Development groups (tents, tables, chairs).  It will measure 24’ X 20’ and cost $8,400.  Final approval for the Paris Business Center ($600k) has been received and RFPs will be going out at the end of the month.

In New Business the Millage Rate and 5 Year Digest was presented and the Council will be asked to approve the second reading of the Millage rate ordinance at the October 5^th council meeting.  There was much discussion.  Council member Amy Barrett stated that she felt the timing was not right for a tax increase.

Mayor Liz reached out to Hilda Thompson at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and Ms. Thompson has offered the Pioneer Village as the location for Trick or Treating on Sunday October 31^st from 5 -8pm.  This new venue provides the ability to be socially distant.

The shed purchase for City Hall ($8,400) as presented in the Mayor’s report will be on the agenda for approval at the Council Meeting on Tuesday.

Also, on the agenda at Tuesday’s Council meeting will be the Service Deliver Strategy.

Due to the election on November 2^nd, the City Council meeting will be moved to November 9^th.

The Consent Agenda for the October 4^th Council meeting will consist of the minutes of the September 7th City Council Meeting and the September 27th Work Session.

In the Police Report, Chief Paul Smith apprised the Council that a drug stop from September 2019 has cleared the court system (through Supreme Court) and the Police Department was awarded $11,794.00 and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.  He also updated the Council on the traffic statistics from the cameras at each end of the City on Route 76.  Over the last 30 days 209K vehicles have passed through into the City which is about $7k/day.  K9 Officer Buddy is back working with Sergeant James.

In the Economic Development report, Economic Development Director Denise McKay reminded the Council that the October 1st is the Final First Friday.  This month there will be a Caribbean food truck in addition to our normal food vendors.  There was a ribbon cutting at the HIR Gastro Lounge and there will be a ribbon cutting at the Back Yard Bait and Tackle and Pet Store on Thursday September 30^th at 10:00am.  Ms. McKay also present the Council with the financials for the Downtown Development Authority.  To date, $2,703 net has been received from the donation tubes at the parks after expenses.  This money will be used for beautification projects in the City.  While the Night Market has not been profitable, it has shown the need for activities and events after 5pm.  The Downtown Development Authority is beginning a Façade Grant Program for businesses in the City.  Ms McKay was advised today that the Cities of Young Harris and Hiawassee and Towns County have been accepted in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program.  This is a 3-year program for developing quality workforce housing.  Only 5 communities in the state are accepted into the program.

Mayor Ordiales asked the Council to consider creating a new staff position for the City to assist Ms. McKay.  Ms. McKay’s time is split between the two cities (Young Harris and Hiawassee) and the county.  PlanFirst Community, Main Street America, Rural Zone and Downtown Development Association are specific to Hiawassee and all need to be managed.  By the City’s charter, creation of new positions requires the approval of the Council.  The Carl Vinson Institute would assist the City with developing the job description and pay scale for the position.  It would be funded from Hotel/Motel income.

Motion to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation was made by Council member Nancy Noblet, seconded by Council member Anne Mitchell with all in favor.

Motion to exit executive session was made by Council member Amy Barrett, seconded by Council member Jay Chastain with all in favor.

Motion to adjourn was made by Council member Nancy Noblet, seconded by Council member Patsy Owens with all in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm