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OPEN TO PUBLIC –City Hall Training Room Upstairs

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION AGENDA
November 28^th, 2022 6 PM

1. Call to order
   • Invocation – 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
   • Consent Agenda – CCMA
     • November 1^stCity Council Meeting
     • November 28^th Work Session Minutes 
     • September Financials 

4. Alcohol Ordinance Final changes - 2^ndreading - CCMA
5. AirMed Care Renewal for 2023 – Same Rate - CCMA
6. Package Store moratorium closed
7. Insurance license premium renewal - $15 to $25 -CCMA
8. Update Environmental Ordinance to show Lake Chatuge not Lake Sinclair–Lake Oconee-CCMA
9. 2023 Alcohol Renewals for: -CCMA

Bacchus on the Lake                 Clipper Petroleum                     Hiawassee Brew

Hiawassee Food Mart                HIR Gastro Lounge                   Ingles Market #783

Ingles Market #483                   Market K Group                        Monte Alban

Sundance Grill                          Tilted Café

Big Bear Wine & Spirits             Hiawassee Package Inc             Tilted Bottle 

10. 2023 Election Qualification fees ($72) – Jay Chastain, Nancy Noblet and Anne Mitchell - CCMA

11. Police Report
12. Economic Development Report
13. Executive Session
14. Adjournment

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION MINUTES
November 28^th, 2022 6 PM

The November Work Session of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Liz Ordiales on November 28^th, 2022 at 6:00pm.  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, Police Chief Paul Smith, and City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick.  City Attorney Thomas Mitchell was also present.

The invocation was given by Council member Amy Barrett and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Mayor Ordiales welcomed guests including Gordy Jones, Peggy Gardner and Tyler Osborn.

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

In old business the Mayor presented her report which included updates on Business License renewals, property tax bills, water leaks, and fire hydrant and kayak ramp fixes.  She also updated the Council on the boardwalk project, Water Treatment Plant updates, Halloween at the Fairgrounds, the renovation of the Retreat at the Lake (formerly Mull’s Motel), the “Big” check from the ARC for the boardwalk, the 247^th birthday of the Marine Corp – and being made an honorary member of the Marine Corp – the VFW tribute to the Veterans for Veteran’s Day and the holiday Square decorations.  Santa’s mailbox is up and ready to receive letters and Light Up Hiawassee is this Saturday, December 3^rd from 2 – 5.  Santa arrives at 3 and the Sheriff’s parade is at 5:30.

The Consent Agenda - including the November 1^st City Council Meeting Minutes, the November 28^th Work Session Minutes and the September Financials – will be on the agenda for approval.

The second reading of the Alcohol Ordinance will also be on the agenda for approval.  Scott Newton asked the Mayor and Council if the change to the ordinance could be challenged as the original ordinance state that they number of package stores in the city would be as the “market decides”.  City Attorney Thomas Mitchell stated that it would not as the moratorium allowed time for review and making the adjustments to the ordinance.

Also on the agenda for approval next week, will be the AirMed Care Renewal for 2023 at the same rate as last year ($5,390.00).

The Georgia Municipal Association has advised the City that due to increase in population, we now have the option to increase the insurance license premium renewal from $15 to $25.  When asked about this, Council member Amy Barrett had indicated that she didn’t see the increase as an issue. This will be on the agenda for approval next week as well.

The City has been made aware of a clerical error in our Environmental Ordinance references (Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee instead of Lake Chatuge).  An ordinance to correct this error will be on the agenda for approval next week.

The approval for alcohol licenses for the following businesses will also be on the agenda:

Bacchus on the Lake                 Clipper Petroleum                     Hiawassee Brew

Hiawassee Food Mart                HIR Gastro Lounge                   Ingles Market #783

Ingles Market #483                   Market K Group                        Monte Alban

Sundance Grill                          Tilted Café

Big Bear Wine & Spirits             Hiawassee Package Inc             Tilted Bottle 

The 2023 Election Qualification fees ($72) resolution will also be on the agenda for approval.  The qualifying fees must be published before February 1, 2023. Because there will be no work session in December, approval needs to be done next week so that it can be submitted to the Towns County Herald in early January.  Council members Jay Chastain, Nancy Noblet and Anne Mitchell are all up for re-election.  The qualifying dates are Monday August 21 – Wednesday August 23, 2023.

In the Police Report, Chief Paul Smith reported it had been a quiet month for the police department.   The department has issued new guns to the new standard for the Sheriff’s department and State Patrol (9mm).  This insures that, if there should ever be the need, the ammunition is consistent.  Shop with a Hero is on December 16^th and the department is accepting donations.

Mayor Ordiales reminded the Council that there will be no Work Session in December because of the holidays.

In the Economic Development report, Director Denise McKay presented the Council members with the Art Strategy design and updated the Council on the Façade program - the first one of which (Abide) will be awarded on Thursday - and the Retreat on the Lake renovations.  The Retreat will be able to apply for tax credits as it is in the Rural Zone.

Motion to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel matters was made by Council member Amy Barrett, seconded by Council member Nancy Noblet with all in favor.

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

Motion to adjourn was made by Council member Anne Mitchell, seconded by Council member Amy Barrett with all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.