The Blairsville City Council convened on April 4, 2017 for the monthly meeting. Present were Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley and Council Members Rhonda Mahan, Betty Easter, Martha Cone and Buddy Moore, City Clerk Kaye McCann and City Attorney David Barrett. Councilman Tony Dyer was absent.

City Clerk Kaye McCann

City Clerk Kaye McCann was sworn in by City Attorney David Barrett as Superintendent of Elections for the City of Blairsville with much applause from the Council and meeting attendees.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Head Darren Harper reported that three new businesses will be moving into Blairsville: The Blue Ridge Cotton Company, The Crawford Collection and Britt & Capri. All three businesses are scheduled to open in early May, 2017. These will all be second locations for these businesses. The Blue Ridge Cotton Company of Blue Ridge will feature branded items promoting Blairsville. Harper said he suggested they change their name to Blairsville Cotton Company; and it is a possibility. The Crawford Collection, also of Blue Ridge, will feature clothing and accessories for mature women. Britt & Capri of Hiawassee will complement The Crawford Collection store featuring clothing and accessories for younger women. Harper also reported that DDA is moving forward with three decorative banners touting Blairsville’s Meeks Park, History and Wonderland. The banners will be displayed in the downtown area of Blairsville. Harper said the plan is to have them up in time for Memorial Day.

The Council voted unanimously to approve a bid from Laney Construction Company, Inc. of Murphy, NC in the amount of $31,900 to construct a 30 foot by 30 foot pre-engineered metal building, 12 feet high with a vaulted roof, at the Blairsville Waste Water Treatment Plant to house water treatment chemicals. Laney’s bid beat out another bid from Daunch & Hirschi Construction, Inc. (D&H) out of Cleveland, GA. According to Council Members, D&H did not fully address the requirements of the bid.

Discussion of an Agreement between the City of Blairsville and Notla Water Authority with respect to a commercial property on Pat Haralson Drive resulted in tabling the Agreement until Barrett can meet with Notla Water Authority to clarify a point of contention.

Tony Dinatale

Tony Dinatale addressed the Council regarding raising money for the UCHS Fishing Team (Bass Club) by selling advertising space on 55 gallon drum trash cans with lids that the Bass Club would furnish. Dinatale said it would cost the City of Blairsville nothing to allow them to place the 55 gallon drums on city property. However, the question arose as to: 1) the legality and wisdom of allowing an organization to advertise on public property and 2) the legality of allowing an organization to advertise with ads on 55 gallon drums at Blairsville businesses given the signage ordinances that are in place. After much discussion, the issue was tabled to give Council Members and City Attorney Barrett time to study the Ordinances and to try and find a solution.

In reports from other Blairsville City Departments:

1) Sargent Shawn Dyer of the Blairsville City Police Department reported that the person who drove over a wall at Jackson Street and damaged the Blairsville Animal Hospital building on or about March 10, 2017 has been identified, but lives in Boone, NC and refuses to answer for his violations. Dyer said they were able to detain the vehicle. Dyer also said they are close to identifying a suspect who stole a baby lamb that was part of a live Nativity scene at a local church.
2) City Water Department Head Otis Franklin reported that they had replaced an old water tank with a new 7,500 gallon fiberglass tank and that 32 of 73 new water meters had been set at the new apartment complex behind the Butternut Crossing Shopping Center.
3) Airport Manager John Hamler reported that the airplane hangar waiting list has grown to 20 names. He said the new computer and phone outlets and other improvements were completed. Hamler said the Blairsville Airport is getting busy; that there were 47 airplanes and 3 jets in and out on Sunday, April 2, 2017.

The Council also unanimously approved:

1) Resolution 2017-01 to correct the License Fee Schedule according to Ordinance 2017-02, that is, to bring it in line with the Union County License Fee Schedule, and to update Background Check and Union County Sheriff’s Department Fingerprint Fee.
2) Payment of Croy Engineering invoice #15294 in the amount of $5,235 for Obstruction Clearing Design at the Blairsville airport.
3) The 2013-2015 Willis Realty partial property tax refund.
4) The transfer of $121,676.16 from the General Fund to the Airport Fund (strictly an accounting operation). Conley said this was the 25 per cent that the City of Blairsville committed to in conjunction with the 75 per cent that GADOT put up for the Blairsville Airport Terminal. Conley said that the City of Blairsville has put in $156,749 so far, but he has hopes that some of it will be coming back. Moore pointed out that this is all Grant money.
5) The 2016 Amended Budget. McCann said that the primary difference is the increase in Expenses for the Waste Water Treatment Plant to pay off the 1996 B-Bond in 2016. McCann said the Budget is a balanced budget.
6) The second reading of Ordinance 2017-02 (to amend Ordinance 2016-02 to Regulate the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in the City of Blairsville, Georgia) adding a section regulating brown-bagging of alcoholic beverages for holders of an alcohol license.
7) A $1.00 per hour raise in pay for Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee Michael Adams after completing his 6-month probation period per and overall good performance report signed by Supervisor Jody L. Cook.
8) The Georgia Unified Certification Program Memorandum of Understanding for US DOT recipients.

A Sign Permit was approved for:
I. Dixie Convections, LLC, 40-B Town Square, Blairsville, GA; Judy Atkins, Owner.

Occupational Tax Certificates and Sign Permits were issued for:
I. Made by Mamz, 44 Blue Ridge Street, Ste. C, Blairsville, GA; Anna Burbage, Owner.
II. Mountainside Treasures, LLC, 294-M, Hwy 515 W, Blairsville, GA; Janis & Lonnie Horn, Owners.

Barrett said during the Council Meeting: “One thing I’ve loved about working for this group (Blairsville City Council) is you all work together for the benefit of this community… always…”