After spending close to an hour performing the second reading of the amended alcohol ordinance, McCaysville City Council members refused to vote on the matter during a meeting Tuesday, October 13.
The changes would have allowed for package sales of beer and wine, wine tastings and extended drinking hours with a permit.
Prior to the reading, Mayor Thomas Seabolt proposed the council read a synopsis of the ordinance, to which city Attorney Cortney Stuart encouraged them to read it in its entirety.
“We’re just repeating ourself over and over,” Councilwoman Sue Beaver said in response to Stuart’s advice.
When the reading was finished, Seabolt called for a motion to approve the ordinance. Council members all remained silent.
Stuart explained without a motion the amendment was dead. Later, she confirmed that for the changes to be introduced again, the council would have to start at the beginning with proposals, advertising and public hearings – everything that goes into the ordinance amendment process.
The council has wrestled with changing the alcohol laws since taking office in January.
Early on, they agreed to wait on any plans, then began the process mid-year, during which they objected to package sales, only to see them added at the request of Councilman Jason Woody, who was absent Tuesday night.
Zachary Welch, chairman of the McCaysville Revitalization Committee, gave an update on the city park’s upgrades and provided a package outlining the plans.
The next step is to have City Clerk Nancy Godfrey team up with Delmos Stone of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission to write up an advertisement for bids, he told.
With that said, Councilwoman Gilita Carter moved to allow Godfrey to work with Stone on the advertisement, passing unanimously.
In other action, Seabolt provided a letter from Mountain Regional Library Director Heath Lee in regards to the $2,500 support fee McCaysville has paid Fannin County Public Library in the past.
Seabolt recommended paying the library $500.
Members agreed to give the library $500 versus the $2,500 that was asked.
Police Chief Michael Earley gave the monthly report on the police department and provided two quotes on vehicles for the department.
He explained that due to damages at no fault of the department’s own, many vehicles are out of commission.
As a result, he provided quotes on three, fully-equipped Ford Police Interceptors with a five-year warranty as well as five vehicles with the same incentives, all with an interest rate just under 6%.
For three vehicles, it would cost the city $30,347.75 a year.
It would cost the city $49,833.67 annually for five vehicles.
After five years, the city would have the option to buy the vehicles for $1 in the case of both quotes.
Adding to his case, he said the five vehicles would allow all five full-time officers to respond to calls quicker.
“I’m driving a vehicle now that has no emergency equipment in it, so I just can go and back up the best I can, but our vehicles are on their last leg,” Earley said.
A special called meeting was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, to discuss the proposal so that Woody can attend.
Earley added that Bridge Street was closed as a sewer line tap was being installed.
Additionally, he asked for the council to approve the purchase of Halloween candy to distribute to children at the police station during their Safe Zone.
A motion was made by Carter to allow the purchase, which passed unanimously.
Planning for a Light Up McCaysville event is currently in the works for Friday, November 27, he said.
A “Do Not Enter One-Way Street” sign at Casteel Street and Toccoa Avenue had been knocked over and damaged, and a replacement was approved for purchase.