Reading the 17-page amended alcohol ordinance took more time than conducting the business on the rest of the McCaysville City Council’s agenda when members held their regular meeting Tuesday, September 8.
Besides the first reading of the amended ordinance, council members gave unanimous approval to moving forward with city park upgrades, passed the fiscal year 2021 budget, set the tax millage, and agreed to terms to lease the house at the city park.
City Clerk Nancy Godfrey explained to the council that they could move forward with the remaining $432,600 of the OneGeorgia grant without spending any money up front.
She said Delmos Stone of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission explained that when the city advertises for bids for the work it would include that contractors would have to give 21 to 30 days for invoice payment.
Councilwoman Gilita Carter said “that’s a game-changer” prior to making the motion to approve moving forward.
After the vote, it was decided Zach Welch would prepare a materials list for the rest of the work at the park in order for the city to advertise for bids.
There were no public comments following the reading of the amended alcohol ordinance that will allow for package sales of beer and wine, wine tastings, and extended drinking hours with special event permits. The council is expected to vote on the ordinance at their regular meeting in October.
The $957,305 budget and 3.54 rollback millage rate passed unanimously. The millage rate will generate a tax levy of $95,333.
Councilwoman Sue Beaver presented a list of duties to go along with an agreement to rent the house at the city park in return for maintenance. Those duties included keeping the house clean and neat, all mowing and weed eating, clearing the park of trash and washing garbage cans, washing pavilions, tables and floors, keeping a check on equipment to make sure it is safe, watering flowers and plants, and cleaning the bathrooms. A lease stipulating the terms is to be drawn up for council approval.
In regard to a previous council decision to have the house appraised, Councilman Jason Woody said no appraisal was done.
The council agreed to move forward with the lease arrangement.
Police Chief Mike Earley said he was still looking for part time officers, and Councilwoman Susan Kiker said advertisements would be run in area newspapers in an attempt to find qualified candidates.
Earley said during August officers were dispatched to 78 calls, issued 15 citations and made 10 arrests.