[0:02] Yeah.

[0:29] Yeah.

[1:53] No. No, no, no, no.

[1:57] » Yeah.

[2:22] 4 minutes. Okay.

[3:03] Oh, that is so sweet.

[3:08] Thank you so much. John Gray.

[3:11] But that's when I was with a friend of mine.

[3:16] And

[3:19] I know

[3:22] I know

[3:35] I think

[3:44] Very nice.

[3:49] Oh my god, there's so much going on.

[4:55] » Good evening. May I have your attention, please?

[4:58] Uh we've got a good crowd tonight, so we'd like to open with a few

[5:02] administrative remarks. Uh would say that the fire marshal

[5:06] occupancy load for this room is 60 people.

[5:11] Uh we are in excess of that, so we'd like to cover if the fire alarm should

[5:15] sound or if the chief of police uh

[5:19] should call to evacuate, everybody in the lobby should evacuate

[5:23] immediately, then those standing against this wall would be the next out.

[5:28] Then we would go from your seats and and leave out of the

[5:32] building. With this size of a crowd, we're asking that you keep sidebar

[5:36] conversations to a minimum so that speakers can be heard.

[5:40] And we would ask that all cell phones be silenced at this time as well to not

[5:44] disrupt the meeting. Mayor Nelson.

[5:49] Good evening, everybody. I call the meeting to order.

[5:53] First item will be invocation led by Pastor Mike Smith.

[5:58] If you will please stand.

[6:04] I want to thank Mayor Nelson for giving us the opportunity to pray.

[6:08] We've found [snorts] out, at least I have in my life, and I bet you have in

[6:11] yours, that when we put God first, he blesses us.

[6:14] So, we're going to put him first He's going to bless the city of Bowdon

[6:18] and all these council members with wisdom.

[6:20] Pray with me. Father, I just thank you for the power of

[6:23] prayer. We know, Father, that prayer changes

[6:27] things. I thank you, Father, that you give us

[6:29] opportunities. I ask that you be with us. Continue to give us more

[6:32] opportunities. Forgive us for the times that we've

[6:35] missed the mark and come up short on things you wanted us to do.

[6:39] And I pray you continue to give us more opportunities where you have placed us.

[6:43] Father, I pray for the city of Bowdon, the ones that were born and raised here,

[6:48] committed [clears throat] to the life they've had. For the rest of us, we got

[6:50] here as soon as we could. So, we thank you, Father, for that

[6:53] blessing, that you brought us here. So, I pray for all the city, Mayor

[6:58] Nelson, all the council members, all the city employees. I pray for the

[7:02] city of Bowdon Police Department. And I just pray, God, you bless them,

[7:06] that you would keep them safe in what they do. Give them wisdom and

[7:10] discernment, Father, in everything that they do.

[7:13] And I pray you be with all the families here tonight. And I pray, God, you be

[7:16] with them and bless them and their families.

[7:19] And Father, I pray even beyond the city of Bowdon, I pray for Cherokee County.

[7:24] And also for our state of Georgia and the nation. I pray for the governors of

[7:27] states, mayors of cities and managers of

[7:30] counties and cities, that you would be with them.

[7:33] Help them to know, Father, that it's by your sovereignty that they're placed in

[7:37] leadership positions. I pray for our president. I pray, God,

[7:40] you give him the strength and wisdom, protection as he serves us. I pray to

[7:44] that he makes wise decisions. I pray for his cabinet, the vice president. I pray

[7:49] for the Supreme Court. Give them wisdom and discernment, Father, as they

[7:53] interpret law. Base it on what your word says, Father, as they look at the law. I

[7:58] pray God you'd be with the House and Senate, all the members that have

[8:03] integrity in what they do and represent the people that put them there. I pray,

[8:07] Father, for the military, home and abroad. I ask God you keep them out of

[8:11] harm's way and be with their families while they're gone. I pray God that

[8:14] you'd be with law enforcement officers. Protect them while they protect us.

[8:19] And I pray for our brothers in the fire service. I pray you'd be with them in

[8:23] each and every call they run, the paramedics and EMTs and the

[8:25] firefighters. Give them strength and stamina and wisdom in every call they

[8:30] run as they protect property and save lives. So, Father, we turn this over to

[8:34] [snorts] you this night. I pray God you give discernment in everything that's

[8:38] said and done tonight. And I pray God that you would

[8:40] be glorified. Help us always put you first in everything that we do.

[8:45] And we realize, Father, when we do you're going to bless it. So, I ask all

[8:48] these things in the precious name of Jesus, your son

[8:51] and our savior. Amen. Amen. If you'll remain standing, Mr. Randall,

[8:57] would you mind leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please?

[9:16] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[9:21] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[9:28] justice for all. Please be seated.

[9:43] » Okay, we've modified the agenda a little bit so we can uh

[9:47] take care of some uh public comments and new business, but before that we need to

[9:51] adopt the agenda. Has everybody had a chance to look at

[9:55] the agenda? The changes?

[9:58] Mayor Nelson, I would like to ask that I make a recommendation that

[10:03] item C which is right for first reading of

[10:06] Evelyn Cox annexation be tabled. I haven't been able to meet with staff

[10:12] and I would like to have some additional

[10:15] time to review this with staff.

[10:20] Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any

[10:23] discussion? Mayor Nelson, would that be items C and D since they are linked?

[10:29] Yes. Yes.

[10:32] Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say

[10:36] aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay.

[10:40] We will table items C and D from the new business agenda.

[10:46] Now, it's my honor to uh recognize our veteran of the month.

[10:53] Could I ask any guy on

[10:59] I'm proud to announce that tonight Ball Ground's gone international. We've

[11:03] uh expanded our veteran of the month program to include veterans from allied

[11:07] countries as part of our recognition program.

[11:10] America's strength is not just in its own military, but in the alliance of

[11:14] nations that fight alongside it. Uh allied nations have stood shoulder to

[11:19] shoulder with the United States throughout history

[11:21] from the World Wars to Afghanistan, demonstrating a partnership built on

[11:26] shared security and sacrifice. While leaders like King Charles III

[11:30] emphasized this unity, others have highlighted the blood paid by partners

[11:35] like the United Kingdom and Poland in joint conflicts.

[11:40] Uh up until we started here right before the

[11:44] meeting, uh our veteran of the month did not know that he would be receiving this

[11:47] honor. And he's here with his wife, Sheila.

[11:51] Sheila met Tony in 1955, a few days after her 16th birthday and his 18th

[11:56] birthday. His birthday is also this month.

[12:00] They began dating and after about 9 months in, Tony told her that he

[12:03] couldn't see her anymore than then there was another woman involved.

[12:07] Sheila got very mad at Tony and she let him know it. Tony then confessed the

[12:11] other woman was the Queen of England.

[12:17] And that he got his call up papers from the Queen. This is equivalent to the

[12:22] draft letter from Uncle Sam in the United States.

[12:25] After completing his basic training in the British Royal Air Force in Middle

[12:29] Wallop, Hampshire, he was sent to the Royal Air Force Hednesford, Birmingham

[12:35] to train as a fighter plotter. You probably seen plotters in the old

[12:39] war films. They're the ones that push the models around the table, uh

[12:43] plotting where the assets are located.

[12:47] Sheila was working in a travel agency as she still is and Tony called her to tell

[12:52] her where he had been posted. They always thought that it would be he would

[12:56] be posted close to home as he had the men or had the men for weeks before

[13:01] him. He was hoping to live at home and take

[13:05] the bus to his station every day, but the Royal Air Force had a different

[13:08] plan. She guessed Scotland? No. Germany? No.

[13:12] He then asked her, "Where is Cyprus?" Cyprus is a small island in the eastern

[13:18] Mediterranean that has strong ties to Greece and was a British protectorate in

[13:22] those days. The island was populated by Turkish and

[13:26] Greek Cypriot citizens. Each was fighting for the island to be

[13:30] either Turkish or Greek. Archbishop Makarios was the terrorist leader.

[13:36] In addition, in late 1956, the Suez Canal Crisis occurred, which involved

[13:41] the added participation of the French. Tony had been living in a tent his

[13:45] entire time in Cyprus at Cape Greco. There were 100 men in his camp. Living

[13:50] there was tough for Tony and his fellow soldiers. Drinking water had to be

[13:53] brought in every day to survive. The convoy handling that task had been

[13:58] ambushed and three of their men were killed.

[14:01] The very next day, Tony was ordered to do the job.

[14:06] And here he is. Never wanting to Sheila know

[14:09] wanting Sheila to know what happened during that time, Tony kept very quiet,

[14:13] but Sheila already knew all about it because there were enormous headlines in

[14:16] the evening newspaper as she always bought on her way home from work.

[14:22] After a year, Tony came home on 6 weeks of leave and they had a great time

[14:25] together. He went back for another 6 months and was finally demobbed.

[14:30] Let me explain what that means cuz I didn't know.

[14:33] Demob refers to the demobilization of British servicemen and women after World

[14:38] War II. When millions returned to civil civilian

[14:42] life, they were issued a demob suit, >> [snorts]

[14:45] » which was a complete set of civilian clothing including a tailored suit,

[14:49] raincoat, shirts, shoes, and a hat. That helped them transition back to

[14:54] civilian life. Well, that was the least the Queen of

[14:57] England could do. Tony received two medals, the British

[15:02] National Service Medal with an image of Queen Elizabeth II.

[15:06] The medal has an inscription of Elizabeth II

[15:11] Dei Gratia Regina F.D. The reverse bears the words for campaign service under a

[15:17] crown which is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. He's wearing his medals

[15:22] tonight, too. And the British General Service Medal

[15:26] 1918 to 1962 with the Cyprus clasp featuring a winged victory figure

[15:33] victory on the obverse. It was issued to British Army and Royal

[15:37] Air Force personnel for service during the EOKA insurgency in Cyprus between

[15:42] April 1st, 1955 and April 18th, 1959. Before I present Tony with his

[15:49] proclamation, I want to point out that Tony and Sheila have been married for 66

[15:53] years.

[15:57] » [applause]

[16:02] » On their 60th anniversary, that lady came back into their lives and wrote a

[16:06] wonderful personal letter, which you see displayed.

[16:10] Um and um she even signed it using her

[16:14] first name only, congratulating them on 60 years of

[16:18] marriage. Oh, by the way, his birthday is

[16:21] May the 16th, where he will be a

[16:25] a uh spry 89 years young. And next to Sheila,

[16:30] golfing is his life.

[16:34] And I hear he's a very good golfer.

[16:39] Uh Sheila looks like Queen Elizabeth. [snorts]

[16:42] » [laughter] >> So, uh Mr. Randall, if you'll meet me

[16:46] out front, I'll read the proclamation, we'll snap a few pictures, and uh

[16:52] you can either hang out here with the rest of us or you can leave.

[16:57] » [applause]

[17:07] [applause]

[17:14] » Okay, this is the proclamation Veteran of the month. Whereas in 1954 President

[17:19] Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the first Veterans Day proclamation calling on our

[17:24] nation to pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have

[17:28] contributed so much to the preservation of this nation. And whereas the United

[17:33] States of America has long stood together with allied nations in

[17:38] defense of freedom, democracy, human dignity, and peace throughout the world.

[17:43] And whereas brave men and women from allied nations have served with honor

[17:47] and distinction besides members of the United States

[17:51] Armed Forces in times of war, conflict, and humanitarian service

[17:56] strengthening the bonds of friendship and shared sacrifice between our

[18:00] nations. And whereas we recognize with gratitude

[18:03] the courage, dedication, and sacrifice demonstrated by those

[18:08] uh allied veterans whose service contributed to the preservation of

[18:12] liberty and the protection of democratic values and cherished by free people

[18:17] everywhere. And whereas the city of Auburn is proud

[18:20] to honor individuals who through military service and steadfast

[18:24] commitment to duty have exemplified valor, integrity, and

[18:28] devotion to the cause of freedom. And now therefore I Dennis Nelson, mayor

[18:33] of the city of Auburn, do hereby proclaim Tony Randall as veteran

[18:36] [snorts] of the month for May 2026 and extend our sincere appreciation for

[18:41] his faithful service sacrifice, and contributions made

[18:46] alongside the United States and its allies in the course of peace and

[18:50] liberty. In witness whereof hereunto set my hand

[18:53] cause the seal of the city to be affixed and we have all the

[18:56] council members sign it, too. Thank you.

[19:01] » [applause]

[19:08] [applause]

[19:10] » Going for veterans. It's Going for veterans? It's veterans

[19:15] memorial on the back.

[19:18] And uh she wants to do a flower planting.

[19:22] Queen of England?

[19:39] And there's just one other thing. If you don't mind, can I say something? Of

[19:42] course. Some of you in the room know that Tony

[19:45] and I are Jewish. This month also happens to be Jewish

[19:51] Veterans Month. Just by coincidence.

[19:58] » [applause]

[20:02] [applause]

[20:05] » Is there anything you would like to say, Tony?

[20:08] Because Tony Tony will grab a microphone and be here in a while.

[20:13] Well, I'd like to say thank you very much.

[20:17] Mayor Bass Aran and

[20:21] uh it's great to see so many turn out to be

[20:24] here for this special occasion. And I thank you all. They're all here

[20:29] for you, Tony. >> [applause]

[20:30] » Thank you.

[20:41] » [snorts] >> You don't need to be pushing that.

[20:47] Strong.

[20:58] Okay, the next item we moved uh public comments.

[21:04] And I have a list of those who signed up to

[21:11] Our first speaker, Mr. Jimmy Gale.

[21:24] Good evening, uh mayor, council members, and neighbors. I

[21:26] appreciate the opportunity to speak before you today.

[21:29] I'm going to read so I get uh under my 3 minutes and ensure that my

[21:33] message is clear. Um from my back door, I have watched this

[21:38] town grow, the parking lots fill up, the sidewalks get busier, the energy has

[21:42] shifted. On April 20th, I watched the town parking almost get blocked and the

[21:46] city was left scrambling. Heart sunk, panic set in, people felt

[21:51] helpless, and only one city representative showed up that day.

[21:55] Over [snorts] the years, I've gotten to know every business owner around me just

[22:00] by being a good neighbor, watching out for their storefronts, listening, asking

[22:04] what they need, sometimes helping out when the power goes out in the rain.

[22:09] I say that not to put myself forward. This is not about me. This is about all

[22:12] of us wanting to build and love a community we can be proud of.

[22:17] I have served on the variance committee for 3 years. In 3 years, we have not met

[22:21] once. I don't raise that to point fingers. I

[22:24] raise it because the structure we built to be thoughtful only works if we use

[22:28] them. And I have to be honest with you. The

[22:31] trust in our council is eroding. I'm not alone in that, and I do not say it

[22:35] lightly. But I don't believe any of you ran for

[22:38] the seat to let that happen. I believe you ran because you love this

[22:42] city the same way we do. The same way the families and the shop

[22:46] owners sitting in this room do. So, I'm asking, not demanding, asking

[22:50] for three things. Open the doors. When a decision shapes our streets, our

[22:54] businesses, our neighborhoods, let us see it being made. Closed meetings

[22:58] should be the rare exception, never the comfortable habit. Plan forward. Before

[23:03] the next project breaks ground, tell us the infrastructure plan. Tell us the

[23:06] parking plan. A city that grows without a plan doesn't grow. It strains.

[23:11] Align with each other and with us. Lean in. Talk with your

[23:15] business owners. Talk with your neighbors. Residents and businesses are

[23:18] not an obstacle to good governance. We are the reason for it. Bring us in

[23:22] early, not after the ink is dry. The city has so much ahead of it. I want the

[23:26] story we tell 10 years from now to be a good one. The one where the council and

[23:31] the people built it together in open and on purpose. Thank you for the time.

[23:36] Thank you. >> [applause]

[23:44] » Well, okay, Mr. Skarda. Our next speaker, Dylan Brown.

[23:55] I'm actually here to say thank you. So, uh

[23:58] you guys are about to read for the second reading for the uh open

[24:01] container, and it's something that I have fought for diligently for a couple

[24:05] of years now, and you heard me. So, thank you. I appreciate you. It's

[24:09] It's a big win for not only me, but everybody here. Everybody here. It's

[24:14] a big win. So, thank you very much. I appreciate

[24:17] that. Now, to talk about parking.

[24:21] We need to lease. We need parking for our city.

[24:24] We have a lot of people. A lot of people, okay?

[24:27] It's a big deal. We don't need to be behind the eight

[24:30] ball, okay? We need to be in front of it. We don't need to be held by

[24:34] developers or anybody. The city needs to figure out parking.

[24:39] It's my understanding there's an opportunity to sign a 5-year lease.

[24:43] We should do that. And then in that 5 years,

[24:47] we should figure out how to never have to worry about it again.

[24:51] I would love to volunteer to be a part of a committee. I'm a business owner. My

[24:55] business is in dead center of town. I have some ideas.

[25:00] I don't have all the answers. If I did, wouldn't be doing this. But, I think if

[25:06] we had a committee that has business owners,

[25:10] some council members, maybe some citizens,

[25:13] we could come up with something. There are some opportunities, and I think that

[25:17] if we do that, that's great. But, right now, today,

[25:21] we need parking. We need to We need a lease, and we need

[25:25] to get that solved. Then, we can discuss how we go further and how we solve the

[25:31] problem. That's all I have to say. But, thank

[25:34] you. I appreciate y'all listening. Thank you, Mr. Brown.

[25:37] » [applause]

[25:41] » Mr. Ryan Turnage.

[25:48] Good evening. I'm also going to read. As you know, my name is Ryan Turnage. My

[25:52] wife, Katie, and I own Barrel House Coffee Company, as well as the old

[25:56] Hubbard building and adjacent courtyard at 275 Gilmer Ferry Road,

[26:00] which is also home to Perch and Barrel House. Parking has been a concern for as

[26:04] long as we've lived here and operated our business.

[26:07] Recently, and to no fault of his own, as you've already heard, Woody Snell, who

[26:11] owns the property directly behind us and beside us,

[26:14] which includes the only parking lot west of the railroad tracks,

[26:18] if was informed or informed us that he received some information that the city

[26:22] was attempting to do an adverse possession claim on his property.

[26:26] Whether true or not, this led him to react the same way I would as a property

[26:29] owner. He reacted by blocking the property with concrete barricades.

[26:34] We find ourselves in this position where a single man dictates the fate of many

[26:37] long-standing businesses by controlling the parking.

[26:41] Again, it's not his fault. It's this council's responsibility to

[26:45] have a plan or at least approve one. The same parking lot was previously shot

[26:49] down, the one that we're discussing tonight, by some members of this council

[26:53] over a year ago, is my understanding. Despite an exuberant amount of effort

[26:57] from your permanent staff to present possibilities,

[27:00] you have failed to approve any solution. It's easy to say no to an idea, but

[27:04] leaders bring solutions to the table. I'm curious to hear what solutions you

[27:07] all are bringing to the table. Without adequate parking, the businesses die.

[27:11] Without the businesses, the downtown dies.

[27:13] We've all poured ourselves into this community, and to see that attempting to

[27:16] be ripped away due to the lack of a plan by our elected officials is truly

[27:20] eye-opening. Two of you clearly opposed the plan

[27:23] during the working session on May 7th. I've also been informed by a council

[27:26] member that the same two are advocating to dissolve the contract for the parking

[27:29] lot next to Scooped. Is that because you don't think having

[27:34] adequate parking for our growing downtown is in the best interest of the

[27:36] businesses or the city as a whole? When Woody starts construction soon and shuts

[27:40] down his parking lot, what's your plan? He's adding businesses, which is a

[27:44] wonderful thing, but it will significantly increase

[27:47] parking demands to an already overwhelmed downtown. His new lot being

[27:51] public will not serve solve the current or long-term problem.

[27:54] This decision may determine the future of many of our downtown businesses. If

[27:58] you patronize your small businesses more frequently, as your campaign photos

[28:02] imply that you do, then you would learn more about our concerns and have the

[28:05] necessary data to make informed decisions.

[28:09] Vote yes to approve agenda A for the new parking lot lease, and then

[28:13] get to work bringing solutions to the table that will actually have a positive

[28:16] impact on your city. Thank you. Thank you.

[28:19] » [applause]

[28:26] » Miss Charlie Rowland. Uh Lauren, I'm sorry. Lockrin. Lockrin.

[28:30] » You almost got it, sir. Almost. Hi, y'all.

[28:33] » Hi, Charlie. Hi. Hi. Um my husband and I are um the owners of Sunshine Life on

[28:38] 205 Gilmore Ferry Road. My husband Bo, over there. Um I'm proud to say that

[28:43] next month we will be 5 years in that location. I'm here

[28:49] » [applause] >> Um I'm here tonight because of the

[28:52] impending closure of the parking lot behind Barrel House and lack of planning

[28:55] for other parking alternatives, which is creating significant concern and

[29:00] uncertainty for our business as well as many of our neighbors.

[29:04] For small businesses, parking is not a convenience. It is part of the

[29:08] infrastructure that allows us to survive. Customers need reasonable

[29:13] access to shop, pick up items, and visit local businesses.

[29:18] The planned loss of parking threatens to reduce

[29:21] accessibility for not only our customers, but also employees, delivery

[29:26] drivers, older visitors, and people carrying purchases or navigating

[29:30] mobility challenges. What is especially concerning is the

[29:35] lack of a clearly communicated transition plan or sufficient

[29:39] replacement parking before these closures move forward by the developer

[29:43] who purchased the prop- property nearly two years ago.

[29:48] Businesses are being asked to absorb the impact first and hope solutions come

[29:53] later. Many of us have invested years into

[29:56] helping keep this area active, attractive, and economically viable.

[30:01] We support local events, pay taxes, employ residents, and help fill

[30:06] storefronts that otherwise may sit vacant.

[30:10] Decisions affecting access to our businesses deserve careful planning and

[30:15] meaningful collaboration with us. We are not opposing progress or

[30:20] development. We are asking for balanced planning

[30:24] that does not unintentionally place small businesses in a position where

[30:30] customers become unsustainable. When parking becomes limited, confusing,

[30:36] or unavailable, customers just simply go elsewhere.

[30:41] It is difficult not to feel overlooked when decisions with major consequences

[30:46] for the business community and the residents in the downtown district

[30:50] proceed without clear mitigation plans or substantial dialogue with those

[30:55] directly affected. We want to be part of the solution. However, right now the

[31:00] burden of inadequate planning is falling heavily on the small businesses and

[31:06] threatens to put us out of business in the very near future.

[31:10] Development can be phased, construction can be phased, but customer loss and

[31:15] business closures caused by a lack of access are often permanent.

[31:20] I would ask the council to pause, re-evaluate the current approach,

[31:25] consider the real economic impact, and work collaboratively with the downtown

[31:30] business community on practical solutions.

[31:34] Growth that outpaces infrastructure risk weakening the very businesses and

[31:40] downtown area that make this city desirable in the first place. Thank you.

[31:46] You got it. >> [applause]

[31:51] » Good [applause] timing. >> [cheering]

[31:55] » Kimberly Vanderhaar.

[32:02] Hi. Hi. So, um, I'm I'm Kim Vanderhaar. I'm actually here on behalf of Ball

[32:07] Ground Hounds. Um, I was there the evening that Jenny and Ryan were both

[32:11] talking about when there was the risk of losing the parking lot. Uh,

[32:16] it'll be detrimental to a lot of the businesses in town to lose that space,

[32:20] but having the possibility of leasing the lot across from and still having

[32:24] customers be able to, I don't know, carry a 40-lb bag of food

[32:28] or have one of us do it. We have a lot of pregnant women and elderly ladies

[32:31] that come in where they're reliant on having close

[32:35] parking and close availability. Parallel spaces in front are nice to be

[32:39] able to have, but we really would appreciate you guys

[32:43] putting on thought and consideration into making sure that we have accessible

[32:48] parking for our customers. That way we can remain. We've been here

[32:51] for 10 years. We'd love to have another 10.

[32:54] So. >> [snorts]

[32:55] » Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause]

[33:03] » David Westrick.

[33:13] Mayor Castle, thank you very much for talking to us tonight. Um, you've heard

[33:17] from a significant amount of the businesses in our community. And you

[33:22] know, Mayor, you when you and I talked prior to your election, prior to you

[33:26] winning the election, one of the things I've told all of y'all and I've talked

[33:29] to all [snorts] of y'all about is the the the the need for transparency and

[33:33] the need for communication. And watching this unfold over the last 3 weeks or 4

[33:38] weeks on Facebook, through all the different sources,

[33:43] it's been pitiful. Truthfully, we have done a

[33:46] pitiful job of communicating to these business people who have businesses, who

[33:52] pay a large amount of our property taxes, our sales tax, and it's just we

[33:57] have not done a good job. And I implore y'all

[34:00] to take this and learn from it. Let's move

[34:03] forward. Don just offered to be a part of the

[34:06] committee. I'll be a part of the committee, but I think we've got to have

[34:09] some transparency in what's going on. We all understand that this is to some

[34:15] degree we've got to do certain things that can't be 100% transparent, but

[34:20] conversation goes miles. We're not having conversation. I've

[34:25] talked to everyone here almost. We're not having even conversation.

[34:29] So, if you have no conversation, all of us know in the absence of conversation,

[34:33] your imagination goes crazy. You know, the city's going to shut down

[34:37] tomorrow. You know, somebody could say that.

[34:40] And our imagination would let it happen. So, I feel like we have definitely

[34:44] failed in this matter,

[34:47] not necessarily because we don't have a perfect plan, but because we haven't

[34:51] communicated any plan. I appreciate it. I think y'all ought to

[34:54] consider that and think about that for the future.

[34:57] Thank y'all. Thank you. >> [applause]

[35:03] » Harold Corbett.

[35:17] Honor and a privilege. My name is Harold Corbett. For the rest

[35:21] y'all know me as Dean. Dean is my middle name, don't call me

[35:25] that. I really can't add too much to all this

[35:28] except for we are behind the eight ball as Dylan said.

[35:33] For over a decade, I've been at every downtown business meeting I could make

[35:37] or was available for. And I raised the question a decade ago.

[35:43] What about parking? I was assured, "Oh, we have more parking than Woodstock

[35:47] does." That wasn't true then, sure not true

[35:50] now. It's a detriment to our business.

[35:54] We get calls all the time. "Where can I park? I I need a handicap

[36:00] spot." Well, "park down by the railroad tracks

[36:04] and then try to make it in." Well, I I can't move. Well, I'm sorry, we don't

[36:07] have that. Or they'll call and make an order.

[36:11] And then they'll say, "Well, I can't get to your shop, there's no parking."

[36:17] We understand. Sorry. No problem.

[36:23] Something has to be done. We're late.

[36:27] We're way late. If we'd taken action 10 years ago, it

[36:30] would have been 1/10 the cost it's going to cost now.

[36:35] Mr. Snell is not the villain here. Mr. Snell owns the property and he'd do

[36:40] with it as he pleases, in my opinion. The city's dropped the ball.

[36:45] The city's had opportunities. We've spent thousands of dollars

[36:51] trying to lure people into the city without consideration of

[36:57] where they going to park when they get here?

[36:59] There's nowhere. On a normal Saturday, we have customers

[37:04] that walk from far away because they're dedicated and they love our product,

[37:08] just like the rest of the businesses here.

[37:11] But if you're elderly and you go pick up a 40-lb bag of dog food, you're not

[37:14] going to hump it all the way down to the baseball fields.

[37:18] You're not going to tote it all the way down to the pharmacy. Yeah, there's a

[37:21] lot of parking down there. But for who?

[37:24] For no one. We're behind the ball.

[37:28] Maybe we should reallocate some money in the city

[37:31] to start finding a a bigger, better place. I don't know, somewhere that

[37:36] only gets used a couple of times a year that has an amphitheater in it and

[37:40] you know, city already owns that. They could just take a bond and maybe

[37:44] build a parking lot there or parking deck.

[37:48] But that's my two cents and I hope I I didn't have a nice speech like these

[37:51] educated folks do. I just tell you what's on my my heart and my mind.

[37:56] Uh I love Ball Ground. This is a very unique place in North Georgia. There is

[38:01] no other town like this one. And it shouldn't be Woodstock. Shouldn't

[38:06] be Canton. Shouldn't be any of those places. It

[38:09] should be Ball Ground. This is very special place. You won't be able to

[38:13] replicate it. It can't be duplicated. And once lost,

[38:18] you'll never revive it. Thank you, Council. This has been a I've

[38:23] I'm glad nobody took up the bet that $100 y'all wouldn't call me, so I get to

[38:27] keep my $100.

[38:30] » [applause]

[38:36] » So, Dr. Jeremy Bruce. That's a hard act to follow there.

[38:43] I'm just here for Tony. Uh Jeremy Bruce, Bruce Chiropractic. Um

[38:48] I'll tell you guys a story. When I was a kid, I used to ride my

[38:51] bicycle on these streets. I'd work at my grandfather's gun shop up on the hill

[38:55] and he'd give me a quarter or a dollar and I'd come down and I'd buy a Hot

[38:58] Wheels car at a little toy store above my office here on Main Street.

[39:02] And then I'd go over and have lunch at Dot's restaurant and one day at lunch,

[39:08] Dot and I got an opportunity to watch my grandfather and

[39:11] and uh Mr. Oscar Roberts have a fistfight in the middle of town. Back

[39:15] then, you could have a fistfight in town and not get run over by a truck, but

[39:19] other than that. So, 2001, open my office here in Ball

[39:23] Ground, Georgia. Uh 2007, we opened on Main Street. So, we've been

[39:28] in that same location since 2007. It was me, Heathcock's Drilling,

[39:34] the Mustard Seed and Dot. Mustard Seed left after about 6 months

[39:38] and Dot, I think maybe a couple years later she she was not able health-wise

[39:42] to run a restaurant, so she she bowed out as well. So, it was Heathcock and

[39:46] Bruce Chiropractic out in downtown Ball Ground. We didn't have parking problems

[39:50] then. I think I'm

[39:52] » [laughter] >> I may be saw

[39:54] 12 patients a day. But now we see about 150 a week that

[39:59] come down to Ball Ground and they they go to coffee shop and they get my

[40:02] favorite latte. Um I they most of time they order Dr. Bruce's favorite, they'll

[40:06] get that, so it's be neat. They'll go over and get a dinner at the

[40:10] at the butcher's place and so that's kind of neat to do. And now they get a

[40:13] taco at the Taco Social, so it's been really really cool to that. And then

[40:17] they get my favorite hamburger. I think it's Daddy's on Death Row.

[40:22] That's my favorite hamburger, so. So, it's been a it's been a privilege to

[40:26] serve in Ball Ground for this amount of time, 25 26 years.

[40:31] But, there's a transition that's coming and I

[40:34] have patients that aren't really physically able to walk a distance

[40:39] that they that they are required to walk or maybe required to walk. The back

[40:43] parking lot has been a blessing to us. We survived the sidewalk beautification

[40:48] program. Were you here when that when that happened? Yeah, 2009 2010.

[40:53] Our office survived because we had a back parking lot to use.

[40:56] 2015, we survived Tom Cruise because we had a back parking lot to

[41:01] use. So, my interest today is the transition.

[41:07] It's what do we do in a transition? Things have to progress, things have to

[41:10] improve, things have to develop and build. [snorts] I get that. I

[41:13] understand. But, I'm already at a disadvantage

[41:16] because my patients can't walk that far. So,

[41:21] I'm here to say help to the council, to the mayor, you know,

[41:24] help us. I want to be here for another

[41:27] 15 years. Now, my wife, she's going to quit another five, but um she wants to

[41:31] retire early when grandkids come. But, I enjoy working. I enjoy Ball

[41:35] Ground. I I I am Ball Ground. I love Ball Ground. Um I don't want to go

[41:38] anywhere else, but you know, I I have to do what's best for my patients. I have

[41:42] to do what's best for those 150 folks that trust me to take care of them.

[41:46] My grandfather told me one time, he said, "Son,

[41:48] actually call me Bimbo." And there's only a couple people in this room that

[41:51] knows he called me Bimbo. Just for clarity, we have hit three minutes. Do

[41:56] you want to continue? >> there. 10 15 seconds.

[41:59] » Okay. Okay. So, he called me Bimbo, but he said, "Hey Bimbo, this is what you do

[42:02] if you want to be successful in life. You treat people the way you want to be

[42:05] treated." >> That's right. That's been my ethos. And

[42:08] I think from a business owner to a a council to a mayor to the police

[42:13] officers, to everybody here, if we could just get behind that ethos, I think

[42:16] everybody be fine. And I think Bogart will be better for it. Thank you guys

[42:19] for your time. Thank you, Dr. >> [applause]

[42:28] » Before we go into our next item, uh new business, that that wraps up the

[42:32] speakers that signed up. We know there's a parking shortage.

[42:38] You know, where there's not a whole lot of pavement out there.

[42:42] The city purchased property right behind us last year

[42:47] for the intention of building a parking lot.

[42:50] Now, I understand that's a little ways from downtown and it causes some uh some

[42:55] issues with walking. But, the city would own

[43:00] the taxpayers and the residents would own that piece of property instead of us

[43:04] leasing all of the time. But, we understand. We've been leasing.

[43:08] We've been leasing for years. Um

[43:12] the uh Mr. Schnell, who owns the lot, is

[43:16] he hasn't closed that lot off. He's not charging the city for that.

[43:22] He's allowing everybody to park there. At some point, I'm sure he will be doing

[43:26] some construction there and until the renovation is is completed,

[43:31] you know, we we are going to have a parking crunch. But, tonight, hopefully,

[43:34] we're going to resolve a temporary parking issue.

[43:38] Uh it means taking on another lease. If if the council approves it.

[43:44] But, we realize we need it. Uh

[43:48] over all the [snorts] years, if somebody has some property that they're wanting

[43:51] to sell where you can put a few cars, um

[43:55] we know how important that is. So, I just wanted to

[43:59] to mention that that that we have worked on that and um we do we do actually own

[44:05] property now that will be a parking lot and it could in the future be a parking

[44:09] deck. Um

[44:12] So, let's move into new business. Item number A, what everybody's here waiting

[44:16] for, the elephant in the room, consider parking lot agreement.

[44:21] Mr. Wilmarth. Um

[44:25] this is a lot I think everybody is familiar with. It is the one next to

[44:29] Parlor on Main downtown. It is owned by Starlight Mineral and Mines,

[44:34] uh which is Janice Prather and Judy Thomas.

[44:38] Uh we did an assessment on this about 18

[44:42] months ago, I guess, and did the uh soil corings.

[44:47] And we wouldn't have the same problems in

[44:51] development here as we did with the parking lot next door

[44:55] that we had to excavate all the old tree stumps and and diapers and hangers that

[45:01] was kind of a uh little mini landfill there.

[45:07] What we have discussed and and what we would outline tonight and ask for

[45:13] authorization for staff and legal counsel to work with the owners on

[45:19] is the area shown uh

[45:23] here. The blue line, and it's hard to see, but

[45:27] the the blue line does outline the entirety of the property that we are

[45:31] looking and and proposing to lease. It's 11,936.33

[45:37] sq ft. Uh the green line that parallels the

[45:42] building, if this is approved and accepted by Starlight,

[45:48] would be a concrete curbing that would be installed to protect the building

[45:52] from any incidental vehicle damage, anybody running into the building.

[45:58] The yellow that parallels each other at the back of the lot

[46:02] would be the metal traffic barricade fencing that is removable.

[46:08] And the reason that they are asking for this in our discussions so far is

[46:13] they've issued a notice to proceed for renovations

[46:17] of a portion of that building. They feel that their contractor may need

[46:22] access from time to time back in the locations that they're not ready to

[46:27] lease at this point. They would be willing to entertain that

[46:31] at such time as they obtained a certificate of occupancy once

[46:36] renovations are completed on that building.

[46:41] Um so this would have a a

[46:45] entrance off of Gilmer Ferry. The exit would be on the Mount Street.

[46:56] We anticipate and this is this is Eric parking.

[47:01] Um if this is approved, we would hire a

[47:05] professional parking lot person to lay it out. I know we can get 40 spaces. But

[47:10] just like the community building, when we got a parking lot company in there,

[47:14] they were able to add I think it was eight spaces over what we had. So I

[47:19] think a professional company would get another three or four spaces.

[47:23] But for my calculations, we rated at 40.

[47:28] The price to develop this uh our best quote at the time is $68,500.

[47:35] That would excavate what is there now. It would put in a 6-in base

[47:41] top coated with asphalt uh put in that concrete curbing and make it

[47:46] ready for parking.

[47:50] So if we ran that um

[47:54] on a 5-year lease if they would agree to this and what

[48:00] they wanted me to specify tonight until they have a proposed lease agreement in

[48:05] front of them, they're not agreeing to anything. They said we've been

[48:10] Now, a couple times they want to see something and

[48:13] so these are what we are saying we would present to them.

[48:19] Uh 5-year lease during which time we would make no monthly payments.

[48:24] That's how we recoup from the initial capital investment of the $68,500.

[48:30] The 5 years a key number to us because that is

[48:35] uh our threshold on capital investment. So, we could use capital dollars to do

[48:40] this, depreciate it over a 5-year period and

[48:46] be able to use capital funds. That breaks down to a cost if we only

[48:53] get the 40 spaces, that would be a cost per month of $28.54

[49:00] per parking space per month.

[49:03] Uh that would equate out to $342.48 on an annual basis for the parking spot.

[49:10] And again, that would be our cost. We would also

[49:16] propose in the lease because it's how our other leases are set with them

[49:21] that we would be responsible for the annual taxes.

[49:25] That's why the square footage is so important is we calculate that, we would

[49:28] take the land value, uh divide that by the land assessment uh

[49:34] from the tax assessor, and we'd end up having to pay

[49:38] during that first 5-year period $1,336

[49:43] annually providing nobody raises taxes. Uh but if

[49:48] board of education or the county, whatever, went up on taxes.

[49:52] The actual number is 1536 but we would waive the 200 that

[49:58] would be ball ground tax. So we would forego $200 in revenue. We would have to

[50:04] pay out 1336.

[50:08] I was asked to look at one additional number

[50:12] and the only one I could find is on street parking and I realize this is not

[50:18] on street but it's about as close as we can get

[50:22] but according to Main Street America the estimate is that a on street parking

[50:26] spot adds about $20,000 in revenue annually to a local economy.

[50:32] So we're talking [snorts] a investment of

[50:35] $348. Arguably that's a city investment but

[50:41] the return on investment in the local economy is much higher.

[50:46] Being that this is not on street, I still say we're looking at at least half

[50:52] being 10 to 15,000 value to local economy.

[50:59] So what we're asking for this evening is authorization to

[51:04] propose this to Starlight Mineral and Mines in the form of a lease crafted by

[51:10] our legal counsel with these stipulations and enter that

[51:16] lease if they agree to these terms. I have a question for you.

[51:23] Do you have an estimated time frame for this to happen?

[51:28] We have a contractor that could turn pretty quick. We could make

[51:34] I know it's it's always a controversial topic. We we could have that ready to

[51:39] park in 7 to 10 days without asphalt. The longest part is always waiting on

[51:46] your your asphalt crews to get it on schedule and and come in and do it.

[51:51] Uh so there would be the ability to turn this loose, make

[51:55] it move pretty quick from the time they agree.

[52:00] Given our folks the notice to proceed, but asphalt I wouldn't try to predict.

[52:05] They'll be paving on Valley Street uh next week.

[52:09] Um we started scheduling that

[52:12] I don't know, 10 12 weeks ago. So it's it's a stretch to get a paver here

[52:17] quick. Yes, ma'am.

[52:22] That base needs to be uh put down anyhow though. Could we not

[52:28] park on the base until the asphalt gets done?

[52:32] » just helps compact it more. Yeah. It's fine. So we could

[52:36] move in.

[52:41] Okay, so we have item eight, consider parking lot agreement.

[52:46] Is there a motion? I'll second a motion. Motion to approve and a second.

[52:52] Any discussion?

[52:55] No discussion. All in favor, signify by saying I. I. Any opposed?

[53:01] It passes. We have Hopefully we'll have one.

[53:05] » [applause]

[53:12] » I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HERE FOR this reason. We can go um through the rest of

[53:18] new business or take a break if anybody wants to leave, get up and leave.

[53:22] It's entirely up to you. You don't have to.

[53:31] » [snorts] >> Thank you for coming out.

[54:02] » Okay, we'll move to item B, consider

[54:06] IGA for Ball Ground Highway maintenance agreement with Cherokee County.

[54:11] Um Eric, if you want to hit the highlights on that and

[54:17] Yes, sir. There was a request came to Mayor Nelson uh initiated by

[54:20] Commissioner Cagle uh asking if the city would uh be receptive to accepting a

[54:28] maintenance agreement of Ball Ground Highway from the roundabout south to

[54:34] Sharp Mountain Creek. Uh the issue on here is you look down through there. If

[54:39] you see the areas in tan, uh those are areas that are currently

[54:44] maintained by the city. Then you have an area that's in the

[54:48] county. Then you have an area where the southbound lane is in the county, but

[54:53] the northbound lane is in the city. Uh

[54:56] and then you get south of there and it flips and they're

[55:01] saying you cannot annex roadways anymore by state law, but you can do

[55:07] agreements. And so seeing as there would be an

[55:10] interest in doing an agreement here where that would all be in the city. You

[55:14] cannot use it for a spoke annexation, but it does clear up from public safety.

[55:19] If there is an accident, you're not worried about which lane is in the city,

[55:23] which lane is in the county. There uh

[55:28] is one change on this agreement since you saw it last and that

[55:34] uh change was that within the next 5 years

[55:39] the county would agree with their forces or with their contract forces to pave

[55:45] the entirety of the roadway from the roundabout to Sharp Mountain

[55:50] Creek with the city of Ball Ground paying for asphalt only.

[55:55] So, that would be much less than what we would pay now to do just our own

[56:00] portion. We would try to coordinate that with the agreement we're currently doing

[56:05] with Georgia DOT that would pay from the roundabout to city limits of Nelson.

[56:11] So, it'd be nice if we could put that all in one group and one contract, but

[56:17] the county is agreeing to within the next 5 years.

[56:20] We also received an intergovernmental agreement yesterday that didn't have

[56:25] time to make it onto this agenda, but that

[56:29] they would still be willing to do a sidewalk project along this corridor

[56:33] with the county paying for the sidewalk along the parcels

[56:38] that are county property, the city paying along the parcels that

[56:43] are city property, and pretty sweet deal for the city because

[56:48] we've already required developers to put in sidewalks in different areas through

[56:52] there. And if McKinley if that project, I don't think that property is sold yet,

[56:59] but that was zoned and approved. If they start construction, they have to do it

[57:03] on theirs as well. So, the city portion would continue to shrink. But that would

[57:08] be on your work session for June.

[57:13] And we'll also receive um a little bit more money because we're adding to our

[57:18] roadway. So, the broken roadways haven't given us credit on uh

[57:24] the gas the fuel tax the percentage of fuel tax that's available to us.

[57:29] So, by adding this, it would increase that

[57:34] by about $5,300 a year. So, over a period of years, we'd collect

[57:40] significant money, but it would only change our check annually by 5,300.

[57:46] And it would be our hopes to work with Cherokee County and Georgia Power and

[57:52] eventually get some street lights out there

[57:55] along the sidewalk area. Um

[57:59] Cherokee County Commissioner Kaegel particularly has been been real good

[58:03] about this and uh you know, I I think it's a good idea. I

[58:07] think most of the council members have had a chance to look at it. It certainly

[58:11] is a good idea from uh public safety standpoint because they get out there,

[58:17] they don't know where the wreck is, whether it's in the county, whether it's

[58:20] in the city. This kind of cleans all of that up.

[58:26] So, with that uh consider IGA for Ball Ground Highway maintenance agreement

[58:31] with Cherokee County, do we have a motion to accept that agreement? Motion

[58:35] to approve the IGA. We have a motion to approve.

[58:39] I have a second. Any discussion?

[58:44] Okay, hearing none. All in favor, please say I. I. Any

[58:49] opposed? All right.

[58:53] We're good. Um C and D are tabled.

[58:59] We'll move to item E, consider proposed parks project list and impact fee

[59:03] expenditures. Mr. Wilmarth. Yes, sir. We went over this in the uh

[59:09] work session in detail.

[59:12] And I apologize for not updating the slide, but uh

[59:16] we we're no longer at a shortfall on the proposed

[59:20] impact fee expenditures. We have issued building permits since then, so they're

[59:26] as proposed here, we have all the funds necessary

[59:30] to execute these projects. As you know, we have already issued the notice to

[59:34] proceed for the new lighting on Lions Field.

[59:38] Uh so, what we're asking you tonight is the

[59:41] ability to pay for it, not just from gym sale proceeds, but to split that with

[59:46] impact fees, the uh 38% that we are allowed. We're

[59:50] asking for the same thing with the pickleball conversion. That's a $60,000

[59:56] project. We're asking to do 37 out of the sale proceeds and 22,829

[1:00:01] out of impact fees. The playground expansion, the same. The

[1:00:06] addition on here would be the pavilion that's not already in a identified in an

[1:00:11] MOU. The total cost of the pavilion, and this

[1:00:15] would go on the existing community building slab at Calvin Farmer East for

[1:00:20] 148,350. It would be 91,977

[1:00:26] out of proceeds from the sale of city gym,

[1:00:30] and it would take 56,373 from impact fees.

[1:00:35] So, uh

[1:00:39] Most of this was outlined in the MOU for the sale of the gymnasium. What we're

[1:00:43] expressly asking for approval tonight is to expend impact fee dollars.

[1:00:51] And this is impact fee dollars that are that were earmarked for parks and

[1:00:57] recreation or recreation and parks. So, what you've done is you've taken

[1:01:03] You stretched it out and built this more projects.

[1:01:06] » it out. And for those not familiar, impact fees are those fees paid on the

[1:01:11] issuance of all new building permits. So, it's not coming out of tax dollars

[1:01:15] or anything else. We issue a Every residential unit that's constructed in

[1:01:20] Ball Ground pays a $2,000 fee that can only be spent in parks. And so this is

[1:01:26] using those funds to stretch those dollars.

[1:01:31] And with the permits that will be coming forth, we should be able to replenish

[1:01:35] that pretty well that impact fee fund. Yes.

[1:01:43] Okay. Um

[1:01:46] we have an item on the table consider proposed parks project list and impact

[1:01:50] fee expenditures. We have a motion to approve.

[1:01:54] » I'll second. We have two seconds.

[1:01:58] And uh any discussion?

[1:02:02] Okay. All in favor, please say I.

[1:02:06] I. Any opposed? Okay, it carries.

[1:02:12] Uh next our first reading of sign ordinance.

[1:02:16] Um Mr. Rogers.

[1:02:21] There you are.

[1:02:25] He's got you down here, so Are some Uh

[1:02:29] » [laughter] >> There no changes since first reading

[1:02:32] uh and no changes since Well, you had a few at the work session. Those have been

[1:02:37] implemented, some grammatical things and wordage.

[1:02:41] Uh so unless there's questions.

[1:02:45] Okay, those are the changes are in the copy we have. Has the public been able

[1:02:51] to look at this yet or they will be able to after They'll be able to. It'll be

[1:02:56] online. This is

[1:03:00] pretty much the same ordinance that's been in place for 20 years.

[1:03:05] It cleaned up language, made some adjustments, but it makes sure it's

[1:03:09] properly adopted in accordance with the zoning act

[1:03:14] so that it is completely enforceable. And there will be a public hearing held

[1:03:19] on June 11th at 6:00 p.m. in regards to this because this is the

[1:03:23] first reading. The second reading where this will go into effect will be at that

[1:03:26] meeting on June 11th. So, if the citizens want to pull up

[1:03:30] something, is it on our website they can review this or it has to be after our

[1:03:35] situation? Yes, we normally put

[1:03:39] these new ordinances after they've been adopted onto the MuniCode. Um

[1:03:43] I believe that the slides and stuff are on the website as well, but we can help

[1:03:47] make sure that's on there. Prior to the public hearing though, they can

[1:03:51] They can obtain a copy here at City Hall if they'd like, yes.

[1:03:55] Before we fully vote on this item.

[1:04:00] Thank you. Appreciate all the hard work that went

[1:04:02] into redesigning that. Um okay, so we have on the table first

[1:04:07] reading of the sign ordinance. Is there a motion?

[1:04:11] Motion to approve. Motion to approve, second?

[1:04:15] Second. Any discussion?

[1:04:20] Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. I. Any

[1:04:25] opposed? Okay, first reading is in the books.

[1:04:33] Next item G, we have considered first reading of rezoning case number

[1:04:37] 2026-R-01,

[1:04:41] Alma Coffee LLC. Mr. Rogers, you're up again.

[1:04:46] Yes, sir. No changes since the work session.

[1:04:50] The applicant's here as well tonight, but there have been no changes

[1:04:54] to the request for rezoning.

[1:04:57] Okay.

[1:05:01] All right. Um we have

[1:05:04] on the table consider first reading of the rezoning case

[1:05:09] number 2026-R-01, Alma Coffee LLC.

[1:05:15] Is there a motion? I'll make a motion. We have a motion.

[1:05:18] » motion. We have a second. All in favor, please signify by saying

[1:05:23] I. I. Any opposed? Okay, first reading's in the book.

[1:05:29] It passes.

[1:05:32] Bring us to item H, consider first reading of proposed FY2027

[1:05:37] budget. Mr. Wilmarth.

[1:05:41] Yes, sir. Uh we've got a significant budget

[1:05:44] increase this year thanks in large part mostly due to the uh residents of

[1:05:50] Cherokee County adopting a one penny T-SPLOST

[1:05:55] which will generate about 800 and 81,000 new dollars to the city for

[1:06:02] transportation projects only. It'll be used for resurfacing. It'll be used for

[1:06:07] intersection improvements. Uh we've allocated funds in here for the bypass.

[1:06:12] It's what we will be working with GDOT for repaving the uh Ball Ground Highway

[1:06:17] corridor. So,

[1:06:20] that's the the biggest change over previous years.

[1:06:25] Uh we went over this in depth at the work

[1:06:28] session. There is a public hearing that's already

[1:06:31] advertised uh for the budget if it is approved for a first reading.

[1:06:38] It will also, if approved for first reading, go on the front page of the

[1:06:41] website. Uh be on there by Tuesday or Wednesday next week where residents can

[1:06:46] review it and have any questions prepared for the public hearing. When

[1:06:50] will the public hearing be?

[1:06:55] Get that. I believe it's right before the work session.

[1:06:59] Okay, June 4th. Okay. June 4th.

[1:07:03] 7:00 or 6:00 5:00? 5:00.

[1:07:08] Cuz work session's at 6:00.

[1:07:18] Okay. So, we have consider first reading of

[1:07:21] the proposed FY 2027 budget and this has been posted on our

[1:07:28] website. Uh it'll be on there next week. We don't per We don't post it

[1:07:33] in until council says this is what we want in a first reading. Okay.

[1:07:38] » Uh and then we post it and have the public hearing prior to adoption.

[1:07:43] Okay, is there a motion to approve the first reading?

[1:07:47] Motion to approve the first reading of the 2027 budget. Second. We have a

[1:07:51] motion and a second. Any discussion?

[1:07:57] Hearing none, all in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed?

[1:08:03] Okay, first reading's in the vote.

[1:08:08] Uh next is item I, consider library board appointment. This is to fill um

[1:08:13] the vacancy left by Miss Stephanie Joiner.

[1:08:17] And um we have a person who would like to to um take that assignment, Miss

[1:08:24] Stacy Hutchinson. I don't know whether she's here tonight or not.

[1:08:29] Um she said she wasn't going to be able to make it here tonight. She's highly

[1:08:32] qualified. All the council members have looked over

[1:08:36] um her background. She's a school teacher here at the Ball Ground

[1:08:40] Elementary School.

[1:08:43] This uh board appointment um would be filling the un-term vacancy and starting

[1:08:51] uh the 20 June of I mean January 27.

[1:08:54] Correct. Okay.

[1:09:00] So, we have uh I think it's multi-year.

[1:09:04] » It's It's multi-year, but Ms. Joiner would have expired on December 31st. So,

[1:09:10] we're just you can appoint her now for the next term, but also for the

[1:09:15] unexpired vacancy left by Ms. Joiner. Mr. Mayor, may I make a motion to

[1:09:20] approve? We have a motion to approve. Ms.

[1:09:23] Hutchinson? Have a second.

[1:09:26] Uh any discussion?

[1:09:30] Okay, all in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed?

[1:09:38] All right, she's appointed. Um will will you uh city be notifying her in

[1:09:45] writing or >> Yes. Okay. Thank you.

[1:09:51] We do have a few proclamations. We're going to get through some old business.

[1:09:54] I appreciate the patience of everybody. I see you back there, Mary. I know you

[1:09:59] I I appreciate you spending all the time here.

[1:10:02] Um we're down to item seven, old business. Consider final reading of

[1:10:06] urban camping ordinance.

[1:10:11] No changes since first reading or work session.

[1:10:15] Okay. Does any body have a motion?

[1:10:20] This is the final reading.

[1:10:24] We have a motion to approve. We have a second.

[1:10:28] Any discussion?

[1:10:32] We've hashed this out pretty well.

[1:10:34] It's been a while. Okay, uh all in favor, please signify by

[1:10:39] saying I. I. Any opposed? All right, final reading passes.

[1:10:47] Item B, consider final reading of the updated wellhead protection ordinance.

[1:10:54] Mr. Wilmer. No changes since first reading and uh

[1:11:00] this is based totally on science from the gallons per

[1:11:05] minute and total quantity of gallons per year that we produce out of the well and

[1:11:12] that establishes the boundaries for our protection area.

[1:11:17] Okay.

[1:11:19] All right, we have a final reading on the table for the updated wellhead

[1:11:24] protection ordinance. So, make a motion.

[1:11:28] » approve. I have a motion to approve. Second. I have a second.

[1:11:33] Any discussion? All right, all in favor please signify

[1:11:38] by saying I. I. Any opposed? All right, final reading.

[1:11:44] Next item C, consider final reading of updates to alcohol ordinance.

[1:11:50] Any changes? No changes since first reading. The

[1:11:54] biggest change to the ordinance is the open container. The district remains the

[1:12:00] same. But if the restaurant is within the

[1:12:03] hours that it's allowed to pour then open container is in effect.

[1:12:09] Okay.

[1:12:14] Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve our second reading here of the updated

[1:12:18] alcohol ordinance. I have a motion to approve.

[1:12:22] I have a second. Any discussion?

[1:12:26] Hearing none. All in favor please signify by saying I.

[1:12:31] I. Any opposed? Okay, that takes care of old business.

[1:12:35] We're down to uh what would have been at the front of the agenda, proclamations

[1:12:40] and appearances. Um

[1:12:43] Is Robert Crumley still in here? Did he leave?

[1:12:48] He's here from Senator uh Dickerson's office. I just wanted to recognize him.

[1:12:53] Our first proclamation will be Ball Ground Garden Club donation with

[1:12:59] uh Mary.

[1:13:01] Would you like to come up front?

[1:13:08] A lot of important business I'm following, but thank you for letting me

[1:13:11] come here tonight. And I firstly want to thank everybody from the city, the

[1:13:16] administrators, the council, the parks and recreations people. They all helped

[1:13:22] us and support us all the time with our events, and we had a very successful

[1:13:26] event in the garden last Saturday. Um I also want to say that I believe that you

[1:13:31] hold the same objective that we do when it comes to parks and so forth. Um we

[1:13:37] believe in conservation, beautification, education. And we want to support the

[1:13:42] city in that, and we'd like to make a donation to the city for the parks

[1:13:46] improvement or whatever you call it. So, thank you very much.

[1:13:51] » [applause]

[1:13:58] » Thank you, Mary and Jenny.

[1:14:33] Thank you. Thank you, Mary.

[1:14:39] » [applause]

[1:14:45] » Okay, next we have a proclamation for municipal clerks week. Woo! That's you.

[1:14:50] Yeah. It's our own Kaylin. Thank you.

[1:14:54] Yay, Kaylin! >> [applause]

[1:15:04] » All right, Kaylin. Whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk, a

[1:15:09] time-honored and vital part of local government, exists through the world.

[1:15:13] And whereas the office of the professional

[1:15:16] municipal clerk is the oldest among public servants.

[1:15:20] And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk provides a

[1:15:24] professional link between the citizens and the local governing bodies and

[1:15:28] agencies of government at other levels. And whereas professional municipal

[1:15:33] clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality,

[1:15:39] rendering equal service to all. Whereas the professional municipal clerk

[1:15:43] serves as the information center on functions of local government and

[1:15:48] community. Whereas professional municipal clerks

[1:15:52] continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the

[1:15:55] office of the professional municipal clerk through participation in education

[1:16:00] programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state,

[1:16:05] provincial, county, and international professional organizations.

[1:16:10] Whereas it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the

[1:16:14] office of the professional municipal clerk.

[1:16:17] Now therefore, I Dennis Nelson, mayor of the city of Auburn,

[1:16:21] do recognize the week of May 3rd through May 9th, 2026 as professional municipal

[1:16:26] clerks week. And further extend appreciation to our

[1:16:29] professional municipal clerk, Kaylin Bush,

[1:16:33] and to all professional municipal clerks

[1:16:37] for their outstanding and exemplary dedication to the communities they

[1:16:40] represent. And in witness whereof, we have to set

[1:16:44] my hand and cause the seal of the city to be affixed on this

[1:16:48] 14th day of May, 2016.

[1:16:53] » [applause]

[1:16:58] » Anybody have any questions or

[1:17:03] We all work together. We all live here.

[1:17:12] I mean you all can just hang out here. I got one more proclamation after this.

[1:17:16] So, are we good to go?

[1:17:27] Can you repeat over here?

[1:17:41] » [applause]

[1:17:47] » Okay, and then our final law enforcement appreciation week

[1:17:52] proclamation.

[1:17:58] And you know, uh men in blue.

[1:18:05] » [applause]

[1:18:12] » Calling it National Police Week, whereas the men and women of law enforcement

[1:18:16] dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, preserving peace, upholding

[1:18:21] the rule of law, and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

[1:18:26] And whereas law enforcement officers serve with courage, integrity,

[1:18:29] professionalism, and selfless commitment, often placing themselves in

[1:18:34] harm's way in the performance of their duties.

[1:18:37] And whereas National Police Week, observed May 10th through the 16th,

[1:18:41] 2026, provides an opportunity for citizens to recognize and express

[1:18:45] gratitude for the dedicated service and sacrifices made daily by federal, state,

[1:18:51] county, and local law enforcement officers.

[1:18:54] And whereas during this week, we also honor the memory of those officers who

[1:18:59] have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and recognize the enduring

[1:19:03] support provided by those families, friends, and fellow

[1:19:06] officers. And whereas communities are strengthened

[1:19:09] through the partnership between law enforcement agencies and the citizens

[1:19:13] they faithfully serve, working together to promote public safety, justice, and

[1:19:18] mutual respect. And I therefore, I Dennis Nau Mayor of

[1:19:21] the City of Auburn, do hereby proclaim May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as

[1:19:26] National Police Week and call upon all citizens to join in

[1:19:31] honoring the dedicated law enforcement officers who serve and protect our

[1:19:35] communities with distinction, courage, and unwavering commitment.

[1:19:39] In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the city

[1:19:42] to be affixed this 14th day of May, 2026.

[1:19:46] Chief Bill Gibson, That young man right there, sir.

[1:19:51] » [applause]

[1:20:00] [applause]

[1:20:34] » Thank you. >> [applause]

[1:20:40] » You got You got the proclamation. You got to give a speech.

[1:20:50] I wish you were getting ready at the end there.

[1:20:57] Item number nine,

[1:21:01] approval of the April 9th, 2026 regular council

[1:21:07] meeting minutes. Has everybody had a chance to look them

[1:21:10] over? All right.

[1:21:13] We have a motion to approve. Motion to approve the April the 9th

[1:21:19] Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

[1:21:23] All right, hearing none, all in favor, please say I.

[1:21:26] I. Any opposed? All right.

[1:21:30] Minutes are approved.

[1:21:33] Mr. City Manager, your next-to-the-last meeting.

[1:21:38] Yes, sir. Um

[1:21:41] just a few announcements, but want to start off with first a correction. I'd

[1:21:46] like to retract my 7 to 10 days. Contractor tells me I'm

[1:21:51] a little overzealous, so let's go with 12 to 15.

[1:21:55] Okay, it's a lot to haul out. Uh so, he wants to go home for dinner.

[1:22:00] Uh second thing, just did want to also state with Kaylin,

[1:22:06] um there is a minimum standard that has to be obtained for municipal clerks in

[1:22:12] the state of Georgia. Uh but that wasn't anything she was

[1:22:15] willing to tackle or do, so she has gone far beyond the minimum

[1:22:20] and will attain the higher levels of certification,

[1:22:26] and that'll happen this fall. So, we're very proud of how diligently she tackled

[1:22:32] this new role and her willingness to train.

[1:22:36] For announcements, uh Valley Street paving is next week. So, we appreciate

[1:22:40] the community's cooperation that we've had the end of the street closed so far

[1:22:44] this week. We'll be able to keep it open evenings,

[1:22:49] uh but we still have some more work happening along Valley Street replacing

[1:22:54] storm drains uh Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The paving crew is supposed

[1:23:00] to show up Tuesday and start milling and pave on Wednesday and Thursday. So, just

[1:23:05] bear with us as we get through Valley Street. And also, again, thank you for

[1:23:10] the T-SPLOST vote that's allowing us to tackle some of these projects earlier

[1:23:16] than we would have been able to do. Uh 30th of this month will be Guardians

[1:23:22] of the Jukebox. So, everybody come downtown for a big time.

[1:23:26] And then get ready for the fireworks. Uh fireworks on the 27th.

[1:23:31] I retire on the 26th. So, I'm saying that's my send-off. It's my good

[1:23:35] send-off. But, uh that's it.

[1:23:40] All right. Um

[1:23:44] Mr. Cardel, do you have anything before we go to [snorts] council?

[1:23:47] Uh only that uh

[1:23:50] Mr. Frost and and I are working with the courts trying to get a

[1:23:55] court date relative to the uh nuisance issue with the post office.

[1:24:01] But, so we're trying to coordinate that with uh with

[1:24:04] the court.

[1:24:07] Thank you.

[1:24:09] Councilwoman Homiller, any comments? I want to thank the citizens for paying

[1:24:14] attention and being involved and giving us your input. It's been

[1:24:20] it's been wonderful seeing Councilwoman Rogers Yeah, two things.

[1:24:26] First of all, thank you all for coming out this evening.

[1:24:31] Caleb, congratulations. You're doing a remarkable job. And thank you to

[1:24:37] Chief G and all [snorts] of our officers for everything that you do for the city.

[1:24:41] We truly appreciate it. >> [snorts]

[1:24:44] » And I'd also like to recognize David Dean.

[1:24:48] He passed in got certified with his class four water

[1:24:52] treatment license. So >> [applause]

[1:24:58] » Just add another feather

[1:25:00] in his cap and what he can do for the water department. So getting those

[1:25:04] licenses mean a lot. So great job, David.

[1:25:10] Thank you, Councilwoman Benefield. Yes, I would like to thank our downtown

[1:25:15] businesses for coming out tonight and speaking at our council meeting.

[1:25:19] I'm glad we were able to to pass the the lease on the parking for

[1:25:24] you all. It is a problem that we all know about

[1:25:28] and we recognize and hopefully we'll be able to work

[1:25:31] through this crunch and we'll be able to have nice good thriving businesses for

[1:25:36] the downtown and everything good for our city of Rock

[1:25:40] Hill. Thank you again.

[1:25:43] Councilman Stancil Yes, thanks for the all the attendance this evening and

[1:25:47] particularly the downtown businesses and thanks for all the input that you

[1:25:52] provided and thanks to staff for working through some

[1:25:56] of these issues.

[1:26:04] And last but not least, Councilman Barnes. Like all the others, I thank

[1:26:08] everybody for coming out and having their voices be heard.

[1:26:11] Reaching out to council

[1:26:13] and having discussions. Continue that and it's

[1:26:17] it's good to hear that it is being done.

[1:26:22] » Thank you everybody for coming out tonight. We we appreciate you your

[1:26:26] comments and we appreciate um your turnout. And uh glad that we were able

[1:26:31] to get a uh some some things resolved here on

[1:26:35] parking.

[1:26:38] Last item is adjournment. We just need a uh motion.

[1:26:42] Motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Any opposed?

[1:26:47] All right. Thank you very much everybody. Have a good evening.

[1:26:58] Rock, paper, scissors, man. You beat me.

City of Ball Ground - May 2026 City Council Meeting

Transcript