December 15th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

The Dalton Mayor and Council met Monday night for their final scheduled meeting of 2025. The session was highlighted by special recognitions for a pair of state championship teams from the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department. The DPRD's 12-U girls' volleyball and 12-U girls' soccer teams both recently won state titles.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING

"We have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate some great athletes," Mayor Annalee Sams said. "This is really exciting. Thanks to all the parents who are here, too, thanks for coming and sharing your kids with us." 

Caption: The members of the 12-U Soccer and Volleyball state championship teams were recognized by the Mayor and Council Monday night

"Last year, we were here also recognizing volleyball (for another championship), so we do hold you to a very high standard, girls, and you have delivered," DPRD Athletic Manager Victor Rodriguez said before presenting certificates or achievement to the 12-and-under state champion volleyball squad. In 2024, the DPRD won state championships in 14-U, 12-U, and 10-U girls' volleyball. "On behalf of Dalton Parks and Rec, we are very proud and very happy that you represented the parks very well." 

In addition to continuing a run of state championships in volleyball, the DPRD also added a pair of girls' soccer titles to Soccertown USA's trophy case. The DPRD's 12-U and 10-U squads both captured titles, and the 12-U team as recognized at Monday night's meeting. The 10-U girls' team was unable to attend Monday night. The DPRD's boys' soccer teams also won three state championships and will be honored at a Mayor and Council meeting along with the 10-U girls in January. 

"I want to thank all the parents again, we couldn't do this without the parents. I want to thank all the parents for the hard work and commitment you have provided for the girls," Rodriguez said. "It's a very long season." 

To watch the Council's recognition for the state championship teams, click here. 

The Mayor and Council voted to approve Ordinance 25-24 after a second reading on Monday night. The ordinance rezones a tract of land at 913 Riverbend Road from heavy manufacturing (M-2) to rural residential (R-5). The rezoning request was made by Wayne Burgess of Burgess Family Investments, LLC in order to build a duplex on the property. During the first reading of the ordinance at the Mayor and Council's December 1st meeting, Whitfield County Zoning Administrator Jean Garland noted that the property is the third parcel in the surrounding area to come before the City Council for similar rezoning this year. Planning staff and the Dalton-Whitfield County Planning Commission both recommended approval of the request. To view the commission meeting recap, click here. To view the planning staff analysis, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the rezoning. Councilmembers Dennis Mock and Tyree Goodlett were not present and Mayor Sams cast the deciding third vote. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

During the meeting, the Council also voted to: 

• Approve two alcoholic beverage license renewals - The two license renewal applications were made without requests for changes. The licenses for Family Dollar #20036 at 1210 E. Morris Street and Jim's Liquor at 1507 E. Walnut Avenue were both approved by a unanimous 3-0 vote.  To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve the Public Safety Commission's fine recommendation for All-American Entertainment, LLC - The business, Big Time Billiards, was found by the Public Safety Commission to be in violation of the City of Dalton's alcoholic beverage ordinance after evidence was presented that the business sold an alcoholic beverage to a minor during an undercover compliance check made by the Dalton Police Department. The fine for a first offense is $1,000 plus payment of the City's court costs after the business requested a hearing after being informed of the violation. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the fine. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Change Order #3 for the City Hall HVAC Replacement Project - The change to the project contract with Cherokee Mechanical is to insulate a buffer tank that was part of City Hall's existing HVAC system and is now being re-purposed as part of the new system. The cost of the change is $3,475 and is being paid from the project's original budget. To view the change order, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the change order. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve an extension to the building lease for the Emery Center - The lease amendment extends the term of the Emery Center's building lease for two more years. The lease expired in July and the Emery Center had been continuing on a month-to-month basis before the amendment. The terms of the lease remain the same. To view the lease amendment, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the extension. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Extend the term of Resolution 25-09 placing a moratorium on approval of new Regulated Businesses - In June, the Mayor and Council passed Resolution 25-09 to impose a six-month moratorium on the approval of certain types of new regulated businesses in the City, including vape shops, adult entertainment establishments, event centers, extended stay hotels, stores operating coin operated amusement machines, massage parlors, and pawn broker businesses. The City is currently analyzing its code of ordinances and considering possible regulation changes that would affect those types of businesses and requires more time to complete that work. The new extension extends the term of the moratorium until March 31st, 2026 unless it is repealed or further extended. Existing businesses of these types would be allowed to continue operation so long as their licenses do not lapse. To read the original resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the extension of the moratorium. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-27 for a municipal property easement with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation and Toombs County - The Georgia DOT and Toombs County have requested a property easement for property owned by Dalton Utilities and other owners of the Plant Hatch Property for the construction and maintenance of a driveway over and across that property.  To read the resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the easement request.  To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-28 adopting a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for certain retirees - The 1% COLA is being made for retirees in the old defined benefit plan who retired before January 1st, 2024. To read the resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the resolution. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Mayor Sams announced at the end of the meeting that City offices and non-emergency services would be closed on Thursday, December 25th and Friday, December 26th to allow City staff to celebrate the Christmas holiday and Thursday, January 1st, 2026 to celebrate New Year's Day. The next Mayor and Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 5th, 2026. 

Click "Play" in the window below to watch Monday night's meeting