February 2nd Mayor and Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026

The Dalton Mayor and Council met on Monday night for their first session of February. The agenda included the first reading of an ordinance that would add specific regulations for vape shops operating within the City of Dalton. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING

The vape shop ordinance was first presented to the Mayor and Council during a public work session on January 5th. Ordinance 26-02 defines vape shops as any business whose primary activity is selling alternative nicotine products such as inhaled vapor products, vapor devices, cannabinoids, kratom, non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia, etc. Among other provisions, the ordinance requires vape shop operators to obtain a license from the City of Dalton in a process similar to requirements to obtain an alcoholic beverage license, including review by the Public Safety Commission and a criminal history review of the shop's owners. The ordinance requires that such shops not operate within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, libraries, public buildings, residences, parks, fitness facilities or within 3,000 feet of another vape shop. The ordinance prohibits vape shops in the Walnut Avenue Gateway Corridor overlay district or the central business district (zoned C-3), though existing shops would be allowed to continue operation unless the business is sold or the license lapses. The ordinance also places a cap on the number of vape shops that can be permitted in Dalton, based on the City's population in the most recent Census. As currently drafted, that cap would be fewer than one license per 2,500 residents. You can click here to read Ordinance 26-02. Because this was a first reading, the Council took no action. A second reading of the ordinance is expected to be on the agenda for the Council's meeting on Monday, February 16th at which time the Council could consider a vote. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Caption: Dalton Tourism Director Margaret Thigpen (right) presents a plaque to Parks and Rec Director Steve Roberts on behalf of the World Sports League honoring Heritage Point Park as WSL's Complex of the Year (see details below)

The Council also heard a first reading of Ordinance 26-03 which would amend the Dalton-Whitfield Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO) by adding definitions for biohazard and biological waste, hazardous waste, and data centers. The amendment would only permit operations or waste facilities for hazardous, biohazard, or biological waste in manufacturing zones and only with a special use accommodation meaning they would have to be approved by the Dalton-Whitfield Planning Commission as well as the City Council or County Board of Commissioners. as well as placing a requirement that data centers would only be permitted in the heavy manufacturing zone. The ordinance also adds flexibility to the Urban Planned Unit Development (UPUD) type of zoning district by adding a greenspace courtyard subdivision option. You can click here to read Ordinance 26-03. Because this was a first reading, the Council took no action. A second reading of the ordinance is expected to be on the agenda for the Council's meeting on Monday, February 16th at which time the Council could consider a vote. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Council also heard a first reading of Ordinance 26-04 which would rezone a parcel of land at 409 S. Spencer Street in Dalton from general commercial (C-2) to medium density single family residential (R-3). The rezoning requested by Viviana Ramirez is to convert the commercial property there to a family residence. The property is close to the family's business interests and is also located near other single family residences. The Dalton-Whitfield Planning Commission recommended approval of the request. To read the recap of the Planning Commission meeting, click here. To read the Planning Commission's staff analysis, click here. To read Ordinance 26-04, click here. Because this was a first reading, the Council took no action. A second reading of the ordinance is expected to be on the agenda for the Council's meeting on Monday, February 16th at which time the Council could consider a vote. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Council also voted 2-1 to impose a two-week suspension of the alcoholic beverage license for the Walnut Express store at 2524 East Walnut Avenue. The Public Safety Commission found in December 2025 that the business was guilty of a second violation of the City's alcoholic beverage ordinance for sale of alcohol to an underage person. During the public comment period, the store's owner Chirag Patel told the Mayor and Council that he had recently invested in license scanners and additional training for his employees to avoid underage sales violations in the future (click here to watch Mr. Patel's comments). Councilmember Dennis Mock made a motion to impose the two-week suspension in lieu of a 30-day suspension which was possible under City ordinance in light of the actions taken by Mr. Patel to rectify the situation. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Steve Farrow. Councilmember Tyree Goodlett voted no. Mayor Annalee Sams typically only votes in the event of a tie. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Caption: Dalton restaurant owner TJ Kaikobad speaks to the Mayor and Council on the 36th anniversary of his move to Dalton

Margaret Thigpen, Dalton's Director of Tourism, opened the meeting agenda with a special presentation on behalf of the World Sports League (WSL) which hosts nearly a dozen softball tournaments in Dalton and Whitfield County each year. The WSL recently named Dalton's Heritage Point Park as its Sports Complex Of The Year. Thigpen presented the award plaque in the shape of a softball home plate, to Dalton Parks and Recreation Director Steve Roberts. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

During the public comment period, Dalton restaurateur TJ Kaikobad noted that he was speaking on the 36th anniversary of his first day in Dalton. Kaikobad told the Council that he came to Dalton on February 2nd, 1990 with the intention to be back in Atlanta within 60 days. Instead, he never left after feeling the welcome of the people of Dalton. Kaikobad said, "this is a great community. Continuously, it's had great leadership, and I appreciate everything you guys do to keep our community moving forward. Yes, we have our differences. We don't see eye-to-eye on everything, but we are resolute in all of us doing winners." 

"I start with our local leadership first, and I say thank you for making Dalton what it is," Kaikobad continued. "Thank you for being the stewards of great people, great businesses, and I appreciate the opportunity to live in heaven." To watch Mr. Kaikobad's comments, click here. 

The next Mayor and Council meeting will be on Monday, February 16th at 6:00 pm in the Raymond A. Elrod Council Chambers at City Hall. 

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