January 5th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026
The Dalton Mayor and Council held their first meeting of the new year on Monday night. The meeting, which was preceded by a public work session for the Council, included the inauguration ceremony for Councilmembers Steve Farrow and Nicky Lama who were both re-elected last fall. During the work session, the Mayor and Council heard a presentation reviewing a draft ordinance that would regulate vape shops in the City limits and a proposal to build a firing range for the Dalton Police Department.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING
Last June, the Mayor and Council passed a resolution to impose a 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. That moratorium was extended by the Council last month to allow more time for City leaders to study legislation to regulate the businesses. Monday night, City Attorney Jonathan Bledsoe presented a draft of Ordinance 26-02 which would regulate vape shops (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 would require 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. They would also not be permitted in the Walnut Avenue Gateway Corridor overlay district or the central business district (zoned C-3). Existing shops would be grandfathered in, but that status would be lost if 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, which is similar to the regulation of liquor stores in the City. You can click here to read a draft of the ordinance. After the presentation, the Councilmembers took no action. The review was not a formal reading of the ordinance, which would require two public readings at Council meetings before it could be considered for a vote.
Caption: Dalton Councilmembers (L to R) Dennis Mock, Nicky Lama, Steve Farrow, and Tyree Goodlett pose with Mayor Annalee Sams (center) after Lama and Farrow were sworn in
Police Chief Cliff Cason presented his proposal to create a new firing range for police training on City-owned property near the Raisin Woods Park off of Pleasant Grove Drive. The property was previously used by the Public Works Department as an inert landfill and the Police Department uses the area for physical training. The Police Department currently uses the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office's firing range for its required annual firearms qualifications and other training. Cason says that while the DPD and the WCSO have enjoye a good partnership, scheduling training time for the county range is complicated because of the large number of other agencies and other organizations that also use the facility. Cason's proposal would create a handgun range and a rifle range at the Pleasant Grove Drive site, oriented towards the northeast for safety. The facility would have large earthen berms which would be constructed by the Public Works Department. The range site is 1,500 feet from the nearest structure and 2,000 feet from the nearest downrange structure. Sound studies have been conducted in the area to determine the sonic impact on surrounding structures. Full cost estimates for the project aren't yet complete, but include approximately $22,000 for the construction of two covered shelters and a cinder block building as well as $150,000 for an 8-foot tall fence surrounding the facility. You can click here to review Chief Cason's presentation. Afterwards, the Council took no action but agreed to continued study of the project.
After the work session, City Attorney Jonathan Bledsoe administered the oaths of office for Councilmembers Farrow and Lama. Both were re-elected to second terms last fall while running unopposed. Councilmember Farrow represents Ward 4 and was first elected to the Council in 2021 and has practiced law for more than 40 years, currently with the offices of Warren & Griffin. He also was appointed to the State Ethics Commission by former Governor Sonny Perdue, serving from 2003 until 2006, including two years as chairman. Governor Perdue also appointed him to the State Board of Workers Compensation where he served for four years. He previously served in the Georgia Senate from 1993 until 1996 and was our district's representative to the State Transportation Board from 2008-09. Councilmember Lama represents Ward 2 and was elected in 2023 to fulfill the unexpired portion of Annalee Sams' term after she resigned to run for mayor. He owns and operates multiple ventures, including construction and real estate businesses, a local restaurant in Dalton, a farm, an aviation charter business, and a gym. To watch the inauguration ceremonies, click here.
Caption: Councilmember Farrow (center) is sworn in on a Bible held by his wife Nancy
The Council then heard public comments from residents. Melissa Williams and Cindy Walters both spoke to the Council about concerns over noise complaints from their tenants downtown about the Deja Vu social club downtown. Both told the Council that they have had complaints from their tenants regarding loud music from the club. Claude Thomas spoke to the Council about his concerns about rubbish and bulky item refuse left out on properties and other municipal code violations he has seen that he feels are degrading the character of several Dalton neighborhoods. Thomas encouraged the Council to increase the ranks of the City's Code Enforcement Department. To watch the public comment period, click here.
The Council also heard the first reading of Ordinance 26-01 which would annex a property at 1822 Chattanooga Road into the City of Dalton. The property is currently an unincorporated island surrounded by properties already incorporated by the City. The parcel is being purchased by a new owner who is also purchasing areas that are incorporated, and the annexation request is to create uniformity in the property. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request. To read a summary of their meeting, click here. To read the staff analysis, click here. Because this was the first reading of the ordinance, no action was taken. However, the Council will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, January 8th at 8:00 am to consider a second reading of the ordinance and a vote to accommodate the new property owner's timing issues with closing on the property. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
During Monday night's meeting, the Council voted to:
- Certify consistency with the City's Consolidated Plan for grant applications - There are grant applications for federal funding pending from three agencies within the City's Consolidated Plan jurisdiction, the Salvation Army, the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation, and the City of Refuge and HUD requires certification from the City of Dalton that the requests are consistent with the objectives of the City's Consolidated Plan. The Finance Department has reviewed the applications and found them to be consistent with the City's objectives. To view the certification, click here. The Council voted 4-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Approve the TextCare service agreement with Med Investors Development, LLC for the 2026 Health Plan - TextCare is a virtual healthcare provider that offers 24/7 access to providers via text messages, phone calls, and video chats. The service is part of the 2026 health plan for City employees and the funding for the service was already accounted for in the 2026 budget. To view the agreement, click here. The Council voted 4-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
- Approve a list of 2026 City board and commission appointments - With the new year comes new terms on the boards and commissions which oversee the City of Dalton's operations. Mayor Annalee Sams read a list of new appointments, each of which received unanimous 4-0 approval from the Council (except for the appointment of Nancy Farrow to the Tree Board. Councilmember Steve Farrow abstained from voting due to their marriage). To see the lists of appointments, click here, here, and here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.
Mayor Sams closed the meeting with an announcement that City offices and non-emergency services will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The Council meeting that would have taken place that day will instead be held on Tuesday, January 20th.
Click "Play" in the window below to watch Monday night's meeting
