May 20th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

The Dalton Mayor and Council met on Monday, May 20th for their second scheduled meeting of the month. The agenda included five action items and also the first reading of an update to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances which is necessary to bring the chapter into agreement with the City's new charter which was signed into law recently by Governor Kemp. 

The highlight of the meeting was an update on the progress of the renovation project to the John Davis Recreation Center, which included setting the final budget for the project which is a major step in the construction timeline. The notice to proceed on construction is expected this week after Monday night's action by the council to set the final maximum cost for the project. 

To watch the full video of Monday night's meeting, click here. 

During Monday's meeting, the Mayor and Council voted to: 

• Approve an amendment to the FY 2024 Budget - The comprehensive budget amendment affects the general fund, the bonded capital projects fund, grant funds, and the SPLOST fund. The adjustments are being made to reconcile RFPs for various projects that have come in under budget or above budget to allocate the funding for those projects. The budget amendment, which is the 2nd of 2024, can be reviewed by clicking here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve the guaranteed maximum price amendment for the John Davis Rec Center renovation - Felker Construction is serving as the construction manager at risk for the John Davis Recreation Center renovation project. The project is a 2020 SPLOST project. After the completion of the design process, the contractor had set a guaranteed maximum price for the project at $11,643,333 which includes a $250,000 contingency fund which will be returned to the City if not used. The Council approved by a 4-0 vote Monday night. With the approval, the notice to proceed will be issued this week and substantial completion of construction is expected in August 2025. During the discussion of this time, City Administrator provided a recap of the scope of the project with a break down of what will be built, including the potential for an expansion of the plans for the pool at the facility. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve an agreement for construction testing services at the John Davis Rec Center site - The Council voted 4-0 to approve a contract with Geo-Hydro Engineers for inspection of the foundation, surface evaluations, and other testing required for the pre-construction process. The contract is $56,661.20. The professional services agreement can be reviewed by clicking here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve a contract for baseball turf infields at Heritage Point Park - Sports Fields, Inc. was the highest scoring bidder for the project to install synthetic turf on the ten infields at Heritage Point Park. The turf infields will be easier and cheaper to maintain than dirt infields. The contract is $3,068,890 and is being paid with a $2.24 million grant from the Governor's Ofice of Planning and Budget and matching funds from the City's bonded capital fund. The contract can be reviewed by clicking here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve a contract with the Dalton Convention Center for human trafficking prevention training - As part of the National Opioid Settlement from which the City of Dalton has received funds, the City is entering an agreement with the Convention Center to host a Human Trafficking Prevention Conference for the training of healthcare workers and law enforcement personnel. The training is one of the approved uses of the opioid settlement funds. The contract is for $22,356.54 and the conference will be held July 30th-August 1st, 2024. The Council voted 4-0 to approve the agreement. The contract can be reviewed by clicking here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Mayor and Council also held a first reading of Ordinance 24-14 which would revise Chapter 2 of the City's Code of Ordinances. The revisions to the chapter are being made to ensure that all of the ordinances therein are in agreement with the new City charter which was signed into law recently by Governor Brian Kemp. Those changes include updating the language to refer to city councilmembers instead of aldermen, etc. and also includes the various boards and commissions which oversee City operations and report to the Mayor and Council. To view Ordinance 24-14 and the new Chapter 2, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here.  

The Mayor and Council also entered into executive session to discuss potential litigation, real estate, and personnel matters. Meetings in executive session are not open to the public.

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