October 6th Mayor And Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, October 7th, 2025

The Dalton Mayor and Council met on Monday night for their first scheduled session of October. The meeting was highlighted by a proclamation declaring October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Dalton as well as an update on Georgia tourism breaking records for the third year in a row. The agenda also included action on a pair of rezoning requests and an amendment to the school resource officer contract with Dalton Public Schools among other items.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING

Mayor Annalee Sams presented the proclamation for Cybersecurity Awareness Month to Jorge Paez, the City's IT director. October has been set aside to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues each year since 2004.  Mayor Sams' proclamation notes that cyberattacks can impact our economy and security as well as our day-to-day lives. The proclamation recommends using strong passwords, multifactor authentication, keeping software on devices up to date, and being aware of how to recognize and report "phishing" attempts. The City of Dalton's IT staff regularly performs training for City staff on cybersecurity, utilizing online training resources to teach staff members about the different ways cybercriminals try to steal passwords or otherwise try to gain entry into computer networks. The IT staff also routinely tests the security of the City's network and its users. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Caption: Mayor Annalee Sams reads a proclamation for Cybersecurity Awareness Month as City of Dalton IT Director Jorge Paez looks on

Monday night's meeting opened with a public comment period. Mr. Nealon Graham spoke on behalf of his family to propose that the City of Dalton rename a street in honor of his father, Bishop Reuben Graham. Mr. Graham read a letter to the Mayor and Council in support of his proposal to rename Abigail Street to Bishop Reuben Graham Way.  This road passes True Gospel Pentecostal Church which was founded by Bishop Graham. Mayor Sams told Mr. Graham that she and the Council share a deep fondness for his father and also an appreciation for this contributions to the community. She also pointed out that the City has in the past dedicated certain sections of Dalton's streets in honor of Dalton residents without changing the name of the street itself. She told Mr. Graham that the City has rigid policies that govern the naming of local streets, and that City staff would be in contact with him further. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Tourism Director Margaret Thigpen presented an update to the Mayor and Council on behalf of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thigpen recently attended Governor Kemp's conference on tourism in Georgia. At that conference, Governor Kemp reported that a record-breaking 174.2 million domestic and international visitors came to Georgia in 2024 and spent $45.2 billion dollars in the state, a 4% increase over 2023's record. Those tourism dollars generated $5.1 billion in state and local tax revenues which saved the average Georgia household about $1,285 in annual taxes. 2024 was the third year in a row that the state broke its own tourism records. 

Thigpen also presented some amazing local tourism data to the Mayor and Council. She told the Council that the Dalton Convention Center made a $2.9 million impact on the local economy in 2024, which has already been eclipsed by a $3.2 million impact in the first nine months of 2025. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Council held the first reading of Ordinance 25-22 which would rezone a tract of land on Walston Avenue from high density residential (R-7) to rural residential (R-5). The request from David Armstrong is being made to allow the construction of single family residences and duplexes. Planning Commission staff recommended approval of the request, and after a public hearing the Commission recommended approval. To read the staff analysis, click here. To read a summary of the Planning Commission meeting, click here. Because this was the first reading of the ordinance, the Mayor and Council took no action. They can consider a vote after a second reading at a future meeting. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

During Monday night's meeting, the Council voted to: 

• Approve Ordinance 25-20 For Rezoning - Ordinance 25-20 rezones a tract of land at 911 Riverbend Road from heavy manufacturing (M-2) to rural residential (R-5). The request by J. Figueroa Construction was made to reconnect an existing single family dwelling to electrical service as well as remodeling and reoccupying the structure. The home has been disconnected from electrical service for more than a year, and because it currently is non-conforming to the acceptable uses for a M-2 structure, it must be rezoned before it can be re-connected. The Dalton-Whitfield Planning Commission recommended approval after a positive recommendation from planning staff. To read the meeting summary, click here. To read the staff analysis, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. Councilmember Dennis Mock was not in attendance and Mayor Sams typically votes only in the event of a tie. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Ordinance 25-21 For Rezoning - Ordinance 25-21 rezones a tract of land bordered by American Drive, Conway Street, and Threadmill Road from rural residential (R-5) and light manufacturing (M-1) to zero lot line residential (R-4). The request of BC Acquisitions, LLC to rezone the 13 acre tract was made to develop a new high density neighborhood with small lots and narrow setbacks between the buildings. The Dalton-Whitfield Planning Commission recommended approval after a positive recommendation from planning staff after hearing some concerns from the public regarding possible contamination of the land by a previous fire. An engineer addressed the Council about the issue, pointing out that further surveys are being conducted but that any contamination would be a permitting issue and not a zoning issue. To read the meeting summary, click here. To read the staff analysis, click here.  The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Five New Alcoholic Beverage License Applications - The licenses included a restaurant pouring beer, wine, and liquor license for Sugar and Fire Restaurant at 319 N. Hamilton Street, retail store package beer license for Supermercado Talpa #17 at 2518 E. Walnut Avenue, restaurant pouring beer, wine, and liquor license for Table 43 Restaurant at 263 N. Hamilton Street, restaurant pouring beer and liquor license for Taco Roble at 352 Northgate Drive, and a bar pouring beer and liquor license for The Tipsy Vibe at 323 N. Hamilton Street. Each applicant was reviewed by the Public Safety Commission. The Council voted 3-0 to approve each license application. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve An Amendment To The 2025-26 School Resource Officer Contract With DPS - The changes to the contract were made to reflect changes to federal law which took effect on July 1st. The changes mostly deal with changes to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. To view the contract amendment, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the changes. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve A Contract Renewal With CLC Photography For Dalton Parks And Rec - The contract with CLC Photography is for professional sports photography services for Dalton Parks and Rec sports leagues. The contract allows CLC Photography to sell photos from DPRD sports leagues and pay the City $4 for each package sold. TO view the contract, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the renewal. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-22 To Apply For The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program - This resolution authorizes City staff to pursue grant funding through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program to fund portions of the Heritage Point Park trail connection improvements project. The park improvements were part of the 2024 SPLOST, but the scope of the project was reduced in order to fit within the SPLOST budget. GOSP grant funding could allow the CIty to realize the full scope of the project. To read the resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-23 To Ratify A Grant Agreement Between The City And The Appalachian Regional Commission - The City has been awarded a $1.99 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to assist with the East Morris Street Corridor Improvements Project. This project was a 2024 SPLOST project, and the ARC funding will supplement the SPLOST funding for the project. To view the resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve A Lease Agreement With The LAA At The Mack Gaston Community Center - The Latin American Association leases office space for their organization at the Mack Gaston Community Center. This lease extension gives them the office space for $1 a year, but also calls for them to pay $250 per month to assist with utility costs for the building. The agreement calls for the LAA to provide services for the public including assistance with public benefit enrollments, tutoring for 1st-3rd grade students, a reading club, art classes, and other services. This lease agreement would extend through 2028. To view the lease agreement, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the lease agreement. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Table Discussion Of Change Order 003 For The Franklin Street & Valley Drive Stormwater Bypass Project - The change order would add the installation of curb and gutter on Franklin Street from Valley Drive to the western dead end of the road. This section of the road has never had curb and gutter installed. Residents in the area have requested the addition which would provide uniformity to the entirety of Franklin Street. Because Councilmember Steve Farrow recused himself from a vote on the change because he has a family member who owns property that is affected by this project. Mayor Annalee Sams would have then become the required third vote, but she also recused herself due to having a family member who owns property affected by the project. With only two voting members of the Council present, the change order was tabled for a future meeting. Public Works Director Chad Townsend indicated that there was time sensitivity to the change, but that the Public Works Department could also perform the installation of curb and gutter in this area if the contractor is unable to do so. To view the change order request, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Mayor and Council's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th in the Raymond A. Elrod Council Chambers at City Hall. 

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