September 15th Mayor and Council Meeting Notes

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

The Dalton Mayor and Council met Monday night for their first session of September after the meeting originally scheduled for the Labor Day holiday was cancelled. The meeting was highlighted by three special presentations honoring Consitution Week, a longtime employee of Well Housed Dalton, and the naming of the Heritage Point athletic fields in memory of the late Mayor James A. "Jim" Middleton. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING

Monday night's meeting opened with the reading of a mayoral proclamation for National Constitution Week which is observed annually from September 17th through September 23rd. Mayor Annalee Sams read the proclamation to declare Constitution Week in Dalton to celebrate the 238th anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution. Mayor Sams' proclamation notes that "it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it." Mayor Sams presented the proclamation to Bitsy McFarland who accepted it on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Caption: Members of the late Mayor Jim Middleton's family pose with the Mayor and Council after the approval of a resolution to rename the athletic fields at Heritage Point Park as the Jim Middleton Fields at Heritage Point Park (from left to right, City Adminstrator Andrew Parker, City Councilmember Dennis Mock, Joellen Middleton Ridley, Joann Middleton, James Coker, Allyson Middleton Coker, JP Tighe, Maddie Tighe, Mayor Sams, City Councilmember Tyree Goodlett, and City Councilmember Nicky Lama

Next, Mayor Sams presented a certificate of recognition to Nancy Trejo who is celebrating 30 years of service to Well Housed Dalton, which until recently was known as the Dalton Housing Authority. Mayor Sams noted that Trejo is well known and deeply trusted by the residents and community of Well Housed Dalton. 

"(Nancy's) personable spirit, welcoming nature, and consistent helpfulness have set an example of service and compassion," Mayor Sams said in congratulating Trejo on the milestone. 

"I want to thank everyone for the opportunity," Trejo said. "I do love my job, and I do love the people. I'm just ready to keep working and to keep giving what I have to the community, to the people." To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Finally, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously 4-0 to approve Resolution 25-16 to name the baseball and softball fields at Heritage Point Park in honor of the late Mayor James A. "Jim" Middleton. Mayor Middleton passed away in June 2024 at the age of 88. His life was characterized by service to his community, highlighted by his service to the Civil Service Commission (now known as the Public Safety Commission), and elected service as a member of the City Council and three terms as Dalton's Mayor from 1988-2000. 

"Mayor Middleton made significant contributions to this community, which continue to be enjoyed by all," the resolution reads. "(Those include) his support of the Dalton Convention Center, his efforts to complete Al Rollins Park, the purchase of Heritage Point Park, and many other projects that he pursued during his tenure."

After the reading and approval of the resolution to rename the fields, Mayor Sams and the members of the City Council presented framed pictures of the new Jim Middleton Fields at Heritage Point Park to members of his family. 

"This is so sweet, so precious. It just thrills my heart that he's being honored in such a way because he loved the City," said Joann Middeton, who was married to Mayor Middleton for nearly 70 years. "I had to go by the cemetery today and tell him about it. Because something told me 'you need to go tell Jimbo.' So I went by and told him all about it. Thank you all so much. This is so special for me and my sweet family as we carry on and love this city." 

City Councilmember Steve Farrow, who joined the meeting via Zoom, also shared his appreciation for Mayor Middleton and congratulated his family. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

Before the meeting's regular agenda, the Mayor and Council also heard public comments from two people, Dalton State College biology professor Dr. John Lugthart and retired science teacher and Park Creek Elementary gardener Dr. Carl Wilms, who spoke about their concerns of possible environmental impacts of a potential plan to build a bridge between Hale Bowen Drive and Heritage Point Park and unite the soccer complex with the Jim Middleton Athletic Fields. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

During the new business portion of the agenda, the Mayor and Council heard the first readings of two ordinances that would rezone property in the City of Dalton. The first, Ordinance 25-20, would rezone a tract of land at 911 Riverbend Road from heavy manufacturing (M-2) to rural residential (R-5). The request by J. Figueroa Construction is being 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. To view the presentation on the property, click here. Because this was a first reading, no action was taken by the Mayor and Council. The ordinance can be considered for a second reading and vote at a future meeting. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The second ordinance, Ordinance 25-21, would rezone 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 is being 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. Ethan Calhoun from the planning commission told the Mayor and Council that site testing would take place before any development to ensure those concerns were addressed. To read the meeting summary, click here. To read the staff analysis, click here. To view the presentation on the property, click here. Because this was a first reading, no action was taken by the Mayor and Council. The ordinance can be considered for a second reading and vote at a future meeting. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

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

• Approve Resolution 25-18 to grant a loan to Well Housed Dalton - The $1 million loan to Well Housed Dalton, formerly known as the Dalton Housing Authority, will be used in connection with development of the new income-based housing development known as Walton Fields Phase 1. The development will be built on land owned by Well Housed Dalton at the northeast corner of Fields Avenue and Dozier Street. The promissory note for the loan states that interest will be one percent per annum on the principal sum and payments will be applied to accrued interest. The first interest payment will be due October 1, 2028 and $10,000 interest payments will be due October 1st each year until 2045 when the balance will be due. To read Resolution 25-18, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the loan (Councilmember Steve Farrow was not present and Mayor Sams typically votes only in the event of a tie). 
• Authorize participation in another National Opioid Settlement with secondary manufacturers - Since 2023, the City of Dalton has already been participating in the National Opioid Settlement which has been made with several major manufacturing companies of opioid drugs. The new settlement with four additional manufacturers will add more funds for use by the City for certain purposes including drug addiction rehab. Resolution 25-19 authorizes the City to participate, and it was approved by a 3-0 vote of the Council. To read the resolution, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-20 to approve a property exchange involving Plant Wansley, a power generation site - Dalton Utilities is one of the owners of Plant Wansley, which has been retired as a coal-powered electricity generation plant. Land at the site will now be used for generation using natural gas, and Dalton Utilities will exchange its portion of the land in order to participate in the new energy generation. To read Resolution 25-20, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Resolution 25-21 to adopt a uniform policy for leasing of land at the Dalton Municipal Airport - The airport has had several different entities request ground leases at the airport to build hangars for aircraft. The Airport Authority requested a uniform policy that would be used to examine those requests including a standard application process, background checks, costs, etc. The read the resolution, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. '
• Approve Change Order #5 on the Hangar Development Project at the Dalton Municipal Airport - Work on the hangar development project found that the site had previously undiscovered French drains which had to be incorporated into the site plans and tied into the site drainage plan. The cost of the work will result in a $17,654 increase in the project budget which is being paid for by the original $100,000 savings which was created by changing contractors on the project. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. The view the change order, click here. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Change Order #2 for the City Hall HVAC Renovation Project - Two pieces of equipment required for automated operation of chillers used by the HVAC system were inadvetently left off of the original scope of work for the project. The two motorized isolation valves will cost $3,425 which is being paid from the contingency fund in the project budget. To view the change order, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the change. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve Change Order #2 for the Franklin Street and Valley Drive Stormwater Bypass Project - The change order extends the deadline for completion of the project to October 31st, 2025 which will enable Dalton Utilities to perform a waterline rehabilitation project at the site before the road is repaved as is called for as part of the completion of the project. The change carries no additional costs for the project. To view the change order, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve the change. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 
• Approve a general services contract with Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood, LLC to study improvements to Heritage Point Park - The agreement is for GMC to provide conceptual design services and to develop a schematic plan for improvements at the Heritage Point Park site which could include but not be limited to either a foot bridge or a road bridge spanning Mill Creek and connectingHeritage Point Park with the Heritage Point Soccer Complex which adjacent to Park Creek Elementary School. The plans would also include amenities such as shade structures, renovations to concession facilities, etc. The $48,700 for GMC's services will be paid from the 2024 SPLOST project account. However, the services contract is being expedited in order to also seek additional funds from a Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant. City Administrator Andrew Parker pointed out that a road connection across the creek might not be feasible and because the project will likely include participation from the GOSP, the environmental concerns brought up during public commentary would be studied before planning and construction on any structures near the creek. To view the general services agreement, click here. The Council voted 3-0 to approve. To watch this portion of the meeting, click here. 

The Mayor and Council concluded Monday night's meeting in an executive session to discuss personnel matters. There was no action taken after the Council returned from executive session. 

The next meeting of the Mayor and Council is set for Monday, October 6th at 6:00 pm in the Raymond A. Elrod Council Chambers. 

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