TOWNS COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting
April 13, 2022, 2 p.m.
Garden Club Building
Present: John Clemens, Joan Crothers, Anna Denton, Michael Courey, Gordy Jones, David Best. Absent: Larry Dietsch.
l. President’s Report:
a. Welcome: John welcomed all Board members; no guests.
b. New issue for discussion: John had talked to TCCA Past Pres. Noel Turner about a number of subjects—listed here: Plan for growth, Signage ordinance, 288 Sunnyside Road Park, Disclosure re: Liquor Store lease, Water/Sewer consolidation, Hamilton Gardens, Traffic congestion. Each one was discussed as to background, current information and future TCCA involvement.
2. Board Officers Reports
a. Secretary’s Report-Joan: Motion made by Anna Denton to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2022 meeting that were emailed to Board members, with one correction, the typo of David Best’s last name; seconded and passed.
b. Treasurer’s Report-Larry: Checkbook balance for March 31, 2022 is $3,633.40 with the following: Income: $125 dues; Office Expenses: $21.88, & GoDaddy Website: $38.34. Motion to approve was made by Michael; seconded and passed.
c. Membership Report-Anna: Currently 65 Households, 115 individuals, 2 Homeowners, 1 business (GMF).
d. Website-David:
i. Fixed the top photo; added the Candidate Forum flyer and put that info in the Calendar. John and Michael will work on putting By-Laws on website.
ii. Facebook Page: John is working on it. Anna made a motion to have our FB a “public” page; seconded and passed.
3. Committee Reports
City of Hiawassee-Joan: Mayor said 100% of business licenses are paid, but 75 accounts still due on property taxes. Sidewalks & curbs on left side of 76 going East will soon be worked on; slab for ice machine is in at Mayor’s Park; “Let’s Vote” will have both parties on the square on Sat., 4/2, so register to vote. Amy Barrett was voted in as May ProTem. Mayor and 3 Council members went to DDA Training on lower income housing. Denise McKay reported a new coffee house in front of Cochran’s Funeral Home. Water rate increase starting in July based on S.S. increase—max of 5%/min. 1%.
City of Y.H.: Michael attended.After vote to cancel ramp from top to bottom of Cupid Falls, he spoke for it; Mayor said a representative from DNR would be visiting next month to hopefully save the grant. Council members complained about the lack of progress of Hayes-James re: Timberline Booster Pump – Councilman Clark will call them for information. The old dining hall and library buildings will soon be coming down. Michael & Gordy are making several benches for Cupid Falls as members of MBRA.
T. C. Commissioner-Joan: Finances are good; Truck is needed at the Transfer Station; Hills H/A is working on that at old Rec. building; Easter Egg Hunt for kids is back this year; Planning Board members picked bids on Courthouse renovation—Grisson/Young was picked. Jeffrey Poirot appointed by GOP to T.C. Board of Elections and Janet Oliva reappointed as Chair. Commissioner presented Certificate of Appreciation to members of Jr. Board of Government Officials; and to Joan Crothers for Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award.
T.C. Water & Sewer Authority-Michael: They have leaks in High Tower area. A planned development in NW area of county will have a 300K gal. water tower.
Chamber of Commerce-John: Cancelled
Convention Visitors Board (CVB)-Michael: Cancelled.
BRMEMC-Michael: Meeting next week.
County Planning Commission-David: All members present, as well as County Atty. Kiker and Surveyor Gary Kendall; Sign permit and house permits asked for with some not granted because of limitations of Mountain Protection Act, and a business enlargement not granted because of 1933 lake level.
Health Dept.–Larry: No report.
Board of Ed.-Michael: Elementary School Principal Shannon Moss enthusiastically spoke about their Book Vending Machine; students earn tokens with good conduct and then can use the tokens to buy a book. Michael will check further on us making a donation. They have a new position to fill: an Athletic Trainer to take care of any injuries during games; and an assistant High School Principal was hired.
New Business
- Political Forum: John &Michael have everything arranged at the School for Sat., April 23, 2:30-4:30; Anna will have 9 SO Aux. people at the meeting, TCCA Board members should be at school at 1 p.m.
- Newsletter: Discussed and decided it can be more than 2 pages since it is going email, format will be Seasonal and meeting highlights will be bullets. John will send it out this afternoon.
Old Business: None
Adjourn: 5 p.m.
Next meeting: May 11, 2 p.m. at Joan’s house. (HGC having a Rummage Sale at Clubhouse)
Joan Crothers, Secretary