Helen City Commission looks for ways to prevent pollution of the Chattahoochee River
News November 22, 2017HELEN, Ga. – Various stakeholders, including city officials, citizens who live on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, tubing rental company owners and outfitters participated in a spirited 45-minute discussion about what to do about the trash in and along the river during Tuesday’s Helen City Commission meeting.
Helen is one of the most heavily visited towns in Georgia and tubing on the ‘Hooch is a favorite pastime. While those who choose to float the river are part of the problem, they certainly are not all of it.
Mayor Helen Wilkins said plastic bottles and flip flops are a major problem. She added that she hopes flip flops will be banned.
David Greer, who lives along the river, says tubers lose plastic bottles and flip flops when they hit the rapids and are unable to recover them.
Representatives of Helen’s tubing rental companies, Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing and Waterpark, attended the meeting and told commissioners they do their best to prevent trash from getting into the river, and they make daily runs down the river to clean up any trash they find.
Derek Long, of Helen Tubing and Helen Waterpark, told commissioners, “I’m not saying there’s not a problem. There is a problem. I am saying that there are angles too that a lot of people haven’t seen as far as us trying to help clean up. It’s a lot bigger task than for just two tubing companies.”
Commissioner Jeff Ash suggested the formation of a committee made up of himself and another city commissioner, representatives from both tubing companies, Jimmy Harris of Unicoi Outfitters and others to meet in January, February and March, to come up with a plan to end the river pollution.
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Helen City Commission Holds First Reading of Proposed 2017-’18 Budget
News June 22, 2017HELEN, Ga. – The Helen City Commission held the first public hearing for the city’s proposed $3.5 million fiscal year 2017-’18 budget Tuesday. The second and final hearing is scheduled for July 18 at 3 p.m.
The new spending plan calls for $3,510,505 in expenditures. General government operations will command the largest part of the budget at $1,010,350, followed by the police department ($773,700), fire department ($712,026) and public works ($524,179).
The water and wastewater fund is expected to generate the most revenue at $1,058,500, followed by the hotel/motel tax ($975,000), sales tax ($760,000), Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax ($622,400) and property tax ($400,000).
Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the contract with the White County Convention and Visitors Bureau that calls for the CV&B to pay $3,000 monthly rental for the building it occupies plus utilities and the city to distribute a percentage of the hotel/motel tax revenue to the CV&B.
After a lengthy discussion with David Jones, owner of Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen and Chocolate Factory, commissioners unanimously denied a request to add a third sign to the business, saying it would violate the city’s sign ordinance.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
Federal Regulations Will Cost Helen Taxpayers Time and Money
News June 11, 2017HELEN, Ga. – As they often do, obtrusive and unnecessary federal regulations have delayed another local project and, in all likelihood, made it more expensive for taxpayers.
Last week, the Helen City Commission approved a contract to build a pedestrian bridge across the Chattahoochee River to Sautee-based Square Deal Enterprises, a company the city has frequently done business with and found to be more than satisfactory. Square Deal built an identical bridge for the city directly across Hwy. 75 and presented a bid that was the lowest of the four received.
But, because the agreement was to have been funded with federal Transportation Enhancement dollars through the Georgia Department of Transportation, it required that a percentage of the work be performed by a minority or woman-owned business. Square Deal did not meet that requirement. Only one bid did and that would cost the taxpayers an additional $270,000.
That left the city with only two options. Either pay the extra $270,000 or rebid the project. On Friday, the commission opted to re-open the bidding process.
City of Helen to get huge refund from Georgia Power
News December 22, 2017HELEN, Ga. – Just in time to brighten everyone’s Christmas, Helen City Manager Jerry Elkins reported this week that the city will receive nearly $200,000 in cash and services from Georgia Power Company as a result of the utility’s overbilling the city over the past couple of years.
Elkins said city officials have been working with the utility company to gain a better understanding of what the city was being billed. “We really didn’t understand how many street lights we had and how many we were being billed for or the wattage of the lights,” he said.
“We’ve been trying to get this cleared up for two years. When we met with their area manager Jason Stott, he worked with us every step of the way. They conducted an audit that showed we had been overcharged in the amount of $142,072.77 and they are going to refund that. In addition, we have some decorative street lights that have gotten old and need to be replaced. They have agreed to provide about $48,000 to replace those lights at no charge to the city,” Elkins stated.
Elkins added that now city officials understand exactly what they have and will be able to keep track of it better.
“I’m proud to say Georgia Power worked with us every step of the way. They stepped up and did what they needed to do,” Elkins said.
Disabled Vet Makes Powerful Plea For Helen Arts and Heritage Center
News April 5, 2017HELEN, Ga. — When you think about the Helen Arts and Heritage Center, you don’t think about the good work its volunteers perform for the veterans of Helen and White County and how much it means to them. But that is only because you haven’t met William Reed, a disabled veteran who served 18 years on active duty.
Reed’s powerful testimony at Tuesday’s Helen City Commission meeting not only made it clear what the HAHC means to him, it brought many in the room to tears.
Reed bravely stood before commissioners and, after a long, tearful pause, said, “I’m a disabled veteran. The program helped me a lot. It’s gotten me out of the house and involved in art. I feel it’s very important just to help keep me going, and to help other veterans. It helps us all get together.”
Reed thanked Veteran Art Program Director Lisa Cahill and Craft Care Specialist Nancy Ackerman for what they have done for him.
“(They) have been wonderful in supporting us and helping us. It really means a lot,” he said.
Reed’s testimony was so emotional there were numerous long pauses prompting Mayor Helen Wilkins to encourage him.
“Take your time,” she said. When he continued, he talked about how until he enrolled in the program, he didn’t go out in public much…how it had given him a sense of self worth.
Through a dual non-profit partnership with Help Heal Veterans, Inc., HAHC provides quality art based craft project kits, programs and activities designed specifically with the needs of veterans in mind.
But Ackerman said HAHC needs funding to continue to serve the community and she asked the commission to consider $20,000 in funding for 2017 and $30,000 for 2018.
The HAHC website says “Art is therapy. If we can offer something of quality to a group of men and women who have already given so much of themselves for us, then we have accomplished our goal.”
Workshops meet on Tuesdays from 10 am until noon. All veterans and spouse/caregivers are welcome.
City Council could vote on Ackerman’s request at its next meeting.
HAHC is located at 25 Chattahoochee Strasse
Helen Set For First Budget Public Hearing
News June 19, 2017HELEN, Ga. – Helen City Commissioners will hold a discussion followed immediately by the first public hearing on the proposed FY 2017-18 budget when they meet Tuesday (June 20) at 3 p.m. at City Hall.
There will also be a discussion and consideration of renewal of the contract with the Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as a proclamation inducting Warren and Lois Brown to the Helen Heritage Hall of Fame.
City Manager Jerry Elkins will present the monthly financial report.
Commissioners are expected to vote on a variance request for a third sign for the Hansel and Gretl Candy Factory at 8070 South Main Street.
A vote on amendment of the city ordinance as it relates to horse drawn carriages in the city is also expected.
Family Connection Appeals to Helen for Funding
Business May 17, 2017HELEN, Ga. — White County Family Connection Executive Director Judi Lawson, Annette Boswell and Lindsey Oliver attended the Helen City Commission meeting Tuesday seeking funds to help the them fulfill their mission.
Family Connection is a local decision-making body that brings community partners together to develop and implement, plans to address the serious challenges facing White County’s children and families. Many are homeless or live in substandard housing.
The organization provides food, clothing, assistance with shelter, school supplies, glasses and help with healthcare needs.
Ms. Boswell pointed out that there are about 90 homeless families in the county and 20-25 reside in Helen either in a camper or doubled up with family members. Some live in storage sheds.
Family Connection depends on funds from the community to allow it to continue to provide those services.
The organization currently receives $10,000 a year from White County and $5,100 from the City of Cleveland to help families. The group asked commissioners to consider including Family Connection when it begins its budgeting process next month.
Commissioners said they would get a preliminary look at the budget in June and would consider including Family Connection at that time.
Commission Tables Funding Request by Helen Arts & Heritage Center
News April 20, 2017HELEN, Ga. – The Helen City Commission Tuesday tabled for further consideration a request for funding from the Helen Arts and Heritage Center.
At the first meeting in April, the Center’s Craft Care Specialist Nancy Ackerman said the Center, which is manned almost exclusively by volunteers, needs funding to continue its work. She asked commissioners to consider funding of $20,000 for the remainder of this year and $30,000 for 2018. At that earlier meeting, disabled veteran William Reed gave powerful and tearful testimony about what the Center’s program for veterans had meant to him personally.
“The program helped me a lot,” Reed said. “It’s gotten me out of the house and involved in art. I feel it’s very important just to help keep me going, and to help other veterans. It helps us all get together.”
Commissioners approved holding the 2017 Southeast Victory Rally from June 1 through June 4, and closing Narr Wegg Street during the event to allow running the dyno machine. Event coordinators had requested the event take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day but commissioners decided 7 a.m. was too early to start the noise making dyno machines and set the hours at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
A request for a fence encroachment between Escowee Property Holdings, LLC and the City of Helen was unanimously approved.
Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a comprehensive adjustment to the fiscal year 2016-17 budgetary appropriations and held a second reading of an ordinance to amend the official code of the City regarding alcoholic beverages.
City Manager Jerry Elkins provided a financial report that showed total revenue collected by the city is $2,438,869 as compared to $2,299,386 at this time last year. Total expenditure are also slightly ahead of projections. Expenditures for the first nine months of the fiscal year are $1,922,518 compared to $1,896,838 at this time in 2016.
Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail Advances
News April 5, 2017HELEN, Ga. –Richard Riley provided an update on the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail at Tuesday’s Helen City Commission meeting.
“This has become way beyond what any of us thought could ever be developed, a really quality venue,” he said.
The 4,400-foot long concrete walkway is a Department of Natural Resources project that will connect the City of Helen to Hardman Farm Historic Site. It will be about 8 to 10-feet wide and will run along an old railroad bed on DNR property overlooking the Chattahoochee River. “We have a beautiful design with beautiful stone benches where you can sit and look out over the river and Nora Mills, an iconic spot.”
The $1.5 million project is being designed by Marietta-based Freedman Engineering Group and funded primarily by the state but with some help from White County and the City of Helen. It will be handicapped accessible with no motorized vehicles permitted. There will also be signs along the way that explain the area’s rich history.
“The more people we’ve talked to the more excited they have become,” Riley said. “This is a project that reflects very, very positively on the Sautee Nacoochee Valley heritage.”
Riley said requests for proposals (RFP) to build the trail will go out at the end of this month, a contractor will be chosen in May and he expects the trail to be completed by next Spring.
Commission Could Approve $570,000 Pedestrian Bridge Tuesday
News February 6, 2017HELEN, Ga. — The Helen City Commission is expected to approve a resolution authorizing the Georgia Department of Transportation and the City to ratify a contract for funding a pedestrian bridge on Main Street near Paul’s Steakhouse.
The joint agreement has a price tag of around $570,000. The state will be responsible for $300,000 and city taxpayers will fund the remainder.
The city is also receiving bids from contractors for the Escowee Street Sidewalk Project. City Manager Jerry Elkins said only one bid had been received as of late Monday afternoon but he expected to receive at least two more before tomorrow’s meeting.
Commission is also expected to appoint three members to the Planning, Design and Review Board, consider providing the United Way of White County a letter of approval to obtain a special event, non-profit license from the Georgia Department of Revenue for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises in conjunction with a celebrity golf tournament dinner to be held in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Center on April 17.
City Commission to Consider Alpine Coaster
News January 1, 2017HELEN, Ga. — Helen’s City Commission will elect a mayor and mayor pro tempore and administer the oath of office when it holds its first meeting of the new year at 10 a.m Tuesday.
The Commission will also hold a public hearing on Terry Sims’ application and conditional use permit from R-2 (medium density residential) to C-3 (highway commercial) for property located at 8409 Main Street for the purpose of constructing an Alpine Coaster.
The issue drew opposition from area residents during last week’s Planning Commission meeting who feel approval of the application could be detrimental to their property values and diminish the peace and tranquility of the area.
The commission will again discuss a proposal from Dona K. Burke to provide decorations for the city for fall and Christmas. The issue was postponed at last week’s meeting.
The commission will also discuss setting qualifying fees for candidates who run for city commission seats that expire at the end of this year.
Before adjourning, commissioners will then hold a first reading of an amendment to the city’s alcohol ordinance
HELEN, Ga. — Helen City Manager Jerry Elkins had high praise for Fire Chief Jody Prickett during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“You’ve improved a department that was in bad shape and we certainly appreciate that,” Elkins said.
When Prickett was hired in Sept. 2015, the fire department had only one full-time firefighter and three part-time employees. With Prickett’s guidance, the fire department now has seven part-time employees and seven volunteer firefighters and can provide round-the-clock protection.
But the council also expressed its gratitude for Prickett’s services in a more tangible way, presenting the fire department with a new Ford F-150 pickup truck purchased from Mike Jones Ford in Eastanollee. They presented the new vehicle when Prickett arrived for Tuesday’s meeting.
The truck replaces a 20-year-old Ford Bronco and is the first new pickup truck purchased for Helen Fire Department.
And there is another improvement in store for the fire department. The commission adopted a resolution utilizing a lease purchase of a new fire truck from the Georgia Municipal Association’s financial services program. The new fire engine, approved recently by the commission, is an HME Ahrens-Fox and will cost $406,802.
In other business, the commission the decision on a proposal by Donna Burke to decorate the city for fall and Christmas 2017, approved a second reading of an ordinance to amend the cities personnel policies and procedures.
Decorating the Alpine Village Becomes an Issue
News December 9, 2016HELEN, Ga. — Helen city officials agree that decorating the Alpine Village year-round is a critical element in attracting visitors. What they do not agree on is whether it should be done on a volunteer basis or if a professional should be hired to do the work under the supervision of City Manager Jerry Elkins.
Former Commissioner Donna Burke has submitted a proposal to decorate the town twice a year at cost of $8,000 a year.
Commissioner Cinnamon Spurlock said she would prefer the work continue on a volunteer basis.
“I would like to leave it volunteer,” Spurlock said during this week’s city commission meeting. “I understand the hours that go into it, but I just think that the money that’s being requested here can be spent elsewhere.”
Commissioner Helen Wilkins favors outsourcing the work. “If we want the town to continue to look as good as it does, I think we’re lucky if Dona will do it.”
Commissioner Jeff Ash also favors outsourcing.
“I agree with Helen,” Ash said. “You get what you pay for. I’d like to see it. We’ve reached the level in this town where everybody expects this town to improve each year. Ash added that whoever is selected for the work should be under City Manager Jerry Elkins’ direction.
Commissioners are expected to vote on the issue at an upcoming meeting.
Helen Approves Purchase of New Fire Engine for $407,000
News November 16, 2016HELEN, Ga. –The Helen City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to replace an aging Fire Engine No. 8 with a new $407,000 unit purchased from Michigan-based HME Inc. Commissioners also approved an additional $35,000 to purchase fire equipment.
Engine No. 8 is 20 years old and, if it should go down for any reason, the city would have to depend on White County Fire Department to respond to calls.
At a recent commission work session, Commissioner Helen Wilkins, who began serving on the commission in 1987 joked, “There has been a lot of wear and tear on me and on that fire truck.”
Fire Chef Jody Prickett thanked commissioners and said it would take about eight months for the new fire engine to be constructed. Meanwhile, the commission will decide on a financing method.
Prickett has expressed concerns about the age of the fire engine before. “I’m afraid that if something was to happen with this truck that we have currently, we don’t have a backup and we would have to rely on the county. As of right now the only spare [engine] that the county has got is being used as a front-line truck, so we would be up the creek if something was to happen with our engine. We do have a ladder truck that could respond to certain locations, but there are certain locations it can’t get to.”
When the new fire engine arrives, No. 8 will become a service truck and back-up engine.
The Commission also approved a Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) from the Georgia Department of Transportation in the amount of $21,397.45. The grant requires an 30 percent match from the city.
The city, which has long contracted with Atlanta Pyrotechnics for the fireworks show celebrating the 4th of July, agreed to renew the contract for two years at a cost of $10,070 per year.
Helen Celebrates Milestone in Tourism
News July 20, 2016HELEN — The City of Helen celebrated a major milestone at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.
City Manager Jerry Elkins proudly reported that the city that relies heavily on its tourism industry topped the $1 million mark in hotel/motel collections for the first time ever.
“Our fiscal year ends June 30 and at the end of that period for the first time in the history of Helen, we collected over $1 million worth of hotel/motel tax,” Elkins said. “The exact amount was like $1,011,000 at this point. There are a couple that are uncollected at this time, so that’s expected to go up just a little bit.”
That announcement was even more impressive considering the Alpine city’s lone hotel was closed most of the year due to a 2014 fire. The hotel had to be rebuilt.
Elkins said the hotel/motel tax allows the city to promote tourism through the Alpine Helen White County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The more tourism we get the more hotel/motel tax we collect and the better off our businesses are,” he said. “Everything at this time is thriving, and it’s real good times for the City of Helen.”
They city’s financial report, which won’t be complete until August, showed revenue increased by about $130,000 in FY 2015-16 over the previous year while expenses increased by about $73,745.
Elkins also reported that the new Holiday Inn should be open in the next 30 days and a new Marriott can begin dirt work soon.
“The city is in great financial shape,” he concluded.
City of Helen Approves New Budget
News June 7, 2016HELEN, Ga. — The Helen City Commission met Tuesday and unanimously approved the FY 2016-’17 General Fund budget of $2,969,727.
Key expenditures, include General Overhead ($997,015), Police Department ($788,000), Public Works ($500,000), Administration ($271,331) and Fire Department ($239,471).
The Commission also agreed to spend $650 to enhance features of the city’s website, including Constant Contact, an email notification system on a trial basis.
The new feature will allow residents and business owners to sign up through a link on the website and be notified of important information the city wants to share such as new infrastructure projects, new businesses in town, water ine breaks, boil water advisories, road closings.
The commission also approved the application of Ayaz Khalil of Hafsa Investment, LLC doing business as Kwik Sak located at 9677 Hwy. 75 North to sell package beer and wine.