Multi-family rezoning request on City Council agenda Monday
News November 7, 2021
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council will consider a request to rezone property at 403 West Kytle Street from B-II Highway Commercial Business to R-II Multi Family Residential when it meets Monday (Nov. 8) at 6:30 p.m. in the Cleveland Community Center/Police Department, 342 Campbell Street.
The Council will also consider an amendment to City Zoning Ordinance for short–term rental.
Under New Business, there will be a request to provide city services (police, fire, sanitation) for the 2021 Christmas in the Mountains Parade.
Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, City Administrator Tom O’Bryant will provide monthly reports.
City approves Hazard Mitigation Plan
News August 4, 2021
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council approved a resolution to set the millage rate at 5.918 Monday followed by unanimous approval of the multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented by White County Public Safety director David Murphy.
The plan represents a commitment by the County and the cities of Cleveland and Helen to disaster preparedness and establishes a vision for reducing hazard risks and proposing specific action to reduce identified vulnerabilities.
“This has been going on for two years,” Murphy said. “City staff has been involved in the process. We’ve had representatives from the County, the City of Cleveland, and the City of Helen. The multi-jurisdictional plan has now been sent to FEMA for final review and approval. Part of the process to get final approval from FEMA is to have all the jurisdictions that are affected to adopt the plan.”
The County held a public information meeting on May 18 at the County Commission meeting room to allow the public an opportunity to review the plan and provide comments and suggestions.
Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker said his department had a very busy June. His department reported 2,346 incidents, including 850 premise checks, 694 public assists, 23 vehicle accidents, 105 investigative reports and 115 traffic citations.
Shoemaker asked for and received Council approval to declare as surplus three police vehicles that are no longer in service. He also received unanimous approval to purchase one Dodge Durango patrol vehicle from Jacky Jones Ford in the amount of $34,184.
Council gave first consideration to a draft ordinance that would permit short-term rentals within the city. Councilwoman Rebecca Yardley expressed concern about permitting process lacking an opportunity for the public to speak in favor of or in opposition to the application and the need for a new site inspection if the home is sold.
The proposed ordinance will come back before council at a future meeting.
City Council to hold public hearing on wastewater system improvements
News July 12, 2020
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Cleveland City Council will meet and hold a public hearing on the need for wastewater system improvements at 6:30 p.m. Monday July 13 in the Cleveland Community Center, 342 Campbell Street.
Meg Mbugua of Rindt-McDuff, a consulting firm that has been providing engineering and technical services to commercial, industrial, municipal and private development clients since 1980, will discuss the need for wastewater system improvements, compliance with Section 391-3-6-.02 of Georgia’s Water Quality Control Rules (and amendments thereto), and encourage public involvement.
Council will also consider a resolution to modify Hwy. 129 North Sewer Expansion Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan for the deferral of interest for 6-months.
Other agenda items to be consider:
Council’s appointment to the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission;
- A School Resource Officer agreement;
- Approval to waive penalties for delinquent utility bills for the month of July;
- Approval to disconnect utility accounts three or more months delinquent.
City Council to hold called meeting Monday
News May 29, 2020
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council will hold a called meeting Monday June 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Community Center, 342 Campbell Street. The public is welcome to attend the meeting in person, but standards recommended by the State of Georgia due to the coronavirus will be in place.
The public is also welcome to join the meeting by teleconference by calling 646-558-8656 Access Code 922-4360-0027 or by Zoom https://zoom.us/j/92243600027
City Engineer Brian Rindt will discuss several issues, including the wastewater treatment plant, Phase III of the bypass, the Hulsey to Warrior Tank waterline and the Jesse Hunt Road well status.
Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, Police Chief John Foster and City Attorney Grant Keene will present updates and City Administrator Tom O’Bryant will address the council on an amendment to the Old Blairsville Road Emergency Water Line Project and the continuation of waivers for past due utility bills and occupational tax license
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland City Council will meet Monday
News October 5, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council will read proclamations honoring the service of Cleveland Police officer Raymond Rutledge, and firefighters Mark Gunter and Martin Godfrey when they meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex, 85 South Main Street.
Council will also consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance, including a fee increase to cover the costs of processing and administering annexation requests as well as legal fees associated with annexation.
Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, Police Chief John Foster, Grant Keene and City Manager Tom O’Bryant are expected to present reports to the council.
Other items on the agenda include a discussion of:
- Oak Springs Civil Construction
- Water Loss Control Program
- Affidavit of ownership – Talon Property
- A contract to engineer future Oak Springs Nature Trail
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland City Council set to meet Tuesday
News September 2, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Cleveland City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Hall Annex.
Items to be considered by council are the recision of a letter to the Georgia Department of Pardons and Parole and a contract with Rindt-McDuff for an upgrade at the wastewater plant.
Beth Truelove White County Chamber of Commerce President Beth McGriff will request additional services for the annual Agri-Fest.
Police Chief John Foster and Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt will present their departmental reports.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Council approves resolution to reduce speed at Truett McConnell
News May 8, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council unanimously approve a resolution in support of reducing the speed limit in front of Truett McConnell University (TMU) Monday. The resolution now goes to the White County Board of Commissioners and, if approved, Senator Steve Gooch will deliver the resolution to the Georgia Department of Transportation for final approval.
TMU Director of Alumni Relations and Public Policy Dr. John Yarbrough addressed council, saying, “With our growth of property and students, we now have eight points of agress and egress within a quarter mile.” The reduction in speed from 45 to 35 mph, he said, would increase safety for students.
Council voted unanimously to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Board of Commissioners to accept the historic Oak Springs School and property from the county. The school, which was the first one in White County for black students, will be converted into a community center.
“Due to the historic nature of the school, city council is very interested in preserving it,” said City Manager Tom O’Bryant.
Council also approved the Georgia Municipal Association District Directors Ballot that includes Annie Sutton as second vice president and a request for City Clerk Connie Tracas to take an online course for accounting at a cost of $419.
O’Bryant met with White County and city of Helen officials last week to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with regard to a division of funds from a proposed 2020 special purpose local option sales (SPLOST) tax.
In earlier SPLOSTs, the two cities each received about 20 percent of the revenue. Both, however, agreed to settle for 13 percent in the last two SPLOSTs to help fund the county jail. Now they want a return to the 20 percent level.
O’Bryant said the city has identified a list of projects it would like to fund. Those projects would cost about $5.4 million and require about 20 percent of projected revenue. Any future SPLOST, however, must be approved by White County voters before it can be implemented.
Council approved the purchase of a Dodge 1500 pickup truck from Jacky Jones Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram to replace a city-owned truck that had a blown engine. Funding for the vehicle will come from voter-approved SPLOST funds.
Callie Armour, a White County Middle School student and 4-H member, told council about a project that her 4-H class is working on involving the building of a planter for the city square with plants and colorful plants.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland City Council to meet at new time today
News May 7, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Cleveland City Council will begin meeting at a new time, 6:30 p.m., today in the City Annex.
Callie Armour of Keep Cleveland Beautiful will give a presentation of a beautification project proposed for the town square.
Council will consider a resolution to reduce the speed limit in front of Truett McConnell University.
There will also be a discussion of an intergovernmental agreement with the White County Board of Commissioners to accept the Oak Springs School and property.
Police Chief John Foster, Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, City Attorney Grant Keene and City Manager Tom O’Bryant are expected to present departmental reports.
White County Sheriff Neal Walden will discuss a new agreement with the city relating to operation of the White County Detention Center.
There will also be status updates on the Windstream audit, Appalachian Regional Commission grant and 2020 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST), strategic housing plan for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the 2018-’19 budget.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
After 47 years, Councilman Young has retired
News December 12, 2017
Mayor Shan Ash presents proclamation to Councilman Edward Young who retired Monday after 47 years on the council.
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Much of Monday’s city council meeting was dedicated to honoring City Councilman Edward Young, who is retiring after 47 years of public service, and Jack P. Nix Elementary School for earning the prestigious Platinum Award as one of Georgia’s “Greatest Gains” schools.
Mayor Shan Ash read a proclamation to honor Young, who was first elected as city councilman in 1970. He then told Young, “I have known you all my life, and I appreciate all the time you spent with me while I was growing up. I consider you a true friend.”
Councilwoman Annie Sutton said, “I have really enjoyed working with you. You have taught me a lot and I appreciate how you welcomed me.”
Police Chief John Foster said, “It has been real good. I hate to see you go. You and I settled a lot of problems sitting at the picnic table at Country Cupboard.”
Ash also read the proclamation honoring Jack P. Nix Elementary School.
Mayor Shan Ash presents proclamation to Jack P. Nix staff (from left) Laurie Hall, Cheryl Allen, Stacie Ward, Kelcie Johnson, Michele Ash.
To receive “Greatest Gains” recognition, a school must earn a three-year average College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) progress score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile. The awards were developed by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and are part of the state’s Single Statewide Accountability System.
This is the first year the school was eligible for the award that measures how students grow academically. “We are really proud of the school and the work they do,” said White County School Superintendent Jeff Wilson.
Mayor Ash introduces Cub Scout Isaac Parker, who led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and Isaac’s sister Elizabeth
Isaac Parker, a student at Jack P. Nix and a high-achievement Cub Scout, led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council agreed to renew the city’s Key Risk workers’ compensation plan which will see the premium increase by $4,600 from the previous year to $49,935 in 2018.
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 FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland’s new water tank is ready to serve city
News November 14, 2017
Cleveland City Council learned Monday the city’s new water tank is ready for use
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council heard from City Engineer Brian Rindt Monday who said the long-awaited water tower is now “substantially” complete and ready for use.
Rindt reported the tank was filled to the five-foot level Monday. The contract called for the work to be completed by Nov. 7, and Rindt said the company had requested an extension of five days due to inclement weather. Council voted unanimously to award the extension, meaning the contract was completed in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The company now has 30 days to complete a punch list that includes grading, grassing and fencing.
Rindt also informed the board that casing in well no. 7, located on East Jarrard Street, does not meet EPD standards for the thickness of the casing and must be brought up to the agency’s standards.
Council then voted unanimously to spend $7,900 with Lanier Well Drilling to make the necessary improvements.
Beth Truelove requested the city provide services such as police, fire and sanitation for the annual Christmas in the Mountains Celebration scheduled for Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. Her request received unanimous approval.
Council discussed possible future annexations but decided not to move forward at this time.
City Administrator Tom O’Bryant updated the council on the status of one of the city’s fire trucks that is in need of repair. O’Bryant said the city received two estimates, one for $112,000 and the other for $150,000. He also presented the council with an option to purchase a 1997 fire truck from Brackets Fire Truck Repair for $96,000. The vehicle comes with a six-month, bumper-to-bumper warranty. It has an engine and transmission installed in 2009.
Council gave unanimous consent to purchase the used ladder truck.
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 FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland Fire Chief Reports First Use of NARCAN in suspected drug overdose
News August 8, 2017
Cleveland Fire Chief
CLEVELAND, Ga. – During Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting, Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt reported his department had a very busy month, responding to 86 calls in the city and 35 in the county, including one in which the recently-purchased NARCAN potentially saved the life of a drug overdose patient.
“Firefighters were called to assist White County EMS with an overdose patient,” Pruitt said. “They administered two doses of NARCAN and brought them back around. So, there is definitely a need for it in the city.”
NARCAN is the only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone which is used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.
Pruitt added that his firefighters have been trained in the use of NARCAN and his firetrucks are now equipped with it.
Police Chief John Foster reported that his department has been extremely busy. “It’s amazing how many calls we’re having to answer,” he said. “Walmart reported to us the other day that they have had 13-14 instances of shoplifting by the same group of people and we’re working on that now.”
City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an increase in the occupational tax license and the addition of an administration fee at Monday’s meeting. If approved on second reading, the increase would be $15 per employee up to 50 employees and $10 for each employee over 50.
Council also approved renewal of the School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement with the White County School Board. That agreement calls for the school system to pay $50,000 annually for one SRO to be on duty from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the 180-day school calendar. Additionally, the Cleveland Police Department can, at the discretion of the Police Chief, provide SRO services outside the scope of this agreement at a rate of $35 per hour.
Council also agreed to provide $300 for the city attorney to attend a city/county attorney seminar sponsored by the Carl Vincent Institute of Government at the University of Georgia in Athens.
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 FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland City Council Meeting Announcement & Agenda
Legal Notice August 5, 2016
Cleveland City Council Meeting
Monday, August 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. City Hall Annex.
Agenda:
Police Chief John Foster Says Apartments are a Hub for Drug Deals
News July 13, 2016
CLEVELAND — The dilapidated Blue Ridge Apartments in Cleveland are not just an eye sore, they have become a “hot spot” for drug activity and earlier this month a gang member was arrested there.
Police Chief John Foster said Wednesday he told the owner to clean up and renovate the apartments or he will shut them down.
“We don’t want to do that but if we can show that it has become a drug haven, it can be declared a public nuisance and they can be made to close down,” he said.
At Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting, Foster said police have a lot of problems at the apartments at 105 Bryant Street. He said Monday morning they had been called out for an incident in which a female resident had her throat cut. Foster said it turned out that she cut her own throat in an attempt to commit suicide.
On July 1, he said a suspected gang member was arrested on drug charges by Cleveland Police and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Agency
Foster said the apartments are falling down and that they no longer have a single outside light because of the drug activity. All of them have been knocked out.
“We need to look at a maintenance ordinance for apartment buildings,” Foster told the city council.