Dawson council votes to withdraw dome home ban

By Janet Jacobs

January 08, 2008 12:55 am

— The Dawson City Council rescinded a city ordinance forbidding “dome” homes in the city limits when it met Monday in regular session.
“Because it was not properly posted,” explained Councilwoman Debye Woodall.
The vote was unanimous. The decision took place following nearly an hour of closed executive session with the city’s attorney, Terry Jacobson.
Woodall said after the meeting that no legal actions had inspired the withdrawal of the ordinance.
On Dec. 3, the Dawson council voted for an ordinance to prevent the construction of dome or monolithic homes in the Dawson city limits. At the time, Monolithic Homes, a development company from Italy, Texas, had already begun work on a dome housing project in Dawson. Stephanie Simmons was the only council member to vote against the initial measure. The proposal had been posted as a “building codes ordinance,” and did not specifically mention dome homes.
In other business, the Dawson council voted to raise trash/sewer rates by 67 cents per meter beginning in February. The increase reflects a 4.3 percent increase from Allied Waste, which contracts with the city.
“The city will be charged irregardless of the action the council takes,” explained Mayor Paula Sears.
Councilman Sonny Slater pointed out that the city didn’t have much choice in the matter. The motion was made by Woodall, seconded by Stephanie Simmons and approved unanimously.
B.G. Williams gave an explanation of the road work his company, B.G. Williams Asphalt, could do for the city if given the project to resurface Gilmer. One block, at Fourth, would be left out of the resurfacing project to allow for a sewer project in the near future. The city expects to receive a state grant for the sewer line project.
His work would include “grinding up” the current top layers, mixing it with the existing base, and then putting asphalt over that.
Williams said his bid on the work would be $35,136, not including any extra subsurface materials. The city could purchase base materials from the county for a reduced cost.
Another bid, to completely rebuild the roads, was in excess of $154,000.
The city also voted to go along with the county on its burn ban, and to lift it automatically when the county takes that action.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

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