Settlement Possible in Condemnation Action

The City of Dacula may be nearing a settlement with a local property owner regarding a .

The Dacula City Council met in executive session during a Feb. 24 called meeting to discuss the .

No action was taken as a result of the 30-minute executive session.

During the work session that followed, city administrator Jim Osborn said the city is in the middle of a negotiated settlement, but a resolution approving the exercise of eminent domain to condemn the property remains on the agenda for the March 3 council meeting.

Other items discussed during the work session included:

• A . Osborn said he has met with affected property owners and does not foresee any problems with obtaining the necessary right-of-ways should council approve the plan. The project calls for creating a two-way entrance at the intersection of Second Avenue and Dacula Road. As planned, the project would allow traffic to turn right onto Second Avenue and would allow motorists to turn right only off Second Avenue onto Dacula Road.
• The purchase of a new leaf/chipper truck for the street department. Osborn said the city’s current truck, a 25-year-old vehicle purchased in 2004 for $4,500, had suffered a “catastrophic” failure related to its transmission. Osborn said the cost to repair the vehicle would equal or exceed the value of the truck. City officials are considering purchasing a new truck for $30,577. Additional options such as four-wheel drive and a snow plough attachment are being considered.
• A resolution to partner with the Georgia Department of Revenue to ensure sales taxes are being collected from Dacula businesses. Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks said a case study showed millions of local tax dollars were not being collected by the state. The resolution would require the city to transmit city business license information to the Department of Revenue.

The city council will meet in regular session on March 3 at 7 p.m. The council meets at , 442 Harbins Road.