[ January 07, 2026 ] The Jasper City Council held its first regular meeting of the new year on Monday, January 5, 2026. The session was marked by the welcoming of new leadership, the approval of several new business licenses, and significant discussions regarding city water policies.

New Leadership and Organization
The meeting began with a warm welcome to newly elected council members Tommy Davis and Steve Lawrence, marking the beginning of their "season of service" [00:00:11].
Oaths of Office Video on YouTube

In organizational matters, the Council unanimously appointed Jim Looney as the new Mayor Pro Tem. The nomination was made by the former Mayor Steve Lawrence, who praised Looney's past service as City Manager and his disposition for leadership [00:08:11].

Mayor and Council also solidified committee appointments for the year [00:08:49]:

• Development of Local Infrastructure: Foust and Hannah
• Finance & Administration: Looney and Davis
• Enterprise: Lawrence and Looney
• Parks and Properties: Davis and Foust
• Public Safety: Lawrence and Hannah

Planning and Development: Townhome Proposal Withdrawn
A major item on the agenda involved a public hearing for an annexation and rezoning request at 773 Fairview Road. The applicant, Smith Douglas Homes, had previously proposed a residential development consisting of 220 townhomes. However, City staff announced that the applicant requested to withdraw the application "without prejudice." The Council voted unanimously to accept the withdrawal [00:06:25].

Business and Licensing
The Council approved alcohol licenses for three establishments, signaling commercial growth in key corridors:

• Umami Tavern: Beer and wine by the drink approved for this new spot in Gateway Crossing [00:15:44].

• 1206 W. Church St: Package beer and wine approved for a location on West Church Street [00:19:38].

• Longhorn Steakhouse: Beer, wine, and liquor consumption on-premise approved for the new restaurant at the corner of Hwy 515 and Camp Road [00:21:03].

City Operations and 2026 Calendar
The Council approved the 2026 Tourism Development Services Agreement with the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce [00:09:37] and the proposal for long-term watershed monitoring for 2026, a requirement for the city's wastewater permits [00:13:16].

The 2026 meeting calendar was also adopted with a specific amendment regarding the September meeting. Due to Labor Day falling on September 7th, the Council voted to move the regular meeting to September 14th rather than August 31st to avoid schedule congestion [00:11:46].

Public Comments Focus on Water Access
Water service issues were a recurring theme during the public comment portions of the meeting.

Early in the session, property owner Sterling McNeel addressed the Council regarding difficulties getting water turned on for a commercial building at 27 Airport Road and a lot on Liberty Lane. He explained that despite the building having an existing meter, he was told he needed Council approval to reactivate service for a new tenant [00:02:44].

The meeting concluded with an unusual agenda amendment following an executive session. The Council returned to open session specifically to hear a complaint regarding a water shutoff at 120 Appalachian Court [00:33:09].

A representative for the property owner explained that the warehouse had been serviced by city water for 30 years. After a long-term tenant vacated in August, the city disconnected the water in September. The owner's request to reactivate the service was denied in December. The speaker pleaded for "common sense," noting the property has minimal water fixtures and needs water service to finalize a sale to a new business [00:36:02].

City Manager Updates
City Manager Mr. Douglas provided updates on several fronts:

• 2025 Wrap-Up: Praised the team for handling a water break before Christmas and the DDA for the downtown holiday decorations [00:22:38].

• Audits: The 2025 financial audit is underway, with findings expected in June [00:24:08].

• Infrastructure: The sewer rehab project is approximately 30% complete [00:24:57].

• GDOT Open House: Announced a Public Information Open House hosted by the Georgia Department of Transportation regarding State Route improvements, scheduled for next Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 4 to 7 pm at the County Admin building [00:26:00].


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