Mundy Mill annexation approved

GAINESVILLE - It is done.

The largest City of Gainesville annexation that anyone can remember is finally "on the books," following a vote of the city council Tuesday morning.

REL Properties and its attorney breathed a sigh of relief when the Gainesville City Council unanimously passed the four annexation and rezoning ordinances on second reading, bringing the 600-acre tract into the city.

Conditions imposed by Hall County and the Gainesville Board of Education were met and Mayor George Wangemann personally welcomed REL into the city.

Comany founder, Robert E. Lanier, restated his committment to build a "quality" development.

Mundy Mill, located on two sides of Mundy Mill Road, between Old Flowery Branch and Old Oakwood roads, is planned as a multi-use development that will include about 2,000 housing units.

City Manager Bryan Shuler said REL Development's donated school site land could be used or sold by the Gainesville School Board when it is time to build a new elementary school.

"Once they sell the property then they deovote the proceeds of that sale to a new school within 60 days," Shuler sdaid.

School system survey results indicated the donated site might not meet state standards because of a nearby industry.

Shuler said conditions could change because the School Board likely won't be using or selling the property for several years.

LICENSE FEE HIKE APPROVED FIRST READING

Gainesville City Council took the first step toward raising license fees for some businesses on a 3-2 first reading approval.

Mayor George Wangemann cast one of the no votes, telling Council he was not changing his stand against raising the fees.

Why penalize those who are doing just what we hoped they would do, that is, grow their business," the Mayor said.

City Councilman Bob Hamrick previously said the modest fee hike would bring additional city revenue to keep the cost of government off property tax payers.

Hamrick the fee hike effects businesses with twenty-five employees or less.

A survey showed Gainesville fees were out of date and below what other cities were charging.

VACCINE PRIORITIES

With the sharply limited supply of flue vaccine this year, Gainesville's emergency responders, police and fire fighters, will get first priority for the 200 doses alloted to the city.

Council member Ruth Bruner said Tuesdsay the city would not request more than that amount.

"We really think it should be available as much as possile for infants and elderlu people and the general public," Bruner said.


WHEN HALLOWEEN?

Gainesville City Council is leaving it up to the trick or treaters on when they want to observe Halloween.

The answer was no when Mayor Pro Tem Mark Musselwhite asked if Council should set an observation policy like other cities since the night of the "Great Pumpkin" falls on Sunday this year.

"People are going to do it both days anyway," Council member Myrtle Figueras said.

Figueras said Council should not decide for people when they observe Halloween.