Politics & Government

Council Puts Sunday Package Sales on the Ballot

Here's a live blog of Cartersville's Thursday city council meeting.

7 p.m. Returning from closed session for potential litigation and property acquistion, the council begins the meeting.

7:08 p.m. The council conducted public hearings on 2011 millage rates as follows:

• 1.38 mills, the same as last year, for "M and O" or general city government purposes,

Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• 17.23 mills, also the same as last year, for property taxes collected and used by city schools, and

• 2.5 mills — at no change from last year — for the Business Improvement District in downtown Cartersville. It applies to business owners in the district.

Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

No speakers came forward during the public hearings.

7:09 p.m. The council unanimously approved a resolution to place Sunday package sales of alcohol as a referendum on the November elections ballot.

Two public hearings are set to take place when city councilmen amend the ordinance governing Sunday package sales.

Mayor Matt Santini said in a work session the move “doesn’t mean [the council] endorses [package sales on Sunday], it’s just an opportunity [for voters to decide.]” He added local store managers with whom he spoke said the measure would be good for business.

The state specifies the hours — between 12:30 and 11:30 p.m. If approved by voters, Sunday package sales would go into effect Dec. 2.

City officials say several cities around Cartersville are putting it on the ballot, with some smaller cities in Bartow considering a similar move.

7:21 p.m. The council approved an amendment to the it originally approved last month. Major changes include the payment schedule — the first $6.5 million the city would collect (if the SPLOST is approved by voters) would be paid to the county, which would then pay off Cartersville’s portion of the .

Assistant City Attorney said the city would save $5 million in interest by paying off bonds early with SPLOST proceeds. Job creation is the main goal with a SPLOST extension, officials say.

See the agenda packet attached to this article for a full list of projects associated with the proposal.

7:22 p.m. Leaders appointed City Clerk Connie Keeling to serve as the elections superintendent for upcoming elections.

7:23 p.m. Councilmen also approved an $8,616 contract with Bartow County Board of Elections to conduct elections this year.

7:29 p.m. ’s new year-round Cobias swim team will use the Adairsville High School Aquatic Center. The council approved $500 payments to for the months of August through April.

Parks and Recreation Director Greg Anderson said 41 participants have registered, and city officials expect more than 50 by the time the season begins in October. The city would need 45 to break even.

Swimmers ages 6 to 18 can participate for $50 to $65 per month.

7:30 p.m. Leaders approved an agreement with the , which will rent the third floor of the downtown Welcome Center as office space. The agency is moving and will pay $250 per month plus half the cost of utilities.

7:31 p.m. City councilmen approved a Right of Entry agreement with a property owner to allow Public Works to install a pipe arch culvert under Bob White Trail and ditching and pipe installation downstream.

The area has drainage and flooding problems.

7:32 p.m. The council approved an agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation, which will fund up to $900,000 of the Main Street Gateway Project, which includes GA 113 improvements and landscaping.

7:35 p.m. Councilmen approved payments for an emergency repair project at the . A hole appeared in the parking lot over a large cavern in which deteriorated pipe was found.

“We found that a complete structural failure had occurred due to corrosion that had eaten the pipe in two,” Public Works Director Bobby Elliott said in a memo. City crews repaired the problem area.

The total cost of the project was $89,207, which will be covered with storm water funds from the 2003 SPLOST.

7:41 p.m. The council approved the purchase of five police pursuit vehicles with funds seized from drug crimes. The total cost is not to exceed $210,000, and the Dodge Chargers will be purchased from a dealer in South Carolina which was the lowest bidder.

Police Chief Tommy Culpepper said his ’s current Dodge fleet has given excellent service, but its Ford CVPI has continual problems with paint and transmissions.

7:45 p.m. Councilmen approved three purchases:

• A press feed pump for $10,511 from Carl Eric Johnson Inc.

• A biosolids pump for $7,225 from GPM Inc.

• An actuator on the raw water valve on the feed line coming into the Water Treatment Plant for $8,745 from Harold Beck and Associates.

8:04 p.m. Following presentations on June finances and the Citizen's Survey, the council adjourned the meeting.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Cartersville