Canton OKs Sunday Alcohol Sales Referendum

Canton could join other Georgia municipalities tonight in deciding to put Sunday alcohol sales into voters' hands. That's one of a number of items the City Council will discuss during its meeting. Other highlights include:

• A discussion of the Main Street post office, which is if the U.S. Postal Service does not accept the to stay put rent-free.
• A resolution that outlines the city's wish that the keep its headquarters in Canton. The district wants to construct a new administrative building.

Canton-Sixes Patch editor Rodney Thrash is at the meeting. Follow his live updates here for further contemplation and comment. Click on the PDFs on this page for the complete agenda of tonight's meeting as well as letters from City Manager Scott Wood and Chief Financial Officer Scott Wood.

Post-script: According to Mayor Gene Hobgood, County Manager Jerry Cooper received an email from the United States Postal Service today. The Main Street post office has declined the county's offer to stay put.

6:51 p.m: The Canton City Council just adjourned. The meeting ended in record time: 51 minutes.

6:50 p.m.: Council approves Robillard as the reservoir building architect.

6:47 p.m.: Despite Hatabian's comments, the council wants to go with Mark Robillard as the reservoir building architect. Robillard was the lowest bidder.

6:42 p.m.: Dave Hatabian is again discussing quotes for the reservoir manager's office and why the board of managers wants to stick with the second lowest bidder. There were three bids: Mark Robillard, $30,000; Croft and Associates, $37,100; Lusk Construction, $39,100. , Hatabian recommended Croft. He said the vote, which included folks from Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, was unanimous for Croft even though it wasn't the lowest bidder.

6:37 p.m.: City Manager Scott Wood said the IRS audited the city's 2005 bonds. "We're in good shape with the IRS," he said.

6:36 p.m.: Mayor Gene Hobgood reads resolution into the record that outlines the city's desire to keep the headquarters in Canton. The resolution is approved unanimously.

6:32 p.m.: Mayor Gene Hobgood discusses the Cherokee County School District's desire to expand its administrative building. He wants the district to consider staying downtown. "It will be a real good shot in the arm" to have them in the city, he said. Building A, which is the old Canton High School, may not be preserved as part of the expansion. Building B, the old elementary school, would be preserved.

6:29 p.m.: Mayor Gene Hobgood thanks the Cherokee County for offering the Main Street post office free rent to stay put.

6:28 p.m.: Council approves Sunday package sales resolution, which puts the item on the Nov. 8 ballot.

6:27 p.m.: Council tables alcohol code revision at council member Amelia Rose's request.

6:26 p.m.: Council approves pawn shop ordinance.

6:24 p.m.: Council approves reservoir buffer ordinance.

6:23 p.m.: Council approves boating regulations ordinance.

6:22 p.m.: Council approves resolution endorsing Community Development Block Grant application and project.

6:21 p.m.: Council approves resolution to adopt Technology Ridge Urban Redevelopment Plan and Opportunity Zone application.

6:20 p.m.: Consent agenda, which includes Hickory Flat Road and Waleska Street bid awards, approved.

6:00 p.m.: Meeting begins without council member Bill Bryan, who said he would be absent. "This Thursday & Friday is my daughter's orientation at Berry College," he wrote in an email to the council. "If circumstances allow, I will drive back to Canton for the Council meeting. But if I am not in attendance, this will be the reason. I regret that family obligations have caused me to miss multiple meetings this year but that is my priority right now. I will be attending the rate study meeting next week."