Politics & Government

Live at the Cobb Commission Meeting

It's a light agenda tonight, but maybe there will be a surprise.

We're here live at the Cobb County Commission meeting. It's a light agenda, but commissioners are expected to approve a contract to build the new Austell Senior Center. Commissioners got a look earlier today at a master plan for Northeast Cobb's Mabry Park and are expected to approve it tonight.

7 p.m. There is a crowd here from the Friends of Mabry Park. They all have on blue shirts that say "Imagine" on the front and "...a place...." on the back with the group's website.

7:07 The pledge and prayer are out of the way.

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Commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Bob Ott recognize Walton High School’s men’s lacrosse team, men’s soccer team and women’s tennis team, all of whom won state championships this spring.

7:21 May 2011 is proclaimed Asthma Awareness Month.

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A proclamation is presented to the Lockheed Martin Leadership Association designating June 5 through 11 as Management Week in Cobb County.

7:23 A public hearing opens on the consideration of the Johnson Ferry Road Urban Design Plan. Many meetings have been held with businesses and residents about how to improve this area in East Cobb.

7:27 Staff has created a design with four hub areas along the road. Some will be more urban in nature and others more residential.

7:36 A speaker from the East Cobb Civic Association is excited that this is before you now. Community has worked long and hard on this plan.

A new speaker is an original member of steering committee. She thanks Commissioner Bob Ott. "It is critical that we have an urban design for this area."

Larry Savage says he doesn’t think the government should go out and determine how a community should look. He says that the community involvement has been poor and that the meetings weren't advertised very well.

7:43 Ott says this is the first step in a process, as a guide for development. The design has been community-driven. Many changes have been made to address any concerns.

The board accepts the design plan unanimously.

7:51 It's public comment time.

A speaker thanks police for their help in a recent robbery at his house.

A new speaker is opposed to proposed cuts in CCT routes. She says her housekeeper has no other way to get to her house.

Another speaker rides the 65 bus and says she has no other way to get to work.

8:15 The consent agenda, which includes approval of the master plan for Mabry Park, passes.

8:17 Several transportation items are approved, including improvements to Bells Ferry Road, Jiles Road and Barrett Parkway.

8:19 Commissioners approve a design/build contract with Choate Construction for the Austell Senior Center. The old building was flooded in 2009.

8:25 And we are adjourned.


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