Cobb Keeps Moving Toward Light Rail

We're here live with the . It's a pretty light agenda, but you never know with these folks. The commissioners are expected to award the $1.8 million "Alternatives Analysis" light-rail study to Croy Engineering as the project manager. The study will examine what kinds of mass transportation will work on the Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 corridors, how much it will cost and where it should be built.

Also, commissioners are expected to transfer $80,320 in contingency funds to the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration to cover the cost of a Sept. 20 special election for the state House seat left vacant when Republican Bobby Franklin died. Five Republicans qualified for the election last week.

7 p.m. The invocation is given, and the pledge is led by the Boy Scouts of Troop 211, . 

7:05 Chairman Tim Lee is talking about the budget workshop that was held this afternoon. A public hearing will be held Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. on the 2012 proposed budget.

7:08 Three Eagle Scouts are being recognized by Commissioner Bob Ott.

7:09 The board recognizes alumna Michaela Grace Lackey for becoming Miss Georgia 2011. She will represent Georgia in the Miss America Pageant in 2012.

7:12 The Bus Operator of the Quarter Award goes to Bryan Brookins.

7:15 Public comment time.

Kevin Doyle, a 19-year resident of Cobb County, wants to talk about transportation. He praises the proposed TSPLOST project to run rail from Midtown Atlanta to Cobb.

7:19 Madeline Pond, a Girl Scout in Troop 263. Her family got a violation notification regarding her chickens. She explains what wonderful pets they are. She says she's speaking for all people who love chickens.

7:23 Joseph Pond speaks about the county's backyard chicken ordinance. He explains that the animals aren't livestock, but pets. They do not smell. Chicken waste makes good fertilizer, he says. Chickens do not lower the property value of surrounding properties.

7:27 Karen Jones. She is here to talk about the due to budget cuts. Her brother used to ride the buses that are for those who can't drive. Jones is against the cuts and wants the routes reinstated.

7:34 A new speaker is against spending so much money on the Alternatives Analysis light-rail study. She shows pictures of another study the group did and says it failed to meet standards.

7:40 The consent agenda passes.

7:41 The board approves a construction agreement with GDOT for S.R. 120/Dallas Highway Streetscapes, Phase 2.

7:43 The commissioners award the $1.8 million Alternatives Analysis light-rail study to Croy Engineering as the project manager.

The study will examine what kinds of mass transportation will work on the Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 corridors, how much it will cost, and where it should be built.

Director Faye DiMassimo said she expects the study will be done in 18 months. But that will be after voters in Cobb and nine other metro Atlanta counties vote on whether to pay a 1 percent sales tax for 10 years to finance transportation improvements.

The TSPLOST project list includes plans for a light-rail line from the Cumberland Mall area to MARTA's Arts Center Station.

7:55 The commissioners vote to authorize "requests for proposals" for a CCT advertising program.

8:10 More public comment.

The speaker is opposed to the CCT cuts and says the 600 people affected are being ignored. "Where is the leadership, Tim Lee?"

8:15 And that'll do it for tonight. We are adjourned.