Canton council approves guardrail grant, theater restroom renovation and appointments; several zoning hearings deferred to February

After more than two hours of public hearings, the Canton mayor and council moved into business and took several formal votes.

Minutes: Council approved draft minutes from the Dec. 12 council year-in-review work session and the Dec. 18 council meeting after a motion and second (council recorded that "all members voted for the motion").

Laurel Canyon Parkway guardrail (2025 safety action plan): Public works proposed replacing rotted wooden guardrail with powder-coated steel and awarded a contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $180,000. The project is funded by a 2025 safety-action grant covering roughly $138,000 with a required ~30% local match; staff said the city will use SPLOST funds to cover the remainder. Council moved to approve the grant-funded guardrail replacement and authorized up to $180,000 for the contract.

Canton Theatre restroom renovations: Staff presented a design/build proposal from Bunker Design House to upgrade restrooms for ADA compliance, ventilation and finishes at a cost of $49,610.50 (design plus 1% contingency). Council approved the proposal not to exceed the $50,000 budgeted amount and acknowledged a roughly three-week temporary closure of the theater to complete the work.

Appointments: The mayor read a slate of reappointments and new appointments across multiple boards and commissions (Board of Appeals, Main Street Board, Downtown Development Authority, Historic Preservation Commission, Canton Tourism, Cultural Arts Commission). Council approved the slate by voice vote.

Other business: Staff briefed the council on a planned website upgrade to meet DOJ/ADA compliance requirements by April 2027 and an estimated migration cost of about $30,000; council will consider action at an upcoming meeting. Several public-hearing items (the Ball Ground Highway annexation/rezone, Rivergreen amendment and 264 Marietta rezoning) were closed and scheduled for staff follow-up with action deferred to the council's first February meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Laurel Canyon Parkway guardrail (2025 safety action plan): Motion to approve; outcome: approved; authorization: not to exceed $180,000. (motion: Council Member S19) - Canton Theatre restroom renovations (Bunker Design House): Motion to approve design/build proposal not to exceed $50,000; outcome: approved. (motion: Council Member S7) - Draft minutes (Dec. 12 and Dec. 18): Motion to approve; outcome: approved. (motion: Council Member S3) - Board and commission appointments (slate): Motion to approve slate; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation and personnel: Motion approved and council adjourned to executive session.

All votes on the above business items were recorded in open session by voice vote with council announcing approval; the public hearings remain open for record and will return with follow-up materials before council votes.