A group of local establishment owners had requested the change from a 12:30 a.m. pouring limitation, and the Alcohol Control Board last month denied to recommend the council approve the measure.
Citing a favorable citizens survey, Councilman Jayce Stepp made a motion to approve the change, adding it would enable local businesses to be more competitive with surrounding counties and cities. Councilman Kari Hodge seconded the motion.
Despite the council's previous discussion, no conditions were added to the ordinance change. Mayor Matt Santini, who was expected to sign the ordinance Thursday night at which time it would become effective, had suggested additional food to alcohol sales ratio reporting and an extra licensing step.
Alcohol Control Board members and restaurateurs did not favor the proposed conditions.
Food service hours are also extended on the three evenings.
City's budget less than expected due to dip in property tax digest
Conducting the first reading of the fiscal year 2010-2011 Budget Ordinance, council members Thursday learned the budget will be lower than expected.
Of the $1.9 million sheared from the budget since the council's last budget work session in May, $1.8 million is expected to affect Cartersville schools. The now $142.5 million plan is up .13 percent from last fiscal year.
Both the schools' expected decrease and a decrease in the general fund are the result of a larger-than-expected dip in the property tax digest.
The council is expected to conduct a second reading of the ordinance at its next meeting June 17.
The proposed budget contains a 4.5 percent increase in water and sewer rates, and the council also Thursday conducted a first reading of a proposed ordinance amendment reflecting the change.
City officials say the increase, which would equate to $1.50 more on the average customer's monthly bill, is needed to fund Water Department operations.
The council also is set to take a second look at that proposed amendment June 17.
CVB requests budget increase to keep downtown welcome center
Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitor's Bureau Executive Director Liz Hood asked the council Thursday for a budget increase to allow the agency to continue to operate a downtown welcome center.
Hood said the current downtown location in the depot would move to the Clarence Brown Conference Center upon its completion and presented the council a petition containing the signatures of 70 Main Street businesses who say they feel a Main Street visitors center would be beneficial.
Commissioner Clarence Brown had made the decision to move the visitor center location. Hood said CVB would need funding to transition a part-time worker to full time to continue operating the welcome center on Main Street.
Councilman Dianne Tate, citing the funding discussion would come later, said it is important to have a downtown location to guide visitors to local establishments in that area.
The council also:
* Recognized the Linda Gray home at 426 W. Main St. and the Jay and Shawn Eckard home at 229 W. Church St., chosen by the Historic Preservation Commission, for Outstanding Projects in 2009. The commendation marks the end of National Historic Preservation Month.
* Approved a rezoning request by David Sinclair for 1.829 acres at 90 Natchi Trail from R-20 to P-D with conditions.
The land is surrounded by a much larger tract that was rezoned to P-D last year.
* Approved an Alcohol Ordinance amendment that allows license holders to generate computerized security camera logs instead of handwritten records.
* Approved an Utilities Ordinance amendment that allows the city to meet federal requirements based on kilowatt hours of electricity sold per year.
* Appointed Amanda Moore to the Library Board to fill the un-expired term of Maurene Shealy.
* Approved a contract with Georgia Power and a contract AT&T, both for utility relocation for the Main Street Gateway Project, for $28,755 and $114,882, respectively. Both projects are funded with 2003 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax dollars.
* Approved a Georgia Department of Transportation memorandum of understanding, agreeing to abide by Clear Roadside Program stipulations, which outline how far utility poles should be placed from the roadway.
* Approved a mutual aid agreement -- to render aid to another city and receive aid from another city in the event of large scale damage to the electric system -- to be kept on file at American Public Power Association.
* Approved the purchase of a bucket truck for the electric system from Altec Industries for $125,236.
* Approved the purchase of a sewer system inspection camera for $16,500 from Environmental Products of Georgia.
* Approved the purchase of the South Bartow sewer replacement project for $33,590 from C&L Contractors and approved the purchase of the Davis Street to South Bartow sewer replacement project from C&L Contractors for $26,550.
* Approved the purchase of a Kawasaki mule for use at the water plant from the Kawasaki dealer in Rome for $7,579.
The council also went into closed session with Water Department officials to discuss property acquisition, but took no action on the item.
Pettit Timber Company asked the council to re-open bids for yard waste disposal, citing it could save the city money. City Attorney David Archer Sr. is set to review the city's current contract with another service provider, and report back to council.