Monday’s meeting of the Palmetto City Council was one of the shortest in recent history. But sometimes the duraton of a meeting is not the most important factor. A question posed by a resident related to the city’s proposed annexation plans helped illuminate the issues surrounding the move.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident asked for clarification on the city’s annexation plans and whether the city might purchase the targeted property. Boddie explained that the city would not purchase property, planning instead to proceed with the proposed annexations contingent on the approval of 60 percent of land owners and 60 percent of registered voters in those areas. Boddie explained the annexation process, providing a brief history of the recent legislation that will culminate in June 2007 with a vote by residents of unincorporated South Fulton County on whether to create the cities of Chattahoochee Hills and South Fulton. The city’s current move, Boddie said, is that of talking with residents and property owners and exploring the chance to be annexed into the city if they choose to do so.

Boddie added that, though the situation might change, the city’s current posture is to pursue the annexation as two separate proposals. One annexation proposal includes an area of land east of Ga. Highway 154, portions of which would become the City of South Fulton while the other proposal relates to the area west Hwy. 154, portions of which would become the City of Chattahoochee Hills. If successfully annexed, those areas would effectively double the city’s current size. A third, future annexation proposal involves land in Coweta County toward I-85, Boddie said.

Responding to another question about the need for additional police officers, Boddie said that while he could not predict the outcome, he expected that an increase relevant to the department would be forthcoming with the next budget cycle.

Also at the meeting, Russell Ross was reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Board and Gary Bowie was reappointed to Palmetto Housing Authority.

Boddie announced that city hall would be closed May 29 for Memorial Day. He said the garbage pick up schedule for the first week of June will be May 31 and June 3. Boddie reminded residents that the burning ban is in effect now through Sept. 30.

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