The Rundown gives you a summary of the City Council meeting from Jan. 24.

With a packed house, Mayor Donnie Henriques gave the State of the City address recapping the City’s accomplishments from 2010 and highlighting his Top 10 Wish list. You can view the message from the mayor in the videos.

1. The LCI Project becomes past tense.
2. The interchange is well underway.
3. Council meetings back in downtown, the heart of our City.
4. An improved City Park, along with a first-class concert facility.
5. More new businesses, driving more visitors downtown, with increased parking and a more pedestrian friendly environment.
6. A balanced budget that continues to meet the needs of the people and also allows for a growing emergency fund.
7. The City’s first dog park, along with many more miles of trails bringing the Greenprints Program into better focus.
8. The beginning of commercial development in Ridgewalk.
9. Work begins on the expansion of Towne Lake/Arnold Mill-left turn lane at Main Street.
10. The welcoming of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame to its new home-Woodstock.

Recognitions

• Mayor Donnie Henriques presented a plaque to David Dyer for his service on the Woodstock Planning Commission from November 2006-November 2010.
• Allison Chandler, Senior Olympics Committee, presented a plaque of appreciation and a T-Shirt to Henriques and Preston Pooser for the City's support of the Senior Olympics.
• Fire Chief Dave Soumas awarded Daniel Allen his lieutenant promotion pin. Allen has been with the Woodstock Fire Department since January 2001 working his way up the chain from fire fighter, sergeant and then captain of Fire Station 10. Benjamin Reed, who has been with the department since January 2010, was also awarded his fire fighter pin.

2010 Christmas Jubliee Parade Float Winners:

• Best Holiday Float - Steppin' Out Performing Arts Center
• Most Original Float - Sunshine House

2010 Christmas Decorating Contest Winners:

• Best Use of Lights - Chris and Sandy Reeves
• Mayor's Award - Chris and Sandy Reeves
• Best Christmas Elegance (Business) - Whole Nine Yarns
• Best Christmas Elegance (Residential) - Melinda Herrick, Downtown Woodstock

Honorable Mentions

• Best Use of Lights - Maria Campos and Bonnie Hanes
• Christmas Elegance - Suzanne Mauritz

Appointments

• Councilwoman Tracy Collins appointed Deana Hamilton to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Streets / Landscape

• The Greenprints Alliance will hold its second annual Streetfest 2011 March 26 after the approval of closing East Main Street, Chamber Street and Wheeler Street. The Alliance is partnering with YMCA to do a 24-mile challenge race to raise awareness of trails that will start and end in downtown with canoeing down the river and 6-mile mountain bike.
• The council approved the resolution to support the Interstate 575 exchange at Rope Mill Road presented by City Manager Jeff Moon. Henriques pointed out Woodstock is the only city in the state that does not have jurisdiction over its interstate.
• The Council approved amendments to the condition of zoning for 4.52 acres of land at 202 Rope Mill Road. At the Jan. 10 meeting, the council had issues with the heavy vehicle wording and tabled the decision. This land relates to outside storage, heavy vehicle limitations and potential uses and the amendments were approved on the conditions of heavy vehicles could not be on sight 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. and no more than two vehicles can park overnight. 

Updates

• The final four cities gave presentations to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Board Friday and rating cards will be turned in Tuesday with results being released Wednesday. Moon pointed out half the board members are from Macon. “Would not shock me if they decide to keep the Hall of Fame in Macon. We may lose the first battle,” Moon said. Once a community is selected in the initial rounds, the Woodstock Hall of Fame committee can speak publicly about the process.
• Steve Edwards of Advanced Disposal gave an update on the Cell Phones for Soldiers Project. The City and Advanced Disposal collected 102 used cell phones and purchased 60-minute phone cards equaling 6102 minutes for soldiers the week of Veterans Day. This project was started by two teenagers who read an article about two soldiers in Iraq who ran up their phone bill, and they wanted to make a difference. The project plans to continue this year.
• The alternative water source recommendations were presented by Moon, but won’t be an official agenda item until Feb. 14. Moon said Woodstock needs to control its water supply to survive as a system. Phase 1, which will evaluate available water and what it needed, will cost $45,000.

Announcements / Events

Black History Month:

Feb. 5 - 4 p.m. Kenyan High Tea at the Community Center

Feb. 26 – 6 p.m. Harlem Renaissance at the Community Center

Month-Long Exhibit of African Artifacts at the Woodstock Public Library

Feb. 10 – 7 p.m. Ward 1 Towne Hall Meeting at the Community Center

Feb. 11, 12, 13 – Mayor and Council Retreat at the Ramada Inn, Hiawassee

Feb. 18 - Arbor Day- Free seedling giveaway and planting a tree in honor of Jeff Hughes, 20-year employee

Feb. 19 - Noon – Polar Plunge, Fundraiser for Special Olympics, at Lake Lanier Islands

Feb. 21 - Work Session is canceled

March 5 – Greenprints Alliance Night with the Atlanta Thrashers

Woodstock Police Department is now taking applications for the Spring Civilian Police Academy.

City Dump Trucks will now have snow and plow mounts on the front of the trucks.

Carmel Elementary School’s Gene Jackson is having a retirement party Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the school. Jackson is retiring after 35 years of service and the City is going to show their appreciation and support.

Wing Fest was approved for June 4 in the Woodstock City Park pending legal approval. Wing Fest is a free event where individuals can buy food, beverages and Wing Tickets for approximately 15 vendors with a Wing Eating Contest, KidZone and other activities provided by an outside source.