After a few months of consideration, the McDonough City Council voted at its August 15 regular meeting to approve the renaming of two streets in the downtown area.

The roadways in question are part of the one-way pairs going in and out of the square. The section formerly known as Jonesboro Street/Keys Ferry Street will become Mary Childs Street, while the section previously referred to as Geranium Drive will become Hattie Barnes Street. The street renamings were necessary due to conflicting names, according to city officials, and the names of these two ladies were brought into consideration after learning of their many contributions to their community as midwives.

In other business, the council approved an agreement with Brown Pelican Consulting, LLC, to provide assistance with Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.). According to officials, this agreement will include the four Henry County cities in a four-way split for total services rendered.

The city will also employ James L. Whitaker, P.C. to provide financial services for the year ending June 30, 2023, in the form of the year-end audit and internal control-related report, and other necessary reports to be in compliance.

An intergovernmental agreement with Henry County was approved for connectivity into the county’s network system for what city officials said would better provide and execute public safety services to its citizens.

An administrative variance was approved for Falcon Design/South Point Townhomes at 333-424 South Point Blvd. to allow a two-foot reduction in the required front setback, from 20 feet to 18 feet. A representative of the applicant said this would allow for front porches to be added to the townhomes.

Upon the request of the owner of Planters Lofts, a request was granted that will make Ice Street a one-way street from John Frank Ward to Keys Ferry Street. Police chief Ken Noble was consulted and he agreed that the direction change would improve traffic safety in the area.

The council approved the rezoning of a .43-acre site at 56 Cleveland Street from C-2 (central commercial) to R-85 (single-family residential), which staff recommended under as-built conditions.

A contract agreement with The Collaborative Firm to provide technical assistance with updating Title 17 (Zoning Code) and other related codes was also approved.

After executive session, the council voted to authorize the creation of a communications department for the city.