The Fayetteville City Council in a brief meeting June 3 approved a change order for the Ga. Highway 314/Banks Road intersection project and the retirement and sale of police K-9 dog “Duke.”

City Engineer Don Easterbrook recommended the $24,871 change order for the construction of the 1-cent sales tax-funded full turn lane and sidewalk project on White Road approaching Hwy. 314. The project is part of the larger 314/White/Banks intersection project.

Easterbrook said the work was originally designed for the connecting sidewalks project because city officials thought it would be done first. But now it makes more sense to complete this work with the other work at the intersection as part of the overall Hwy. 314/White Road/Banks Road project, Easterbrook said.

“We will be able to complete all the work at the intersection at one time instead of impacting the intersection twice. This work will be deducted from the connecting sidewalks project so there is no net loss to the city,” Easterbrook said in a May 27 memo.

Also at the meeting, Police Chief Steve Heaton recommended the retirement and sale of Duke, oldest dog in the department’s K-9 unit. Heaton said Duke has encountered problems re-certifying and is recommending that he be sold to his handler, who has offered to pay $500. The council agreed to the sale.

Heaton said Duke was purchased with drug seizure funds. The $500 sale price for the dog will be returned to that account, Heaton said.

Heaton said the department would not be replacing Duke at this time.