Naturally,

Peachtree City's budget will be a major recurring topic at the annual

City Council retreat scheduled for this weekend at the Wyndham Peachtree

Conference Center.

The retreat

will begin at 8 a.m. Friday and is scheduled to last until approximately

5 p.m. Saturday's session begins at 8 a.m. also, ending with a lengthy

session with the Planning Commission scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m.

One particular

issue already seems headed for rigorous debate: a proposal to study 14

neighborhood collector and residential streets to determine if traffic

calming devices are needed. Some of the more drastic devices include speed

humps, raised crosswalks and street closures.

In a memo to

the CityCouncil, Fire Chief Stony Lohr expresses concern that the traffic

calming program, particularly the use of speed humps, could increase response

times, increase the chance of injury to patients and potentially damage

the city's fire trucks and ambulances.

Nine of the

14 streets proposed to be studied are already at or beyond the geographical

limit for the department's initial emergency response goal, Lohr added.

The initial

cost of the study is $10,500, which will likely come out of the council

contingency fund, but costsfor traffic calming devices range from $5,000

to $30,000.

The discussion

on traffic calming measures will take place Friday at 1 p.m.

Council also

is slated to discuss an initiative to freeze property assessments for

senior citizens as a tax break. The proposal, which would freeze the assessed

value of property owned by residents over age 70, is estimated to cost

the city only $33,614 in revenues.

Such a plan

must be approved by a majority of city voters on a referendum before it

can be enacted, according to City Attorney Rick Lindsey. The initiative

will also require legislation to be introduced by the Georgia Legislature.

Council will

also discuss a proposed ordinance to limit rental of single family homes.

In a legal opinion, Lindsey advised council that such a law would likely

be overturned by the courts.

Councilman

Murray Weed also will lead discussion on a list of proposals he recommends,

including the creation of a police substation in the Wal-Mart/Home Depot

area. Weed also proposes the creation of a dog park where dogs will be

allowed to roam unleashed but under voice command of their owners.

Council also

will discuss plans to equip council chambers with video cameras so council

meetings can be taped for broadcast over a local cable access channel.

The complete

schedule for the retreat, along with supporting information, can be downloaded

from the city's Web site, www.peachtree-city.org , by clicking on

the link to "City Council Meeting Packet Online."