The Canton City Council heard some surprising news from the city's police department during its meeting Thursday.

Police Chief Jeff Lance announced the results of an undercover operation to test Canton retail stores and restaurants on selling alcohol to minors.

The results of the operation, which was conducted earlier this month, were "shocking," according to Lance.

Of the 32 retail stores that were checked, 12, or 37 percent, completed a sale to a minor. According to the police department, the stores were Quick Pick Food at 67 Waleska Street, CVS Pharmacy at 129 Marietta Highway, Canton Food Mart at 101 Riverstone Parkway, Citgo Quick Stop at 217 Riverstone Parkway, Tienda Y Carniceria Mi Pueblo at 180 Riverstone Parkway suite 120, Shell Enterprise Convenience Store at 245 Riverstone Parkway, Johnson's Mini-Mart at 520 Marietta Road, Tienda Y Carniceria Ramirez at 551A Marietta Road, Chevron Western Way Station at 111 Mountain Vista Boulevard, Chevron Express Stop at 3255 Marietta Highway, Crossroads Food Mart at 180 Butterworth Road and Exxon Food Mart at 1847 Marietta Highway.

Out of 40 restaurants checked in the operation, 27, or 67 percent, served alcohol to a minor. According to the police department report, the restaurants were Buffalo's Cafe at 1625 Ball Ground Highway, Dos Margaritas at 1558 Ball Ground Highway, Applebee's at 1421 Riverstone Parkway, Casidelli's at 1453 Riverstone Parkway, 7 Tequilas at 1451 Riverstone Parkway, Longhorn's at 1375 Riverstone Parkway, Okinawa at 1359 Riverstone Parkway, O'Charley's at 140 Riverstone Parkway, Moe's Southwest Grill at 135 Reinhardt College Parkway, Magic Sushi at 147 Reinhardt College Parkway, Dos Margaritas II at 111 Mountain Vista Boulevard, Tecali Grill at 132 Riverstone Parkway, Bodock's at 150 Riverstone Parkway, Hampton Inn at 710 Transit Avenue, Pizza Hut at 220 Marietta Highway, Williamson Brothers BBQ at 1600 Marietta Highway, Mandarin House at 1750 Marietta Highway, Yoon Sushi at 130 Prominence Point Parkway Suite 110, Mulan Chinese at 130 Prominence Point Parkway, Cherokee Lanes at 1149 Marietta Highway, Outback at 3 Reinhardt College Parkway, Goin' Coastal at 125 Main Street, Fabiano's Pizza at 190 Main Street, Winchester's Woodfire Grill at 110 Mountain Vista Boulevard, Rice Chinese & Sushi at 15 Laurel Canyon Suite 108, Taqueria Oaxauena II at 491 Marietta Road and the Tavern at Laurel Canyon at 400 Laurel Canyon Parkway.

"It is very shocking," Lance said. "We have never had numbers like this before."

He said the department is stressing to restaurants the importance of checking identification.

"You have got to watch that," he said. "We are getting into the summer. School is out and kids are out more.

Mayor Gene Hobgood was surprised by the numbers during the meeting.

"Holy Cow! That is some percentage," he said. "We need to concentrate on getting that number down."

Also during the meeting, Rebecca Johnston of the Downtown Development Authority asked the council that they be given time to review a number of ideas for generating revenue and opening up more parking in downtown for the merchants.

The council has been considering an increase in downtown parking fees with the amount of the increase going to the authority, which operates the Canton Theatre.

"We want the merchants to be happy and successful," she said.

The Canton City Council discussed the following items during its meeting Thursday:

Heard the first reading of a request for a beer and wine pouring license for Two Dads Pizzeria at 1453 Riverstone Parkway;

Heard the first reading of a transfer of outlet manager for the Ingles at 108 Riverstone Parkway;

Approved policy requirements for obtaining an alcoholic beverage license and a change of manager license;

Approved a policy establishing clarification of health benefits for dependents of employees who elected an early out window on retirement;

Approved a conditional use permit at 141 Railroad Street for use by Liberty Hill Church;

Scheduled a public hearing at the June council meeting on a proposed amended capital improvements element and five-year short term work program;

Approved a $78,000 contract with MACTEC Engineering and Consulting to develop a uniform development code;

Approved a resolution endorsing a community development block grant application for $65,000 for repairs to Boling Park;

Approved a city mitigation plan;

Approved consolidating 14 bank accounts across five banks into the Bank of North Georgia;

Interviews are being scheduled for the position of reservoir manager;

Held the first reading of a soil erosion, sedimentation and pollution control ordinance;

Bids for a sanitation contract are scheduled to be in by June 24;

Discussed moving forward with an agreement with the city of Waleska to build a booster pump station;

Occupants of a house on city-owned property on Big Oak Drive are expected to leave by early June. The city intends to advertise for bids to buy the house;

Discussed enrolling Canton Tourism and Canton Preservation into the next city audit;

Discussed confirming if a 3 acre site on the Canton Mill Loft property that was to be used as a dog park is in a flood way;

Discussed changes to the ethics ordinance but took no action;

Discussed the price of health care insurance but took no action;

A list of real estate properties owned by the city is almost complete; and

Discussed use of the soccer field at Boling Park but no action was taken.

After an executive session, the council agreed to purchase less than an acre at Marietta Road and Highway 140 for $12,400, began the condemnation process for less than one acre off Fate Conn Road and moved forward with acquiring 37.26 acres on Smithwick Creek through fee simple.

Councilman Bill Bryan was not in attendance.