Downtown Canton parking rule violators will likely see higher fines, but a proposal for speed humps has hit a bump in the road.

The Canton City Council at its Sept. 16 meeting will consider a parking fee hike as recommended by the Downtown Development Authority.

The council reviewed the proposal at its work session on Thursday night.

Under the proposal, the $5 fine for the first overtime parking offense remains unchanged. The second offense within a day will increase from $10 to $15, and the third offense on the same day increases from $25 to $30.

Habitual parking violators, those who get three tickets in a month, would see their fourth ticket increase from $25 to $50, and the next ticket would increase from $50 to $100.

The revenues would be used by the DDA for efforts to promote downtown.

Councilman Bill Bryan during the meeting said he wants to approve the DDA's proposal.

"They have done an extensive study," he said about the DDA's review of the issue. "Let's approve what they are asking."

Council members John Beresford and Amelia Rose also said they're in favor of the increases.

The DDA also recommended the council install speed humps downtown.

Mayor Gene Hobgood said the city staff is investigating ways to make the crosswalks downtown safer for pedestrians, but speed humps are unlikely.

During its work session, the council also reviewed the following agenda items in preparation for the Sept. 16 meeting:

? Approval of a request by Highway 140 LLC for 5.92 acres at the northeast corner at intersection of Reinhardt College Parkway and Highway 140 be rezoned from planned shopping center to general commercial for the construction of a 98-unit assisted living facility. The Canton Planning Commission recommended approval;

? Approval of an amendment to the July 2009 settlement agreement between the city, Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority and Thalle Construction Group Inc.;

? Approval of a capitol improvements element amendment to the short-term work plan submitted to the Atlanta Regional Commission;

? Approval of bids for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning replacements;

? Approval of the contract with Waste Management;

? Approval of a resolution to accept Laurel Canyon Village Circle for city maintenance;

? Approval of the RaceTrac right-of-way relinquishment request. The city staff will assess the property, which is less than one acre;

? Approval of the contract agreement template;

? Approval of a partnership agreement with the Cherokee County school board;

? Approval of what to do with a house on city property on Big Oak Drive;

? Approval of taking control of private roads for maintenance;

? Approval of a flagpole donation from Glen Cummings to be placed in Cannon Park on the square downtown;

? Held a public hearing on the millage rate, but no one spoke. The council is considering raising the rate from 6.8 mills to a "revenue neutral rollback" rate of 7.469 mills;

? City Manager Scott Wood told the council is has $100,000 entrusted to it by commercial parties that was to be used for mast arm improvements at the Highway 5/Liberty Boulevard intersection. The improvements have not been made, and the council needs to make the improvements or give the money back; and

? Met in executive session to talk about pending litigation and real estate, but took no action upon returning to open session.