WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock City Council voted to demolish structures adjacent to the former Woodstock Community Church, where the council now meets, during its Monday meeting.

The council approved a professional services agreement with Clark Patterson Lee, which calls for demolition of the Wayne Lester Building as well as a segment of Building B, which is used for storage. The contract includes renovating the remaining part of Building B. The total cost is $33,000.

The remaining part of Building B could be used for office space for the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Development Authority. The DDA operates the city’s Visitors Center, which is currently housed inside Dean’s Store, located a few stores down on Main Street from Building B. The DDA wants to relocate to Building B.

Council members also had the first reading of revisions to the city’s sign ordinance, which overhauls the ordinance in light of federal court rulings.

The ordinance would:

n Ban so-called “bandit signs,” which are placed in the right-of-way to get the attention of passing motorists;

n Make the ordinance content-neutral, meaning the city could not discriminate in regulating signs based on its message;

n Prohibit the placement of signs that would block the visibility of motorists and mimic traffic signals;

n Stipulate which signs need permits before displaying;

n Require companies or people to get permission of property owners to place signs on their property; and

n Regulate signs on residential and commercial properties.

City leaders said they will begin a 30 to 60-day public education campaign before enforcing the ordinance.

During the meeting, the council also:

n Recognized Lt. Harold Raley, who is retiring after 17 years with the Woodstock Police Department;

n Mayor Donnie Henriques read a proclamation recognizing Allen Temple AME Church’s Pass It On campaign to collect monetary donations, school supplies and clothing for MUST Ministries;

n Henriques swore in reserve officers Brittany Duncan, Heather McElroy and Scott O’Meara;

n Chief David Bores informed the council his department may work with Public Works employees to create barricades at well-known entry points to prevent all-terrain vehicles from riding on city-owned property;

n Approved an alcohol license request from Towne Lake Diner at 2990 Eagle Drive Suite 100;

n Approved reimbursing council members Randy Brewer $482.30, Chris Casdia $173.84 and Bob Mueller $144.64 for travel and meals for attending the Georgia Municipal Association’s conference last month in Savannah;

n Tabled until Aug. 8 a request to refinance its 2008 Georgia Municipal Association lease agreement for City Hall Annex and the 2004 Johnson Control lease; and

n Approved 5-1, with Councilwoman Tracy Collins opposing, raising its level of sworn police officers from 54 to 55 with the understanding the extra position is a temporary one; Collins said she voted against the measure because she wanted more time to discuss a personnel issue with City Manager Jeff Moon.

The council met in closed session to discuss personnel, litigation and real estate, but no action was taken upon returning.