Marietta City Council member Philip Goldstein will remain a member of the Marietta Welcome Center Board, despite some of the council’s belief that owning a large portion of property downtown may be a conflict of interest.

The board promotes tourism and businesses in the city. Goldstein claims he doesn’t vote on items concerning any of his businesses or tenants in his properties, and, therefore, there isn’t a conflict of interest.

After discussion Monday, the council voted Wednesday to appoint Goldstein through the end of the December, at which time they will appoint another council member, most likely from the personnel committee.

The council also voted Wednesday to designate the strip of Fairground Street between South Cobb Drive and South Marietta Parkway as Otis A. Brumby, Jr. Memorial Way. The road will continue to be called Fairground Street, but the area in front of the Marietta Daily Journal will commemorate the late publisher.

In reference to the city’s speed hump policy, council approved a change in the number of a neighborhood’s residents needed to vote for the speed-tempering devices. At least a 60 percent participation rate will be required for votes in areas with mandatory Neighborhood Associations, and areas not under association regulations will require 70 percent participation.

Council members dismissed the idea of adding a temporary rubber speed hump meant to give residents a feel for the asphalt humps, but the rubber humps may be revisited, Councilman Johnny Sinclair said.

The council also approved draft guidelines for the Kennesaw Avenue Historic District, which will be recognized by Historic Preservation if 60 percent of property owners in the district vote for it.

If the area is named a historic district, property owners would need to follow guidelines concerning construction to new or existing properties. The historic board would make recommendations regarding demolition or expansions to properties within the district, and the city council would have the final voice in what could be done.

Nearby resident Dennis Payne told the council he didn’t feel the residents would have enough of a voice in historic guidelines. But Councilman Jim King said residents of the district – once it’s designated historic – will choose people from the district to sit on the board for the analysis of the designation.

In other business:

– Mayor Steve Tumlin honored Marietta High School students Lawton Ward and Zach Cole as Marietta’s second wrestling state champion ever and a senior STAR student, respectively. Both have proclamations named after them.

– Council also approved the following appointments: Steve Arrants to the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals; Floyd Northcutt, Brian Strack, Diane Lidz, James G. Fausett and Pete Bilson to the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation Board of Directors; Cheryl Richardson to the Planning Commission; and Council members Grif Chalfant as voting delegate for the Georgia Municipal Association business meeting with Councilman Anthony Coleman as the alternate voting delegate.

– Council members also accepted donations necessary for sidewalk projects along South Marietta Parkway.