COBB - The deluge of flood waters that has swept through Cobb County in recent days was a prevalent topic during Tuesday night's Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting.

"We feel terrible about what happened with our residents," Chairman Sam Olens said. "Hopefully, President Obama will move quickly to offer federal assistance, and we will stand ready to help get that assistance to our residents. Please keep those who have been impacted by these events in your thoughts and prayers."

The meeting began with an add-on item to the agenda, which allowed for the board of commissioners to acknowledge the state of emergency declared by Olens because of the major flooding that began Monday.

Deputy Director of Cobb Emergency Management Agency Lanita Lloyd addressed the board and audience with updates on the county's response to the flooding and some data regarding the disastrous effects the floods have had in Cobb County.

"We opened the Cobb Emergency Center at 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning and many of us have not slept since," Lloyd said. "We're working now to do damage assessments and will continue that for what I imagine will be a substantial amount of time in the future."

In other business Tuesday, Cobb commissioners voted unanimously to place a 120-day moratorium on all applications for any license or special exception for any adult entertainment business or establishment. The objective of the halt on applications is to give the county attorney time to review the county's adult entertainment ordinance and propose any amendments that appear in the best interest of the county and its citizens. The board denied an application for an adult entertainment license at its Sept. 8 meeting, after which the petitioner's lawyer said that the case would likely be appealed to other courts.

Six proclamations were presented at Tuesday's meeting, including the recognition of Cobb County School District's 2010 Teacher of the Year, Kelly Bramblett, and Marietta City Schools 2010 System Teacher of the Year, Marie Sherbondy. Sherbondy was unable to attend the meeting as she could not leave her subdivision because of flood damage.

The bridge over Ward Creek and Noses Creek on Ernest Barrett Parkway between Villa Rica Road and Macland Road was named the William "Bill" G. Jordan Bridge in memory of the bridge designer's service to the county before he passed away in January 2008. The new Community Development office on Powder Springs Road was supposed to be proclaimed as the Henley Vansant Wing in memory of Henley Vansant, but was moved to next month's meeting as some of the family members were also unable to attend the meeting due to the flood damage.

All items on the consent agenda were approved, including the approval for the project framework agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to continue plans to widen Cobb Parkway. The county hopes to use leftover stimulus money to fund the project.

The Design/Build Selection Committee presented its top three general contractors selected to negotiate scope, fees, and contract terms and conditions for the construction of the new Parking Deck Structure to be located at 191 Lawrence Street in Downtown Marietta. The top firm, which will be negotiated with first, is Choate Construction, followed by HJ Russell Construction and Brasfield & Gorrie LLC. Twenty firms responded to the county's original request for qualifications.

The board also approved the master plan for a park on the Bullard-Stockton properties, but the naming of the property will have to wait. During the board's work session, Olens stated concerns about the proposed name.

"There is a sign there that designates the historic name of the property as Green Plantations, but because of political correctness, it's not being considered," Olens said. "But that's the name there now, and by naming it Green Meadows Preserve, we're removing the name that's already there. I've said this for months, but haven't had a real discussion with others about it because everyone has been dancing on eggshells about the name. Green Meadows still uses green, but adds 'meadows' for whatever reason, and it's not even a preserve. I recommend that the board approve the master plan at tonight's meeting, but hold off on approving the name."

Commissioner Tim Lee agreed with the chairman that the board needed more time to discuss the name, but Commissioner Helen Goreham, who represents the proposed park's district, took issue with the discussion.

"I'm completely blindsided. I have no problem with the name, and this is the first I've heard about there being an issue with the name," Goreham said. "My concern is, why hasn't this been brought up before? I think most people don't even know that the sign is there, and there have been several groups vote for the name to be Green Meadows Preserve."

The board decided to delay naming the property, and Olens asked Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Eddie Canon to take a picture of the sign and send it to the members of the board.