KENNESAW - At the Kennesaw City Council's final meeting of the year Monday, council members authorized expansion plans for Trackside Grill, located downtown, and said goodbye to exiting employees and public servants.

Trackside Grill, which serves southern American cuisine, has been in operation since spring 2003. Owner Brett Olszeski said it serves 100 to 150 people a day, and expansion is needed to allow the restaurant to grow.

"The plans are to have new bar seating, restrooms, an outdoor space with a two-story fireplace and a roof-top deck on top of the bar area," Olszeski said. "We're just trying to grow as the downtown area continues to grow, and it seems everyone is in favor."

The proposed addition includes 870 square feet of outdoor dining with an 870-foot, second-floor deck. It would also include 1,720 square feet for bar, office and storage space.

Should funding come together for the project and all submittals be approved by the city, Olszeski said construction would begin in the spring and hopefully be finished by the end of summer.

After four years on the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority, John Cowman and Shannan Smith will not seek reappointment when their terms end this month. Assistant County Clerk Marilyn Shoaf said that both are leaving the authority to spend more time focusing on their businesses.

The City Council will appoint new members to the authority in January. To serve on the authority's seven-member board, candidates must be a city of Kennesaw resident or an owner or operator of a business located within the downtown development area and a resident of Cobb County. Each board member must also complete eight hours of training in downtown development and redevelopment programs over the course of 12 months.

The council on Monday also recognized retiring public works employee Michael Nelson for his 25 years of service to the city.

Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger introduced two new police officers to the mayor and council. Joseph Morgan and Drew Steinmetz have completed the field training program and were released to full solo status.