Hiram City Council last week voted to remove the phrase “zero-tolerance” from its drug free workplace policy for municipal workers.

The council discussed the removal of the phrase at its last work session.

Mayor Doris Devey disagreed with the removal of the phrase, stating she worked in a zero-tolerance environment for almost 20 years. However, City Manager Robbie Rokovitz said, “Because of the language of zero-tolerance, it made it confusing,” because of such issues as prescription drugs.

The council also at their meeting Sept. 18 authorized the mayor to accept the conveyance of property from Fairway Hiram II LLC for the placement of a city of Hiram welcome sign for westbound motorists to see on U.S. Hwy. 278 as they enter Hiram from Powder Springs.

“It’s going to be a really nice LED sign,” Rokovitz said.

The mayor also had to sign an access and utility easement agreement from Fairway Hiram for construction and maintenance of the sign.

“We needed an easement in order to install conduit for electricity and irrigation. Since it is not our property, we need that permission to install and access underground and above ground infrastructure as needed and required,” Rokovitz said.

The council also approved an update to their short term work program for the years 2012-2016. It will be submitted to the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review.

“In order to be eligible for state grants, we have to update the program,” Rokovitz said.

The short term work program outlines the city’s goals in areas such as economic development, land use and transportation.

Lastly, the council approved and set a date for the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting event.

The Christmas tree lighting will be Nov. 30, and the budget for the event will not exceed $24,000.