Augusta commissioners are expected to take a final vote today on amending city ordinance to allow for an off-leash dog park, but plans to open the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Botanical Gardens as for that purpose Sunday might not be a done deal. Issues on today's meeting agenda include:

OFF-LEASH DOG PARK

Although Mayor Deke Copenhaver has announced the park will open the Sunday before Masters week from noon to 4:30 p.m., Commissioner Jerry Brigham wants to discuss the location of the dog park further. At his request, the recreation director has proposed alternative sites and cost estimates for building and operations. Mr. Brigham said he is not opposed to a dog park but doesn't think the Botanical Gardens is the place for it.

TEEN NIGHTCLUB CURFEWS

Commissioners expect to amend the current teen curfew ordinance, which calls for teens younger than 18 to be in by 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. The amendment would require teen clubs to close by 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on weekends. The amendment was approved by the public services committee March 24.

ALLEY ABANDONMENT

The Downtown Development Authority will ask commissioners to abandon an alley at 840 Reynolds Street to make way for a $30 million hotel, retail and condominium development at James Brown Boulevard and Reynolds Street at the site of the old Augusta Police Station.

PROJECT ACCESS AGREEMENT

Commissioners are expected to approve a 2008 fiscal year funding agreement between the city and Richmond County Medical Society for Project Access for 2008. Richmond County received a County of Excellence award from Georgia Trend magazine for Project Access this year, a program Commissioner Jerry Brigham brought to Augusta eight years ago. The project, in which local governments and community physicians provide basic medical services to low-income families, has reduced the city's contributions for such health-care costs from $7 million the year the program began to $450,000 last year.

LEASING PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK

Commissioners will consider leasing the park and educational center to Richmond County Public Facilities Inc., and the sub-leasing of the facilities to Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy Inc. for 50 years.

INCREASING TAXI FARES FOR MASTERS WEEK

Commissioners are expected to approve a request by Augusta taxi companies for a rate increase during Masters week this year and each Masters week in coming years unless otherwise reset by the commission.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT COSTS

Commissioners are expected to approve 2008 agreement modifications with Operations Management International for operations of the treatment plant at a cost of $7 million.

RINGS AND JACKETS FOR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

At the request of Commissioner Alvin Mason, commissioners will discuss donating $2,000 to the Glenn Hills High 2008 State Championship basketball team to buy championship rings and jackets.

BARBER & BEAUTY BAR-B-QUE

City Administrator Fred Russell will make a recommendation concerning a request from The Angelic Community Resource Development Inc. for city financial sponsorship of the Barber & Beauty Bar-B-Que.

-- Sylvia Cooper, staff writer