MOULTRIE, Ga. — In January, the Moultrie City Council strengthened the city’s requirements for video surveillance at stores that sell alcohol. Now, their attention has turned toward restaurants and bars.

On Tuesday, the council approved first and second readings of an ordinance to apply those same video requirements to establishments that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption. First and second readings are essentially a vote for the council to consider a matter; the ordinance would not take effect until after another vote, called third and final reading, which would be expected at the next council meeting Aug. 7.

In a work session before Tuesday’s city council meeting, Acting Police Chief Sean Ladson told council members that video footage assists investigators and provides evidence during prosecution. He said it deters crimes by employees and patrons, including thefts, drug activity and sale of alcohol to underage customers. And, he said, it decreases the liability of the restaurant owner should something happen because there would be video evidence of the steps the owner had taken to make his establishment safe and secure.

Ladson said the ordinance would affect about a dozen restaurants and bars in Moultrie, but some of them already have the video equipment.

Council members questioned how much the upgrade might cost business owners, but Ladson couldn’t give a firm figure. He said the police department would work with the business owner to determine what coverage his location would need, which would determine how many cameras would be required.

Council also seemed inclined to delay the law taking effect, perhaps until the first of the year. Ladson said the MPD gave store owners a three-month grace period when stronger requirements were enacted for them in January, but that rule was merely an enhancement to an existing regulation: Stores were already required to have cameras and the new law specified resolution, how long the video was to be saved and required that the parking lot be covered.

In other action Tuesday, the council:

• Approved annexation of 1804 Tallokas St. (0.504 acres owned by Kirenia Perez and Gabriel Avarez) and 1806 Tallokas St. (1.214 acres owned by Divyesh Thakor). Thakor is building duplexes at 1806 Tallokas St. and wanted to be able to access city water and sewer services, city staff said. The owners of 1804 Tallokas St. had their property annexed to facilitate Thakor’s request. Both properties are now zoned R-3 (Multi-Family Residential District).

• Approved a bid of $317,136.50 for sidewalk improvements on West Central Avenue. The winning bid was from Zane Grace Construction of Leesburg, Ga.

• Approved a bid of $37,300 from Southland Contractors of Valdosta to patch former railroad crossings.

• Approved a sales and use tax refund engage agreement with Tax Specialists of Georgia-Southeast, LLC.

• Approved an amended Animal Control Services Agreement with the Humane Society of Moultrie and Colquitt County to include provision of a surplus SUV.

• Approved two appropriation resolutions.