CCI Policy Updates: Week of April 13 - April 17
The Center for Civic Innovation’s mission is to inspire people to take action, invest in promising homegrown ideas, and advocate for policy change. Especially during this global pandemic, it can be hard to stay on top of local information regarding what’s happening. That's why we started this blog series to provide our community with important and relevant policy updates. Each post recaps the past week and provides a look ahead at what’s on the agenda next week, including opportunities for the public to engage.
Week of April 13 Policy Updates:
The Atlanta City Council met remotely for a special call meeting to ratify a series of executive orders previously issued by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. (livestream)
Andre Dickens, chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee, hosted a Vision Zero Virtual Town Hall. The legislation to adopt a Vision Zero strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries in the city is on the Council’s agenda for Monday’s meeting.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners held their meeting remotely and received updates from county staff on the COVID-19 response. (agenda / livestream / news)
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Meria Carstarphen held a Virtual Town Hall on Facebook. The Board of Education issued a statement regarding the superintendent search. They are in the final stage of the process and anticipate introducing the sole finalist soon.
Invest Atlanta and its affiliated authorities held their April board meetings. (summaries: ADA / DDA / URFA)
The State Election Board approved counties to use ballot drop boxes for the upcoming election.
The Development Authority of Fulton County has opened a Business Contingency Loan Fund for small businesses opened through ACE. Businesses in Fulton County inside the City of Atlanta are eligible.
MARTA announced it is making major changes to its bus service beginning Monday – stopping service on some routes completely and increasing frequency on others.
Opportunities for Engagement Next Week:
The Atlanta City Council returns from its spring recess and will meet remotely on Monday, April 20th. (agenda)
The State has mailed absentee ballot request forms to all registered voters for the upcoming primaries, now rescheduled for June 9th. Check with DeKalb County or Fulton County on how to submit via mail or electronically.
Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) F, K, N, W, and Y will meet remotely. (agendas) Don’t know your NPU? Find your NPU here!
It’s time to respond to the 2020 Census. As of April 16th, the self-response rate in the City of Atlanta is just 44.3%.
The City of Atlanta has invited the public to provide comments on the 2020-2024 Consolidate Plan; 2020 Annual Action Plan; and funding recommendations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. Public comment is due April 25th. More info at the Department of Grants & Community Development.
What We’re Reading/Watch:
Media, Biden endorsement raises Atlanta Mayor Bottoms' national profile – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reports on our “mayor named Keisha” being name-dropped as a vice-presidential candidate.
Postal Service will deliver Georgia ballots that lack stamps – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the cost of postage is a poll tax, but the United States Postal Service (USPS) says they deliver “official election material” whether or not it has proper postage.
Hartsfield-Jackson puts up temporary walls around food court – The City is trying to ensure passengers follow social distancing guidelines, but it’s also faced with an increased number of people seeking shelter at the airport.
Closer Look: Atlanta Entrepreneur, Head of Google for Startups US Discusses Pandemic's Effect On Atlanta's Tech Industry – WABE spoke with Jewel Burks Solomon about what the pandemic is doing to startups in Atlanta.
To make these updates better, we need your input. What was most informative or helpful? What did we miss? Please email us at policy@civicatlanta.org.