CCI Policy Updates: Week of February 8 – February 12
The Center for Civic Innovation's mission is to increase civic participation and elevate more effective solutions in Atlanta by inspiring people to take action, investing in the work of local community leaders, and advocating for policy change. We believe that informed and civically-engaged residents are the key to making Atlanta the city we all know it can be.
We started this Weekly Policy Update 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 everyone to engage within the community. Now, we’re launching it as a podcast series, too. We hope you’re inspired to take action, support and invest in local community leaders, and advocate for public policy that reflects the needs and voices of everyone who calls Atlanta home.
And now, we’ve started a podcast, so if you’re interested in listening to this update, we’ve got you covered!
Tune in on Spotify.
Week of February 8 – February 12 Policy Updates:
Rare mayoral veto
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms vetoed an ordinance adopted by the Atlanta City Council last week to abandon a block of Mitchell Street south of the State Capitol building. Councilmembers had previously gotten pushback on the proposal from the mayor, others in the administration, and the City’s law department about the legality of the proposed legislation. Vetoes are rather rare – this is just the ninth in Mayor Bottoms three years in office, almost all of which have been on technicalities rather than on matters of policy. The other eight have all been sustained by the council rather than being overturned.
Atlanta Mayor Bottoms vetoes giving state control of road near Capitol (AJC)
Proposal to employ the “water boys”
The Atlanta City Council’s City Utilities Committee supported legislation introduced by councilmember Antonio Brown to study creating a municipal enterprise to bottle and distribute water. The intent is to create a workforce development program for the so-called “water boys” who sell bottled water at intersections. If approved by the full council this week, the study is supposed to be complete within 120 days.
Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee (YouTube)
An idea to employ "water boys" is introduced, but is it feasible? (CBS 46)
NBA All-Star Game
During the City Council’s Finance and Executive Committee meeting, discussion turned to reports that the NBA may host its 2021 All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on Sunday, March 7th. Councilmembers expressed concerns about hosting such an event during the pandemic and the other unofficial events and parties that might be spawned. The City’s Chief Operating Officer Jon Keen claimed the City hadn’t sought the event but had seen media reports and was working with NBA and State Farm Arena regarding public safety.
Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Committee (YouTube)
COVID impacting solid waste collection
The City’s Department of Public Works announced that the collection of recyclables and yard waste will be scaled back for at least the next 3 months. The department says that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected their frontline employees.
Department of Public Works COVID-19 Departmental Updates
Atlanta recycling, yard trimmings service reduced to every other week (AJC)
Redesign of MARTA’s bus network
The MARTA board of directors held their monthly meeting this past week and discussed the MARTA Transformation Initiative. Part of that work that’s beginning immediately is a bus network redesign study that will weigh competing values of ridership versus coverage. Public engagement is expected to begin late-spring or early summer with a draft plan available by the fall.
MARTA Board of Directors Meeting (YouTube)
Fulton elections director fired – or not?
Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections voted on Thursday to fire elections director Richard Barron. However, their vote took place during a closed executive session, in violation of the State’s Open Meetings Act, invalidating the vote. Barron has been the elections director in Fulton County since 2013. The board is composed of two Democrats, two Republicans, and a non-partisan chair. The board will have to vote again – this time during an open meeting – and be supported by the majority of the county’s board of commissioners to actually remove Barron as director.
Fulton board makes ‘invalid’ vote to fire elections director (AJC)
Opportunities for Engagement Next Week:
Monday, February 15
1:00pm – Atlanta City Council Meeting (notice)
3:00pm – Invest Atlanta Finance Committee Meeting (notice)
Tuesday, February 16
10:00am – ActivateATL (Parks & Rec) Master Plan Meeting (notice)
1:00pm – Work Session: Beltline Special Services District (notice)
6:30pm – NPU K (agenda)
Wednesday, February 17
10:00am – Work Session: Tree Protection Ordinance (notice)
6:00pm – APS Conversations: COVID-19 and the Vaccine (notice)
7:00pm – NPU I (agenda)
Thursday, February 18
9:00pm – Invest Atlanta Board of Directors Meeting (notice)
9:00am – APS Joint Policy Review and Board Development Meeting (notice)
12:15pm – APS Budget Commission Meeting (notice)
1:00pm – Work Session: Atlanta City Detention Center (notice)
2:00pm – APS Audit Committee Meeting (notice)
6:00pm – Office of the Inspector General Governing Board Meeting (notice)
6:30pm – ActivateATL (Parks & Rec) Master Plan Meeting (notice)
Saturday, February 20
10:00am – Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (notice)
Other Opportunities for Engagement:
Atlanta Housing has released a draft of their FY2022 Moving to Work Annual Plan. A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 and comments will be accepted through March 5. (notice)
At the NPUs:
Currently on Neighborhood Planning Unit agendas across the city is proposal legislation to regulate and tax short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. (20-O-1656)
Don’t know much about NPUs or which one you live in? Visit npu.civicatlanta.org.
What We’re Reading/Watching/Hearing:
Health
Public Safety & Justice
Transportation
Education
Equity & Equality
Development
Community Voices
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.