Atlanta City Council clears recovery fund to support small businesses affected by water outages

Atlanta City Council member Matt Westmoreland introduced and paper and Council approved to transfer $7.5 million to assist the recovery efforts of small business following water main breaks.

ATLANTA — On Monday, the Atlanta City Council approved a substitute ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds to Invest Atlanta for the City of Atlanta Recovery Fund to support small businesses adversely impacted by the recent water service disruption. The substitute increases the amount to $7.5 million and now includes employee compensation (24-O-1301).

Other items that the Council adopted include:

• A resolution supporting the Mayor’s call for a temporary halt on the Five Points MARTA Station project. This item was an immediate consideration and sent to the Mayor post-haste.
• In ordinance ratifying the Mayor’s executive order extending a moratorium on acceptance of any new rezoning and related applications for the 25-acre parcel formally home to Atlanta Medical Center (24-O-1299).
• An ordinance retroactively authorizing application for $175 million from the U.S. EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program to support the Department of Watershed Management’s Integrated Biosolids and Zero Waste Management Plan (24-O-1193).
• A resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of a $20 million U.S. EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant for the Green Resilient Infrastructure & Trails in Westside Atlanta (GRITS-ATL) project. The grant addresses climate action and pollution reduction strategies to improve environmental, climate, and resilience conditions affecting disadvantaged communities (24-R-3670).
• A companion resolution to 24-R-3670 to execute a partnership agreement between the PATH Foundation, Inc. and the City of Atlanta for the GRITS-ATL project grant application referenced above. The partnership will facilitate approximately 4.4 miles of trails spanning multiple neighborhoods and neighborhood planning units in northwest Atlanta (24-R-3671).
• An ordinance to renew and expand the Atlanta Main Street program to continue supporting the community-driven revitalization of neighborhood business districts. The ordinance renews existing partnerships with the East Atlanta Business Association, Little Five Points Business Association, and West End Merchants Association. It adds the Virginia Highlands District Association and Sweet Auburn Works. Each of the five organizations will receive $12,000 for training, coaching, and technical assistance (24-O-1293).
• An ordinance extending the current annual one-year permits for shareable dockless mobility devices such as scooters and e-bikes. The current permits expire on June 30, 2024. The extension will allow the Atlanta Department of Transportation time to complete a Request for Proposal that will replace the current program (24-O-1294).
• An ordinance authorizing an additional $510,000 to support the installation of new playgrounds at Pedal Park and Benteen Park (24-O-1305).

The City Council presented proclamations and recognitions in honor of legendary housing advocate Hattie Dorsey, entrepreneur and restauranteur Mack Wilbourn, Atlanta-based and pioneering disco-jazz band Brick, community activist Deloris Latimore, and former Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport General Manager Balram Bheodari.

Items introduced for consideration include:

• An ordinance to accept a $5 million reimbursement grant from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program “City in a Forest: Protecting Atlanta’s Legacy.” The grant supports creation of the City’s first comprehensive urban forest master plan.
• A resolution authorizing a $200,000 donation to Star-C Corporation supporting the continued administration of an eviction diversion program for low-income city residents. Since its launch in December 2023, Star-C has prevented the displacement of over 220 families.
• A resolution authorizing a procurement agreement for mobile community referrals and diversion services.
• An ordinance authorizing a special procurement agreement for $250,000 to oversee FEMA Shelter and Services Program grants that provide food, shelter, and services to individuals and families who entered the U.S. through the southwestern border and are now awaiting the outcome of their immigrant proceedings.
• An ordinance retroactively authorizing the submission of a $50,000 grant application for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund to activate youth to design, produce, and implement climate action solutions in Atlanta.
• An ordinance to create an Atlanta Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program, authorizing receiving funding from various sources and transferring $250,000 into the trust fund.
• A resolution authorizing a $250,000 donation to the Atlanta Police Foundation to support the Community Safety Housing program, which provides subsidy payments for in-city residency for Atlanta’s first responders.
• A resolution authorizing a $250,000 donation to the Westside Future Fund to support the English Avenue neighborhood in implementing initiatives and expanding existing preservation programs such as homeowner rehab and down payment assistance.
• An ordinance amending Chapter 10 (Alcoholic Beverages) of the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances clarifies the ordinances and policies that frame the procedures for issuing licenses for the sale and service of alcohol and enforcing non-compliance.