Atlanta City Council Pauses Use of Heavy Equipment in Encampment Clearings

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of heavy equipment in the clearing of encampments pending review and update of procedures to ensure the safety of residents; requesting a report from the Atlanta Continuum of Care on the procedures and practices around encampment clearing; and requiring that the report findings be made public (25-R-3082).

Other items approved by Council include:

• An ordinance amending the Atlanta City Charter in accordance with the recommendations of the temporary task force charged with reviewing the Office of the Inspector General, (OIG), the Ethics Office, and the governing board of the OIG and Ethics Office regarding the authority, oversight and clarification of respective roles and responsibilities of the OIG and Ethics Office, and to create separate governing boards for each. This was the second of three readings required for changes to the City Charter (25-O-1009).
• An ordinance renaming Central Avenue, SW, starting from Decatur Street, SE to Pryor Street, SW, to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard” as recommended by the council commission charged with determining an appropriate way to honor the former Atlanta Mayor (24-O-1617). This item was sent to the Mayor’s office post-haste.
• An ordinance renaming Westside Reservoir Park to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Park” as recommended by the council commission charged with determining an appropriate way to honor the former Atlanta Mayor (24-O-1622). This item was sent to the Mayor’s office post-haste.
• A resolution urging the Atlanta Department of Transportation to develop a one-stop utility construction assistance website and helpline (24-R-3010).This item was sent to the Mayor’s office post-haste.
• A resolution establishing a City of Atlanta Homelessness Task Force to examine the city’s current policies and procedures relating to persons experiencing homelessness to determine whether these policies and procedures adequately address their needs and the public safety concerns of residents and visitors (25-R-3086).
• A resolution calling on the Atlanta Citizens Review Board executive director to prepare a report regarding the ACRB’s activities including a response to public allegations that the ACRB has failed to act in accordance with its duties concerning investigation of deadly uses of force, and to enable the City Council to consider whether a legislative overhaul is necessary to expedite the conclusion of critical ACRB investigations.(25-R-3088).
• An ordinance extending to June 30, 2025, the due date for the Procurement Reform Task Force’s recommendations and amending the scope of the task force’s comprehensive review to include examination of issues concerning minority contract participation raised in the performance audit report on the Office of Contract Compliance (25-O-1031).
• A resolution executing an approximately $4.8 million agreement for a managed security system provider on behalf of the departments of Atlanta Information Management, Aviation and Watershed Management (25-R-3010).
• A resolution authorizing a $3.9 million project management agreement with the Upper Westside Improvement District for the Chattahoochee Avenue Project (25-R-3004).
• A resolution calling for the execution of agreements connected with the Shelter and Services Program grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with Frontline Response International and Latino Community Funds for approximately $1.1 million to be paid from FEMA grant funds (25-R-3085).
• A resolution donating $1 million to Hope Atlanta to support efforts to prevent displacement, homelessness, and hunger (24-R-4601).
• An ordinance extending Emergency Food and Shelter Program grants with Inspiritus, IRC, and the Hispanic Alliance for five months each and adding $719,000 in FEMA funding (25-O-1034).
• A resolution expressing the Atlanta City Council’s support for the event “Banned Books: Blocked Education/Dreams Deferred” scheduled for 11 a.m., Feb. 22, at the CT Martin Recreation Center and to recognize the importance of literary access and educational freedom for all. This item was sent for immediate consideration.
• An ordinance executing a quitclaim deed conveying the City’s interest in a 0.2-acre portion of the former A.D. Williams Elementary School to Atlanta Housing to support redevelopment of the Bowen Choice Neighborhood project (25-O-1041).
• A resolution creating a Neighborhood Sports Council to address neighborhood concerns during events particularly in areas around large venues such as Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Georgia World Congress Center and Phillips Arena. It would prioritize effective communication and collaboration between neighborhoods, event organizers, and other stakeholders to address concerns and implement solutions, working closely with the Atlanta Sports Council to develop and implement strategies for managing traffic, minimizing community disruptions, and enhancing the overall event experience for residents and visitors (24-R-3441).

Items introduced for consideration include:

• An ordinance seeking a $4 million Case Management Pilot Program grant from the Department of Homeland Security to provide case management and related services to eligible non-detained noncitizens.
• A resolution authorizing $325,000 for the purchase of a ministerial robe worn by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for display as part of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s “Legacy of Dreams” exhibit.
• A resolution approving a $284,000 contract for design services for Mountain Way Common Park and Loridans Park.
• An ordinance providing for annexation of the Brighton Village subdivision in unincorporated Dekalb County into the City of Atlanta in response to a petition signed by at least 60 percent of the affected property owners.
• A resolution requesting that the City conduct a feasibility study concerning homeless affordable transitional housing and the creation of an authority and special levy district to address Atlanta’s homeless and housing needs, and report back to City Council within 90 days.
• An ordinance requiring special use permits for data centers to address a proposed center’s water consumption, water conservation, energy consumption and other environmental considerations.
• An ordinance approving the submission of an application seeking a $100,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund Grant, to be used to activate youth to design, produce and implement climate action solutions in the city.

The City Council presented proclamations and recognitions to The Hon. Ceasar C. Mitchell, Ben Howard, West End Development’s Kari Barnes and Handy Johnson, and National Girls and Women in Sports Day.