Atlanta City Council to consider moratorium on use of heavy equipment in encampment clearings

District 5 Council member Liliana Bakhtiari and District 12 Council member Antonio Lewis introduced the moratorium on use of heavy equipment in encampment clearings during the January 23 Council regular session

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council will consider a resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of heavy equipment involving encampments to ensure the safety of residents; requesting a report from the Atlanta Continuum of Care on the procedures and practices related to unhoused encampments; and requiring that the report findings be made public (25-R-3082).

Other items on the agenda include:

• 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 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).
• 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).
• An ordinance extending the due date for the Procurement Reform Task Force’s recommendations to June 30, 2025. The legislation also will amend 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 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).
• 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).
• 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 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 communities, event organizers, and other stakeholders to address concerns and implement solutions, working closely with the Atlanta Sports Council to develop and coordinate strategies for managing traffic, minimizing community disruptions, and enhancing the overall event experience for residents and visitors (24-R-3441).

The City Council will present 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.