Council adopts BeltLine legislation, short-term rental regulations
The Atlanta City Council adopted three ordinances Monday related to the establishment and funding of the BeltLine Special Services District. The ordinances are companion legislative items intended to create the area of the Special Services District (Legislative Reference №21-O-0049), authorize an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta for the issuance of bonds for the District (Legislative Reference №21-O-0048), and establish a rate of ad valorem taxes on tangible property within the District (Legislative Reference №21-O-0052).
The Council also approved legislation amending the City’s Code of Ordinances related to the regulation and taxation of short-term rentals (Legislative Reference №20-O-1656). The ordinance aims to establish a regulatory framework for governing short-term rentals and outlining penalties for violations with proposed changes going into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
Other items adopted Monday include:
• An ordinance to amend the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance to add a new chapter entitled “Westside Park Affordable Workforce Housing District” (Legislative Reference №20-O-1729). The legislation is aimed at ensuring affordable workforce housing in the neighborhoods surrounding the Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry.
• An ordinance amending the Fund Balance Policy subsection in the City’s Charter to increase the current 3.5 percent appropriation of the General Fund Budget for the Public Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvement account to 5 percent in order to ensure adequate annual funding for routine maintenance, repair and replacement of public infrastructure (Legislative Reference №21-O-0082). As a charter change, three readings are required to adopt the ordinance. This vote was the first of two adoptions in full Council.
• An ordinance authorizing Amendment №1 to an agreement with the United Way of Greater Atlanta Inc. for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program Administration Services Agreement to extend the term through Dec. 31 and add $15,255,435 in funds for continued emergency rental assistance to residents (Legislative Reference №21-O-0138). There is a companion ordinance that amends the CARES Act 2020 Fund Budget in this amount to accept the ERA Grant funds (Legislative Reference №21-O-0139).
• An ordinance to establish a Consolidated Tennis Trust Fund account and direct revenue generated from the City’s tennis centers to be used for ongoing maintenance and repairs (Legislative Reference №21-O-0099).
• An ordinance authorizing the mayor or her designee to utilize funds to install security cameras at the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve (Legislative Reference №21-O-0133).
• A resolution requesting that the mayor takes into consideration and funds priorities that the Council recommends being included in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget (Legislative Reference №21-R-3156).
Legislation was introduced to be considered in committee next week, including:
• An ordinance to authorize the chief financial officer to amend the Fiscal Year 2021 budget by adding to anticipations and appropriations funds awarded to the City pursuant to the American Rescue Plan to be utilized to respond to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 or its negative economic impacts, for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the public health emergency, to make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure, or for premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work during the pandemic.
• A resolution to establish a working group to review, amend, and improve, but not consider the repeal of ordinance 18-O-1045 that instituted bail reform in Atlanta.
• A resolution authorizing the mayor or her designee to install a portrait of Bishop Barbara Lewis King at the Barbara Lewis King Interfaith Chapel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
