Council to consider tree canopy legislation
The Atlanta City Council will consider legislation Monday establishing a goal of achieving and maintaining 50 percent average tree canopy cover in Atlanta and requesting a study be conducted every five years to evaluate the effectiveness of the City’s Tree Protection Ordinance in meeting that goal (23-R-3338). The goal will serve as a target to guide the development of tree-related initiatives and to monitor the success of those policies and programs.
Other items on the agenda include:
• A resolution requesting MARTA adopt Disadvantaged Business Enterprise practices in its procurement and contracting processes for the More MARTA program to promote economic opportunities for small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities (23-R-3325). The More MARTA program is part of a half-penny sales tax approved in 2016 for transit enhancements and expansion.
• A resolution to establish that 25 percent of all net revenue generated from the operation of the Public Safety Training Center be allocated to support workforce housing, sustainability, infrastructure, and youth development programs in Atlanta (23-R-3326). The legislation also establishes a public oversight committee to ensure the funds are used effectively and directs the City to report annually on the progress being made.
• A resolution to request that the Municipal Court’s chief judge, the Court’s administrator, and the City’s solicitor coordinate with the City’s Department of Law to establish and develop a process by which people charged with non-violent offenses in the Municipal Court may efficiently seek the restriction of these records of these offenses in accordance with state law (23-R-3327).
• A resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to pass a clean slate law that would provide individuals with certain non-violent criminal records the opportunity to have their records expunged or sealed (23-R-3328).
• An ordinance to extend the due date by which the Council must adopt the preliminary plan for discretionary accounts for the “Moving Atlanta Forward” infrastructure initiative to June 30, 2023 (23-O-1173).
• An ordinance to amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Water and Wastewater Renewal and Extension Fund Budget in the amount of $7 million to add funds to facilitate the Lakewood Park Project (23-O-1148). The project includes the design and construction of stormwater infrastructure in Lakewood Park to remove a dam, stabilize a roadway, and alleviate flooding in the area.
• A resolution requesting the installation of signage in the public right-of-way along both sides of Edgewood Avenue SE — from Jackson Street NE to Boulevard NE — and Chamberlain Street SE — from Jackson Street NE to Boulevard SE — to include language indicating that “right-of-way vending is not permitted” in this area of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood (23-R-3339).
• A resolution to authorize a special procurement agreement totaling approximately $673,000 for Atlanta Department of Transportation capital projects to include new crosswalks, stop bars, and sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp construction at North Highland Avenue and Macon Drive and the Old Hapeville/Bromack intersection (23-R-3392).
• A resolution authorizing the City of Atlanta to donate $100,000 to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change to support Nonviolence 365 training for up to 400 Atlanta youth (23-R-3330).
Proclamations and recognitions will be presented in honor of Municipal Clerk Foris Webb III, Myrna White, Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Earth Day 2023, and Diversity Month.
The Council’s Committee Chairs briefing will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber. The Committee on Council will convene in Committee Room №1 at 11 a.m. The full Council meeting will be held at 1 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
The meeting will be simulcast on the Council’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages, and Channel 26. Closed captioning will be available on the Council’s Facebook page.
