Fulton / Atlanta Front Page

Mayor Kasim Reed Delivers Convocation Address at Candler School of Theology

2011-08-25T15:36:00.000-04:00

Urges Candler community to be “referees for public discourse”

Mayor Kasim Reed reflected on the vital role of people of faith and the clergy in helping the city, state and nation overcome partisan differences during a moving keynote address Thursday morning at the Opening Convocation of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

“It is vital that thoughtful, serious people – people like you who heeded God’s calling and seek to truly solve the problems of the world – make your voices heard above the din,” Mayor Reed said. “All too often, when I turn on the television or listen to the radio or pick up the newspaper, I do not believe you are being heard enough. I do not see or read about what I know about God or Jesus or about being a Christian. I hear a lot of noise – loud noise, shrill noise – and more often than not, it conveys one, short-sighted notion of God. The noise drowns out those who recognize a bigger and more inclusive vision of God.”

During the hour-long program in Cannon Chapel on the Emory University campus, Reed welcomed Candler’s diverse incoming class of 197 theology students, recognized the school’s commitment to community engagement, and urged students and faculty to continue their tradition of robust civic participation, especially educating, mentoring and nurturing children and young people.

Seventy percent of Candler’s graduates serve as pastors in churches; others minister in colleges, hospitals, the military and social service organizations. Candler is one of 13 United Methodist Church seminaries and has a total enrollment of 500 students representing 50 denominations.

Mayor Reed is an active United Methodist layperson and a member of the Cascade United Methodist Church. His maternal grandfather, Esau Anderson, was a United Methodist preacher in South Carolina. During his remarks, Mayor Reed acknowledged the importance of his grandparents; father, June Reed; and mother, Sylvia Reed, in the development of his faith.

“When God took clay and made Adam… He got dirty. When Jesus walked among the “great unwashed” and as a carpenter… He got dirty. When John Wesley in the 1730s visited Georgia and its infamous red clay and secured the vision of what would become the Methodist movement… he got dirty,” Mayor Reed said.

“…I challenge each and every one of you to take your studies and good works to another level. May you have the highest blessings for the new school year and the greatest of luck as you get your hands dirty.”

Mayor Kasim Reed, Wal-Mart and Sustainable Atlanta Announce Urban Farm Design Competition

2011-08-24T11:54:00.000-04:00

$35k Wal-Mart investment to transform vacant lot across City Hall into a working farm

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Wal-Mart representatives and officials from the Office of Sustainability and Sustainable Atlanta announced today a competition to design an urban farm on a vacant lot across from City Hall. The Trinity Avenue Urban Farm Design Competition was launched to support the city’s effort in establishing an effective and inspirational model for urban agriculture and furthering the city’s pursuit of becoming a Top 10 sustainable city. In addition, as part of Wal-Mart’s initial funding, there is a $25,000 award to the winning submission.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to create a sustainable and accessible greenspace in the heart of downtown that will serve as a model and educational tool for similar projects in the future,” said Mayor Reed. “I want to thank our partners at Wal-Mart for their generous support of the urban farm and their commitment to bringing fresh produce to inner-city neighborhoods.”

Supported by Wal-Mart, the design competition will transform the site of the old traffic court building – vacant for several years – into a thriving demonstration farm. “We are honored to support this project which will ultimately promote local foods, create jobs and build community,” said Wal-Mart Regional General Manager Karen Brewer-Edwards.

With the ultimate goal of showcasing how fresh food can be grown locally and sustainably, the competition will promote creativity and innovation in the design of the farm, as well raise awareness of the farm itself. The Office of Sustainability is consulting on this multidisciplinary project with Sustainable Atlanta, the Atlanta City Council, the University of Georgia School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Organics and Truly Living Well.

“By engaging a consortium of city leaders and experts from outside organizations, this cutting-edge demonstration project has the potential to inform a wide range of stakeholders on the benefits of local food programs,” said Sustainable Atlanta Director Suzanne Burnes.

The contest is open to students, educators and professionals across Georgia in fields related to urban agriculture and landscape architecture. Interested competitors must register online at http://www.trinityavenuefarm.org by October 15 and submit proposals by November 1. Once the winning design is chosen, the preparation of the land and design installation will begin immediately, with the farm scheduled to open to the public by the spring of 2012. There will be a $25,000 grand prize awarded to the winning submission.

The demonstration project will support the City of Atlanta’s “Power to Change” sustainability plan and its commitment to bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of all residents by 2020. “The Trinity Avenue farm will be a living visual of the city’s dedication to sustainability,” said Office of Sustainability Communications Manager Aaron Bastian.

“Local, sustainable and organic food practices have numerous health and environmental benefits,” said UGA’s Director of Environmental Sciences Susan Varlamoff. “Local food is often fresher, eliminates negative externalities, such as carbon emissions, and supports our local economy. We applaud Mayor Reed and the city for joining the local food movement by showcasing urban agriculture right in the heart of downtown.”

About the Trinity Avenue Urban Farm
The City of Atlanta intends for the Trinity Avenue Urban Farm to be a productive, crop-producing plot of land and a designated space for innovative projects. Visible to anyone who visits City Hall, the project aims to inspire community awareness and interest in local, sustainable food systems and to encourage citizens to take these practices home. Through this demonstration project, urban agriculture initiatives in local communities can become more widespread, effectively working to support and maintain healthier lifestyles in every neighborhood while saving money on families’ grocery bills. For more information and to enter the design competition, please visit www.trinityavenuefarm.org.

About the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability
The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is focused on instituting environmental protection practices into Atlanta city government. It aims to do so by improving the city’s environmental programs and policies such as water and energy conservation, solid waste and emissions reduction and recycling. To fully expand its commitment to sustainability, Mayor Kasim Reed has pledged that the City of Atlanta will become one of the Top 10 most sustainable cities in the United States. To that end, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability utilizes Recovery Act funding across 16 different programs. These programs are designed to motivate and support community efforts that aim to enhance environmental quality, while supporting jobs and long-term economic growth. For more information about Atlanta’s efforts to create a more sustainable city, please visit the Office of Sustainability’s page within the Mayor’s Office tab at www.atlantaga.gov (www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/sustainability.aspx).

Metro Atlanta UASI Region Completes First Test of Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan

2011-08-15T15:13:00.002-04:00

State, city and county leaders undergo critical response training for terrorism, catastrophes

More than 100 public safety and health workers on Thursday completed the first test of a major evacuation plan for metropolitan Atlanta in the event the region faces a major natural catastrophe or act of terrorism.

The test, administered by the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and conducted at the Atlanta Regional Commission, focused on emergency operations, communications, traffic management, mass care and shelter and involved plans of evacuation for each of the participating jurisdictions.

“A catastrophe might initially and immediately affect a single locality. But in due course, it often affects a broader range of people and thus requires a regional…sometimes national… response,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I am pleased that everyone involved in this endeavor has joined with the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, with the recognition that it requires many different hands at many different levels of government and across the public-private spectra.”

Mayor Reed serves as the chairman of Metro Atlanta UASI’s Senior Policy Group. The Metro Atlanta UASI region includes the City of Atlanta, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. For this test, the region members also worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Cherokee, Douglas, Fayette, Henry and Rockdale counties.

“We appreciate all of the hard work and collaboration that all the partners have contributed to the success of this table top exercise,” said Rodney Rancifer, Director of Public Safety Compliance for Metro Atlanta UASI. “However, there is still much to do. We will have a functional exercise in November 2011 that will involve the simulated activation of 10 emergency operation centers. We are planning tabletop exercises for our elected leadership, more exercises, and we are developing a citizen evacuation information packet.”

UASI was developed in 2003 as a result of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2002. The program was established to provide grants to assist high-risk urban areas in preventing, protecting, responding and recovering from acts of terrorism.

Since then, the Metro Atlanta UASI has been actively engaged in strategic planning efforts with local, state and federal partners to ensure effective communications within the region in the event of an incident. In 2006, the program also began to concentrate on more regional collaborative efforts in the areas of fire, police, medical and citizen preparedness. In June, the program completed a draft of its Regional Evacuation Coordinating Plan.

Mayor Kasim Reed, who addressed the participants Thursday, said Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans and Louisiana in 2005, proved that “emergency efforts take more than a village. It takes a lot of villages, hundreds of villages.”

For more information about Metro Atlanta UASI, visit http://www.atlantauasi.com.

Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Atlanta’s Participation in Fashion’s Night Out

2011-08-15T15:11:00.002-04:00

Retailers around the city to host events from Sept. 8 to 12 for the second year in a row

Surrounded by local retailers, hoteliers and creative talent, Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that Atlanta will once again participate in Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, an unprecedented global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence and boost the industry’s economy during the recession.

“I am proud that Atlanta once again is participating in this event for it not only showcases the thriving fashion industry within our own city, it also celebrates the entrepreneurial, creative and artistic talents that make Atlanta an exciting place to live, visit and shop,” Mayor Reed said. “Last year, I hit the shops, and I plan to again this year. Those who know me know that I appreciate fashion, and I am thrilled that Atlanta is a fashion-conscious city.”

Fashion’s Night Out debuted in Atlanta last fall. This year’s Fashion’s Night Out committee, co-chaired by Judy Mauldin and Don Purcell, includes leaders from the fashion and retail community including Jeffrey, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Atlantic Station, Midtown Alliance, AmericasMart and Deka, as well as the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From Sept. 8 to 12, the city will celebrate fashion and design and welcome special guests through unique events, exclusive pop-up shops and the “FNO Freeway” that will take visitors there. Shuttles will take shoppers between Midtown, Westside and Atlantic Station, and hotels are offering special packages and gifts to consumers.

The week kicks off when Tyson Beckford, Kenny Lattimore and Judy Mauldin launch Fashion’s Night Out Atlanta with A Night to Remember on Tuesday, Sept. 6. To honor those who paved the way for African Americans on the catwalk and in the ateliers, they will welcome and recognize the legendary Bethann Hardison as well as celebrate the late fashion designer Willi Smith. Nationally renowned designer (and soon-to-be HGTV star of Design Wars) Michael Habachy is lending his considerable talent to transform the Atlantic Station venue into a luxurious space filled with celebrities and trendsetters. Tickets are available at www.antrfashion.org.

Following the event, the space, along with other locales in Midtown, will turn into pop-up stores for the weekend. Designers include Frank Tell, Bowens Bergeron, Lisa Jill, Pieces of Me, Olive and Streetala, as well as an exclusive shop designed by Modern Luxury that will include Striver's Row, The Clique, Emerlyn & Ester, Lola Rose Boutique, Gallerie Boutique, Emly Benham and Urban Active/Under Armour.

As of today, participating retailers include (in alphabetical order) Anne Fontaine, Anne Taylor, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, Bebe, Belk, Betsey Johnson, Beth-Ann Boutique, Bottega Veneta, Cole Haan, Crocs, Deka, Dominique Nicole Designs, Ed Hardy, Ellie Tahari, Fab’rik, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Guess, Herve Leger, Intimacy, Intermix, Italia Furniture, Jedal Italian Fashion, Jeffrey, Juicy Couture, Just the Thing!, Karen Millen, Kate Spade, Lacoste, L’Occitane, L.K. Bennett, Michael Stars, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Oakley, Palas Jewelers, Pella, Perimeter Mall, Phipps Plaza, Poor Little Rich Girl, Potpourri, Rangoni Shoes, Razzle Dazzle, ReMixx, Sage, Sabot, Salle Opticians, Sandpiper, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swarovski, Tory Burch, True Religion Brand Jeans, The Bilthouse, The Avenue Forsyth/Peachtree City/East Cobb/West Cobb, Tootsies, Tulipano, Vera Bradley, Vince, White House Black Market, Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, Wolford.

For more information, event details and hotel information, click on fashionsnightoutatlanta.com and follow facebook.com/fnoatlanta.com and @FNOatl on Twitter.

About Fashion’s Night Out
Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy during the recession. On Sept. 8, 2011, in response to overwhelming demand, Fashion’s Night Out will return to New York City and over 100 cities nationwide to highlight fashion and support retail with exciting events that include designer appearances, celebrity guests, fashion shows and musical performances. In the United States, the program is a collaboration among American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. For more information visit www.fashionsnightout.com, or join us on Facebook and Twitter (@fnonyc, #FNO).

Mayor Kasim Reed, Governor Nathan Deal, Congressman John Lewis and Comcast Unveil Ambitious and Comprehensive Broadband Adoption Experiment

2011-08-08T14:27:00.000-04:00

‘Internet Essentials’ to Provide Families with Children Eligible for a Free Lunch Under the National School Lunch Program with Low-Cost Internet Service, Affordable Computers and Digital Literacy Training
Mayor Kasim Reed, Governor Nathan Deal, Congressman John Lewis, and Comcast executives today launched Internet Essentials, an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program. This program is available to 317,000 low-income families who have children eligible to receive free lunch under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in 28 metro-Atlanta area school districts. The goal of Internet Essentials is to help close the digital divide among Americans.

“While America has increasingly become a digital nation, many metro-Atlanta families are at a disadvantage because they can’t afford Internet service at home. Comcast is leading the charge in making broadband adoption a reality for more families,” said Mayor Reed. “The city of Atlanta is proud to pledge our support, but we can’t do this alone. We need parents, educators, community leaders and other government officials to join in this effort, spread the word and help increase broadband adoption in our community.”

“The state of Georgia remains committed to supporting our educational system in every way possible, and this new program is an excellent example of such an effort,” said Governor Deal. “The Internet is no longer a dispensable item – it’s ‘essential’ in almost every aspect of our lives from our education to our careers. It’s imperative that Georgia businesses follow in the footsteps of Comcast and continue to find new and creative ways to enhance the learning experience for our state’s future leaders.”

According to David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation Executive Vice President, “The Internet has the potential to be a great equalizer and a life-changing technology. Internet Essentials will help level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers and their school’s educational resources as well as enabling parents to receive digital literacy training so they can do things like apply for jobs online or use the Internet to learn more about healthcare and government services available where they live.”

Service Details:

Internet Essentials participants will receive:
Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month plus applicable taxes;
No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;
A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax;
Access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person.

Additional benefits include the Norton™ Security Suite ($160 value), which provides comprehensive online security protection at no additional charge.

Eligibility:

A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:
Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
Has at least one child who is eligible to receive a free school lunch under the NSLP;
(As an example, according to the Department of Agriculture, a household of three would have to make less than $25,000 a year in income);
Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days;
Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

Eligible families can sign up for the program up until the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided they continue to meet the original qualifications.

For general information about Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376, or for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.

The Internet Essentials program addresses three primary barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified – 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer, and 3) the cost of Internet service.

About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

Mayor Reed Continues to Urge Atlanta Residents to Remain Indoors, plus Update on Roads, Conditions, Airport

2011-01-10T14:26:00.000-05:00

Mayor Kasim Reed continues to urge Atlantans to stay off the roads; cautions drivers who must go outside to use extreme caution and slow down

Mayor Kasim Reed on Monday continued to urge Atlanta residents and business owners to put their safety first and remain at home due to snow and icy road conditions, which are likely to remain for the next several days due to below freezing temperatures. City of Atlanta crews, including Public Works, Watershed Management, and Parks will be working around the clock to make all city streets accessible as soon as possible.

“Last night, the City of Atlanta experienced a significant snowstorm with rapid accumulation and freezing rain, and we continue to experience below-freezing temperatures,” Mayor Reed said. “This is a very dangerous combination, and I ask that Atlanta residents to stay off the roads, or at least drive at reduced speeds if they must go outside.”

On Sunday evening, Mayor Reed joined Governor Sonny Perdue in calling for a state of emergency in the City of Atlanta. Throughout the night, Mayor Reed and his senior staff monitored weather, traffic and police, fire-rescue and public works operations at the City of Atlanta’s Joint Operations Command Center, which opened at 7 p.m. Sunday and will remain in service for 24-hours per day through the duration of this weather event.

The Command Center allows city personnel to work together in one central location and coordinate emergency response activities across all city departments and other municipal agencies. The City of Atlanta also is open for business today.

The City of Atlanta’s Department of Public Works is working on road safety and accessibility as its number one priority. The city’s goal is to maintain access in the immediate vicinity of emergency facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations and emergency shelters; maintain a network of key, pre-selected and prioritized routes that provide reasonable access to most areas of the city; and make all city streets accessible as quickly as possible. Atlanta’s priority mission covers 200 centerline miles of roadways including 40 bridges, 6 hospitals, and 16 Police Precincts.

As of 12 noon Monday, the Department of Public Works reports the following:

· One road closure (Cascade Rd at Danforth) – A crew has been dispatched.

· De-icing material has been applied to approximately 55 bridges

· Approximately 59 miles of roadway have been treated

· Received 97 de-icing requests logged into WebEOC Master Log∙

Due to the inclement weather, solid waste collections are delayed. The Department of Public Works will begin collection of routes as road conditions improve. All garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings routes are expected to be collected throughout the City by Friday, January 14, 2010.

The City of Atlanta is asking residents, if possible, to not park on the following main thoroughfares to assist with plowing operations: 14th Street, 17thStreet, International Boulevard, Marietta Boulevard, Marietta Street, Martin Luther King Drive, Northside Drive, Moreland Avenue, Peachtree Road, Peters Street, Piedmont Road, Roswell Road, Spring Street, West Peachtree Street, Whitehall Street and Williams Street.

Public Works departmental resources will be used first and then the full capabilities of the entire City of Atlanta will be deployed as needed by using assets from other departments or governments in a staged fashion, depending upon the severity of the conditions.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is open, although more than 60 percent of flights have been canceled by the airlines due to the weather. All passengers should check with airlines prior to coming to the airport. The airport is coordinating all of our efforts in cooperation with the FAA Air Traffic Control Group.

Overnight, the airfield experienced surface snow accumulation between 3-4 inches. Runway 8L/26R, Runway 8R/26L, Runway 9L/27R and Runway 9R/27L have been plowed, swept and treated with E-36 de-ice chemical and open with braking conditions reported as good. Runway 10/28 is closed due to ice conditions on the runway and taxiway bridges.

The roads leading to the airport have been plowed, treated and are accessible. Parking is available in all lots; however, the upper decks closed. There is limited taxi and hotel shuttle service due to off airport roadway conditions.

At the terminal, the automated trains --- Plane Train and ATL Sky Train --- are running on a normal schedule without any operational impact due to weather. Airline ticket counters are open and customer service agents are assisting passengers with rebooking. Food and beverages are available on all concourses.

City of Atlanta Storm and Ice Resources

As part of the updated snow/ice plan, the City of Atlanta is deploying the following resources:

Public Works

· 11 plow trucks

· 8 sand trucks

· 7 chase vehicles

· 500 tons of sand mixture

Parks and Recreation

· Two Tandems with Operators

· Pickups as needed to address park and recreation center (shelters) drives and walks

· Tree crews with dump and bucket trucks to address fallen trees

Watershed Management

· Five Tandem Dump Trucks with Operators

· Two Flatbed Trucks with Operators

State of Georgia

· Multiple sand spreaders and other resources as needed and available (for state routes)

· Priority routes are consistent with the functional street classification hierarchy, which is based on the volume of traffic served and the connectivity provided:

· First priority routes reflect major arterial streets; (e.g. Peachtree Street, Northside Drive, and Mitchell Street)

· Second priority routes include minor arterials and collectors; (e.g. Howell Mill Road, Campbellton Road, and Monroe Drive)

· Third priority routes are comprised of minor collectors and major local streets (e.g. West Wesley, Avon Avenue, and Beecher Road)

In parallel with completing priority routes, crews will continue to canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. For reporting of ice or hazardous roadway conditions, please call 404-853-3200.

When the city is significantly impacted by weather conditions, Public Works operations will work around the clock to ensure roadways are clear and safe.

City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreations and Cultural Affairs

The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs has prepared 100 beds for families in need of shelter due to power outages. At 12 noon today, the Old Adamsville Recreation Center (located at 3404 Delmar Lane SW) will open with the city's emergency shelter plan in effect and remain operational until further notice. In the event of further need for assistance, the Office of Recreation will provide limited sheltering at Rosel Fann Recreation Center (located at 365 Cleveland Avenue SE).

Power Outages

According to Georgia Power, there have been no reported major power outages in the City of Atlanta. However, if residents experience a loss of power, they are encouraged to do the following:

· Anyone with a life-threatening medical emergency should dial 9-1-1.

· Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to local public safety authorities and stay out of the immediate area.

· Avoid debris on the ground that may conceal downed power lines and make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. Do not attempt to make repairs to Georgia Power's electrical system or pull limbs off lines.

· Watch out for falling trees, tree limbs and power lines.

· Steer clear of Georgia Power crew work areas. Equipment and energized lines may be in the area that could create a safety hazard.

· When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all traffic signs and directions around work areas.

· When leaving your home and power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution to avoid a power surge once the power is restored.

· Be patient. When major outages occur, Georgia Power crews must first restore power to transmission lines and distribution circuits before working on distribution lines that feed directly to homes and businesses. However, be assured that Georgia Power crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to customers.

· Customers are reminded to be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use fire screens to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.

· Customers should exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.

· Keep the damper close in your fireplace when not using it.

· Dress in layers.· Keep refrigerators and freezer doors closed to keep cold air inside.

12:30 a.m. - Mayor Kasim Reed Joins Governor Sonny Perdue in Declaring a State of Emergency Due to 2011 Winter Storm

2011-01-10T08:28:00.000-05:00

Mayor Reed urges all Atlantans to stay in doors and off the roads

Mayor Reed on Sunday joined Governor Sonny Perdue in calling for a state of emergency in the city of Atlanta and urged all Atlantans to stay indoors and off the roads.

“We are facing a serious storm, which will have a critical impact on the City of Atlanta and the state of Georgia,” said Mayor Reed. “I am asking Atlanta residents to exercise extreme caution, place their safety first and stay off the roads, if possible. Throughout the duration of this storm, my Administration will be working diligently to ensure that city operations are functioning as efficiently as possible.”

To be better prepared for inclement weather conditions, the City of Atlanta has created and implemented an improved and more robust snow and ice response plan.

For the inclement weather, the city is utilizing the Joint Operations Command center, located at the City of Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters. Open and fully-staffed, the Command Center will be open and staffed 24-7 through the duration of the storm. The Command Center allows city personnel to work together, in one central location, and coordinate emergency response activities across all city departments and other municipal agencies.

The city’s Office of Recreation has prepared 100 beds for families in need of shelter due to power outages. At noon on Monday, January 10, 2011, the Old Adamsville Recreation Center (located at 3404 Delmar Lane SW) will open with the city's emergency shelter plan in effect and remain operational until further notice. In the event of further need for assistance, the Office of Recreation will provide limited sheltering at Rosel Fann Recreation Center (located at 365 Cleveland Avenue SE).

Road safety and accessibility are key factors in ensuring the safety and drivability of the roadways. The city’s goal is to maintain access in the immediate vicinity of emergency facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations and emergency shelters; maintain a network of key, pre-selected and prioritized routes that provide reasonable access to most areas of the city; and make all city streets accessible as quickly as possible. Atlanta’s priority mission covers 200 centerline miles of roadways including 40 bridges, 6 hospitals, and 16 Police Precincts.

The City of Atlanta is asking residents, if possible, to not park on the following main thoroughfares to assist with plowing operations: 14th Street, 17th Street, International Boulevard, Marietta Boulevard, Marietta Street, Martin Luther King Drive, Northside Drive, Moreland Avenue, Peachtree Road, Peters Street, Piedmont Road, Roswell Road, Spring Street, West Peachtree Street, Whitehall Street and Williams Street.

The Department of Aviation is fully-staffed and prepared for the winter weather event. The snow desk opened Sunday night at 7pm and will remain open throughout the duration of the event. All airport operations and maintenance employees are working 12-hour shifts to make ensure that runways, taxiways, airport road ways and terminal buildings are kept in operational order.

We have been in constant communication with the airlines, which thinned their operations starting Sunday evening. Collectively, the airlines have cancelled 60 percent of their flights through Tuesday morning. They are anticipating recovering and being back to normal by midday Tuesday. All passengers should check with airlines prior to coming to the airport. The airport is coordinating all of our efforts in cooperation with the FAA Air Traffic Control Group.

Public Works departmental resources will be used first and then the full capabilities of the entire City of Atlanta will be deployed as needed by using assets from other departments or governments in a staged fashion, depending upon the severity of the conditions.

As part of the updated snow/ice plan, the City of Atlanta is deploying the following resources:

Public Works

• Eight sand trucks

• Seven chase vehicles

• 500 tons of sand mixture

Parks and Recreation

• Two Tandems with Operators

• Pickups as needed to address park and recreation center (shelters) drives and walks

• Tree crews with dump and bucket trucks to address fallen trees

Watershed Management

• Five Tandem Dump Trucks with Operators

• Two Flatbed Trucks with Operators

Airport

• Resources as allowed in case of emergency and not to impact airport operations in any way

State of Georgia

• Multiple sand spreaders and other resources as needed and available (for state routes)

• Priority routes are consistent with the functional street classification hierarchy, which is based on the volume of traffic served and the connectivity provided:

• First priority routes reflect major arterial streets; (e.g. Peachtree Street, Northside Drive, and Mitchell Street)

• Second priority routes include minor arterials and collectors; (e.g. Howell Mill Road, Campbellton Road, and Monroe Drive)

• Third priority routes are comprised of minor collectors and major local streets (e.g. West Wesley, Avon Avenue, and Beecher Road)

In parallel with completing priority routes, crews will continue to canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. For reporting of ice or hazardous roadway conditions, please call 404-853-3200. When the city is significantly impacted by weather conditions, Public Works operations will work around the clock to ensure roadways are clear and safe.

Department of Public Works Winter Storm Preparation

2011-01-07T17:30:00.002-05:00

Road safety and accessibility are key factors for the Department of Public Works in ensuring the safety and drivability of our roadways. We seek to maintain access in the immediate vicinity of emergency facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations and emergency shelters; maintain a network of key, pre-selected and prioritized routes that provide reasonable access to most areas of the city; and make all city streets accessible as quickly as possible.

In the event of snow/ice inclement weather with precipitation or other conditions that warrant emergency response, Public Works has six (6) sand trucks available for use with approximately 300 tons of sand mixture for the city’s 200 centerline miles of priority route roadways including 40 bridges, 6 hospitals, and 16 Police Precincts. We also have access to additional resources from other city/governmental agencies if needed.

Priority routes are consistent with the functional street classification hierarchy which is based on the volume of traffic served and the connectivity provided:
first priority routes reflect major arterial streets; (e.g. Peachtree Street, Northside Drive, and Mitchell Street)
second priority routes include minor arterials and collectors; (e.g. Howell Mill Road, Campbellton Road, and Monroe Drive)
third priority routes are comprised of minor collectors and major local streets (e.g. West Wesley, Avon Avenue, and Beecher Road)

In parallel with completing our priority routes, our crews will continue to canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. For reporting of ice or hazardous roadway conditions, please call 404-853-3200. When the City is significantly impacted by weather conditions, Public Works operations will work continuously to ensure roadways are clear and passable.

City of Atlanta Urges Motorists to Stay off the Roads

2010-12-15T20:37:00.002-05:00

The City of Atlanta is urging motorists to stay off the roads this evening due to the dropping temperature and icy conditions. If driving is unavoidable, use extreme caution.

The E-911 Center is busier than usual due to an increase in calls for assistance. Please exercise judgment when calling 911 and do so only for urgent situations or emergencies.

Residents should call (404) 853-3200 to report icy road conditions, downed trees/debris.

Drivers can call 511 for road updates and check conditions of interstates and state highways. This information is also available online at http://www.georgia-navigator.com/

On Sunday evening, City maintenance began spreading a mixture of sand and salt over all bridges and overpasses and segments of street with steep gradients using a priority route system based on traffic volumes and locations of employment centers and hospitals.

All eight of the City’s sand trucks are operational. Public Works maintenance staff are working rotational 24 hour shifts. GDOT is currently spreading a salt mixture on the interstates.

The roadways have been divided into four categories:

First Priority - 100 centerline miles of roadway that must be kept open for the health and safety of citizens.

Second Priority - 83 miles of roadway to give each household a road within 2 miles that would be passable for public or private transit.

Third Priority - All other arterial and collector streets

Fourth Priority - Residential streets In addition to completing priority routes, crews will canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. Motorists are reminded to exercise extreme caution as icy conditions can still be dangerous despite sanding.

City of Atlanta Re-opens Rosel Fann Recreation Center Tonight for Residents

2010-12-14T16:55:00.002-05:00

The City of Atlanta announced today that Rosel Fann Recreation Center will re-open from 8 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. Wednesday for residents who may be adversely affected by tonight's frigid weather.

Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire & Rescue and EMS personnel will be at the recreation center. The AFRD will have an Advance Life Support Unit assigned to the facility during the operational hours on a rotational basis and a First-Aid station also will be on-site.

City staff will provide blankets, cots and water to residents who come to the center which is located at 365 Cleveland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30354. The City strongly encourages all residents who lack adequate shelter or heat to seek assistance this evening. For more information, please call the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at (404) 330-6023.

If icy conditions develop overnight, the City of Atlanta encourages residents to stay off the roads. If driving is unavoidable, use extra care.

On Sunday evening, City maintenance began spreading a mixture of sand and salt over all bridges and overpasses and segments of street with steep gradients using a priority route system based on traffic volumes and locations of employment centers and hospitals.

Please call (404) 853-3227 to report icy road conditions, downed trees/debris.

City of Atlanta Re-opens Rosel Fann Recreation Center Tonight for Residents

2010-12-13T16:53:00.002-05:00

Salt spreaders in operation and continue to prepare for icy road conditions

The City of Atlanta announced today that Rosel Fann Recreation Center will re-open from 8 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. Tuesday for residents who may be adversely affected by tonight's frigid weather.

Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire & Rescue and EMS personnel will be at the recreation center. The AFRD will have an Advance Life Support Unit assigned to the facility during the operational hours on a rotational basis and a First-Aid station also will be on-site.

City staff will provide blankets, cots and water to residents who come to the center which is located at 365 Cleveland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30354. The City strongly encourages all residents who lack adequate shelter or heat to seek assistance this evening. For more information, please call the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at (404) 330-6023.

If icy conditions develop overnight, the City of Atlanta encourages residents to stay off the roads. If driving is unavoidable, use extra care.

On Sunday evening, City maintenance began spreading a mixture of sand and salt over all bridges and overpasses and segments of street with steep gradients using a priority route system based on traffic volumes and locations of employment centers and hospitals.

Since beginning operations on Sunday, the Department of Public Works has responded to a total of six ice-related calls utilizing one sand truck spreader. Thirty-seven tons of the sand mixture have been dispersed along 14 bridges and 11 priority routes surrounding emergency facilities such as hospitals, fire stations and police stations.

All eight of the City’s sand trucks are operational. Public Works maintenance staff are working rotational 24 hour shifts as needed. GDOT and Fulton County are on standby should their assistance be needed.

The roadways have been divided into four categories:

First Priority - 100 centerline miles of roadway that must be kept open for the health and safety of citizens.
Second Priority - 83 miles of roadway to give each household a road within 2 miles that would be passable for public or private transit.
Third Priority - All other arterial and collector streets
Fourth Priority - Residential streets

In addition to completing priority routes, crews will canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. Motorists are reminded to exercise extreme caution as icy conditions can still be dangerous despite sanding.

Please call (404) 853-3227 to report icy road conditions, downed trees/debris.

Should the City be significantly impacted by the inclement weather conditions, all operations will be reflective of a “holiday” schedule which means that all solid waste pickups (household garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings) may be delayed by 1 day. Customers should continue to place their waste items out on the regularly scheduled pick up day. Work efforts on closed or blocked streets will be handled once streets are re-opened to vehicular traffic.

Historic Westside Community on Road to Revitalization

2010-12-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

Russell New Urban Development in talks with national retailer to bring low prices and savings to Atlanta University Center communities of Vine City and English Avenue

Russell New Urban Development LLC, the development arm of H.J. Russell and Company headed by H. Jerome Russell, in partnership with the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) is furthering its revitalization of the Historic Westside Community by entering into discussions with Walmart with the goal of opening a new store in the neighborhood. This is a triumph for the City of Atlanta, which has made significant investments in rebuilding the Atlanta University Center communities of Vine City and English Avenue.

"Walmart is bringing more than jobs, goods and services to the residents of the community and the 12,000 students of the Atlanta University Center," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "The company is providing the spark this community needs to continue its transformation and become a healthy, thriving place where people want to live and study."

“In line with our reputation for pioneering the development of underserved communities, Russell New Urban Development has been aggressively seeking a new anchor tenant that would improve the quality of life for residents of this community,” said H. Jerome Russell, president. “With Walmart’s everyday low prices in general merchandise and groceries, the company is the ideal fit for the residents of this community and the broader Westside community, and we’re thrilled about the partnership with the company.”

While the details of the proposed site are being finalized, plans for the Walmart store feature in-store services like a money center and a pharmacy and an exterior that blends with the design of the surrounding businesses. The company’s most up-to-date environmentally sustainable elements, such as natural lighting and recycling programs, would be in place as well. The store will bring well-paying jobs with benefits to the community.

“We continue to seek ways we can serve our customers and communities so that people can save money and live better,” said Greg Sullivan, senior vice president for South East Division Walmart stores. “We recognize an opportunity to make an impact in Vine City and metro Atlanta by bringing jobs, convenience, fresh options and everyday low prices to the community.”

"I am elated that Walmart has chosen to locate one of its stores at 825 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Historic Westside Village," said Ivory Young, Atlanta city councilman for District 3. "The revitalization of this corridor remains a priority for the city and the surrounding neighborhoods."

Since 1990, the city, through its economic development agency, the Atlanta Development Authority, has provided significant capital to the area, including $36 million in loans for major residential multifamily projects, $15 million in grants to redevelopment projects, $14.1 million in homeownership loans, $2.3 million in grants for homeless housing construction, a $1.7 million grant for the MLK/Ashby revitalization and $1.6 million in small-business loans.

“Walmart is the anchor we’ve been hoping for at this transit-oriented development site,” said Ernestine Garey, interim president of the Atlanta Development Authority. “Walmart is a pioneer with vision and commitment to sustainability to the communities they serve. This announcement will stabilize the investments we’ve already made on the site and in the surrounding community.”

City of Atlanta Prepares for Frigid Temperatures and Possible Icy Conditions

2010-12-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

Rosel Fann Recreation Center open for residents; Salt spreaders in operation

To aid residents who may be adversely affected by tonight's frigid weather, the City of Atlanta is opening the Rosel Fann Recreation Center from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday.

Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire & Rescue and EMS personnel will be at the recreation center. The AFRD will have an Advance Life Support Unit assigned to the facility during the operational hours on a rotational basis and a First-Aid station also will be on-site.

City staff will provide blankets, cots and water to residents who come to the center which is located at 365 Cleveland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30354. The City strongly encourages all residents who lack adequate shelter or heat to seek assistance this evening. For more information, please call the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at (404) 330-6023.

If icy conditions develop overnight, the City of Atlanta encourages residents to stay off the roads. If driving is unavoidable, use extra care.

To prepare for possible inclement weather, city maintenance crews will spread a mixture of sand and salt over all bridges, overpasses and streets with steep gradients using a priority route system based on traffic volumes and locations of employment centers and hospitals.

Approximately 1200 tons of sand and salt materials are presently on hand and will be dispersed throughout the city as necessary. Fifteen crews utilizing six sand trucks and 10 tandem dump trucks will participate in this activity. Crews will work through the night to ensure roads are passable and are available to respond 24 hours daily as needed. GDOT and Fulton County are on standby should their assistance be needed.

The roadways have been divided into four categories:

First Priority - 100 centerline miles of roadway that must be kept open for the health and safety of citizens.
Second Priority - 83 miles of roadway to give each household a road within 2 miles that would be passable for public or private transit.
Third Priority - All other arterial and collector streets
Fourth Priority - Residential streets

In addition to completing priority routes, crews will canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens. Motorists are reminded to exercise extreme caution as icy conditions can still be dangerous despite sanding.

Please call (404) 853-3227 to report icy road conditions, downed trees/debris.

Should the City be significantly impacted by the inclement weather conditions, all operations will be reflective of a “holiday” schedule which means that all solid waste pickups (household garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings) may be delayed by 1 day. Customers should continue to place their waste items out on the regularly scheduled pick up day. Work efforts on closed or blocked streets will be handled once streets are re-opened to vehicular traffic.

Statement of Mayor Kasim Reed on Calhoun Settlement

2010-12-08T19:53:00.001-05:00

On behalf of the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta City Council, and the Atlanta Police Department, I am pleased to announce that our settlement with the Plaintiffs in the Atlanta Eagle lawsuit has been approved by the Federal Court.

The allegations made by the Plaintiffs, that certain Atlanta Police officers engaged in inappropriate conduct at the Atlanta Eagle on September 10, 2009, have been a matter of serious concern to me for some time.

I believe that what occurred that evening should not have happened and should not happen again. As Mayor of Atlanta, I feel pain for anyone mistreated in our city and apologize to each Plaintiff in the Calhoun case.

This week’s settlement agreement is a step forward, and I hope, the beginning of a healing process, part of a number of steps I’ve taken since becoming Mayor of the City of Atlanta. The Plaintiffs and the City of Atlanta, as part of the settlement agreement, have agreed upon clear steps which will strengthen and improve our law enforcement capabilities and help ensure that an incident such as this will not happen again in our city. These reforms include training, education, and revising applicable policies and procedures.

I believe that the lessons learned here, and the resulting reforms, will have a positive impact on future relations between the Atlanta Police Department, the LGBT community and the residents of the City of Atlanta, and that the rights of all of our citizens will be better safeguarded as a result.

I would like to acknowledge the members of the Blue Ribbon Commission who counseled me and volunteered their time to assist with the mediation process: Lawrie Demorest, Burt Tillman, Jeremy Burnette, Lee Schreter and Lawrence Ashe. Thank you for your service and commitment to the City of Atlanta.

I also want to express my personal appreciation to our City Attorney, Cathy Hampton, whose leadership was instrumental in settling this case.

Our diversity is our strength. As Mayor, I look forward to working with our entire community to ensure we are a more caring and compassionate city.

Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta Host the 2010 Senior Citizens Ball

2010-10-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

Mayor Reed and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services revive beloved city tradition; more than 4,000 seniors enjoyed an evening of entertainment and dancing in honor of “Senior Citizens Day”
Mayor Kasim Reed saluted more than 4,000 Atlanta seniors at the 2010 Senior Citizens Ball on Monday evening at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Designating October 4, 2010 as “Senior Citizens Day” in the City of Atlanta, Mayor Reed thanked the city’s elders for being shining examples of integrity, leadership and enduring love.

“Tonight, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary individuals who built the foundation that my generation stands upon today,” Mayor Reed said. “This ball is a special time for their contributions to be recognized by the City’s leadership.”

“Atlanta is a caring city because of the people who live and work here and the way in which we respect each other, especially our elders,” Mayor Reed added. “As Mayor, I believe it is essential to continue important community traditions such as the Senior Citizens Ball.”

For many years, the Senior Citizens Ball was one of the city’s most anticipated social events. However, due to budget constraints, the City of Atlanta hosted the last ball in 2007.

Mayor Reed, in response to requests from dozens of seniors, promised to restore the ball shortly after his inauguration in January. Reflecting the spirit of Atlanta, more than two dozen business and community leaders contributed private funds for the ball. The City is especially appreciative of the AARP and Kaiser Permanente for their support.

Mrs. Sylvia Reed, Mayor Reed’s mother, co-chaired and co-hosted the ball, the theme of which was “Forever Young.” At the gala, the seniors were welcomed with a red carpet arrival and enjoyed food, music, a fashion show, prizes, and plenty of dancing throughout the evening. Radio personalities Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron of V-103 emceed the ball.

“I am delighted to reintroduce one of our City’s most beloved traditions,” Mayor Reed said. “I am especially appreciative of everyone who supported this event, especially my partners on the Atlanta City Council and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.”

Update Underway To Improve Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Fulton County, Georgia

2010-09-28T07:39:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -Georgia's most populated county, home to just over a million residents and the state's largest city, is updating its FEMA-required hazard mitigation plan for local review and adoption in mid-December of this year and subsequent approval by FEMA. An approved hazard mitigation plan will allow cities to leverage federal hazard mitigation grant funds.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan update project is being managed by Calvin, Giordano &Associates (CGA), a consultant to the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency, whose authority covers 14 cities as well as unincorporated Fulton County.

Nearing the halfway point, CGA planners are currently evaluating vulnerable structures and populations in Fulton County that are at risk from a variety of natural hazards known to threaten the area. Participating municipalities include Atlanta, Milton, Roswell, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs, East Point, College Park, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills and Hapeville.

CGA, according to the lead planner Beth McElroy, is conducting up to four joint planning meetings with the municipalities and the county in order to reevaluate the hazard vulnerability analysis, identify shortfalls, obtain critical information from new cities, assess any new areas that might need to be addressed in the planning process, refine/enhance the annual update committee review process and revise goals and objectives.

McElroy said as a result of growth and other recent changes since the plan was initially implemented in 2004, an assessment and reevaluation of the county's risks and vulnerabilities is necessary. This ensures that steps are taken to protect the community from the dangers posed by natural hazards and ensure that new growth takes steps to incorporate mitigative actions into future growth and infrastructure planning.

"Also since the last plan was completed, four cities have incorporated within Fulton County," McElroy added. "The task is to integrate the information from the more recent assessments with data from the planning sessions and to refine and enhance the current plan for final FEMA approval."

All documents and reports created for the county must comply with state and federal mitigation rules and requirements, federal planning requirements and project management capabilities.

CGA's Emergency Management Services Division provides local governments with multi-hazard disaster planning, response, recovery and mitigation services. The division enhances the preparedness level of clients in order to protect human lives, restore services and better manage response resources.

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City of Atlanta Receives Municipal Forestry Accreditation from the Society of Municipal Arborists

2010-09-21T13:23:00.000-04:00

Atlanta is first municipality in Georgia; fifth in the nation

The City of Atlanta is the latest community to join a prestigious group of municipalities to be accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA.) SMA Accreditation is the highest honor for municipal urban forestry programs, obtained by following a professional approach to tree management.

SMA Accredited programs have a certified municipal specialist on staff, have an approved Local Forest Master Plan, are Tree City USA growth award recipients, show private contract preference for accredited tree care companies, adhere to industry standards for safety and performance, and adhere to SMA’s Code of Ethics.

“The SMA accreditation is yet another example of the City of Atlanta’s commitment to excellence,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I commend the members of the city’s Arborist Division and the Office of Parks for their dedication and willingness to sharpen their skills and achieve the highest professional standards for the benefit of the citizens of Atlanta.”

The City of Atlanta is the first municipality to be accredited in the state of Georgia, and fifth nationwide, joining the cities of Aspen, Colorado; Glencoe, Illinois; Arlington, Texas; and Downers Grove, Illinois. The SMA accreditation is renewable every five years.

To obtain SMA accreditation, the Department of Planning and Community Development met the following requirements:

Program must have at least one ISA Certified Arborist (ISA certification requires a 4-hour comprehensive examination) on staff, with an ISA Certified Municipal Specialist preferred (a specialist is a higher level designation that requires passing an additional two-hour exam focused exclusively on municipal arboriculture).
Program must have a Forest Master Plan approved by appropriate local body.
Program must be a current Tree City USA (this criterion must be maintained annually to maintain accreditation).
Program must have a National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award, in at least one of the past five years.
Program must show preference to Tree Care Industry Association Accredited tree care companies when private arborists are contracted.
Program must incorporate American National Safety Institute (ANSI) Z133.1 safety standards.
Program must incorporate ANSI A300 tree care performance standards.
Program must pledge adherence to the SMA Code of Ethics and to promote SMA objectives.

With a growing appreciation for the value of green infrastructure, communities across the nation are taking steps to maintain their trees, which unlike other parts of a city’s infrastructure, actually increase in value. A healthy urban forest provides many benefits for cities, including beautification, reduction of the urban heat island effect, reduction of stormwater runoff, reduction of air pollution, reduction of energy costs through increased shade over buildings, improved wildlife habitat, and mitigation of overall urban environmental impact. In addition, research has shown that city trees can improve real estate values, attract shoppers, improve worker productivity, reduce crime, reduce hospital stay, and improve children’s school performance.

“This accreditation recognizes the dedication that Mayor Kasim Reed and the city’s arborists have given to the City of Atlanta and the care of its urban forest,” said SMA President Gene Hyde. “By adhering to accreditation standards and following best management practices, your urban forest will continue to grow in value and benefit the citizens of Atlanta for generations to come.”

About the City of Atlanta’s Arboricultural Programs
The City of Atlanta Arborist Division is housed within the Department of Planning and Community Development, led by Commissioner James Shelby. The Arborist Division is responsible for trees located on private property. There are three field arborists (two permanent), conducting 3,500 – 4,000 site inspections annually. Six members of staff are International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists. Of those, there is one ISA Municipal Specialist. He is one of five in the state of GA. One staff member is a Certified Tree Risk Assessor. The Office of Parks is housed within the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs and has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff. The Office of Parks is responsible for trees located in city parks and other public space.

About SMA
The Society of Municipal Arborists (www.urban-forestry.com) is a not-for-profit international organization of municipal arborists, urban and community foresters, members of tree boards, tree wardens, consultants, municipal officials, and students who are involved in the professional management of trees where over 114 million people live, work, and play. SMA leads the world in building the confidence, competence, and camaraderie of the family of professionals who create and sustain community forests.

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City of Atlanta Completes Neighborhood Stabilization Program Obligation Ahead of National Deadline

2010-09-02T18:39:00.002-04:00

Department of Planning and Community Development announces milestone and looks forward to possibility of receiving additional NSP grants to address abandoned foreclosures

Atlanta, GA – With several days to go before the September 5 deadline, the City of Atlanta today announced it has met its Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) goal of obligating 100 percent of federal and state grant funds ahead of schedule. The City of Atlanta NSP is being managed by the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Office of Housing. Using NSP stimulus grants, the Office of Housing has acquired 143 properties, which include single-family homes and apartment complexes in NSP targeted communities.

Earlier this month the Department of Planning and Community Development announced the Office of Housing had obligated over 90-percent of its federal NSP grant funds and nearly 95 percent of its state allocation. On Tuesday, both funding sources reached 100 percent obligation.

“Meeting the obligation deadline ahead of schedule is a tremendous success for the City of Atlanta,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The foreclosure crisis had a devastating effect on many of our neighborhoods and this program allows Atlanta the opportunity to rebuild communities hit hardest by it. Our NSP staff will now focus on renovations so that homes and apartment units can be ready for sale or rent in the coming months.”

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is a national recovery initiative designed to help cities address the foreclosure crisis by distributing grants to municipalities to acquire, renovate and resell housing units in areas hit hardest by the national foreclosure crisis.

“What we achieved would not be possible without the help and support of the community, our developers and the more than 250 businesses working with us,” stated Commissioner James Shelby, Department of Planning and Community Development.

The City of Atlanta is thought to be in the running for a NSP3 grant. An announcement is expected soon to identify which cities will receive NSP3 funding.

In 2009, the City of Atlanta received approximately $12 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and nearly $4 million from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for NSP. Using HUD guidelines, the City of Atlanta has targeted NSP funds to assist areas of greatest need, which include portions of zip codes: 30307, 30310, 30311, 30312, 30314, 30315, 30316, 30317, 30318, 30331 and 30354. These areas also are considered to have the highest percentage of sub-prime mortgage loans.

Interested homebuyers and renters are encouraged to visit www.atlantaga.gov and visit the Department of Planning & Community Development, then click the Office of Housing page. You can also call the Office of Housing at 404-330-6390 or send an email to OfficeofHousingNSP@AtlantaGa.Gov.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Announces that Peter Aman Will Remain Chief Operating Officer until December 2011

2010-08-18T12:24:00.000-04:00

Key accomplishments to date include addressing the City’s pension crisis, reducing emergency response times, eliminating fire-station brown-outs, improving critical service delivery and building multi-million reserves for the City

Mayor Kasim Reed formally announced today that Peter Aman, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, will serve in that position for an additional year. Scheduled to leave at the end of this calendar year, Aman has decided to continue until December 31, 2011.

“Peter is a transformational leader who has helped me to significantly improve the quality of City services while also streamlining inefficiencies in municipal government,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.

“His knowledge and expertise in addressing the City’s most difficult challenges have been invaluable. I consider myself and the City of Atlanta extremely fortunate to have Peter Aman serve the City for an additional year.”

Aman was confirmed as COO by the Atlanta City Council in January. Since then, he has led the executive management of the municipal operating departments: Corrections, Procurement, Information Technology, Office of Enterprise Assets Management, Aviation, Fire, Police, Human Resources, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Planning and Community Development, Public Works, Watershed Management, Office of Contract Compliance, Emergency Management Services and the external operating agencies.

“I enjoy working with Mayor Reed and the entire Cabinet; it’s been a great experience,” Aman said. “We have a unique opportunity to remake city government, and Mayor Reed’s trust and confidence in me allow me to implement changes that will benefit the City and its residents for years to come. I believe this Administration is in the middle of making positive changes and I am delighted to continue contributing.”

In collaboration with Mayor Reed and key City leaders, Aman’s accomplishments include:

· Dramatically improving fire response times in meeting the nationally recognized standard from 42 percent in January to 70 percent in May 2010;

· Increasing the number of garbage pickups completed on the scheduled day from 85.8% in January to 98.8% in July 2010;

· Implementing $7.4 million of projected savings in the first phase of reforms to the City’s pension plan. The City’s pension liability had risen 13 percent every year over the past ten years;

· Eliminating brown-outs at fire stations within first 100 days of the Reed administration;

· Working closely with Interim CFO Roosevelt Council to control hiring and spending, thereby reducing FY10 expenses by a total of $16M at year end;

· Leading Mayor’s staff that successfully worked with City Council to pass a budget which is both fiscally conservative (about $12 million in operating reductions, pension cost reductions, efficiency gains) and moved the city forward (included $3.7 million to re-open closed recreation centers and funding for 100 new police officer positions);

· Opening seven additional outdoor pools for the summer season and refurbishing all of the 15 City recreation centers that had been closed. The first six opened in August and the remainder will open before year end;

· Improving Code Compliance through a turnaround that included restructuring of code enforcement teams, additional staffing, compliance process redesign as well as city code changes to make response times and processes more efficient;

· Driving immediate management changes in multiple departments and at multiple levels and assisting the Mayor in the recruitment and selection of Commissioners and senior management talent; and

· Reaching out and directly engaging employees at multiple levels of the City, with a special focus on the critical work performed by the front-line employees (e.g., visits to crime scenes, fires, SWAT standoffs, rope rescue, fire stations, police zone offices, pothole repairs, HR, among others).

As a partner at Bain & Company, a global business consulting firm, Aman has helped to transform and turnaround dozens of large and complex multinational media and industrial companies. He also has held several leadership roles in Bain’s Atlanta office, including those in the areas of recruiting, staff allocation and professional development, facilities and information technology operation, risk management and professional standards.

Aman’s deep involvement in the City of Atlanta began in 2002 when he led a pro bono transformation effort by Bain & Company that lasted three years, providing $7 million of donated consulting services. The work by Aman and the Bain team revealed what was then a substantial gap in the city’s operating budget and designed a series of corrective actions, including the development of a comprehensive turnaround plan, a benchmarking of city costs and employment levels versus other comparable cities, the creation of an economic development plan, and a deeper understanding of tax and fee affordability of the city.

Aman has served on the boards of The Atlanta Committee for Progress, The Atlanta Police Foundation, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and The Galloway School, among others.

Aman is a graduate of Duke University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, with honors. He earned an MBA, with distinction, from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Elected Chair of the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative

2010-08-18T11:30:00.000-04:00

Program develops and provides regional strategies to improve homeland security efforts in metro Atlanta
Mayor Kasim Reed recently was unanimously elected chair of the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Senior Policy Group.

UASI was developed in 2003 as a result of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2002. The program was established to provide grants to assist high-risk urban areas in preventing, protecting, responding and recovering from acts of terrorism.

Since 2003, the Metro Atlanta UASI has been actively engaged in strategic planning efforts with local, state and federal partners to ensure effective communications within the region in the event of an incident. In 2006, the program also began to concentrate on more regional collaborative efforts in the areas of fire, police, medical and citizen preparedness.

“I am honored to have been appointed chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group,” Mayor Reed said. “I believe elected leaders have no greater responsibility than to ensure the safety of their constituents. I look forward to working with the Metro Atlanta UASI to make the City of Atlanta and the region as safe and secure as possible.”

As chair of the Senior Policy Group, Mayor Reed will work in collaboration with the Board of Commission Chairs of Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties to develop regional strategies designed to improve homeland security efforts in and around the metro Atlanta area.

“The Program Administration Office would like to congratulate and welcome Mayor Kasim Reed as the Chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group/Urban Area Working Group (UAWG),” said Julia Janka, Program Director for the Metro Atlanta UASI. “The Program Administration Office looks forward to assisting Mayor Reed in growing the program through his leadership and guidance. We stand ready to provide program and operational support for the Metro Atlanta UASI region.”

The Metro Atlanta UASI is required to focus regionally on the following programs and objectives:

Regional Collaboration
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)
Interoperable Communications
Information Sharing and response among law enforcement agencies
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and High Explosives (CBRNE) capabilities
Evacuation Planning
Citizen Corps/Citizen Participation/Volunteerism
Regional Transportation and Transit Security

UASI is administered through the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The grant provides funding to high-risk areas based on risk and effectiveness to address planning, operations, equipment, training and exercise on a multi-disciplinary level.

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin served as the first chair of the group and is succeeded by Mayor Kasim Reed. Chairman Charles Bannister of Gwinnett County served as Interim Chair for six months until elections were held in July.
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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Presidential Advisor David Gergen and Chancellor of DC Public Schools Michelle Rhee Develop Ideas for Innovative Leadership

2010-06-30T10:30:00.002-04:00

Mayor Reed and Rhee to Headline Socrates Society Forum for Young Leaders’ at its Annual Benefit Dinner at the Aspen Institute

Mayor Kasim Reed and Washington D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, will headline the Socrates Society Forum for Young Leaders’ annual benefit dinner on Saturday, July 3 in Aspen, Colorado. The 2010 annual Socrates benefit dinner will feature a conversation on leadership and social innovation hosted by Aspen Institute Trustee David Gergen, who is also a professor of Public Service at Harvard University, CNN commentator and former White House advisor.

“I am looking forward to talking with Mayor Kasim Reed, leader of one of the most vital cities in the country,” said David Gergen. “I hope to learn about how he is tackling some of the challenges facing Atlanta, such as the city’s fiscal situation, and hear his views on school reform and coalition-building in the rapidly growing and incredibly diverse urban environment.”

Mayor Reed, who is an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow, and Michelle Rhee, appointed by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty to lead the district’s public schools, will participate in the discussion moderated by David Gergen. This benefit dinner provides a forum for young emerging leaders, such as Reed and Rhee, to come together from different professional sectors to analyze contemporary issues through expert-moderated dialogue.

“It’s critical that Mayors and superintendents have discussions about the joint goals and actions that can make cities great,” Michelle Rhee said. “I’m excited that Mayor Reed is interested in school reform and I want to learn from the efforts he is pursuing in Atlanta.”

The Aspen Institute’s mission is twofold—it fosters values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and provides a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: through seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events.

“The Aspen Institute and the Socrates Society have long been out front in the area of responsible and innovative leadership in our country,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “For me, it is an honor to participate in this important discussion on issues vital to the future of our nation and our world. I plan to bring back a host of innovative ideas to help make Atlanta an even greater City.”

The Annual Socrates Society benefit dinner is a unique seminar that allows progressive and results-driven leaders to discuss and offer practical solutions for issues that have an immense impact on our society. Each year recognized leaders, including entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, representatives of government, international, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, academics and journalists, discuss current and provocative topics. Past topics include bioethics, energy security, the future of democracy, religious fundamentalism, globalization, media and values, repairing the US economy, and innovation.

"The Socrates Society offers thoughtful programs to emerging young leaders to explore contemporary issues through values-based Socratic discussion,” said Melissa Ingber, Director of the Aspen Institute's Socrates Society. “Mayor Reed, an Aspen Institute Rodel fellow, and Michelle Rhee, are innovators and public leaders who address leadership challenges daily. Their conversation, moderated by David Gergen, will provide valuable experiences on leadership and innovation for those attending our benefit dinner, an event that enables us to provide scholarships to Socrates seminars so that we can ensure diversity in the voices around the table."

BBN Launches First Ever N. Fulton TV Show

2010-06-20T19:13:00.000-04:00

With a potential 90,000 viewers in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs, The Beacon Broadcast Network (BBN) launches the first ever North Fulton television show exclusively on Comcast Cable. The program, "Political InSighter: News and Analysis Affecting North Fulton and State," debuts Sunday, June 20 on Comcast Channel 25. The hour-long show encompasses a "Face The Nation" style storyboard with a lively upbeat tempo.

New programs debut every Sunday at 10:00 AM and repeat at 6:30 PM. Rebroadcast times are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM. The program will also be available on Comcast On-Demand, Comcast.com and Beaconcast.com.

"Political InSighter" is co-hosted by John Fredericks, managing editor of The Beacon and Ashley Widener, correspondent for The Beacon Broadcast Network.

The program will include news and analysis of the week and feature high profile guest interviews. The show concludes with a commentator panel.

Guest interviews for the first show include Roswell Mayor Jere Wood and Republican candidate for Governor John Oxendine. Future confirmed guests include GOP Gubernatorial candidates Karen Handel, Nathan Deal and Eric Johnson, and Democrat candidate Thurbert Baker.

For advertising information contact BBN at 678-481-6251.
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Peachtree TV, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the City of Atlanta Announce Public Safety Enhancements for Screen on the Green

2010-06-15T08:02:00.000-04:00

Peachtree TV, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the City of Atlanta have been working individually and collectively to evaluate and adjust the safety and security plan for Screen on the Green, a long-standing Atlanta summer tradition in the City’s flagship park.

The new public safety plan, which will be effective at the next event on June 17, incorporates increased security personnel, including on-duty and off-duty Atlanta police officers and staffers from a private security firm that regularly handles events in Piedmont Park. In addition, representatives from MARTA Police and Midtown Blue are participating in this coordinated effort. Specific improvements to the security plan for Screen on the Green include:

· An on-duty Atlanta Police Department Incident Commander, utilizing the City’s Mobile Command Unit, will be on-site and able to make decisions to bring in additional Atlanta Police resources if needed.

· Additional off-duty police officers have been added to the inside of the park to maintain order and stop any criminal behavior including disorderly conduct.

· Staff from the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services will be on-site to assist moviegoers with non-emergency concerns.

· The APD’s Mounted Patrol will have a presence and will be available to assist with any crowd control concerns that arise. They will only be called in by the Incident Commander if needed.

· APD’s Zone 5 Units will maintain an on-duty presence in the area and can be called in quickly to augment the off-duty resources if needed.

· The APD’s School Detective Unit, which has specific expertise in dealing with young people, will have a presence at the event.

· Communication between event staff and police has been enhanced with the use of Nextel Direct.

· Communication between off-duty and on-duty police will be improved, as the event is utilizing all Atlanta Police, who are on the same frequencies.

· The sponsor partners have hired a new security company familiar with the park to provide more event security personnel, commonly referred to as “T-Shirt” security. They will maintain presence in the aisles and ask anyone disturbing the movie to quiet down or leave.

· The sponsor partners have made adjustments to the event site plan to improve pedestrian traffic flow, such as relocating the screen, locations of the vending stations and the portable toilets.

In addition to the enhanced public safety measures being taken, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Interim Police Chief George Turner, in partnership with V-103, are hosting a Town Hall Meeting in the Old City Council Chambers at City Hall from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010 to launch the Respect Yourself – Respect the “A” youth initiative. By utilizing popular radio personalities, celebrities and Mayor Reed, this program is designed to reach adolescents and teach them that their actions have far-reaching consequences that impact their lives, their neighborhoods and the City as a whole. The Town Hall will be broadcast live.

Piedmont Park has long been home to safe, successful events, including Screen on the Green. The sponsor partners and the City of Atlanta believe the incidents on June 3 were an anomaly and encourage the community to return Thursday for the Screen on the Green showing of “Dreamgirls.” The final Screen on the Green event for the 2010 season is the June 24 showing of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
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Civic League Invites Neighborhood Leaders to Learn, Connect, Collaborate at Neighborhood Summit

2010-06-14T21:11:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, Sept. 25, The Civic League for Regional Atlanta will host its second annual Neighborhood Summit, a daylong event created to foster relationships among community leaders by providing them with a forum to meet, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. The Summit begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta (40 Courtland St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30303).

"Neighborhoods are the building blocks of our region," says Civic League chair Lesley Grady. "They shape its character. They affect the lives of its families and children. They are where 'community' begins. At this event, we intentionally honor and support champions working in their communities by providing information, access to resources and opportunities to learn from one another."

Attendance at last year's Summit topped 500 and included residents representing community-based organizations, neighborhood associations and civic groups from the 10-county Atlanta region (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties), as well as professional "community-builders" from the business, philanthropic, nonprofit and public sectors. Neighborhood Summit registration is $20 per person (includes lunch), with senior, student and early-registration discounts available. To register, please visit the Civic League's web site (www.civicleagueatlanta.org) or call (404) 413-0331.

The 2009 Summit featured workshops on Meeting the Changing Needs of Residents; Advancing into the 21st Century with Technology; Developing a Deeper Understanding of Regional Issues and How They Affect Your Neighborhood; Creating Civic Organizations that Last; and Getting Organized for Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts. The 2010 workshops are still in development but will likely touch on similar topics.
Co-sponsors for the 2010 Neighborhood Summit include the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Neighborhood Fund and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

The Civic League for Regional Atlanta builds civic engagement through research, education, consensus-building and advocacy, and represents civic interests in the regional policy arena.

Search Committee Names Five Atlanta City Attorney Finalists

2010-05-03T23:09:00.000-04:00

The committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive and thorough search for a new City Attorney has forwarded the names of the candidates to Mayor Reed. This slate of finalists is the result of a three-month national search conducted on the city’s behalf by the 10-member search committee. The committee worked with executive search firm, Hughes Consulting, LLC and together they interviewed and recommended candidates to lead the City of Atlanta’s legal team. To get to the final list of five, the search encompassed over 50 candidates, all of whom were highly experienced.

“The search committee and the City are grateful for Hughes Consultants’ commitment to sourcing and recruiting highly qualified candidates for the position of City Attorney. Hughes Consultant offered their services to the City of Atlanta pro bono, and they did an outstanding job for the City. The Search Committee was quite impressed with the quality of candidates attracted to this position, which speaks to the notion that many people are drawn to public service for our great city,” said Nancy Rafuse, chairwoman of the search committee.

The 10-member search committee for City Attorney is chaired by Nancy Rafuse (Ashe, Rafuse & Hill) and includes Teri McClure (UPS), Beth Chandler (Asbury Automotive Group), Doug Selby (Hunton & Williams), Paula Frederick (State Bar of Georgia), Frank Strickland (Strickland, Brockington Lewis), Ernest Greer (Greenberg Traurig), K Whitner (Paul Hastings) and Jeff Bramlett (Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore).

In alphabetical order, the five finalists for City Attorney are as follows.

1. Dwight J. Davis, Senior Partner, King & Spalding, Atlanta, Georgia Davis, a graduate of Mercer University School of Law is one of the nation’s leading authorities in consumer class actions. In addition to his class action expertise, Mr. Davis has litigation and trial experience in a wide range of civil matters including insurance coverage, securities fraud, antitrust, and consumer fraud, and has more than twenty-five years of experience as a trial lawyer defending clients in numerous jurisdictions across the country. Mr. Davis is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is an AV rated lawyer and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Georgia Super Lawyers and Georgia's Legal Elite. He has tried over fifty cases and successfully defended over seventy-five class actions.

2. Roy E. Hadley Jr., Counsel, Bryan Cave LLP, Atlanta, Georgia, Hadley, a graduate of the University of Georgia, has public and private company experience in corporate governance and compliance matters, including corporate board and committee oversight. Mr. Hadley also has extensive transactional and operational experience, including financial structuring and debt management. His experience includes serving as an attorney for Turner Entertainment, MCI Worldcom, The American Bar Association, among many other notable organizations.

3. Cathy Hampton, Hampton Consulting Group, LLC, Atlanta, GA Hampton, a graduate of Spelman College, attended Oxford University and received her J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. She is a former chief legal officer, general counsel and secretary at RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Hampton’s specializes in general corporate law, including Sarbanes-Oxley and SEC compliance; acquisitions, dispositions, technology, outsourcing, intellectual property, negotiation and contract administration. She also specializes in management of litigation, employment, real estate, licensing, team development, outside counsel, cost containment measures and budgeting.

4. M. Hakim Hilliard, Partner, McKenna, Long & Aldridge, Atlanta, GA Hilliard is a graduate of Morehouse College, and received his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Hilliard, a former Assistant City Attorney with the City of Atlanta, specializes in issues related to economic development incentives, public-private partnerships, privatization, procurement, land use, zoning, police licensing and permits.

5. H. Eric Hilton, Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, J. Russell & Company, Atlanta, GA Hilton is a graduate of Hampton University and earned his J.D. degree from George Washington University. His expertise is in human resources, risk management, drafting contracts, establishing and administering budgets, development and franchise agreements, and commercial leases.
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City of Atlanta Receives ARC Grant to Improve Pedestrian and Vehicle Traffic Flow

2010-03-06T20:21:00.001-05:00

Three Key Projects are Awarded Funding and Move to Next Planning Phase

Over the past ten years, 18 areas in the City of Atlanta have been designated as Livable Centers Initiatives, or LCIs. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) offers the LCI program to encourage local jurisdictions to plan and implement strategies that link transportation improvements with land use development strategies. Creating sustainable and livable communities that complement regional development policies is the overarching goal of LCI initiatives.

In February, ARC approved funding for three pre-qualified LCI transportation projects developed by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Planning and Community Development. The projects were identified by the Department’s Office of Planning, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works. After the adoption of Resolution 09-R-2195 by Atlanta City Council, the Office of Planning submitted applications to fund five LCI pre-qualified transportation projects approved by ARC. The agency received more than 40 applications from local jurisdictions for projects requesting LCI transportation funds.

ARC will fund 80-percent of the design and construction, while the City of Atlanta is responsible for 20-percent of the design and construction costs plus all of the right-of-way costs. The development projects will feature traffic flow upgrades, pedestrian safety improvements and bicycle lane designations.

The selected LCI City of Atlanta projects are:

Bankhead MARTA LCI: DL Hollowell Pkwy road and pedestrian improvements for West Lake Avenue/Florence Place to Gary Avenue.
$2,177,047 in federal funding
$1,044,252 in local funding
Vine City/Washington Park LCI- Martin Luther King Jr Drive bicycle and pedestrian improvements from Northside Drive to Ollie Street.
$2,202,418 in federal funding
$2,011,804 in local funding
South Moreland LCI- Moreland/Glenwood intersection realignment.
$799,340 in federal funding
$538,911 in local funding

In the coming weeks, the City’s Office of Planning will seek ARC approval for the concept plan for each project listed above, which is necessary before engineering and design phases can begin.
For more information about these LCI projects, please visit www.AtlantaGa.Gov.
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Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta Kick Off the Atlanta Counts 2010 Census Awareness Campaign

2010-03-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta today launched the Atlanta Counts 2010 Census awareness campaign. Reed, who was joined by Atlanta City Council members, Fulton County Commissioners, several Georgia state legislators, and community and faith-based leaders, pledged to work tirelessly to ensure an accurate 2010 Census count.

“The Atlanta Counts campaign will be a partnership among government, business leaders, faith-based groups and grassroots organizations who, through their results-oriented work in our communities, have earned the trust of some of our City’s most vulnerable residents. An accurate Census count helps ensure that Atlanta receives its fair share of more than $400 billion in federal funds to provide our residents and business-owners with the quality of life they expect and deserve,” said Mayor Reed.

During his remarks, the Mayor outlined key aspects of the eight-week awareness campaign, which will include public service announcements, e-mails, and social media outreach and the launch of a new website, www.atlcensus2010.org, which will serve as a portal to Atlanta residents for news, updates and events concerning the Census. Linked to the site is a fully integrated Twitter, YouTube and Facebook presence.

Mayor Reed also will be personally visiting with business, civic, faith and community leaders throughout the City to ensure that Atlanta has the most accurate count for the 2010 Census. He said that a key challenge will be reaching historically undercounted communities and explaining to some residents that their answers to the Census Bureau cannot be shared.

“We’ll be going from neighborhood to neighborhood to explain that all Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the information they collect, or face fines up to $250,000, imprisonment, or both,” said Mayor Reed.

Mayor Reed will begin his series of community meetings on Tuesday, March 2nd with a visit to the District 11 Town Hall meeting hosted by City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms in southwest Atlanta. From there, he will head to a meeting of Neighborhood Planning Unit B in Buckhead. A complete listing of meetings is available at www.atlcensus2010.org.

The U.S. Census will mail out forms to Atlanta residents during the week of March 15 and Census Day will occur on April 1. From May 1 to July 1, Census workers will follow-up directly with non-responders.

At the event, Mayor Reed was joined by Ruthie Arnette, US Census Bureau; Nancy Boxill, Fulton County Commissioner; Vince Smith, Gateway Center; State Rep. Pedro Marin, (D-96); Helen Butler, Count Me Black Campaign – The Peoples’ Agenda; Deborah McClary-Moran, Atlanta Urban League; Maria Duarte, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO); Helen Kim, Chair Asian Complete Count Committee – Center for Pan-Asian Community Services, Inc.; Rev. Winton Cobb, Cobb Christian Ministries; Rev. Eric Thomas, St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Jim Ellison, Atlanta 1st United Methodist Church; Kim Dang, Chair Vietnamese Complete Count Committee; Khaatim S. El, Atlanta Public Schools, and Atlanta City Council Members C.T. Martin, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Natalyn Archibong and Alex Wan, among many others.
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Statement from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on Peachtree Streetcar Funding

2010-02-17T19:33:00.001-05:00

This morning, my office was informed that the Peachtree Streetcar was not awarded the TIGER Grant stimulus funding for surface transportation initiatives by the US Department of Transportation. While we are disappointed to not receive this particular round of funding for the Peachtree Streetcar, we will continue to aggressively pursue avenues for funding the streetcar initiative and I will be personally involved in securing the necessary funds at the Federal level. Our resolve to see this project through to completion remains steadfast and while this is certainly a temporary set-back, it is not an end to our ongoing efforts.

Georgia has received $5.9 billion in stimulus money and I will work hand in hand with our Georgia state leaders and our Washington partners to do what is best for our City. There is expected to be another round of TIGER Grant stimulus funding estimated at $600 million which we will be applying for. Atlanta must improve its transit connectivity and mobility in order to remain competitive with other urban areas. Our initial intention was to prepare an application that positioned us for other available federal grants and opportunities.

The initiative to make this application required strategic input and cooperation from the City, MARTA and the metro area business community as well as state and federal officials. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project as we move on to the next phase of securing funding. This collaborative spirit is key to our future success on this project and other projects aimed at improving the quality of life in our city and state.
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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Commissioner Sandra Jennings Detail Inclement Weather Preparedness

2010-02-12T16:39:00.000-05:00

The City of Atlanta and Department of Public Works remain committed to ensuring the safety and drivability on our roadways. In accordance with our standard operation procedures, Public Works has executed our Emergency Plan for Snow & Ice Control. Consistent with this plan, we have begun spreading a mixture of sand and salt over all bridges and overpasses and segments of streets with steep grades prior to a snow/ice event. Subsequent spreading of sand and salt will occur on a route priority basis. The plan recommends that streets are addressed based on a 3 tier priority route system.

The route priority is consistent with functional street classification hierarchy which is based on the volume of traffic served and the connectivity provided:

first priority routes reflect major arterial streets; (i.e. Peachtree Street, Northside Drive, and Mitchell Street)
second priority routes include minor arterials and collectors; (i.e. Howell Mill Road, Campbellton Road, and Monroe Drive)

third priority routes are comprised of minor collectors and major local streets (i.e. West Wesley, Avon Avenue, and Beecher Road)

In parallel with completing our priority routes, we will canvass designated areas and respond to dispatched calls received from Police and other emergency personnel as well as reports from citizens

Crews will be working on a 24 hour basis until the inclement weather subsides.

We have further plans to ensure optimal efficiency of operations which include:

· Collaboration and coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Fulton and Dekalb Counties to supplement our resources should the need arise

· Assuring that the maximum number of our spreaders are in operational status – currently there are 9

· Ensuring that our stock piles of sand and salt materials are at the required levels

· Placing all essential personnel on alert for the possible implementation of a 24 hour work plan

Below is an update on all essential equipment and materials:

Equipment

Equipment available and operational. Public Works currently has:

9 Salt/Sand Spreaders
6 Front End Loaders
1 Motor Grader
6 Box Dump Trucks
6 Tandem Dump Trucks

Material Stockpiles

All material stockpiles have been replenished. Public Works currently has:

350 tons of salt on hand
700 tons of 89 stone on hand
300 tons of torpedo sand on hand
200 tons concrete sand on hand

We are confident that we are adequately prepared in the event that inclement weather should occur. Hazardous road conditions should be reported to our emergency center at (404) 853-3200.

For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26

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City of Atlanta Launches Pilot Incentive Based Recycling Program

2009-10-30T11:12:00.002-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The City of Atlanta announced that a select group of Atlanta residents will soon be rewarded for their curbside recycling efforts. In an effort to encourage proper recycling habits, boost recycling participation, reduce the amount of recyclables being sent to area landfills and save taxpayer money, City officials introduced the pilot rewards program as an opportune way to move towards a greener, cleaner Atlanta.

In order to complement Atlanta's existing sustainability initiatives, the City of Atlanta has partnered with Rehrig Pacific, a container company and service provider, to bring a unique incentive based pilot recycling program to its residents. As part of this pilot program, Rehrig Pacific has collaborated with key sponsor Coca-Cola Recycling, LLC and rewards partner RecycleBank® to offer Atlanta residents a premiere rewards and loyalty program that incentivizes household recycling. City officials are confident they will see a rise in recycling volumes and a decrease in waste tonnages. In addition to the benefit to the environment, the rewards program will give residents and local businesses a needed economic boost.

The City of Atlanta selected 10,000 households for the incentive based pilot recycling program. The participating households represent a cross section of recyclers throughout the City. The RecycleBank® rewards program will encourage better participation in the curbside recycling program. It will also allow the City to evaluate changes in the amounts of recyclables collected from residents participating in the pilot program.

"Incentive based recycling will help us to meet our recycling and sustainability goals while giving something back to our residents. During today's recession and economic climate, saving money on groceries, on clothing, or at the pharmacy translates to great value. We have found a way to provide real financial rewards and help the environment at the same time," said Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Each home in the pilot area will receive a brand new 96-gallon blue cart, retrofitted with an ID tag with the resident's household address and RecycleBank account number. City trucks have been retrofitted with technology to read the cart ID tag. Upon activating their account with RecycleBank, either online or by phone, the household will begin to earn RecycleBank Points with every pick-up.

Points can be redeemed for rewards, gift cards, groceries, and products at hundreds of local and national RecycleBank Reward Partners. Partners include giant national brands and retailers such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Publix, and CVS/pharmacy, as well as local partners like Zoo Atlanta, Radial Café, Rita's Water Ice, MetroFresh, Edgewood Avenue Pizza, and Six Feet Under.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), housed in Atlanta, is a significant player in making the pilot program a reality for their local neighbors. Through sponsorship dollars, they have enabled the purchase of the 10,000 Rehrig Pacific blue recycling carts needed for the pilot program.

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SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Fulton County

2009-10-09T08:55:00.002-04:00

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that a Business Recovery Center in Fulton County is open to help businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding in Georgia that began on September 18, 2009. The Center opened today at the Government Services Center, 2741 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350. The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice.

The disaster declaration covers the counties of: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker in the State of Georgia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clayton, Dade, Dawson, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Meriwether, Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Spalding, Troup, Walton and Whitfield in Georgia; Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb and Randolph in Alabama; Oconee in South Carolina; and Hamilton County in Tennessee.

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical losses. For small businesses, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

SBA’s representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications. The Business Recovery Centers are located in the following communities and will open as indicated below:

FULTON COUNTY
Government Services Center
7741 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30350

Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday,
until further notice

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, (including the holiday, Monday October 12) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Businesses may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 23, 2009. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 24, 2010.

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Emory to Host Atlanta Mayoral Candidates' Forum

2009-10-08T09:19:00.001-04:00

Emory University will host an Atlanta mayoral candidates forum and debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Emory's Glenn Memorial Auditorium (1652 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, 30307). The forum is sponsored Emory’s Office of Government Affairs, Emory’s Center for Ethics, the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County, WAGA FOX-5 and the Clifton Community Partnership.

“Part of the role of the Center for Ethics is to be a safe space for public discussion of controversial issues, so it is appropriate for the center to help host a discussion with the next mayor and the concerns that confront Atlanta – issues of poverty and homelessness, education and ethics, sustainability and the workforce environment,” says Paul Root Wolpe, director of Emory's ethics center. “We are thrilled work with our internal partner, the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, as well as the League of Women Voters to sponsor this important conversation.”

As the contest for the next mayor of the City of Atlanta enters the final weeks prior to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, all the qualified candidates have been invited to the Emory campus to discuss these topics and other issues of interest not only to the university, but to the entire Atlanta region.

Confirmed attendees include:

• Lisa Borders, city council president

• Peter Brownlowe, former Atlanta police officer

• Kyle Keyser, founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime

• Mary Norwood, city councilwoman

• Kasim Reed, state senator

• Jesse Spikes, attorney

The forum is free and open to the public.

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City of Atlanta Seeking Pension Payment Refund

2009-09-28T20:07:00.001-04:00

The City of Atlanta was notified by the IRS on September 14th of unpaid taxes, penalties and interest which totaled $2.5 million related to the City’s pension funds. The penalties and interest were imposed because the City was a few days late on some of its monthly pension payments.

The City intends to seek a full refund. As a first step of that effort, the City sent a letter on September 21th requesting a refund of $894,000 that was paid to the Police Pension fund instead of the General Fund pension account.

Based on legal advice about the pension payment, the City paid the full $2.5 million IRS levy bill on September 23rd even though it is pending an appeal
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Atlanta City Concilwoman Plea for Assistance for Flood Ravaged District 9

2009-09-23T15:20:00.002-04:00

As you may know by news reports, many of our citizens in District 9 have been affected by the flood of the Chattahoochee River, RM Clayton Wastewater Treatment Plant, Peachtree, Proctor and Sandy Creeks. I have been trying to get around to every community to assess the damage and needs.

I am appealing to you and your neighborhood organizations to help me, help those in need! Please call my office at 404-330-6044 if you can assist.

My office is working hard to coordinate services for those affected. The Salvation Army is in route to provide a Canteen with lunch, water, etc. for residents in the Buckhead, Riverside, and Lincoln/Bolton Hill Communities. If I’ve missed any areas, please alert me.

Also, we are coordinating with our Public Works department to set a pick-up day for bulk items. If you have flood insurance, you may be reimbursed for private dumpsters. Those who do not have insurance and need assistance for pick-up can call my office for coordination.

I’m preparing and electronic and printed information which I will distribute tomorrow with contact numbers for assistance and helpful hints.

This email is a call out to individuals and neighborhood associations who were not affected by the flooding to help your district and neighboring communities.

Here’s how you can help:

Volunteers to help remove items in homes damaged by the flood – I have seniors who need help!
Donation of cleaning supplies
Pumps and vacuums to remove water from homes
Dumpster donations, etc.

If you can help please call me ASAP.

Thank you,

Felicia A. Moore
fmoore@AtlantaGa.Gov
Councilmember, District 9
Atlanta City Council
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 330-6044 Phone
(404) 658-7966 Fax

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Atlanta Flooding Update (w Emergency help numbers...)

2009-09-21T21:59:00.001-04:00

Atlanta Fire Rescue (Fire Department)
· The Atlanta Fire Department opened its Joint Operation Center (JOC) this morning around 8:30 am
· The Atlanta Fire Department has searched 150 apartments on Peachtree and 58 residents are currently displaced and the Red Cross is responding to those residents
· Another area near Peachtree in Midtown has 10 people who have been displaced because of the flooding
· Georgia Mutual Aid Groups have brought boats in near Peachtree Battle Circle to help rescue residents
· DPRCA Office of Parks’ Forestry Unit is on the scene working with AFD and APD. There are 33 trees down and 12 have been completed.

STREET CLOSINGS:
A sink hole has forced county officials to close Cascade Road between Milano Drive and Danforth Road. There is also a tree leaning into the right-of-way along this stretch of Cascade Road near Utoy Springs Creek.
In the Sandy Springs area, there were several trees down on wires in the area of Mount Vernon Highway and Powers Ferry Road.
In Buckhead, Northside Drive at Woodward Way is closed because a tree has fallen.

PUBLIC WORKS
The City of Atlanta Department of Public Works maintenance crews are responding to numerous complaints of roadway flooding and street blockages due to down trees and limbs. Our primary focus is barricade placement in advance of these blockages, and barricade placement around road washouts.

The following numbers may be used for emergencies:

- Down trees, call the Department of Parks & Recreation at (404) 817-6813

- Flooding, call the Department of Watershed Management at (404) 658-6500

- Power outages, call Georgia Power 1-888-891-0938.

- Watershed for flooding emergencies, 404-954-6340

The Fulton County Joint Operations Center (JOC) is also available for emergencies/inquires at (404) 546-2606

City of Atlanta Receives $81,000 Refund

2009-09-17T20:07:00.001-04:00

In August, the City of Atlanta Finance Department was required to make a $81,912 late payment to the State’s Subsequent Injury Trust Fund (SITF) which is part of the worker’s compensation system for the State of Georgia. The annual return and payment are normally due on March 1st, so August was late. In investigating the late fee with the State officials it was discovered that the notice was never received by the City and was returned unopened to the State. Based on this factor, the SITF Administrator agreed with the City Chief Financial Officer, Jim Glass, that these circumstances did not warrant the late penalty . The refund for this payment was returned to the City on September 9th.

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AED School Program at Its Best: Atlanta Public Schools' Partnership With Cardiac Science

2009-08-26T08:50:00.001-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Cardiac Science Corporation (NASDAQ:CSCX) , a global leader in automated external defibrillator (AED) and diagnostic cardiac monitoring devices, announced the expansion of the largest AED deployment of any school system in Georgia with 195 Powerheart AED G3 devices from Cardiac Science.

The Atlanta Public School AED program started with 100 Cardiac Science AEDs in 2007 and has grown; now protecting 102 locations with more than 1,100 trained responders. "In Atlanta Public Schools, we not only want to ensure every student learns at high levels; we want to ensure every student is safe," said Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall.

"The district-wide deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained on-staff first responders is a meaningful component of our emergency preparedness," Hall added. "Parents can take comfort in this security measure, driven by our own on-the-ground team of security professionals with help from leading health care experts in the community."

Often a school AED program is led by school nurses or the athletic department. In this case, the Fulton County Public Schools' Police Department and its Deputy Chief Marquenta A. Sands worked with distributor School Health Corporation and Cardiac Science Corporation to drive AED adoption.

Dave Marver, Cardiac Science president and chief executive officer, said, "We've become very good at helping major school systems with their AED programs. In addition to Atlanta, we help protect young people at large school systems in Houston, Miami, Tampa, San Diego, and throughout Ohio, New York, and Texas, which have state mandates requiring AED placement in schools. We're pleased to have partnered with School Health, Children's Healthcare, and the AHA to make this happen."

Chief Sands explained, "We need to protect our young people - and sudden cardiac arrest is a real threat to their safety. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 7,000 young people will die a sudden cardiac death this year alone. With our AED school program, we're hoping to lower that tragic toll."

Marver added, "Relatively few metropolitan public school systems in the US have formal AED programs, despite the growing number of legal mandates that protect schoolchildren against sudden cardiac arrest. We've chosen to focus on the school AED market with the intent that children everywhere would have the level of safety now provided in Atlanta."

"My deep thanks to Cardiac Science, Children's Healthcare, School Health, and the AHA for their support. We far exceeded the acceptance, visibility, and scope of our initial goals," said Chief Sands. "Ten percent of the staff is trained at each school and several schools voluntarily committed to having 100 percent of the staff trained."

Atlanta Public Schools also created a dedicated training facility available to people in the Atlanta community to learn CPR and AED use at no charge. And the school AED program is compliant with civil immunity requirements afforded by Georgia's Good Samaritan law for AED use.

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City of Atlanta Wins Playful City USA for the Third Consecutive Year

2009-08-03T14:08:00.001-04:00

For the third consecutive year, KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives, has named the City of Atlanta a Playful City USA community.

The City of Atlanta is one of 93 communities across the nation that has taken innovative approaches to make play a priority and ensure that children have the time and space they need to play. Despite the down economy, the City of Atlanta supports its communities in building and maintaining play spaces and developing programming to meet the needs of the community.

“This is an honor for the City of Atlanta to be recognized three years in row for our dedication to play, “says the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen. “We are proud to provide the residents and visitors play spaces to enjoy throughout the City of Atlanta.”

The Atlanta Taskforce on Play (ATOP) was instrumental in working with City of Atlanta in demonstrating creative commitments to the cause of play. “The freedom to play in a beautiful, safe, fun, clean, creative environment is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children,” says ATOP Founder Cynthia Gentry.

The City of Atlanta and ATOP will host the City of Atlanta’s second annual Great Atlanta PLAY DAY on September 26, 2009; a day where people will turn off their TVs, shut down their computers and go outside to play.
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US Department of Justice COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) Grant Award

2009-07-29T07:20:00.001-04:00

The Department of Justice has approved a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award for 50 police officer positions in Atlanta. The estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded over the three-year grant period is $11,209,300.00.

The official notification has been provided and as soon as the City receives their award letter this fall, Atlanta Police Department will begin the process of adding police officers to the force.

The department will receive a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award for 50 officer positions. The estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded to your jurisdiction over the three-year grant period is $11,209,300.00. When the grant funding ends, there must be a plan to sustain the additional officers as the City seeks to increase the police force to reach a minimum goal of 2,000 police officers.

Atlanta Deputy Chief George Turner said that the goal is to have a recruit class this fall with the 50 new recruits. Once the officers are trained they will be dispatched into the community. The police department is proud and happy to add 50 new officers to the force, said Chief Turner. All the positions awarded under the grant must be used to initiate or enhance community policing in the City of Atlanta.

Currently, the City of Atlanta authorized positions (budgeted for) is 1,701 sworn police.
Mayor Shirley Franklin believes that the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program is vital in the crime-fighting efforts of American cities. Franklin said, “ I join other mayors and local officials in acknowledging the Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder for their efforts to advocate on behalf of cities. Atlanta competed nationally for this grant along with hundreds of other communities, and this award represents an important public safety investment in our community.”

The Recovery Act grants, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program, provide much needed financial support to state, local and tribal governments, and will help the nation’s law enforcement agencies add and retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively through community policing. The Department of Justice received over 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions, representing a total of $8.3 billion in requested funding.

The Recovery Act includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children. In addition to today’s COPS awards, to date the Department of Justice has awarded $1.7 billion through formula state and local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, $95 million through the Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program, $41.5 million for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives, $127 million in Office on Violence Against Women Recovery Act funds and $8.6 million for assistance for law enforcement along the Southern Border and in high intensity drug trafficking areas.
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City of Atlanta Parking Management Statement

2009-07-16T07:38:00.001-04:00

The City of Atlanta is planning to adopt new legislation for comprehensive parking management services including meter installation and maintenance, collection of meter revenue, parking enforcement, electronic processing of ticketing and payments, and delinquent collections.

The parking enforcement component will include ticketing, booting, and towing of vehicles with at least 3 outstanding parking citations.

The new system is planned for implementation in Fall 2009. Prior to implementation, a public education campaign will be used to advise the public about the new program and obtain information about outstanding parking citations. It will include public service announcements via television, print, and electronic media.

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Atlanta: City Buildings Reopen on Fridays---July 10, 2009

2009-07-09T22:46:00.000-04:00

City furloughs end this Friday, and here is an update that may be helpful to residents and visitors.

All City departments at City Hall, City Hall East and the Atlanta Municipal Court will be open on Fridays.

PUBLIC SAFETY

· The funds generated by the property tax increase will allow Atlanta Police Department (APD) and Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) to eliminate furloughs and fill all positions authorized in the budget. There are some vacancies right now (there are always vacancies, since people retire, quit, get fired etc all the time) but both APD and AFR have recruitment strategies in place to ensure that vacancies are filled expeditiously.
· E911 services have already been upgraded due to the move to the new center and the capabilities it provides. E911 management has a plan in place to fill the approximately 20 vacancies currently in the center, so we expect that the center will operate at full strength for most of the year. The city is also bringing in a consultant to provide a review of the policies and procedures to make sure we are allocating our staff appropriately and taking full advantage of the technology we have installed. That review will be completed this fall.
· APD and AFR have a large series of initiatives underway, as they always do, to improve public safety operations. In addition to the move to the new facilities (which will improve operational efficiencies and customer service, among other things), AFR is completing the renovation of several firehouses and adopting some new procedures in response to the ISO process. Fire Station 23 has reopened and is back in service, as well as another truck is assigned to Fire Station 12 on DeKalb Avenue.
· APD is completing the installation of the ICIS information management system, putting hand held devices into the hands of more officers to increase their efficiency, and have applied for stimulus funds which would –among other things – fund additional police officers and create a city wide video surveillance network.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

· The Office of Parks will restore a five-day work week with a nine-day maintenance cycle instead of the 11-day maintenance cycle that took place during the furlough time period.

PUBLIC WORKS

· There will be no changes to Solid Waste Services garbage collection.
· Effective September 14, 2009, Solid Waste Services will resume weekly collection of yard trimmings & recycling (on the same day as the scheduled trash garbage pickup.
· The Office of Transportation will:
1. Perform Emergency Sign installation 5 days/week.
2. Perform Construction Inspection 5 days/week.
3. Issue Permits 5 days/week.
4. Review site plans 5 days/week.
5. Offer parking enforcement utilizing a full staff 5 days/week.

PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

· Scheduled inspections for code complaints will occur more timely due to field inspections being completed Fridays (versus postponing those inspections until the following Monday).
· Planners will resume attending NPU meetings every other month and as necessary, to present key departmental legislation, monitor the by-law approval process and the election of officers.
· The Bureau of Planning will continue to provide customer service to the public via the Planning Information Desk, staffed by Planners on a rotating basis. Due to a reduction in staffing, the hours of the Desk will be adjusted to allow for customer service, as well as allow Planners adequate time to complete other assigned duties.
· Permits and plans review will resume 5 days a week. The hours for obtaining permits will be 8:15 am to 4:30 pm to allow sufficient time for the customers to pay for their permits at the Finance Department on the first floor.
· Inspections will resume 5 days a week from 7:00 am to 3:45 pm. Special inspections for testing life safety systems can still be done on weekends or evening hours.
· Arborist and zoning inspections will be done daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
· Homeowners’ permits can be done between 8:15 am -5:00 pm Monday-Friday.
· The Bureau of Housing will be open 8:15 am -5:00 pm Monday- Friday

Budget documents and related information are on the City’s homepage under the budget link www.atlantaga.gov.
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City of Atlanta Statement in Regard to the Georgia Supreme Court’s Decision in Columbus vs. Expedia, Inc.

2009-06-15T20:27:00.001-04:00

The City of Atlanta believes today’s Supreme Court decision in Columbus vs. Expedia, Inc. is a very positive development. In that decision upholding a permanent injunction against Expedia, Inc, the majority recognized that Expedia Inc. in fact collects taxes from its customers. The Court also recognized that, under both state and local law, occupancy taxes are to be collected on the amount the customer pays for the room. Finally, the Court held that, so long as Expedia collects taxes from customers, it must collect taxes on the amount its customers pay as a room rate and remit those taxes to the appropriate municipality. The City of Atlanta believes that this decision validates the positions that the City has taken in its lawsuit, currently pending in Fulton County Superior Court.

Atlanta brought its suit to collect recovery of occupancy taxes as collected by the online travel companies. Even though those companies would charge the same retail room rate as would a local hotel, Atlanta would receive less money in those transactions where the online travel companies rather than the hotel collected the taxes. Again, Atlanta is pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision and looks forward to recovering past due occupancy taxes in its pending case, as well as securing compliance with state and local tax laws going forward.
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Atlanta's CFO Responds to Internal Audit

2009-05-01T13:16:00.001-04:00

City of Atlanta Chief Financial Officer James Glass today released the following statement regarding the Performance Review of the Department of Watershed Management conducted by the City’s internal auditor and KPMG at the request of the City Council:

“I am grateful for the hard work and dedicated effort that is evident in the Performance Review of the Department of Watershed Management. The Performance Review offers many sound recommendations, a significant feat given the demands of creating this important review in a relatively short time period.

However, I believe the final analysis as it relates to rate setting and budgeting to be flawed because of a lack of understanding about what is happening in the credit and financial markets and the environment in which the City of Atlanta is currently operating. Additionally, the auditors have not anticipated some serious risk factors and what they mean in relation to the Department’s debt coverage.

These risk factors could pose a significant threat to interest rates, the amount of debt the Department is carrying and termination costs and would require the Department to make drastic cuts to its capital program, potentially falling out of compliance with Federal Consent Decree mandates.

Many variables impact the Department’s financial picture. It is my belief that the Performance Review seriously understates the impact of the international credit crisis on the City’s borrowing ability and has made assumptions about budgeting that cannot be supported in this current economic climate.

Therefore, I would recommend that, with the exception of implementing some of the operational recommendations set forth in the Performance Review, the City defer taking action on any financial recommendations for six months.

This would give the Department sufficient time to determine the direction the international financial markets are taking and make judgments that will allow it to continue to meet federal requirements as it provides the exceptional water and wastewater services that are, after all, the reason the Department exists.”
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Mayor Franklin Delivers $541 Million Proposed Budget for FY2010

2009-04-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

Mayor Shirley Franklin delivered her proposed FY2010 budget for the City of Atlanta to the City Council today. Highlights of the proposed budget include:

· The elimination of the furlough that was introduced during FY2009 as a cost savings measure. All City employees – including public safety personnel – will return to a 40 hour work week
· Savings initiatives of nearly $60 million
· The authorized General Fund workforce will be less than 4,000, a reduction from approximately 5,600 in 2001.
· A three mill increase in the property tax millage rate. For the average City of Atlanta (in Fulton County) homeowner this represents a 7% increase in the total property tax bill or a $20 per month increase in property taxes.

“Despite the fact that the City has seen an $88 million reduction in revenues as a result of this historic recession, we have a responsibility to ensure that basic municipal services are delivered”, said the Mayor. “We have reduced spending through the furloughs, layoffs, and other measures. However, we must increase our revenues if we are to return our public safety and other core services to full-time operation.”

With this budget, the City will reduce its general fund workforce from 5,617 in 2001 to 3,934, a 30% reduction. This is during a period in which the City has grown by 25%. According to recent Bain & Company analysis, the City has moved from second-worst performing city among major cities in the country in terms of efficiency to the second best.

The 3 mill rate increase is consistent with millage rate increases that have occurred during previous recessions. During both the 1991 recession (+2 mills) and the 2001 recession (+3 mills), millage rates were increased in response to declining revenues.

Budget FAQs are attached and the full budget document is available on line at www.atlantaga.gov.
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City of Atlanta Severe Weather Update

2009-04-13T15:04:00.001-04:00

City of Atlanta personnel are working hard in the clean-up and recovery effort following today’s severe weather.

Latest Updates as of 2:35 pm

Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department
· Received 272 unique calls.
· 218 calls pending.
Atlanta Police Department
· Attended to vehicle struck by tree.
· Tree down across Ponce de Leon at Durant Street blocking all six lanes of Ponce de Leon. Current list of all street closures will be emailed when available.
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
· Members of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) are working with other city departments to get an assessment on the damages, clearing trees and cleaning up debris.
Department of Public Works
· Members of the Department of Public Works are providing assistance with heavy equipment as needed to DPRCA for tree removal.
· Sporadic traffic signal malfunctions are being addressed as they are reported.

There is a possibility of thunderstorms Monday evening and Tuesday morning in the Atlanta area. The City of Atlanta encourages all residents and businesses that have experienced damage to secure their tarps and debris to prevent further damage to their property. More information about tomorrow’s weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov.
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Mayor Shirley Franklin Among Mayors to Discuss Priorities in Public Education

2009-03-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

U.S. Mayors from across the country will convene with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and members of Congress for the Mayors’ National Forum on Education on Tuesday March 31, at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Mayors will hear presentations from the following during the Forum: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (CO), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA), U.S. Congressman & Urban Caucus Chair Chaka Fattah (PA), and School Superintendents from the District of Columbia, New Haven, CT and Trenton, NJ public school systems.

Made possible by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Forum will provide an opportunity for mayors to dialogue with Department of Education officials about mayoral priorities in education. The Forum will also cover topics such as early childhood education, high school dropout prevention and afterschool programming.

www.usmayors.org.

MEETING ATTENDEES:

Mayor Sam Adams, Portland, OR
Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee, WI
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York, NY
Mayor Kevin Burns, North Miami, FL
Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento, CA
Mayor David N. Cicilline, Providence, RI
Mayor Ron Dellums, Oakland, CA
Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., New Haven, CT
Mayor Virginia Dupuy, Waco, TX
Mayor William D. Euille, Alexandria, VA
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Washington, DC
Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta, GA
Mayor Willie W. Herenton, Memphis, TN
Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento, CA
Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond, VA
Mayor Dannel P. Malloy, Stamford, CT
Mayor Thomas Masters, Riviera Beach, FL
Mayor Doug Palmer, Trenton, NJ
Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA
Mayor Brian U. Stratton, Schenectady, NY
Superintendent Andres Alonso, Baltimore, MD
Superintendent Karen Angello, Allentown, PA
Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Louisville, KY
Superintendent Tom Brady, Providence, RI
Superintendent Allen Johnson, Asheville, NC
Tom Cochran, USCM CEO & Executive Director

The City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Awarded Accreditation by the National Recreation and Parks Association

2009-03-25T23:33:00.000-04:00

The City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) was awarded accreditation status through the National Parks and Recreation Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation program. CAPRA reviews best practices of parks and recreation departments’ operations, management and service to the community. The announcement was made at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2009 Spring Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday, March 20, 2009.

“The process of accreditation is an extensive undertaking that requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient agency operations,” says the City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs under the leadership of Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen worked diligently to complete the accreditation program with successful and lasting results for the City and the community.”

“This national recognition by the National Recreation and Parks Association is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a parks, recreation and cultural affairs agency and sets us apart from thousands of other agencies and systems throughout the nation.” says Dianne Harnell Cohen, Commissioner of City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs who accepted the National Accreditation Award. “Achieving accreditation validates our commitment to overall excellence in providing programs and services to the City of Atlanta.”

One of the City’s strategic partners on parks and green space, Park Pride, was instrumental in the rigorous accreditation process. Park Pride works with communities all over Atlanta to improve parks and provides assistance.

“Just seven years ago parks advocates were calling the department dysfunctional and to come so far in such a short period of time is a great accomplishment,” Park Pride Executive Director George Dusenbury said, reflecting on DPRCA’s recent accreditation.

For more information on the City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, please call 404-817-6788 or visit us online at www.atlantga.gov.
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Atlanta Announces Municipal Carbon Footprint to Measure Emission Reductions

2009-03-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

Data release coincides with inaugural sustainability report for Atlanta

Today Mayor Shirley Franklin released Atlanta city government’s first report on greenhouse gas emissions as the first step towards the goal of reducing emissions in the city seven percent by 2012. Also known as the “carbon footprint,” the figure was calculated with the help of a student-faculty team from the Georgia Institute of Technology and establishes a baseline to measure progress in Atlanta’s sustainability efforts.

“The City of Atlanta’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 came to 540 thousand metric tonnes, which is equivalent to the household energy use of 150,000 Atlanta residents or 98,000 passenger vehicles,” said Valerie Thomas, Anderson Interface Associate Professor at the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems at Georgia Tech and primary author of the report. “Having conducted an inventory and committed to reducing emissions makes the City of Atlanta a leader in the state and region and well ahead of federal action on climate change.”

“We know that the opportunities to reduce our emissions are great, particularly now with the federal administration’s focus on green job creation and green energy,” said Mayor Franklin. “With funding from the recently-passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Atlanta’s sustainability efforts will focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives which will create jobs, save money and protect our environment,” she said.

Determining Atlanta city government’s carbon footprint coincides with the release of the inaugural sustainability report for Atlanta. Produced by Sustainable Atlanta (a non-governmental partner to the city’s Office of Sustainability), the report compiles readily available data to create benchmarks for measuring Atlanta’s sustainability efforts, including the city’s carbon footprint. The report – available at www.sustainableatlanta.org – also provides best practices, context, proposed strategies and action in the areas of water; energy and climate change; parks and greenspace; and recycling and materials management.

“The Sustainability Report for Atlanta is both a map and milepost,” said Lynnette Young, executive director of Sustainable Atlanta. “It is a snapshot of Atlanta’s current status as it relates to sustainability and a context for future measurement and opportunity, determining what we can do together to help the city advance sustainable lifestyles for everyone.”

Launched in 2008 with support from the Kendeda Fund, the Atlanta Office of Sustainability is working across city departments to “green” operations and at the same time, maximize efficiencies. Sustainable practices implemented at City Hall are already generating a 20 percent drop in electricity use, with a forecast of nearly $135,000 in annual operations cost savings.

With the municipal carbon footprint established, the next step will be to develop the Atlanta Climate Action Plan. "The Climate Action Plan will be our blueprint to guide all city departments so that current initiatives and near-term objectives are aligned with achieving the 2012 emissions reduction goal," said Mandy Schmitt, Atlanta’s Director of Sustainability. "This strategic effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions supports the ultimate goal of making Atlanta a community that lives within the self-perpetuating limits of its environment, while maintaining high standards for economic growth, environmental integrity, and social justice."

According to Schmitt, near-term goals for Atlanta city government to achieve by the end of 2009 include:

1. 10 percent drop in energy use in general fund* facilities through low/no-cost conservation measures yielding $300,000 to $500,000 in annual savings
2. Five percent drop in water use in general fund facilities
3. At least two renewable energy demonstration projects
4. Three percent drop in fossil fuels used by municipal fleet yielding $267,000 in annual savings
5. 10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in general fund facilities

Atlanta’s greenhouse gas inventory was guided by a protocol developed by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. Atlanta is one of more than 1,057 cities, towns and counties worldwide that are members of ICLEI and that have made a commitment to sustainable development. Atlanta also hosts ICLEI’s Southeast Regional Office, and city staff shares office space with ICLEI representatives to maximize the organization’s resources in developing performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs.

About Atlanta’s Sustainability Initiative
The ambitious goal of reducing Atlanta city government’s greenhouse gas emissions seven percent by 2012 was set by Mayor Franklin in 2005 in Washington, D.C. when she and 140 other mayors identified environmental sustainability as a critical factor for American cities. They signed the U.S. Mayor’s Conference Climate Protection Agreement charging themselves with creating and implementing sustainability plans based on best global practices. With the help of the Kendeda Foundation, the Franklin administration then launched a parallel effort both inside and outside city government: The Office of Sustainability is reforming city government operations, while Sustainable Atlanta, a private-sector team of consultants led by former Atlanta COO Lynnette Young, is developing public policy recommendations for sustainability improvements throughout the city. For additional information regarding the City’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/sustainability.aspx, and to learn more about Sustainable Atlanta, go to www.sustainableatlanta.org or contact Dana Hartline at 404.832.6358 or dana.hartline@edelman.com.
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Mayor Franklin's Statement Regarding Department of Watershed Management’s Hearing at the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee

2009-02-18T12:19:00.000-05:00

As one of the largest water utilities in the southeast, the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is constantly striving to effectively and efficiently maintain, manage and operate a water and wastewater system that serves more than a million customers. Over the past eight years, the Department has turned the corner on upgrading an aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and we will continue those efforts.

Commissioner Rob Hunter and I appreciated the opportunity to hear from Chairman Tommy Smith and others today and to share information about the strides we have made in the management of our system. It was also a chance to thank the General Assembly for its support over the years as Atlanta moves to improve not just our infrastructure, but our customer service as well. The City generates more than two million bills every year, and, with that number, there are bound to be issues -- many of which are due to leaks, running toilets, meter mis-reads and mere high usage, but some of which are due to mistakes on our part.

Aside from infrastructure work, like tunnel construction, sewer separation, sewer rehabilitation and water main replacement projects, the Department has made major improvements that include a new customer service call center, installation of new meters capable of being read remotely and facility upgrades in an effort to continue our efforts to become a Best Practice model.

We welcome the chance to hear the concerns of our customers, and we believe it is our solemn obligation to give our ratepayers the service they deserve. It is an obligation we take seriously.

- Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
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City of Atlanta Class A Festival Schedule

2009-01-29T22:11:00.000-05:00

The City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events remains committed to working with all Class A festival organizers during the upcoming 2009 festival season. Last fall city officials met with all Class A festival organizers regarding drought conditions and Piedmont Park’s use during the upcoming festival season (April through October 2009).

The Organizers agreed to the following arrangements.

· Dogwood Festival will be held in Piedmont Park on April 17-19, 2009.
· Screen on the Green will be held in Centennial Park starting on May 29, 2009.
· The Atlanta Jazz Festival will continue its Memorial Day tradition in Grant Park.
· The Peachtree Road Race will be held on the Fourth of July starting at Lenox Square and ending on 10th Street. T-Shirt distribution and family gatherings will be held in the Meadow at Piedmont Park.
· Atlanta Pride, originally scheduled for June 26-28, 2009 at Central Park, has now been moved outside the festival season and will take place on October 31-November 2, 2009, at Piedmont Park.

“We value the festivals as a rich part of Atlanta’s culture and are pleased to work with all of the festival organizers to find suitable venues this year,” says Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen.
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Mural Conservation Completed at Adams Park

2008-12-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

The City of Atlanta Public Art Program has completed the conservation of the ever popular “Fish Dreams” mural at the façade of the Adams Park Bathhouse. This mural was originally completed in 1992 by treasured Atlanta-based photographer, painter, and writer Lynn Marshall Linnemeier. Through her colorful artworks, she focused on documenting the people and places of the south. This early artwork has a playful illustrative appearance that speaks to the innocence and inquisitive nature of children playing in the natural world.

The Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program hired art Conservator, Vivianna Dominguez to bring the mural back to life. The effects of ultra violet rays and acid rain had worn the painted finishes to a dull and hazy finish and many of the pigments had actually disappeared. We made an economical and practical choice by hiring the expert Vivianna Dominguez, who also trained our art maintenance staff to conserve and care for the artwork while they assisted her to accomplish this great achievement. The conservation project was completed in less than 10 days thanks to local conservator Kate Singley who graciously donated specialized chemicals when the team ran out.

The artist, Lynn Linnemeier, is a newly appointed member of the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee and currently teaches photography at Emory University. For more information, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs Project Supervisor, Robert Witherspoon at 404-817-6758 or www.ocaatlanta.com
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City of Atlanta Department of Public Works FY 2009 Operational Changes

2008-12-16T20:40:00.001-05:00

In accordance with the recently implemented citywide furlough plan, the Department of Public Works-Solid Waste Services has adjusted operating hours and service delivery.

Effective Monday, January 5, 2009 Solid Waste Services will implement the following schedule and service changes:

- Weekly garbage collection will continue, but on a four (4) day schedule
- Recycling and Yard Waste collection will change from weekly to every other week, on the customer’s scheduled collection day, per the attached calendar.
- Friday pickups are being absorbed within the four (4) day schedule. There are approximately 20,000 customers who currently receive Friday pick up service. A separate notice will be delivered to these customers indicating their new pick up day.
- There are approximately 5,000 customers who receive back yard pick up service. Their pick up service may or may not change depending upon their address. These customers will receive a separate notice if there are any changes to their scheduled pick up service.

The Customer Service Call Center can be reached Monday - Thursday, 8:15 am - 6:00 pm at (404) 330-6333 or via email to publicworks@atlantaga.gov.

For additional information, please contact Valerie Bell-Smith, Public Relations Manager at (404) 330-6215 or via email at: vbell-smith@atlantaga.gov.
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Atlanta Citizen Review Board Considers Complaints

2008-11-19T18:53:00.000-05:00

On November 13, 2008, the Atlanta Citizen Review Board held its monthly meeting and considered its first seven complaints. The Board voted unanimously to seek further investigation or information concerning three of the complaints and to refer two of the remaining four complaints to the Atlanta Police Department Office of Professional Standards. The remaining two complaints have already been investigated by the Office of Professional Standards.

The ordinance requires complaints be filed within 180 days after the incident and that the complaints fall into six specific categories of alleged misconduct. The categories include abusive language, false arrest, false imprisonment, harassment, excessive force, and serious bodily injury or death which is alleged to be the result of a sworn employee of the police or corrections departments. The four cases that were dismissed were either untimely or did not fall into the classifications authorized by the Ordinance.

The Atlanta Citizen Review Board was established by the City Council to investigate allegations of misconduct by police and corrections officers and to advise the mayor, the president of council, council members and the chief of police and the chief of corrections on policies and actions of the police and corrections department with the purpose of improving the ability of police personnel to carry out their duties and to improve the relationship between the department, corrections and the community.

The Board meets on the second Thursday of each month and over the past 18 months has become fully functional. It consists of eleven volunteer members who were selected by various stakeholders, including Neighborhood Planning Units, the League of Women Voters, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Gate City Bar Association, the Atlanta Business League and city officials.
Members of the Board and the Executive Director are available to address community groups. For Further Information please contact, Cristina Beamud, Executive Director, Atlanta Citizen Review Board, 404-865-8628.
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Atlantans Still Facing Aftermath of March Tornados

2008-11-13T21:40:00.000-05:00

Eight months after a tornado tore through the heart of Atlanta, volunteers will pick up hammers and nails to repair work one of the last homes damaged in the city’s eastern neighborhood.

Atlanta City Councilmembers Natalyn Archibong and Mary Norwood will join dozens of volunteers in finishing the repairs to 1427 Glenwood Avenue on Saturday, November 15.

A press conference will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the site, during which event organizers will also announce the 2008 Neighborhood Housing Coalition’s Home for the Holiday’s Campaign, which is designed to raise awareness of activities that are taking place in metro Atlanta that are helping people get in their homes, stay in their homes (avoid foreclosure) and impact public safety issues in our neighborhoods and communities.

The community effort is in collaboration with the Fuller Center for Housing, Charitable Connections, Atlanta Christian College Operation Restoration, Inc., The International Campaign for Victory Over Violence, Inc. and the Neighborhood Housing Coalition.

“We are pleased that so many community organizations have come together to help those still struggling to rebuild,” said Councilwoman Norwood. “Although many homeowners have recovered from the tornado, the reality is that there are others who haven’t.”

In the weeks following the March 14th twister, volunteers repaired dozens of houses, removed tons of debris, and hauled away fallen trees in several neighborhoods all across the city. But current economic conditions have made it next to impossible for some homeowners to completely finish and some cases, start repairing damage to their homes and property.

“Although it’s been eight months since the horrific March 14th tornado, there are still families who have not been able to afford to repair their homes,” said Councilwoman Archibong. “Sadly, the Nash family has been displaced since the night of the tornado and this effort will ensure that they will be able to return home soon.”

For more information, contact Michelle Uchiyama of Charitable Connections, Inc. at (404) 274-2406.
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State Graduation Rate Jumps to 75.4 percent

2008-10-12T13:45:00.001-04:00

Georgia's graduation rate has jumped to over 75 percent, the highest level ever. The state's final graduation rate for 2008 is 75.4 percent, an increase of more than three points from last year."

Georgia continues to make great progress in getting more students to graduate on time with a meaningful diploma," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "In 2008, we had more than 83,000 students who graduated on time, which is 27,000 more than we had just five years ago. That's a testament to focus, collaboration and a lot of hard work by our teachers and students."... Click to read: State Graduation Rate Jumps to 75.4 percent

The BeltLine is Happening: Historic Fourth Ward Park Breaks Ground

2008-10-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Thirty-five acres of blighted industrial lowland across North Avenue from City Hall East will be a step closer to transformation into Historic Fourth Ward Park after a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:30 a.m. next Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Construction of a detention pond as part of the Clear Creek Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Capacity Relief Project will pave the way for the development of the first park in the emerald necklace that will ultimately be Atlanta’s BeltLine. Land for the park was first secured by the Trust for Public Land in 2004.

“The City of Atlanta is thrilled to be part of this exciting development,” Mayor Shirley Franklin said. “This park will provide vital greenspace and improve the quality of life for our neighbors in the Historic Fourth Ward.”

Initially, the City had intended to address CSO overflow problems in the Old Fourth Ward area of the Clear Creek Basin by constructing an extension of the West area CSO tunnel. But with construction of the detention pond, the City is reclaiming what was once a wetland and creating a centerpiece for the future park at a cost that is lower than the cost of the tunnel extension. The park will connect several historic neighborhoods and downtown, which have long been separated by racial, economic and physical barriers.

“This is one of those rare public projects that has captured the imagination of everyone involved,” said Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall. “The year-long design process brought residents, stormwater engineers, and landscape architects together as equals around a common table. Because the process respected the core values of the Old Fourth Ward – diversity, innovation, and a commitment to social justice – one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods is now home to its most forward-thinking park.”

The collaborating organizations that are making the Historic Fourth Ward Park possible are:

The BeltLine, which will combine greenspace, trails, transit and new development along 22 miles of historic rail segments that encircle Atlanta, is a solution to the challenges that threaten to limit Atlanta’s health and prosperity: traffic; lack of greenspace and recreation opportunities; and uneven economic development.

“Historic Fourth Ward Park is a shining example of how the BeltLine, with Tax Allocation District funding, can facilitate more holistic consideration of our greatest urban infrastructure challenges,” said Atlanta BeltLine Inc. President and CEO Terri Montague. “Beginning with passionate members of the community and continuing through the collaboration with government entities and leveraging of diverse public and private funding, we are delivering urban redevelopment.”

The Department of Watershed Management, which is using the Clear Creek CSO Capacity Relief Project to create an amenity that will be enjoyed by residents in the area, is spending $4 billion to overhaul long-neglected water and sewer infrastructure. The project will help reduce overflows in the low-lying area near City Hall East and provide additional combined sewer capacity for the rapidly growing community.

“This project not only helps eliminate a serious problem, it also provides an attractive and functional amenity,” DWM Commissioner Rob Hunter said. “In 2006, we built a similar retention pond in the Collegetown community of Southwest Atlanta, and residents have been very happy with the results.”

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs enhances the lives of City of Atlanta residents and visitors by offering programs, services and activities that encourage participation in recreational activities, leisure services and cultural experiences. The department strives to deliver quality customer service through the development, operation and maintenance of the city's public parks, recreation and cultural affairs facilities to create an environment that is deemed safe, affordable and enriching for all.

Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2 million acres of land in 45 states.

The Park Area Coalition is a group of developers, property owners and neighborhood leaders committed to the development of Historic Fourth Ward Park as the centerpiece of a larger, higher density, sustainable urban neighborhood. It was convened as a response to the anticipated significant densification of the Old Fourth Ward and surrounding neighborhoods.

o "The Beltline is the most potentially city-changing project that has ever been undertaken in Atlanta,” said Bob Bridges, Executive Vice President, The Simpson Organization and founding PAC member. “Because of development patterns for intown Atlanta, HFWP is likely to be the most heavily used park that is created as a result of the BeltLine."

The Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy was formed in 2008 as the non-profit support arm for the Historic Fourth Ward Park. The Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy’s mission includes developing, enhancing, and maintaining the Park to the benefit of the citizens of Atlanta and its many visitors. The Conservancy will provide support beyond that provided by the City of Atlanta, the BeltLine Partnership, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and other organizations. Funds for adding amenities will be raised through memberships, events and other programs toward making Historic Fourth Ward Park a best-in-class public greenspace.

“Beginning in 2003, the Historic Fourth Ward Park has been a vision that evolved from a singular solution focused on storm water detention to a catalyst for transforming an area to a higher density, higher quality, sustainable urban environment,” said John Perlman of Adams & Co. Real Estate Company, the Acting Chair of the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy. “Our initial efforts focus on planning to enhance the City’s maintenance and security of the park through direct contributions. In addition, we hope to raise funds for adding amenities through memberships and other fundraising programs.”
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