Wednesday, December 15, 2010

City of Atlanta Urges Motorists to Stay off the Roads

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.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

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

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.

Monday, December 13, 2010

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

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

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.”

Sunday, December 12, 2010

City of Atlanta Prepares for Frigid Temperatures and Possible Icy Conditions

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.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Statement of Mayor Kasim Reed on Calhoun Settlement

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.

Monday, October 4, 2010

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

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.”

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

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

/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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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

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

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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Thursday, September 2, 2010

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

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.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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

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

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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