Atlanta City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. Thank you. so so Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone.

I am your council president, Marcy Collier-Overstreet. And this is August the 3rd, our full council of the Atlanta City Council. And we are going to get started. I think that... We're going to just first start with our roll call.

Madam Clerk. Good afternoon, Council President and members of the Council. We have Council President Marcy Collier-Overstreet.

Present.

Council Member Michael Julian Bond, Post 1 at Large. Council Member Matt Westmoreland, Post 2 at Large. Council Member Ishea Collins, Post 3 at Large. Present. Council Member Jason H. Winston, District 1. Here.

Here.

Councilmember Kelsey Bond, District 2. Councilmember Byron D. Amos, District 3. Here. Councilmember Jason Dozer, District 4.

Present.

Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, District 5. Councilmember Alex Wan, District 6. Councilmember Thomas Worthy, District 7. Present. Councilmember Mary Norwood, District 8. Present. Councilmember Dustin Hillis, District 9. Council Member Andrea L. Boone, District 10. Present. Council Member Wayne Martin, District 11. Council Member Antonia Lewis, District 12. We have a quorum of eight members. Eight members. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam President, Council Member Kelsey Bond just walked in. We have nine. Okay. Thank you.

that is noted, so we have nine. We are at the point where we usually have our invocation. Our pastor is not here yet, so what we're going to do is get any condolences or any one of our council members that would like a moment of silence, just hit your speaker button and I will call you an order.

Council Member Boone. Thank you, Madam President. We would like to offer condolences to the entire labor union family. We lost labor. Hiro, Shiro, Robbie Sparks over the weekend. She was a trailblazing labor and civil rights leader. She served 28 years with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as their business manager and leader. Please keep the entire Labor Council our labor family, in your thoughts and prayers on the passing of Robbie Sparks, our dear friend. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Boone.

Council Member Norwood? Yes, we lost three wonderful citizens in District 8. First, Bill Fowler, who was very involved in PATH. Secondly, Hugh Richardson. And third, Nita Robinson. All have extensive bios, tremendous community leaders, and civic supporters. So I'd like to keep them, their family and friends, and our entire city in remembering them.

Thank you, Council Member Norwood. Council Member Juan.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I'd like to also add Larry Pellegrini into that list of folks that we're remembering. He was a longstanding and stalwart advocate in the LGBTQ community who worked a lot with the Southern Poverty Law Center and did a lot around HIV awareness. So I want to make sure that we remember him and his family and our thoughts today.

Absolutely. Any other council members? OK, CNN, let's just take a moment of silence for all of them and those not mentioned today. Thank you. Council members, I will accept the motion for the adoption of the agenda. So moved by Juan. Second by Worthy. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

We can do that, unanimous consent, if you'd like, Madam President.

Let's do that with unanimous consent. And it looks like we have Councilmember Martin here. So are we at 10? 10 yeas, 0 nays. 10 yeas, 0 nays. The agenda has been adopted by unanimous consent. This brings us to our Pledge of Allegiance. And I'd like to welcome the presentation of colors from our Atlanta Police Department. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. That brings us directly to our proclamations, commendations, and special awards. With that, our first proclamation will be for Police Chief Tyus on his retirement after 32 years of service. For all those that are here, To support Chief Tyus, please come forward to the desk. Oh, I don't see him. This will be presented by Councilmember Andrea Boone. I am sure he has to be on the way. Okay, well, before all of the... He's in the hall? Fantastic. Okay, we have a minute. I'll just give everyone a little housekeeping update. Our proclamations last 15 minutes max each, and we will be observing that today. And we also have... implemented a time clock that is supposed to be shown for 15 minutes. We are also joined by our police chief, Darren Shearbaum. Thank you. Please come forward, everyone here that would like to stand in solidarity. The champ is here!

The champ is here!

Now that everybody's present I'm back to bringing gifts I am everybody's present You ain't gotta guess it, that's him Watch out, and I'm the champion Overdose flow, overdose slow Comatose, woah, that's a knockout Don't make me hop out, pull a Glock out Watch out, before I let Will show you what to shop out And B.C. 's at the end of all we see He believes any nigga existin' in 3D Them Barry Bonds bullets in them home Yeah, and J.S. Slade with the K.O.K. Lil' nigga, but with your gun, baby, take your space And they gon' hate, but they gon' wait Till our time's up, now give me your clock, I can wind up And if I don't get signed, it's a damn shame Man, these damn lanes in my damn lane Move, I get popped like the damn top of some champagne Maybe ace at a damn spade Boost, a rampage cause a man craves any damn thing Go with you, set in my aim, shoot And when I shoot him, I done loot him with the flow You trash niggas polluting with the flow So, I would recommend me stepping in and wrecking them Till it's the death of them, no weapon I step with a McMet, two bands, so let them in and I'm wetting them And I'm the best fuck heckling him. So if you test it, I'm checking him. And I'm setting them regulations. I stepped it in. So holler at your boy, the champ is here.

Yeah. The champ is here. The champ is here. The champ is here. The champ is here.

Yeah, please.

Everyone that would like to stand up, are you up here? Good afternoon, Atlanta. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I am Andrea Boone, chair of the Public Safety Committee. Today I am joined by the Honorable President Marcy Carrier-Overstreet, Vice Chair Wayne Martin, and members of the Atlanta City Council. Today is a great day in the city of Atlanta. How do you say thank you to a man who has given 32 years of his life to protecting others, serving with honor and leading with heart? You say it with the kind of appreciation that comes from knowing his service has made a lasting difference in the lives of so many. Today, as a city, we gather to recognize Assistant Chief Carvin Tyus of the Atlanta Police Department. He is retiring after an extraordinary career, whether it was citizens from Zone 4, Zone 1, those that were robbery victims, those were domestic violence victims. He led the hostage negotiations in this city. He has led with compassion, served with integrity, and carried himself with the kind of quiet strength that leaves a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His work has not only enhanced the department's efforts, but his contributions also have made our community stronger, safer, and better. We have special guests today. We have Chief George Turner, who will always be the chief of Atlanta.

That's right.

We have Dave Wilkerson, the Atlanta Police Foundation, the high sheriff of Fulton County, Patrick Labatt, and so many others who have come today for this very momentous occasion. And now we will have a short video.

Well, you can tell everybody. Yeah, you can tell everybody. Go ahead and tell everybody.

I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man.

Their first impression of Chief Tyus was calm under pressure, having been just appointed as the assistant chief. I had seen him years before, but never had the opportunity to work with him. And having to... take it all in and hit the ground running at the same time. Sort of that put together, marine type, give me the problem, I can solve it, and then we'll head to the next one. Sort of calm under pressure.

Assistant Chief Tives, congratulations. I just found out I was just a baby when you started your career with Atlanta Police Department. I forgot how long they said, but congratulations, job well done. It seems like I've been following your footsteps for a while. Special victims, homicide, OPS, You have been a tremendous asset to the Atlanta Police Department. You will be missed, but we wish you well in your retirement, longevity. Hopefully you'll just travel the world, but we just thank you for your years of service to this department. You have been a pillar. You will be missed, but job well done.

I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man.

Assistant Chief Tyus, congratulations on 30 plus years of service to the city of Atlanta and APD. Well deserved career. I hope that you and your wife have a long vacation plan somewhere tropical where your phone doesn't work and you get no notifications. Thank you again for all that you have done for the city, for being a mentor, for being a father figure to some, for being a leader. And I hope that you and I can stay in contact in the future. See you soon.

So where do I begin? Chief Tyus. Hmm. He is so wonderful, humble, extraordinary. He's a man.

Hey Chief Tyus, wishing you all the best in your retirement as the city pauses to acknowledge you and congratulate you for a job well done as the 17th Assistant Chief of the Atlanta Police Department. You have been an integral part of our mission to make sure that we are trusted at all times by the citizens of our city, and we're very good at what we do, whatever we're called upon to do. We're gonna miss your counsel, we're gonna miss your grandfather's wisdom in all of our meetings, but what will not be missed is the impact you've had on this organization. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement and thank you for all you've done for the Atlanta Police Department.

Atlanta, Chief Tyus wanted to leave quietly, and we said, no, we're going to make it loud. We're going to make it loud. So our first speaker today is Chief Darren Shearbaum, the Atlanta Police Department. Come on, Chief.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, I was on vacation when I got the word that the chairwoman needed a video. So that was not the Chattahoochee you saw behind me. That was me realizing we had to give proper recognition to a man who has given 32 years to a city. And that's just not 32 years showing up Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, Madam President. That's 32 years that every 4th of July, you're here. It's 32 years that every New Year's Eve when we drop the peach, you're here. That's 32 years of birthdays missed, 32 years of holidays missed because you have given a commitment to protect the capital city, the best city in the world, Atlanta, Georgia. And so it was 32 years ago, a young Marine from Barnesville, Georgia took a second oath to protect Atlanta. Joining this department, graduating Madam President from this city hall as a new recruit, started protecting our city in Zone 1, where he was a patrol officer. He was an investigator. We heard of some of the assignments he had there. Went to Zone 5, our midtown, downtown neighborhoods. Then he became a major, making sure we were trusted by being over our internal affairs. Zone 4, where he was a major, and then deputy chief and assistant chief. Ladies and gentlemen, I can tell you for four years and two months, there's been no one more committed to the high values of law enforcement than Carvin Tice. There's been no one that cares about the Constitution means something in our city. And if men and women and civilians are going to serve in this profession, we should put them at the forefront to making sure we serve you. that the highest of our ability. And Chief Tyus, there were many times that I had to step away to care for my dad, who was dying, and the doctor had only given him months to live. And I was able to go home frequently to be by my dad's bedside, and you led this city without any interruption. And that is what will mean the most to me.

Thank you.

We have a couple items that will get you a reduced cup of coffee in the Chief's office if you ever want to stop by. So, Chief, as you go about your duties, and your wife and your daughter are here, they have sacrificed as long as you. I hope you all have a great retirement plan. I'm going to give you a certificate that lays out my personal commendation for you for your work, and then your certificate for 32 years with the Atlanta Police Department. from every rank up through officer to assistant chief, being our 17th chief of police. So it's my honor to present this to you, sir. Thank you, sir. As well as this. And Madam Chair, am I within my two minutes? All right. Well done, President. Well done.

Okay, thank you. All right.

Our next speaker, Chief Emeritus George Turner, City of Atlanta.

Thank you so much. I'm honored to be here, really, to celebrate our good friend and a professional police officer. And I just really wanted to thank him for all you've done, not just for the citizens of the city of Atlanta, but what we thrive to do in the city as it relates to professional law enforcement. You continue to thrive. You continue to really keep that image of what we try to develop. And I wanted to thank you personally and thank your family.

Thank you, sir.

The High Sheriff of Fulton County, Patrick Labatt.

First of all, good afternoon. Good afternoon. What an honor it is to be here. I said earlier this morning at another event that we have the number one police department in the entire country. That's right. We have a lineage of police chiefs that is surpassed by none. But when we talk about our retiree today, we talk about somebody that I intimately became engaged with as chief of corrections, as he took over Zone 4. And I lived there too, so that was easy for me to advocate for. But you talk about, when you hear the song, the champ is here, you talk about somebody that can bottle lightning. You talk about somebody that can really engage in our community. I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you for your leadership, your wife. I want to offer when you finish with that to do list, I'm looking for a good chief over at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. So when you're ready to get rid of him, tell him to come on home and come on back to Fulton County. Thank you all for allowing me to be here.

Dave Wilkerson, Atlanta Police Foundation.

Good afternoon. I'm really honored to be here with Chief Tyus and his family. And I talk a lot about the big picture. And Chief Tyus, more than anyone I've ever worked with, understands the big picture. And that is the reputation, the professionalism, the excellence. this police department matters deeply to our city and he embodied that every day in his career. And then lastly, let me just say that we're a big momentous events like this we often talk about the measure of a man and I look at Chief Tice and by all accounts he's a terrific husband, he's a terrific father, he's certainly a terrific co-worker, but everybody on this stage knows what I mean by they say you'll retire my friend as a hell of a cop.

And now we have a presentation from Chief Roderick Smith, represented by Chief of Staff Hampton. Please come forward. Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department.

Good afternoon. I'm here on behalf of Fire Chief Roger Smith, and we want to congratulate Chief Tyus on a well-deserved 32 years with Atlanta Police Department. So in recognition of 32 years of distinguished and devoted service to the city of Atlanta, The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department hereby honors Assistant Chief Tyus for his exceptional commitment to public safety, exemplary leadership, and steadfast dedication to the citizens he proudly served. Throughout a career marked by professionalism, integrity, and compassion, from his beginnings in Zone 1 to his leadership across major investigative units, and he contributed significantly to the safety and well-being of our community. With sincere appreciation, we command his accomplishments, celebrate his legacy of service, and extend our deepest gratitude for his enduring contributions to the city of Atlanta. Presented this third day of August, 2026 by the Fire Chief Rod Smith and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. Thank you.

our corrections chief, Elder Dancy.

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, thank you, Madam President, Madam Chair, and other distinguished council members. It is a true honor and privilege to be standing here on behalf of the Department of Corrections to honor someone who not only spent several dedicated years to this city, but was a former colleague and a friend. For 32 years, Assistant Chief Tyers has given his heart, soul, and unwavering commitment to protecting the citizens of Atlanta. And although I moved to another uniform, our relationship and mission remain exactly the same. And it's individuals like Chief Tyus with his leadership is the reason we are wedded as brothers and sisters in public safety and work shoulder to shoulder together. Chief Tyus, For 32 years, you have led with distinction and you definitely deserve this event and many, many more. Thank you for your friendship and good luck on your retirement. Thank you.

Major Clay, zone four.

Wow, thank you, thank you. Thank you, Council President, Ms. Boone. Look, you caught me off guard, but Chief Tyus, being in Zone 4 after you, you were such a mentor. Thank you for your leadership. Just being around, you made me a better commander to serve Zone 4. So thank you, thank you. Please still continue to mentor me, and I'll still reach out to you so we can make sure not only Zone 4 is safe, but the rest of the city. So thank you, sir, so much.

Again, a special thank you to Major Reese, Major Sturdivant, the Honorable President Marcy Carrier-Overstreet, Ed Hula, and Phyllis Jackson. And now the official proclamation, the Honorable Vice Chair Wayne Martin.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Be very, very brief as we proclaim this day as Chief Carvin Tyus Day in the city of Atlanta, honoring Assistant Police Chief Carvin Tyus on his retirement after 32 years of service. And whereas, Assistant Police Chief Carvin Tyus has honorably served the residents of the city of Atlanta for 32 years, exemplifying integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to public safety throughout a distinguished career with the Atlanta Police Department. And whereas a native of Barnesville, Georgia, Assistant Chief Tyus joined the Atlanta Police Department in 1993, beginning his career as a patrol officer in Zone 1, where he demonstrated the dedication and leadership that would define his remarkable service to the city. And whereas throughout his career, Assistant Chief Tyus served in numerous critical assignments, including the Homicide Unit, Special Victims Unit, Commercial Robbery Unit, and Criminal Investigations Division. while also leading the department's hostage negotiation team and overseeing complex investigations that strengthen public trust and enhance community safety. And whereas, his progression through the ranks of detective, sergeant, lieutenant, major, and assistant chief reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence, strategic leadership, and mentorship, with key command assignments that included zone five, homeland security, homicide, and the Office of Professional Standards, where he helped uphold the highest standards of accountability and service. And whereas, Assistant Chief Tyus further demonstrated his dedication to professional development by earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University and graduating from the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute Tier 5, preparing the next generation of law enforcement leaders through his example of ethical leadership and selfless service. And whereas, as he concludes an extraordinary 32-year career. Assistant Chief Carbentias leaves an enduring legacy of courage, compassion, and distinguished public service that has made Atlanta safer and stronger for residents, visitors, and fellow officers alike. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of Atlanta, do hereby recognize and honor Assistant Police Chief Carvin Tyus for his exceptional service, outstanding leadership, and lasting contributions to the Atlanta Police Department and the City of Atlanta, and extend our sincere gratitude and best wishes for a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. Ladies and gentlemen, Chief Tyus Day in the City of Atlanta.

We know we're safe. We know we're safe.

And now, we want to hear from the champ. Assistant Chief Carvin Tyus, 32 years, city of Atlanta. Chief Tyus.

Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you, Council Member Boone. I know when I told you I was retiring, I did say I wanted to go out with no fan fest. And I think that was one of the first time I heard her curse. She said, oh, hell no. We're doing something for you, Chief. And so... As I stand here, I am truly humbled as I look around at my coworkers and friends and political comrades. I'm just humbled with this show of appreciation. But as I also look out in the audience, I see why I stay here 32 years. And that's the citizens that are sitting out here right now who came here to voice their opinion on whatever it was today they're coming to talk to. You all are the reason I stay here 32 years. This is a great city, and I want it to be a part of the greatness in this city. And so I didn't do it alone. I know that seemed like a lot of accolades, like I solved every crime in the city. But as you look at this stage here, it is the men and women that stand beside me and the professional staff that help us do it. I see some of the professional staff, Ms. Espy, Ms. Johnson. Those are the people behind the scene that you never see. They never write a police report. They never make an arrest, but they're the ones that make it possible for people Deputy Chief Hampton and myself to go out and get the job done. So I never want to be lost that it's just police. It's our professional staff as well. And then again, it's the relationships. As I look around me, Council Member Boone, Council Member Overstreet, these are some of the people, Council Member Amos, who hold us to a high standard. Councilmember Overstreet had no problem calling me, telling me there were water boys at Cascaded 285. Regardless of how unpopular it was at the time, she called me and said, they're out there, they're going to get injured, something's going to happen, get them off there. And so thank you, ma'am, for help holding me accountable. Councilmember Boone, she called about the yellow straw all the time. And so, again, I stand here surrounded by people that supported me for 32 years, and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge my family. They're the ones that sacrificed for me for 32 years. They're the ones. As Chief Shearbaum said, they're the ones that missed 32 Christmas, 32 birthdays and 32 Thanksgiving. So they're the ones. And so now I'll spend more time with my family, but I will always be a part of the city of Atlanta. So thank you, Atlanta. I love you and God bless you.

Those that did not get a chance to celebrate today, we have two more parts. One is a reception in front of the mayor's office, and the second one is tomorrow at the Atlanta Police Training Facility. So you can still celebrate our champ. Thank you to the honorable Mayor Andre Dickens, Thank you to our COO, LaShondra Burks, who led the FIFA effort in the city of Atlanta. And there is no mistake about it. Atlanta put on a wonderful show. Thank you to our Atlanta police chief staff, Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department, the entire public safety family. Thank you. Thank you, Chief Tyus. And now we will have an official photo.

Okay, we're gonna move to our next proclamation. And that will be presented by the Honorable Michael Julian Bond, Councilmember Bond. And it will be in recognition of National Black Business Month, all that are here to celebrate Black Business Month, please come forward. Absolutely. Take a picture. Mr. Bond has a form. It can go once. Okay. Everyone here for Black Business Month, please come forward. Hi, Michael Julian Bond. You look fantastic. Nope.

I think it's good living. Yeah.

Hi, how are you?

Good, good to see you.

I'd like to ask all those associated with the Atlanta Black Chamber of Commerce or our erstwhile here to recognize Black Business Month to please come down.

How are you? Good, how are you? You guys, come on in. Good to see you.

You all can squeeze in. Yeah, you can come in a little bit.

All right, is that everyone?

Well, I'd like to start off by saying good afternoon to everyone. Good afternoon to everyone in our viewing audience. We're here today to bring recognition to those African Americans who have endeavored to be entrepreneurs, to start their own businesses, and those who are in a long, uninterrupted line since before the founding of America, of African Americans engaged in economic development and commerce in these United States. I'm Atlanta City Council Member Michael Dugan-Bahn, and it's my pleasure to be here with you, along with so many others who are here gathered, if you take a gander at these leaders of industry that are here. And we're here today to present a proclamation honoring the Atlanta Black Chambers and the Advancing Black Business Foundation, here celebrating the month of August as African American or Black business month. I'd like to ask the president, Mr. Markey Tate, to come forward and to give us some remarks. And we're going to have some quick remarks from, I believe, a couple of others. Come on up.

Thank you, Councilman Bond. Good afternoon, Madam President, members of the Atlanta City Council, distinguished guests, and fellow ABC members right here with us. Thank you so much, and definitely the Atlantans. My name is Markey Tate, president of Advancing Black Businesses Foundation, the partner public policy advocacy organization with the Atlanta Black Chambers. On behalf of our organizations, I sincerely thank Councilman Michael Julian Bond, for sponsoring today's proclamation for his continued leadership in supporting Atlanta's Black business community. We also thank the Mayor, Madam President, and of course the entire City Council for recognizing Journal of Black Innovation, National Black Business Month, and National Black Philanthropic Month. This proclamation is more than a recognition. It is a reminder that Black-owned businesses are essential to Atlanta's economy. They create jobs, drive innovation, support tourism, strengthen neighborhoods, and give back to our communities each and every day. As we celebrate this month, we also renew our commitment to advocating for policies and partnerships that help Black businesses start, grow, and thrive. Our message is simple. Celebrate black business, support black business, advocate for black businesses, because when black businesses succeed, Atlanta succeeds. Thank you. God bless you. God bless the city of Atlanta. God bless everyone. Also coming up is our Atlanta Black Chambers chair of the board, Sherilyn Sellers, and our president and CEO, Melvin Coleman. Thank you.

A grand afternoon to each and every one of you. I'm Sherrilyn Sellers, and I serve as Madam Chair for the Atlanta Black Chambers. And on behalf of our governing board, our members, and black-owned businesses that we all represent, I extend my sincere gratitude to our city council leadership and the city of Atlanta for recognizing National Black Business Month. I want to also acknowledge John William Templeton and Frederick A. Jordan, Sr., who founded Black Business Month in 2004. Their vision was not simply to celebrate our black businesses, but to focus on national attentions for policies, resources, access, and economic infrastructure required for black businesses to grow, and for black businesses to thrive. The mission remains as important today as it was more than two decades ago. Black-owned businesses are vital contributors to the American economy. They employ our neighbors, they serve our communities, they introduce innovative products and services, they preserve our culture, and they create pathways to generational wealth. Here in Atlanta, black entrepreneurship is not just a footnote in our history. It is central to our identity. Atlanta has long been a city where black excellence, enterprise, leadership, and innovation are cultivated, from the legacy of our dear sweet Auburn right around the corner to the big businesses being launched throughout our city today. Black entrepreneurs have helped make Atlanta a national and global center of commerce and culture. Yet celebration must also be accomplishment with action. National Business Month calls us to examine how we are supporting black-owned businesses through the entire business lifecycle. That means expanding across to get capital, contracts, procurement opportunities, technical assistance, technology, mentorship, and influential business relationships. It also means that ensuring black businesses are not merely invited to the room, but are positioned to participate, compete, lead, and to prosper. Through the Atlanta Black Chambers and the Advancing Black Businesses Foundation, we will continue to host programs, spotlight outstanding companies, advocate for equitable policies, and connect entrepreneurs with the resources and relationships necessary for sustainable growth. And as I begin this season of Leadership for Chair, I'm reminding of the words from the book of Esther, 414. Perhaps I was made for such a time as this. I do believe that we've all been called for such a time as this, a time to strengthen our businesses, to protect our economic legacy, to advocate boldly, and to build those opportunities that will far extend beyond our own generations. Let us use this month not only to recognize black businesses, but to patronize them, invest in them, contract with them, recommend them, and to advocate for them. When black businesses succeed, families are strengthened, communities are strengthened, and Atlanta is strengthened. Thank you for this recognition, for your partnership, and for your continued commitment to advancing black businesses through our great city. And happy National Black Business Month.

Atlanta holds the number one spot in all of America at 10.7% percentage of black owned businesses. 3% is the national average. Atlanta is a solid 10%. My name is Melvin Coleman. I'm the president and CEO of the Atlanta Black Chambers. And the question I ask you is this, how did it happen? Who's responsible? When did it happen? These are the things that you must understand to realize how special Atlanta is, not just to the state of Georgia, not just to the United States of America, but to the whole world, what we represent The hope and the optimism. Now the work is far from over. There are still serious disparities in revenue and how many black owned businesses actually employ people. So as we stand here before you today, all of these business owners, entrepreneurs, we understand our mission and our purpose, and we honor and respect and acknowledge all of those who came before us so that we could be standing here saying that Atlanta is number one. You can't go wrong honoring those who did the work before you, those whose shoulders you stand upon. And so all of us representing the city of Atlanta, the Atlanta Black Chambers, as we go out across the country and all over the world, they recognize us. When we walk in the room, they say, Is that brother from Atlanta? I say, yes, I'm the brother from Atlanta. And they all want to talk to me because they want to know how are you doing the things that you're doing in Atlanta? Can you show us? Can you tell us what is that process? And you cannot know that if you don't understand the history and all the things that have happened here. I think it's a crime for someone to come here and be here for 5, 10, 15, 20 years, and you don't know Atlanta history. And we all need to do better at educating everyone. And so on this National Black Business Month, it is my honor and my pleasure to represent everyone who did the work to make Atlanta the number one city in America for the percentage of black-owned businesses. Thank you.

I'd like to ask the speakers to come stand to my left as I begin to read the proclamation. For today, we'll talk about history. Just a quick history lesson. The first person, first African American to have a street renamed for themselves in this city was an African American businessman back in the 1860s. I'd give you $1,000 if you could tell me who it was. Anybody. Just yell it out. Someone said Herndon. Someone said, I said 100 years ago. But just quickly, it was Mr. Lucky. Lucky Street. there off of North Avenue, who was an entrepreneur and preceded Mr. Herndon as a barber and I guess had a tonsorial parlor, is what they used to be called, and catered to white business people. He was killed by a cannonball launched by General Sherman, and the white business community had such affection for him that they named Lucky Street after him. In that culture, that time, before the Civil War, there were free black entrepreneurs in the city of Atlanta. These black entrepreneurs started the first schools. They helped to establish the Atlanta University Center. Atlanta had an integrated downtown up until the 1906 race massacre. Right. It was only after then that Sweet Auburn was established because black businesses gathered for their protection along Auburn Avenue. But it was because of black business people that we had Booker T. Washington High School built at the same time we had Grady built. You had the first business association in Atlanta was not the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. But it was the Black Business Association that we now know as the Atlanta Business League was the first business association in the state of Georgia for Atlanta black businesses. They're the ones that we just are a police officer. The black business community got the first black police officers, got the first black firemen. started the desegregation of Atlanta public schools. They started and funded the civil rights movement. So when people talk about Atlanta, Maynard Jackson, Herman Russell, all these great folks that did this great work with affirmative action, They're simply the tip of the iceberg of a solid rock foundation of black business people that have been making Atlanta change the world for almost 175 years since there's been an Atlanta. And that deserves some recognition, right? So we're here today to honor those entrepreneurs, to honor those brave souls who go out, hang out there, sign and say, I'm in business, use my services, I implore others. And the Proclamation reads in pertinent part, whereas the Atlanta Black Chamber has served as a leading advocate for Black-owned businesses throughout the metropolitan Atlanta region, fostering economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, business development, while creating opportunities to strengthen communities and to contribute properly to the city of Atlanta. and whereas the Advancing Black Businesses Foundation has demonstrated an enduring commitment to expanding economic mobility and investing innovative programs, emerging entrepreneurs, promoting financial literacy, advancing equitable access to capital and business opportunities for black-owned enterprises. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of the city of Atlanta, do hereby recognize and honor the Atlanta Black Chambers and the Advancing Black Business Foundation for their extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment to empowering black-owned businesses and lasting contributions to economic advancement in our city. We extend our deepest appreciation and best wishes for their continued success as they inspire innovation, create opportunity, and build stronger, prosperous Atlanta. I have set my hand and have caused the seal of the city of Atlanta to be here and to affect. Congratulations. Thank you. I put the lady in the middle. Always I have the lady in the middle. Take a quick shot here. And quick, are there any of my colleagues that'd like to make a comment? Because it is also the black business community that has supported candidates for public office. Would anyone like to make a remark?

Hmm?

Oh, you got a pen for me? Well, I'm the pen man.

I'm going to give out.

Well, let's get the photo up first. Would anyone like to make a comment? I mean, any of the council members? No? Okay. All right. Let's move up front for our official photo. Pardon me. Now I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize Mr. Teddy Astin, who is, when you talk about big Negroes in the music business, this man is a stalwart and has managed everybody from Prince's beginning, right? And I'm jealous, Chaka Khan, everything. He's a big man in the music industry. So if you need somebody to cash app you, look at Teddy, wave your hand, so you can know who you're talking to. All right.

Wait a minute, hold up.

I'm not ready. All right, nice.

All right, ready?

One, two, three.

Can't see my phone.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

as we grab a couple more pictures. Those that are here to celebrate Atlanta Youth Peace Month, you are up next. And this presentation will happen by Councilmember Dozier. Everyone here for National Youth Peace Month, please come forward. Join us here on the desk.

Peace matters. Peace is a word. What we do here also guides people all over the world, all over the country. So we just want to show in our community that we too want peace. And it's just not only when the police around that we can get peace. Public safety should be a community-led effort as well. So that's why this event matters. And I hope one day everyone will have the opportunity to join us. Gentrification has become a real problem. A lot of people don't know this, but the original meetings for the Beltline were held in the Rick Madivy Youth Center. The Beltline is a great opportunity to connect communities across Atlanta. We would also like investment to connect these people and communities across Atlanta.

Good afternoon, y'all. It is a great day in Atlanta. I should have did the call and response. I didn't let y'all respond. I'm going to try it again. Good afternoon, y'all. I love it. It's a great day in Atlanta. I am proud to be joined with my colleagues, Jason Winston. I saw Antonio Lewis over there. The cameraman. We are proud to celebrate an amazing organization who's been doing amazing work in Atlanta streets every single day. I know we had an opportunity to celebrate and thank Chief Tyus earlier with the Atlanta Police Department, but always remind my constituents, always remind anybody I talk to that public safety is more than just policing. It's also community violence intervention. It's also making sure young people have a safe place to go and that the work that dream builders and others have been putting in each and every day ensures that our police officers have less to do on the back end. And so I want to make sure that people see this as a ecosystem. And so I'm thankful for the work that's been going on in communities like People's Town, Mechanicsville, NPUV, and others to ensure that young people have safe spaces, safe places to be, and opportunities that wouldn't necessarily be afforded to them if it wasn't for Folks like Jay and TK and Dip out in the streets showing these young people a better way. And so I'm especially proud to be celebrating this organization because I've only represented the People Sound community for the last six months, y'all. It's been a very quick six months, but I've got a chance to learn not only about what dream builders are doing, but also some of the unique challenges that they're experiencing over in that community. And so I've asked my colleague, Jason Winston, who has been representing the Peoples Town community for the last four years to join me because he knows from his heart of heart in the work that he's been doing to ensure that Peoples Town can be uplifted and elevated why this work is so important. I had a chance actually to saw Jay this morning. We're both dropping our kids off to Barack and Michelle Obama Academy, first day of school for APS. This is my daughter's first year at that school in Peoples Town starting first grade. And so even though I'm only now representing Peoples Town on the Atlanta City Council, Peoples Town has been something that's been near and dear to my heart. I've been a community organizer with Ms. Charisse Brown, Columbus Ward, and others. And this is a full circle moment for me. And so what's also important to recognize, too, I know when I share this proclamation, I'm going to talk a little bit about the fact that we were celebrating June as Atlanta Youth Peace Month. And I know we're in the month of August. Unfortunately, with the timing of our city council recess, we weren't able to do this sooner. But it was important that we brought all these amazing people and these amazing organizations here to Atlanta City Hall so that the world knew. could know all that they're doing and celebrate along with us. So it's important that we use this forum to celebrate the work of CVI and other initiatives that are keeping our young people on the straight and narrow, out of jail, and into better opportunities. With that, I would like to give my colleague, Council Member Jason Winston, an opportunity to say a few words, and then we'll say some nice things about Jay and many of the other organizations who have been doing this work. Go ahead, Council Member Winston.

All right. Thank you. Really appreciate Councilman Mendoza for bringing forth this proclamation today as we celebrate the great work that this organization has been doing. Jay is someone that is always the first face you see when you go to Four Corners Park, right? You're right there in the community. This is not an organization that just talks the talk. They're actually doing the walk as well. They're out here with our kids, with them every day, teaching them life lessons, making sure that they have all the resources they need to be successful, and making sure they're not on the other end of those calls to the police officers, making sure that they understand what crime intervention looks like and all the services that are available to them to make sure they can succeed in life. And so it has been the honor my lifetime to represent the Peoples Town community. And I'm happy to share with my brother, Councilman Mendoza here, as we continue to work with this community, there is no community like Peoples Town. They are organized. They will hold their public officials accountable. Trust me. They will call you. They will reach out to you. They will let you know how they feel. And I'm so happy to have them. People like Ms. Brown that are back here behind me are not shy about giving you their opinion. So I appreciate everything that they're doing in the community. I really appreciate you bringing forth this proclamation. It's also like family for me. My sister actually teaches at Barack Michelle Obama Academy. She's been at that school for several years. And so it's also like family to me to making sure that we're part of this community. My girls are at a school up the street from there, but we always make sure we get over and enjoy everything that's happening in the community as well. So thank you again. Appreciate all the great work that y'all are doing in the community. And we're still here standing beside you as we keep this momentum going forward. So thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Lewis. And I do represent the business section of People's Towns, where you have the Southside Medical Center. So super happy. But the work I've been able to do with CJ and Jay goes beyond even my time on council. I've been knowing CJ probably since I was about four or five years old. And so to see him in this space, I knew it was going to happen, right? Their community, I was to the access that they had to their community center. I was always proud of it because we lost access to our community center when I was growing up. So that access is what allows them to always touch every single young person who grows up in the community. And so to see them continue that with this new investment into the people's town community, we need to make sure that same access is still there, right? That same access to where you can call him the first face you walk in, the first face you lock out. That's a community in a rec center making sure that the young folks are having somebody to look up to, somebody to be like, somebody trying to be what they needed. And so I'm super proud to be a part of this. I wasn't part of the proclamation portion, but super proud to see you here at our first Monday meeting of the next session. Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations. And we got TK up here, and we got all the good people up here. Here's the folks doing the CVI work. The first, I apologize. I know we got a timer now. But when my first year in office, I heard somebody call some of the water boys again today. My first year in office, I took $50,000 of the funding that we had, discretionary dollars, right? I gave it to an organization. And what they were able to do, what it led to, is all these organizations getting $50,000 every single year with the Mayor's Year of the Youth program. And so I'm super proud to know that that's the first investment to CVI. But we got to do more. We got to do more. I know we've been trying as a council to do it. And I think next year, when that budget comes around, you need to continue to be as loud as possible. But we are with you. We are with you. Thank you again.

Thank you, council members. Thank you all so much. When I hear of People's Town, I can't help but think of the Emmaus House. Who's ever heard of the Emmaus House? That's a place where I grew up inside and outside under the leadership of Reverend Austin Ford. The Emmaus House is a pillar in the People's Town community. And I just want to thank you all so much for everything that you all do. And I see these wonderful young people. And I see TK Shields and so many of these other neighborhood leaders here. Again, thank you all so much. And thank you for these wonderful council members who thought it not robbery to honor you young people today. Thank you.

Council Member Wayne Martin. promise to be very, very brief, but it was organizations like this, Councilmember Dozier, that, you know, kept me out of trouble as a young person when I got to the city of Atlanta from the east side. And, you know, there's an old African proverb that says, you know, it takes a village to raise a child. Well, you are the village. I just want to say thank you for what you do. We're going to continue to help undergird your work and support you as best we can. So congratulations.

Thank you. So the proclamation that I'll be presenting today states as such, recognizing June as Atlanta Youth Peace Month, whereas Atlanta carries a sacred legacy as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the adopted home of President Jimmy Carter, leaders whose lives demonstrated that peace is not declared, it is built. And their example calls this city to continue that work in every neighborhood, on every block, And whereas Peoples Town is one of Atlanta's oldest neighborhoods, home to generations of black families whose heritage is central to this city's identity, and Dream Builders of Atlanta have invested deeply in this community through the Dream Builders Pathway Program, delivering career pathways, youth development, and civic engagement, while partnering with HWPL Georgia and IPYG to host the annual Path to Peace, a Walk for Unity, which has grown from Four Corners Park to D.H. Stanton Park over three years. And whereas, HWPL Georgia advances a culture of peace through Article 10 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War, deploying the Peace Leadership Academy for Youth program and peace education training across the pillars of legislation, education, and community activation, cultivating vibrant, revitalized communities, and moving Georgia from the Peach State to the Peace State. And whereas, on April 29, 2026, HWPL Georgia and the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Violence Reduction convened the Future of Youth Roundtable and Expo at Atlanta City Hall, committing publicly to address youth violence through prevention and peace education. And this effort builds upon proclamations already signed by South Fulton, Fairburn, Stonecrest, DeKalb, Fulton, and Clayton counties across Georgia. And whereas Atlanta's Month of Peace in June 2026 will encompass the Play for Peace World Youth Peace Camp and Summit, Community peace walks, youth civic dialogues, and educational workshops. And as the city has already prepared to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, all resident schools, faith institutions, and civic partners are called to expand peace education throughout Atlanta's civic life. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of Atlanta, do hereby declare June 2026 to be Atlanta City. Youth Peace Month, and I'll just say 2026 should be Atlanta Youth Peace Year in our great city, and call upon all Atlantans, educators, families, faith communities, civic organizations, schools, and leaders at every level to honor Atlanta's peace legacy city, to champion the voices of education of our youth, and to recognize that from this city comes a lasting and active commitment to peace. And this has been signed by all members of the Atlanta City Council. And so I would love either CJ or Jay, if y'all would, the mic is yours.

Okay. All right. How are everybody doing today? Yeah, I just want to say thank y'all, the city council, for acknowledging this. Thank you, Jason Dozier, for acknowledging the work that we've been putting in. And I just want to say we don't do this work from the bleachers. We do it with our community partners, the ones that's behind me like Dilt, TK, and Rohit, all of the ones who put to work in with us and give us the tutelage, you know, to fight through the hard times when we don't necessarily know the right answers and we don't always know how we're going to have impact in a young person's life, you know. So we just go through the process and I'm just grateful and I just want to show gratitude and just thankful. Thank you.

Also the same with me, something small and brief though. Me and my brother started with a community vision of bridging gaps from drug dealers to kids on the playground. So with this vision coming in fruition with us with HWPL, it's a great day for me. And just seeing like the community coming together from all different walks of life. So our backbone is community and building community. So with this being said, we hope we can start a new community with a lot of y'all here today. Thank y'all.

And we'll have Kim Thomas.

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much. We just want to extend our gratitude to the Atlanta City Council and also Dream Builders of Atlanta. When HWPL first partnered with Dream Builders, we knew that we were on the same page and we knew that we could work together to make some big changes. This summer, we dedicated everything to the youth and to even look out right now and see so many young people here. I wanted you guys to give yourselves a round of applause just for coming out here today. Not only is it the people on this stage that are out there every day doing the work in the community, but the youth themselves. You guys are the ones that can take the charge for your future. So thank you for standing here today. Thank you everyone for working together. And let's change this state from a Peach State to a Peace State. Thank you.

So lastly, before we take a photo, I do want to just, as a closing remark, say two things. One, the space that Dream Builders of Atlanta operates in at Four Corners Park is going to be receiving a $9.4 million grant in partnership with Park Pride to expand this work. So number one, so let's keep that momentum going. And number two, folks often ask me, what's the hardest part of this job? And unfortunately, it's the phone calls I might get on a late Saturday night or Sunday morning that we lost another young person in our community. Oftentimes, the young person that I know, both my wife and I have been involved in youth development, Since we've lived in McAxell, moved to McAxell 11 years ago, and to see a kid that we knew at Barings Bike Shop, for instance, lose his life to gun violence, or a kid that went to school that we helped tutor lose their life to gun violence, it's hard. And I thank you, and thank you, CJ, I thank both of y'all and Dip and TK and others for doing this work every single day to make sure that our young people have a bright future ahead of us. I just want, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I just want to say that once again. Thank you. So with that, we'll go ahead and take a photo. Our young folks, go ahead and line up up front, and then we'll come in the middle.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

OK, council members, that takes us to our statement by elected officials. Do we have any? OK, seeing none, now we are at the remarks by the public. So we will now hear from our public. Each speaker will have two minutes or up to 10 minutes with donated time pursuant to our city code. The speakers that receive the donated time will be placed at the end of our speakers list. Team, did we put our code at the speakers box? I wanna make sure that we have a copy of it there at the podium for you. If it's not there, it will be. And with that, we will start With our first three speakers, you will each have two minutes each. So you can come forward. We have Henri Jordan, Lisa Kellum, and Amanda Hollins.

Please come forward, Ms. Jordan. You have two minutes. Give an honor to the Spirit of God, everyone that's here. I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken of Babylon. And thou was not aware... Thou art found and also caught because thou hast striven against the Lord. Jeremiah 50, chapter 24, verse. You fight against the gift of God that works to help you. Then you blame me. The field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Matthew 13, chapter 38, verse. The leaven is not just false profession of unsaved church members, but false doctrine that they will attempt to bring into the church. Jesus said, I cannot marry James because he committed adultery when he was married. Lord, how they increase that trouble me. Men are they that rise up against me. Psalms 3, chapter 1, verse 1. That David truly sent his friend Hosea back to Jerusalem to deceive Babylon. he also that receives seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the cares of this world, and the seedfulness of riches, soweth the word, and it becometh unfruitful. St. Matthew 13, chapter 22, verse. The one who's among the thorns, cares of the world is a carnal worldly convert who never really breaks off his past. I had a dream of the enemy ruling over America and the enemy placed me over you. The Lord told me I cannot help you because you chose to obey your flesh. Flesh reaps its death but to obey Christ reaps its life. I also had a dream that because you're aware that I was telling you the truth, then a lot of money, you start pushing money my way. But I'm not trying to do the work myself, but Christ in me. I submit to him and not to my flesh.

Thank you. Lisa Kellum, you have two minutes.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I am a 27-year resident of the West End, and nine months ago, I was blessed with a grandchild. And I'm telling you that because I'm putting my trust in you all to ensure to the best of your abilities that he has a wonderful, wonderful life. It's my responsibility to do that for him, as I'm sure you all would agree. Lots going on in the West End. There's a lot of land that's available and a lot of greedy people with their hands and eyes on it. And all that glitters is not gold. We know that. And I want you all to look twice, three times, because especially after that wonderful showing of young people and all that can happen if we invest in people and have environments where people learn from other learned people. I want that best for him. I want you all to put up the guardrails, because if you're not putting up the guardrails, anything can happen. And when greed is at the forefront, we all see what goes on. We can't just trust. We have to make sure that you know exactly what's going to happen, not this generation, but generations down the line. So please, when you think of all of this opportunity that's in front of us, that my grandchildren and your grandchildren will reap the benefits of the wise decisions and the wise leadership of you all. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Amanda Hollins, you have two minutes.

Hi. Thank you for allowing me to speak. I'm here because the statement that was made against me was false. It's not accurate and reflect on me. I respectfully ask for any decision regarding the matter of the base to verify information and assumptions and rumors and undocumented claims. I just come to the board to let you know I've always been an advocate for my community. I come from the bluff. I'm always with the front line running if anything is going on. I've been going through a lot right now. And I was just asking for assistance that somebody in my zone four could sit down and talk to me to see that we can make our community better. Because right now the community is on fire with my name on it. And I don't feel safe. They don't feel safe. And there's really a lot of stuff going on over there. And I really need y'all to look into that so I can come back to my community. And it's been a lot. And I thank you for the opportunity. And thank you.

Thank you. Our next three speakers, Norma Harris, Dan Phillips, Greg Gu. You each have two minutes. You can come forward. Norma Harris. Two minutes. I think she's just placing those there just in case anyone needs them.

Well, good afternoon. I'm here to talk about a data center that may be proposed to be anywhere. Excuse me, is that a zoning matter? You say anywhere? A data center that could be proposed to be in any neighborhood. Thank you. Yeah. And so, you know, my concern is that when this happens to any neighborhood, The neighborhood should be able to have as much information as possible, and information about who is buying the land, who is developing the land, how much, how large. Will there be full-time jobs, not just construction jobs? What's the tax deal? What is going on? If I'm to be able to be a participant and to let you all know how I feel, I need information. So I don't feel like I'm getting the information. And I feel like when we get a pitch that a data center anywhere these days will be the new data center, and it won't be an energy hog. It won't be noisy. It won't be polluting. Well, that's great. Unless you have the data to show this new data center now that you're putting in a neighborhood, I want that place to be a prototype in the prairie where you can get the data and then report back to a neighborhood. Yes, it's true. This was the level of pollution. Don't just stick your prototype in a neighborhood first. So that is my concern. And once we have it in a neighborhood, any neighborhood, you can't take it away. It'll be a big box, not of people, but of computers. Thank you.

Thank you. Dan Phillips, you have two minutes.

Hello. My name's Dan Phillips, and my wife, Norma, and I have lived in the 12th District for the past seven years. The Atlantic Council is aware of the difficulty that data centers pose for neighborhoods in which they are located. That is why they pass ordinances to protect some of the most valued locations in our city by prohibiting data centers in their vicinity. I'm going to read some of the language from those ordinances. Atlanta data center market is growing faster than any other in the United States. Data centers typically do not yield a significant number of local jobs in comparison to other sectors, resulting in limited economic benefits for neighboring communities. The existence of data centers near high capacity transit stops becomes less helpful due to the necessary size of the facilities and related infrastructure, their reliance on large vehicles and other equipment, and the voltage emitted from such facilities that is not conducive or appropriate to locate within a dense environment of residential and other mixed use development. In order to increase pedestrian safety, as well as to increase the public health of the city, it is necessary to prohibit the creation of new data centers within half a mile of high capacity stops. My question is, have all of those things changed in the past two years? Thank you.

Thank you. Greg Goul, two minutes.

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Greg Goul. I've been a 23-year resident of Midtown. And I've been in and out of Atlanta I think since the 70s. But I wanted to share something with you from my perspective. I just wanted to say thank you for all the work that y'all are doing and have been doing. I know you put in a lot, and you get to listen to us twice a month say all sorts of things. So I wanted to say I had a blast at the World Cup, and I have heard so many people come to me and share with me what a great city Atlanta is, what a great thing Atlanta Police Department did, and the city of Atlanta did. I had relatives and guests come from the suburbs. from Lake Lanier, they jumped on MARTA at the Chambly station, took Chambly down here, the MARTA station down here, and went to a bunch, I think four or five different Fan Fests, including Piedmont Park. So a shout out to all of y'all who had the oversight with this. A shout out to Atlanta Police Department, who somehow managed to have the right balance of presence And at the same time, we're not sticking in your face the whole time. I was genuinely surprised when my friends and some family members came on and had so much positive to say about the city of Atlanta as a result of this World Cup and as the result of Atlanta Police Department. Because I can promise you, Several of them will be using MARTA now just to come on down here, maybe see a Falcons game and have a great time. So please, I appreciate everything y'all are doing. I appreciate what Atlanta Police Department is doing. And any support you can get to the police department, I certainly would appreciate and I think it's doing a great job. So thank you very much.

Thank you. Our next three speakers, Brother Anthony Muhammad, Stephanie Linfields and Michelle Allen, you each have two minutes. Please come forward. Brother Muhammad, two minutes.

My Metro Hotel. Abracadabra. Abracadabra. Abracadabra. My words had a power to originate. Mr. Martin, sir. Ms. Boone. I've been having a problem with this situation with a neighbor. Ms. Overstreet, I've seen all of your emails. Mr. Boone, Mr. Monk, you've been here for about several months now. We talked about this in the beginning. Your representative is supposed to come out and just take a look at the area. He didn't ever come out. You said at the last meeting with Ms. Boone. Public Safety Committee. And she made a comment, I don't want to get involved with your district. I don't want to ease on your interests. I don't care who eased on his interests. Ms. Overstreet, I said, you don't want to follow up. You're going to send me a letter saying, cut some grass. Four other neighbors say, cut some grass. We got nothing to do with no neighbors cutting some grass. That was a cold enforcement. But to have you for several months to say, I'm going to do this, brother. I'm going to do this. Do you remember Ms. Overstreet and Frank? For a whole year, I had the same problem with another neighbor. She worked diligently with us to get the problem resolved. But you won't do nothing, brother. Let me say this. Mark, do you have any knowledge of yourself? Balance, man. You know the knowledge of the arm? Balance, my brother, between the feminine and masculine energy? You can't tell me something then I'm supposed to sit back and wait like that movie Django. I'm not going to be a modern-day house liberal, brother. I'm going to have respect for you as long as you have respect for your community. And I'm tired of you not doing that, my brother.

Thank you. Stephanie Linfields, you have two minutes.

Good morning. My name is Stephanie Linfields. I'm a resident of Cascade Road neighborhood. I'm here today to talk about concerns I have regarding growth of any new data centers in the city of Atlanta. I have serious concerns about the environmental impact of building new data centers, specifically around the power, heat, water, noise, and more that data centers do generate. Although data centers have been around, they're expanding at a faster pace than ever before. We don't know all of the long-term impacts of these data centers yet, but what we do see concerns me. Our community should not be put at further health risk in order to be guinea pigs for these data centers in a way that will continue to impact generations to come. Communities impacted by data centers have seen a rise in their power bills, and this can have a real impact on myself and my neighbors. The 2024 ordinance that protects neighborhoods near the MARTA from development of data centers should be protected. Please listen to communities and what they have to say, specifically the NPUs regarding what they want in their neighborhoods. These large companies that often come in and try to build data centers may make promises to the community, but the structures required to hold them accountable to the promises that they make are not in place, and we don't know that these companies will be held accountable. Even in closed loop systems, there's still concerns around water usage. Most closed loop systems have two loops, one closed and one open. They continue to generate more water than what is sustainable and have an impact on these neighborhoods. Thank you.

Thank you. Michelle Allen, you have two minutes.

Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Michelle Allen. I am a resident of the West End neighborhood. I'm here because I'm concerned about proposals for new data centers across Atlanta. And as a resident of West End, I'm excited about the redevelopment we're experiencing of the West End Mall and the potential it'll bring for new businesses and economic opportunity across my neighborhood and the city. But we also need to prioritize affordable housing so that this new economic prosperity that is brought to our communities doesn't force out the families who have lived in those neighborhoods for decades. And I'm concerned that new data centers will take up space that could otherwise be used for affordable housing or for locally owned businesses that will employ many more people and that residents will actually want to visit. I'll wrap up by saying that I'm really concerned about rising utility costs as a result of hundreds of new data centers popping up across Georgia. I realize this council only has a say over data centers within the city of Atlanta, but I do hope that you will keep that in mind when faced with the opportunity to approve or deny a new data center. Thank you. Thank you.

Our next three speakers, Ruth Dana, Alicia Montoya and Nick Woodson. You each have two minutes. Ruth Dana.

Hi, thank you so much for having me. I am a resident of Westview neighborhood and I'm here to express concern about data centers and the possibility of them being constructed within the bounds of Atlanta. I'm going to share a story about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the Industrial Revolution, Pittsburgh saw the opportunity for steel mills to be a huge boon in the city, and they constructed so many of them, and they poured air pollution into the city that became so thick that people couldn't wear white shirts outside. When we're thinking about what we see as the vision for Atlanta and we're thinking about what we want out of our urban planning, are we thinking about 30 years from now and what the impact of environmental degradation will be on our residents? Are we thinking about what this will look like at scale? I think it's really important that we learn from the mistakes of the past. I think people are talking about this moment in history as though it's an industrial revolution. It's inevitable. Pittsburgh paid the price. And then we saw the Clean Air Act. They had to spend decades remediating the harms that those steel mills caused. What are we going to do in this moment about data centers? Are we going to be the Pittsburgh? Are we going to be the thing that teaches the rest of the country what the cost is? I think it's a real concern. So please, consider really with intention. This is our city. What do we want it to be? I think the other piece that I have is a real question of, have you seen what happened in Mississippi, in South Haven, Mississippi? There was a data center constructed there, and the DOJ intervened. The city's regulations that they wanted to enforce, they are unable to, because the Fed is reaching in to Mississippi and telling them there's actually federal data. In this data center, you can't enforce the environmental regulations. What's going to stop the Fed from intervening in Atlanta? Even if we have our own laws, there's a vested interest from this administration to intervene in our local elections, sorry, not local elections, local politics and our own legislation. Thank you.

Thank you. I have a quick question. Brea Linfields, I have you here for using your two minutes, which we just heard, as well as yielding time to Kayann Paris. OK. Got it. All right. Thank you. Okay. All right. It's crossed out, but it's, you do want to yield your time. Thank you. All right. Thank you all for indulging me with that. Alyssa, Alicia Montoya, you have two minutes, followed by Nick Whitson.

Hello, everyone. My name is Elisha Montoya. I'm a resident of Sylvan Hills, and I'm here to discuss my concerns about a data center being built in the West End. Data centers, through and through, they don't benefit the people that matter most, the working people and the residents of that neighborhood. It puts an extreme strain on our crumbling infrastructure, our resources that are available. It's going to raise up power bills, all that good stuff. I don't know about you guys, but I experience water outages, power outages several times a year because our infrastructure is falling apart. I don't think that data centers contribute anything to the people in the areas. They only steal from us. So I am very, very opposed to one being in my neighborhood. And that's all.

Thank you. Nick Whitson, you have two minutes. And I see here it was Stephanie Linfields that we heard from. Got it.

Good afternoon, council members. My name is Nick Whitson. I'm a small local developer. I'm here regarding my approved land disturbance permit for Jackson Reserve. It's a small 27-home development near Cascade Heights, Cascade Road in Dillow. I've been working on it for over five years. And recently the online system moved our LDP, which was approved earlier this year, into an inactive status, which that's not what's happening, so I'll explain. I'm asking the council to ask the building department director, Greg Pace, to allow my approved LDP to be reactivated under the ordinance that it was approved under earlier this year. Our permit was approved in January. We had already paid half of the required fees and the builder that was supposed to do the project with us and pay the remainder of the fees, including the tree recompense, walked from the deal. They were unable to close. Kind of left us hanging with the bag. We immediately began looking for another builder. Took a few months to find the right one. That was about April and May we started working with them and the engineers on some minor post revisions they had. In June and July, I started working with Planning and Zoning Office of Buildings in the Atlanta DOT on some of those revisions and questions. And not once did anyone on staff mention the six month inactivity rule or what constitutes a qualifying activity. I wasn't told about the rule until I was already a few days past the deadline. A staff member encouraged me to file a 30-day extension, but the system had already automatically made the application inactive. But I never stopped working on this project, the consequences of which are significant. The tree recompense was $35,000 under the previous ordinance and the current ordinance over 130. I also now be told, despite having an approved LDP, I must update the plans and comply with the ordinances adopted by the approval. Council regularly talks about housing affordability and attainable housing, and this is exactly the kind of regulatory cost increase that makes housing hard and more expensive.

Mr. Woodson, your time is up. But I've spoken with Councilmember Martin, who is the councilperson for that, and you say you're, I told him your main issue is the land disturbance permits, correct?

Thank you, ma'am. Yes.

Okay. He'll speak with you offline. Thanks. Our next three speakers, Steven Dingle. Helen Williams-Boston, and Margie McLeod. You each have two minutes. Mr. Dingell, two minutes.

Good afternoon, council, Madam President. Welcome back from recess. Hope everybody had a swell time. And happy belated birthday to my council member, Wayne Martin of the illustrious District 11. I'm here because I recently... Oh, happy belated, man. Yeah, I'll see you at the coffee shop later this month, but happy birthday as well. But I just recently read the CEO and president of Vest Atlanta, Dr. Eloisa Clemente's book, and it's called An Equity Blueprint. And it was a reference to how to build equitable, stable, and eventually thriving communities. And through that, the theme that I interpreted from it was collaboration. And she talked about her experience from California and in Atlanta regarding federal, state, county, and city collaboration across municipalities even. And we all saw the letter the mayor wrote to Fulton County. And what that told me was that communication is lacking between our municipality and the county. And I know you are the legislative branch of Atlanta, but I hope all of you all have your individual relationships with our county representatives as well as our state representatives. Because your constituents, or at least me personally, I don't care if you don't like someone. I don't care if you don't have the best relationship with a state rep, a state senator, et cetera. I care that you all have an open relationship to where you can dialogue and talk about things. As we have the potential hospital that would be coming to the West End, for example, that's an example that that's going to help East Point. That's going to help College Park. That's going to help the city of South Fulton. And of course, it's going to help the city of Atlanta. So through her book, she was talking about how you need an ecosystem of collaboration, whether it's transportation, whether it's public safety. And I'm not just talking about Atlanta. I'm talking about all regions and areas of Georgia, or at least people who live within the radius. So I just want to speak to you all and just talk about collaboration. And I know what each level of government is responsible for, but it only does a disservice if you don't have those relationships with the other levels of government that I hope you all are building. So I'm just hearing the spirit of collaboration. As always, thank you for your time and thank you for your service. God bless.

Thank you. Helen Williams-Boston, you have two minutes.

Good afternoon, everyone. Hadn't seen everybody in a while. I'm here to share about an incident that happened almost a year on September the 9th here in the City Hall Zoning Department, which involved myself. A petition here in the city fell on my head in the zoning area on September the 9th. And I just needed to let you guys know that I have placed a claim in the lawyer's office. But the situation is that there's someone else signing papers that's coming within the law office and I'm not signing them. I've been there twice. I'm going through identity theft, so it's not new, but papers are being sent online to your office and someone else is signing my name. I have spoken to the senior lead investigator, I can't call his name right now, but I have spoken to him directly. I signed my name and I showed him my signature. The fact that I'm going through identity theft in Vine City because of the property issues that's going on through gentrification, I happen to now have a lawsuit here with the city. I don't want nobody else to get my little change that y'all are going to give me because it was not my fault. I do have pictures of the incident. I have pictures of the petition that failed on my head, if anybody would like to see that. But I just wanted to come and address it personally because behind the scenes on online, my license was stolen. So you can go in. and do whatever it needs to be done pertaining to my name and my household, which has been done. So that's why I'm here all the time, because I cannot fight this in my neighborhood. I have to come downtown where my councilman sits. I have to let him know I am the only Helen D. Williams on Lester Street.

Thank you. Margie McLeod.

You have two minutes. Good afternoon. I'm here because as one, as one Democrat, this is our season. This is our season. Why? Keisha is running for governor. No, I didn't support her. But what I'm saying to the people, this is our season. Either Keisha or Jim Crow. Now, which one would you take? Because this is very important. Now, people who voted for Trump, and these same people gonna vote for Jackson? Please, people, please. It's not because you're a Republican, Democrat. I'm not the person to say I'm going to support a certain person, but this is very important. This is our season. We must vote. We must. I can't tell you, but what I'm saying to y'all, Martha King loved everybody. Look at you, all different nationalities. And Keisha, this is what I want to tell you. Uh-uh. This black magic, girl magic got to go. Grandmama power. If you want to win this race, you better not know black girl magic. This is grandma. You better call on grandma, because you're going to need prayers. But we can win this as one. Everybody, everybody included. Not no black girl magic. That's magic city. And I'm not a girl. I'm a woman. So power to grandma. So you need grandmama prayers because that's who's going to get you in. Not no black girl magic. Grandmama hand because grandmama pray for you and you and you. That's all I got to say. No black girl magic. One. We vote. One. Everybody's included if we want this change to be made because we could do it as one. Thank you, Ms. McCall. I flew here. I grew here. Everybody's coming here now. We are one. And we're going to get this, Keisha. I want to talk to you. Grandmama hand. You better pray because that's what you're going to need. Thank you. We love you. Power to grandma.

Our next three speakers. Power to grandma. Stacey Akad, A-C-C-A-D. Ambassador Tunde. Minister Breedlove. You each have two minutes. Oh, Stacey had to leave? Okay. Then we're ready for Ambassador Tunde. Okay. Two minutes. Ambassador Tunde had to leave also. Okay, then we are at Minister Breedlove.

Praise God. Praise the Lord, children. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I'm in the spirit of God now forever. I just want to tell you all this scripture that the Lord gave me two days ago to give to the city. In Psalm 61, the Lord said, Hear my cry, O God. Listen to my prayers. From the end of the earth, I will call to you. When my heart faints, Lean. God said lean on him. He's the rock of our salvation. I come to you all on the final day today, and you probably won't see me in a while. Maybe not even. Never. But maybe on my missions. My time has ended. I'm not a beggar. And I'm not a bolster. I have served in this city with the foot on the ground. My foot has been on the ground here in this city. to represent so many thousands of people. And Michael, I have prayed for you and I still pray for you because you have grandchildren and you have to always tell them what our black culture is. And the rest of you, Byron Amos, all of you all, you are servants of the land here in Georgia, Atlanta. And you must serve the people. It's not about you all. It's about doing the work for God's people and do it in righteousness. Because God said he's going to send a wrath on this city if you all don't do justice to his people. So that's why I had to make this journey today to let you know it's over. God bless you, and I love you.

Thank you, Minister Breedlove. This takes us to our... Our donated time sign-in sheet. We'll start with William King. You have four minutes. Is Tamasha Sadler here? OK. William King, you have four minutes.

I hope that you all got a chance to look at this paper that was passed around. It's supposed to actually be silent weapons for quiet wars instead of a quiet war, but it's this paper that has to do with a war that was declared on humanity in 1954. By the end of World War II, the war machine of the Allies had been so perfected that every time they shot a weapon out of an airplane, sensors recorded the effect that it had on every joint in the airplane and I put it all into a computer and they figured they could fine tune the world that same way. You can measure what the input is to every factory and what the output is from the factory. The difficult thing was the input output thing for human beings, because they were making decisions that were always hard to measure. So they invented the barcode as part of the four year study at Harvard financed by the Rockefeller Foundation. And they put the three sixes at the beginning, the middle and the end of every barcode, because they knew what they were doing. If you look further down on your paper here at the bottom of the first page, it says the ultimate goal was later a permanent tattooed body number invisible under normal ambient light on everybody in the world. That's what the Bible calls the mark of the beast. The first time I saw it was when a friend of mine pointed out that the three loops over the three circles in the Montreal Olympic logo formed the number 666. Then they formed the Trilateral Commission, and at the Trilateral Commission's first meeting, Jimmy Carter was introduced as the next president of the United States, and here you can see the three sixes in that logo. Henry Kissinger told Aldo Moro of Italy that, that Jimmy Carter is not the president of the United States. The Trilateral Commission is the president of the United States, and I, meaning Kissinger, speak for them, because there was a creation of David Rockefeller, Henry Kissinger, and Zygmunt Brzezinski, and they recruited Carter as their presidential candidate. Here you see the earliest imports that I can find from China after they were brought into the world community. mainly by George Bush and Henry Kissinger. Here you see the Department of Transportation. You see the sixes in their logo. Why would suddenly, why would the mayor of South Bend, Indiana be a credible candidate for president of the United States and then become the transportation secretary when he did not win? I don't know if you've heard of Gramsci, but he's the guy who's the Italian communist who came up with the idea that We can't compete economically with capitalism. We have to just infiltrate every branch of their society. Here you see the input. I wish I could remember the adjective that came before the word weapons, but these are classified as weapons by the Department of Defense, and cell phones are also classified as weapons, because cell phones are your cell in the global gulag, in the digital gulag. Here, let your eye follow the lines between the colors and around the center circle. You just saw the three sixes in the Google Chrome logo. You're not going to forget them. They're there. Here, you see the torch being passed to 666 in the Pentagon's Defense Management Journal. And the first issue to come out after the hostage crisis in Iran. And then they had Jimmy Carter boycott the Moscow Olympics. And so then they had the Russians boycott the Los Angeles Olympics and they put the three sixes back in the logo of the Korean Olympics. I held this sign up behind the boxing matches at the Korean Olympics. So the data center is the If these people are so concerned about the environment and not wanting any nuclear energy, how come they're mass-producing nuclear power plants now?

Thank you. Our next speaker is Tyrone Clemons. You have eight minutes, Mr. Clemons.

If you're being asked to approve a concentration camp, would you do it?

You have eight minutes, Mr. Clemons. Let's see. Andrea Jordan, are you here? Okay. Just a second. Let me make sure we have Eric Harrison. Okay. And I'm looking for one more. Lily Mosley. Is Lily Mosley here? Okay. So you're going to have to take six minutes, Mr. Clementson.

Thank you for the time council president Tyrone Clemens. I'm an advocate for zoning and use and mobility and equitable development in historically black neighborhoods I wanted to start with a bit of commendations and then some considerations First I'd like to thank even though I'm not from your district, you know, he's not here right now councilman Amos for listening to his history listening to his district and working to make sure that their will was perceived and applied when it came to the homeless shelter that was going to be built over in the West End. That's what democracy looks like in action. When you have constituents who have grievances and their leadership listens and implements those grievances to make sure that the future they want for their neighborhood is being executed on. I'm actually glad I got to be here earlier for a lot of the proclamations. There was a lot of in-depth knowledge in history that I didn't know as a relatively new resident to Atlanta, five years. I want to thank Council Member Julian Bond for talking about the importance of the history of Atlanta and the importance of black businesses within Atlanta. I wanted to thank, even though he's not here right now, Councilman Lewis for talking about the importance of the community spaces and programming for the youth and how that sort of protects our future. I've been reading about the book Color Law by Richard Rothstein. It has to do with a lot of land use zoning and how that was used and weaponized against black communities to, one, keep us segregated historically from economic zones and from white communities, but also one of the incidental or intentional attributes of zoning at both the federal, state, and city level was to implement toxic and negatively impactful developments specifically in black communities causing more, excuse me, causing health issues and deaths for generations and displacing and disenfranchising economic opportunities for black people for the last couple generations. The reason why I mention this book is because it's important to understand not just the history, because history, although it doesn't always repeat, it does rhyme, but also understand the implications of that history, the data of what actually happens when we don't properly use the tools in front of us, and the power that is beholden to the city council. I don't need to remind you of your responsibility to your constituents as part of the reason why you took the job. You obviously know what your intentions are for your city and what you want for your constituents. But I do want to reassure you that that is a great power. That is a power that has altered and changed many municipalities throughout this country for the last 60 odd years. A lot of the injustices that happened within the black community happened at the city council level, at the zoning meetings, at the zoning committees. So I only say this to reassure you because In your day to day, you see what you need to do in your day to day. You see what you need to do in your yearly budgets. Sometimes you may, and I'm not accusing you of, but sometimes you may miss the broader aspect of every decision you make and how that ripples throughout your communities for the next one, two, three generations, 100 years. And maybe in all of the business that you attend to, you don't get to sit down and imagine what the next 100 years will look like. if the black community in the Southwest region of Atlanta will even still be here the next hundred years. And that's the kind of power that you have within your positions as council people, as council members. So when I say this to say, the future, the next generation, two, three, a hundred years, I want you to be able to take time if and when you have that opportunity to truly imagine what these spaces in the Southwest region of Atlanta, historically black areas in Atlanta, can truly be. Not just what's there being sold on for immediate value or immediate return by large developments or large corporations. A lot of the power that comes in black businesses and black economics came from cooperative economics and incremental development. taking spaces and building the kind of density that allows for housing and allows for the small businesses that turn into the powerhouse black businesses that made Atlanta what is so special to this day. So when you make your day-to-day decisions, when you make the decisions in your role as council people, whether that's specific to any kind of ordinances that come with land use and zoning or public safety, I want you to deeply consider not just what this immediate return on what your decision will be, but what will be the ripple effect for the next hundred years and how you will carve out a space for the black community and how they can be empowered through that space. Because ultimately, even though the internet and the technology with the internet does make it a viability to be able to interact, collaborate with community, or grow businesses, brick and mortar and land is where it's at. You cannot survive and you cannot exist without the land. that land is in turn controlled and empowered by the decisions you make, the day-to-day decisions you make. Specifically in the Southwest and the West End, if you look at a map of the historic, I'll call it discriminatory map of redlining, but also zoning, you'll see it almost aligns one-to-one with the propagation of the massive amount of data centers that have already been built in the city of Atlanta. It feels like redlining 2.0, that you're putting all of these large infrastructural developments for private interests in a predominantly black area that will negatively impact that predominantly black area for the next generation, and not putting it in the other areas that have been allowed to flourish for the last hundred years. So I ask that as you go through your day-to-day job that city council members to focus on people-first development, developing in spaces that can actually empower the black community for the next hundred years and not putting up large industrial developments or data centers in black spaces that have historically been disimpacted by poor or racist redlining and zoning policies at all levels of government. So please consider that as you move forward and really think about what will be the future for black communities and where we'll be in this space based on your decisions.

Thank you, Mr. Clemmons. Our next speaker, Aline Brown. You have six minutes. Let's see. We have Laura Hawk. Okay, and let's see, one more. Joyce Correr. Okay, so you have four minutes. Your yielded person needs to be present.

Thank you. I am Aline Brown. I am a legacy resident of Southwest Atlanta, a member of WILF, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Metro Atlanta Clean Energy Collective. Georgia Power has raised rates six times since late 2022. Base rate step increases plus fuel and storm costs recovery, adding roughly $43 to an average monthly residential bill. The base rate freeze approved July 1, 2025, runs out in three years through 2028. It is not six years, and it does not cover fuel or storm costs. Five months after that freeze, the PSC approved Georgia Power's request for nearly 10,000 megawatts of new generating capacity built primarily to serve data centers and the demand for them at a construction cost of $16.3 billion with a B. projected tax rate taxpayer costs of 50 to 60 billion dollars over the life of the build out. This facility is an interconnected load on that same system. One household's bill makes the point concrete. A southwest Atlanta home with no air conditioning saw its effective rate increase from 13 cents a kilowatt hour in March of this year to 18.75 percent since. per kilowatt hour in July. That's 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour increase in one season with no change in cooling equipment. This spring, my Atlanta neighbors packed a zoning meeting and said no to data center that promised hundreds of jobs and would have delivered by every industry benchmark a few dozen. Georgia Public Service Commission had already approved $16.3 billion in new power plants to meet data center demand. cost residential tax rate payers are backstopping. Georgia's own Dana Center tax exemption is now projected to cost the state $2.5 billion this year. That's a 664% increase above the original estimate. Virginia's version of that same exemption projected in 2008 to cost $1.5 million a year in foregone revenue, cost $1.6 billion in a single year by 2025. This is one story told in two states that matter most to it. Virginia already has more data centers built and planned. than any other state in the country. Residential customers are the ones told to conserve, run the dishwasher late. The same utilities that ask us to budget every kilowatt and every gallon to save the environment then offer data centers, corporations, discounted industrial rates, and multi-year tax abatements to both at the scale to households could imagine. Conservation is not the problem.

Ms. Brown, your time is up. Thank you so much. Our next speaker is Janelle Wright. You have six minutes. Is Laurie Berto here? Laurie? Okay, just a second. Roxy Friction, okay. So Ms. Wright, you have four minutes. Just a reminder, if you have to leave and you want your voice heard, you will still be granted your two minutes before you go in the order that you signed up. So you don't have to leave and not have your voice heard. Just FYI, you don't have to yield the time is what I'm saying. So thank you, Ms. Janelle.

Thank you. Good afternoon, City Council. My name is Janelle Wright. I am the Environmental Justice Programs Manager with West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, affectionately known as WAWA. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization that stewards the Utoy Creek, Proctor Creek, and Sandy Creek watersheds. We are based out of the Outdoor Activities Center in Southwest Atlanta, a nature preserve that is within the city. And personally, I spent much of my childhood within Southwest Atlanta and currently live in Council District 12 in Capitol View neighborhood. WAWA's work centers on environmental justice, watershed protection, and ensuring that communities most impacted by environmental burdens are meaningfully considered in planning and development decisions. Today, I'd like to make the connection between high energy burden and rapid redevelopment in our city. This year, the City of Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience published the Climate Resilience Action Plan. And it highlights the 10 highest energy burdened neighborhoods. Those listed are Cascade Avenue, Fort McPherson, Oakland City, Bush Mountain, Pittsburgh, People's Town, Capitol View, Mechanicsville, Summerhill, and Adair Park. Here, high energy bills and rising utility costs limit residents' ability to attend to their needs. In my lifetime, I've seen major strides taken, and while this action plan is a fantastic start towards educating the public, the development decisions that the council makes must be aligned with that vision and those priorities. Wawa works intimately with the neighbors, uplifting the voices of legacy residents who seek a changing neighborhood that keeps them healthy and does not displace them. Our neighbors, like Ms. Alleyne and others who have spoken, who we have longstanding relationships with, work very hard to ensure their communities are educated and equipped with the tools towards progressive community development. Brownfield redevelopment is a complicated process that deserves extensive research and assessment. We urge city council to not overlook and to carefully consider all which that process entails and the resources that sets redevelopment opportunities on brownfields are considered to their maximum potential. as a resident who lives in an apartment complex that was formerly a battery plant, and I and many others are very aware of what that potential looks like. That being said, data-served development of brownfields across the entire city is not the only answer to extensive contamination on our property. And resorting to such decisions not only desecrates our innate creativity and innovation, but also ignores the time and effort of our city's leadership and valued community members that we've contributed to towards planning efforts that have made Southwest Atlanta a livable, thriving community and center. In the state of Georgia, we have no regulations for data centers. If new data centers are being proposed in the city, the city must invest time towards protection against such harms, one of those harms being the rise in energy bills with new constructions. We deserve full and complete transparency regarding how large scale energy intensive developments, such as data centers, may affect long term affordability and environmental conditions. And we must invest towards change that sustains present and future generations. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Dave Martis. Dave, you have four minutes. Kaylin Gilstrap, are you here? Sure.

Okay. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much. I've just been thinking about it. Y'all really are, in many ways, like our protectors. You're kind of like the last line of defense, especially in these dark days in our country. Obviously, we know that the higher-ups can override and, you know... But y'all really are our protectors, and I appreciate that. And I also appreciate that almost all of you are here. I've come and stood before y'all before and seen many empty seats. And during public comment, I just really wanted to thank you for that. So I want to talk to you about diesel generators at data centers, because I had my mind blown when I looked into this. They are ticking time bombs, they are Chekhov's gun. It is not a question of if they will go off, it is a question of when. And I'm not talking about the monthly tests, although those themselves are cause for concern. I'm talking about incidents in the near future where they will have to run continuously for days, weeks, or even months due to as yet unforeseen circumstances. What am I talking about? Well, in July of this year, the U.S. Secretary of Energy ordered like 100 data centers across the eastern seaboard to come off of the grid. There was that heat dome and everybody was running their AC. And they ordered all those data centers to come off the grid and go on diesel. And they were on it for the better part of a week. And so, let's see, let's see. Yeah, I don't wear my notes. So according to EPA data, a 100 megawatt data center running on diesel backup releases 79 metric tons, this is where my mind got blown, 79 metric tons of carbon dioxide per hour. Sorry, I don't mean, I'm not yelling at you, I'm just. They also release other respiratory irritants like nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Here is a map of asthma incidents in Atlanta. It reminds me a lot of the maps that the mayor's office was showing during the neighborhood initiative. You see that clear line right there? You see how the entire southern section of the city is dark? That's because there is a markedly higher incidence of asthma in that part of the city. I'm an ER nurse. Y'all have heard me before. I like to go to that. I'm an ER nurse at Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital. I've worked there since 2014. This part of the map is where my patients come from. Have you ever seen a child so hungry for air, literally suffocating, so desperate to breathe, that they need a shot of a sedative in their leg? It's truly frightening. And y'all, they don't all make it. They don't. So I'm asking you, I'm begging you, don't allow any more diesel-supported data centers in Atlanta, and especially in South Atlanta. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Devin Franklin. Mr. Franklin, you have eight minutes. Is David Gray here? Okay.

Dexios Demtu.

Dexios Demtu and Darrell Johnson.

Mr. Johnson stepped out to pick his child up from school. I'm not sure if it's possible if I could wait until the end of all the public comment for him to possibly return or if I need to.

Well, you can actually do that. We have about 14 more minutes of public comment, and we'll call you back. Thank you. Okay. So our next speaker is DeJuan Robinson. Mr. Robinson, you have 10 minutes. Is Carolyn Dabney here? Carolyn? Okay, I see you, hi. Ricky Cummings, Gwendolyn Webb, and Ricky Usher. Mr. Usher? I see you. Okay, you have 10 minutes.

Welcome back, Council. I'm glad you guys traveled safe and made it back. Ms. Overstreet, I wish we got rid of this new method that you have. It's taken so much time. I know you steadfast on finishing up what you started, but I really wish that we got rid of this right here. It's not working. It's not working. Councilman Bond, I waited until you recovered from your surgery to speak on this topic right here because you were here when this went down and There are some recent things that happened that I feel very disrespected by. 99% of the time when I come down here, it's for other people. But this time is very serious. We had an OIG last year that many of you guys voted not to give her her powers to do what she wanted to do. It was spoken at that time that I was the only private citizen with a bank account. She went in all three of my bank accounts. And she admitted that she didn't read the Georgia Bar Code when it comes to banking. Our city attorney at the time admitted she was wrong. The mayor's office admitted she was wrong. Council admitted she was wrong. However, council... Mr. Worthy, you're an attorney. Ms. Collins, you're an attorney. You guys know that when someone do that and when the mayor's office hire outside counsel to say that the OIG operated well within her rights, after she admitted she was wrong, the city attorney at the time admitted she was wrong, counsel admitted as a whole she was wrong. The mayor hire outside attorney said she was well within her rights, right? Now, there was a subpoena given. Now here's the danger when you disrespect people. And a wise man always told me this, Mr. Bond, the coverup is worse than the crime itself. And we all grown up and know that that is so true. The coverup is what gets your ass in trouble. And the reason why I have not spoken on this, because so many people played a part in this. And our attorney, our city attorney at the time, I understand she was the first black woman that was over the bar and she swore so many people in that love her. And as I look at it, y'all hear me oftentimes say about the Delta Mafia. So the judge on the case who dismissed the case was a Delta. COO Burks was a Delta. City attorney who was at the time was a Delta. It was so much coercion in this getting this dismissed that it's favorable to think that it's not a coincidence. But the subpoena was given, and when the city attorney gave the subpoena, there was another well-respected attorney who I would never say, but that's the danger that you put people in when you are doing things like this, like you're causing people to have to be in trouble that shouldn't be in trouble because what y'all did was disrespectful to Just look out for yourselves at the time because we all know the OIG had so many people on the investigation that wanted her gone. It was okay, right? And in light of it, I was simply having a conversation with somebody that the OIG had on the investigation and her, I don't want to say detectives, Councilman Lewis, but her investigators was following this guy and seeing me talking to him and thought maybe I was getting whatever money they thought this guy was getting, right? Cool, it's cool, right? I always say nobody's above reproach. Look into me. You know what I'm saying? I had no wrong doing, never done anything wrong. I feel like I talk too much trash to have my hand in the cookie jar. There is so much money to be made on the table that you ain't never got to do nothing under the table if you have a certain level of intelligence and morality, right? But I just want you guys to understand this now. Councilman Bunn, The outside attorney that the mayor of them hired said that OIG operated well within her rights. Falsifying subpoenas now. Going in people's bank account, right? Mr. Word, there's an attorney, I need you to understand this. You wasn't here then, but understand this, man. The OIG, who's an attorney, said, hey, I'm sorry, I didn't read the banking laws of Georgia. My mistake, right? There's no, you know what I'm saying? You don't get a slap on the wrist for ignorance of the law, right? She admitted it. The city attorney admitted it. Council admitted it. But you guys on the legislative body allowed the Mayor of the High House, our counsel, to dismiss the lawsuit and say that she was acting well within her rights. At some point, counsel, we can't play favoritism because this is the same counsel that have friends that you guys allow to create their own procurement, and approval at the same time. Now, I don't speak on certain things, but I've always told y'all, there's not one thing that don't go on in City Hall and outside City Hall that I don't get an email from. I don't get a phone call about. I choose not to speak on certain things. I have respect for certain people. At the same time, I take my advocacy serious. Also, a little respect there for certain people that I don't get into it if this guy hires his wife or her husband and certain things. I don't like to speak on that. I don't like to speak on certain things. If people are not being mistreated in the workplace and all that, you know, I try to stick to that. But when you disrespect me and play in my face and wake me out of my sleep and give me a subpoena, I'm asleep. I'm asleep that Thursday morning. Y'all had the OIG. I'm asleep. I get woken out of my sleep and give me a subpoena. Hey, here you go. And then we come in here and we do this, and then you disrespect. Like, we can't play these games. And I'm going to tell y'all this. I'm talking to y'all, but I'm really talking to that second floor. There's no way in hell you're going to get out of City Hall in three years, and you're going to blame other people for the shit that you ain't doing right. I'm not going to let you do that. I'm not going to let y'all do that. I'm not going to let you play games and point fingers at this person and that person. Oh, man, you know it wasn't my fault. I'm not going to allow you to do it. You got to walk these streets in Atlanta. And I'm from these streets in Atlanta and I live in these streets in Atlanta. And there is no way that I will see you in these streets in Atlanta and not have an uncomfortable conversation with you about how you mistreated me, this woman, this man, this young person, that young person, because you have the power to do so. I always say, one thing I love about this administration is that, Greg Clay from Atlanta, Andre Dickens from Atlanta. Courtney Lewis, Courtney English from Atlanta. LaShondra Burks from Atlanta. I consider Theo Pace from Atlanta. He went to my house at 18. There's no way that we got so many people born and raised in Atlanta and we are turning a blind eye and we are still number one in America for income inequality. We laugh and take videos and take pictures in council and outside every day of the freaking week. I think we are the greatest city because we are a black city and some of the white folks we got here care enough about black folks that make this city great. But damn it, we are a poor city when it come to character. You know what I'm saying? When it come to doing what's right. Everybody want to be friends and kiss butts. No, man, it's time out for that. And I'm not just saying that because I've been wrong by the second floor. Some other people's been wrong too. Your fellow Frederick Douglass man, Rita Braswell. There are so many other people that was done wrong, and there were seven other that were wrongfully prophesied by our OIG, who's an attorney, who admitted she was wrong. And you guys allow the mayor to hire outside counsel. Now, there's certain things I don't like to speak on when it comes to certain things because it seems that we have had every black male that was a mayor in this town have had some type of issues. So I try to stay away from that so the world don't think that Atlanta can't elect a black mayor who can get it right. but you are not going to disrespect me or Grady Bradbourne. I'm Atlanta through and through everything, Wayne Martin. I will not be disrespected. I will not be disrespected, Ms. Boone. And y'all know she was wrong. And y'all allowing them to dismiss a lawsuit. Nobody was expecting $5 million, no type of dollar amount, but to dismiss it under the grounds of she operated well within her rights. no way in the hell that y'all think that's right ain't no way ain't no way man I've seen the I've seen some people get I've seen some people get awarded lawsuits in months when it come to serve sexual orientation when it come to serve white groups or whatever they get their money fast but we want to play games with this OIG going to people bank account and she admitted making false claims, and we want to play games like this. Man, the mayoral office, y'all got a month to get it right, or all hell gonna break loose on every last one of y'all.

Okay, thank you. Our next speaker is Kate Ann Paris, and your time was yielded. You have four minutes because Bria Linfields. Yielded two minutes to you.

Thank you. Kayanne Paris. I grew up in Metro Atlanta. I'm a resident of Southwest Atlanta in District 12. I've been in Southwest Atlanta for eight years, and I was in Edgewood for five years before that. I sent an email to city council on the 24th of July, and I'm going to read parts of that email. So pardon me for looking down. Data centers will be the future landfills, but they have noise and air pollution effects still unknown to scientists. Preliminary data has shown that there was an estimated 53 million and 99 million in annual health damages from associated air pollution. Landfills were strategically placed in southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, and neighbors continue to see the effects of them through zoning priorities. There are parts of the city where life expectancy is already two decades behind North Atlanta. Data centers would only further contribute to this imbalance. Data centers will affect everyday quality of life with debilitating noise, little to no water pressure, burdening the power grid in an already monopolized and expensive energy market. The noise levels that residents across the nation are seeing are already affecting children's development milestones. Local farming will be affected in areas where grocery stores aren't even zoned to be built. Why not change zoning priorities to allow grocery stores? How can someone live, work, and play with a data center within two miles of their home? Georgians are already losing their homes because of data centers. It will be heartbreaking to see even more Atlantans displaced from a place that we call home. Atlanta residents are gonna see, excuse me, going to lose out on homes in areas that were already designated as ideal for high density residential over a decade ago. At one of the meetings that I attended, healthcare and hospitals were brought up. And so I just wanted to include that Taiwan has the best healthcare in the world And surgeries and research can be supported without putting data centers in residential areas. Additionally, there are hospital systems that are moving away from data centers because of the costs and burdens brought about. More investment should be going to Southwest Atlanta to make good on the vision of an equitable Atlanta. Underinvestment for decades means we need overinvestment for decades to make right the balance. I asked city council to look at quality uses of all land across Atlanta and especially Southwest Atlanta. And I think the city needs to take into consideration before allowing a data center to bulldoze any part of Southwest Atlanta. At minimum, any development should be a contributing establishment to the fabric and network of the city with a focus on the people of Atlanta, on housing, food, entertainment, parks. Atlantic Station was successfully remediated and reduced air pollution due to transportation control measures. And I think that we should make sure that we're not adding to pollution in Atlanta with data centers. The highways were established through redlining and racist policy, which resulted in brownfields. The city is perpetuating these harmful policies by allowing something harmful to go in any place that has seen the results of these harmful policies. The vast majority of brownfields are in Southwest Atlanta, so I really hope the plan is not just to put data centers on top of them, finally making Southwest Atlanta unlivable. Fulton County has 36.2% of the state's brownfields, and none of them are in North Fulton County. Please say no to any data centers in Southwest Atlanta or Atlanta in general. Thanks.

Thank you. Devin Franklin, you have six minutes?

Yes, Your Honor.

I have packets for everyone.

Okay, we'll get somebody to grab those for me.

The packets that I'm passing out, there's a 300-page version of this that you all received in your emails this morning, so this is a condensed version, thank you. Good afternoon, Council President Overstreet, members of Atlanta City Council, and fellow Atlantans. For those that don't know, my name is Wiley Devon Franklin. I am Senior Movement Policy Counsel at the Southern Center for Human Rights, as well as a member of the Community Over Cages Coalition, which foundationally engages in advocacy that promotes investment in community over the continued historic investment in policing, surveillance, and incarceration here in Atlanta. I come before you today because I believe in credibility in government, depending on one simple principle. Our actions must match our words. And recently, the actions of Mayor Andre Dickens have not matched his words. The mayor has repeatedly framed public policy in Atlanta as a group project. He has also said that effective leadership means that we should draw circles and not lines. A characterization intended to speak to the inclusive spirit of collaboration and compromise among elected officials ultimately and optimally should result in smart, efficient, and effective public policy that reflects the best of what the city has to offer. Those are powerful ideas, but leadership is ultimately measured not by memorable phrases, as it is measured instead by whether those principles survive disagreement. Last week, after the Fulton County Board of Commissioners exercised its independent judgment and declined to extend the City of Atlanta's tax allocation district plan, the mayor chose to publicly rebuke the BOC, an independent elected body, through an open letter. And whether you support the county's vote or are opposed to it is beside the point. The point is this. When another governmental partner reaches a different conclusion, Is the response collaboration or is it public condemnation? If governing is truly a group project, then every partner must be free to disagree without becoming the target of public scolding. If governing is truly a group project, then one body should not attempt to leverage or bully the other. Otherwise, the group project simply means everyone is expected to agree with the mayor. That is not collaboration, that is hierarchy. Unfortunately, this contradiction is not isolated. It reflects a broader pattern visible in the city's approach to criminal justice and specifically the Atlanta City Detention Center. Many Atlantans supported Mayor Dickens because he embraced the vision of transforming the Atlanta City Detention Center. He sponsored the original legislation as a council member. originally wanted to convert it into a center for equity and wellness, a facility dedicated to healing, opportunity, behavioral health, workforce development, and community investment instead of incarceration. However, as mayor, he abandoned the effort. In 2022, the city entered into an intergovernmental agreement leasing ACDC to Fulton County at his request. Yet over the four years of that lease, the administration has remained remarkably quiet about how or whether the original promise will ever be fulfilled. Every time I walked into these chambers and told you all about the deaths that continued to happen in Fulton County during the course of the lease and called for the mayor to say something, to say anything about Atlanta's role in incarceration rates and its impact on the incarcerated population at Wright Street, he remained silent. You all remain silent. In March of 2025, Councilmember Lewis, as well as Councilmember Dozier and Bakhtiari had the foresight to sponsor legislation calling for the state's withdrawal plan of Fulton County from Atlanta City Detention Center. The plan was simply to ensure that Atlanta and Fulton followed through on the language of the intergovernmental agreement between the two bodies, as well as the language of the actual ordinance that you all, who were here at that point in time, passed. After being held in committee for several months, Councilman Lewis again attempted in August of 2025 to have that legislation called for a vote to see where everyone stood, to see where the mayor stood. And instead, that legislation was chased back to the Public Safety Committee, where it never saw a vote. Instead, the legislation remained held in that committee. The public never received the full council debate that the issue deserved. That matters because now, after ignoring the express language of the ordinance that you all passed and ignoring the clauses of the intergovernmental agreements that the government officials assigned, we learned that the mayor never meant the words he spoke when he stood at this podium on August 8th, 2022, and promised a RFI to begin working on converting ACDC into a center for diversion services. And those of you who helped chase that legislation away, helped him escape accountability. Because accountability is not just about how governments vote. It's about what government refuses to vote on. Meanwhile, Fulton County continues discussing significant investments in additional jail infrastructure. And to be clear, I do not support the $1.36 billion plan as well to build the new jails. But the question raised a fundamental policy question, a fundamental policy contradiction. We cannot honestly discuss jail capacity without discussing the systems that produce jail overcrowding. The policy scorecard at policyscorecard.org have documented concerns regarding patterns of policing here in Atlanta, enforcement disparities, accountability involving Atlanta Police Department. And with the Atlanta police being responsible for conservatively more than 80% of the incarcerated population at Rice Street, then perhaps more attention should be paid by the mayor about why the Atlanta police has more funding per capita than 66% of police departments. more officers per population than 94% of police departments, higher rates for arrest of low-level offenses than 77% of departments in the United States, and why of those low-level offenses, why black folks in Atlanta are 22 times more likely to be arrested for the same low-level offenses than white folks. Whether one agrees with every metric of this conclusion, these concerns deserve serious public discussion. Today, the mayor's public criticism of Fulton County is the epitome of hypocrisy. His administration's unfulfilled commitment to transform ACDC into a center for equity and wellness is a betrayal. The absence of sustained public leadership during the four-year lease, the failure to advance meaningful public deliberation on stage withdrawal, all stand in tension with the collaborative values this administration has repeatedly championed. Ultimately, this moment is not about a single letter. It's about whether promises become policy, because actions speak louder than words.

Thank you. That brings us to the end of our public comment portion of our full council. Thank you everyone that came to give remarks today and listen to those that have remarks. We appreciate you being engaged with us at all times and keeping us abreast of the things that are important to you. So thank you again for that. Now that brings us to the report of the journal. Madam Clerk.

Good afternoon, Madam President and members of Council. I, Corinne Alindo, Municipal Clerk of the City of Atlanta, do hereby certify that the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, July 6, 2026, are true and correct.

Thank you. Communications?

Approve the minutes. Approve the journals.

Oh, yeah. Move approval of the journal by Thomas Worthy, second by Wan. This can be done. Please prepare the vote. What can we do about unanimous consent? 12 yays, 0 nays. 12 yays, 0 nays. The journal is approved. The report of the journal. Communications.

Thank you, Madam President. The first item. If I may actually take items one, two, three, through three as a block. You may. Item number one is 26C5066, this is a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Ms. Margo Walker to serve as a member of the Civil Service Board. This appointment is for a term of three years. Item number two is communication, I'm sorry, 26C5067, this is a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Ms. Nia Brown to serve as a member of the Civil Service Board. This appointment is for a term of three years. Item number three is 26C-5068. This is a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Ms. Halima White, Esquire, to serve as a member of the Civil Service Board. This appointment, all these appointments are for a term of three years. Staff recommendation to refer to Finance Executive Committee and Committee on Council. Let those items follow that course. Item number four is 2060-5069. This is a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Ms. Carly Swift, Esquire, to serve as a member of the Stakeholder Oversize Committee. This appointment is for a term of two years. Staff recommendation to refer to Transportation Committee and Committee on Council. Let it follow that course. Madam President, if I can take item five and six of the block. You may. Item number five is 26C-5070. This is a communication from Interim Inspector General LaDawn Blackett submitting the Governing Board July 21st, 2026 final decision report to the Atlanta City Council. Item number six is 26C-5071. This is a communication from Chief Procurement Officer Chandra Houston submitting the Department of Procurement Monthly Contracts Report June 1st through June 30th, 2026. For both those items, staff recommendation to accept and file.

I'll entertain a motion to accept and file those items. So moved by Worthy, second by Wine. Please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? The vote is closed, 13 yays, 0 nays.

13 yeas, zero nays. Those items are accepted and filed. Madam Clerk, consideration of veto legislation? We have none. All right, what about unfinished business?

No new business.

All right. Moving on to consent agenda section one. These are the items that receive unanimous votes out of our committee. Are there any items that need to be removed from consent agenda section one? Recognizing Council Member Dozier?

Thank you, Madam President. I have resolution 26-R-3803. It's on page 11, item number 7.

26-R-3803. Okay. Anyone else? Any other council members? Council Member Collins.

Excuse me, Council Member, that's for removal. Or post-haste?

This is for removal off of consent.

Oh, and that's because we have to amend it?

Correct.

Okay.

Anyone else? Move approval of consent is in section one by Worthy, second by Wan. Madam Clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. Consent agenda section one has been adopted minus that item. That takes us to consent agenda section two. These are items that were introduced for first read in committees and are being referred back to their respective committees. Are there any items to be removed from consent agenda section two? Council members. Move approval. Move to refer by Juan, second by Bakhtiari. Oh, yeah. Please prepare to vote, Madam Clerk. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 12 yays, 0 nays. 12 yays, 0 nays. These items are adopted to be referred.

I think Mr. Westmoreland.

What's more, how do you vote? 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. This item, this consent agenda section 2 is adopted to be referred back to committee, those items to be referred back to committee. And that will take us to, well, any post-haste? I thought I heard that earlier. No? Not yet. All right, moving on. Standing committees. Public Safety Legal Administration, the Honorable Chair Boone.

Thank you, Madam President. We have two items on our report today, starting with Ordinance for Second Read. These items have been motioned to be filed. Item 126-0-1395, item number 1, page 24, an ordinance by Councilmembers Hillis, Dozier, Martin, Worthy, Batyera, Bond, Norwood, Matt Westmoreland, Ishe Collins, Byron Amos, Alex One, and Jason H. Winston. To amend Chapter 2, Article 2, Division 2, Subdivision 3, Section 10-115. annual forensic audit to authorize the chief financial officer to require the provision of copies of the receipts, books, papers, records, and financial reports of any establishment license to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for the purpose of conducting a forensic audit of such records. Whether conduct... of such an audit shall be requested by the Atlanta Police Department as part of an investigation into criminal or unlawful activity, including but not limited to investigations into whether an establishment is operating in accordance with the specific designation or type of establishment for which their license to sell or serve alcoholic beverages has been issued and for other purposes. Motion to file. Second.

Motion to file by Boone, 26-0-1395 is coming out of committee, so it does not require a second. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed. 12 yays, 1 nay. 12 yays, 1 nay. That item is filed.

Next item, resolutions. Item 26-R-3175, item number 2, page 24, a resolution by Councilmember Liliana Patiera to request that the mayor and the Atlanta City Council impose a 180-day moratorium on the acceptance of any new alcohol license applications in the Edgewood Quarter and for other purposes. Motion to file.

Motion to file by the Honorable Council Member Boone. It's coming out of committee, so it does not require a second. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote? Votes close. 13 yays, 0 nays.

13 yays, 0 nays. Item 26R-3175 is filed. Thank you, Madam President. This concludes our report. Thank you. Our next standing committee is City Utilities, the Honorable Vice Chair Bakhtiari presiding. I have one.

Thank you. If there are no objections, Madam President, I would like to take one and two as a block.

You may.

Item number 126R-3754, a resolution by City Utilities Committee authorizing the mayor or his designee to exercise a second renewal option for agreement RFPC- Well, the agreement listed herein, annual contract for major mechanical repairs and services with Lakeshore Engineering, Contessa Construction, on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management for a term of one year, effective from August 23rd, 2026 through August 22nd, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $22,073,840.00, subject to and contingent upon adoption and approval of the FY 2027 budget. All contracted work will be charged to and paid from the fund, department, organization, and account number listed herein, and for other purposes. Item number two, 26-R-3755, a resolution by City Utilities Committee authorizing the mayor his designee to exercise the second renewal option for agreement RFP annual contract for major mechanical repairs and services with Ruby Collins on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management for a term of one year effective from August 23rd, 2026 through August 22nd, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $14 million and zero cents subject to and contingent upon approval of the FY2027 budget. All contracted work will be charged to and paid from the fund department organization and account number listed herein and for other purposes. Both of these items were found favorable on condition and the motion is to adopt.

Okay, motion to adopt by Vice Chair Bakhtiari for both items. It's coming out of committee favorable, so a second is not needed. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote is closed, 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. Both items are adopted. Thank you, Madam President. This concludes my report. Thank you, Vice Chair Bakhtiari. Moving on. CDHS, that's the Honorable Matt Westmoreland. Oh, that's right. We have Vice Chair Dozier, CDHS.

Thank you, Madam President. I know it's been a while.

Clearly.

That wasn't shade. That was not shade. I'm fine.

I accept it.

She's going to remember that with committee assignments next year.

Absolutely.

First item is the item that we removed from consent. This is Resolution 26-R-3803. This is a resolution by Councilmembers Matt Westmoreland and Ishe Collins, authorizing the mayor or his designee on behalf of the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a new intergovernmental agreement for joint use of facilities for recreational, athletic, and educational purposes between the Atlanta Independent School System, also known as Atlanta Public Schools, and the city of Atlanta for the purpose of creating a cooperative relationship for the implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives that support APS students and the city's residents and for other purposes. Colleagues, this was pulled off of consent because this item needs to be amended. The amendment attaches the IGA. And so I'll move to amend.

Moved to amend by Dozier, seconded by Wan. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 12 yays, 0 nays. 12 yays, 0 nays. This item is amended.

This item is amended. Colleague, I would like to second Councilman Worthy's motion to approve as amended.

Motion by Worthy, second by Dozier to approve, to adopt as amended. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please prepare the votes.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? Will everyone please vote?

Yes.

Council Member Martin, what is your vote?

Aye.

Thank you. The vote's closed. 11 yays, 0 nays. 11 yays, 0 nays. Oh, Council Member Bond, what is your vote? Aye.

12 yeas, zero nays. 12 yeas, zero nays. This item is adopted as amended.

Colleagues, I would like to send this item to the mayor's office post-haste. Make a motion.

Make a motion by Dozier to send this item post-haste to the mayor, second by whom? Second by Juan. This can be done by unanimous consent, actually. Please sound the count, Madam Clerk. 12 yeas, zero nays. 12 yeas, zero nays. This item is sent to the mayor's office post-haste.

All right, thanks, colleagues. Next item is the communication, 26-C, that's 5065, a communication from the Community Development Human Services Committee to approve and accept the 2026 Annual Action Plan of the 2025 to 2029 Consolidated Plan on behalf of the Department of Grants and Community Development to outline proposed activities and federal resources awarded to the City of Atlanta by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for program year 2026, and the recommendation out of committee was to accept and file.

Dozier, you made a motion to accept and file?

Yes, that's what the recommendation was.

Motion to accept and file by Dozier. It's coming out of committee. Favorable to accept and file, so no second is needed. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 12 yays, zero nays. 12 yays, zero nays. This item is accepted and filed.

It takes us to our one item for ordinance for second reading. This is Ordinance 26-O-1410, an amended ordinance by Community Development Human Services Committee to waive Article 10 of the Procurement and Real Estate Code of the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances to authorize the mayor or his designee to enter into a memorandum of understanding between the City of Atlanta and LEED Incorporated with respect to lead, constructing, maintaining, and operating a community center and implementing various programming on three undeveloped parts of the city-owned property located in and around Center Hill Park for a term of 20 years with one five-year renewal option and for other purposes. Colleagues, this was favorable as amended on condition out of committee. That condition was received. However, this item will need to be amended to attach an MOU. So I would like to motion to amend.

Motion to amend by Dozier, second by Worthy. Madam Clerk, please prepare to vote. All it takes is a point.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote is closed. 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. This item is amended.

And colleagues are allowed to adopt as amended.

Motion to adopt by Dozier. Second by Bakhtiari. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

13 yeas, 0 nays. 13 yeas, 0 nays. This item is adopted as amended.

Colleagues, my last item is a resolution, 26-R-3820, a resolution by Community Development and Human Services Committee authorizing the mayor or his designee on behalf of the City of Atlanta and the Department of Parks and Recreation to execute the second renewal option to agreement IFB-S-1220215 on call post-certified officers with Metropolitan Security Associates Incorporated for one year commencing on August 9th, 2026 and ending on August 8th, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $1 million and zero cents to continue providing security needs at various parks and recreation sites and for other purposes. This was favorable out of committee with four yeas, one exemption. I will move to adopt.

Move to adopt by Vice Chair Dozier. Doesn't require a second. Favorable out of committee. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed. 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. This item is adopted.

Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Community Development and Human Services Committee, that concludes my report.

Thank you, Vice Chair. I will not hold that against you. Transportation, Chair Wan.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, we are on page 32 of the agenda. First item is an ordinance. It is 2601370, an ordinance by Council Members Dozier, Kelsey Vaughn, Hillis, Wan, Bakhtiari, Winston, Worthy, Westmoreland, and Collins, as substituted by Transportation Committee. Amending Chapter 30, Article 17 of the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances, entitled Parking Lots and Parking Garages. to establish consumer protection, rate disclosure, payment accessibility, privacy notice, validation, and dispute resolution requirements for Park for Hire facilities operating within the city of Atlanta to provide enforcement and penalties and for other purposes. This came out of a committee favorable on substitute on condition. However, the original author of the paper wants more time to work on this, so I'm going to make a substitute motion to refer it back to committee.

Substitute motion to refer back to committee by one second by Dozier. Was that Dozier? Yeah. Okay. Did you want to speak?

I just wanted to say, yes, we need a little bit more time to work on it, continue to have conversations with industry, and look forward to adopting something out of transportation.

Okay. So you made a second for a referral?

Correct.

Okay. Madam Clerk, please repair the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed. 14 yays, 0 nays. 14 yays, 0 nays. This item is referred back to committee.

That takes us to our resolutions. The first item is 26R3799. There is a substitute for this that changes the caption. I'll read it in the new caption and make the motion to bring it. Well, it came out of committee favorable substitute on condition. But it's a resolution by council members Lewis, Martin, Michael, Julian Bond, Boone, Westmoreland, Collins, Winston, Hillis, and Amos as substituted by Transportation Committee and as substituted by the Atlanta City Council. REQUESTING THE ATLANTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL UNIMPROVED, UNPAVED DIRT AND GRAVEL PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY UTILIZED AS ACTIVE ROADWAYS WITHIN THE CITY OF ATLANTA TO EVALUATE THEIR MAINTENANCE CONDITIONS, TO IDENTIFY NECESSARY STRUCTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRIORITIZING ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. AGAIN, IT CAME OUT FAVORABLE ON CONDITION. THE CONDITION WAS THE SUBSTITUTE, WHICH WE HAVE, AND I MAKE THE MOTION TO BRING IT FORWARD.

MOTION TO BRING FOR A Any discussion? Councilmember Amos.

Yes, sir. I'm just trying to be clear. This list is a good start. It's not a final list. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Anyone else? Councilmember Lewis.

I appreciate talking to Council Member Alex Juan today and before about this legislation, about it becoming citywide for everybody. And I ride down these roads every single day, so I truly appreciate us for being intentional about taking care of our roads in the city of Atlanta.

Okay, is there a second? Well, we did a motion and a second. We have one more. Council Member Martin.

I just want to say, Madam President, as you're well aware, we have several of these unpaved streets and roads in District 11, and this is, I think, a positive step in the right direction for us to begin to map out those corridors as well as begin to inventory them so that we can know exactly where they are, how many people live on those streets, so we can get them prioritized and hopefully in the hopper to be paved. So thank you, Council Member Lewis, for your leadership on this. Council Member Juan, for you helping to refine the legislation, but I'm looking forward to us resolving it so we can better improve the infrastructure in our city. Thank you so much.

Council Member Lewis.

And colleagues, just want to let you know that we made one more change today. The change was to potential households as well. Because one of my roads, Springside Drive, Atlanta Habitat owns 15 acres. It would be their second largest build in the history of their organization. Second largest build if we just paved one road, Springside Drive in District 12. Super happy that folks are actually being a part of this, but one row gets us their second largest bill after the Browns Mill Village bill, which is the largest. Thank you again.

Okay, so that means we are ready to vote.

Yeah, colleagues, procedurally, we still have to bring the substitute forward, and then we will amend it per Councilmember Lewis's comments.

Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote. We have a first and second. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote? The vote's closed.

14 yays, 0 nays. 14 yays, 0 nays. This item, this substitute is before us. It's not adopted yet.

So colleagues, I'm now going to make a motion to amend to reference what Council Member Lewis just said. One of the prioritization qualifiers we put in there was the number of existing housing units on each roadway. And to his point, we're going to amend it to read, and you should have this in front of you. It's the number of existing and potential housing units on each roadway. So I'll make the motion to amend.

Motion to amend by Juan, second by Lewis. Everyone has the amendment before them. It's printed. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote for amend. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 14 yays, 0 nays. 14 yays, 0 nays. This item is approved on substitute and amended.

No, we just amended it.

The substitute is before us and amended.

So now I'll make the motion to adopt on substitute as amended.

Motion by Councilmember Wan to approve on substitute as amended. Is there a second? Second. Second by Lewis. Please prepare the vote. The vote is open. The vote's closed. 14 yays, 0 nays. 14 yays, 0 nays. This item is adopted.

Thank you. The next item is 26R3839. It's a resolution by Transportation Committee authorized.

Sorry, just one second. Council Member Lewis would like to speak on his vote. Sorry about that.

If we can, I would like to send Resolution 26R3799 to the Mayor's Office post haste.

Motion by Councilmember Lewis to send this item post-haste to the mayor's office. Second by Martin. And this can be done by unanimous consent. Madam Clark, please sound unanimous consent. 14 yays, 0 nays. 14 yays, 0 nays. This item is sent to the mayor's office post-haste. Go ahead.

We're ready. All right. 26R3839, resolution by Transportation Committee authorizing the mayor or his designee to execute the Sixth Amendment to agreement number listed, solar energy program with Cherry Street Capital LLC to add a facility and site work in an amount not to exceed $5,608,171.00 resulting in an overall contract amount not to exceed $169,386,235.00 subject to an expressly contingent upon the adoption and approval of fiscal year budgets for each year of the agreement and to add language to the contract to reserve ownership of all renewable energy credits to the city all contracted work shall be charged to and paid from account numbers listed herein and for other purposes this came out of committee favorable on the condition the condition has been met motion is to adopt motion to adopt by chair juan

It came out of committee favorable, does not require a second. Madam Clerk, please repair the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote is closed, 14 yeas, 0 nays. 14 yeas, 0 nays. This item is adopted.

Madam President, that concludes our legislative items, and if I may just give a quick update on a matter that came before us at the previous council meeting. Colleagues, you will remember that we had a lot of the union members come to share their concerns about some significant issues around payroll administration, compensation practices, employee benefits, union dues, and management with regard to the airport's parking operations and management services. I've shared this memo with everybody on Friday, but I wanted for the public, them to know also that Director Roshan Spencer of the Mayor's Office of Contract Compliance has spent the last three weeks very actively engaged with both the prime contractor and the subcontractor to conduct a review of the documents that they provided to verify that, in fact, all of the issues that were raised around payroll, pay stubs, W-2, union dues, reimbursements, insurance premium, remittance, and other payroll records have, in fact, been brought into compliance. The prime is also conducting an internal audit And we'll prepare a report that will be available to the Office of Contract Compliance by this Friday. And the Office of Contract Compliance will continue to do check-ins with this to make sure that the issues that were brought up continue to be resolved. So I just wanted everybody to know that that hard work and very comprehensive and thorough work was done by the Office of Contract Compliance. I want to thank them. But if they have any questions, they can either direct them at her or to me in committee.

Thank you, Chair Warren.

Okay.

This takes us to finance exec. You're going to have to speak directly to him. It's a no. This is not a committee meeting. Finance exec.

Thank you, Madam President. We have four items, three ordinances, and one resolution. The first, 26-0-1421. Colleagues, this was forwarded with no recommendation by the Finance Executive Committee. So first, we need to make a motion to adopt, which I will, if you have a second.

Absolutely.

I'll second. I'll have a second by Juan.

Motion to adopt by Winston, second by Juan,

Now I will make a motion to substitute to bring forth the new caption.

Motion to substitute by Winston, second by Wan. Any discussion? You're going to read the new caption or should we, you should read the caption first.

So the new caption, 26-0-1421, an ordinance by Councilmember Jason H. Winston as substituted by the Atlanta City Council authorizing acceptance of a certain term sheet relating to the city's tax allocation variable rate bonds Westside Project Series 2008. The Series 2008 bonds in order, among other things, establish a new long-term period and long-term rate for such bonds authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to execute all certificates and documents necessary to effect such term sheet including establishing such new long-term period and long-term rate for the series 2008 bonds reaffirming Wells Fargo Bank National Association as remarketing agent with respect to the series 2008 bonds in connection with such interest rate determination and for other related purposes. So if there's no questions.

Yeah, any discussion?

So I will make a motion. You already did.

And a second. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote on substitute.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 13 yays, 0 nays. 13 yays, 0 nays. This item is substituted.

Thank you. Now I will move to adopt as substituted.

Move to adopt as substituted by Winston, seconded by Worthy. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 13 yays, zero nays. 13 yays, zero nays. This item is adopted as substituted.

Thank you. If there's no objections, I'd like to take items two and three as a block.

You may.

First item, 26-0-1422, an ordinance by Councilmember Alex Wine supplementing that certain 39th supplemental bond ordinances, 26-0-1258, adopted by the Atlanta City Council on May 4th, 2026, And approved by the mayor on May 8th, 2026 to, among other things, set forth the terms of the city of Atlanta Airport General Revenue Bonds Series 2026 A and B Airport General Revenue Bonds Series 2026 B. with certain parameters previously established by the city, including the original aggregate principal amounts, interest rates, maturity dates, redemption provisions, and debt service reserve requirements with respect thereto to affirm satisfaction of the additional bonds test with respect to the series 2026 bonds to ratify certain prior actions of the city council and certain officers and agents of the city with respect to the issuance of the series 2026 bonds to ratify and approve the preparation use and distribution of the preliminary official statement and execution and delivery of final official statement in connection with the offer and sale of said series 2026 bonds to approve the execution of the bond purchase agreement and certain other agreements in connection with said series 2026 bonds to provide for incidental related actions to provide an effective date and for other related purposes. 26-0-1423, an ordinance by Councilmember Alex One authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to amend the FY2027 budget by adding to anticipations and appropriation bonds proceeds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed a number that will be given to us for the series 2026 general airport revenue bonds to amend the funding for the contracts listed in Exhibit A and for other purposes. Colleagues, this was forwarded with no recommendations so that a special call meeting can be held on August the 12th at 9.30 a.m. in this chamber. So I will move to hold both of these items in the breast of counsel.

Move to hold by Councilmember Winston. Is there a second? Second by Worthy. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote to hold these items in the presence of council. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote? The vote is closed, 13 yays, 0 nays.

13 yeas, zero nays. These items are held in committee. No, these items are held in the rest of council for our August 12th, 9.30 a.m. special call meeting.

Yes.

Okay.

All right, so that takes us to resolutions. 26-R-3800. Colleagues, I'd like to bring forth the substitute. So I make a motion to bring forth the substitute.

Bring second. Bring forth the substitute by Winston, second by Wan. Madam Clerk, please prepare the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 13 yays, zero nays. 13 yays, zero nays. Substitutes before us.

Colleagues, this legislation with the substitute that's before us just attached the funding stream to this legislation. So I'll go ahead and read the caption. A resolution by council members Jason H. Winston, Ishe Collins, and Wayne Martin as substituted and amended by the Finance Executive Committee authorizing the mayor to execute on behalf of the city of Atlanta certain agreements on condition that the city of Atlanta is selected by the Democratic Party of the United States to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, including an agreement between the city, Choose ATL Inc., and the 2028 Democratic National Convention Committee, intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, and an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, authorizing the mayor, chief financial officer, or their authorized designees to enter into any necessary certificates, documents, or agreements to effectuate any of the foregoing on condition that the city is selected to host the convention and for other purposes. I will move to adopt as substituted.

Move to adopt as substituted by Chair Winston. Okay, as soon as I get a second, I'll recognize. Second by one, Councilmember Bakhtiari. Anybody else wants to?

Thank you Madam President. So I'm happy to see this legislation obviously would love for us to get this. I was not in finance but followed and I was concerned by the fact that when this was done there were not, this was approved without fund sources being identified. We seem to have more and more legislation that's coming before us that says please approve this. We'll identify fund sources later. To me that is a practice of bad governance. It leads to a lack of transparency. It leads to other issues. So I was curious as if this is going to continue happening or how do we prevent this because I do believe it's going to be one of those situations where we're going to have to start saying no. because it is it is our job to be the checks and balances so i want to ensure that this is not repeatedly occurring and just want to ask why that did occur and if this is something that we can prevent down the line so totally fair we hadn't stopped the practice to be honest i'm not sure how bad um council member bond michael julian bond he'd like to add his name

And Council Member Lewis.

So I would like to make a motion to amend to add the names of Council Members Michael Julian Bond and Antonio Lewis and Byron Amos.

Is there a second to the amendment? Second by Amos. For the amendment of adding Amos, Bond, and Lewis to the paper.

Yes, I did want to just respond to the council members' remarks. There was... Introduce yourself. Oh, Mohamed Bala, Chief Financial Officer, City of Atlanta. Just wanted to address the council members' remarks. There was a funding source identified as excess hotel motel tax if needed. Again, this was for... just a letter of credit showing the good faith and credit of the city in order to be able to participate in the bidding opportunity here. And so it was identified. We just didn't put the number in because that is a revenue account. So we ended up putting in a cost center account that could be utilized if needed. But it was absolutely a funding directive that was in the legislation.

That's good information. Thank you, CFO Bala.

Sure.

If there's more discussion on what Mr. Martin said, I would suggest that you finish the vote on the amendment before we move back into that discussion.

Okay, we'll just hear from... Council Member Warren.

I'll make this quick. I mean, while, yes, to respond to CFO Bala's comment, there was a description in the whereas clauses about it being hotel motel tax. In the be it resolved clause, what it actually said was the CFO would have, at his discretion, the ability to determine the funding source. And I've seen that more and more. And I do think that we just need whatever stated is the funding source in the whereas clauses needs to be then committed. further in the be it resolved clause, which the substitute does. So I appreciate the finance department's acknowledging and accommodating that request. So thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Wan. But that actually is in the further be resolved clause was already in there that to authorize and to charge and to make the transfer of excess hotel motel tax collections. That was in there as well. And we were happy to go ahead and add a cost center account that would end up being utilized if needed. But that was highlighted as well. So thank you so much.

Okay. So we have a motion and a second and an amendment. Please prepare the vote. The vote is open? That's what we're doing now.

Will everyone please vote? Ms. Mullins and I.

14 yeas, 0 nays. 14 yeas, 0 nays. This item is amended.

I'd like to make a motion to adopt as substituted and amended.

Motion to adopt as amended by Winston, second by Lewis. Madam Clerk, please require the vote.

The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? 12 yes, one nay. Oh, one moment, Mr. Winston, Council Member Winston-Wilson.

So 13 yeas, one nay. 13 yeas, one nays. This item is adopted as substituted and amended.

Thank you. Madam President, I would like to take item 26-0-1421 and make a motion to send it to the mayor's office post haste.

Post motion to send item 26-01421-1421 to the mayor post haste by Winston, second by Lewis, Martin. This can be done by unanimous consent. Madam Clerk. 14 yays, zero nays. 14 yays, zero nays. This item is sent to the mayor's office post haste.

Thank you. That does conclude my report.

Thank you. Chair Winston. Chair Amos, we are on Committee on Council.

Yes, Madam President. We have four items coming from the committee in front of the body. If there's no objection, I'd like to take items one through three as a block.

You may.

Thank you. 26-C-505. Thank you. As city auditor for a term of five years scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026, following council confirmation, item 26-C-5064, a communication from Council President Marcy Carr-Ovestreet, appointed Mr. Charles Rick Clear. to serve as a member of the Community Access Media Board. This appointment is for a term of two years. All three of these items comes from the committee. A purview favorable recommendation. Going to the recommendation, I make a motion to approve.

Motion to approve by Amos. Is there a second? Well, actually, it's coming out of committee favorable, so it doesn't require a second. Madam Clerk, please repair the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

Fourteen yays, zero nays. Fourteen yays, zero nays. These all items are adopted.

Thank you. That takes us to our resolution 26-R-3842, a resolution by Committee on Council to authorize contingency funding for City of Atlanta Communications, City Council Communications support in the amount not to exceed $36,825.00 for the fiscal year 2027 budget and for other purposes. Comes out of the committee favorable recommendation to approve.

Move approval by Amos, no second is needed. Madam Clerk, please repair the vote. The vote is open.

Will everyone please vote?

The vote's closed, 14 yays, zero nays. 14 yays, zero nays, this item is adopted.

Thank you, Madam President. That concludes our report.

Okay. Thank you, Chair Amos. Zoning Chair, the Honorable Mary Norwood.

There is no report.

Wow. Thank you for that. That takes us to our personal papers or immediate consideration. Council Members, are you ready for your personal papers? Oh, you're just going to stay in place? Council Member Amos. Personal papers.

Yes, Council President. AMS 40868. Ordinance by Council Member Byron D. Amos to amend the Atlanta City Code Part 2 Code of Ordinance, General Ordinance, Chapter 2, Administration Article Listed Boards, Council Commissions, and Authorities Division 11, Citizens Review Board, Section 2-2203. Appointments of members to revise the appointing authority for one young adult member of the Atlanta Citizens Review Board by replacing Street Smart Youth Project Inc. with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and for other purposes.

40686 to be referred to Public Safety Legal Administration.

Thank you. AMS 40867, ordinance by Councilmember Byron D. Amos to amend Article 6, registration and registration of vacant real property of the Atlanta Housing Code of 1987, Appendix E to the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinance, Section 6-5, maintenance of vacant real property. of vacant real property to include reasonable minimum security standards for securing unimproved vacant properties to reduce reoccurring public safety concerns and to complement the city's existing property maintenance and code enforcement requirements and for other purposes.

406, 408, 67 to refer to CDHS.

Thank you. AMS 40871, a resolution by Councilmember Byron D. Amos requiring that the Chief Operating Officer identify and propose budget amendments to expand the Atlanta Police Department Community Assistance Response and Engagement Services Unit to provide a minimum of two CARES officers assigned to each police zone, requesting the development of a citywide implementation plan, requesting periodic reporting to the Atlanta City Council and for other purposes.

40871 to be referred to PSLA.

Thank you, Madam President.

Who's next? Council Member Worthy.

Thank you, Madam President. Elms ID 40855, an ordinance by Councilmember Thomas Worthy and Mary Norwood authorizing the mayor as a designee to amend the lease agreement between the City of Atlanta and Blue Heron Nature Preserve, Inc. by extending the effective date through the earlier to occur of July 31, 2027. or 120 days after a new lease contract is awarded for the renovation or redevelopment of a nature center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation and for other purposes.

40855 to be referred to CDHS.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Council Member Norwood. All right. First is ELMS 40869, a resolution by Councilmember Mary Norwood to extend the term of the Pump Station Arts Project Task Force and for other purposes.

40869 to refer to city utilities.

Thank you. The next one is ELMS. 40832, an ordinance by Councilmember Mary Norwood to waive the procurement source selection provisions contained in Division 4 of Chapter 2, Article 10 of the City of Atlanta's Code of Ordinances, as well as any other conflicting code provisions to authorize the mayor or his designee to execute the Fifth Amendment to SPS 1210228, Disposal of Treatment Waste with Georgia Waste Systems, LLC, DBA, Waste Management of Atlanta, for wastewater hauling, transportation, and disposal services on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management to extend the contract term for up to three months effective August 31st, 2026 through November 30th, 2026 and add funding in an amount not to exceed $5,057,000 and zero cents and for other purposes.

That's it. 40832 to refer to city utilities. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Wan.

Thank you, Madam President. ELMS ID 40824, an ordinance by Council Member Alex Wan to amend Ordinance 2501104, adopted by the Atlanta City Council on March 3, 2025, and approved as per City Charter 2403 on March 12, 2025, to amend the project and funding information to effect a transfer of responsibility from the Department of Watershed Management to the Department of Aviation, to amend the 2027 budget to add funding in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00, for the Department of Aviation as a local match to cover an increase in the cost of vehicles and for other purposes.

40824 to be referred to City Utilities.

ELMS ID 40864, an ordinance by Councilmember Alex Wan, waiving sections numbers listed of the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances, authorizing the Mayor or his designee on behalf of the City of Atlanta to enter into an intergovernmental land swap agreement with the Atlanta Independent School System, an entity created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, managed and controlled by the Atlanta Board of Education, TO EXCHANGE CERTAIN CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY OR PORTIONS THEREOF TO APS FOR PROPERTY OR PORTIONS THEREOF OWNED BY APS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID TRANSACTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

40864 to be referred to FEC.

All right. Elms ID 8675309. Kidding. 40873. Resolution by Councilmember Alex Wan requesting the mayor's designee to make the intersections of Yorkshire Road Northeast and McCoy Street Northeast and Cumberland Road Northeast and McCoy Street Northeast three-way stop-controlled intersections to request the Atlanta Department of Transportation to install stop signs at the intersections and for other purposes.

40873 to be referred to Transportation.

Thank you.

Council Member Martin.

Thank you so much, Madam President. I am reading in ELMS ID number pound 40865, an ordinance by Council Member Wayne Martin and Andrea Boone to amend Chapter 78, Article 3, Section 78-57, entitled Fire Prevention Code Adopted Incorporated by Reference. Amendments for the purpose of increasing and otherwise adjusting existing fire inspection fees, fire plan review fees, and fire permit fees such that they more closely approximate the cost to the city for performing the regulatory services related thereto pursuant to a phased approach and for other purposes.

40865 to refer to PSLA. Thank you. Chair Boone. Thank you, Madam President.

First item, ELMS ID number 40826, a resolution by Councilmember Andrea L. Boone authorizing the City of Atlanta to donate an amount not to exceed $45,000.00 to 21st Century leaders pursuant to Section 6-306 of the City of Atlanta Charter to provide microgrants to young people ages 15 to 24 years to design, lead, and implement climate solutions in the city of Atlanta to authorize the mayor or his designee to enter into a necessary agreement to effectuate the donation to authorize the chief financial officer or his designee to make all payments from the accounts listed herein and for other purposes.

40826 to refer to finance exec.

Next item, ELMS ID number 40874, a resolution by Councilmember Andrea L. Boone requesting the mayor or his designee to prohibit parking on the west side of Stratford Drive Northwest to install signage at the appropriate locations along the prohibited area and for other purposes.

40874 to be referred to transportation.

Elms ID number 40875, a resolution by Councilmember Andrea L. Boone requesting the mayor or his designee to install prohibited parking signs on Larch March Circle to install signage at the appropriate locations along the prohibited area and for other purposes.

40875 to be referred to transportation.

ELMS ID number 40846, a resolution by Council Member Andre L. Boone authorizing the City of Atlanta to donate a total not to exceed $250,000.00 to the Grove Park Foundation Inc. as fiscal agent to the West Hollowell Foundation. PURSUANT TO SECTION 6306 OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA'S CHARTER TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZATION NPO CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD AND REINVESTMENT INITIATIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE Attention to a denunciation agreement which shall detail the actions of the Grove Park Foundation, Inc. to provide and continue neighborhood partnership capacity building services to authorize the chief financial officer or his designee to make all payments from the accounts listed here and for other purposes.

40846 to be referred to finance exec. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Council Member Bakhtiari. Thank you, Madam President.

Just three papers. ELMS ID 40825, an ordinance by Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari waiving the requirements of Section 2-910 of the Atlanta City Code to retroactively authorize the mayor, his designee, to submit a grant application for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund Grant on behalf of the city of Atlanta to ratify the application submitted to authorize the mayor or his designee to accept the award of grant funds in the amount of $50,000 and zero cents for the purpose of activating youth to design, produce, and implement climate action solutions in Atlanta to authorize the mayor's designee to execute any necessary grant agreements to authorize an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 intergovernmental grant fund budget to anticipate and appropriate the amount of $50,000.00. All grant funds to be charged to and paid from the fund account numbers listed herein and for other purposes.

40825 to be referred to City Utilities.

Elms ID 40847, a resolution by Councilmember Zuliana Bakhtiari and Dustin Hillis authorizing the City of Atlanta to donate an amount not to exceed $11,000.00 to West Atlanta Watershed Alliance pursuant to Section 6-306 of the City of Atlanta Charter to provide microgrants to partners of the Atlanta Climate Resilience Advisory Board working groups to design, lead, and implement climate solutions in the City of Atlanta to authorize the mayor or his designee to enter into any necessary agreements to effectuate the donation to authorize the chief financial officer as designee to make all payments from the accounts listed herein for other purposes.

40823, is that the one that was? 847. 847 to refer to finance exec. Yes, this one's 823.

Okay. OMS ID 40823, an ordinance by Councilmember Zuliana Bakhtiari and Dustin Hillis to waive the procurement source selection provisions contained in Division 4 of Chapter 2, Article X of the City of Atlanta Act. Code of ordinances as well as any other conflicting code provisions to authorize the mayor's designee to execute amendment number two to contract number herein, geotechnical testing and investigation services with United Consulting Group on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management and the Department of City Planning for time only by extending the term of the agreement for nine months, expanding the scope of services to include general topographic and boundary surveying services with no additional funding and for other purposes.

40823 to be referred to City Utilities. Council Member Winston.

Thank you. Elms ID 40839, an ordinance by Council Member Jason H. Winston requesting the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority to assist the City of Atlanta in refinancing the publicly financed portion of the new downtown stadium, referred to herein as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Project, so as to secure lower annual debt service costs for the project. to authorize the mayor to execute, deliver, and perform a hotel motel tax funding agreement between the city and the authority pursuant to which the city will levy and collect hotel motel taxes and pay a portion of such taxes to the authority to be pledged as security for the authority's revenue bonds. and a hotel motel tax operation and maintenance agreement with the G.O. L. Smith to Georgia World Congress Center Authority for the use of a portion of the hotel motel taxes for operation and maintenance of the Mercedes-Benz project, all in accordance with the Georgia hotel motel tax statute and for other related purposes.

40839 to be referred to FEC.

Elms ID 40840, an ordinance by Councilmember Jason H. Winston to amend the seat of Atlanta fiscal year 2027 budget by adding to anticipations appropriation bond proceeds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed for the refinancing of the seat of Atlanta and Fulton County Records Authority of the publicly financed portion of the new downtown stadium and for other purposes.

40840 to be referred to FEC.

Hi, Councilmember Bond. Hello.

All right, ELMS ID 40876, a resolution by council member Kelsey Bond, council member Jason Dozier, Matt Westmoreland, Jason Winston, Ishe Collins, and Liliana Bakhtiari denouncing the immigration enforcement actions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport that create fear, disrupt travel, and undermine public confidence, reaffirming the city of Atlanta's commitment to welcoming all people regardless of immigration status and for other purposes. 40876 to be referred to transportation. Then we have ELMS ID 40877, a resolution by Councilmember Kelsey Bond, Ishe Collins, Jason Winston, Jason Dozier, Liliana Bakhtiari, and Matt Westmoreland to establish a City of Atlanta Data Center Task Force in accordance with Section 3-401 of the City of Atlanta Charter, which shall be charged with examining national and global breadth best practices for the regulation of data centers and related facilities and making written recommendations to the mayor and Atlanta City Council to require the task force to hold no fewer than six public meetings and two public hearings to make an initial report no later than 90 days and a final report no later than 150 days from the first meeting of the task force and for other purposes.

40877 to refer to city utilities. I think that's it. That's everyone. Wow. Okay. And with that, you all, we are moving on to our general remarks. Any council members? Council Member Bakhtiari.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. First and foremost, acknowledging that comments either need to be saved for committee or for general remarks, so I will make sure that I don't make that mistake again, so thank you. I did want to, I had a couple questions, or a couple statements I wanted to make regarding transportation. I don't know if my colleagues are aware. I'm sure you have gotten plenty of complaints. I don't know what's happening with ATL Plus. They are scavenging my neighborhoods looking for anything to raise prices on my constituency, ticketing where there are no longer no parking signs, illegally so, It is in an economy where we are facing all the issues we are facing. I cannot believe we have a contractor that is not listening to colleagues and going where they are being directed or asked to go to actually help with real traffic issues that endanger the lives of pedestrians and bicyclists and create traffic problems. So if there is any way, one, we could have a contact that comes and speaks to us before council, because I believe all of us have identified this issue. And quite frankly, I'm sick of a company being so lazy that they're nickel and diming towards the end of their contracts in hopes to get it renewed. So I'm just going to say that on the mic. And you can contact me if you need to, because none of you have responded to my emails. Additionally, I am hoping, Chair Wan, that I believe all of us know about the consent decree regarding ADA infrastructure. It was a shock to me that this committee, that the federal consent decree required us to have a nine-member committee that was appointed to give recommendations alongside ATL DOT. I was not aware that the city disbanded this committee. this council back in April and that there has been no record that the recommendations were not taken into consideration given the nature of this and given how it affects all of our districts and we're seeing ADA compliance coming in it is a great concern to me that the one the council was not informed that the committee was disbanded and two wanting to understand what the recommendations are from this committee because we are under federal consent decree so if it is possible chair one and And Council President, thank you for allowing me to ask this question. If it is possible for there to be a presentation on this now that it has been concluded, because we need to know what's going on. And we need to understand the recommendations that have been given. And we need to understand how to best protect our constituency. So whether that looks like a yearly budget or anything else, I would like to know what those recommendations are and how we can proceed. So that is all. Thank you so much. And we'll come back, everyone. Thanks.

Absolutely. We'll see. Council Member Boone.

Thank you, Madam President. We would like to congratulate the mayor and COO Burks for a wonderful, wonderful, their leadership on the FIFA World Cup. Atlanta truly, truly was showcased. And we'd like to thank this entire administration for what The hard work that they did. I think they started meeting two years ago to plan the FIFA, and it really showed. So thank you, COO Burks, your entire staff, and the Honorable Mayor Andre Dickens. I also would like to wish Our colleagues, the Honorable Wayne Martin and the Honorable Matt Westmoreland, a happy, happy birthday. Please join us. We will have cupcakes and ice cream right after the meeting. Thank you for your service.

Thank you.

Council Member Lewis.

I want to say thank you to the Department of Parks and Rec for your summer, for the summer program this summer. We've been able to help over 70 kids in District 12 become a part of. Councilman Lewis has your back program, in which over 70 kids went to summer camp for free. because they receive free or reduced lunch. I want to say thank you to the mayor's office for helping us to fund that program. I do think we should roll that out citywide as I couldn't help in other districts, but I do think that was an amazing program, and thank you, Parks and Rec, for that. Also, happy first day of school. Happy first day of school to all of the young folks in the city of Atlanta. Today I have on my South Atlanta colors, my purple and teal. As a lifelong resident of South Atlanta cluster, going to Cleveland Avenue Elementary, Crawford Long Middle, then South Atlanta High School, I truly know what APS can do for a young person. So we've had District 12 back to school drives this week, in which we had over seven in the district, to make sure that every young person has the stuff that they need to start the school year the right way. My hope and my dream is that you all are the smartest you's that you can be this year. And happy first day of school.

Council Member Dozier.

Thank you, Madam President. In addition to that, I want to also wish a happy birthday to my oldest daughter, Raina, who turned six years old on Saturday. She just started first grade at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy in Peoples Town. So it's a big week for her, but I just want to make sure to wish her a happy birthday. Thank you.

Council Member Martin.

Thank you so much, Madam President. I want to echo Council Member Boone and her commendations of the Dickens administration and their rollout of FIFA 2026. We put the Atlanta, we had the Atlanta put the A in FIFA. And I'm sure the world will be back. I think we're already getting calls. So I just wanted to make sure that we especially shout out for our first responders, Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Rescue, and our Public Works employees. They all pulled off a yeoman's task hosting the world for FIFA World Cup. And I'm looking forward to the next one. Also, National Night Out is tomorrow night. Really, really excited about it happening all over the city. Phoenician Hills, Sandtown, West Ridge, Heritage Valley, QLS Meadows, Barge Road, and a couple of others will be having amazing and outstanding community events tomorrow night. So let's get out and enjoy our communities under the hot sun in Atlanta on tomorrow night, National Night Out. Thank you so much, Madam President.

Council Member Collins.

I don't have much. I just wanted to echo My colleagues' appreciation definitely for World Cup, having the opportunity to take advantage, looking forward. to the debriefing conversation on what I call the glows and the grows. Happy first day of school to all of our students. We had a lot of great interns this summer that entered the walls as whether they're seniors in high school or juniors. And so just really cute to see their first day, receive their first day of PICS. So I wanted to just thank the city for embracing our youth this summer. And then, of course, Last but not least, National Night Out. There are over 52 communities that are doing something throughout National Night Out. So everyone just join in the party. So looking forward to seeing everybody tomorrow. Thank you, Madam President. Nice.

Council Member Bond, Michael Julian Bond.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to echo the accolades about FIFA. I lettered in high school in soccer, and I'm amazed that Atlanta has become a soccer town. When I was in high school, even though we had a perennial powerhouse soccer team, We had to play during the winter on hard, muddy ground during basketball season. which is akin to trying to do anything during Magic Johnson and Larry Bird contests. Nobody would come and see us play. So to see the enthusiasm and the excitement around that sport and what it means to... Atlanta, who has fought to be an international city really for the last 50 years, is absolutely tremendous. And the administration, the sports council, the Blank family, all who were involved in bringing Atlanta Professional soccer and FIFA, too. Atlanta, they deserve our kudos and our praise. I also want to point out, you know, Divine Providence, it's 30 years since the Olympics has been in Atlanta, too. And so that event... linked with this one, really means that Atlanta has finally fully been embraced and has arrived on the world stage. Also, I'd be remiss if I did not wish my grandmother a happy birthday on August the 13th. We will not meet again until after her birthday has passed. Mr. Luis Johnson Clopton said, who is affectionately known in my family as Mommy, will be 101 years old, still drinking Coca-Cola, still making collard greens and the best macaroni and cheese in the world. So, Mommy, if you're listening, happy birthday. We love you. We look forward to celebrating you in a couple of weeks.

Thank you, Council Member Bond. Council Member Winston.

Thank you, Madam President. This was for Councilmember Boone. Make sure you add Councilmember Kelsey Bond to your birthday shout-out. Their birthday is this Friday, so I just wanted to make sure you had them on the list.

Well, we have to acknowledge her properly at the next meeting. We will have cupcakes. Your birthday must come before the council meeting, so don't rush us. We'll get in there, okay? We'll wish her happy birthday at the next meeting. And what is that date? What date is her birthday? Where is your birthday? Put them on the calendar.

It's a secret. What date is that? The date. The 7th?

Okay. All right. We got you. We got you. All right.

Council Member Martin. Was that an accident?

No, it's not. We have a hit. Leo Season. Yes, we have a guest elected official seated there with Mr. Pridgen, and we just wanted to recognize him. Oh, yes. If you could get up and introduce yourself to us. I know you're... Can you come to the mic?

Yes. Absolutely.

We always allow former council members to speak, Mr. Pridgen.

Oh, just a second.

First district and the best district in the city. I have with me today the Honorable Douglas McMillan, Jr. He is a former city council member from the city of Lumberton, North Carolina. He is also a strong community activist in Lumberton. And if he shakes your hand and it feels just a little creepy, he's a mortician as well. But he is here, and I'm glad that I could have him come here to see the big city at work. And to say a few words, Counsel.

Happy to be here with you, this young man. I was able to track him down. I don't know what he was doing last night. I called 10 times, couldn't get him. But I'm not going to get him. But I flew in from Cincinnati. We had our fraternity, had our national meeting. And I got a long layover here in Atlanta today, so I called him to pick me up.

Turn the mic off.

That's how I happened to be here today. But Atlanta will always be in my heart. I went to college here. mortuary school back in 1972. And my sister auditioned and was hired the same day to be the main music teacher in this city back in 1973. She taught music at Southwest High School. But it's a pleasure to be here, enjoyed the meeting, and you all keep on keeping on. Thank you.

Well, welcome, welcome. I do have a quick note. Actually, my remark for today was thanking the administration for an excellent job with FIFA. I wanted to also add Showcase Atlanta. I thought Showcase Atlanta did a phenomenal job. I have on my list police, fire, corrections, emergency preparedness. public works, transportation, AIM, parks and recs, procurement even, 311, watershed finance, human resources, and even law. Finance, yeah, finance. I think you all did a yeoman's job, Mayor Dickens, at all. So thank you all very much for showing off Atlanta in all the best ways. And I was also going to say have an excellent school year to APS as well. So with that, Madam Clerk, I think it's time for an adjournment roll call.

Thank you, Madam President. We have Council President Marcy Collier-Overstreet. Present. Council Member Michael Julian Bond, plus one at large. Here. Council Member Matt Westmoreland, plus two at large. Councilmember Isha Collins, votes three at large. Councilmember Jason H. Winston, District One.

Here.

Councilmember Kelsey Bond, District Two. Councilmember Byron D. Amos, District Three. Councilmember Jason Dozis, District Four. Councilmember Linniana Bacchiaro, District Five. Here. Councilmember Alex Wong, District Six. Council Member Thomas Worthy, District 7. Council Member Mary Norwood, District 8. Council Member Dustin Hillis, District 9. Council Member Andrea L. Boone, District 10. Council Member Wayne Martin, District 11. Council Member Antonia Lewis, District 12.

Okay, with that, we are adjourned.