The Atlanta City Council moved forward with legislation Tuesday, Jan. 21, to amend the City’s charter to create the Office of Inspector General.
As a charter amendment, the ordinance will require three reads and two adoptions by Council. Tuesday’s vote was the second read and first adoption of the legislation. The Council is expected to consider final adoption during its meeting Feb. 3.
“This legislation is a monumental step for the city of Atlanta,” said District 6 Councilmember Jennifer Ide, who introduced the legislation. “As a charter amendment, there will be additional consideration before it crosses the finish line, but today’s vote moved us closer to creating an inspector general’s office to root out waste, fraud and corruption. We want to make sure we finalize this legislation in a timely fashion so we can ensure we’re instituting greater transparency and accountability.”
The Council also approved legislation Tuesday encouraging the Georgia General Assembly to repeal the state’s prohibition on the ability of counties and municipalities to control or regulate rent for privately-owned residential properties.
The legislation also encourages the legislature to review the state’s policies on rental properties to promote housing equity and affordability. The item was approved on a 14-1 vote.
Additional items approved Tuesday include:
• An ordinance extending existing shareable dockless mobility device permits on a month-to-month basis.
• An ordinance authorizing a donation not to exceed $23,500 from the District 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and Posts 1 and 3 At-Large carry forward accounts to Hosea Helps to assist with the organization’s operations. Post 2 At-Large Council member Matt Westmoreland abstained from the vote because he serves on the organization’s board.
• An ordinance authorizing the donation of funds in the amount of $180,000 to Hosea Helps to assist with the completion of building renovations. Councilmember Westmoreland abstained from the vote because he serves on the organization’s board.
• An ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2020 General Fund budget by transferring to and from appropriations in the amount of $500,000 for the purpose of authorizing Invest Atlanta to make an Economic Opportunity Fund grant to Goodwill of North Georgia Incorporated (Legislative Reference No. 20-O-1016). The City established the Economic Opportunity Fund to increase the capital available for business growth and significant job creation. Goodwill of North Georgia proposes to transform a vacant parcel at or near 2160 Metropolitan Parkway into a 38,400 square foot state-of-the-art “Center for Workforce Innovation,” which would consist of a job training center, community space and retail space.
• An ordinance authorizing the City’s chief financial officer to redirect efficiency savings related to personnel vacancies within the Atlanta Fire Department’s General and Aviation Revenue Funds in an amount not to exceed $2.5 million to address Atlanta Fire Rescue’s compensation in accordance with the proposal developed by the mayor, the Department of Human Resources, and the Department of Finance.
• An ordinance authorizing the mayor to extend the contractual agreement for 2017 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) sponsors approved by 19-R-3626 for the purpose of various HOPWA projects.
Council members also introduced items for consideration in committee meetings next week including:
• An ordinance to merge the Office of Human Services and the Office of Grants Management to create the Department of Grants and Community Development.
• A resolution creating the Task Force on Entertainment and Culture for the promotion of entertainment and culture for the purpose of fostering a comprehensive, citywide vision for the city of Atlanta’s entertainment industry.
Members of the Council also presented proclamations in honor of Claudie Nash of the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department and Fran Henderson, the first female owner and operator of a security company in the nation.
