The Atlanta City Council approved legislation authorizing the disposition of the City-owned properties during a session held on Monday, Nov. 4, through the request for proposal (RFP) process for development as affordable housing under the City of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Homesteading Program.
Back in 2017, the Council voted to create the program in hopes to develop affordable housing for low-income households.
Under the program, the City’s Department of Enterprise Assets Management had identified available city-owned properties for the Office of Housing and Community Development to evaluate and determine the appropriateness for the development of housing within certain criteria.
The Council also approved legislation introduced by District 3 Councilmember Antonio Brown, which authorized the Department of Parks and Recreation to install a commemorative plaque in honor of former City Councilmember Ivory Lee Young Jr. at the Kathryn Johnston Memorial Park.
Young was a four-term Council member who passed away in 2018.
The Council was also able to approve a couple of other items during its session, including:
- An ordinance establishing procedures for permitting right-of-way dining in the city. The legislation allows for outdoor dining on portions of the sidewalk in the public right-of-way provided there is enough pedestrian clearance.
- An ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2020 intergovernmental grant fund budget by adding to anticipations and transferring to and from appropriations the amount of $3.9 million to reprogram Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds allocated in the 2019 Annual Action Plan of the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan. The plan covers grant funding received by the City from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- An ordinance requesting the Georgia General Assembly statutorily authorize the city of Atlanta to propose a non-binding ballot question to the electors of the city of Atlanta concerning whether Atlanta should be considered as a possible destination location if the state of Georgia were to legalize gambling.
- An ordinance authorizing the renewal of duty-free concessions with Duty Free Americas Peachtree LLC.
A resolution authorizing a contract with Park Pride Atlanta to provide support services to the Department of Parks and Recreation, including coordinating volunteer support, fundraising services, and assisting in administration, planning, design and construction management services for city parks.
Additionally, a resolution was also introduced during the session to call a referendum to reimpose a special one percent sales and use tax to fund water and sewer projects and costs, subject to referendum approval.
The one percent tax was originally approved by residents as part of a referendum in 2004.
Members of the Council also presented proclamations in honor of Veterans Day and in recognition of the Reverend Dr. Fred D. Taylor and the advocacy group Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety (PEDS).
