[music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Jingle. I'm always telling you Good afternoon. I'm Doug Shipman, Atlanta City Council President, calling to order this regularly scheduled meeting of the Atlanta City Council. Today is Monday, December 1st, 2025, and I would like to ask the clerk to call the opening role. Council President Doug Shipman >> present. >> Council member Michael Julian Bum, post one at large. >> Council member Matt West Morland, post two at large. >> Here. >> Council member A Collins, post three at large. >> Here. >> Council member Jason H. Winston, District 1. >> Here. >> Council member Cardon Wyoff, District 2. >> Present. >> Council member Byron D. Amos, District Three. >> Present. >> Council member Jason Doza, District 4. >> Present. Council member Liliana Bactier, District 5. Council member Alex Juan, District 6. Council member Howard Shook, District 7. Council member Norwood, District 8. >> Present. >> Council member Dustin Hills, District 9. >> Council member Andrea Elon, District 10. >> Present. >> Council President-elect, [clears throat] Mary Marcy Collier, Over Street. Council member Antonio Lewis, District 12. >> Mr. President, we do have a quorum of members present. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move to the adoption of the agenda. If there are no additions or changes to the agenda, I would entertain a motion to adopt. >> Moved by council member Vakari, seconded by council Juan. Any discussion on the motion to adopt the agenda? We do this vanous consent. Without objection, any objection to the motion to adopt. Madam clerk, please sign on the count of the motion to adopt the agenda. >> 11 yay, zero naysay. >> 11 yay, zero nays. The motion to adopt the agenda carries. It is my pleasure to welcome back to the podium Chaplain Roosevelt John's of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department to offer today's invocation. Good afternoon everyone. Will you please bow your heads for a moment of prayer? Eternal God, our father, we come today once again to give your name honor and praise. We exalt you in the presence of this assembly and we thank you for all the many blessings that you have bestowed upon each of us here. We welcome you here today and pray that you will guide all that takes place. You are a God of order and we pray that everything that is done is done in the spirit of excellence and order. Father, we pray that you would bless the city of Atlanta at this time and the work that shall take place here today. Bless everyone under the sound of my voice as they reason together, making decisions, developing [clears throat] plans, delivering judgments as it relates to the operations of the city of Atlanta. Help them to always be mindful of the people to whom they serve. Bless each one of them with the wisdom and clarity as they work for the good of the people. May all that they do please you and bless the people. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> [snorts] >> As we stay in a moment of reflection, I would ask if there are any remembrances from my colleagues today. I would offer one myself. December 1st is typically the day that is recognized as World AIDS Day. It is a day that we remember all of those who perish in the incredible aftermath of the discovery and then what was the epidemic of AIDS in the 80s and 90s and of course it still afflicts so many more than it should today. I would just offer a remembrance for all of those who passed and all the families who continue to bear the burden of the scourge that is AIDS. Any others with those and with those unnamed, would you please join me in a moment of silence? Thank you. Would you please join me in the pledge of allegiance? I 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. Next, we'll move to proclamations, commendations, other special words. First, I'd like to ask uh Council Amos, I believe you have a special recognition to offer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um I know there's four individuals and I'll call their name eventually, but I do know Mr. Mark McCra is here. Can you join me up here please sir? So, ladies and gentlemen, coming into office, I wanted to find a way to recognize um residents of city council district 3 on doing any type of um distinguished service um to um the district, to the city, or any service um to um humanity as well. And I do see leadership from um APD and fire. If you could join me up here as well, it'll be um greatly appreciative as well. Um and not to slow down the process, I keep going. So on and how you doing, sir? >> [laughter] >> So on and around October 20th um I received a call that one of our officers in zone one was um gravely injured and um at the corner of um I think it was um James Paleley and North Avenue um our officer was actually answering a help call to go help another officer lost control of his car and actually ended up hitting a house. The officer was trapped inside of the car, could not get out. Um, the car was on fire, the house was on fire, and um, it was M. McCra that was in the house watching the football game at the time. And I don't know if it thought it was a linebacker and a running back, but um, come to find out it was actually APD officer car that hit his house. But without any type of hesitation, um, Mr. Keshan Robinson, who is not here, Mr. David Pittz, Mr. Ryan Beck, and Mr. Mccra jumped into action. Jumped in action by bursting out windows, pulling on car parts, pulling our officer to safety as the car became engulfed into flames. Um actually having to dodge bullets because the car of course police car bullets was in the car. They start firing from um the fire. So, it's days like this that I think we as a city should be able to stop and say thank you to our residents when they do something his um um historic and heroic. Don't wear a badge, don't wear a uniform, just a common citizen that stopped at this particular day and time to help out a fallen officer. So, I hold in my hand here an award that I created called the Distinguished Recognition Award, Atlanta City Council, District 3. And there's only a handful of people and those people include firefighters that ran into a burning building um to help someone. They include um Abel Mabel Thomas as well and Mr. McCra. Um now we can add you to that list, sir. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Let's thank you. >> Well, there he is. Thank you. And of course, we're joined by our chief of police and his command staff and our chief of fire as well. Um because we all was out there at that particular time. So, we're going to get out the way. If we can step up and take a picture with you, we'll be honored. Next, I would like to ask council members Boone and Over Street to come forward in recognition of one Howard Shook. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you all for joining us today. We honor many people from this hallowed place, but this one holds a special place in our heart. We have several former elected officials that are here that are gathered today to honor the dean of the Atlanta City Council, Charles Howard Shook. We would like to recognize We would like to recognize the 59th mayor of the city of Atlanta, Cassim Reed. Joyce, the Honorable Joyce Shepard, the Honorable Lee Morris, the Honorable Debbie Stars, the Honorable Yolanda Adrian, any other former elected officials, will you please stand at this time? We also have many notable city of Atlanta retirees that are in the audience. We have our former HR commissioner Sherry Dickerson. Alfred Barry Jr. Charles Bell, please stand. Forest Web, [applause] the Honorable Greg Pigen, will you please stand? We also are joined by our police chief, Chief Darren Sherbomb, Chief Rod Smith, Jim Dret from the Buckhead Coalition, Charles Howard Shook has served the Atlanta City Council for 24 years. His wisdom, wit, and passion for this city has taught all of us the meaning of servant leadership. We recognize and celebrate his work today. And now a short video. We have both been with Howard Shook for most of his [music] tenure. And when I think of Howard, I think of just how [music] dedicated he is to the district and how he has fought for neighborhood rights his [music] entire time since being elected and really how committed he is to integrity. What about you? When I think of Howard, I think about how creative he is. Howard is a beautiful writer and I believe that creativity has really helped him serve his [music] constituents and think outside the box in doing so. >> He's a calm voice in the middle of [music] a storm and I hope that he will continue to be that in his future. >> For me, Mr. Shook, you have always been a straight shooter. [music] You were someone I could always count on. Thank you. >> When I think of Council Member Howard Shook, [music] a few words come to mind. leadership integrity wisdom, mentorship, and of course, depending on what time of day you call, you can take the [music] rest of the day off. >> Hi, I'm Atlanta City Councilman Howard Shook. I represent District 7 and I chair the finance committee. >> He's brilliant. [music] He has great comedic timing and he loves the city of Atlanta. Council member Howard Shook committed 24 years of service to addressing [music] everything from roads in need of resurfacing to budgets in need of [music] balancing. His husband and father is considered the dean of the council and has signed well over 40,000 [music] pieces of legislation. >> I tend to be more intrigued with the more boring [music] stuff. you know, financial policies, budgeting, you know, the things that put people to sleep are the things that keep me up at three in the morning. >> He was my handpicked successor. >> Former Atlanta City Council member [music] Lee Morris and Howard Shook were longtime community activists, both passionate [music] about traffic congestion infrastructure and protecting single family forested neighborhoods from commercial encroachment. So when Morris [music] stepped down in 2001, Howard Shook stepped up. But not immediately. >> I didn't want to do it. I was busy, you know, looking for somebody else. Then all [music] of a sudden, I remember I was running errands and it just the thought popped into my head that wait a minute, I I can I can do this job just cuz I had been around it. >> Did Howard Shook make me proud? Absolutely. He has been, I think, [music] a superb public servant. He's got a commitment to the neighborhoods, not just in the [music] seventh district, but uh throughout the city. He cares a lot about the taxpayers of the city of Atlanta, the homeowners of the city of Atlanta. He breaks every decision down to how will this better the citizens of Atlanta? How is this decision supporting their [music] families? How is this decision improving their safety or that decision is increasing their prosperity? One of the great [music] things that he was part of was um setting aside reserves for the city. The city had never had uh cash reserves. Though the city had never defaulted on its bills going back decades and decades, [music] the city council, Howard Shook and Felicia Moore and a few others, uh came up with the idea that the city [music] should have cash reserves and that served the city very well. One of the things that makes him so amazing with it being [music] the financial guru of city council is we did everything we've done and he never raised taxes. That's amazing. Council member Shook [music] helped shape me professionally. I remember the first time I did a presentation. I thought I did an excellent job. [music] Lo and behold, I had a lot of questions. So really, the fact that he challenged me, helped me in a professional way. So [music] now, anytime I do a presentation, I make sure I know everything from front to back as far as that presentation. So I'm so grateful for Council Member Shook [music] and everything that he's done. >> What makes him stand out is his love for his daughters. I have two daughters as well, and he really and truly loved his kids. So that's one of the things that I liked about this stuff. ch very very family oriented, >> bold, frank, honest [music] financial wiz, you name it. I certainly appreciate [music] all the work that you have done and what you have given to this city. It has meant the world to all of us. When I think of Council [music] Member Shook, I think of his unwavering devotion to his fiduciary duty to the city. And what makes him stand out is his wonderful sense of humor. >> He helped me understand the whole legislative process, how to use [music] the resources in the city, the staff, how to collaborate with your um colleagues. I mean, [music] I had a lot to learn. I had a lot of good intention, but I needed a map. And he [music] was a great mentor and I know he's been a good mentor to others as well. how it brought this sense of calmness to the city council that I think has been needed especially for a lot of us new council members. [music] This can be a hectic job but you know having that steady hand that has been able to keep us together uh has truly [music] been invaluable. I don't know where we'd be without Howard Shook uh and his uh long-standing commitment to the finance committee. He's been the chairman or vice chair of the finance committee for many many years that has led to good fiscal stewardship. The city's resources are always [music] in good controls with him, the CFO, and the administration working handinand with the city council. [music] He knows the processes. He understands the budget. And he wants what's fair and right. You know, where you live is where they pave [music] the streets or don't pave them. Where they fix the water system or don't fix it, where the 911 calls [music] are answered quickly or not, where police treat people with respect, but also get the bad guys off the streets. We live [music] in the local. We spend so much time talking about the national and international. [music] Howard lives in the local. When I lost the city council president race, Howard wrote me a note. I [music] still have it. I will always I will keep it because to have that come from a colleague meant the world to me. And it was one of those things where yes, this is why we do [music] the work is because win or lose, we are here to try and move the city forward. And the four years I was off of council, Howard was the one [music] who just periodically would pick up the phone and call me. That just shows what an an amazing man he is. >> [music] >> My first impression was who is this Abe Lincoln looking guy? If I had to sum up, you know, Howard's legacy, um, I think it would be a [music] legacy of finding the balance, uh, between, um, making [music] decisions that protect and serve the people who elected you, but also understanding how those decisions can be made [music] or fashioned in a way to have a broader positive impact upon the entire collective [music] of the city. >> Council member Shook has been a pleasure working with you and I wish you all the best in your retirement and happy [music] um 24 years of service. >> Howard Shook is known for his fiscal integrity and a man who loves his Ohio State Buckeyes in his Cincinnati Eagles and a man who loves to look at postgame press conferences. Thank you, [music] Howard. Take care. A long time ago, he realized that his district had less parkland [music] and open space per capita than any other district in the city, and he wanted to figure out what he could do [music] about it. The Buckhead CD and Livable Buckhead really got behind an initiative to see what we could do. And [music] is from that that Path 400 was born. [music] And it has been an absolutely transformational infrastructure investment that benefits both the folks that live in District 7 and other parts of Atlanta, [music] but also the commercial business district as well. It's from that that I think uh people will [music] be remembering Howard for years to come. If you think back to the, you know, 24 years that he has served and think about what [music] the community looked like 24 years ago and what it looked like now. I mean, just looking in Buckhead, [music] Buckhead is such a different place today than it was back then when he started. And he played a big role in a lot of what happened. a lot of the development that took place [music] uh in Buckhead. Uh he gets credit for, you know, having a say [music] uh in in how those things um evolved. >> Council member Shook is retiring from his work on the council. He says he plans to do a little fishing, a little travel. He says he never thought he would stay so long, but one committee [music] week blended into another to the next year and the next term. but he says [music] he's thoroughly enjoyed the work. >> I'll tell you why politicians sometimes stick around a long time. Being able to solve [music] problems is addictive. It's a great feeling whether it's uh for your the city, the district, a neighborhood, or just for a single household. It's hard work, but when you [music] kind of get to pull off those little wins, it it's the world's best feeling. Howard Shook was one of the greatest council members [music] we've ever had. Steady hand, fiscal steward, always willing to compromise [music] and work towards the greater good. Thank you for your service. Council member [music] Shook is a true public servant, was the epitome of an elected official, and we are a safer city because of that. The [music] Atlanta Police Department is going to miss him, but we're thankful for all he's done. Council member Shook has been a champion not just for Council District 7, [music] but also for the city of Atlanta, our employees, and our residents across the city. He would be truly blessed. [music] [applause] >> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> At this time, if you are here to honor the dean of the Atlanta City Council, Charles Howard Shook, we would like to invite you up. Please come at this time. All former elected officials, guests, please come quickly. If you are here to honor Howard Shook, please come forward at this time. We're going to be here for two hours. >> I did a good job. And now the 61st mayor of the city of Atlanta, the Honorable Andre Dickens. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for that introduction, Council Member Boone. Uh before I get started on Howard uh Shook, I wanted to say happy holidays everybody. Happy Thanksgiving uh into this illustrious body, the Atlanta City Council. It's been wonderful working with you all over these last four years of this term, and I know this is your last meeting of this session. So, I am grateful for your leadership. Thank you. Uh, Council President, uh, as you're outgoing now, thank you for your leadership as well as you, uh, Council Member Wyoff. Thank you and, uh, continue to lead in our communities. Let's give them a round of applause for their steadfast leadership over the years. There's going to be a chorus of voices for the one and only Howard Shook. Uh, because he is so deserving of our applause, of our appreciation, of our thanks, and our congratulations. I know we're joined here by former mayor Reid as well as a number of council members that are current council members obviously, but those that are also uh previous council members. And we're joined by members of my administration, my cabinet, including Courtney English who's holding the uh [laughter] shook poster or whatever you want to call it. Take that to the game this weekend. Um but uh also my COO is here, chief of staff are here and so many others. is because Howard, you are uh a leader like none other. When I came on to the Atlanta City Council in 2014, it was you and CT Martin. All I had to do was ask y'all and you guys knew all the plays, knew all the things, and you really uh helped to groom a lot of us over those years you were here uh at that at when I got my start. And you, Howard, know what it takes to make sure that this city is run with good fiscal stewardship, with a mindfulness around the public safety around how things should go with our infrastructure, around just being a good allound community builder. So, uh, you've done that faithfully for so many years, Howard. You've done it, uh, in your own way. You are hilarious. Uh you you you know how to tell a joke and sometimes I it takes me to get all the way home before I catch it. The joke is that smart. Um you are a good colleague. Uh you know how to disagree without being disagreeable, without uh causing ruckus, without causing uh creating enemies because you know every two weeks we're going to be right back at this together. Uh so you your collegiality has been uh very very instrumental in the tone that this council has and so you my friend um have also been a great family man. You taught me how to be a girl dad. Uh uh you tell me stories and you got me worried about what um you know how much it's going to cost me for a wedding one day [laughter] but to prepare to send them off to go to college and those things. So, not only have you been a good legislator, a good meaningful partner in government, you just been a good all-around friend, a good human, a good father, a good husband, a good just neighbor. Um, and for that, you know, we say thank you. you set a great precedent and your uh legacy here at Atlanta City Council uh will shine bright and it also will shine because you set a north star to make sure that we hit a AAA credit rating uh by uh you know by the time you leave and we've done that. We've done that together. You have helped to lead us to get there. All of us working together again as I say is a group project. You've done that. Now I'm kind of mad that we did it because you're leaving. So had you had we not done it, you would have stayed maybe. I don't know. I'm just like [laughter] but um you have really helped to do so many things for this city. Look at us now with reserves with great quality of government and we are you know we have you to thank for that as well. So I desire to give you the highest honor that I can give as the mayor of Atlanta. I'm giving you the Phoenix award. I was shook. This is the highest honor you can receive from the mayor of Atlanta. And I know you uh don't always, you know, you're not a man that does this work for honors and awards. You do it from your heart. You do it for the community. You do it because the job needs to be done. And that's just who you are. You exude excellence. And so this is uh the Phoenix Award. And I'm going to read that it is um this honorable the honorable council member Howard Shook in recognition of more than 20 years of distinguished service on the Atlanta city council and his steady leadership on behalf of the people of Atlanta for six terms. He has represented district 7 serving on every standing committee and providing consistent guidance on the city's finances, utilities, and long-term planning. His engagement with neighborhoods, attention to attention to zoning and land use, and part participation on key panels uh focused on pensions, water resources, and government efficiency have strengthened the work and standards of the city's governance and service to the people who call this city home. The city of Atlanta is honored to celebrate Council Member Howard Shook, December 1st, Congratulations. Thank you, man. >> Oh, yeah. [applause] Yes, you too. Next, the 59th mayor of the city of Atlanta, Cassim Reed. >> I'm telling you, look at this guy. I'm telling you, not people, not many people know it because Howard was always grumbling and complaining during my time as mayor. [laughter] And so, we never actually met anywhere in public because I didn't want to hurt his politics and he didn't want to hurt mine. But in private, boy, did we meet. And what I will share with you is that Howard Shook is so phenomenal and worthy of the praise that he's getting today because although he is a rock ribbed conservative, he never broke faith with who the city of Atlanta is. And he always understood fundamentally that we are better when we're trying to do the most for the most people. And so I remember when we were reforming the pension system of the city of Atlanta and we were working and working and working and Howard was on the other side of the table advocating and advocating and advocating for the city of Atlanta employees. We changed the city's financial tra trajectory forever and there will always be something in the city called the shook amendment to prevent us from ever being at risk again. And so in the Talmood they say what comes from the heart enters the heart. Howard, you know how I feel about you. And you know that our politics is in the grocery stores because it's in those grocery stores where the thousands and thousands of City of Atlanta employees where the pension is now gone past 80% funded. Howard, it's those City of Atlanta employees who you see in the eyeways who look you in the eye and they say, "Thank you for my full pension. Thank you for making sure I have a hundred cents on the dollar. And every time I hear a voice like that, I think of Howard Suge. God bless you, my brother. [applause] We will now have Chief Sheerbomb, Chief Rod Smith, followed by Jim Direct from the Buckhead Coalition. Chief Sherbomb. >> Thank you, Council Member Boon. Officer Boy, if you'll come over. Council member Shook, uh, when I started at the Atlanta Police Department as a recruit, you were already part of this esteemed body. And for 24 years, three things never changed. Your commitment that this city should have an effective and ethical police department. That we will be good stewards of the money that was entrusted us. And most importantly, you took care of the men and women of the Atlanta Police Department. the officers, our civilian team members, while the we appeared before you your budget hearings, you made sure that those that were out doing the dangerous and the difficult cult were cared for and I saw that as a recruit and throughout my journey as a member of the Atlanta Police Department and it was never wavering and it was never an act. And so this police department is very indebted to you. We have a small token of our appreciation. Uh it could have been a magnifying glass to make sure we were spending our money right or it could have been a pair of scissors to cut out the fat. Uh, but it is a symbol of this department to keep the city safe and do it properly and ethically and I want to thank you for always giving us the tools to do that. Supporting our mayor as he supported the min police department. We're going to miss you but we're a better city because of you. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. Chief Rodrik Smith, Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department. >> Good afternoon, Council Member Shook. It is my pleasure to stand here today on behalf of the men and women of Atlanta Fire Rescue who were not able to come to this microphone and I want to say thank you. Thank you for being steadfast in your leadership with the city of Atlanta, for working with the administration, for standing for what's right for public safety for the city of Atlanta, for fire and police, and your commitment to making sure that the citizens of Atlanta have the services that they need. Your service in the city of Atlanta will be forever, forever remembered as changing and transforming. And I just want to say thank you and present to you on behalf of our members the award of Legacy Impact. Wow. >> From Atlanta Fire Rescue. You are considered a family member. I have a a sweatshirt to keep you cool when you're out walking your dog [laughter] and a hat to keep your head warm cuz your hair might not grow like mine. But I just want to say thank you for being a friend and we appreciate everything that you've done for the city and for >> Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Jim Direct Buckhead Coalition. Howard, not only have you served this body for 24 years, but you've been a member of the board of the Buckhead Community Improvement District for those same 24 years. And in the Community Improvement District, what sets Atlanta and the region apart from places all across the the country is our emphasis on building infrastructure to help those who live in, work in, and visit our great city. And um on behalf of uh your fellow board members and the staff of the CI, I want to remind you of the great album by the band Yes. called Fragile. Came out of 1971. The very first song was called Roundabout. And the first lyrics in that song are I'll be the roundabout. And Howard, you will be the roundabout because the roundabout that we are building with the city of Atlanta as our partner because of you will be known as the Howard Shook roundabout after your colleagues make that happen. [applause] >> Council member Boon, you said we were going to watch a brief video. Yeah, >> these are my remarks. Over. [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And now, members of the Atlanta City Council, the Honorable Doug Shipman, President. [clears throat] >> Thank you very much. I serve serving as Atlanta City Council President, you get a very pers uh unique perspective on different members and how they work and how they work with other people. And one, it's a testament to Howard Shook's leadership that he has been a chair so many times across so many councils, across so many council presidents, that they have entrusted him, especially with the finance committee. But when I came to this job, there [clears throat] were eight new council members coming in and I was new. And one of the first calls I made was to Howard Shook and he said, "What do you want? you just got elected. You're already asking for something. He knows that's true. And I said, "With so many new members, I'm personally asking you to mentor the new folks." And he said, "They're not going to listen TO ME. THEY DON'T care what I think. They don't know me." And I said, 'Well, I know you and I know your reputation and I think that they will listen to you and I think that they will be led by you. And what folks will never see is how many hours he has taken over the last four years to make this an effective council and to make all of us who were new to be great council members. Phone calls, sessions in his office, side conversations, small tips. Howard has always been somebody who has personally invested in the people who make council work and in the council itself. And I think Mayor Reid made a very important point and I will extend it with one thing to say. Howard is a conservative who believes in government that is in short supply today. He believes that local government can be a force for good. It can be a force for helping people live better lives and it can be a force for making a better city. And so I would simply say personally, Howard, thank you for agreeing to make this council better. You certainly have made me better and I appreciate it very much. Well, thank you. >> The Honorable Alex one, followed by the Honorable Matt West Morland, and then Presidentelect Marcy Cara over Street. >> All right. Um, I'm not sure I can do this, but I'm going to try. >> [snorts] >> Um so eight years ago almost to the day I uh in these chambers in my final comments quoted lyrics from a then musical um which now wait the musical was wicked but now in retrospect feels a little more self-indulgent because those lyrics are actually a lot more appropriate not just because it was the number one movie last weekend but because of today's occasion to honor um uh you've heard legend I think giant I think icon um like Howard Shook. He has been my seatmate for 12 years. I've never known a city council without him. Um [snorts] more importantly, he has been um my mentor, my teacher, my brother, my partner in crime, [snorts] um my collaborator, um but more important most importantly um my friend. I'm going to read this final verse from the song for good. And [snorts] I know I'm gonna lose it, but it's you only get to do this once for Howard. So, um, the verse is, it well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime. [snorts] So, let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. [snorts] So, with that, Howard, I'm I'm going to miss you like hell. And uh [snorts] um I hope you will make good on your promise to come down here and take advantage of public comment. [laughter] Um perhaps uh committee chairs will wave the rules about donated time or limits. Um because I'm sure whatever you come down here to say will be something we all need to hear. Um so thank you for the last 12 years. >> Hi Mr. All right. I have I have another assignment from Council Member Boon. Um, we have a plaque for you. Sorry. >> Will members of the Atlanta City Council come closer? And former members, please come closer. Want me to read this one? [snorts] >> [applause] >> And since since y'all can't see this, it is uh in recognition of your enduring leadership, principled service, and unwavering dedication, you have left an indelible mark on the progress in the civic life of our city as a steward of fiscal responsibility. Your thoughtful oversight and integrity have safeguarded Atlanta's future. Your legacy, sound governance, and commitment to community will continue to inspire generations to come. It's from President Doug Shipman and the Atlanta City Council. >> The Honorable Matt West Morland. >> Thank you. My assignment is to present you with this flag. 3,333 days ago, I got an email from Howard Shook. It was a response to a message I'd sent the afternoon before introducing myself and asking to get together ahead of launching a campaign to join this body. Happy to, he replied. There are some very important role expectations that district members universally expect of at largest could meet for coffee next Monday through Thursday. Howard, my most vivid memory from our hourlong conversation at Caribou the following Monday came when I described the school board that I would be leaving as a team. Yeah, we're not really a team over here, he said. So much as 12 members vigorously representing the interests of our districts and you three at large folks who are mainly useless. [snorts] [laughter] 3,333 days later, two things are very clear to me. [snorts] One, Spotty is a team. And two, you have been our captain. The disasters you prevent from happening, fixing the ones that do. You're a stabilizing, secure, and unifying force in so many ways, seen and not. You foster [snorts] community among the 16 of us who are here now and a quarter century worth of folks who came before. You keep an open and candid line of communication to the other side of the atrium when some of us don't. Your reverence and respect for this body and this institution is deep, profound, and beautiful. I am so incredibly grateful for eight years of mentorship, counsel, and advice. I'm honored to have called you a colleague. [snorts] I'm so grateful that I get to keep calling you a friend. Love you. >> [clears throat] >> Look at this beautiful family behind us. Mrs. shook and daughter. [laughter] >> Aren't they beautiful? Look at this family. First family of District 7. And now, President Elect Marcy Carer Over Street. Goodness. So, so let me just start with um with saying I've I've heard no lies, none. All of it is true. Um and I have witnessed and experienced a bit of everything that I've heard today. Howard Shook, you are analy. I've truly enjoyed getting to know you while I'm getting to know this job and getting to know all parts of the city. uh you've been invaluable to me this whole time that I've been on council and um you know just I don't think anyone knows who you are in its entirety um including me or the council members because I see uh different sparks of you all the time and it has really been wonderful getting to know you. you are the main reason why I have just a little bit of angst uh about being the president because I know that you we have got to fill your shoes in the right way and uh that finance committee um has to be just self- assured and it's got to be so shook quality that we can can and will again one day I don't know about 2026 uh have our budget on consent like you did this year. Uh you've done some pretty powerful things. Some pretty powerful things that we just mentioned as um like it's what we do, but it's pretty amazing. So, I want to thank you for being as authentic as you possibly could have been this entire eight years that I've been on council. And um I will definitely be calling you. Just like Juan said, I'm hoping that you will come to public comment. Um, and I will wave the rules or or excuse me, I will ask my colleagues to wave the rules. Um, and um, so it's been a pleasure just and and that is such an understatement. It's truly been a pleasure getting to know all of you. Okay. Um, and with that, are we going to do the the read this now or after show? Which one? We'll wait. Okay. So, we'll do the proclamation after we hear from a few more. But, love you. Love you very much. >> Thank you. >> And now, the Honorable Michael Julian Bond, followed by Liliana Batiera. Thank you, Councilwoman Boon. First, uh we want to bring greetings to the Shook family and we hope that we are returning him to you uh much less for wear and in good a good state of condition. Just to be brief to to sum up my appreciation for you, your height is dwarfed by your stature. your contributions to this city. Thousands will never know what you've done. But those who are here and present today that have sat shouldertosh shoulder with you, that have contended with you verbally and debated, that have voted with you, that have been cussed out with you in this chamber. Those who have served know that the endeavor to serve the public is an impossible dream. And you're that living dream, how you've dreamed the impossible dream. You've run where the brave do not go. You walk when your legs are too weary. That has been your quest. No matter how to far to reach that impossible start, you are there. How was the view? >> Good afternoon everyone. >> Um, thank you mayor. [laughter] This is this has been something that I have um been dreading for a very long time saying goodbye to Council Member Shook and like some of my other colleagues, you might see me cry at the mic. Um when I first started, it was really funny. Uh Council West Morland was nervous about how Council Member Shook and I would get along. Little did he know that there would be an obsession that formed here. Um and it's okay. You don't have to look embarrassed. [laughter] Um, so the our first one of the biggest things I think the the moment for for me and Howard where I just really grew to love him more than I could realize was um when [clears throat] Sam Michelle passed, God rest his soul. We went to his funeral and afterwards Howard and I went back to his office. everyone had work to attend to, but it was one of those rare moments where Howard and I actually had time and we just sat and we talked for hours. Um, he told me about his time on council, the stories, the people he'd worked with, why he'd run in the first place, wanted to get to know me and why I did it as well. Um, called me crazy because he said he felt like I got into it for the right reasons. Um, but you have been my dearest friend, my mentor. I don't know if there's very many other people in this building that I confide in as much as I confide in you. There's not been a single piece of legislation, a single issue, a single month that has gone by where you haven't guided me in some kind of way. or when you know that I'm struggling, pick up the phone to let me know that you care about me and that you love me. A lot of people don't understand that the joy, one of the big joys of council is that it's not partisan politics. It's about equality of life. It's about making sure that people can turn their water on, turn their lights on, drive down the street without falling into a sinkhole constantly [clears throat] on. Um, but Howard is somebody who truly believes in that, who never got into the seat for the intention of climbing to higher office. He's always made that very clear. The intention was to serve as a constituency, never to lead with ego or to do any of those things. And many people were very surprised still to this day to find out how much I adore this human being because our politics, I mean, not only are we on opposite sides of the spectrum, we literally are on opposite sides of the hall from each other. they like this entire building, but you will not find me in someone's office more. You will not find me talking to someone more about their perspective or their feedback because it does not matter the differentiations and people's ideologies because there's always common ground. And the common ground is serving people in this city and ensuring that they have faith that their local government is looking out for them. And I can't think of a more important job in this climate right now than that. You have been a steadying hand and your greatest legacy I think all of us can agree is the way you have brought people together on this council despite our differences this four years my first term but you said it's been one of your hardest and I don't want to imagine cannot imagine what it would have been like without you here at the end of those really hard days to still come to your office and to be able to talk to you and be able to speak freely to cry if needed but to always leave laughing and Happy to whoever replaces, not replaces, fills the seat after council member shook. Council be happy to have you, but I do want you to know that you have a giant, giant seat to fill, a big pair of shoes, and an even bigger heart. And Howard, I don't think any of us are going to stop calling. So, I'm sorry. I know. I know we're tiring, but um you should also know that I will continue those I I prank Howard daily like all the time. Uh whether it's jumping out of a closet or googly eyeing things in his office. Um the last time I jumped out of the closet and scared him, he asked me how many more times I was going to come out of the closet in my life, further proving what an ardent supporter he is of LGBTQ rights. Um, but I love you, Howard. Going to miss you and I'll always be calling. >> The Honorable Mary Norwood. Howard has been so important on this council, representing the eastern part of Buckhead through a lot of turmoil as we have all seen over the years, but he has been steadfast and true, caring about his part of the city passionately, but also caring about the rest of the city. So his efforts and his success in providing teamwork and unification in this city cannot be overstated. So, I am delighted to honor my colleague, my buckethead, Howard Shook. The Honorable Eay Collins. Good afternoon, everyone. Just uh chuckling because he literally just said he'll pay each one of us $20 not to [laughter] um say say anything, but that is you. But for you to know that um while we're all laughing is the reason why we love Howard so much. And so I'll make this very quick as I am entering my 12th month on this council. And um just the love that's being shown and the opportunity um is one that I wish I had the opportunity to serve with you alongside you longer. When I first called, I remember when I was running and I represented the south side of this city on on the school board. So, I knew I had to call the north side and one of the first per people that I called was Howard. I asked Matt for his number. Called Howard, uh, Councilman Shook and told him that I am going to enter the race for post three. And he said his first thing he said, "Why?" And I was like, I didn't know how to take it, right? I didn't know if it was the joke or if it s was serious as a question. Here I am. This young candidate gave him my whole spill and he said, "Good luck. Hope to see you on the other side." And so I get on counsel, I'm here, my staff, I'm new, so my staff comes and they walk in. They say, "What did you do?" And I said, "What do you mean? What did I do?" Councilman Shook just came down here. He never comes on this side. AND I SAID, "WAIT, WHAT HAPPENED?" So I go to his office, but it was the love and relationship of this young, eager girl asking all these questions about the budget and getting every answer that I need. And so it has been a complete honor, Howard, to serve alongside you. I look forward to continuing to serve you as one of your atlarge members, but also calling you um for your advice um just the institutional knowledge that you provided. But I think it's we'll be remiss not to thank his family for loaning him to us 24 years and he speaks so much highly of you guys. Um just thank you all so much. But you will be missed dearly and I wish I could have been a part of the stories of how great you are. But my short time with you have been so memorable. So thank you so much for everything. Hope to make you proud and hope to continue to make you proud. Thank you. >> Oh, thank you. Council member Shook, thank you for all you have meant to the city of Atlanta. And I can think of six times that you walked into my office and I knew that when he came in, it was serious business. So, thank you for caring about all of Atlanta. Thank you for that two-page letter you wrote to the honorable dean CT Martin upon his retirement. His family and I got a chance to read that letter. Thank you so much for all you have meant to Atlanta. And there are others that we're going to give one minute or two. Um >> at this time 60 seconds. >> Make it 100. [laughter] I'll make it short and sweet since I'm under directives here. Uh, a lot has already been said. Uh, no lies have been told and a lot of it has been been about how we will miss Howard Shook. I've certainly enjoyed my time with him, especially the past few years we've served on the finance executive committee together. Learned so much from him and a lot has been said about how we will uh miss him. Uh, but I can certainly uh say that you won't be far away. you probably are not going to miss us because anytime we have a wonder in our head about what what would Howard Shook do, what would Howard Shook say, we're just going to pick up the phone and call you or text you or uh tell you we want to take you out to lunch. So, look forward to those times and just want to thank you for everything you've done. Much appreciated. All right, that's >> Howard, I miss you and I'm going to miss you more now that I can't come down to city hall and see you. But let me tell you, from the time I was in office, and I was in office for 17 years, and Howard truly was, you know, we talk about partisan politics and Republicans, Democrats, all that kind of stuff. Howard is a true example of what we should be doing in DC, Washington DC at this point. He is such a I mean, you can talk to him about anything. We can get behind closed doors and all of us as colleagues, you know, he's brought us together, pulled us behind closed doors. We'll talk politics until we blew in the face. Howard leading us and really enticing us to really have open conversations. I used to not I was quiet on the couch and Howard said, "Are you gonna ever talk? [laughter] Are you gonna ever say anything?" Howard was my mentor. He's always been there for me. I love Howard. I love him to death and your family. You have a beautiful fa husband, dad. Thank you, Howard, for all you've done for us, for the city of Atlanta, for me. I appreciate you and I love you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. very briefly. All of these wonderful things are true and excellent and I could repeat more, but I just want to say Howard has another side of like demanding what he wants. So Carla Smith and I when we were on council, we were more southern and some people called us hillbillies. So we formed a country girl caucus of city council. Howard came down and said he was going to file a formal grievance with the law department if we did not allow him to join the country girl caucus. So we gladly allowed it. We weren't afraid afraid of your grievance. We just wanted you to be with us. So it was a lot of fun serving with you. >> Oh, thank you doctor. >> Thanks for being >> Thank you. I'll also be brief here. Um, I was one of the fortunate ones that Howard took under his wing four years ago. Uh, when I first got elected, Howard called me and said, "You got some big Shaquille O'Neal size shoes to fill, kid." Um, but I've been fortunate uh to work alongside him and and just see how he works and prepares for this job. Uh, one of the things we strive for is the no report. Um and as a committee chair um one of the things if you come to full counsel and you don't have a report uh that means that you did the work in committee and prior to coming to that committee and that's something I learned from Howard. Uh we would get our committee uh reports uh a week before and I would get that Friday night call from Howard saying did you see the agenda? Then sometimes I get that Sunday call from Howard talking about specific legislative items. And this would all happen before we even got to our finance committee meetings on Wednesday. U and so what you would like what you would see from Howard was that there was a lot of work and preparation that was put into this job uh to get to this point. And so I'm really thankful for him um having been able to teach me and others alike on this council how to prepare for the job, how to make sure that we were better council people. And it's because of you, Howard, and your mentorship uh that we are where we are today. Personally, um I'm going to miss our our conversations. I'm also a girl dad. Um Howard loves his ladies. Uh we spent lots of times talking uh late after meetings during the week just closed doors just talking about our girls and I know how much you love them. Um I've got two young girls that I love dearly and I know you and I had lots of conversations where I know that I'll be a better father because of you Howard. So I appreciate that and I appreciate everything you've poured in me and look forward to continue having those conversations. Love you bro. Hey, I I will be brief. I'm council member Jason Doer representing district 4 on Atlanta City Council. And my district is very different from Howard's district. But even though I've only served on this body for the last four years, I feel like I'll learn so much about what Buckhead has offer has to offer, what District 7 has to offer, because y'all have had someone champion you and your communities in ways that I strive to to to be like and to to model and to um just try to I want to be like you, Howard. Long story short, um I will say, as Jason had said, uh you know, we're both girl dads. I don't know how you did it all these years uh raising these two uh young amazing women. Um my kids are only five and two and I want to make sure that they can grow up to do the amazing things that your little girls have done despite the fact that we are in this room doing this work day in and day out trying to make this city better. And so thank you for being an inspiration. Uh one thing I will say too, my office is right next to Howard, y'all. And so I think our our uh staffs vibe and mesh in ways that I don't think many other staffs mesh with. And if you ever come down our side of the the building, you might hear the laughing, the cackling, the kiking. Uh but it's because District 4 and District 7 have worked well together and we will continue to work well together uh regardless of who's in your shoes. Um, and just thank you for being the person you are, and thank you for sharing uh our mutual love for uh the state of Ohio, for our 16th president, uh for our veterans and military families, and for continuing to uh be a model for all of us on this body who strive each and every day to be just like you. So, thank you, Howard. Thank you for your friendship. >> Antonio Lewis, Atlanta, city council person. And just thinking about my 60 seconds, I just want to make sure I said this to have the previous council member come up and say how that they didn't talk. When Mr. Shook met me as a 33 year old young person from Cleveland Avenue, he never had to tell me to talk. and to to what I mean by that is I went to him for institutional knowledge. What Mr. Shook represented on council was a person who could tell me what had been done, how they can do it, and how we can do it better. And I also went to Mr. Shook when I needed to talk to other council members sometimes to uh put a message out. I would go to Mr. Shook and I would explain what this and I would explain it in detail and that was ways to get things out. also want to say when you talk about differences between people and trying to be like Mr. Shook a little bit and being more yourself. Mr. Shook wears boots, I wear Air Force wands, right? And so it it shows Atlanta, but Atlanta does not work if the guy on the northeast side of Buckhead does not be fair when it comes to legislation to the guy on the southeast side of Cleveland Avenue. So truly appreciate you being on council and truly appreciate the fairness you've always shown. Thank you. Thank you, man. >> Well, I was standing down there trying to decide, should I be the only council member not to say anything and take that $20? >> Yeah. >> Um but I [clears throat] guess I lose that bet. Um you know, Howard Shook is someone that you have to call the whole name. He's not Howard, he's not council shook. He's Howard Shook. That carried weight. Um you know, I remember first getting over here, we had several conversations coming from the school board. um came over here and he came into my office one time. I think about this time last year talking about the um whisper o stuff. He said, "Well, what you what you think about this? What you want to do about it?" Um and I guess he sensed it. I was ready to rumble. I wanted all the smoke. And he said, "Well, be careful what you ask for." And it was at that time I stopped listening to what Howard Shook was saying and started learning from what he was doing because my four years on this council have seen you not to be a builder of consensus but be more like Dr. King and Bill Moulder of consensus and that is something that I can always appreciate. I mean coming on board I know we represent the same interest you represented Buckethead. I represented the Bluff Buckhead Bluff Buckhead Bluff. But what we represented was a better Atlanta. What we advocated for was a better Atlanta. I did it through services. You did it through fiscal responsibility. And I can definitely appreciate that. But since I also know you as well, I'm going to go ahead and call the question so we can get out of here and shut this down. [laughter] >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. At this time, we will have the official proclamation proclaiming today, December 1st, as Charles Howard Shook Day. I am joined by the Honorable Dustin Hillis. And we would like to recognize some very important, diligent servants that are in the audience. Mr. Tracy Thornnehill, Mr. Alan Lee, the East Lake Foundation, and Ty Spears. Thank you all so much for being here with us today. In recognition of Howard Shook for six terms of service on the Atlanta City Council, whereas Howard Shook has devoted more than 24 years of distinguished service to the city of Atlanta as the elected council member for District 7, now completing his sixth term. And whereas he has served on all seven of the city council standing committees and currently serves on the committee on council, the committee city utilities, zoning committee, and as chair of the finance and executive committee. And whereas District 7, known for its historic single family neighborhoods, as well as its vibrant offices hotels restaurants and retailers, has benefited greatly from Howard's steadfast representation and deep commitment to community. And whereas Howard's dedication to civic leadership began long before he joined the council, including eight years as president of the Ridge Dale Park Civic Association, chair of the Buckhead Neighborhood Alliance, co-founding the partnership for better government, membership on the board of the Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association, and appointment to the city of Atlanta's Gentrification Task Force. And >> whereas he [clears throat] has provided exemplary leadership in fiscal and infrastructure oversight, having chaired the finance committee for seven years and the utilities committee for four, served as president prompor of the Atlanta city council, co-chared the select committee on pensions, participated in the defined contribution management committee and the mayor's Atlanta pension panel, co-chared the mayor's blue ribbon commission on waste and efficiency, and served as chairman of the Atlanta Fulton County Water Resources Commission and Whereas his thoughtful analytical approach to budgeting, finance, and policy has earned him recognition as the council's steady hand and finance guru, guiding Atlanta through complex fiscal challenges, and helping to maintain strong reserves, balanced budgets, and aa credit rating. And whereas Howard's humility and independence, often reflected in his self-description as the council's warrior in chief, have made him a trusted and principled voice during moments of challenge and trans transition. 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 by here do hereby honor and recognize Howard Shook. And we are naming this the Howard Shook Day. Congratulations. And before our official picture photo, we would like to hear from the District 7 council member, the Honorable Howard Shook. >> Is it really 2:24? >> Yes, it is. >> All right. And I want to thank everyone uh for participating in this highly uh implausible event. Um special recognition to Andrea Boon who put all this uh together. Um she is the Nick Sabin of Proclamation Planners. Um and I want to say thanks for the video. Um I haven't seen acting in a film like that since The Godfather. I want to thank uh my wife Elise and Katherine and Mary Martin who are have the girls uh took the red eye uh from New York. Um I want to thank them because here's something we all know. Campaigning uh can be harder on the spouse than on the candidate. And we bring our work home with us every day. So thank you. Um, I want to wow I want to thank the mayors. Reed is still here. Um, uh, where is the council president? Sir, with your permission, I'd like to reserve 60 minutes of my remaining rebuttal time for for the end of the meeting if we ever get there. >> That's it. AND NOW at this time, we would like to ask all members of the Atlanta City Council to join us for an official proclamation. Mayor Reid, will you join us? >> [laughter] >> Hallelujah. Thank you all so much. Next, I'd like to invite council member Baktiari forward and all of those who are here for the recognition of the East Lake Foundation to please join us up here on the dis Good afternoon everyone. Here I know we've been Thank y'all for sitting through these poor children in the front. Thank you guys for sitting [laughter] through all this. This is government. Welcome. Um, so very quickly I we want to take a moment to really recognize the East Lake Foundation. For those of you who may not know, the East Lake Foundation has been a transformative force in the city of Atlanta on the east side. Um, you're going to hear in a moment from Ilia Ascia, the executive director, as well as Shannon Heath Longino, who in so many ways despite being eight when she started being a secretary for the meetings that led to the East Lake Foundation, also still embodies so much of the spirit of what it is. Um, Miss Ask, I'm going to kick it over to you first. Is that okay? >> Okay. >> First of all, Council Person Bakier, thank you so much for um sponsoring this. We are so humbled East Lake Foundation this year is our 30th anniversary doing work in the East Lake community which is the furthest neighborhood east in Atlanta. Third over 30 years ago, East Lake uh was not the community that everyone want everyone wanted to live. But because of some dedicated residents, uh a president of the tenant association, Miss Eva Davis, a philanthropist who you all know and real estate developer Tom Cousins, Miss Shirley Franklin, who wasn't mayor then but became mayor later, and a number of many, many thoughtful citizens reimagined what East Lake could be. it. They understood the value of families that lived there that wanted the best for their children and through no fault of their own were not given the resource and the access for equitable access to the resources that they deserve. And so the East Lake Foundation was established 30 years ago to ensure that all of its partners from the East Lake Golf Club to Tour Championship to Drew Charter School, Sheltering Arms, East Lake Early Learning Academy in partnership with the Y provided and collectively came together to provide resources so that every child, every family could thrive. And so it is such an honor. I have our team, half of our team is off today and still came up here to celebrate with all of us and with the city of Atlanta for this this honor. And of course, I'm going to let have Shannon speak in just a moment. But I cannot tell you that the legacy of the work that's thought about 30 years ago, the architects of the vision, I don't think anybody could have dreamed that we would be here today. And it's because of caring, thoughtful citizens in Atlanta, in East Lake, and across the country who gather together. We are when we are one community, there's so much that we can do. And so I want to leave this before I turn it over is that former Congressman Shirley Chisum, and this is the quote that I live by every [clears throat] day, and so does my team. Service is the rent you pay for time here on this earth. And the East Lake Foundation every single day pays its rent and pays it on time. And so I thank you all for celebrating with us and thank the council members here today to honor the legacy of our founder Tom Cousins and the architects of the vision, Miss Eva Davis, Miss Renee Glover, and so many others. Thank you so much. Good afternoon. I'm Shannon Heath Langino and thank you uh Coun Councilwoman Liliana Baktiari um for this honor because it is past due. Thank you so much for your vision to carry this out as one of the youngest planning committee members working alongside my grandmother Eva Davis at that time when she was envisioning the community revitalization. Her ideas were laid on the table intentionally making sure for generations to come that our families were never overlooked and never underserved. The East Lake Foundation was birthed out of a vision where she wanted a quarterback to oversee all of the services that we continue to offer families that come through the community. It is their home. They are not a transaction. How do we keep the services and residents viable living and thriving at all times while they trans go through their transition of empowering them and making sure that they get what they need while they live there. East Lake is not only a community, it was birthed out of sacrifice that we made as families living in East Lake Meadows at that time. Being eight years old, understanding that this lady Eva Davis was collaborating to bring in partners such as Tom Cousins and his family still to this day remain a hard focus, main focus, and an intricate, valuable piece of how the communities continue to work. The East Lake Foundation is celebrating 30 years. It is continuing to be a viable piece and a thread that holds our community together so that families, whatever they are, wherever they are, can be met with resources to serve their families. Not laying out a cookie cutter, but giving them options. So, thank you for 30 plus years of keeping the commitment, keeping the work going, but also still listening to the residents. And for those who are in communities, just be reminded that the residents are stakeholders. We are nothing without the voices of the people that the choices that we make, it impacts them. Your choices that you make will not work if you're not keeping stakeholders at the table because it is about them and it serves them. And again, thank you again to our city, but thank you for the East Lake Foundation's inception. It's rule of thumb to keep the community first. And thank you uh Councilwoman Liliana Baktiari for continuing to serve and work with us very closely to keep our vision. And my grandmother is smiling to this day. Mr. Cousins is smiling because this vision is is it was birthed but it is still growing and we are all in partnership together to make sure this work continues to grow. It is live work. Thank you so much. Another note I wanted to say is coming. It's not lost on me. This was a seat that was once held by Jose Williams. This is the district that represents the legacy of Eva Davis. And it is not lost on me the honor and the responsibility and the legacy that comes with being the council member that gets to represent such a deep history. And as somebody who grew up with a dad who was delivering over on that east side back when Shannon was a child and kids were having to get bust out of East Lake because there was no school option and knowing watching how the community came together to ensure that kids in East Lake got prior prioritized first and East Lake had housing built for them and were guaranteed an education at Drew Charter School which has become one of the best schools if not if not the best [snorts] um in Atlanta And all I can say is knowing what it cost that it nearly cost Shannon and her grandmother their lives to see this transformation. That is not an exaggeration. Knowing what community effort it takes. It is hard to do the right things and bureaucracy. It takes it's moving mountains. And this East Lake Foundation from the time I've known it to now is nothing but community driven. And I am honored to be at the table with you all. I'm so excited that you are celebrating 30 years. I can't wait to be here to celebrate 40 with you all. >> 40. >> I know. You're going to be there and so I'm grateful. Thank you so much for the lives you've impacted, saved, and you know, and also Tom Cousins, God rest the soul. Thank you to him as well. Um, thank you all. So, thank you. I'll take a moment to go ahead and read this. in recognition of the East Lake Foundation, which is proudly celebrating 30 years of service commitment to the transformational impact of three decades uplifting the needs of the East Lake community. Established in '95 by Tom Cousins, the East Lake Foundation was founded with a bold vision to create thriving inclusive neighborhoods where all residents could achieve their fullest potential. Guided by a deep belief in equity, collaboration, and opportunity, the foundation carrying on the legacy of Tom Cousins, Eva Davis, Renee Lewis Glover has served as the community's champion, bridging residents, partners, and institution to ensure that every member of Eastlake has access to resources, tools, and support needed to flourish. Through strategic partnerships and communitydriven leadership, the foundation has developed a nationally recognized model that integrates mixed income housing, cradle to college education and community wellness as an ecosystem where prosperity and purpose coexist. The East Lake community now stands as a testament to what is possible when vision and compassion meet action. Home to large-scale preservation of affordable housing, the historic East Lake Golf Club, and the distinguished Charles R. Drew Charter School, the first charter school in the city of Atlanta and a leader in academic innovation and achievement. The remarkable successes of the foundation have extended far beyond its geographic boundaries, serving as the inspiration for purpose-built communities, a national network that has replicated this holistic model of community redevelopment in over 25 neighborhoods across the country. And for 30 years, the East Lake Foundation has embodied Atlanta's highest ideals of civic partnership, inclusion, and resilience, transforming challenges into opportunities and neighbors into family. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Council Member Liliana Bactiari, and the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of Atlanta, do hereby recognize the East Lake Foundation's enduring commitment to empowering residents, uplifting communities, and creating pathways to share prosperity for generations to come. We'll go here. Take a picture. [clears throat] >> We'll go ahead and take a photo. Yes. Okay. I know. Got a little extra flash over there. Yeah. >> Thank you. Now, I'd like to ask Council Member Collins to come forward and all of those who are here for the recognition of the Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund to please join us up on the >> Das. >> [clears throat] >> I do. Welcome you guys. You guys look amazing. >> Let's co let's close this great time on our agenda. >> Yeah, come on and double up. I know it's a few of you all. I want to make sure we get all you guys in. Yes. So, good afternoon. We we we have mama president elect over street getting us together. [laughter] We love it. Well, good afternoon everyone. Thank you all so much. We are so excited to honor and recognize the Atlanta Youth Climate um action initiative with a with an actual proclamation and making December 1st your day. And so I want to before I kick it off because it's extremely important that you all hear from the actual people that are doing the work versus the council member that has been, you know, supported the work. And so you know you all today we gather to honor a movement led by the boldest and most visionary voices in our city which is our youth. The youth climate action initiative represents the power of young people rising to meet the climate challenges of our time with courage creativity and and a commitment to building a greener and healthier Atlanta for all of us. I am going to turn it over to Shandra Farley who is our chief sustainability officer from the mayor's office of sustainability and resilience. Then we will hear from Kate Huitt who is the executive director of the 21st century um organization >> 21st century le 21st century leaders and then um Gabriel Barazzi. Did I say that correct? Barazzi, >> Barazzer, sorry, Barzer, um, who is our youth project leader. And so I will now turn it over to you, Madame Chief, to share more and also would love to hear, um, from the others. Thank you. Wow. First of all, I'm really glad that our youth were able to experience um the full spectrum of government process this afternoon. Um but I really am excited that our youth got to see the best of our city today. Um the fellowship and partnership on display here is a fantastic example um for these incredible young leaders. And also we want to thank um Post three at large council member Esha Collins as a former educator, education equity leader, and APS board member and I believe the youngest member on city council. >> No, no. Uhu. I'll be 46 in February. >> Okay. [laughter] Close. Um to is such a wonderful representative um for sponsoring this proclamation for the Atlanta Youth Climate Action Day. Um, on behalf of the mayor's office of sustainability and resilience, I also want to thank the entire Atlanta city council for their enthusiastic support of declaring December 1 Atlanta Youth Climate Action Day. So, we can have a round of applause for that. Investing in youth leadership has been a cornerstone of Mayor Andre Dickens agenda. uh first declaring a year of the youth in his first term. That important initiative has continued and uh continued to grow under his leadership and uh Janine Lewis, our senior adviser for youth development um has been a great partner. We also heard loud and clear from the passionate members of our climate resilience advisory board as well as so many across the city of Atlanta that youth absolutely had to be at the center of our climate action planning here at the city. It is them who will inherit the responsibilities and consequences of the decisions that we are making today. So when we set goals like achieving 100% clean energy for 100% of Atlantans by 2035, when we set goals to say that we want Atlanta to be a net zero city by 2050, the people you see standing here, their young brothers and young sisters are the ones who will be living in that city built for the future, as we hear our mayor say. So our advisory board took this charge very seriously and we actually now dedicate a certain number of seats on our climate resilience advisory board specifically for these youth leaders. So we look forward to having um them cycle through that leadership. Subsequently, what we are really uh also celebrating today is that Atlanta was thrilled to be one of a hundred cities across the globe selected for the inaugural youth climate action fund. We were one of a 100 cities spanning 38 countries representing over 62 million residents across six continents. Thanks to this funding, since 2024, we've been able to invest $150,000 directly into projects led by these youth and partner youth development organizations like 21st Century Leaders. Today, we are proud to recognize our 30 youth project team and the hundreds of youth that they activated in their neighborhoods and communities across Atlanta, as well as the entire metro. I am grateful to my office of sustainability and resilience team and especially Beth Graham, our stakeholder engagement director who has led this program with passion and built it into a globally recognized initiative because all of the other cities want to know how we are doing it here in Atlanta and how we have been so successful here in the ATL. So, thank you. Next, I'm going to turn it over to Kate Huitt, our the executive director of 21st Century Leaders, our partner. I also want to say I've been engaged with 21st Century Leaders for like 11 years now, I think. And when it came time to launch this program, I know there was no other partner that I wanted to work with. And so, I'm so grateful to Kate for answering the call and for her uh partnership and friendship over the over the years. I don't he wasn't able to be here but also deputy chief of Gre deputy chief of staff Greg Clay. I'd like to recognize not only was he a participant in 21st century leaders um but he has been on the advisory board and so it was so great um to have his help throughout this initiative as well. Kate, >> thank you Shandra and thank you to the Atlantic City Council for this recognition for our youth. Um, 21st Century Leaders has been around since 1989 with a mission to connect, transform, and inspire young people across the state of Georgia to really be leaders in their community schools and ultimately the workforce. And so that $150,000 of grants we were able to provide with the support of the mayor's office went directly back into the city of Atlanta and the larger communities to really make change. Some of our greatest leaders are our young people and that's evident here today with the the young people we have on stage and so many more across the city of Atlanta. So just want to congratulate our young people for the amazing and tireless work that they put in to making their communities more sustainable, healthier, um and in a better place than when they found it. So thank you Hi, my name is Gabriel Brazzer. Um, I am a 16-year-old junior at Campbell High School and I attend the um international baloria program over at Campbell. Um, my project was converting hydroponics to aquaponics. And I just wanted to talk today about some of the impacts that this program has had on our community and myself as a student. Um, in April of this year, we applied for about $4,000 to receive a grant. And, uh, we've used that money to connect our students and also reach out on social media to inform and work to, uh, generate food for the Atlanta Food Desert. So on social media we have gotten around 22,000 uh views which is the uh metric for interaction on our Instagram account and we've had over 270 hours of volunteer work in our school and in our community just from students. um that's been very obviously impactful in our community and our system that we built is now housing over 70 plants which we are growing to donate as produce as well as uh nearly 40 fish which we are also growing to eventually dispatch and donate. Another uh small I wanted to bring up was the importance of the youth. Um we felt very connected to the leadership from uh Miss Beth especially uh from our monthly meetings and that guided us a lot and I think that the investment that they made in us as the youth will pay off in the future uh leadership of this city. And just as a final thank you, I just wanted to thank the city of Atlanta, Miss Beth, Miss Chandra, Miss Huitt, and uh Will and Alyssa who are standing on my right. They uh stepped up for leadership when I had basketball practice. So that was great. And as well as my family and all the teachers and students who volunteered at my school. So thank you All right. Thank you all so much. And so I will read the proclamation and then we will um get an official photo. And so the proclamation read, "Whereas the city of Atlanta is committed to bold, equitable, and communitydriven climate action that safeguards the the health, resilience, and future of all residents. And whereas Atlanta you Atlanta's youth have have emerged as powerful leaders in advancing this mission, demonstrating exceptional vision, creativity, and determination in addressing the climate challenges facing their community. And the Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund was established by the city of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience to empower youth ages 15 to 24 to conceptualize and implement innovative climate solutions at the neighborhood level. And whereas funded by the funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and administered in partnership with 21st century leaders, the Youth Climate Action Fund has provided micro grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to support youthled projects that advance Atlanta's sustainability and resilience goals. And the Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund invested $150,000 in 30 youthled project teams whose community center work engaged more than 1,500 young people across metro Atlanta. And these young leaders have executed projects that strengthen Atlanta's environmental stewardship and resilience, including tree planting, energy conservation, plastic reduction, community gardening, composting, recycling programs, and educational initiatives addressing electric vehicles, extreme heat, hydroponics, and reducing energy burden. And whereas Atlanta is proud to be one of the 100 cities worldwide participating in the Bloomberg Philanthrop philanthropies climate youth climate action fund initiative a global effort that activates youth to shape a more sustainable and equitable future through local action. And whereas the collective achievements of Atlanta's youth embody the city's commitment to climate leadership inspires community pride and affirm the importance of uplifting young people as co-creators of long-term environmental progress. And now therefore, it be pro proclaimed that we, the members of Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of Atlanta, do hereby declare December 1st, 2025 as Atlanta Youth Climate Action Day. in our great city and extend our gratitude to the young leaders whose dedication, innovation, and service strengthens the city climate's resilience and pave the way towards a more sustainable and just future for all of us. Thank you so much. Signed by every member of city council along with our president, Doug Shipman. Today is Atlanta Youth Climate Action Day in Atlanta. Thank you all so much for your service. And so now we'll all come up for a photo. We all love on each other. So let's come up. Members of council, please join me. That's weird. Do you want her to go? Okay. He is still okay. on the side. We're in the side right here. Thank you all very much. Next, we'll move to public comment. Like to remind everybody that uh everyone will have up to two minutes unless they've been yielded time by someone else. Um you cannot yield from the podium. We do have um many speakers today, so we'll want to keep it moving. First up today will be Amy the Chicken. Howard. >> Council member Howard, I'm here for you. We are here to celebrate your big day. Your last big day. Are you ready? [laughter] I see. Well, get ready. Here we go. Happy trails [singing] to you. Until we meet again. Happy to you. Smile. And [singing] then who cares about sing [clears throat] [singing] but wait there's more here with you [singing] Things couldn't be the same. I'm as free as a bird now. And this bird you cannot change. Lord knows I can't change. So fly. Yeah. Thank you. [screaming] >> I didn't see any lighters or phones, but anyway. And now the end is near. And so you face the final curtain. My friends, I'll say it clear. I'll state my case of which I'm certain. You've lived a life that's full. You've traveled each and every high. But no much more than this. He did it his [singing] way. But the road Jack All right, but there's a special song just for you. Is this my time? Yeah. >> So, you ready? One more. Just one more, Howard. He's so excited. Hey, hey, hey, Howard. You served ATL with grace. Let's celebrate this space. Oh, Howard Shook. You've been around in the city of ATL. You hold your ground 24 years. You work so hard. Now it's time to raise a glass and throw a yard. You've made laws. You made deals. Fought traffic taxes, potholes, and all the fields. Now it's time to rest your pen cuz you're done Howard. Now the fun begins. Page two. Time is expired. >> Sorry, your time is expired. >> All this wisdom, your calm demeanor. But hey, we're just glad you're people pleaser. Goodby serve so fine. With every zoning boat, you cross that line. 24 years in the game. But now you're out of here. You're still our flame. Cluck, cluck, cluck. You're flying high. Captain, wave and wave goodbye. No sympent not reading bills. No more council meetings. No more city thrills. >> Thank you. >> Remember you time is here even when you're retirement gear. Now go on Howard, take your rest. You did your best and know you were the best. Goodbye. Now's your time. 24 years well done. Retiring. But hey, you've already won. Look look look. Goodbye. We'll miss you lots. Don't even cry. You served us well and you got your wings. Now you're free, Howard. Spread those things. >> Thank you. >> Have a wonderful retirement. Howard from Atlanta City Council. >> Mr. Shook, your name was called. Do you want to respond? Okay. >> Thank you. Next. >> Next will be Jabari Gibson. >> Jabari Gibson. Due to yield of time, you'll have up to four minutes today. >> How y'all doing today? I'm here on the behalf of a very close friend of mine was shot 17 times in the back and I'm really we're really here for justice because I don't understand how could a person be causing you any kind of harm if they back turn you if my back turned you can I do anything with my back turn. So, I don't understand why it's it's been no justice. The police is still working. Like, cuz if I was to leave here today and shoot one of y'all fellow officers in the back, y'all going to have a all manh hunt for me. All I'm here is asking for justice cuz guess what? He he was one of our loved on. We feel like, you know, if if it were us, we would be in jail right now facing murder charges. He's still out here free, enjoying Thanksgiving with his family and all that. So that's all I want to ask. I'm asking for justice. That's all I'm asking for. You know, that's what we all here for. We're humble. We're peaceful. And all we want is justice. That's all I got to say here. Next will be Joseph Reed. >> You have up to two minutes. >> Good afternoon. We are here today just to demand a lot of transparency from you guys. Demand accountability from APD, GBI, uh, Fton County, all the agencies, whoever's possible. We're here to demand transparency, accountability. We need answers. um how is it that it's possible this officer is able to go through this many um violations and still be on the force uh working off duty. Um shot him in the back 17 times in the back and but area. So uh we would just like some answers, accountability, and we demand transparency for it. Please, that's all we ask. We come peaceful. We come willingully. We just need answers. We need to know what's going on. We understand there's a lot of investigations going on. We need answers. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Madre Loftton. >> You have up to two minutes. >> Good afternoon, members of the council. I am Madre Loftton, organizing director for Georgia Federation of Public Service Employees. I'm looking forward to working with all of our city departments to make Atlanta a even better place to live and work. We will be providing our official state of the city from the employees perspective in the new coming year. Do well and be well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Alan Lee. You have up to two minutes today. Good afternoon, members of the council, and um wishing Councilman Howard Shook well in his retirement. Um I had the occasion to serve on the committee appointed by both uh he both he and I were appointed by then Mayor Cassim Reed. So I appreciate his leadership and I've probably been around about 24 years with him just flying low. So congratulations. I wanted to come by this afternoon and invite the entire council to Harper Archer Elementary School. There's a story to be told at Harper Archer. There's a story to be told about four little kids who defied all expectations in terms of the reading bowl. I had the occasion to travel with them to Mon Georgia and to watch them um not play football, not play basketball, not run, jump or sing, but to show their wit and their intellect and their reading comprehension. And they went toe-to-toe with the best of them. Keep in mind the teams consist of 10 people. They only had four and they were relevant and they were powerful. They finished second place all in the district of APS. But far too often we don't tell that story. So I'll be joined by the superintendent, the state representative that of that area, Ingle Willis, our very own um city council member of that area, Andrea Boon. I would love to see each to take hope and joy to our kids and let them know that they belong and they're real and I'm sure the community would love to see you as well. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard. >> Thank you. Next will be Darius Blackwell. You have up to two minutes. Um, good afternoon everyone. My name is Darius Blackwell. Um, Linton Blackwell is my cousin. All right. Good evening. I'm here on behalf of the family, on behalf of my cousin, Linton Blackwell. We're here seeking the truth, accountability, and justice. On the day Linton Blackwell was shot, Atlanta police officer, his name is Jerro Walker. He shot my cousin in the back. Unjustified use of lethal force. And until the city provide answers, we cannot have peace. Today, I'm seeking and asking this council, the police department for transparency. First, we want to know what specific evidence support the officer decision to use lethal force against Mr. Linton Blackwell. Not summary, not edit footage. We want full documents, including body cam footage, witness statements, and officer use of force. Second, asked this city to explain whether the officer actions align with Atlanta Police Department policy, which part of the policy justify the shooting of Lynen Blackwell. If no policy was followed, we expect to be acknowledged. Third, we demand that the independent investigating, not internal, not handled by the police or the people connected to the same department, an outside agency. If the shooting was justified, prove it. If it was not, be honest about it. Fourth, we want to know the duty of the status of the officer who shot Linton Blackwell. Whether this officer has histories of complaints or prior force incidents, the public deserves transparency. Fifth, we ask better communication from the city. Our family should not have to chase information during the most devastating moment of our lives. We deserve respect. We deserve answer. And we deserve the truth. Finally, I want to say this. What happened to my cousin Nathan Blackwell should never happen to another family in this city. We need real reform, real training, and real accountability. Not another tragedy. Now, we are here to fight this city. We are here to fight for justice. We're here to make Linton Blackwell life matter. And this does not make sense. He was shot 17 times in the back. I don't care if he did have a gun. >> Thank you. >> If he turned around, you don't have no reason to shoot him in the back. You could have tased him. You could have shot him two times in the leg, not 17 times in the back. So, we won't answer. >> Thank you. >> But y'all don't know his name. His name is Nathan Blackwell. >> Thank you. >> Next will be Erica Bri. Again, my apologies if I get anybody's name wrong. Please do correct it for the record. You'll have up to two minutes. >> Good afternoon. My name is Erica Boutry. I'm the mother of Linton's twin daughters, um, Destiny and Dynasty [snorts and clears throat] Blackwell, and I'm here on their behalf. Um, my daughter's father, Linton, was shot 17 times in the back by an Atlanta police officer and 17 shots. I say that quietly, not because I accept it, but because even saying it out loud feels unreal. It's like a quiet kind of heartbreak. The kind that shows up at every milestone he won't be there for. The first day of their junior year, their next birthday, walking across the stage without him in the crowd. Those moments that should have been filled with pride will now always carry a shadow because he was a girl dad and he never missed a moment in their life. 17 bullets. I want every person here to hear that. Understand the violence behind it. That is not protection. That is not policing. I feel as though that is a decision, a violent, reckless decision that the officer took and he took away my children's father. And what breaks me even more is knowing that this didn't have to happen. The officer who killed Linton had previous sustained violations. He had a pattern. There were warnings on top of warnings. and he was allowed to keep his badge, keep his gun, and walk freely until a moment that ended my children's chance to grow up with their father. >> I refuse to raise my daughters in a city where officer with a violent history is allowed to keep hurting people until someone dies. So, I'm here because my daughters deserve a city that acknowledges what happened to their father. They deserve transparency. They deserve answers. They deserve accountability. Real accountability, not delays, not closed doors or excuses. My daughters deserve better. Lyn deserve better. And Atlanta deserves better. >> Next will be Yashika Blackwell. >> Leticia, sorry. backwell. >> Next will be hurst to two minutes. >> How y'all doing today? uh city council. I'm here on behalf of N Blackwell and what happened to my cousin that day shouldn't happen. It's accountability got to be stood for anything. You in the court of law, they got to convict you with accountability. So it should be the same thing. Well, we ain't going to rest. So only thing we want is some answers. That's it. We ain't coming to no harm. We come with peace. We just want answers. You got kids. And he was loved very dearly. You got pictures on him with the mayor. He was a good dude, man. And [clears throat] getting shot 17 time. Come on, man. Y'all human being that don't ain't no police supposed to shoot you no 17 time. And if you ain't shoot at him, not even once and you turn your back and you [clears throat] get shots cuz you say you seen him put something behind his back. That's what we got to tell the daughters. That [ __ ] that ain't right, man. That's not right. That's all we want is some accountability. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next would be Marilyn Lawrence. That's No, no, she has to be the one to speak. Sorry, you can't take somebody else's time. Uh, Marilyn Lawrence, uh, Henry Jordan. You have up to two minutes. Give me the spirit of God. Everyone that's here. If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7ap 14 verse. This verse stands a high expression of God's loving readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people. I cannot work your job Jesus income. Not me. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, should enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. St. Matthew 7:21st verse. Now, everyone professing Christ is genuinely saved. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. Righteousness is of me, sayeth the Lord. Isaiah 54 chapter 17 verse he is the redeemer of all men and yet the same one who is the holy one of Israel beloved avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay said the Lord Romans 12th chapter 18 verse give place unto wrath Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32nd chapter 35th verse to show that God only has a right to avenge And he certainly will avenge God. See your hearts. He see your deeds. He see your works. And God has condemned sin. He bring judgment on sin. Not me. I'm just a witness of what God can do. You got to fear God rather than man. God has no power. He saw FORTH HIS POWER. HE SAW FORTH THE MONEY that God created in me. And you said you get it and they want me to work for you. How How do that sound? You got the money, not me. Thank you. Next will be Lewanda Hash. You have up to two minutes today. >> Good afternoon, council. My name is Londa Hash. I come on behalf of the Blackwell family. I'm here for my cousin, justice for my cousin, Lenton Blackwell. Our family is demanding answers from the city of Atlanta after the unjustly shooting of our beloved loved one. Lenton Blackwell, we're going to continue to repeat it. He was assassinated 17 times by the Atlanta Police Department, by an Atlanta police officer. So, we want full release of body cam footage, an independent investigation, the officer's complaint and disciplinary history, transparency, accountability, and communication with our family. Real reform to prevent this from happening to anyone ever again. Linton deserves better. His children deserve better. Our family deserve better. And our community deserves better. We will not stop. We will not rest until the truth is told. Justice for Linton Blackwell. Next will be Grady Blackwell. We'll have two minutes. >> Good afternoon, Council Miller. I am him on behalf of my nephew uh Nun Blackwell. [snorts] That's my brother child and [clears throat] he got shot 17 time. I don't know what happened. I know that he had an obligation in the clubs. Police follow him out to his vehicle and say he saw my son, my nephew put something in pants and he shot my nephew 17 time. Council member, you can kill a bear. You shoot them 17 time in the back. And I don't think my nephew deserve to be shot 17 time in the back. If he in the wrong, why he didn't shoot me in the front? Why he all all the boot have be in the back? Can someone tell me that please? I would like just I would like to know why if he wrong he wrong but he do not judge judge to get shot 17 time in the back now bully him in the front not one. The police follow him out to the car and shot him and that's cold blood murder. Thank y'all sir. Appreciate you. Thank you. Next will be Mashawi Iikner. Michi Iikner. Next will be Janice Jordan. up to two minutes. >> Hello. Good afternoon to everyone on the panel. I stand in the gap on behalf of the Evans family. I'm a close friend to the family and as we have all stated, we're here for justice. 17 shots is unacceptable. It would be a great deal if Andre Dickerson was sent in one of these chairs on the panel. >> He took pictures. >> Thank you >> with the mayor. He did great deeds in the community for children's. He had relatives that working in school system. So he standed for something. >> He stood for a lot of things. But we won't stand here and fall for anything. We demand justice. We thank you for your time. You will continue to see the faces that stood before this panel on today until the day that we get justice. And the officer is behind bars. That's what we're asking. >> Nothing less, but we asking for more. He deserve to be penalized for what he done for taking a black man unarmed back turned 17 times to the back. >> Only if one of you guys would stand in the shoes of his loved ones to come stand before this pull pit and ask for justice. All we want is justice, peace, love, and happiness. From so from me to you and my family, >> we just want justice. And I thank you all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Maisie Thompson. Maisy Thompson. Duty on time. You'll have up to four minutes today. >> [snorts] >> Hi everybody. Kind of hate coming up here, be honest. Um, I'll state the obvious. Atlanta has a police violence problem. What we don't talk about enough is that Atlanta has a police narrative problem. When APD kills somebody, the first statement that is released is not meant to inform the public. It is meant to manage the public's reaction and perception of events just in case the facts don't pan out in the officer's favor. APD killed Linton Blackwell and the narrative that we got first was that he was disruptive, combative, put a gun in his belt, non-compliant. All of these phrases to lull us into thinking that somehow shooting him 17 times was in some world reasonable. Um, it's it's not. And I heard some family members say, "What was the justification?" There isn't one. When APD killed Jimmy Aes, the story that we got was armed robbery se armed robbery suspect killed in task force operation while evading arrest. None of that was true. He was chased, cornered, shot in the face with his hands up while he was surrendering. He was not armed and there was no robbery. That wasn't a misunderstanding. It was the story they chose to tell you knowing that it was false. This is a pattern. Police write the narrative of their own violence. Mainstream media repeats it. leadership as a whole, including this body, protects it. Following the release of the body cam footage of Deacon Johnny Hollowman's murder, the mayor released a pathetic statement. And quote, he said, "Any incident where a life is lost, taken would have been more accurate, concerns me. That is why I immediately directed APD to conduct a toptobottom review and evaluation of themselves few. The review found that the officer failed to have a supervisor present. He said nothing about the violence. He did not acknowledge that Deacon Johnny Hollerman was bullied, beaten, tased, tackled, pinned, begging for his life until his body gave out. That is murder. And these families who come here and speak or speak out are expected to maintain decorum and be poised and composed in the chamber that approved the budget that is paying the officers who killed their family. >> I really thought I had so much more time. I'll be honest. I'll end with this. If if somebody did to my dad or my mom or my brother what was done to Linton Blackwell, Alexia Christian, Jimmy Aerson, Javis Benjamin, Anthony Hill, Shi Tilson, >> Rayard Brooks, >> Devon Anderson. We can keep going. I could light this city on fire and not feel a thing. And that is real. You know that is real. Thank you. Next will be Jimmy Evans. You're the only time. You'll have four minutes. Good day. Jimmy Evans, cousin of Lyn Blackwell. I asked myself, why am I here? Why are my family here to tell y'all what y'all already know? I mean, don't that say something about y all y'all characters. You know what I'm saying? As a people or the law. You know what I'm saying? Why am I here when y'all already got all the answers? Y'all got everything that we got damn near right. So I say why as a okay we pay taxes so we paying taxes for them for them to come out there and just murder us cuz that's what's going on. You know what I'm saying? And we come here to speak on situations and don't nothing happen. I go we go y'all go home after this. I ain't going to care about what happened to my little cousin like straight up. Unless it happened to one of y'all relative then y'all ready y'all be ready to do something about it. Well, why should be doing go there for when I pay taxes for you all to just put them in handcuffs? Why we got to be in handcuff? We go out and murder somebody. But it's like it's like they're exemptful from their actions. >> You know what I'm saying? I pay taxes for them to learn to better, you know, to handle the situation when they deal with people. But you see what the outcome be. You know what I'm saying? So as myself, why am I here when y'all already got the answers? What y'all going to do about moving forward? Cuz this been going on for decades. I'm 48. Like this been going on for decades in Atlanta? Like when the change going to happen until I get old and gray? Until I keep paying all my tax. I'm like out of it. When are we going to get change? Like for real. I'm cool. That's all I had to say. You know what I'm saying? Like y'all got to do better, man. Shoot. Vice versa. We get the act. Y ain't going to want that. Y'all going want to They going Y'all going to use every resource y'all got in y'all power of all my tax dollar to goddamn come at me 100 times stronger. Then goddamn you going at them 100 times stronger. I mean come on now. Make it make sense. If the people the power Okay. If the powers the people got the power, we need to get rid of y'all. Put somebody else in y'all plate for the goddamn get some action. Like for real. Make it make sense to me. Thank you for your time though. >> Thank you. Next will be Jawah Jawahir Shwani. You have up to two minutes. >> Hello council and everybody. My name is Jawar Sherwani. I'm a community activist and I just learned about this today on a post. This is very sad. This is very cowardly from uh the officer, the one they get trained by the IDF soldiers in uh Palestine. And they learn, they teach them to shoot, to kill, not to save. 17 bullets. A coward officer should be locked, not just behind bars. Should be in a mental hospital, never be able to get out, not be on the street with a gun. He's holding the gun. He could have shot him in his leg or in his back, but I just learned today that he's actually a relative of Jimmy Atkinson. So how many time these families all all of us as a humanity or black our black community getting targeted our black people getting targeted every single day I can't breathe George Floyd Sonia Massie in Chicago I I rebuke you in the name of Jesus and then she got you I'm going to shoot you in the f head. So could you please turn your officer turn re I I I'm really I'm really disturbed by this because this is so much on us as a community to handle. They lost a father they lost a community member and uncle and and and everything. So please and we always look at at the time we have two time our people they don't have any time. They're just sitting here grieving them. Nobody has time. So please train your officer if there's a crime whatever shoot whatever you tase or whatever the you do not to kill to save a life to save another human being in our community. I understand everybody has you have a job and you're sitting here but we don't come here to just go to a therapy session to speak. We come here because we have faith in all of you that you need to do something. You need to do something about our community and our people. Okay. Justice for Linton, justice for every soul got lost in United States and outside the United States. We're not going to stop until justice is served. >> Thank you. >> Next. Next will be Tessia Evans. >> Next will be Timothy Coleman. >> You have two minutes. >> [clears throat] >> Miss Evans, you have two minutes. Y'all already know why the [ __ ] we here. Y'all know this. Y'all know this. We ain't had no update. I went to the GBI building to um talk to someone about a update. No answers. I called that number. No one called me back yet. Nobody called me back yet, you know. >> And it's sad we're suffering. That's is our brother. We're the two oldest. >> We don't been through so much. >> It's her time. >> We together. We together. >> Can we speak together? >> Nope. I'm sorry. Only the people who signed up. That's >> the bird was up here singing and doing all that [ __ ] but >> we can't speak together. >> You have your time. all that time. >> Next would be Timothy Coleman. >> Mr. Coleman, you have up to two minutes. >> Uh, this is a mockery, man. This is a circus. How do y'all let a bird come here for five minutes and speak? And these people are speaking on behalf of somebody who got shot 17 times. It would have took y'all 17 seconds to surround our house with police officers. We would have shot one of y'alls. If we would have put one of them in the ground, they would have had us surrounded with everything. Helicopters, all you know, every resource in Atlanta, Georgia. >> Y'all look at us like we just, nobody nothing. Y'all treat Lyn like he WAS JUST A DOG IN THE STREET. But y'all let Jerro Walker just be out here just walking around, going on about his way, >> just doing his thing, >> laughing, giggling about this [ __ ] Y'all about up here about giggling about THIS [ __ ] IT'S NOT FUNNY, MAN. IT'S NOT FUNNY AT ALL. 17 SHOTS TO THE BACK. WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR SON? WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR MAMA, YOUR BROTHER, YOUR SISTER, your uncle? Miss P, Theo, Billy, Done. They shouldn't have to go through that. Them twins should have to go through that. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SIT UP HERE AND STAND IN FRONT OF Y'ALL TO TELL Y'ALL TO DO THE RIGHT GODDAMN THING. DO THE RIGHT DAMN THING. THIS Y'ALL SAID IT, TOO. HOPEFULLY, IT DON'T HAPPEN TO ONE OF YOUR NEPHEWS, one of your sons. Hopefully, it don't happen to one of y'all. Then y'all see how we feel. You'll see how they feel. This is not a joke, man. This is not a goddamn joke. 17 times in the back, he should have been locked up in 17 seconds just like y'all would have had us locked up. It's wrong. YOU KNOW IT'S WRONG. WHY WE WAITING ON THE GBI? WHY ARE WE WAITING ON THE GBI? Y'ALL KNOW Y'ALL GET THE CALL. Y'ALL GOING TO MAKE THE CALL. THE DA GOING TO MAKE THE LAST CALL. LOCK HIM UP. POINT BLANK PERIOD. LOCK HIM UP CUZ WE ONLY GOT SO MUCH TIME BEFORE WE GO INTO A RAGE. I DON'T THINK Y'ALL REALLY WANT THEM PROBLEMS. THEY'RE JUST BEING HONEST. WE MAD, MAN. But we TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER, BUT YOU SIT UP HERE AND GIVE A BIRD FIVE MINUTE. HOLD ON. YOU GIVE A BIRD FIVE MINUTES. BUT WHEN SOMEBODY TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY GETTING KILLED, YOU CUTTING THEM OFF. HEY, HE AIN'T GOT NO MORE TIME. YOU DON'T CARE. >> Time is expired. >> You don't give a damn. Do ship me. >> None of y'all don't care. But it's okay. It's okay, but we going to wake y'all ass up. I promise you that. >> Thank you. Next will be Next will be Lashant Hate. No. Next will be Nikki Bugs. >> Next will be Nikki Bugs. >> Can't do that. I'm sorry. I explained that you can't give time unless it's on the list. I'm sorry. Mr. >> I'm let Mr. So I speak. Yeah. >> Which one? >> I go first. Mr. >> Mr. Lewis. >> I think what they're trying to do I want to make sure we do it right. I know you have latitude. President. And what they're trying to do is if a person is a little nervous to speak because they they want to be able to transfer their minutes. The folks have both signed up. And so sometimes I know we've allowed when a person signs up and if they don't want to talk they can give their time to someone else. And I want to give my time to Mr. Bond and let him respond on that cuz my gentleman just said he want Mr. Bond's help. >> Mr. Bond. >> Thank you Council Member Lewis. Thank you Mr. President. By making a point of order. It it was recognized that there had been an allowance previously in the public comment where time had elapsed and there was uh an allowance for the speaker to continue almost double the time for the minutes. So my point of order is that we should that has set a president for this meeting and that those who would like to continue to speak in their time should be allowed to do so just as earlier in the meeting. Um I'm sorry Charles to bring you into this. Uh but even with proclamation they're supposed to only be 15 minutes that went on for two hours. So allowing the time to continue that president has all already been set. And so if there is an individual who would like to give their time, I believe it is proper and appropriate to allow them to do so. And and if it is ruled that it is not, I would like to be recognized after that to make a motion to allow them to do so after that. >> Mr. Bond, I'd entertain a motion. We do have advanced consent. >> Second. >> It's been moved. Moved by Mr. Bond, seconded by Mr. Lewis to uh suspend the rules to allow this gentleman to tell me your name, sir. >> My name is Don AS >> to allow this gentleman to speak. Is there any discussion? Yes. >> So, first I want to say discussion. So, go ahead. >> The time that he's I want to make sure I clarify the time that the gentleman is Mr. Green's brother is asking for is actually the time for people who've already signed up who don't want to speak. So yes, >> he actually I seen two people, one is his sister who sat down and one a cousin who sat who didn't get to speak, Miss Laticia in the back. That would increase his minutes by herself to six minutes just by that. That's what my request was first cuz I and then I'm still with Mr. Bond on that request as well. >> Council Collins, >> two things just a question for clarity. Are you ask so are you asking to extend the time for someone that has already spoken or the ability for that person that signed up to give their time to someone else? Those are two different those are two different requests. >> Well, the the motion that's been made is the wave to rules to allow him to speak. >> Uh because the president >> allow who to speak? >> This gentleman here. >> What's your name, sir? >> My name is Don Evans. Okay. So, >> so that will deal with since the president didn't rule on my point of order, I made the motion and so now the motion is >> But your point of order was based on the family that did not want to speak being able to well the young the young men and and women that came wanting more time to speak. That was your point of order to allow them more time. But now you're you're asking for Well, let me explain why that matters. Well, let let me let me explain why that matters because we have there are let me explain why I'm asking the question for clarity whether it's an issue for for you or not because we have a request that come at all council meetings for that. So, what I am asking his point of order was something else. He's asking for something else. So I am asking for clarity so I know what side I am supporting as a as a council member. That's it. My second So that's what that's my clarity for you. Your point of order was something you're asking for something else. If your motion is to allow Mr. Evans to sign up, then what I am going to ask for anyone else that want to speak that didn't get a chance to sign up, they should be able to do that as well because I'm quite sure there are other family members that are here that didn't sign up that may want to speak as well. So I'm going to I'm going to extend it in that that that way. So that's the first part. My second part in terms of Mr. Coleman, I don't think he's no longer here, but for I I think it's extremely important for our community because I understand your your I understand how hurt you are when you say. Yes, I do. Cuz I lost a cousin that was that was shot six times. I lost I lost two cousins. One that was shot six times. So, so, so I do know what what what what I'm saying is >> what I'm saying. >> No, no, no. What? >> Ma'am, can we move on? >> No. What I'm What I'm asking is Mr. Coleman asked a question. I'm going ask answer his question. >> You going to go back and forth? Okay. Go back and forth. >> I I I defer to you, Mr. President, please. >> Yeah, I am. I defer. >> Thank you. >> Other discussion on the motion to suspend the rules. We do this for unanimous consent without objection. Any objection? My objection is I would want it to be expand extended to the other family members that did that also didn't get a chance to sign up. >> That's not the motion. You can make that motion for like later >> if they haven't signed up. Ma'am, I made it clear to them. If they haven't signed up, Mr. Coleman, just let us work through our process members going to speak. If nobody signed up, they're not going to speak. Thank you. >> Okay. >> We do this via names consent without objection. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign the county names to send on the motion to suspend the rules. 14 yay, zero nays. >> Yeah, I I understand. I >> All right, Mr. Coleman, I'm going to give you I'm going to give you six minutes. >> I'm Mr. Evans. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Davis. I'm gonna give you six minutes. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Good morning. Good afternoon. My name is Don Evans. I'm the oldest brother of Linton Blackwell. And for my brother to be shot 17 times in his back, it don't make no sense at all. No sense at all. And one thing I know about my brother, he not going to go and put no gun in the lower part of his black back part. He not he never walk around. He he keep a gun on him. He never put nothing in his back. So for him to follow him and shoot him is unjustified. Ain't no way you can explain that to me. Ain't no way you can keep is trying to make me believe that. And this man is still walking around right to this day. I couldn't enjoy my Thanksgiving. I was broke down. My my grandbaby keeps me going. But my grandbaby weren't able to keep me going this day. My nieces don't want to see a police go to the mall the other day, see a police start crying, ready to go. How do that feel? From the start of it, we are part of the missing and murdered children. Afrey Evan was the second missing and murdered children here in Atlanta. That was my uncle. >> That was my uncle. And it's been years and years and years that's been going on. >> My grandmother fought fought fought to her death. Sat to her death thinking my uncle going to walk back in the door cuz of Wayne Williams. miss right around the corner around here. He's around on that wall. He's around on that wall. >> My grandmother. I lost my grandmother in 2000. I lost my grandmother in 20 No, 2020. Turned around. Turned around, lost my auntie. turned around and lost my uncle. I turned around and lost my mama. I got A NEPHEW, MY BABY BROTHER, son that I raised all his life. HE GOT KILLED LAST YEAR. MY BROTHER JUST DIED ON THE SAME DAY. I BURIED MY NEPHEW LAST YEAR ON THE SAME DAY. I DEAL WITH SO MUCH. I GO THROUGH SO MUCH TO KEEP MY FAMILY TOGETHER. I LOVE MY FAMILY. I FIGHT HARD FOR MY FAMILY. I WROTE every day I WORK AT DREW CHARTER SCHOOL. We was raised in East Lake Meadow where they just was up here talking to y'all about. We was born and raised in Little Vietnam from the dirt. Miss Eva David. I stayed right across the street from Miss E David. She was like a mother to us. We stayed in a household. Y'all know each lady Mau was little Vietnam. You couldn't come out there. post the post the the postman didn't even want to walk to the mailbox deliver mail checks. It was hard for us, Mr. Shook. It was hard for us. Very hard. I appreciate everything that's been going on, but this right here is not It can't happen. It can't happen. This man still walking around right to this day. Right to this day. Right to this day. If I was to go out here and shoot somebody, do anything wrong, the federal, the GBI, the they going to call in the Marines and everybody. If I was to shoot one of these officers, come on, man. Cab counter, Kane County, Florida counter, GBI, FBI, every every county. Look at when they when they chasing folks. How many officers jump behind another set of officers? Now what's going on? They out here doing high speed chasing, killing people. THE THE THE STATE PATROLS THEY THEY CATCHING CHARGES CHASING THEY CHASE SOMEBODY AND RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD THE PERSON THEY CHASING RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD KILL YOU but they wet they get away I mean it's a it's justified in some way to them but why keep chasing somebody if they at a certain amount of speed people like we out here going home in traffic out here going home and all of a sudden I can't move fast enough for this car that's coming at 100 miles per hour and don't kill me and my kids or kill whatever make it make sense this to me. I get up faithfully every morning faithfully 4:30 in the morning to be at Drew Charter School at 6:00 in the morning. I work at Drew Charter School. Been out there for 10 years. Been in my neighborhood all my life. I was born and raised there and I'm still right there TALKING TO MY TALKING TO these young ones. I done been through everything it is to been through. But I'm out here feeding it to them every day. I have to talk to these kids every day. BUT WHAT AM I TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT right now? WHAT AM I TO TALK to them? I STILL GO IN THERE AND do it because I feel like that's my strength. My brother going to keep he going to tell me keep going. He going to tell me to keep going. I CAN'T KEEP GOING. I CAN'T. I hurt every day. MY WIFE SITS IN THE HOUSE with me every day. I'm broke down. I'm broke down. My family is hurting. We want justice. And I bleed I plead and beg with y'all. These every everybody ain't everybody ain't wrong. My back turned though. I'm wrong. You walk behind me and shoot me in my back 17 times. It's not right. Can we get some justice? Please can we please get some justice for my families? Please. Next will be Nikki Bugs. due to yield to time. You have up to four minutes. >> Wow. My condolences to the Blackwell family. I don't know the specifics, but my condolences. I'd like to have my time restarted, please. I'd like to have my time restored to the original number, please. I may not need it, but still. All right. Um, good afternoon everyone. Um, I am here to speak about the Lamar Condominium. Um, Mr. Shook, thank you for your conversation about a week ago and congratulations. Um, it is 4 years and five months to today. Today is December 1st that we've been fighting this battle. and had anyone from the council at least passed an ordinance that would have protected us somehow in some way in some capacity. I come here every week, twice to three times a week to get you to truly understand what what trouble that we're in. We have prop predatory property investors that are that have taken over the building at this point. taken over the building. We're assessed with exorbitant fines, assessments, capital assessments. We have people that are upwards over $12,000 in debt due to this group. We're losing our homes, foreclosures leans. What more can possibly be said? We been advised, oh well, why don't you move? It's easier said than done, but why don't they move? They moved into our building. Now we're trapped in a building. We're under one roof, so we're subjected to the drugs, the prostitution, and whatever else is going on in the building. And we have no recourse. We've gone to every governmental agency, jurisdiction, um companies businesses um and everyone says go to city council. We did come to you last because we felt we knew that you could do so just so much. Everybody can only do but so much. But if we can get you all together, we would not be in this spot. So now we have foreclosures. We have a xenophobic package, dead bodies, lunch bodies, a defamation lawsuit, frivolous fines. I didn't have Thanksgiving. There are some people that could not afford to go home because of what's happening. You have failed us tremendously. The entire state has. So, we get to come home to new investors coming and purchasing in the building because they know what's happening. This is our home. I get to come home every day to this. But we get no response. If we did anything heinous in the building, then you know, like the Blackwell said, we'd be in jail by now. If we did a court of what these people are doing, we would have been in jail by now. I'd rather come here and ask you, "What can I do to help you? Can I be a part of your team to help uplift and and build Atlanta?" Right now, it just seems as if everyone's concerned about the money coming in, the the investors coming in, the guests coming in, the stitch, the belt line, the money coming in, >> but nobody's looking at how it's affecting us. The job and the game for them is to morally bankrupt us. And yes, we mentioned Airbnb. That was not enough. That was not enough. And we kept hearing about investigations. Not sure what investigations was. the investigations about us or about them, but nothing has been done. There are people that can't afford to move. I'm sure if they would have, they would have done it by now. But then that gives these these people the upper hand. No one should be able to come into a community and upheaval the entire community and then buy up the property. >> No one. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Jimmy Hill. Due to yield to time, you'll have up to six minutes today. >> Hey, good afternoon. >> Oh, man. 17 times in the back. How you justify that? Then in Blackwell, I usually come and speak about my son Jim A who was also murdered by Atlanta police to be 7 years January the 27th. What you seeing from my family today is rage, is anger, it's pain uh from the tears uh you know they say no there's no there's no book on how not to become a big police brutality and this book made a a belief out of me. You know, my cousin Lennon Blackwell should have been allowed to make it back home to her two two twin daughters who were waiting on him. But officer Atlanta police officer Jerry Walker had other ideas. How you shoot somebody 17 times in the back? 14 three times below below in the buttock at the buttock and up a little bit. 14 time center mass. Center mass officers know that head shot and center mass shooters are most likely to kill. One shot would have killed him 14 times. Now my little cousin black deserves he deserve he deserve better. He deserve to be alive today. You know, is there anybody on this board? Is there any kind of compassion? Is there any in when it come to city leaders in Atlanta? I call them misleaders because that's what they are doing. Misleading the people, not giving a damn about the uh about the masses. But is there anybody on this board? and and and Michael Bond, you know, man, you just did a prayer vig a couple of months ago, but is anybody on this board? Is anybody sitting up there? Is there any integrity dignity character a godly principles left among anybody up there? Like I said, my cousin deserve better. And the Atlanta police, which is a mostly black police force, reports more instances of excessive force and police killing than most other departments in the country. Nine out of 10 people killed by Atlanta police are black. And guess what? You continue to give them pay raise. >> [snorts] >> Atlanta police uh they don't honor they don't the Atlanta police department they don't honor they they they they do not honor their policies as what was shown in my son Jim Madison case that was shown in Katherine Johnson on the box drug raid 17 times what if Nathan Blackwell with your son or your brother or your father you know and Atlanta city council woman Mary Norwood I think this happened in your district if if I'm correct the five paces uh bar I think happened in your district and after seeing and and and search for information concerning this bar. Why is this bar still in existence? You had a a report from NBC News where two guys two white guys got robbed drugged and they drink got robbed over 20 $30,000. You have a numerous amount of complaints. So, but make ask this question. Why was any black whale really killed? Was it to silence him? Did he see something he once supposed to see? Why was this officer even on the force knowing that he had a number of complaints against him against standard procedures? Six out of seven standard procedures and he's still on probation. Why was he still an officer? You know, it seemed like Atlanta police I've been coming here almost seven years. Like Atlanta police don't seem to take uh department don't take things seriously. Neither it don't seem like neither you take things serious when it come to Atlanta police department. The biggest gang in Georgia. A gang with no principles. A gang to take you out by any means necessary. So like today you only thing you're seeing is rage. You're seeing rage. You're seeing anger. You're seeing everything from my family. And it hurts. None of us got to enjoy Thanksgiving. None of us I know we ain't going to enjoy Christmas. What about his next birthday? And not just our family, his friends, because he was close with a lot of us. So, I'm not up here asking you to to to to to uh hold this officer accountable. I'm demanding you hold this off accountable. See, that's the problem. We've been asking too much. We've been asking and you you got responsibilities that you trying to step up and and do your duties, do your responsibilities. It's more to it than just handing out proclamation of photo ops. Now my my cousin Lyn Blackwell, he was a human being man. He was a human being and he deserved better. 17 times in the back. And when you look at the area and when you look at the reports uh uh uh uh u when you look at the reports you'll see all the shots were close together like somebody was just standing over him just shoot. He wasn't killed. He wasn't murdered. He was executed. He was executed and he and he and he deserve better. His twins deserve some kind of it's about accountability and that's what Atlanta is missing. That's what Atlanta City Council is missing. You do everything else, but what about accountability? What about holding these officers accountable? What about holding this officer accountable? >> Time is expiring. >> You can you can start the day by firing this officer. You can start the day by demanding demanding of video cam footage. You can start the dayh by >> Thank you, Mr. Hill. >> You can start the day just by standing up for truth and justice. >> Thank you. Next will be Bianca Garcia. >> You'll have up to two minutes. >> Um, good afternoon and my condolences to the Blackwell family. Um, my name is Bianca Garcia and I'm a constituent of district 1. Um, I'm actually here today to voice my opposition um to the TAD extension, the tax allocation district extension um because I believe it is critically important that we reevaluate this approach to developing our city and we must develop a better, more concrete plan for where those funds are coming from and how they will be used uh to best help the people of our city in Atlanta. When I first learned about the tax allocation districts, the TADS, um it was relatively recently and I was incredibly surprised to learn that the money being used for these private developments is being pulled away from public services and our Atlanta public school system. Um it's wild to me that we would be pulling funds that are intended to educate and support our children, the next generation, um essentially using it for gentrification projects around the city. Um, that is absurd and we should instead be taxing corporations and developers to pay their fair share in taxes and use those funds to support developments in our more underserved areas of the city. Extending the Westside TAD, for example, would be a massive transfer of wealth from Atlanta to the Gulch billionaires, who would gain an estimated $200 million from extending the TAD to 205. That's money deprived from our Atlanta public schools to benefit LA billionaire real estate developers. And additionally, the Atlantic Station TAD is an example of a pure private development project that has no community benefit. Um, so these TADs have not proven to reduce poverty or help our lower income neighbors. Atlanta must be a city for the people first, not for developers and corporations. And I strongly urge the council to vote against extending the TADs as they currently stand. Prioritize re-evaluating the approach to where we're getting our funding, specifically excluding pulling funding from Atlanta public schools and instead taxing our city's luxury properties to pay their fair share. And lastly, devising a concrete plan with goals and a timeline for development in today's underserved areas. I look forward uh I thank you for your time and consideration and look forward to being involved as a constituent to helping devise that plan. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be AJ AJ Strong. You'll have up to two minutes. >> Uh, good afternoon. My name is uh AJ Stro. I'm a local Unionside labor lawyer and a resident of the Pedmont Heights neighborhood. I put it in my schedule uh to come speak today after I learned about the proposed blanket uh 25-year extension of the TADS. Um, I want to first thank the city council and the mayor's office for listening to the community and delaying the vote on extending the TADS to next year to allow for greater transparency. Um, as an attorney, my schedule does not often allow me the time to provide public comment. So, consequently, even with the delay of the vote, I felt it was imperative that I still come today to share my concerns about the TAD extension and ask that you give them your consideration. I believe that under no circumstances should this should the TADS receive a blanket 25-year extension. Such an extension would do a disservice to the state of Atlanta and break the city's promise to return the TADS increments to Atlanta schools and the county and city operations after 25 years. A stated aim of the mayor's proposed TAD extension is to reduce racial and economic inequality of a very good intention, but TADs have had the last 20 to 30 years to help reduce inequality. And today, the city of Atlanta is still often cited as one of the most economically inequal cities in the United States of America. TADs have clearly not been able uh to answer the need to reduce economic inequality and I do not think any extension of the TADS would help with that problem. Um and that's because the money received by the TADS can only be spent on real estate projects keeping essential money from services that actually help reduce inequality and poverty like social services, public schools, and job training. Instead of seeing that money be used to make our communities more affordable, the money is spent on failed TAD projects, um overspending on land, exoring construction cost, and promised but undelivered affordable housing units. If the TADs are extended, it should not be a blanket extension. Each individual district needs to be reviewed on its merits and any TAD extension should be constrained narrowly with this city council ideally returning um retaining the ability to approve each individual TAD project adding a layer of accountability. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Next up will be Stephen Imlay IML. You have up to two minutes. >> Thank you. Uh my name is Stephen Iml. I am a District 2 resident. Um, and I know the TADs are not up for a vote today, but I am here to keep you all on notice that we are paying attention. Um, I'm speaking today to oppose the blanket extension of the TADS. And I also ask that all the council members that remain uh this coming term also do so. Uh, the TADS are an extraction of our tax dollars from public schools and our city services into unaccountable slush fund for private development. Uh, they leave already underfunded parts of the city hurting for funds and projects. the projects they fund have displaced the very people whose tax dollars they used to build them. The city recently started posting propaganda for the TAT extension. Um, and it's clear to me that from the first project they could find worth posting about, which was a single food bank contribution of $250,000, uh, that they are running short on things that the community would believe actually is a positive benefit to them. Considering that hundreds of millions of dollars have been diverted from our schools and our public services for private business interests, the city does not uh need to divert funds from our public schools to make food banks. We can fund our schools and feed Atlantans. It doesn't have to be one or the other. [snorts] If the city is in need of $250,000 to help people in need, I would ask that they consider diverting some of the money that we spend trying to please them. Uh instead, uh as a final note, um on the agenda today, there's a resolution which was previously tabled uh which would I I believe do more than any tad good to uh make our commit uh communities more affordable, walkable, and vibrant. And that is 25R4136, which removes parking minimums across the entire city. And we would transform the city we all love into one that does not require every resident to own a car. Um, I ask that you take that up uh today and pass that if you really want to build an Atlanta that works for the working class. Uh, I also look forward to celebrating uh Charles Howard Shook Day with you all next year. >> Thank you. Next will be Margie Mloud. Due to yield to time, you'll have up to four minutes today. >> Good afternoon. I'm just, you know, it's heartbreaking that we come down here. How many times the police shoot 17 time in the back? And if that happened to even the military, you can't not shoot nobody 17 time. We need policy. And I hope y'all be able to change them. I didn't come down there for this, but I came down miscommunication. That's what's happened. Y'all say two-piece street. It don't work. It's out of order because one-stop shop, I need to talk to those. Y'all need an update. I was there Friday. No one there. Security guard would go tell people where to go. When you say one stop, it's not working. Please get up out of your chairs and go to Twopiece Street. No one's there. No one's there. So the city security security guard is telling the people where to go. So y'all you send the people there. We had one lady Friday I was down here. She have canc. She getting chemo. Maybe those that don't know this. He sent her to Twopiece Street. One-stop shop. It's out of order. No one's there. They're not helping. I went there myself. And then you want to know why the homeless get so upset because y'all tell them about the agency. They're not picking up their phone. You don't know how it feel to be homeless. Maybe one day, you never know, one paycheck to another. people's tired and I'm tired coming down here because they called me and also Green Bry um council over street you need to go there cuz the seniors is complaining and they calling me because guess what you fooled them not you have them come down here the houses the news apartments they tearing down the water don't work the fire department can't get in. You heard I ain't got to go through all that, but you heard about it. Please go see them. Even you got in, but please go see them and talk to them. Communication mean a lot. The homeless, they need the right details. If you're going to send them, nobody's picking up the phone. They called the agency. No one's picking up the phone. The phone just rang rang rang and they need help. I know we got them out. They under the from under the bridges, but how long? Eventually they getting evicted and out and then we're going to have more problems because the World Cup coming. We making sure our streets is everything's shiny. But rent control, we've got to put a cap on this rent. I know y'all were saying we got to have go to the state. You have to go to the House represented, go to the Senate. The only solution, we have to put a cap on the rent. That's the only thing that we're going to do because you don't have enough lowincome housing. We don't have it. So, let's be truthful for it because home is going to be people losing their jobs. So, guess what's going to happen? They're losing jobs. So, what I'm saying to you and the mayor, you hear me? You say you okay with with the mayor, with the governor, you say you don't like the slash, you put circle, please go to the governor and tell him that we need rent control. Would you please pass this out for me? Um, and I know this next year I've been talking about for two years, put a cap on the rent. History repeat itself. History is repeating itself. We got to have rent control. We got to have a cap on this rent. >> Thank you. >> You can talk to me though. I'm going to let you know. >> Good to talk. >> Council. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Miss McCloud, I was listening to you in the back. So, I appreciate you coming down here. >> I spoke with Miss McNeil, obviously, and told her, yes, I did tell her to go to Two Peace Tree Street, but that wasn't the only thing I told her, just so you know. I let her know similar to what you shared that in the conversations I've had with folks that have tried to navigate uh the office there sometimes it can take time sometime I get it's very bureaucratic I also asked her to share some additional information with me so I can work directly with partners for home in town some of our other partners to try to see what sort of assistance we can provide more immediately I have not received that yet so please relay to Miss McNeel to share that with me so we can try to work that but the two street piece the housing help center piece yes it's bureaucratic but it's also O part of the system that we put in place to help people in a consistent way and I recognize that it takes time but just know that wasn't the only thing I shared with her and I want her to be sure to send that information to me so I can get her the help that she needs. >> Can I respond back? She have she have a list and that list she called a agency. What you talking about? I'm just letting you know no one was there Friday. Just imagine people come there, they don't have cars, they don't have transportation, they sick and why two-piece street was not open. The security guards was there and miscommunication is not open. It's closed. What you say is out of order. >> Mr. President, if I could just add one more >> just want to add I and I don't want to uh litigate, you know, in in this way, but I did share with her because of the Thanksgiving holiday that she needed to get over there Wednesday, recognizing that I that could potentially be a challenge. I still want to make sure she gets the assistance that she needs and I'm not stepping away or stepping back from this work, but just know that that I'm I'm sorry that she had to deal with that last week, but um her challenges aren't final in terms of her being able to get the help that she needs. So, just know that that I'm not >> Okay, I'll send her back down here cuz she need help >> or make or have her call me or text me. I'm still waiting for the information I requested. So, >> okay, take care. >> Thank you. Next will be Nate Noff. You have up to two minutes. >> Good afternoon, council members. I'm Nate cut off. And last week you were asked to sign off on tax allocation districts to defund Atlanta public schools and hand a $5 billion blank check to forprofit developers with a pinky promise that in 30 years the profits will trickle down. We've had enough of trickle down economics. This TAD extension has no project list. There's no guarantee of any return on investment. And even though you're investing billions of dollars, this council won't get a seat at the table for any formal decision-making and you don't get a vote. Who takes a deal like that? What kind of investor or business person would ever agree to those terms? Nobody. Because it's fundamentally unreasonable. This TAD is being marketed to the public with an expensive PR campaign like we're finding some new source of revenue. Oh, don't you want all this money for development? But this isn't new money. This is 30 years of general fund money that we would borrow from ourselves and our schools in the future and just signing away. This TAD proposal is not a question of whether the development will happen or not. This is a question of what kind of development happens and who has decision-making power over it. Writing a blank check to the mayor's office and Invest Atlanta means that you all as city council members would lose control over those funds. As council members, you have a responsibility to oversee this spending. If someone wants to build a project in your district, get a proposal in writing, introduce legislation about it, and pass it in a vote. But there is a way this council can raise new tax revenue by making commercial properties pay their fair share in taxes. A Georgia Tech study found the city's missing $300 million in revenue a year. Over the same 30-year period, that's $9 billion. The TAD extension is $5 billion, and none of it is new revenue. Taxing commercial properties is $9 billion and it's all new revenue. The city should raise that money and use it for democratically controlled public investment through the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation for deeply affordable social housing. Thank you, Council Valker. >> I agree with everything that said I just want to again state that commercial taxes are dictated by Fulton County. I am with you a thousand%. Um, I will gladly pull call out Fulton County on this mic every single chance I get. Um, so to your point, commercial revenue need to do it. Also, the tads are very imperfect and need a lot of work. So, but I just wanted to flag for anyone listening, Fulton County, help me do that when the time comes and holds accountable. Keep holding us accountable as well. But on the commercial piece, um the Fulton County Development Authority as well as the what is the the committee called Commissioners. >> Thank you. and the Fulton County Board of Assessors um need to do their jobs and stop allowing agencies like Black Rockck to pay less than $5,000 in property taxes in a single year while they buy up houses and sell it to their own shell companies to raise up property costs for everybody. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Le Abdel her. You have up to two minutes. >> Uh hello, my name is Le Abdel her. I'm a member of the Atlanta Alliance Against Race and Political Repression and I'm a a resident of District 11. I'm here to demand accountability and transparency for the murder of Linton Blackwell. Linton Blackwell was the father of twins, an artist, a resident of Buckhead, and a beloved community member. On October 11th, he was shot 17 times, as you all have heard many times today, in the back by an offduty cop, Gerald Walker. The family is still demanding answers and transparency from the department. Gerald Walker was off duty when he murdered Linton Blackwell. And not only that, he also had many conduct issues and violations on the job, including many violations that had to do with his um body cam. Gerald Walker should be in prison for this cold-blooded murder. I ask city council to do everything in their power to make sure Linton Blackwell's family gets the answers and justice that they deserve. We demand transparency and accountability for the murder of Linton Blackwell. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Minister Breove yield to time. You have up to four minutes today. Praise God. Greetings to you all this afternoon. I'm just so disturbed and hurt and I want to congratulate you, Mr. Councilman Shook, long time. You really is an ambassador to this city or was and always will be because you had touched a lot of people hearts. As the cries went out today, it touched my heart even deeper that all us up here and out here had experience today that we must have the love of God in us and for people. When you care about people in your community, it should make you feel special. I feel special even being arrested years ago. 80% taking care of community English avenue supported some of the council members still here in late council members with my money. And as a great grandmother, I feel very special. And I just want to read you all this scripture because my heart is overload right now. Because God said, "If my people who is called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my faith and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven." And the Lord said he will forgive us of our sins and he will heal our land. To you, Mayor, it is for you and all of us. The Lord said we all must repent. And coming here this afternoon and hearing about this young man been shot 17 time in the back. Now I am a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and many of you all here today. We must have the feeling the feeling of what happened to this young man. He should be arrested. You all know this. You all know this. You all have the power in your hands through God to stop being so complive and don't see to eye what is going on in this city. We are taxpayers. I'm a longtime tax taxpayer. Councilman Norwood, you know, Boone, you know, Over Street, you know. Michael, you surely know. You have all time and as uh Councilman Shook, you have walked these grounds. You have walked these streets. You know what's going on. You all got to make this right. You can't go back home and sit and lay on your pillars and think this going to be okay. Cuz then you hear the people, the family, they are hurt. this can be a war in this city because what happened to that young man? You got to make this right on everything you do. Now, I didn't want to come here today and I got a phone call and I said, "Well, you know what? Yes, Councilman Shooks, I respect him and I'm going." But it was more than that. It's for us to reason and look at the real detail what's going on in crisis in this city. And you hear how Buckhead has been restored. The city of Atlanta could be restored in a beautiful way. You all can be a role model for other cities. Wake up people. You young people who has the power in your hand. Now president over street. You got a lot to do, baby. You got to pray more. Get with many other prayer warriors. Michael Buns, all of you all. You have within the power of your hand to do it. God bless you all. I love you and happy holidays to you. >> Thank you. Next will be Charles Shatton. Move up to two minutes. >> Good morning members of the city council. My name is Charles Shatton. I am here today standing with the family of Linton Blackwell to demand justice and accountability for his tragic death. On October 11th, Linton Linton was shot 17 times by offduty Atlanta police officer Gerald Walker outside the five bases in bar and Buckhead. An independent autopsy confirmed many of those shots were to his back. Let that sink in. 17 shots, many in the back. As this council probably knows, a witness and the autopsy evidence raises critical questions. Primarily, if an individual is shot on the back, are they an immediate threat to the officer's life? We believe that the officer pursued and gunned down Linton Blackwell an action that needs to be fully investigated, not excused. Linton was a devoted father to his twin daughters, an entrepreneur, and a respected member of the community. He he deserved to make it home that night. The community deserves answers transparency and accountability. We know that officer Walker has a history of prior disciplinary violations within the department. This pattern of conduct cannot be ignored any longer. We demand the following actions from City of Atlanta and the district attorney's office. A full transparent investigation into the actions of Gerald Walker, the release of all relevant footage, including the body camera and surveillance video to the public and the family immediately. a commitment from the Fulton County District's Attorney Office to present this case to a grand jury and pursue appropriate charges if the investigation warrants it. We are watching and we will not rest until justice is served Linton Blackwell. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next is Matthew Samson. You have up to two minutes. [clears throat] Um, good afternoon council. Uh, my name is Matthew Samson. I'm a resident of District 2, Oldforth Ward. Um, first I wanted to give my condolences to the family of Linton Blackwell. I believe we must get justice for him and um certainly charge Gerald Walker for his murder. Um, now I'm here to speak on the tax allocation district extension plans that are in the works. Um, I'm aware that uh that vote is uh, you know, being pushed to next year. Um, but I'd like to ask those of you that will be here for the vote in January to vote no on them in their current state. As we all know, the goal of a TAD is to spur under spur development in underdeveloped, undervalued areas. But most of the TADs are no longer undervalued today. It is a fact that extending the TADs will harm our city, schools, and local services by depriving them of the revenue they should be getting when those TADs set to expire in 2030. Um, not to mention an inevitable increase in taxes needed to offset the revenue loss of Tads that would be shouldered by the homeowners and renters probably already struggling with the rising cost of living in Atlanta. It's worth noting that the actual effectiveness of TADS spur on development is also highly questionable as research has shown that they do not actually cause new development and really just redirect the new tax revenue once again serving our schools and local services of that money. Now, there are some things um you know, I'd like to not just complain and present some solutions here um that would make me um be willing to accept um you know, continued use of TADs in Atlanta um which are for starters to definitely let the TADS set to expire in 2030 do so. So, our schools and services can get the funding they deserve. Along with that, have a serious postmortem of the existing TADS with an analysis of how they failed to improve equity and let that inform the design of new tax allocation districts. Um, [snorts] as in addition, uh, increase community participation and have a more clear and transparent list of specific projects and proposals to pull in city council committee approval on TAD funded projects. And, um, all right, lastly, I'd like to voice my support for the resolution to remove all Austri parking minimum requirements citywide. Um, as said in the resolution, it's excellent for our city and something we must do as we're building more housing. Um, you know, trying to improve walkability and even reduce traffic. Thank you for your time. And then lastly, I wanted to shout out Carden, my um council member. I think been doing really great. >> Thank you. Next is Demetrius Brewer. >> Duty time. You have up to four minutes. >> Good morning, Bo. Uh afternoon, board of commission. Um I'm back today to show facts that you have some that's own housing longterm houses and still are left out here on MLK and Shirley Clark Franklin shouldn't be like that. And you have other facts that you got some that's wasn't even on the list that jumped in on before the peoples right here. I witnessed it with my own eyes. I stand as room security. That's what I do out there. I do God will in other other areas. So we all should be serving the same God and be all on one page. It shouldn't be folk just jumping up in front of folks because they know people that over certain programs and allowed to be overlooked like my brother Brian, like my brother Eric, like my sister. I heard a lot today. So my brain like just piled up right now. So I really don't know what to say right now. I just ask that Everybody get on one accord. I'mma get one of these minutes to a silent for little homies that we lost over here on Simpson like day before yesterday. The kid 17 years old got shot in the back also. So it's a lot going on, man. And I just ask that the people that I come before could see the things that I see, too. I only got two eyes. Y'all got a bunch of cameras around me. Y'all gotta start seeing what's really real. There a lot of folk angry with y'all. They ain't really angry with y'all. They just angry on the lack of the the what supposed to be done and it ain't been done. Got to tighten up, man. If I did 30 years in prison and worked in 19 different counties in the state of Georgia and came home and still this focus, I know good y'all can get right, man. I look up to y'all, man. Don't look down on nobody. God didn't look down on me during my 30. He really didn't. I'm here, man. I'm here. Y'all need my help. I'm here. But it's time to got It's just time to get it right, man. Time to get the folks out of these streets for real. Quit sending the folks over here in Salvation Armies and and shelter for one day that it ain't going to last. Need folk right back out here. And then y'all send the policees and stuff out here, you know, like Sergeant Am just come out here with a tactic that scaring some of these peoples. They going to make them reply stupid and then they go in handcuffs and these folks ain't even did nothing wrong but just trying to get off the streets. I have my brother Brian. He want to speak. So I'mma step off the mic, man. But for the commissions, if y'all don't respect anything else, respect God word, man. It come clean out the Bible, man. you know, respect those. Treat your self as you would treat your neighbor. But let's see. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. I'm sorry. We've been through this. You can't yield time unless it's on the list. >> No, no, he got it on time. >> Sorry. >> Sorry. I'm sorry, President. >> Oh, we've got No, we've got one in between. I'm sorry. We've got We've got a couple in between. >> Okay. >> Sorry. You're on the list. We've got a couple in between. Sorry. Cat Leatherwood, >> you have up to two minutes. Okay. Uh, my name is Cat Leatherwood and I'm a resident of East Atlanta. I came today because I wanted to speak against the proposed hat extensions. I know it's not up for a vote, but I'm here anyway. And um, I actually was very pleased to see uh, Council Member Doer's parking ordinance change. Huge fan. Um, I hear a lot about the desire from city hall to turn Atlanta into a worldclass city. The reason I chose a city to call home was because of the city already contained the most important ingredient and that's worldclass people. And I would what I would love to see is their growth and their desires prioritized over corporations and developers from out of state. I think it's wise to allow the tads to sunset at their intended time and to allow that tax money to flow back to the into the hands of elected officials instead of the advest Atlanta board who I didn't vote for. As the number of citizens in Atlanta expands, we need to make sure that we're using our tax dollars to expand services and not buy decrepit buildings to rot. I want more public schools instead of that money sitting in developer pockets. As we grow and develop more housing for people to live, we need to cut the parking requirements. With citizens voting for more martyr in 2016 and electing a pro beltline rail candidate this year with an overwhelming percentage, it's time to start expanding public transit aggressively, more buses, and getting started on beltline rail. I applaud Council Member Doer for making a bold move in pushing Atlanta towards the future with housing and transportation for all on the inaugural Youth Climate Action Day and Howard Shook Day. We should honor their work in their futures in working towards an Atlanta with more housing, more schools, and more transit. And if safety for all is actually a priority, can we institute higher standards for cops? Linton Blackwell's killer walks free. And when this COP city petition was ignored, there's 116,000 signatures. Training was cited as a need for this public safety facility. Where's that training at? Like, what's the point of honoring these children if you can't be guaranteed that they won't be gunned down 17 times in the back by APD? It feels false and it feels fake. So, yeah, protect the city, not the corporations. They're what makes this city special. >> You next will be Matthew Nury. You have up to two minutes. >> Uh, thank you, council. I originally came here to tell the uh remind the city council and the mayor uh that the public is still watching the uh TAD vote very closely. Um, but you know, every time I come here, I hear a whole lot of other things that get my mind going. Um the housing help center was mentioned. Um maybe the housing help center would function a little better if it was actually funded. Um we send people to the housing help center all the time and it's it's it's uh yeah bure bureaucracy is the nice way to put it. Um you know it it's it's sending people somewhere to for nothing to happen essentially. And what we originally wanted was an office of the tenant advocate. And that's what we thought we were going to get when the mayor got elected. But um you know that's not what we ended up with. We ended up with the housing health center. So here I am again advocating for an office of the tenant advocate. And you know my condolences to the Blackwell family. It's it's incredible. Like we spend a third of our budget on policing. And again the housing help center perfect example of something we could be funding with that. uh [snorts] it's in the charter I guess that we have to spend at least 10% on policing but a third of our budget is crazy. So you know to the new incoming council the new term we need to focus more on things that keep people actually safe and that is an affordable place to live. Um people you know can't be living in procarity paycheck to paycheck without a place to live. Um that's what keeps people safe. Um yeah, and so the the board the committee that uh the oversight commission uh for the TADS is just a who's who of you know um corporations like uh the Arthur Blank Foundation, Invest Atlanta. These are not the people that we've voted in to to get these things done. And I will say the the TADS, it was mentioned that the TADs came around during Mayor Jackson. Uh the the fad of TADS coincided with the absolute destruction of all public housing in Atlanta. >> Expired. >> The the private development has gotten us into this mess. It is time for public development to lift us out. No more private development. >> Time is expired. Thank you. >> Finally today will be Brian Green. up to how y'all doing today? My name is Brian and I'm uh I'm homeless uh on the streets of Atlanta and uh I just want to come and talk today about the street groomers and who they are and what they do. Uh they've been really helping me out. Um although, you know, they don't have the means to provide me shelter. Uh, I understand that. But they've been helping me with food and clothing and they've been coming down and uh pushing me in my wheelchair, taking me to these uh, you know, events that I have uh, with social security and things. [clears throat] And, uh, I just like to say that, you know, these these guys, the street groomers, you know, they come out to the to the streets and they help the people who really do need the help. So, if you've got a solution to a problem, I think that it would be the street groomers because they do so much for me. So, if you want to uh you know, you want an agency or or someone who is meeting the needs of the homeless people in Atlanta, you need to talk to Demetrius with Street Groomers because they really do help out. And I tell you what, I am so thankful. Uh, I have no way of taking care of myself or even making my situation any better other than taking the help that the street groomers have been offering. They come out and they take time and they they're wonderful people and but they need a little help. They don't have the means to help everybody. So, I would just like to ask that y'all look into them and maybe have a fund for them so that they could continue to do what they do and help people like me homeless people. Thank you. >> Amen. >> Thank you. >> I want to thank everybody who came today to speak to the council. Uh we will now move to the report of the journal. Madame clerk. >> Good afternoon, Mr. President, members of council. I, Karin Lindo, municipal clerk of the city of Atlanta, do hereby certify that the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, November 17, 2025 are true and correct. >> If there are no additions or edits to the journal, I would entertain a motion to adopt. Moved by council member Juan, seconded by council member Biari in discussion of the motion to adopt the agenda. We do this van's consent without objection. Any objection? Madam clerk, please the counter unanimous consent on the motion to adopt the journal. >> 12A zero na 0 n. The motion to adopt the journal carries. Next we'll move to communications. Madam clerk, >> Mr. President, if I may take I we may have an amendment to one of the items. So if I may take items number one 34 56 78 is a block. >> Without objection, please proceed. >> Item number one, it's 25 C 0130. This communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Mr. Courtney English to serve as a member of the neighborhood reinvestment initiative commission. Item number three is 25 C0132. This is a communication for Marvin Nesbbit Jr. accepting service on behalf of Focused Community Strategies to serve as a member of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Commission. Item number four is 25 C0133. This is communication from John Aman accepting service on behalf of the Westside Future to serve as a member of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Commission. Item number five is 25 C0134. This a communication from Mi Mitchell M Michelle Matthews accepting service on behalf of purposeuilt communities to serve as a member of the neighborhood reinvestment initiative commission. Ite number six is 25 C0135 through the communication from Daniel Choy Jr. accepting service on behalf of the Arthur M. blank Foundation to serve as a member of the neighborhood reinvestment initiative commission. Item number 7 is 25 [clears throat] C 0136. This is communication from municipal clerk Karen Linda advising that various boards authorities commissions etc. bases have sunset pursuant to section 3-41 of the city charter. Item number eight is 25 C0137. This is communication from municipal clerk Lindo submitting a report of administrative corrections made to previously adopted legislation between the regular council meeting dates of November 17, 2025 and December 1st, 2025 to the Atlanta City Council in accordance with section 2-275 of the Atlanta code of ordinances. Those include 25R 401 251488 and 25R 4077 for all those items. Staff recommendation to accept and file. I would entertain a motion to accept and file these seven items. Moved by council Juan. Is there a second? >> Second by council Norwood. Any discussion on the motion to accept and file these seven items? You can do this van's consent without objection. Any objection? I'm clerk please on the county names consent. >> 13 yay zero nays. >> 13 yay zs. The motion to accept and file these seven items items carries. Council Juan, Council West Morland. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, the next communication coming before us appoints Adam Parker to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Commission from the Invest Atlanta TAD Committee. 25R488, which we adopted on November 17th, lists the chair of CDHS and the four remaining members of the TAD committee. Okay. And so I'd like to make a motion to amend this communication to add the names of Dana Barrett, Kenzf, and Ununice Glover. Um, in addition to Adam Parker. >> Okay. There's a motion to amend per council member West Morland's suggestion. Is there a second to his amendment? >> Seconded by Council Norwood. Any discussion on his motion to amend? Council W. >> Is that even necessary? I thought the legislation just essentially enumerated each one of the members and so it's some there wasn't even an appointment necessary and identifi so to me if we just filed this those automatically all go on to the commission. >> I will let the clerk um elaborate but in our conversation she indicated that an acceptant file would be needed for all the names. >> Okay. I I'm not going to let's not belabor this. >> Yeah. Council member, you need a specific member to be identified, right? Because if it just similar to the uh committee appointment, the chair, we still have to update it each time there's a chair's name. So here we need the name of who the appointees are, they have to take an oath of service. So if they leave and then um the it still says that whoever is on that part of that TAD, you know, will become a member, then whoever the new person is, we will have that name. And so it's just they have to be sworn in individually per the codes. >> Okay. >> Council member Collins. >> No, that answer my question. Just so for clarity, Matt, the invest committee are those all those individuals that was just rolled to serve on the NI commission >> as they are members of the invest Atlanta tag committee for 2026. >> Got it. Yep. I'm good. >> Any other discussion on the motion to amend Hearing none, we move to vote we do this via Nam's consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign the county names consent on the motion to amend. >> 13 yay, zero nays. >> 13 yay, zay. A motion to amend carries. Do you want to read the communication now before we accept and file up? Yes, this is 25 C0131 district communication from Adam Parker um and the other names accepting service on behalf of the best Atlanta TAD committee to serve as members of the neighborhood reinvestment initiative commission >> and the staff recommendation is >> to accept and file. >> So I would entertain a motion to accept and file this item as amended. >> Sorry, who made the Moved by council member Hillis, seconded by Collins. Is there any discussion on the motion to accept and file this item as amended? Council member Juan. Oh. Oh. Uh, he we do this to unanimous consent. Without objection. Any objection. The motion to accept a file is amended. Madam clerk, please sound the count on unanimous consent. >> 13 yay. Zay. >> 13 yay z. The motion to accept a file is amended carries. Any other communications? >> No. That completes completes all. >> Thank you. There's no uh veto legislation for consideration. There is one piece of unfinished business 25R4136. This was held in the breast of council at the last full meeting. It had come forward uh with a recommendation. So it will it returns to us now in this meeting as a motion to adopt. Now we'll open up for conversation. Uh uh Council Member Doer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh first, I just want to thank colleagues who I've spoken with over the last two, three, four weeks about this particular paper. Um, I came into this legislation wanting to make sure uh that Atlanta remains competitive with its peer cities that have taken >> [snorts] >> uh similar steps to ensure that uh they could produce affordable housing, that they can ensure that housing was connected to uh transportation, that they can ensure that uh from an economic development standpoint, business owners uh stood the fighting stood a fighting chance. Um the data that informs this push to remove parking minimum citywide uh highlights that it costs roughly $50,000 to build a parking space in a structured parking lot. Those costs get passed on to renters to consumers uh to the tune of about $500 a month depending on uh the location of the parking structure and other uh fees and additional costs that get added on. Um, however, I recognize that uh there continues to be uh some concern about the timing of the legislation. Uh we are at the end of our term. This is the last meeting of the term. And I know though as a body we've been talking about this for the last month, I recognize that uh members of our community have wanted to engage in this conversation a much more robust and intentional way and I want to uh make sure that we provide that opportunity. Um, I also recognize too that uh the legislation that this legislation is is is attempting to encourage uh to incorporate this sort of policy idea uh will be before this body in the next term with the new council that will be sworn in in January and want to make sure that uh we have as much synergy as possible uh with such a uh farreaching uh proposal that we have in place here. Um, I will reiterate, you know, this is a non-binding resolution that uh we can have these continue to have these conversations uh outside of the scope of uh this particular forum. Uh but in this non-binding resolution, I do want to regardless of what happens with this particular paper, I want to make sure that we continue to talk about how important is we consider uh the relationship between parking and the costs of living here in the city of Atlanta. Um, one thing I also have considered is that many of our peer cities have already taken this step. Uh, Birmingham Austin Denver Minneapolis uh, San Diego did this and they saw a five times increase in affordable housing production. And so there is an uh significant link between uh the regulatory burden that we place on development and our ability to achieve our policy goals whether they're affordable housing uh whether it's protecting trees and making sure developers have uh a uh more um uh stronger and consistent uh control over the sites that they're trying to build. And so I want to make sure we continue to have this conversation, but I recognize that the timing uh has left some of my colleagues uh with a bit of concern. And so while I recognize that the legislation came out of zoning committee favorably, uh several of the public comments that we heard today were favorable of making taking this step, uh I want to give us a little bit more time to uh marinate, to digest, to discuss, to debate. And uh with that, I recognize the motions to to approve, but I will make a substitute motion uh to refer back to zoning committee. I recognize this is the last meeting of the year and uh we will have to reintroduce this legislation in January to um uh re uh consider it. Uh but uh I think that is uh the most appropriate action uh considering uh where we are today with this legislation. So, I'll make that a substitute motion knowing that with the end of term, uh, we won't have a chance to take it back up, but I want that to be the motion. >> Second There's a motion to refer 25R4136 by Council Member Doer, seconded by Council Member Hillis. Just for clarity, I'm going to go ahead and just read the caption quickly so that uh we have that for the record. 25R4136, a resolution by council members Doure, West Morland, Wyoff, Winston, and Bakiari requesting the department of city plan to remove parking minimum requirements citywide as part of the zoning 2.0 No rewrite re recognizing the success of previous reforms and the opportunity to transform as land is built environment and for other purposes. Is there any discussion on the motion to refer? Hearing none move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to refer this item. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> Um, Collins Collins is Hi Council Collins is council member Bond. >> 14 yay zays. >> 14 zs. The motion refer carries. Council member Doer. >> Thank you, Council President. Colleagues, thank you uh for considering the substitute motion. I look forward to having a continued conversation with you all over the next month. And I look forward to reintroducing a version of legislation uh that accommodates uh some of the concerns but also highlights uh better highlights some of the opportunities for our city as we look to make our city a city of the future. So thank you. >> Thank you. That is all of our unfinished business. We'll now move to the consent agenda. section one. These are items for second reading. They begin on page five of the materials. The appropriate motion will be to adopt which I will entertain in a moment. But first, let me ask, are there any items to be removed? Council member Juan. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I want to remove on page 17, item 12. It's 25R4280. This is under the transportation committee resolutions. Again, page 17, item 12, item 25R4280. Thank you. Any other items for removal from the consent agenda? >> Council member Lewis. Can you turn your mic on? >> I want to pull 255011663 item number 22. Pull it off. Consent. It's 251613. >> Is that correct? >> Council Liz >> 1663. >> 1663. Thank you. Council Bond >> like to remove 251654. >> 25654. >> Any others? hearing. None. I would entertain a motion to adopt the consent agenda minus the three items. Moved by councelor Juan. Is there a second? >> Second by councelor Baktiari. Any discussion on the motion to adopt the consent agenda section one with two items removed? I mean, sorry, three items removed. Hearing now move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt the consent agenda with items removed. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? Council member Bond, what is your vote? >> Councor Bond's an I >> 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15 yay, zero naysay. The motion to adopt the consent agenda section one with three items removed carries. Council Winston. >> Yes. I'd like to make a motion to send two items post haste. That is 25-1673 which is on page 13 item number 31 and then 251674 which is uh on page 14 item number 32. >> There's a motion by Council Winston to send 25673 and 1674 the mayor's office post haste. Before I get a second, are there any other items to be uh moved to post haste? Okay. Is there a second? Councelor Winston's motion. Seconded by council W. Any discussion on the motion to move these two items post haste? Hearing none we do this nams consent. Any objection madam clerk please sound on the counts consent on the motion to move these two items post haste. >> 15 yay zs 15 z is the motion to move these two items post haste carries. Next we will move to the report of standing committees. Today we will begin with transportation committee chairman emis president start with a resolution in which we actually have um a substitute for is 25- R-4282, item number one, page 29. Um, make a motion to bring forth the substitute. >> You actually do me a favor and motion to adopt first and then move forth substitute because it came out of committee without a recommendation. >> So, let's put it on the floor first. >> Okay. Um, so motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt 25R4282 by Council Member Amos, second by Council Ruan. Move to discussion. Council Amos. Right. Now, um motion this paper actually um changes the caption bring going to require bring forth substitute message um changes the caption adding recommended language by the law department to clarify the intent of the legislation and as the IRO report. >> There's a count there's a motion by council Amos to bring forth the substitute. Is there a second? Second by council. Any discussion of the motion to bring forth the substitute on 25R4282? We can do this v unanimous consent as far as bringing forth substitute. Any objection? And >> clerk, please on the count of the consent. The motion to bring forth a substitute. >> 15 yay, zero nay, zay. Motion to bring forth substitute carries. We now have substituted. Let's read the new caption. >> 25-R-428 to a resolution by transportation committee as substitute by the Atlanta city council authorizing the mayor or his design to execute cooperative agreement listed for winter operations and maintenance services at Hartsville Jackson Atlanta International Airport with Sheran Industries Incorporated. on behalf of the Department of Aviation pursuant to section 2-162 ETS EQ of the city code of ordinance of the Atlanta city of Atlanta, Georgia utilizing source well contract airport runway materials listed Sher Sherwin Industries for the term of 18 months in the amount not to exceed $10 million all contracted work to be charged to and paid from the fund department, organization and account number listed herein And for other purposes, motion to um approve the substitute. >> There's a motion by council Amos, seconded by council Juan to adopt 25R4282 as substituted. Any discussion on the motion to adopt this item as substituted? Hearing? No. Move to a vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote. The motion to adopt. The vote is open. One moment. Council >> Bond, how would you like to vote? >> Yeah, I think there's something wrong with the system. Council Bonds and I >> will need everyone to revote again, Mr. President. >> Motion reopened. >> Will everyone please vote? council bonds and I >> the votes closed 15 yay zero naysay >> 15 y n y n y n y n y n y n y n y n y n y naysay z nays motion to adopt a substitute carries >> thanks sir next item is the one that was pulled off consent agenda 25-R4280 to my understanding um there needs to be a change to the caption and to the final where's final be final bid resolve clause. So I'll make a motion to amend. >> There's a motion to amend 25R4280. Um because it came off of consent, it's already a motion to adopt's already here. So uh motion to amend by council Amos, second by council member Norwood. Any discussion on the motion to amend this item here? We can do this names consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign the county names consent on the motion to amend. >> 15 yay z. >> 15 yay z. Motion to amend carries. >> Thank you. That item is 25-R4280. A resolution by transportation committee as amended by Atlanta City Council authorizing the mayor or his design to exercise the final renewal option for contract listed intersection improvements project on Morris Mill Road at two locations with BRTU Construction Incorporated. on behalf of the Atlanta Department of Transportation for a term of one year effective March 22nd, 2026 through March 21st, 2027 with no additional funding required. And for other purposes, motion to adopt as amended. >> There's a motion to adopt 25R 4280 as amended by Council Amos. Is there a second? Second by council Juan. Any discussion on the motion to adopt as amended this item hearing? Now, move to vote. Madam Clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt as amended. >> The vote is open. Those close 15 yay z 15 z. Motion to adopt submitted carries. >> Thank you m president my report. >> Thank you. Next up will be finance exec chair shook. Thank you. First up is 251591. It's a third read final adoption. Uh this comes forward favorable on substitute as amended. Uh there was one abstension. This is an ordinance by West Morland Winston Juan Doer Hillis and Bakiari as substituted by CDHS as substitute substituted and amended by the finance executive committee to amend the charter of the city. uh where listed by amending the code sections as stated to more explicitly define the purpose of and uses for the dedicated affordable housing fund to provide for certain uh reporting requirements related there too and for other purposes motions to adopt. >> There's a motion to adopt coming out of committee 251591. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Council member Bakiari. >> Yes, thank you. Um obviously I am in favor of the [snorts] work that has been done on this. I will say that I am frustrated because the ask and one of the things that we were doing was to ensure that the housing trust fund went to set dollars but it is hard to talk about capping how much is being used for employment when we still do not know what the employment numbers are. So it has been asked repeatedly. I'm asking again how many people are in the in this office? How many people are doing the work? We know that there were 40 me people that were not going to be included in this office anymore. So that also leads to questions of how many folks are were there to begin with. How much is being spent on them? Um and I and this is all information of public record. If that could please be given it to us again because although I am going to motion to approve and this needs to be adopted today. I will say that if that information is not received after many years of asking, I will be bringing this up again next year because we need to know so that we're ensuring that our dollars are going where they need to. Yes, staff is needed to ensure that we execute these daughters, these daughters, these dollars well and responsibly. But again, we cannot make those decisions responsibly if we do not have the information. And I've heard repeatedly, we can get you that data. We can get you that information. I have still yet to receive it. So, I'm asking once again into the mic. Can council please receive how many employees there are, what they are doing, what their line item budget is, having a better understanding of how this office works and how the dollars are being allocated with our housing office. Um, that is my ask again and but I will go ahead and motion to approve this today. It's already done. So, never mind. Then I will be voting in favor. So, thank you. >> Any other discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing none. Move to vote. Madam cler please open the vote on the motion to adopt. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? >> The closed 15 yay z 15 z. The motion to adopt carries. >> Uh thank you. That takes us to 251611 and I will make a motion to bring forth a substitute. >> There's a motion to bring forth substitute for 25611 by council member Shook. Second by council member Juan. Any discussion on the motion to bring forth the substitute? We do this van's consent. Any objection to motion to bring forth substitute. Madam clerk, please sign the county unsent 15 yay z. >> 15 z. Motion bring forth substitute carries. >> I thank you. This an ordinance by shook is substituted by the Atlanta city council authorizing transfer of funds from various council district carry forward accounts for the 22 uh to 25 quadrrenial term and for other purposes motions to approve on substitute. >> There's a motion to adopt a substitute 25611 by council shook. Is there a second? >> Second by council overright. Any discussion on the motion to adopt a substituted hearing? None. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt as substituted this item. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? The votes closed. 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15. >> 150 nays. Motion to adopt as substitute carries. >> Thank you. 25667. Ordinance by Miss Overreet and Miss Collins waving the competitive source selection requirements contained in the sections of the code listed here to enter into a cost agreement for rent production services with Live Nation Entertainment for the 2526 Peach Drop Festival for the benefit of the public in Atlanta, amount not to exceed $700,000. authorizing that all peach drop contracted work shall be charged to and paid from the council securein to authorize the CFO to execute any insurance agreements which may be necessary for the city sponsorship of the peach drop festival and for the purposes uh the motion is to file motion coming out of committee to file 251667 doesn't need a second any discussion on the motion to file this item hearing none move to vote madam clerk please open the vote on the motion to file >> the vote is Will everyone please vote? >> The vote closed. 14 yay zero nays. >> 14 yay zero naysay. Motion to file carries. >> All right. Thank you. Uh Mr. Bond pulled 251654 from the U FC consent agenda. I know he wants us to consider a substitute. I'll make that motion. There's a motion to substitute 25654 by council shook, seconded by council. Is there any discussion on the motion to bring forth the substitute? >> We do this via names consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign on the count on names consent. The motion to bring forth the substitute. >> 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 y z. Motion bring forth substitute carries. >> This is an ordinance by Mr. bond is substituted by the Atlanta City Council authorizing a donation in the total amount not to exceed $1,000 from the Post One at large care forward account to both the uh Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Women's Organizational Movement for Equality Now, Inc. and Georgia Standup to support the commemoration the anniversary of Rosa Park's arrest pursuant to the section of the city charter cited here and for other purposes. This clarifies that it's $1,000 to each of two entities. The original was slightly muddier. So, I'll move approval on substitute. >> There's a motion by council member Shook, second by councelor Biari to adopt substitute 25654. Any discussion on the motion to adopt substitute this item? Hearing none. We move to vote. Madam clerk, [clears throat] please open the vote on the motion to adopt substitute. >> The vote is open. Close. Close. 15. Yay. Zay. >> 15. Yay. Zay. The motion to adopt substitute carries. >> That is all. >> Thank you. Next up will be the zoning committee. Chair West Morland. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, we have three ordinances for second read. Without objection, we can take them as a block as the recommendation is to file. >> Go ahead. >> 251361, U2518. 3485 Empire Boulevard Southwest is special permit for a park for a truck terminal. 251522 U2527 833 Humphrey Street Southwest was a special permit for a rehabilit rehabilitation center and 2561 U2529 is 850 Orwood Avenue Southeast. This was a special use for a daycare center. The recommendation coming out of committee is to file. >> There's a motion coming out of committee. Doesn't need a second to file these three items. Is there any discussion on the motion to file? Hearing none. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to file these three items. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> Council, I know you're wait. I council and I >> will everyone please vote. Council member Boon, what is your vote? >> The vote's closed. 15 yay, zero naysay. >> 15 yay, zero nays. The motion carries. Council Lewis. >> And looking at a piece of legislation that was in here about Empire Boulevard. I know that the committee, the community's been against that. MPUZ's been against that full out. I know my office did not read that in. And I won't be pulling anything off the off held off filed, but I want to make sure I make a statement that the south side of the city is wants to be able to develop as well. And I hope that people are able to stand with us as well. Thank you, >> Chair Mullen. >> That concludes the report of the zoning committee. >> Thank you. Next up will be the Committee on Council, Chair Collins. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, if there are no objections, may we take items one through six as a block, >> please proceed. >> Great. Thank you. Item 125- C-000068, a communication from Tanya Greer, County Clerk to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, submitting the appointment of Mr. Jeffrey Mullvie to serve as a member of the Beltline Tax Allocation DI District Advisory Committee. This appointment is for a term of two years. Item number two, 25- C-0105, a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens, appointing Miss Betina Terry to serve as a member of the Atlanta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for the city of Atlanta. This appointment is for a term of five years. Item number three, 25- C-0120, a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Mr. Matthew Cartilage to serve as a member of the Atlanta Urban Design Commission in the landscape architect category. This appointments for a term of three years. Item number 42 25- C-0103. A communication from council member Antonio Lewis, District 12, appointing Miss Chrissy Jones to serve as a member of the Anthony Tickman Jones Legacy Commission. Item number five, 25- C-0128, a communication from council members Jason H, Jason H. Winston, District 1. Cardan Whiteoff, District 2, Byron Amos, District 3, Jason Doure, District 4, and Michael Julian Bond, Post One at large, appointing Mr. Darren Given to serve as a member of the City of Atlanta Americans with Disability Act advisory committee. And then our last item, number six, 25- C-0129, a communication council president Doug Shipman, appointing Miss Tamara Jones to serve as a member of the Atlanta Urban Design Commission in the architect 2 category. This appointment is for a term of three years. These items will come before come before the body favorable from the committee on council and from their committees of purview. Accordingly, the recommendation is to adopt or to approve. Sorry. >> There's a recommendation coming out of committee to adopt uh to approve these six items. It does not need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to approve these six items? We do this van's consent. Sister communications. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sound the count's consent on the motion to approve these six items. >> 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15 zs. Motion to approve car. >> 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. Motion to approve carries. >> Great. Thank you. Um, our ordinances for second reading is not item number 725-61664 and ordinance by council member Isa Collins as substituted by the committee on council to amend the city of Atlanta code of ordinances part two which is general ordinances chapter 2 which is the administration article three which is city council division two which are the rules section 2-135 regarding standard committees to update and clarify the jural responsibilities and subject matters assigned to each standing committee of the Atlanta [clears throat] City Council and for other purposes. I recommend this is favorable on substitute and our recommendation is to approve on substitute. >> There's a motion there's a recommendation coming out of committee to approve 251664 as substituted. Does not need a second. Any discussion on the motion to adopt this item as substituted? Hearing none. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt as substituted. >> The vote is open. >> Thank you. Will I please vote? >> The vote is closed. 14 yays, zero naysay. >> 14 yay, zays. Motion substitute carries. >> Great. Item number 825-R5217. A resolution on committee on council, excuse me, a resolution by committee on council appointing Mr. Keith A. Lamar to the ethics board as the representative of the Gate City Bar Association for a term of three years said term to commence upon approval of this resolution and for other purposes. The recommendation is to approve. >> There's a recommendation coming out of committee to adopt 25R 4217. Doesn't need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to approve this item? Hearing no move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to approve. >> The vote is open. The vote's closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. Motion to approve carries. >> Great. And our last item number 925-R4285 a resolution by committee on council to sunset certain boards authorities commission and other groups created by action of the Atlanta city council because such boards authority commissions and other groups have accomplished the purposes for which they were created whose author authorized term has expired and or are no longer required and for other purposes. The recommendation is to approve. There's a recommendation coming out of committee to adopt 25R4285. It does not need a second. Any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? >> Mr. President, just want to make those aware that these the two the two boards or commissions that are being sunseted was the renaming of um renaming for Shirley Park Franklin and also also Michael Langford Parkway. >> Great. Any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing no move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt. >> One moment. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zays. Motion to adopt carries. >> Great. Thank you so much, Mr. President. That concludes our report. >> Thank you. >> Next up today will be public safety and legal administration. Vice Chair Hillis. >> Thank you, Mr. President. We did our work in committee. So we have no report this week under the leadership of their vice chair. >> Uh next up we'll have city utilities committee chair Lewis. Good afternoon. Please turn to page 55 of your full council agenda for the standing committee report on city utilities for item number one. Item number 12501 1660. Item 1, page 55 forwarded with no recommend. An ordinance by council member Andrea [clears throat] Boone is amended by the city utilities committee waving part two code of ordinances general ordinances chapter 2 administration article 10 procurement and real estate code division four of the Atlanta city code as well as any other conflicting code provisions to authorize the mirror or designate to execute the second amendments to emergency procurement agreements EP con DWM 243124246A and EP and EP Pun DWM243124246B for small meter installation services with Titan Unlimited LLC and KM Davis Contracting Company Incorporated respectively on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management to extend the term of each agreement for one year effective January 15, 2026 through January 14, 2027 to add additional funding and a combined amount not to exceed $4 million. 0. All contracted work will be charged in to and paid from the fund department, organization, and account numbers listed herein and for other purposes. This item was forwarded with no recommendation as amended on condition. The condition required DOP to provide the CPO's authorization letter for this emergency procurement and for the justification of the two-year extension. The condition has not been satisfied. The department of waterershed management request to file this paper. So motion is to file. >> There's a motion to file by council member Lewis, seconded by council member Juan 251660. Is there any discussion on the motion to file this item? Hearing none. We'll move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to file. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? Counc I >> Des Winston Winston Collins are The vote's closed. 14 yay, zero naysay. >> 14 y, zero nays. The motion file carries. >> Thank you. Resolutions number two 25R4270. Item number two, page 55. A resolution by city utilities authorizing the mayor or his designate to execute the appropriate documents to accept on behalf of the city of Atlanta and in kind donation from the Georgia Power Company's Make Ready program services to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at five city facil facilities valued at the amount of $1,500,000 and for other purposes. Motion to adopt. >> There's a motion to adopt. Committed out of committee does need a second 25 R4270. Any discussion on the motion to adopt this item hearing? None. We'll move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt. The vote is open. >> Everyone please vote. The vote is closed. 14 yay zero nays. >> 14 z. Motion to adopt carries. Number 325R4271. Item number three, page 55. A resolution by city utilities committee authorizing the mayor or his designate on behalf of the city of Atlanta to accept an inind donation from the electrification coalition foundation incorporated as part of the sustainable cities fund implementation ready project grant. Six level two alternating current electrical vehicle charging units valued at $30,000 to be installed at the five city locations to support the city's transportation goes authorizing the mayor or is designate or is designed designated to execute any appropriate agreements to accept the donation and for other purposes. Motion to adopt. >> There's a motion to adopt coming out of committee 25R 4271. Does not need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing none move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? The votes close. 14 yay z. >> 14 z. Motion to adopt carries. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Items pulled from the consent agenda today. 2550 1663. Item 22, page 11. An ordinance by council member Antonio Lewis, Andrea Elbone, Isa College to amend chapter 154, article 2, water and sewer billing and adjustments procedures of the city of Atlanta's code of ordinances so as to add new definitions including department era and one-time usage spike to expand eligible billing adjustments and credits to revise the commissioner's authority related to billing adjustments to update procedures of the water and sewer appeals board and for other purposes. This paper was pulled from the consent agenda today because we think we can make it stronger. We truly think we can help the people a little bit more. And so the motion is to file. Motion to file 251663 by Council Lewis. Is there a second? Second by Council Winston. Any discussion on the motion to file this item hearing? No. Move to a vote. Madam Clerk, please open the vote on the motion to file. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The vote is closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. Motion to file carries. >> And Mr. Mr. President, I say I want to thank the water and sewer appeals board and council member Shook and everybody who works so hard on that legislation. But the goal is to make it a little better for us. Council President, we also have one paper that we need to take in the committee of a whole for item number 72501623. Motion to move into committee of whole. >> There's a motion by council member Lewis, seconded by council member Hillis to move into committee of the whole. Is there any discussion? We do this unanimous consent. Any objection to move the motion move in committee of the whole. Madam clerk, please sign on the county names consent. >> 14 yay zero naysay. >> 14 yay z. Motion move in committee of the whole carries. We're now in committee of the whole. Chair Lewis. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Item number 52501623. Item number 7, page 57. This is an ordinance by council member Dustin Hillis authorizing the chief financial officer to amend the fiscal year 2026 water and wastewater water and wastewater renewal and extension fund 5052 budget in the amount of 8,200,000 cent to transfer the funds from the watershed reserve for appro appropriations and to add fund to the Whittier Mill sanitary sanitary sewer improvement projects and for other purposes. Motion Second. >> Motion by Councilmber Hillis, seconded by Council Lewis to adopt 251623. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Council member Juan. >> Thank you. I I'd like to hear from the administration as to why this didn't move in committee and it's ready now. >> Maybe finance can answer that question. >> I'm sorry. This is this was in city utility. So it' be watershed. Maybe finance has an answer >> or if finance can answer who I just >> yeah I I would expect if they want us to move this the last day and we had held it in committee that we'd get an explanation from the administration. >> Council member Lewis may be able to shed some light. I mean council member Hillis may be able to shed some light. Council member Hillis. >> So not on the committee. I can't speak for why it didn't move at that point but I know there was some companion legislation that was on the consent agenda that had to catch up. So that's why it was held. But I can't speak for why it didn't move last week. But the companion legislation was on our consent agenda. >> Council, can we hold your question for a moment and let Council Member Shook speak and I'll come back to you. >> Council member Shook. >> No, I just ditto. I was wondering why we're in committee of the whole when there's no one here from any of the operating departments >> and I was chair just didn't get it. Uh Mr. Ju wasn't I'll tell you as chair I was there and I think we had a good committee that day. They just they never came to us. >> Mr. Pace, would you like to >> Mr. Pace? You would you like Mr. want to uh ask a question again. >> Council one, >> thank you. I'm just curious as to we were we held this in committee um and I'm curious as to the rationale as to why the administration wants to move forward today um last day of the term um as kind of a surprise last minute move. So just need an explanation before we can proceed. >> Operating officer uh office of the mayor. This item was held a couple cycles ago. Um, and as I understand it, the department requested that it move forward at last week's city utilities meeting, but it remain held. Um, this project uh or this paper adds funding to this project to complete the Whittier Mills project in district 9, which I know council member Hillis is, uh, really anticipating completion of this project. And so, it was the oversight why it was continued to be held at the last city utilities meeting. >> I'm sorry. Why why didn't someone >> from I'm not sure >> come up there and explain what you've just said. >> Uh I'm honestly I am not sure uh why no one from the department spoke up but as I understand it there was a request to move it out of committee uh last week. >> A request from the administration. >> The department. >> Okay. >> Who they made the request to? I believe the request was made to the uh staff. >> I I like the legislation once again was made to the staff. I I think that I appreciate the questions that were asked right now as well. I know that the staff had a lot of things going on that that particular committee meeting. Um I do know that uh the district council members reached out repeatedly to the department uh about completion of this project and so the reason it's being asked today is that another month well another six week delay because it would need to be reintroduced at the beginning of the meeting. So the earliest it could be adopted would be mid January. Counelis. >> Yes. I'll just say again and I'm not going to cover for whatever non-communication or miscommunication there was from the department and between the council staff uh so I won't go there but just speaking of the project itself this is a project that I have asked to get off the ground for uh many years uh myself and Mayor Dickens finally broke ground earlier this year when the department was under the leadership of then uh commissioner Al Wiggins um got off to a good start uh believe the issue with the additional money that is needed that there was more bedrock that was hit. Uh this is a historic community that's never had actual sewers that are on grapevine sewers um from the early 1900s. Um so the additional money covers um getting into that additional bedrock. It covers a storm water project that was not funded to my understanding uh small storm water project and then also covers resurfacing of all the streets that have been uh disrupted uh from the setting of the the new sewer line. So uh again won't cover for any missed or non-communication from the department onto the council staff. Uh but we'll just ask for y'all's support because this is a project that this neighborhood's been waiting for for 20 years to get off the ground and then it has also been delayed since late the last week in July uh when the contractor uh pulled off the project due to the lack of funding. So I'm thankful to finally see the um 8.2 million that will finish the project. Uh and then again as I as I said there was companion legislation that uh went through the committee last week um that this was held to catch up. Uh so would appreciate your support. Thank you. >> Any other discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing none. We'll move to a vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote of motion to adopt. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14, zero nays. Motion to adopt carries. >> Mr. President, I now make a motion to exit. >> That's council B. He's making that motion. >> Second. I second. Council member Bond. >> You want Okay, that council council bond's motion to move out of committee hall. Council member Lewis is second. Any discussion on motion to move out of committee the whole un consent. Any objection? >> 14 yay, zays. >> 14 zs. Uh motion carries. We now stand out of committee whole. We're back into regular session. >> Motion to adopt all the actions taken in committee of hold and gross. >> Motion to adopt all the actions taken by councelor Lewis. Seconded by councelor Bdiari. Any discussion? We do this van's consent. Any objection to the motion to approve all the actions taken. Madam clerk, please sign unim consent. >> 14 yay z. >> 14 yay zero nays. The motion to adopt inmass carries. >> Mr. President, this concludes my last report as the city utilities chair to you and Mr. Schu being the vice chair. Thank you. >> Thank you. Finally today, CDHS Chair Winston. >> Thank you, Council President. For one last time, um I have one item that was filed unanimously in committee. This is 25-R4220, a resolution by Council Member Michael Julian Bond, authorizing the mayor or his designate on behalf of the city of Atlanta to execute an encroachment agreement with the Georgia Historical Society for the purpose of installing historical marker at Robert W. Woodruff Park located at 91 P Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 to highlight the history of the Atlanta Stu student movement protest at Rich's department store and describe the impact of that protest on shaping Georgia's history and for other purposes. I will make a motion to file. >> There's a motion to file committee committee 25 4220. Doesn't need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to file this item? Hearing now move to a vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to file. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? The vote closed. 14 yay z. >> 14 yay z. The motion file carries. >> Thank you. That concludes my report. >> Thank you. That concludes the report of standing committees today. We'll now move to items for immediate consideration. We have three. First up is council member over street. Okay, this is an item for immediate consideration. Elms ID number 39274 resolution by council member Marcy Collier Over Street Bon Collins Lewis Winston Wyoff Baktiari Amos Juan West Morland and Doure a resolution authorizing the city of Atlanta to do to donate a total of amount not to exceed $135,000 to goodter incorporated pursuant to section 6-306 of the city of Atlanta's charter to support the free grocery initiative authorizing the mayor his designate to enter into a donation agreement which shall detail the actions of Goodter incorporated concerning the free Goodter grocery store food pantry at William Walker Recreation Center authorizing the chief financial officer or is designate to make all payments from the accounts listed herein and for other purposes. Whereas the city of Atlanta understands the challenges caused by food insecurity within neighborhoods that have fewer fullervice supermarkets in their neighborhoods and is thereby committed to providing residents access to quality groceries and fresh food and eliminating food insecurity in every zip code within the city. And whereas the city aims to help underserved communities in the city by providing access to fresh, healthy food, convenient locations that provide these fresh food items. And whereas Goodter is a nonprofit that strives to end world hunger by cultivating countless resources for their nonprofit partner partners and network of recipients by leveraging technology and logistics to reduce waste and eliminate hunger. And whereas Goodter through its hunger relief solutions transforms local community spaces into popup grocery experiences or local grocery store to provide sustainable easy access food pantries for children and their families right in their communities. And whereas pursuant to Atlanta's city resolution 24R 366 adopted by the Atlanta City Council on June 3rd, 2024 and approved in accordance with city charter on June 4th, 2024. The city of Atlanta partnered with Goodter through the hunger relief solutions initiative to launch a free Goodter grocery store at William Walker Recreation Center located at 2405 Fabin Road 20 Train Road Southwest Atlanta, Georgia 30331 with the goal of serving hundreds of families experiencing food insecurity. And whereas the Goodter grocery store at William Walker has delivered towards that goal with measurable impact in 2025, serving 1,600 individuals and distributing 40,000 pounds of food equivalent to 32,000 meals for families with an economic value of $95,392. Whereas there is a desire of the city pursuant to section 6-306 of the [snorts] Atlanta city charter to donate an amount not to exceed $135,000 to extend a partnership with Goodter and to continue to directly access address food insecurity, health outcomes, and neighborhood stability. And whereas funding shall be used to stock, maintain, and staff goodter grocery stores at William Walker Recreation Center located at 2405 Faburn Road Southwest Atlanta 3031 30331. Whereas continuing the grocery store initiative at William Walker will ensure consistent access to nutrition food for families and seniors in the Campton Road neighborhood and support the city of Atlanta's neighborhood reinvestment strategy which prioritizes equitable access to essential services in underserved communities. And whereas the city desires to donate an amount not to exceed $135,000 to extend the partnership with Goodter and to enter into a donation agreement with Goodter which shall detail the actions concerning the free grocery initiatives at William Walker Rec. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Atlanta City Council of City of Atlanta, Georgia, the that pursuant to section 6- 306 of the Atlanta City of the Atlanta's charter, the chief financial officer or his designate is authorized to make a donation and the amount the total amount not to exceed $135,000 to extend the partnership to support the free grocery initiative at William Walker Recreation center. Be it further resolve that the chief financial officer is hereby authorized to charge to and pay the donation authorized [clears throat] hereby from the following accounts one 014301 1 01 and 611 0. Be it further resolved that the mayor or his designate is authorized to execute a donation agreement regarding its donation to [snorts] support Goodter incorporated actions concerning the free grocery grocery store food pantry at William Walker Rec. Be it further resolved that the mayor or his designate is authorized to enter into any additional agreements agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the re resol resolution on the terms of conditions provided in the donation agreement be it further resolved that a donation agreement and any related document shall not become binding upon the city and the city will incur no obligation or liability under the name until they have been approved by the city attorney and her designate as to form executed by the mayor or his designate and delivered to goodter incorporated be it finally resolved that all resolutions as or parts of resolutions that are in conflict with these terms of this resolution are hereby waved and to ex to the extent of the conflict I move approval. [snorts] >> There's a motion by council member Overreet to approve Elms ID 39274. Is there a second? >> Seconded by council member Amos. >> I would uh entertain. Is there any discussion? >> I would entertain a motion to amend. Foundation. >> Move to amend to add Goodter Foundation >> in place. in place of Goodter Incorporated. >> There's amendment by council member Over Street, seconded by council member Hillis to amend this paper to read Goodter Foundation in all the places that it says Goodter Inc. Is there any discussion on the motion to amend? We do this via names consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sound the count's consent on the motion to amend. >> 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15 yay, zero. The motion to amend carries. We're now back to discussion on the motion to adopt as amended. Any discussion hearing? None. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt as amended. Else ID 39274. Please open the the vote is open. Will everyone please vote? Our cherry is nine. The >> closed 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 y z. A motion to adopt carries. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up will be council member Bond. >> Thank you, Mr. President have Elm's ID number 2516 54. An ordinance by council member Michael Julian Bond. Is that the right one? >> No, >> it was three. >> That's not the right one. Elms ID number 39321. A resolution by council member Michael Julian Bond authorizing the city of Atlanta to donate a total amount not to exceed $500,000 and 0 to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta pursuant to section 6-306 of the city of Atlanta's charter to continue the city's support of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta's mission identif ifying and placing lowincome Atlanta residents referred through the city's housing uh help center into safe, secure, and affordable housing, authorizing the mayor or his designate to enter into any necessary agreements to effectuate the donation. to authorize the chief financial officer and his designate to make the donation uh authorized hereby from accounts listed herein and for other purposes. And whereas the city of Atlanta uh like cities and communities across the country is facing an unprecedented housing affordability crisis. the effects of which are actually felt by lowincome and moderate lowincome households. Whereas in an effort to ameliorate this crisis, Mayor Dickens has taken a bold step to create and preserve affordable housing in the city by funding the creation and preservation of affordable housing projects and programs. lengthy and whereas through funding authorized by 23-R 3612 adopted by the city of Atlanta's council on June 5th, 2023 and approved by the mayor on June 7th, 2023. Mayor Dickens administration created a housing help center with fulltime experts on housing resources available in the city of Atlanta to assist residents in their search for affordable housing. And whereas the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, ULGA, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and is a member of the National Urban League Network, 98 historic civil rights organizations throughout the United States dedicated to fostering economic empowerment in order to alleviate the standard of living, I'm sorry, elevate the standard of living in historically underserved served urban communities. And whereas pursuant to section 6-306 of the city of Atlanta's charter, the Atlanta City Council may authorize the donation of funds and services to a nonprofit organization for charitable purposes. And whereas pursuant to 24-R3434 adopted by the city council on May 6, 2024 and approved by the mayor on May 14th, 2024, the city authorized the donation to ULGA in the amount not to exceed $600,000 to support ULGA in identifying and placing lowincome Atlanta residents referred through the city's housing help center into safe, secure, and affordable housing. And whereas since the commencing of the mission to place lowincome Atlanta residents into safe, secure, and affordable housing, including those referred through the housing help center, ULGA has established itself as a vital component of the housing health center direct constituent aid, having served over 200 households. to date with the critical rental and utility assistance. And whereas unprecedented strains imposed upon the Atlanta households by recent political and economic circumstances such as protracted shutdowns of the federal government and disruptions of critical benefit programs, including supplemental nutrition assistance program, SNAP have heightened the demand and support for accelerated the development and resources available to support ULGA in identifying and placing lowincome Atlanta residents refer through the housing help center. And whereas the current supplemental, I'm sorry, operational balance of ULGA in support of this important mission is critically low approximately 4,000, I'm sorry, $4,200, which is insufficient to meet the projected demand through the end of the year and risk a complete cessation of services within the next week. And whereas a pause in service provisions by ULGA will immediately result in the suspension of services for 26 households, a number that is poised to grow significantly in discontinuing this effective lowcost preventative program. now may uh reverse the progress to date and lead to greater long-term expenditures on emergency shelters and reactive services for most of its vulnerable households. Whereas, as a result, lowincome Atlanta households are faced with uh the prospect of extremely precarious economic circumstances. and housing insecurity during the winter holidays, underscoring the urgency of authorizing a second donation of city funds prior to the conclusion of the Atlanta City Council's current quadrrenial term December 1st, 2025. And whereas it is therefore the desire of the city to donate funds to ULGA in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 and zero cents to prevent the suspension of the critical emergency financial assistance to residents. And whereas the city desires to enter into a donation agreement with ULGA that shall effectuate this donation and detail the actions of ULGA to support lowincome Atlanta residents referred through the city's housing help center. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Atlanta that pursuant to section 6-306 of the city of Atlanta's charter, the chief financial officer or his designate is authorized to make a donation to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 to continue the city's support of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta's mission identifying and placing lowincome Atlanta residents referred through the city's housing help center for safe, secure, and affordable housing. Be it further resolved that the chief financial officer or his designate is hereby authorized to charge and pay from the donations author authorized hereby from the following accounts listed. Be it further resolved that the mayor or his designate is authorized to effectuate any agreements necessary uh to effectuate the donation. Be it further resolved that the donation agreement by any necessary related agreements shall not become binding upon the city and the and the city will incur no obligation uh of liability under the same until they have been approved by the city attorney or her designate as to form executed by the mayor. or his designate and delivered to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. Be it further resolved that the effective direct uh director of the housing help center and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta shall submit a joint briefing to the chief financial officer and the chief operating officer within 90 days of this donation detailing the utilization of these emergency funds and presenting a joint recommendation for the sustain sustainable long-term funding of the housing help center direct financial assistance program. Be it finally resolved that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that are here in conflict with the terms of this resolution are hereby waved to the extent of said conflict. Move approval. >> There's a motion by council member Bond to [clears throat] adopt Elms ID 39 321. Is there a second? >> Second by council Amos. Is there discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Council member Varti. >> Yes. Thank you. Um I'm a little confused as to where this is going. Are we not just giving this money to the housing help center to do because my understanding is they have quite the list. So I'm confused. Is this money going to the housing help center or are we giving this money to Urban League and asking the housing help center to do the work? >> That's my question. >> I don't know if there's somebody from >> there's someone here that can address it. >> Somebody from the administration can speak to that. >> Do we have to? >> We do. I'd entertain Hold on. I'd entertain a motion to move it. >> So move. >> Second. There's a motion by councelor Bond, seconded by councelor Baryi to move to committee of the whole so we can hear from uh some experts. Is there any discussion on the motion to move in committee of the whole deal via Nam's consent without objection? Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign on the county consent. >> 14 yay, zero naysay. >> 14 zero naysay. Motion carries. We now stand in committee the whole >> Dell Woodson executive director of the housing help center. Um, council person Burari to answer your question. Um, this uh fund is a second infusion of the original 600k that was awarded to uh urban legal greater Atlanta. We've executed for the last year um a uh emergency fund for our office. So, uh, directly to answer your question, the funds are, um, uh, allocated to constituents who come to our office for emergency one-time service. >> Those, um, funds are awarded to ULGA. They have fidiciary responsibility to um, uh, delegate those funds to the constituents or to the landlord um, not directly to the constituent. Um so this is a reup of those funds as we um in the last two months because of multiple um count uh federal uh shutdown the uh uh food uh issue as well. We've seen um a large increase in the last two months which um the last bit of that funding went down to 4200 um as of last week. So we don't inhouse have funds currently as the housing um help center uh where we are um giving those funds out ourselves. They are awarded to the nonprofit and then the nonprofit um does has the fidiciary responsibility. >> Okay. Um I'm going to allow council member Juan to go and ask this question. I have another followup but I'm going to go ahead and I need a moment to get thoughts. >> Council member one. >> Thank you Mr. President. Thank you for that explanation. So I'm curious as to the original $600,000. It's I'm piggybacking on council member backari's question. We are giving making the donation to ulga who then is then re-ub granting it to actual service providers. Is that correct? >> Uh no. So they are um they have the funds hold the funds and then we vet. So we're acting as the the staff who then not administrative staff but actually programmatic staff. So we're uh working the application um doing the initial process for the constituent readying them to then come to ULGA. UGA takes them through a uh the last final vetting of the documentation to prove uh need and then they award um on uh our behalf. So Go ahead. >> No. Go ahead. >> Did they make the payments directly to the landlords? >> To the landlord. >> Um, of the 600,000 that we provided to them, I I think it served 90 some odd people. >> No, 200. >> Okay. Sorry. Sorry. What did ULGA um derive a administrative fee or percentage? >> Yes. >> Do you know what that number was? >> Um, don't offhand know what that number is. >> Can you estimate? Um will do you have an estimate of the percentage that were awarded to >> I think so it was two tranches of funding um to equal uh the 600 um I think 50,000 on each one of those so for a total of 100 >> 100,000 out of the 600,000. >> Yes. >> But you said you do all the processing. >> So we Yes. >> Wow. >> Yeah. So goes back to that conversation we're having about the affordable trust fund is like wait a minute all of a sudden we're finding out that our dollars >> are getting diverted and then only a certain small percentage I wouldn't say small percentage a certain percentage is actually getting to the implementation of or the the the beneficiaries of those monies. >> Councilman Warren. Yes ma'am. Sometimes these arrangements are set up because of the lack of the experience with dealing with fiduciary grants u accountability and in this case this entity does the work but the the grant authority fiduciary responsibility insurance carrier or fiduciary bonding capacity is with another entity. I appreciate that explanation, but it's still quite disappointing to hear $100,000 of $600,000 went to that purpose when we're already hearing from finance them squeal every time that we ask for any sort of pro uh funds deployment that the funds are overburdened. Um, so I see Miss M. Robinson, you trying to >> add more context? >> Um, yes, of course. Under the gratuitities clause in the city's um ability to provide donations for charitable purposes, we have to give money to a nonprofit charity [clears throat] as a donation rather than directly to the recip the ultimate recipient. They have to stand in as our fiscal agent to a for the donation to be authorized under the charter and the um gratuitities clause. >> I understand that. I just there there's a there's a part of me that feels like with those percentages we really should be finding a more efficient way especially again he opened by saying they're doing all the processing work. I mean the value ad here is really disappointing. So um all right um that thank you for answering my question. >> Sure. >> Council member Bakari. So I'm curious, is this slated under debt service or is it slated under employees? Which are the buckets? >> Well, my understanding is when we created this fund, we were putting a cap on debt service and we're doing a cap on employment. So I'm curious as to how this enters into all of that. >> Sure. Thanks for the question. Um, council member Bakiari. Will Tucker, director of the housing um, innovation lab in the mayor's office of policy. um you know looking forward and trying to forecast you know this the substitute that you all adopted today um for the housing trust fund paper we think it anticipates the entire universe of potential uses um potential eligible uses um and within that universe you know this funding would I would expect uh be in that programmatic bucket that sub bullet for programmatic um service provision Thank you. Um I want to say like I want to commend you Mr. Tucker as well as Mr. Woodson here and that of Chief English. I mean this the work that we have done that the city has done this administration has done around housing the ripple effects cannot be measured. City leads the way in terms nationally like we'll stand on that a thousand times over. The frustration and the confusion is coming from the fact that we hear constantly that we're out of money in the trust fund and there does not seem to be a balance between the usage between the administration and the council and trying to figure out how that's going to work in the future as we see more and more needs come up. That's going to be something that's going to be h that's going to have to be tackled at the big top of next year because we are only going to see this run and happen more and more. And I don't want to say that I'm not supportive of housing. It's the work speaks for itself. just not knowing the numbers causes confusion and distrust where there where it is preventable. And so if they're understanding, wanting to know how staffing is working, how is the how many employees we have in the housing help center because Mr. Woodson and Miss Wells are incredible like but do we have the support there in terms of debt servicing? How is that going to work? How are we going to utilize the funds? What is the balance going to be between council and the administration? how we steward these dollars and ensure that we understand where they're going and that we are spending each dollar responsibly without of course curtailing the importance of getting this work done in a timely fashion just increased communication. I do understand that this you know needs to pass today. Uh, I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't frustrated at how it's happened and kind of what feels like a lack of communication, but I understand. Um, and I look forward to continued conversation and seeing how we do better down the line. But I do most first and foremost want to thank y'all for your work because that should never be missed. Just the devil's always in the details. >> Thank you, council member. and we look forward to working closely with you at the top of the year to make sure that we are as coordinated as possible going into this scarcity and environment. It's more important now than ever. So, we appreciate that. >> I look forward to seeing how the bus looks after the Christmas break. So, thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Thank you all. >> There's a motion by council member West Morland to exit committee of the whole. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by council member Bond. Any discussion on the motion to move out of committee of the whole? We do this consent without objection. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sound the county name's consent of the motion to move out of committee the hole. >> 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. The motion carries. We're now back in regular session and the motion is to adopt Elms ID 39 321. Is there any more discussion on the motion to adopt? Hearing no move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt this item. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 13 yay, zero nays. >> 13 yay, zero nays. Motion to adopt carries. >> Motion to move to the mayor's office, please. >> One moment. I'm sorry. That's 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14, z. Motion to adopt carries. Council member Bond. >> Motion to move to the mayor's office post haste. >> There's a motion to move this item post haste by council member Bond. Second by council Amos. Any discussion on the motion to move this item post haste? We do this unanimous consent. Any objection. Madam clerk, please sound the count of the motion to move this item post haste. >> 14 yay z. >> 14 yay zs. The motion carries. >> Like to explain my vote. >> Council bond. >> I voted yes. Uh so we can move it to the mayor's post so we can get the project underway. Uh but council members Juan and Bakiari, there's nothing that prevents the city of Atlanta from creating its own 501c3 to handle to be the debt to be the recipient for these types of grants in the future. And that's something perhaps we can look forward to next term. >> Thank you. Next up, Council Amos. Item for immediate consideration. >> Yes, sir. Council President, for the sake of time, I'd like to ask legal if I just do a pinky swear, can I read the caption and we can vote and go home? I got to read the whole thing. I know. Got to read the whole thing. Uh, immediate consideration ID 39322, a resolution by council member Byron D. name was authorizing the mayor or his destiny on behalf of the city of Atlanta to execute all documents necessary to acknowledge the assignment of the unexpired lease terms of concessions lease agreement number listed food and beverage concessions on concourse C midpoint at Hartsville Jackson Atlanta International Airport and concessions lease agreement to agreement listed concourse B and F food and beverage concessions at Hartsville Jackson Atlanta international airport to OM concessions group LLC and for other purposes. Whereas the city of Atlanta known and operates Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport which is managed by the city of department of aviation. Whereas pursuant to resolution number listed adopted by the Atlanta city council, the city enter into concessions lease agreement for concourse B and food and beverage concessions with Global Concessions Inc. at the [clears throat] airport dated March 12th, 2020 2012. And whereas pursuant to resolution listed and adopted by the Atlanta City Council, the city also entered concessions lease agreement for food and beverage concessions at Concourse C midpoint dated September 5th, 20, 2018. And whereas April 2nd, 2025, Global filed a petition for relief under chapter 11, title 11 of the United States Code before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, commencing case number listed. And whereas the bankruptcy court approved and amended the restated asset purchase agreement dated November 7th, 2025 between Global and OM concessions group LLC pursu pursuant in which Global assigned all its rights, title and interest to Concourse B and F lease and concourse C midpoint lease and OM assume all obligations of Global under the concourse B and F lease and concourse C midpoint lease. And whereas Global and OHM concluded um the assignment of bill of sale and assignment and assumption agreement dated as of November 21st, 2025. Whereas the initial term of concourse B and F lease expire October 30th, 2026 with an option to renew for a three-year term, whereas the concourse C midpoint lease expires on March 5th, 2033. And whereas Global desired to assign both the concourse B and F lease and concourse C midpoint lease to OM pursuant to the bankruptcy course order. And whereas the aviation general manager believe it is the city's best interest to acknowledge the assignment of the lease agreement for global tom. Now therefore, it be resolved that the city council of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, that the mayor or his design on behalf of the city is hereby authorized to execute all legal documents necessary to acknowledge the assignment and assumption of concourse B and F lease and concourse C, Midpoint Lease from Global Concessions, Inc. to OM Concessions Group LLC. Be it further resolved that the city attorney is directed to prepare an acknowledge of the assessment purchase agreement, amendments, or any other necessary documentation to evidence the city's acknowledgement for execution by the mayor or his design be finally resolved that the found that the documentation will not be combined until the city and the city will incur no liability there under until it has been executed by the mayor or tested to by the municipal report approved as to form by the city of attorney and delivered to OM concessions group LLC. Motion to approve. >> There's a motion to adopt Elms ID 39322 by council Amos. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by council Bond. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing none. Open the vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt Elms ID 393 22. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The vote closed. 14 yay z. >> 14 yay z. Is a motion to adopt carries. >> Mr. President, make a motion to move um said item to the mayor post haste. Second motion by councelor Amos, second by council bond to move this item post haste to the mayor's office. Is there any discussion? We do this vanous consent. Any objection? The motion to move this item post haste. >> Madam clerk, please sign on the count of unanimous consent. >> 14 yay z. >> 14 yay z. The motion move post haste carries. >> Thank you sir. >> Thank you. Uh additionally for immediate consideration today. Oh, council bond. >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, we have one more thing. >> Yeah. Council member Boon. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Elms IED number 39323, a resolution by council member Andrea Elbo Boon, Antonio Lewis, Marcy Cario, Over Street, Collins, Winston Batier, Wyoff Hillis Bond Amos Doure West Morland. Whereas Liliana Batiara whereas the Atlanta City Council recognizes the importance a resolution by council members Andrea Boon and Antonio Lewis requesting that the family of Lenton Blackwell will be granted access to viewing the recording of the incident resulting in his shooting and for other purposes. Whereas the Atlanta City Council recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in matters involving public safety and law enforcement. And whereas the family of Linton Blackwell has requested access to view the video recording of the incident in which Mr. Blackwell was shot multiple times resulting in his death. And whereas the council acknowledges the family's right to seek clarity, closure, and understanding regarding the circumstances of the incident. And whereas providing the family with access to the video recording would promote trust between the community and the institutions charged with protecting public safety. And whereas the council affirms that such access should be granted in a manner consistent with applicable laws, policies, and procedures governing the release of evidence and sensitive materials. Now therefore be it resolved by the Atlanta City Council that the council formally requests that the appropriate authorities grant the family of Linton Blackwell access to view the video recording of the incident resulting in his shooting. Be it further resolved, any access in accordance with this requirement, access shall be provided in a secure and respectful manner, ensuring that the dignity of the family and the integrity of any ongoing investigations. Be it further resolved that the council urges all relevant agencies to act promptly and facilitate this request recognizing the family's need for transparency and closure. Be it finally resolved that the office of the municipal clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the mayor's office, the Atlanta Police Department, and any other relevant authorities for immediate consideration and action. Move approval. >> Second. There's a motion to adopt Elms ID 39323 by Council Member Boon, seconded by Council Lewis. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Hearing none, we move to a vote. Madam Clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? The post closed. 14 yay z. >> 14 yay zero naysay. Motion to adopt carries. Any other papers for immediate consideration? There's a motion by council bond to move the uh item that we just adopted 39323 to the mayor's office post haste. Seconded by council member Lewis. Is there any discussion on the motion to move this item post haste? We do this unanimous consent without objection. Any objection to the motion to move this item post haste? Madam clerk, please sound the count on the motion to move this item post haste. >> 14 yay zero nays. >> 14 yay zays. Motion carries. Uh before we move to general remarks, um I just want to ask council Woff if she would come forward. It takes a very special person to step into this place. And when council member Faroki stepped down, you your name immediately came forward as someone who could come in, be effective, be able to get along with this incredible body. But your service to this city is not defined by the last few months. You have been working to make this city better in professional and civic ways across the entire community. And on a personal level, I can't tell you how proud it's been to be your constituent from district 2 for the last few months. So, as my final act, it is my pleasure to give you the Spirit of Atlanta award and thank you for your service on this council. Pardon White. Um, I just wanted to say it's been an honor to serve with all of you over the last couple of months and I'm just so thankful to all the council members, to all the staff, um, to the administration and to the honorable Amir Froaki who saw my potential and uh want asked me to serve and I I graciously said, "Wait, hold on. How many boards do I serve on? Do I have any conflict of interest?" Um and uh it it was so wonderful to have it all worked out. So, thank you all very much for just everything. You all are family. So, thanks. >> With that, we will move to general remarks. Councilor Bond. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Well, three things just quickly. I'm glad we pass the resolution in support of the family that came down here today. And I just want to say I hope we follow uh the rules in processing or that the department the APD uh follows the rules in investigating the incident has been turned over to the GBI. But I also want to implore someone uh at APD or in the mayor's office or in the office of constituent service to reach out to that family and give them an update and keep them well briefed. I was very moved by what they said today and it took me back to believe it was 1970 or 71. Officer Friendley came to Overthorp Elementary School. They brought brought the car. We got in. We played with the lights, turned on the siren. That night we came on, turned on WSB's John Puit. We saw Josea Williams in Mechanicsville. APD had shot a man that was on line on his face in handcuffs and was shot in the back. Six bullets in this man's back. And it it rocked my perspective as a child about how the police of what can happen with a rogue police officer. 17 bullets in the back, you have emptied your weapon into that person's bag. So I hope that in this investigation you know there's a pres under the constitution United States there's a presumption of innocence in these incidents but I hope that is f it is fully investigated to the letter of the law and that the family is kept informed all the way through and that justice is served. My second point, the Douglas Astros, they went down in defeat on Saturday, but after overcoming a season where they were only expected to win three games, uh they made it to the final four in the state football championship, exceeding all goals. So, we want to give them some congratulations for making that effort. And then thirdly, I want to announce that the ATL Fresh and Free food giveaway uh is going to be held this Wednesday, December the 3rd, 2:00 p.m. at the Hunter Hills Baptist Church in historic Hunter Hills at 166 Edward Street promptly at 2:00 p.m. There's no prerequisite to receive this help. So, if you don't need it, uh, please spread the word. There'll be one other ATL fresh and free before the year ends, and that will be on December the 17th, and that'll be the final one for this calendar year. And so, I also just want to put out there as I close, I made the world's greatest black ey peas and limeab bees. And want to give Kenny Mars credit. He they donated a turkey a lemon pepper turkey. >> Never had anything like it. It was It will set a new trend. It's fantastic. But never, you know, lemon pepper and Atlanta go hand in hand, but I'll withdraw. Mr. President, >> thank you, Council Doer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I want to wish a belated happy birthday to my youngest daughter Naomi who turned two years old this past Saturday. And then she appreciates that. And then u separately just want I know you're going to say it too, but want to remind people that there is an election that will be held tomorrow. Please go out and vote. If you live in the city of Atlanta, there is something on your ballot. So, please go vote. >> Thank you, Council Member Bakiari. >> Yeah, thank you. Before I talk about my colleagues, I wanted to take a moment. Um, Deputy Chief Pace, I know that you're shifting into a different role, but for the last four years, thank you. I know how how difficult it has been to manage all these different personalities. I say that primarily about myself. Um, thank you for everything you've done. And to Deputy Chief, Chief Slade, looking forward to having you on board. Um, you got you got some shoes to fill. Uh it'll be weird not getting to see Theo on the hall almost every day, but excited to work with you and thank you both. Um really because being the bridge is not easy. So, I appreciate y'all and um to Council Member Woff, really feel very lucky to call you a better friend after this and for everything you've done. And I'm so grate I'm learned so much from me the last three months and I'm really glad that you that you're here and I'm sad that our time is cut short, but um you if you allow me, I hope to continue leaning on you for a lot of input on the areas of your expertise which far out match my own. Um to council president um who is I'm gonna see who takes off their glasses first. To council president Shipman. Um [laughter] uh I just I feel so lucky to get to call you a friend after all of this. And thank you so much for the last four years and especially for the first two. I don't know how I would have done it without you. and uh to Shookhams um to council member Shook. Well, we've already we've already celebrated enough today. Love you and I'll miss you. Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> Thank you, Council Boon. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I too would like to um thank some folks who have been extremely extremely helpful to all of us. Um they won telly awards. Our wonderful communication staff won two or three telly awards which is some of the highest [clears throat] awards that the communications professionals can get in the video production space. Zenna Lewis, Brian Ezek, Phyllis Jackson, Dexter Andrews, Daniel and Tiffany. I want us to just give them a hand for willing those wonderful awards. They take up a lot of time and some of the videos that they make have gone down in history and are in museums in Washington DC and otherwise. So, thank you all for all you all do. Our wonderful law department led by Patrice Perkins Hooker and Amber Robinson. Thank you to Thank you all so much for all you all do for us. Thank you. And to our birthday colleague Jason Winston, I don't think we will be here to celebrate your birthday. What day is your birthday? >> 14th. >> Yeah. But happy birthday. Thank you for being a bright spirit. And again, Mr. President and Mr. Shook, we wish you all well. We will be in touch with you all. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Thank you, Counc. >> One more. One more. and and to this administration, Theo, I don't think we will ever um not be able to see you on the hall because we will call you. Thank you for your patience, your indulgence, and being topnotch. Welcome, Miss Slade, to uh Miss Burks, the mayor, Mr. English, this entire team. Thank you all for what you all do for the city of Atlanta. >> Thank you, Council Lewis. Just want to send out a huge shout out to South Atlanta High School flag football team, the our ladies flag football team which made the state champ the state playoffs. Super excited to see the ladies and all their running that they're doing it on our field. The flag football program is one of the only programs where you actually get to see home games. So to be at Southland High School and watch our young ladies run circles around people has been amazing and I look forward to seeing what you do next year. Also huge celebration and congratulations to their coach. Their coach who won coach of the year. Amazing young person. We we grew up so surpris well wishes to you, your family, and the team. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Shook. >> Thank you. Just a few uh remarks. Uh, first of all, um, I want to share with you what I've learned today, which is, um, if you want to get really get people really excited about you at city hall, just announced that you're leaving. >> Um, oh, to Corona and Dennis and Sally on behalf of the thousands of people um, who they have helped. Um, we've been together the whole time. Uh thank you to them and uh I love them and they will do well wherever they go. Um to my colleagues I will miss y'all. Um that's it. Actually, actually my last words from this chair uh go out to the [clears throat] people who put me in it. To the good people of District 7. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and your support. Thank you. >> Other remarks. Charles >> Charles Chuck Chuck Chuck Chuck Chuck any uh any other remarks from colleagues >> just in the famous words of council member Sh called a question >> um >> I do have a couple of things I'd like to say briefly one is I want to thank all those who served as committee chairs this year uh it is not an easy job I appreciate your leadership and your moving everything along quite nicely this year um second I want to extend my heartfelt good wishes and good luck to council presidentele elect Over Street who will be filling this role at the next meeting. I told her earlier she cannot take this gavvel because this one is personalized. But fear not colleagues, I am going to make sure she has her own personalized gavvel for use at the first meeting so that she can she can keep she can keep everything in line. But truly, I wish you Godspeed and good luck. Um, and look forward to your leadership. Finally, let me reiterate what Council Member Doer said. There are elections tomorrow, District 71, as well as citywide school board. So, please get out and vote tomorrow at your precinct. Look up on the Georgia Secretary of State's office if you don't know where your precinct is. And with that, I would ask the clerk to call the closing role. Sorry, it council member backari causing trouble again. Okay. Um, we have council president Doug Shipman >> present. >> Council member Michael and Julian Bond, post one at large. >> Council member Matt was Morland, post two at large. >> Council member Eay Collins, post three at large. >> Council member Jason H. Winston, District 1, >> here. Council member Cardon Wyoff, District Two. >> Council member Byron D. Amos, District Three. >> Council [snorts] member Jason Dozer, District 4. >> Council member Liliana Bactiari, District Five. >> Council member Alex Juan, District 6. >> Is he here? >> Okay. Council member Howard Shook, District 7. [laughter] Council member Norwood, District 8. Council member Dustin Hillis, District 9. >> Council member Andrea Alboun, District 10, >> present. >> Council President-elect Marcy Caller, Over Street, >> Council Member Antonio Lewis, District 12. >> Without objection, that ends this council. We're going to turn