[Music] [Music] [Music] Hey hey hey. [Music] [Music] Hey, [Applause] hey hey. Hey hey hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Heat. [Music] Just have to do four. >> 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, October 20th, 2025. >> And I would invite the clerk to call the opening role. >> I Okay. >> Good afternoon, Mr. President and members of council. We have council president Doug Shipman, >> present. >> Council member Michael Julian Bond, post one at large. Council member Matt West Morland, post two at large. >> Here. >> Council member Esha Collins, post three at large. >> Here. >> Council member Jason H. Winston, District 1. >> Here. >> Council member Cardon Wyoff, District 2, >> here. >> Council member Byron D. Amos, District 3. >> Here. >> Council member Jason Dozer, District 4. >> Present. >> Council member Lana Bactiari, District 5. >> Here. >> Council member Alex Juan, District 6, >> here. >> Council member Howard Shook, District 7. Council member uh Marin Norwood, District 8. >> Council member Dustin Hillis, District 9. Council member Andre Elon, District 10, >> present. >> Council member Marcia Coler, Over Street, District 11. >> Council member Antonio Lewis, District 12. >> Mr. President, we do have a quorum of members present. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next, we'll move to the adoption of the agenda. Um, I would entertain a motion to amend the agenda to include one more proclamation for Atlanta DOT that Council Amos is going to include. >> Move to amend. >> It's moved by Council Member Over Street, seconded by Council Member Amos. Um, >> we just want to direct, Mr. Chair, if you could note how much we love ATL DOT because amending to add another proclamation. >> Yes. Is there any discussion of the motion to uh amend the agenda? We can do this via uns consent. Any objection to the motion to amend the agenda? Madam clerk, please sound on the count's consent. >> 13. >> 13 yay, zero naysay. >> 13 yay, zay. The motion to amend the agenda passes. Now, if there are no other amendments or changes to the agenda, I would uh entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. Moved by council member Baktiari. Do I have a second? >> Seconded by council Juan. Any discussion on the motion to adopt the agenda as amended? We can move. We can do this unanimous consent. Is there any objection? Madam clerk, please sign on the count on unanimous consent on the motion to adopt the amended agenda. >> 15 yay, zero naysay. >> 15 yay, z nays. The motion to adopt the agenda carries. Next, we'll move to the invocation section of the agenda. We do not have a guest today for the invocation, but before we take a moment of silence. I would like to pause for any recognitions that council members may have. Council member Boon. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. The Atlanta community lost evangelist Ivonne Shaw who was the organizer and coordinator for the 30th year for the Christmas Cascade Quanza Parade. She was also a native of Atlanta, attended David T. Howard High School, Howard University, was a well-known and respected community leader. Please keep Evangelist Ivonne Shaw and her daughters, also the Andrew and Walter Young family. She was extremely close to them and organized many events along the Cascade Corridor, Evangelist Ivonne Shaw. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Bond. >> Yes. I want to lend my uh voice to honor Evangelist Ivonne Shaw. She is a person that literally has known me my entire life. She was a dynamic uh lady, always concerned about the community and in every decade of her life found a way to participate civically and uplift the community. She will be sorely sorely missed. >> Thank you. others. I would like to extend uh condolences to the family of Craig Miller, who was the CEO of Craig Miller Productions, who's an Atlanta based company that worked exclus extensively in the film and TV industry. Um he was a wonderful uh both cheerleader and influencer in that space and someone who touched many folks in Atlanta. So I want to make sure that we uplift his family after his loss on Sunday. with these. And for those unnamed, would you please join me in a moment of silence? Thank you. Would you please join me in the pledge of allegiance? [Music] 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. Thank you. Next, we will move to proclamations, commendations, and other special awards. First up today, I would like to invite council member Boone forward and those who are here to the uh to honor Denise Donnie M. Turner to please join us up here on the dis. >> Please come forward swiftly so that we may honor our wonderful Native Atlanta attorney. Come on up. Right on up. If you are here with the family and our honore, please come on up. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Come on. Come on. Right here. Right here. Mhm. Just standing. >> I know, right? >> Right here. Right here. >> Yeah, it's nice to see you in person. >> Yeah, you look very powerful. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. >> How are you? >> How are you? Nice to see >> I'm welcome. [Music] >> Uh, no. >> Yes, you do. >> Yes. [Music] >> Step up. Can y'all get behind them? >> Yes. Still, stop right there. Turn around right there. Turn. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I am Andrea Boon, a member of the Atlanta City Council. We are so very happy to honor our native sister, our native cousin, and our wonderful, wonderful attorney. In honor of Donnie M. Turner, M AJ DD, whereas the Atlanta City Council proudly recognizes and honors Donnie M. Turner, M AJ D, a native daughter of Georgia, for her extraordinary contributions to our nation and her steadfast commitment to the service of others. And whereas Donnie Turner played a piv p pivotable role in helping to secure over 500 million through the United States Congress for the establishment and construction of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, DC. while serving under the late US Senator Max Cleland of Georgia, helping to realize a dream first envisioned by black Civil War veterans over a century ago. Whereas Miss Turner's educational achievements reflect her lifelong pursuit of excellence. She holds a bachelor of arts from Spellelman College, a master's of arts from Clark Atlanta University, and a jurist doctorate from the Howard University School of Law. She is also one of five sisters to proudly graduate from Spelman College. And whereas DA was recently awarded a citation from the United States Senate in honor of her 17 years of lawyer service to the US Congress working under distinguished senators including Michael Bennett of Colorado, John Osaf of Georgia, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, assistant Democratic leader Richard Rick Durban of Illinois, and the late Senator Max Cleland of Georgia. She also served as legislative director to US Representative David Scott of Georgia. Whereas Donniey's name was placed in the congressional record of the 107th Congress by Senator Cleveland in recognition of her courageous service and dedication on September 11th, 2001 and again by the late Congressman John Lewis, who honored her for her unwavering commitment and advocacy in helping to bring the National Museum of African-American History and Culture to life alongside other congressional staff. And whereas through her tireless efforts in the judiciary appropriations, federal grants, and with the Senate Budget Committee, Miss Turner has become a nationally recognized policy advisor impacting the lives of Georgians and citizens across the United States was with thoughtful, visionary, and impactful legislative service. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta, do hereby recognize and commend the remarkable service and legacy of Donnie M. Turner MJD, and do hereby proclaim today, October 20th, 2025, as Donnie M. Turner day in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. [Applause] little bit. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And now we will have remarks from those that are here also to honor her. First, we will have Dr. Patricia Gillery, former social studies teacher, Crestwood High School, Atlanta, Georgia. >> Good afternoon. I was Donniey's high school social studies teacher, history and government. As a teacher, you interact with hundreds of students per year, and you hope that you will have an have an impact and make a difference in their lives. But there's always one student or two or three that you connect with on a deeper, more personal level. In the 80s when I was a high school teacher, there were two of them and they were identical twins. They are forever known to my friends and family as the Turner twins. Today we are honoring one of them and I'm so happy to be here. Donnie was was what we refer to as a sponge in the teaching profession, soaking up knowledge. She was a student that when you looked out in the sea of faces, she was always smiling and giving you the figurative leaf thumbs up. Today we pause to honor her. A leader, a bright spirit, a trusted voice, and but and above all else, someone whose steady presence and generosity has quietly shaped many lives and many outcomes. When she was elected class president and later voted most likely to succeed, we weren't just recognizing a popular student. We were recognizing someone who embodied promise, responsibility, courage, and heart. Even then, she stood out not because she sought the spotlight, but because she knew how to lift others up, unite voices, and get things done. Years have passed, and what a journey it has been. For decades, she has dedicated herself to the service of our nation. Working on Capitol Hill in that demanding arena, one filled with pressure complexity and high stakes, and profound responsibility, she has proven that they were that the traits we glimpsed as a student were not a one-time flash, but enduring. She has brought integrity, intelligence, empathy, and vision to the heart of our democracy. So, we honor you today, Donnie Turner, for all your service. Thank you. >> Next, the Honorable Mo Ivory, Fulton County Commissioner. >> Thank you. I'm bring right here. Um, thank you so much. My name is Mo Ivory. I'm a Fulton County Commissioner right here in District 4 where you're sitting because if you live in Atlanta, you live in Fulton County. >> So, I'm here. Um, I'm not going to read everything that has already been said in the Atlanta presentation because I just be repeating all of the accolades. I'm here to speak personally about Donnie. Um, I'm going to say that she earned her bachelor's degree from political science uh from Spellelman College and that's where we first met. We're sisters in a multitude of ways. First, we're Spellelman sisters. Then we are sisters and sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. But yeah, you can to all the sorores in the room. Okay, wonderful. I see you in the back there. But more importantly than that, Donnie is my line sister and her twin sister Denise is also my line sister. So I've watched her evolution and we both had Dr. Davis in political science for four straight years at Spellelman College. So we've been there together for a very long time and she is also my link sister as well. So we are connected in so many ways and then we are in this political world. So we've been watching each other grow in this world for many many years and I've been so proud of the work that you have done. The thing you need to know about Donnie and also about Denise is they're very quiet. They don't do a lot of posting on social media. They don't do a lot of pushing their accolades in everybody's faces. They just do the work. So, I'm here today to tell you that now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognize recognizes Donnie Turner for her exemplary career and outstanding leadership and does hereby proclaim Monday, October 20th, 2025 as Donnie M. Turner Appreciation Day in Fulton County. And it's my honor to be able to do this for my sister. Thank you. [Applause] >> Get a picture right there. Just you Thank you. >> And now, Miss Nikki Tinsley, CEO, Concessions International. This is Donniey's cousin. Thank you. Thank you. I I will not I will not be here long, but I will just tell you it's an honor to be here today to celebrate family to represent our complete family. So, I will just simply say if you're out there, if you could stand if your family because I know everyone couldn't get up here. If you could please stand, all family. So, thank you. Thank you. So, Donnie is my second cousin. Her mother Janet is my first cousin. Um, I will tell you to represent our family at this moment to honor the service of Donnie is a pleasure. Donnie is a jewel. She has dedicated her professional life to service for her country, her state, and city, all of which she loves. And we are all better for that. Donnie is unselfish and a true servant leader. I know her heart and that she believes in so much that is good. As a younger cousin, I've sought her counsel >> and followed her lead. We share family, our love for Spellelman College and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. I can think of no one better to have this moment than Donnie Turner. And happy Donnie day. Thank you. And now we will have a short video. Thank you to Council Member Andrea Boon for this great honor and also to the Atlanta City Council for this proclamation. Uh when I started as a Senate staffer also many years ago, I was one of only a handful of black women's policy adviserss in the United States Senate. Um I just graduated from Howard University School of Law. Of course, I was a graduate of Spellelman College and had a master's degree from Clark Atlanta University. and I looked to a lot of the mentors and a lot of the longtime black staffers that had been here to guide me during this um period of time. Um while I was working for Senator Cleveland, I worked on legislation to establish the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, which led to about $500 million being raised to build that museum. And now it's the hottest ticket in Washington DC. It's the the one of the most popular museums in the Smithsonian. And so I'm really proud of that accomplishment and just goes to show how important it was to be a Senate staffer here and to work with um my colleagues and to have the uh background that I had being from Atlanta and um the roots in Georgia. I want to also thank my parents, my father, Dennis Turner Jr. MD, who was the first black medical resident to finish the surgery program at Emery University. And my mom, Janet Turner, who uh focused her career in education, was a travel agent, owned a small business, and was Andrew Young's Mayor Andrew Young's chief of protocol. And so, thanks so very much to my family and to the support they have given me. um this is a great honor and I really appreciate it and want to make sure that there are others coming um behind me that I will continue to support them. Thanks again. And now our honore attorney Donnie Turney MJ D. Thank you so much, Councilman, Council Member Boon, and for everyone who brought this to fruition. Um, I'm a congressional staffer. I work behind the scenes. My bosses get the credit. The senators get the credit. They're on the Senate floor. Um, but the ones who are behind the scenes, who are working on legislation, drafting bills, like I said, working on legislation to establish a National Museum of African-American History, that does get done behind closed doors, working with the Smithsonian, working with other um African-American museums who were afraid that a national museum would pull resources from uh local communities. So trying to work with all of the interested parties, all of those behind the behind the scenes work um is what has built my career. And so I'm so thankful for this recognition. It's really awkward for me to be here. Like I said, I'm usually behind the scenes. I'm I'm not um in front. And so uh for 17 years, I've worked in the House and Senate. I've worked as a lobbyist. I've worked for a presidential campaign. And I worked for the state of Maryland. It's been an amazing career. So all of you out there who are interested in working for your local, your state, your federal government, please come and do it. It's a great opportunity. It's a great career. Thank you. >> Oh yes. I also want to um introduce my sister Denise Turner. She's in the audience. >> Wave your hand Denise. >> And my aunt Arnishia Norman. She's also in the audience. Oh, and my other sister Dorian Turner is in the audience as well. So thanks everybody for for being here, for supporting me. This is uh this is great. >> What a great family. What a great family. Thank you to Mr. Sha Norman, the Roy Norman family, and all of you all who have gathered here to accept this award and be here with her. And now we will have an official photo. Thank you. >> Everyone else close. [Music] I know we just stand anyway. [Music] So, what's the what day of the week do you usually have? Thursday or Friday. >> This Thursday actually of course. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> So nice. >> Thanks for coming. >> D. Congratulations. Hey, how are you? Please move quickly to the reception. Part two of our celebration. Part two of our celebration. Part two of our celebration will be held on the second floor in the corner. Please move swiftly. Please move swiftly. Please move. reception on the second floor to the left. [Music] Thank you all. Next, I will invite Council Member Michael Julian Bond forward and all of those who are here to celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm Jamal Warner to please join us here on the dis. [Music] Maybe she left it. [Music] [Music] Okay. Yeah, you stay you stay up here. >> Don't come on everybody else. >> Yeah, everybody come on up. >> Y'all stay right here. >> Okay. Okay, >> this his father right here. >> Yeah, mom. >> Okay, >> come right here. >> Come right here. >> You got Mr. Wong. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, I want to say good afternoon to everyone uh who is here present and of course who is monitoring this either on cable or streaming. We're here to post humorously honor someone who has had a not just a tremendous impact on the Atlanta community uh but literally the world. Um we're here to honor the legacy of Mr. Malcolm Jamal Warner. Uh with me today are are his parents and his sister, members of his family, friends and supporters. Uh we want to honor his memory uh here uh today. And you know, I had the occasion to meet, as I've told Mr. Warner, uh I I met Malcolm way back in 1988 at the Democratic National Convention here in Atlanta with my two siblings, Jeffrey and Cookie. And Malcolm, Cookie, and Jeffrey stayed in uh contact over many, many years. We all watched him grow up on the Cosby Show. uh but we watched him mature and more than perform uh through his music and through his dramatic roles and one of the things when you talk about people who are in the acting profession you know acting of itself is a kind of deception uh because you are dramatizing someone else's words for someone else's purpose but one of the things about Malcolm is that he no matter what the role that he was in, it he seemed to be his authentic self. >> He his heart came through. And so I think that's why so many people uh here in Atlanta, around the country, and around the world loved him so. And so to the matter at hand, I have a proclamation uh from the city of Atlanta uh that reads as follows. celebrating the life and legacy of Malcolm Jamal Warner. Whereas Malcolm Jamal Warner, born August 28th, 1970, achieved wide acclaim for his iconic uh role as Theo Huxable on the Cosby Show, earning an Emmy nomination as the youngest performer ever in his category and launching a distinguished entertainment career spanning decades. Whereas having relocated to Atlanta to portray Dr. AJ the Raptor Austin in the Fox Network series the the resident, Warner became an intricral part and presence in Atlanta's creative community, returning regularly to perform, speak, and to support local cultural life. And whereas Warner was beloved a fixture in the Atlanta art scene, playing bass with the band Biological Mitzvs, formerly known as We Got Jazz, fronting the jazz funk ensemble, Miles Long in soldout City Winery shows, which I attended, delivering spoken word performances and appearing at major events like Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art. And whereas as a poet and podcast host, most notably with his show, Not All Hood, Warner used his creative voice to explore identity, culture, social issues. He notably brought Atlanta based spoken word truth artist Tika George me Harper onto the show in his final episode posted shortly before his passing. And whereas his friends and collaborators across Atlanta describe Warner as more like a brother, recalling his warmth, uh, humility, and deep commitment to family and community. And whereas Warner tragically passed away on July 20th, 2025 while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica, his death prompted an outpouring of poignant tributes from colleagues, fans, and family around the world and mourning the loss of the man celebrated for his artistry and grace. And whereas his mother Pamela Warner launched the Malcolm Jamal Waring Living Legacy Instagram account to honor his memory and encourage others to carry forward the passion for art, family, and authenticity. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of the city of Atlanta, do hereby proclaim this 20th day of October 2025 as Malcolm Jamal Warner Day in our great city in recognition of his significant artistic contributions, his devotion to Atlanta, to the Atlanta community, and the enduring legacy to encourage Atlantis to reflect on with the joy of creativity. ity and the humanity Malcolm Jamal Warner brought to the world. In witness thereof, I've set my hand and have caused the seal of the city of Atlanta to be here into a fix. Now, we are joined today by our brother from our sister government, uh, board member, Atlanta public schools board member Alfred Shivy Brooks. Where where behind? Oh, right here. Come on up and say a word. Um, Mr. Warner, Warner family, it's an honor uh to be here with you. Uh, little did I know I I'd had the privilege to meet many of you just last week on Friday. Uh, getting to join in on Malcolm's show with his lovely co-host. uh having experienced parental grief in a very similar way. My heart goes out to you. I just want to say thank you for the presence of your son. Thank you for raising such an immaculate, exceptional person. Getting to see the impact that he's had on our culture, on our people, but specifically here in Atlanta is just completely invaluable. There are so many people who I love so dearly that I know loved your son so dearly because of who he was and whose he was. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for raising the man that you did. We're forever forever grateful. Thank you. >> And next we'll have a dear friend Martha Marsha Washington George who's going to read a poem that the family has requested. The poem is entitled I was gifted to be me. August 18, starting over. August 18th, 1970. A gift my parents held for it was the beginning of what I would become to tell. To tell a story of life's journey and how it made me smile and gain the love of many others, if only for a while. I challenged what I had with acting for many, many years. And through this artful challenge, I brought laughter to tears. I moved on to the top of the line with the Grammy award in tow for >> excuse me for this great music accomplishment is what kept me on the go. From the residence and then my jazz sounds, accomplishments abound. My my my. This is all great greatness. Excuse me. I'm now director bound. Well, one would think he's done it all. What else could there ever be? And then I surprised them all with what would be great poetry. So now you know my story of what I chose as the best. But it was the love of my family and child that put me to the test. The test was great. The test was strong. And sometimes I would sit and thank God for his graciousness for my gift g that was so fit. I was gifted to be me. [Applause] >> Mr. Warner. Yeah, this is uh quite an honor. Uh I and my family very appreciative to the city of Atlanta. Um I'm I'm I'm an emotional cat. And um Malcolm was my first child. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1970. Um, and I would tell him quite often that the fame and fortune aside, I was most appreciative for the fact that he was a good man. Uh, he was he was um a loving man. He cared very much for his wife and his child and um his sister and um my grandson is here. Where where's Miles? Miles is behind me. Um um gee, I you I've heard uh I've heard Spelman mention and I've heard Howard mentioned, but I've not heard Lincoln University mentioned, so I'm mentioning Lincoln University and Oxford, Pennsylvania. Uh gee, you you guys are great. Um Malcolm um lives on. Um he's he's in my heart. He's in our heart. And again we thank you very much for this uh for this occasion. Thank you. [Applause] We're going to move up now for our official photo. So if the family would come forward and everybody else get in where you fit in. >> Come on up. [Music] Come on, S. Excuse me. >> She's behind you. right here. [Music] [Music] >> Right. Pick you up. [Music] All right. One two three. One more. All right. [Music] [Music] live broadcast. You got to get your number for me, man. >> Okay. We can go this way. [Music] Thank you all. Finally today, I'd like to invite council member Amos up and all those who are here to honor uh Atlanta DOT to come and join us up on the dis please. [Music] [Music] [Music] He doesn't have [Music] she doesn't [Music] Um, good afternoon everyone. I'm council member Byron Amos, chair of the transportation committee. As we gather around, we are here to actually recognize what is rapidly becoming the month of October other than my birthday. Um, Biketober month 2025. Recognizing October as Biketober month 2025. Whereas bike biketober celebrate each October is a month-long event presented by Georgia commute options and the Atlanta region commission has encouraged residents to ride bicycles for fun, fitness, transportation while showcasing the health, environmental and community benefits of cycling. And whereas Viktober advances a city goal of sustainability and connectivity by promoting active transportation that reduces congestion improvement improves air quality and fosters stronger healthier communities. And whereas the city of Atlanta has adopted the vision zero initiative affirming its commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and severe in injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. And whereas the continued success of Vision Zero and Biketober depends on the shared efforts of transportation professionals, policy makers, civic organizations, and engaged public committed to building a culture of roadway safety. And whereas through initiatives such as biketober month, the city of Atlanta and Atlanta Department of Transportation continues to foster a culture of innovation and inclusion, advancing the mayor's vision of one safe city and a city built for the future by investing in infrastructure, education, and programs that make cycling accessess accessible, enjoyable, and safe for all residents. Now therefore, it be proclaimed that we, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the residents of Atlanta, do hereby declare October 25 as Bike to Biketober month in the city of Atlanta and call upon all citizens, businesses, schools, and civic organizations to celebrate the benefits of cycling and to support the principles of Vision Zero by working together to create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable city. And of course, this proclamation is signed by the Atlanta City Council president and all members of the Atlanta City Council. [Applause] Commissioner slips in here. >> Congratulations, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right, I am going to move through this because we got a lot of folks that want to talk about biking in Atlanta. So, thank you. I'm Commissioner Solomon Cavinus with the Atlanta Department of Transportation and I know everyone here came out because this is Biketober. Biketober is a special month for the Atlanta Department of Transportation and all those who look for commuting options throughout the city. We are partnering with Georgia commuter options or my Georgia commuter options also um Propel ATL and um our council members and all those who are um uh supporters of a healthier way of moving around the city. So, we have all of our representatives here that want to share how strong we support biking throughout the city. And we want to encourage everyone to take advantage of, you know, alternative means to getting from school to work, uh, take advantage of our trails and also all the wonderful bike facilities we have throughout our city. These folks have worked really hard to make biking an option in this city and have worked really hard to put lanes throughout the city. So with that, I want to say thank you council member. Thank you council member. Thank you council member and all those council members who are here the deis uh for all your support and all your uh your vision because um not only biking but uh walking Atlanta is really being a leader throughout this country in terms of uh alternative options to driving. So with that, I'm going to bring up Deputy Commissioner Betty Smoot Madison to share a few words. And this is our great leader of strategy and planning. [Applause] >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Council Member Amos, and all of the um folks that are the council members that represent um our great city. We really do appreciate you recognizing Biketober for the month of October. This is the month in partnership with Georgia Commute Options and Love to Ride Atlanta that we really encourage everyone to consider an alternative mode of getting around whether you're doing a short trip to the grocery store or to the library, the rec center, um to school, or even to work as a commute option. Um or even if it's just recreationally on the weekends and the evenings, you want to get on the trail with your family, get on the Atlanta Belt Line. Um we just encourage you that for the month of October really consider those other options that are out there rather than driving um to help ease congestion, release some of the congestion that's on our city streets. Um it's also a healthier and more sustainable option of getting around. Um and we are building more bike lanes out throughout the city that really provides comfortable and safe spaces for you to do so. And so this month is just really about um getting those extra miles in. You can make it a competition if you go to loveto ride.net. You can join a team. There's a couple of city teams that are established. So, if you're a city staffer um that rides to work, definitely join our team and rack up those miles um and let them count for something. There's awards that are given out and and some other great um incentives. And so again, as commissioner mentioned, we are a vision zero city. So we do um have a goal of reaching zero related traffic related fatalities um by the year 2040. And by doing that uh we by converting to another mode of getting around, you really help us to meet those goals. Um and so we uh really just want to support our vision zero program. And um we also just want to encourage everyone to be safer on our streets. October it does get darker. we have darker conditions during the month of October because it starts to get um darker quicker. Um the sun rises later and so um we have more people that are out during those dark conditions, people walking from school um and uh going to neighborhood amenities and so just be mindful um and considerate of other users of the roadway um and keep everyone safe. Happy Biketober. I did not want to let this opportunity pass without thanking this dynamic team. Thank you, Commissioner, for all of your leadership. Deputy Commissioner Alan Smith. Um, that's our number one guy. He answers the call. He answers the call when we call. Carla Smith, Sandra Kelly, Lenor. Thank you all so much for all you all do, giving us that special attention on Faraburn Road and um Cascade, Payton Road, and all of the great great work. Um thank you all so much. [Applause] It's only befitting that it was council member Boone to last speak because as we get ready to pave Boone Boulevard from North Side Drive to H Homes is a blessing. Uh any of my other colleagues want anything to say? Council member do of course I always got something to say about transportation. >> Good afternoon y'all. I'm Council Member Jason Doer. I represent District 4 in Alaska City Council. And I will tell y'all that biking has been such an instrumental way in which my family gets around. I think I've seen some of y'all here, y'all seen me drop my kids off at at preschool or kindergarten. Uh some of y'all have seen me at Atlanta United matches. Uh we get around on our bikes. And one of the things that has been important for me, especially as a father to two young girls, is making sure that they know that they don't have to have a car to get around this city. Um my oldest loves riding the martyr bus, not the train, but she loves riding the bus. And when we put a bike on a bus and see how connectivity really comes together, whether you're on foot, you're on bike or on bus. Uh that's how Atlanta works. That's how Atlanta gets around. That's how Atlanta hums. And to see that and to experience that is something I wanted to make sure that she gets to to to, you know, internalize as she gets older. Uh as many of y'all know, unfortunately, my oldest daughter and I were involved in a situation where we were hit by a car on our bike coming from the Atlanta United match a few months ago. And one thing I'll tell you, uh, my daughter has been back on a bike since. She lo she she still wants to ride a bike. So, and one of the most beautiful things I think we got to experience this year is that even though we ride on a bike together, uh, she now can pedal on her own bike uh, over where Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run. It's where my daughter learned how to ride a bicycle over uh, at what used to be Atlanta F County Stadium. So, I just want to say thank you to the Atlanta DOT team for continuing to make Atlanta uh one of the best and most bikable cities in the Southeast. We're going to continue to work to make sure it's one of the best and most bikable cities in the country. Uh, as I shared with the commissioner, as I've shared with our mayor, and after our most recent crash, if you thought I was annoying about this sort of stuff before, you ain't seen nothing yet. But I know y'all been working diligently day in day out to make our city as bikable and as safe for cyclists and pedestrians and motorists and everybody as possible. And that's what the work is all about. That's what Biketober is all about. Raising awareness and making sure we can get more people out of their cars and onto our streets and really experiencing the city in a much more intimate way. When you're going 15 m an hour down the street, you experience the city in a much different and it's just such a great way to get out. And uh I know I don't know if it's come up yet in in this proclamation, but just want to remind folks Atlanta Street's Alive is coming up this Sunday and and from district 1 all the way to District 4. And so if you're not sure about getting on a bike yet, you know what a great way to end Biketober is to get on your bike when the streets are closed and you get to really see the city in action. So just thank y'all for the hard work y'all are doing and uh thank you council member Amos for this proclamation and honoring the folks that are doing this work every single day. So thank y'all. >> I'll shut up now. >> Have council member Lewis. Then we're going to close without one of our partners. Just want to say thank you to Council Member Hamus for this proclamation and thank you to the entire team for all the work we've been doing on the southside. Last week I actually had the opportunity to walk, run or bike to school with the young folks at Gideonss and I did all three. I actually I actually was able to race a kid on a bike and we learned that these young folks need that protection. So to see all of my middle schools in district 12 now get protected bike lanes and protected walk lanes and to get the same stuff they have on the north side and lastly to make sure that you can walk from South Atlanta High School into Browns Meal Golf Course to the Atlanta Belt Line. That's what we're working on right now with your staff. So in four years to be able to go from South Atlanta High School to Brownsville Golf Course to the Atlanta Belt Line protected is going to be an on sidewalk would be amazing. And today, today my colleagues and I, we're going to get to one of those amazing streets that we're putting bike lanes and protected safe streets down the old Central now Charlie Franklin which will connect to the old prior and hopefully future Michael Lenford Parkway today. And so I'm super happy about what we doing on the south side. Thank you again to ATL. Let's keep it going. All right, [Applause] >> thank you all for having us. My name is Bennett Foster at the Atlanta Regional Commission. Uh so Georgia Community Options does uh run Biketober. We are funded by Georgia Department of Transportation and managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. I just want to first off spread the message of uh joy uh and give this to the council member. Don't worry, I have one for all the council members. >> But if you if you see here, the message is joy. We want to spark joy. And that's because riding your bike, how could you not have a smile on your face? Whether you've done it uh did it yesterday or did it a year ago or maybe 10 years ago, uh getting on a bike puts a smile on your face. And it's equally good when you have a teammates, you got uh community members or colleagues uh to bike with you. And that's what Biketober is about. Putting a smile on your face and also uh competing with other companies. We so far have 360 companies in the region competing during Biketober. And you can, as Betty mentioned, you can win prizes uh such as an ebike from Outback uh bikes or an Edison ebike uh from some of our great partners. Um, but I do want to go back to something the commissioner and the council members here have said. You know, we're trying to get people on bikes, but we're not building bike lanes or anything like that. You're doing that and you're doing a wonderful job. And the more people we get on bikes using the those bike lanes, the more people who will be biking, right? And uh when we do these bike buses, as Council Member Lewis was talking about, those bike buses are all over the city. And when you find when you uh have the Atlanta ebike rebate program, you're putting more people on bikes. You're driving down the cost of transportation for everyone here and you're getting rid of congestion because that's one less car in your way, right? And so what we're creating here is a virtuous cycle. You're all part of it and you can keep doing this and from now until the end of the month, win some prizes, log your rides, and have a great time. Put a smile on your face. So, thank you all so much. [Applause] And yes, I I have shirts for our ATLO friends, ATL DOT friends, and our council members here. >> Oh, wish we step up front. Take a picture. [Music] >> All right, everybody come in as close as possible. Y >> that's really his >> bike. [Music] Okay, hurry up. Hurry up. Hurry up. >> Alan Smith. Alan Smith. Come right here. Alan Smith. Alan Smith. >> Okay, here we go. >> Wait, wait, wait. [Music] >> Oh, wait. Okay. >> All right. One, two, three, four. >> Perfect. All right. All right. [Music] Oh where? >> Okay. [Music] You can do that with anybody. [Music] Oh, wow. We're back up. I'll >> continue the good work. Thank you all very much. We will now move to public comment. >> I would remind everyone that um each person has up to two minutes unless they have been yielded time by someone else on the list. Cannot yield time at the podium. I will do my best with pronunciation of names, but please do correct the record if I happen to mispronounce your names and apologies in advance. First up today will be Valerie Anderson. Due to yield to time, you'll have up to six minutes today. [Music] [Music] >> Just that I haven't said anything yet. You start the clock. Please restart the clock. Go ahead, Miss Anderson. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. Um, I would like to say, um, Jason Dova, thank you for introducing yourself to me. Pleased to meet you. So, yeah, the last time I was here, I must say I was disappointed in the behavior up there. So, I just want you all to know that cuz I haven't forgotten that. And I was very disappointed. Very disappointed to feel like I was disrespected. So I'm here to let you all know, like I said before, I'm not going to stand here and have anyone disrespect me. I get you all don't know me. You all don't know my son. I get that. But he is my son. And I'm here doing what any mother would do for their child. Especially a child, my son that was murdered by a lawless drunk officer who was on probation when he murdered my son. Instead of getting charged with murder, he got charged with obstruction because he refused to take a blood draw. So when I say when I get up here, I want you all attention. I want each and every one of your attention. Okay? Because that's my son I am grieving over for the rest of my life. And that is my son that I will not speak about in the past because as I'm standing here, he's with me. I carried him for nine months. Nine months. So he's here with me in my soul, in my spirit, and in my heart. Okay? So no one is going to disrespect that. No one is going to disrespect that. My child is with me in here. Devon Anderson Jr. So I just want to put that out there. want needed to put that out there. Mr. West Mullen, thank you for the information that you sent me. Highly disappointed. Very disappointed as you read. Very disappointed because I can't believe that's what was sent to me. But I have to deal with it. That's something I have to deal with. The dysfunction and ineffectiveness of this situation I am in. My son was murdered. I don't know how much time I have to say this that my son was murdered. So, I mean, am I just supposed to be like, listen to what the police have to say, which is a bunch of goddamn liars? Don't you all care about trust? Don't you all care about respect? Those are the things to me that means a lot to me. trust and I have no trust. Respect and I don't know who to respect. Okay. I don't know who. So, as far as I know, I'll be showing up. And to know that I have to wait until next year. next year hoping and praying that I'm here to get justice for my son is shameful. It's very shameful. Why? Because the privilege is you all. And like I've said many times before, I don't care about your privilege, title, or power. I don't care. My privilege, my power is mother is simply mother. I'm doing my motherly duty to my son and the promise I made to myself and to my son as I walk towards his casket and I and I saw him laying there not believing that's my son that was murdered by a goddamn lawless drunk officer with a record that he have the discipline record that this man have and the fact that he was on probation. He should have been in goddamn jail. He should have been in jail. He should have never went home because he refused a blood draw because if it was my son, my son was going to jail. And I'm going to say this again and again. If it was my son, he was going to jail. And if it was my son, my son would have been in jail right goddamn now. But he was home for a whole year collecting a check off the goddamn taxpayers. And now he's back at work. And I'm here still trying to get justice for my son. Still trying to get justice for my son. But you know what I say all the time, right? I'm not going nowhere. Not going nowhere. Cuz that's my son that I love very much. Very, very much. My other kids, too. But we talking about this one here. The baby. My baby. My baby. my youngesties that was taken away from me by some lawless drunk that the city look like they'll do anything to protect the amount of goddamn energy you all putting in protecting him. You all need to do the same damn thing to find out why my son was murdered by this lawless drunk. >> Time is expired. [Music] >> Thank you. Next will be Henry Jordan. You'll have up to two minutes. [Music] getting unto the spirit of God. Everyone is here. Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me. The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwelleth in me. He doeth the works. St. John 14 chapter 10 verse. Essentially Jesus claimed to deity is attested not so much by his verbal witness but by his works and they are conclusive. Jesus did works in me for his glory. Not mine or yours but for our protection. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that he that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12th chapter 9 verse 2 chapter 9th verse. The apostle is deeply concerned about the weaker brethren and he burned with indignation when he thought of those who would lead them into sin. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16 chapter 24 verse Satan the Lord reconciled in Peter's words a repetition of the temptations to avoid the cross that he had undergone in the wilderness. And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. And they provoked him to jealousy with the sins which they had committed above all that their fathers had done. First Kings 14 chapter 22 verse. Help us not to do evil in the sight of the Lord. Lucifer deceive us that he had more for us than Jesus have and he do not. Jesus can still kill Satan. When Satan attempts to kill Jesus, we don't know that Christ is the real power, not our flesh, cuz in flesh the way we are sin. >> Time is expired and destroy us. >> Thank you. Next will be Devin Franklin. Due to yield of time, you'll have up to eight minutes. Good afternoon, council members. Uh Devin Franklin, senior policy movement policy council at the Southern Center for Human Rights. Today, I am going to bear my heart with you all a little bit. Um, so I'm going to ask you all to bear with me as I do. So, there are times where my past experience as a trial lawyer, um, a public defender here in Fton County, a public servant here is the source of much of my frustration and consternation when I deal with you all collectively. You see, my job now involves um my communication and advocacy on behalf of a large contingent of people um and their interactions with the system. But my job for the 12 years before joining the Southern Center for Human Rights involved communication and advocacy for the best interest of an individual brought before the criminal legal system and facing punishment. Now, sometimes I had a volume of facts on my side um at my disposal to use in my advocacy for people that I represented. And obviously, there were times when the state prosecutors had more evidence at their disposal than I. But even as opponents in a system that was designed to be adversarial, we always talked. We even argued whether in private conversation or in public hearings. We exchanged ideas. We assessed the information and evidence at our disposal and we took positions. And surprise surprise, even after those fights and arguments, we almost never agreed about what the correct outcome or disposition was, what was most appropriate or what was most fair. But at a minimum, even with prosecutors continuing to pursue efforts to take away the liberty and freedom of those who I represented, I at least knew why. Even if I felt it was a bad reason or a reason that I felt was insufficient, I knew where they stood. And I can't say that for all of you. My issue particularly with a number of you is that we do not know where you stand or why you're standing there. Do you take position simply because it is politically advantageous? Or is it your true belief? Is it based on data or investigation? Or are you taking a position because you don't want to upset the mayor? Do you not do you take a position because you don't want to be seen as a malcontent or uncooperative amongst your peers on council? Are you staying quiet because elections are looming? Do you take position or refuse to engage with literal experts on the issue like the intersection of court processes and conditions of confinement in Fton County? Do you not engage with people like me simply because you don't like me? And if you don't, that's fine. I don't know and I need to know because in my three years in coming down here to talk to you all and to invite you to events and presentations about policing and jailing in Atlanta and in Fulton County, I've yet to be wrong about anything as it pertains to the lease of the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County and Sheriff Labot. I along with dozens of members of the community over cages coalition told you one that the women in Union City will be the first house in the Atlanta City detention center. Two, we told you that the sheriff did not have the staff to maximize the lease the 700 beds that you all authorized to go over to him. Three, we told you that the people would continue to die in custody because the building, as horrible and decrepit as it is, was not what was killing people. We told you that there was the culture of neglect and indifference that had been continuing and will continue to kill people. And where do we stand on those things that I told you all then? Well, we were correct. The women in Fulton County's custody were the first to be moved there. They were moved from Union City to the Atlanta City Detention Center, and the men were not transported there for some months after the lease went into place. as it pertains to maximizing the usage of the lease. To this day, Fulton County still has hundreds of unused beds and has rarely exceeded more than 50% usage of that building because of staffing. And this exists even while as a report by WAB WAB last week states more than 60 men sleep on the floor at the jail today. today, 3 years after the York uh legislation authorizing that lease, there are literal dozens of examples as to why that legislation that you all passed is a failure. But I cannot think of anything that is more clear a more clear display of that failure than the fact that five dozen men are still sleeping on the floor at Rice Street after three years after you all passed legislation particularly for that purpose. Three, we told you that people will continue to die because of your refusal to operate in reality, dignity, and fact, Cornell Harris, Yavan Jackson, Jeffrey Jackson, Noni Batis Kasoko, Monte Stinson, Christopher Smith, Alexander Hawkins, Samuel Lawrence, DaVon Blake, Shandre Delmore, My former client, Michael Holland, Travis Landry, Leonard Forner, Michael Brandon Rivers, Judith Wilson, Seth Green, Sean Dola, Benjamin Pike. Those are the names of all the individuals who have been reported to have died at at Fton County Jail since you all passed that legislation. And that is not including those who have gone unreported because there was also an article from WAB last week that spoke to the fact that there was a fifth death in Fulton County Jail this year that went unreported and that the sheriff was not even aware that he had died because he had been transported to the to Grady Hospital um before his actual death. Do you all ask these questions and do you even care? Councilman Bond is not here at the moment. Um, I wish he had walked back in, but when we were arguing with uh you all about what to do with the lease, he stood I stood before this body and begged you all not to lease AC/DC to Fulton County because the actions that you all were taking were not responsible to the harm that you had identified. And you told us that when elephants fights, uh, is what Mr. Bill said that when elephants fight, it is the grass that is damaged. But what about all the blades of grass that I just named? And those names don't even include that of uh LSA Thompson who about a month after you all passed the legislation died in Fulton County custody after after having effectively been eaten alive by bed bugs. [Music] Do you all consider the data and the many reports that come before you? The ACLU of Georgia has done several reports. The Southern Center for Human Rights Organization has done a people's process report that involves feedback from the community. Your own jail population review study. the Department of Justice's um findings report on the conditions at the Fulton County Jail. How many of you all can say that you have read those in summary or cover to cover? How many of you all can say that you have allowed that the findings um guided your determinations about what to do with the lease? And so, I know I have about a minute left. I'm going to speed through some other things and wrap up. But I will say that Councilman Hillis, you were chair of the public and safety legal administration when that lease passed. You sit on the Justice Policy Board and we never hear you say anything about it. Councilwoman Boone, you are chair of PSLA now and there was legislation introduced that asked for you all to authorize the language to go forward with the language that was authorized in the legislation in the contract and promised from the mayor from this very podium to end the lease in four years. The stage withdrawal is drawing soon. And the legislation that was introduced by Councilman Lewis, co-sponsored by council person Batiari and DOA simply asked for you to do what was contracted to, legislated to, and promised by the mayor. >> Time is expired. >> I would like for someone to not just look at me with a blank face today, but let me know where you stand, why you stand, and how you stand in there. >> Thank you. >> Council Bond, I believe that you'd like to respond. you recall by name. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for your comments and since you call my name, I'm going to respond. I respect your work. I respect the work of your organization and I respect your opinion, but I respectfully disagree. It is wrong for Fulton County not to build a new jail. Absolutely wrong. It is it would be wrong and I respect my colleagues who introduce legislation, but it would be absolutely wrong for Atlanta not to continue to aid Fulton County. The contract that you referenced is flawed in of itself, but not for the reasons that you advocate. It's flawed because the current contract says that Fulton County will supply the officers to watch their own inmates in our facility. That is not done anywhere else on Earth. Nowhere. Host agencies will watch the detainees. If the sheriff is has a der of employees, he needs them at the Fulton County Jail. Our corrections officers should be watching those detainees. Advocacy has its place. I grew up in a house full of advocates, right? I I was an advocate myself. I was arrested for my beliefs, right? I had I did that most of my life. I was an officer with the NAACP. But let me tell you what advocacy did at Fulton County during the pandemic Fulton County had on its agenda to build $110 million medical facility as an addendum to the Fulton County jail. Advocates came down and said, "You're expanding incarceration. Don't do it. Don't spend money on the prison industrial complex." And you know what's happened since? 12 people have died as it relates to not having adequate medical facilities at Fulton County Jail. >> And guess what else is happening? The the expansion that they're talking about now is that same facility that they should have built 5 years ago or 6 years ago, right? You came down here once and I I joke about it and we've joked about it. You talked about there was a man in the Fulton County jail with a $25 bond and I joke I said, "Hey, maybe you should have paid his bond instead of coming down here to tell us that somebody's in the jail for $25." The issue between the city of Atlanta and Fulton County is wrongheaded advocacy for non-incarceration. the city of Atlanta, as I've stated many times, contributes on any given day, 60 to 90% of the cases that wind up at Fulton County. While Atlanta sits on its municipal court, which is the only court of its kind in the state of Georgia, only municipal court of its kind in the state of Georgia. It is a court of special dispensation that can handle first appearance cases, trials that can divert people from even winding up at Fulton County in the court system. It can provide bonds. It can provide it can throw the cases out. It can bring the cases down and it's not being used. Right. So, and even the the city of Atlanta jail, a decision was made four uh three administrations ago to send everybody to Fulton County, which constitutionally is the sheriff's responsibility, right? But when we had an agreement with Fulton County that we would send our arresties to our jail, we diverted thousands of people from winding up in the jail and in the Fulton County court system. So what needs to happen is voices like yours, voices in the Fulton County Commission, voices in the administration and the council need to be in the same room and say we have the same problem and we serve the same citizens and that we ought to be working this out to the benefit of those citizens, including those who are incarcerated. There are some people there that shouldn't be there. I agree with you. I worked in corrections for 4 and a half years. I worked floors where there were 400 men and me in the building that is now the uh gateway center. >> I worked in an overcrowded situation. I found dead bodies. I was injured. I don't have knuckles on this hand anymore. So, I've been in those kind of conditions and I know what I'm talking about. But for some reason, people are afraid on the county side to build a new facility, which is the humane thing to do, right? It is the humane thing to do. And people on this side of the aisle are afraid to be accused of increasing incarceration, which is complete and total bull. You know, there are people who wind up in situations where they they end up locked up and they shouldn't be, right? particular on traffic charges >> very often, >> right? Particularly on traffic when I I was the arraignment officer in corrections. I handled uh the the the arraignment for Judge Brown who was the chief of the traffic court at the time when when they were separate and he reduced the bonds for people so they could get out because people lose their jobs, they lose their apartments, they it wrecks their life because the the traffic calendar is so large that the cases are usually three to four weeks out, right? And people can't get out of jail. But guess what? There are also people and they did a study under the Reed administration. There's roughly about five to 600 people that continually earn a trip to jail that are the drivers for crime in our metropolitan area. About five or 600 folks. They don't want to be reformed. They don't want to be helped. They want to commit crime. >> False. >> That's that's their job. That's their livelihood. >> They want to do it. And so we have to have facilities to accommodate those people who want to live that way. But guess what else we have to do? We have a responsibility. A jail, you don't have a jail for the police. That's a misnomer. You have a jail for the court to support the authority of the court. It is the it is the court's place to pay to put people who don't have who don't want to respond to the uh bar of justice. Right. So Fulton County has a problem in their court system that that that they're currently working on to get their dockets down. The DA is trying to get her docket down. The solicitor is trying to get his docket down. The judges have an issue because people are delayed and they're sitting in court or they're sitting in jail waiting to go to court because it's not expedient. And so they're sitting in a facility that is long past its life. That is dangerous. Dangerous. And it is wrong to hold people in that facility. But guess what's also wrong is for people who are victims, who are citizens, to have those who have victimized them released prematurely and causing more havoc. Back in uh what was the year we we we got elected and I'm going to close up. I know I'm taking a minute. Uh what was it? 21. 21 when they started mass releasing people from the Fulton County Jail. Guess what? A guy got out for what was seemed to be an innocuous uh charge. was a a misdemeanor and then he came he got out two weeks later and committed a murder at a hotel downtown. >> So just to say that everybody should be let out and that everybody should be you know you you shouldn't spend money to hold people in jail that is not a viable argument. What is a viable argument is to recognize that society is imperfect at this point and we have to make provisions that go both ways. We have to make the provision to deal with people who arguably shouldn't be there, who found themselves on the worst day of their life or at the bottom of their economic circumstance, couldn't pay for their car insurance, and they wind up in the jail. We have to have and alleviate that situation. But at the same time, we have a duty and obligation based on our charter and based on the county's charter to provide public safety and to underfund it is dangerous. And that is what's going on here. The city of re reusing our court to divert cases is the way to go. Reusing our uh our pre-trial release program which we've had for 30 years, right? And re-engaging them to let people out who get arrested without bond who find themselves in these hap happen stance is the way to go. Why it is not being done, why it is not being addressed is a complete unfathomable mystery to me. >> I want you to continue your advocacy, but until everybody gets in the same room and has the same frank conversation and drops the egos from people not liking the sheriff over there, people not wanting to give him what he needs, you know, and all this profiling. We represent the same folks and we have to deliver on behalf of those same constituents. We pay the same taxes and it's got to be done. You know, Mayor Jackson when he was mayor, Michael Lommax when he was chair of the Fulton County Commission, they worked it out and it worked for 30 years. >> Let's go and wrap up. >> No, I I appreciate No response is necessary. This is because I also want to point out to the public the reason why you >> you had your time Mr. Franklin and you asked for a response. >> No, I appreciate the reason why offer and we understand that it's coming from his position as a career um >> Mr. Franklin >> and detention officer but I also he offered reflects that he has not read the United States Department asked for a response >> and that everything that you said is inconsistent with 15month investigation. There was no that is coming from practicality. Thank you. It's coming from practical reality as a practice. >> It's coming from being on both sides of the law. Thank you, Mr. Franklin. It's coming from being on the policy side of the equation and it's coming from the real experience of someone who worked in that situation and someone who's been arrested. That's where it's coming from. It's not a pie in the sky. Oh, we're going to do, you know, the most the most altruistic work. It's dealing with the reality. >> No, it's not altruistic. And I appreciate that you have dealled reality. I've watched your organization. I support your organization. I support your advocacy. But my ultimate point is that until everyone gets in the room and everybody has a frank uh conversation without, >> you know, the the the politics and just deal with the brass tax. That's the only time that it'll be resolved. >> Council, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And thank you for your commentary. Council member Lewis, you want to respond? >> I would first start by saying I respect your organization. I respect what my colleagues said and the legislation and resolution that we put in was to put everybody in a room. That legislation specifically was to end was not to end the lease. It was to begin the conversation like we said in our original legislation, we would. And so that's what that legislation did. And I was thinking about how I think about jails because I think people think I don't believe in jail, right? There are people we're mad at and people we're scared of. The man who murdered my mom should go to jail. >> The boy who broke into my car for my laptop looking for something, we mad at him. >> He needs help. He needs some money. We need to get him a job. And so that's how I think about it. And I the language I think that we've been using in the city of Atlanta, I'm super happy the police are using this language. We can't lock our way up out this again because it affects us the most. It affects us. people that look like me and some of my colleagues up here the most. And so that's how I've tried to move as a council person that we can't lock our way about this this again. The 60 people on the floor myself when we spoke this morning I said I spoke to Sheriff Lebat this weekend about the 60 people on the floor and I have not yet gotten the response but I know he's trying to get them off the floor too and that's where I do think we're aligned at. And we also spoke about we also spoke about different things that are coming up since I've been elected in the area and specifically in district 12. Super happy about it. Some of the options that we've created in our city that are not used as much. That's the Fulton County Rehabilitation Center which sits on Metropolitan Parkway and the PAD diversion center. So these are different options that we we've invested in as well. the contract, the resolution that we put in was for the administration and for the Fullton County to come together, sit in a room to discuss what the next steps were. And that's what that resolution was. So, I do agree with my coun my colleague, Council Member Bond, when he said we all need to sit down in the same room together, but also agree with him whenever I say the other things. So, thank you again, President. Thank you, >> Council Collins. >> Excuse me, Council President. I have my name on the >> and I've been waiting. >> I'm sorry. But thank you. >> Sorry. Sorry. Hold on just a second. Council Ber, you don't have the floor. I'm getting >> I know. I've been wondering how you're running this meeting, but Okay. >> Council member Collins, go ahead. [Music] >> Council member Collins. >> Sorry about that. Um, yeah. So, you you come every meeting, you ask us, we've had conversations with you. Um, we've put our Yeah, we put our positions out there. Um, in terms of Councilman Lewis's resolution in in terms of Councilman Resolution, um, put out a couple what about a month or so ago. I mean, I serve on the public safety committee. Just a month or so ago, we had a presentation where we had Sheriff Labot in here, we had Fulton County Commission in here, we had Chief Dancy, we had everyone in here, and we talked about the possibilities of what that looked like. And what came out of that conversation and that presentation for the public that wasn't able to be there was what we realized and I I'm very clear with this analogy. We feel like children in the middle of divorce because what we saw was the sheriff's office suing Fulton County Commission Fton County because Fulton County has not figured out a way to generate the revenue to build a jail, build a new facility. And I've been, you know, you ask each ask for each one of our positions and I'll reiterate it um for the 10th time. We have these are human lives here. And so you're you're coming here. You're telling us everything that's happened to FY County Jail and right now we have a lease with at we we're leasing the AC/DC to take on some of those take on some of our citizens, people, human lives. And every time I ask the ask the organization and actual advocacy what is the plan if we move for closing is what is the plan for the where where are we going to hold these people in proper conditions we shut down AC/DC put them back in Fulton County you'll be back here telling us what we did not do and ensuring their safety for entity that we don't have control over and so I think that's where our yeah we don't have Atlantic >> I know that part no you're I'm I'm reiterating it because you come here every meeting and you give us the list of everything that's happening at Fulton County and we're not we acknowledge it. Our silence is not that we're okay with what's happening. But you also have to understand and I think you do but I want the general public to understand the boundaries of control that we have as your Atlanta city council as a as the holder of AC/DC. And so again I ask I ask just you can you can send it to me. What are the suggested recommendations that you have that if we if we plan this stage withdrawal with no corrective piece of what's happening at Fulton County Detention Center, what's going to happen to those people? We move them back to Fulton County, more incidents happen. You're going to be right back here with right back here blaming us for that, too. You're one of the recommendations. You said, "Oh, well, we can ship them to Butts um to the No, the neighboring counties." Yes, you did. That was never my recommendation. Go ahead. >> There was. Yes, it was. You said that there's space and capacity. >> I said they already had leases in certain places. >> Um, you said that there was capacity at Union City. There was capacity at the at the um partners that we have, which is Foresight County, which is the other surrounding counties. And I and I shared with you as a former defense attorney that have spent many nights and many days at Rice Street. The one thing that was inequitable in that space, most people that are in custody at Fulton County, guess what? Their their families can't even get to a palding county, can't get to a foresight county, can't get >> they can't visit them ACDC and we discussed that as well. Right. >> I I'm sorry. >> And they can't visit them in ACDC and we discussed that as well. Right. >> I understand that. And we said we can work on that, but you dismissed that. So, what all I'm saying is that we have entertained we have addressed every every recommendation that you brought here. We're still here at this instance of understanding what does it look like for us to Councilman Bond's point to support what's happening at Fulton County so that they can move on building a new facility. That's all that's all that that's all that we're saying. And so I'm I look forward to the continuing dialogue. You asked us, you looked us dead in in our eyes on terms of where our position is. And I can only speak for me. Until we get a solid resolution for what's next for Fulton County, get locked in step with that plan and revenue to make sure that that facility is being built. I cannot in good conscious just shut a facility down and move people back into a space that we all agree is not the best space to be in. Number one. And number two, I'm not also in agreement with perpetuating a system that's going to make it harder for our families that have been impa impacted by those individuals that's in custo right street to be continuing those spaces. So we need to work on as part of the stage withdrawal, right? Because it is staged. If we need to work on what does it look like to get access to for families to be able to get access to their loved ones that are in ACDC, what does that transition look like and how do we marry that with Fulton County's plan to build? I am all I am all for that. But that's not what's being presented to us. What's being presented to us is it's our fault. It's our fault. This is on us. This is on us. And that's not fair when we are simply trying to be a solution to a to a problem that's all of us to own as residents in this city and as a residents in this county. So, Mr. Chair, I defer, but I look forward to being, you know, continuing to communicate. >> Thank you, Council Collins. Councelor Baktiari. >> Thank you. Thank you, Devin. Um, I respect my colleagues opinions. I respectfully disagree with them a lot. I voted against the paper to lease out the jail. I would vote against it a thousand times more. I disagree with them. I don't think that there's any humane way to jail a person. We're not Sweden. We're not Switzerland. Our incarceration rates are way too high. We live the most surveiled city in the country. And we decide if a child is destined for prison by third grade based on their literacy levels. If we spent a quarter of what we did in preventative care, most of these people would not end up in jail. And I do not and will never stand by creating more partial space to incarceration. It makes no sense to me. It is not logical. And what I will say is that you are a subject matter expert on this. You've been doing this a long time. You come and you talk to us all the time. You make yourself available. You are always respectful talking about things that are excruciatingly painful. And we all do have a lot. It's very complex. But for me, at the end of the day, you ask me where I stand, it's black and white. I don't think jailing is humane. And we were supposed to do it to get people off the ground. people are still on the ground and we didn't move people from Rice Street or move them from Union City and the gentleman that was locked in isolation for three days without being checked on was found eaten alive by bed bugs. To me, that's enough for a lot of things. But I just wanted to say with you here in saying what you said and everybody taking the time to talk at you, although not all not all of my colleagues, but some. you work very hard at this and you care deeply and I'm deeply appreciative of you and your team and I'm not always going to say hi to all of my colleagues and I respect them a great deal many of them and their life experiences I can't take away from that but you came here to ask us today about this we made a mistake that's what I wholeheartedly believe and I will do and the stage withdrawal is already in motion because it was legislated whatever I can do to continue helping I am here but thank you because I can't I don't know how you do this day in and day out and feel like you are screaming into the void I am Sorry. And I will continue to make myself available, but you ask me where I stand. I'll never be in favor of jailing more people ever. >> Thank you, Council Person Bare, Councilman Lewis, Councilman Bond, Council Person, uh, Councilwoman Collins. Thank you much. >> Thank you. Next will be Dr. Dwan Robinson. Due to yielded time, you'll have up to 10 minutes today. >> Uh, don't go. Uh, don't go. Bartiari, don't leave. How you doing? I didn't even come out here to speak on this today, man. But how hypocritical. She called the police on a black man in the park and lied and said that he robbed her and wanted to send him to jail, but she don't believe that. Man, y'all got to stop falling for that banana in the tailpipe. One of our problems is, man, I'm sorry. One of our issues is that we have so many people that are not from Atlanta who messed this city up, coming out here with their own agendas. That's part of the problem, man. You don't have to be born here to fix this, but a lot of our problems have come from people who are not from Atlanta. That is part of our issue, man. Putting people on the run against people. We had I just seen we had all due respect to as a woman Felicia Moore who I think is one of the worst politicians our city have ever had endorsing a man who's running for city council president who we have a white man calling a black woman who running the b- word. If a black man called a white woman that b- word, he would have probably lost his medical license and it would have been hell to pay. But we allow and we got the same woman up here who liking the post calling Miss Over Street a b- word. That's why I'm down here because I understand politics is a contact sport. But it's disrespectful. You as a white man ran against two, you ran against a black woman for council president and another black man. There was no racial divide, no racial bias in your race. It was all fair and clean. There was none of that. But all these outsiders coming out here doing that, man, we ought to stop that. I haven't spoken in about seven months, but I was outraged about this because we got a white man who just he don't care. Call her Mega Marcy and a B- word and you probably don't care. I'm standing up for this. Ain't got nothing to do with you as a black man. This my city. I'm graded to Bowen Homes to Bunch Middle School to Frederick Douglas High School to another black university, Morgan State University, HB.CU. So, I'm black through and through. But that don't mean I'm against white folks. When I grew up, that was white flight. I never seen white people in the city of Atlanta. I can call Matthew Westmore at 2:30 in the morning. He gonna answer. I don't have an issue with Mary Norwood. When that black when that white woman got stabbed at Buckhead, that 7 by a young black man at 25, I went to court and said that was wrong. I don't stand by that. And Miss Wickoff, who I used to stay in her building, when she lost her cat and posted all over the building, I was on front line to try to help her find her cat because I seen her every day. I don't have an issue with white folks. I'm still conscious to know where white and black stand, but me personally don't have an issue because I stand by God through and through, day in and day out. But some people also get that confused because even Christ was upset and turned over the tables because how his people was acting. So anger does come. But this disrespect and a council member going to lie cuz she disagree about she don't believe in jail but she cry for a black man to get locked up not knowing that black men have been hung and killed all our lives for white women lying and screaming >> and that don't mean all but that is the plight and the reality come on man we got to stop this and I also don't like that I forget my lady name from Jamaica I was coming out here for a year and a half talking about her son. I don't know if y'all have talked to the chief of police, but we got to sit him in the room with this woman, man. Let's be for real, man. This cop is a bad cop. Not every cop a bad cop. This was a cop that had a DUI, had caught another DUI in another county. Should never been on the force no more, man. Come on, man. We cannot stand for that, man. See, when you're not from Atlanta, you don't understand the Atlanta way. The Atlanta way don't see color. There was a time when white folks said we not supporting Martin Luther King West Morland and family. Mr. Wood said there will be no Coca-Cola in Atlanta if y'all don't let him speak about his Nobel Peace Prize. And guess what? Coca-Cola here today because of that. There were black men and women, white, Jewish, on front line with civil rights along with these pastors here. It was a mixture of people. That's why we got civil right pass, fair housing, v voting, all that. The gay rights bill came from that. But I think we forget that. I think we forget that all of that came from a courageous black men and women and Jewish and everybody coming together to fix this. But we are allowing too many outsiders in Atlanta to try to tell us how to fix Atlanta. And that ain't right. And then we got too many people from Atlanta sitting on the behinds not doing nothing. And that ain't right. So I'm for both side because guess what I stand for God at the end of the day. My God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob said, "Be fearful the one that can destroy the body and the soul." All y'all can do is withhold resources. But can't nobody stop what God has in place. And when you know your calling and you know who you are, you willing to die for that. That's why Christ said, "I got one reason to come." He knew he was going to the cross. So whatever stood in his way, it wasn't going to stop him. But even he said, "Father, take this cup away from me because sometime it does get hard." Martin had to fight more against the opposition. It's hard fighting against black folks who supposed to do their job to help black folk. You know how stressful that is on me. I'm always got to fight against my brothers and sisters who the public love don't know what they voting for their own demise sometimes. That's hard work, man. But we can fix this. I always say we got majority blacks on council. We can fix whatever we want to fix. And my guy got Mr. Franklin, I love him, but everybody else, Liliana, everybody else, go talk to Rob Picks and the three white county commissioners who never vote to do the right thing over there by the public. Too often we got city council member and the mayors of past who put their nose in the county business because we want to help. But it's the county fiduciary duty first to help anything homeless, Mr. Lewis, anything dealing with your hospitals and health. It's a county issue first. But we put our nose in and they want to blame the city. It's a county issue first. These same people shaking hands with Rob Pittz. I respect him as a elder, but he got to do his job. We got three white county commissioners over there. Never vote for the liberation of black folks to disperse money. Never. You you got a whole commission over there who voting for saying that you have to put these three Republicans on the board. They are not standing down from that. Come on, man. We can't do that. Like we saying idol, man, but everybody want to quote King. His most famous thing is saying silence is betrayal. I don't think y'all really get that. Silence really is betrayal. >> Amen, >> man. Being black and standing up for it don't mean you don't care about nobody else. If that mean you care enough to really fight and do for your people. That's what it really mean. It don't mean every other race are very intentional about helping their race first. That that's mean I'm racial not racist. I love to see the betterment of my black folks, but not to the detriment of white, gay, or whoever. When the lesbian, Caucasian woman got mutilated at P my Park. I was the only person I seen come speak on that asking Mr. Shook, hey, can we deal with that? All these fake gay activists, not one came down here, but they always want to try to play an LGBT call when it benefits them. When the was murdered three years ago, I came down here. I'm a straight male. never have played on the other side. But I'm sympathetic. That's God's. I have the agape love. So I don't care if this person gay or this person gay or straight or white or black or Jewish. No. But it's too many times that we don't stand for what's right onto the benefit. Everybody came down when my man was killed in the encampment. I don't want to miss his name. The homeless guy that was killed. Rightfully so. They should have. Y'all give money to these organization that only come down here to fight for their organization, not for when black folks really need help, but when it benefits them. Like, we got to stop that, man. Like, come on, man. And you are so necessary, Mr. Bun, because of your history, your courageousness, and the and the history, you know, because you from here. Often time I seen council about to vote on something and you have said, "No, we can't do that." You know what I'm saying? because this street was named after this or this or that. And we can't do that legally. That's why you so necessary, man. I respect it and love it. You're necessary. And and and often time, man, that we just work together instead of it being politically. I think we can get things done. One thing that I do respect you, Mr. West Muller, for many things, but when you taught at Carver, you still got a relationship with them black kids. You take them to vote. I've been down there. You're not telling them who to vote for. It's an experience. You still doing it with them. I And I know this for a fact that you're not saying, "Hey, vote for this particular person." Like, you take them down there and you let them vote. And it's an experience. I respect that. I respect you and your family for adopting a black young girl. I respect all of that, man. So, that made me respect you because I know there's a humane side of you that does care for black folks. I love that. But that's what we need. white folks that don't mind helping black folks and black folks that don't mind helping white folks and together we are better. All this separation trying to run this person against this person that's man we got to stop all of that man. We got to stop that. But this guy that's running for city council president man right here calling a black woman to be b word man we can't stand for that man. >> We not trying to cause violence to nobody but we got to stop this respectfully man. We cannot have that in the city of Atlanta. Thank you. Next up will be Zena Ahmad. You'll have up to two minutes. >> This thing we do over here. >> Yes. Okay. Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> Good afternoon, council members. My name is Zena Ahmed and I'm a high school student at ELA Academy and the founder of Vote 16 Atlanta, a youthled initiative advocating for greater civic inclusion in our city. No taxation without representation. A single phrase that sparked a revolution and became one of the founding principles of American democracy. Why should American colonists pay taxes to a government they could not vote in? One in which they had no representation? Today I asked another question. Why should 16-year-olds pay taxes to a government they cannot vote in? One in which they have no representation. Isn't that going against exactly what our country went to war for? On behalf of V16 Atlanta, I'm advocating for 16-year-olds to have the right to vote for that reason, among others. Now, I understand that laws don't change that easily. That's why I'm not here asking for laws to be changed. I'm here asking you to begin the conversation, to take the first step toward exploring what youth infranchisement could look like in Atlanta, whether through a re whether through a resolution of support, a working group, or a youth hearing. Through our petition, Vote 16 Atlanta has already gathered almost 200 signatures from students, parents, and residents who believe youth deserve a voice in the government that represents them. And while the idea may sound radical, it's already happening in American cities like Tacoma Park, Hyetszville, and Green Belt, where 16-year-olds vote responsibly in local elections. The same is true internationally in countries like Austria, Scotland, and Brazil where 16-year-olds have proven themselves capable, informed, and engaged citizens. The principle of no taxation without pres without representation built this nation. I'm asking Atlanta to live up to that same promise by starting the conversation that brings young voices into our democracy. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next will be Ray Stevens. Duty time. You have up to four minutes today. >> Hey, thanks. Uh, I just wanted to start out by uh thanking Dr. Robinson. He helped me get that extra two. And uh uh you know, I I it was back in April 24, I think. uh Rico Wade had just passed away and I came up cuz I was upset about stop signs and night kiosks and uh and then you hear like what's really going on and uh I think the last time I was probably up here was when Dr. Robinson was up here and to come up here like 6 months, whatever later, and still hear Valerie Anderson coming up here trying to get an answer for what happened to her son. I just think it's a damn shame. And I hope you guys are uh doing all you can to help get that gear unstuck. You know what I'm saying? All right. Thank you. Uh, and uh, the last time I was up here, Dr. Robinson asked if I was running for something. And at the time, I anecdotally said, "Yeah, I was running for responsibility from responsibility." Right. And um, I'm I'm saying today that's all going to change. I gota I got to start being a man and not being what I've been. And uh ironically uh well see I'll cut that joke then right and I'll cut this and uh so this was back in probably 2017. I used to co used to go play basketball at Canandler Park and I met a guy his name was Winston Williams. He was running a company called Prattis and at the time the mayor he was a council member and I started working with him and I know he's still on that platform and who knows if I'll get this out right. I just wanted to plant the seed. I'd emailed uh uh Donnie Beamer a few times. I got a computer science background. I noticed the mayor's website. it looked like uh maybe nobody was managing it anymore. Um, I happen to believe that web development and content management from my background is a great um I guess the the question would be what were they what are what are kids learning in high school and is there a curriculum that exists or could be developed where high school students could learn how to program uh work on, you know, like the city's website looks like a little outdated, right? So, all I'm here is to give my email a little bump in person, right? And y'all y'all heard me talk before and you know how I feel about other matters. So, we'll leave it at that. Uh Antonio, I know you you're a baller, right? So, you know, like I said, I used to play ball at Canler Park. I got the I got, you know, it's crazy how life works out and things intertwine and people intertwine, right? I could come up here and run my mouth really hard about some and I don't want to be that guy anymore. I want to help the next generation coming up cuz with AI and all that stuff, it's quite frankly scary. >> So again, I've sent an email or two. I sent another one this morning saying I'm coming up and I'd love to be a part of a positive future. Share my knowledge. So balls in your court. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up will be Dr. Julius Khaled or Khaled. You'll have up to two minutes. >> All right. Let me see. >> Good afternoon, council. Dr. Julius Khaled, the founder of Young Generation Movement, organization that been mentoring youth over a decade now, right here in the metro Atlanta area. I'm here to talk about today some something that we see but rarely address with compassion. Our young brothers on the corner, the water boys. Now, I know what's being said. They're hustling. They're blocking up traffic. They're getting aggressive. But let's tell the truth. These young boys, they aren't they're not criminals. A lot of them just entrepreneurs without without a license. These young brothers are trying to survive in a system that hasn't given them a lane. And that's what that's where Operation Clean Street comes in at. This is a solution, a city a city backed youth entrepreneurship initiative that does three things. Replace illegal street vending with licensed youth vendors. Provide mentorship program through young generation movement and YG urban cafe. Introduces plant water which is a sustainable chlor bottles made right here in Atlanta as the official hydration product for our youth youth our city's youth entrepreneurs. Instead of hustling in traffic, these young men will be trained, uniformed, and paid for keeping the corners clean and also distributing a city proven product at events, parks, and community hubs. This council members, just imagine the same youth view as a problem. Now we can see that Atlanta's proof of uh of investing into our young people. Let's Let's stop penalizing potential. Let's channel it. Let's make Atlanta the model city that turned water boys into entrepreneurs and leaders in the community. Thank y'all for your time. >> Thank you. Next up will be Tyler Nelson. Due to yielded time, you'll have up to six minutes today. All right. Greetings, Coun Council. Uh, my name is Tyler Nelson, president of Progressive Firefighters of Atlanta Labor Organization. As a city of Atlanta resident, District 4 and a sworn firefighter. As always, I want to personally say thank you for what each of you have done to help the fire department by approving raises, new equipment, and new stations. From the mayor down to everyone in city hall, I say thank you. our ordinance to be recognized and receive peril deductions currently being held in finance committee uh since October 15th. We want to have continuing conversations with each of you to dispel any negative propaganda rumors that may deter you from supporting our cause. This legislation provides the opportunity for our members to take advantage of the same benefits offered to other unions and align with the city's values on fair labor relations. What we want does not affect any other union or organization already established. Let me remind everyone this is also a right to work state and we are well within legal parameters to be operating and to be recognized. We are a solution-based organization. We understand that the body leads the organization, not one sole person. Progressive is a very professional organization built on service, unity, and community and professional development. Payroll deduction and recognition is something we truly need in order to better serve our members internally and be even more servants to our communities in each of your districts as well. We want to build trust with our members, current and future. We want to be up to date with technology and our administrative duties regarding our finances. This is also about morale, professionalism, and retention. Progressive finally being recognized by the city after being in operation for 56 years motivates our members, strengthens us as a whole, and increases unity within the fire department. This is also a legacy organization created by the first black fire chief of Atlanta who passed away 3 months ago, and we're just simply carrying out his vision. Progressive is already on black and white within our ops manual and our disciplinary manual and it has been for over 50 years. However, it's just time for us to be recognized because the demand is growing. We are a very transparent, positive organization. Myself and hundreds of other firefighters believe in working together to help make this department even better than it already is. Our organization looks forward to a continued collaboration between ourselves and the city council. Our mission is rooted in service. Myself and the vice president beside me are both selfless men who are leading other firefighters from the front to be selfless as well. We are able to get a diverse group of all races on one page without fear-mongering or conflict. We do this from the goodness of our heart and we do not receive a stipen for the work that we've been doing for the past three years. Our goal is simple to build trust, promote unity, and keep serving Atlanta both inside and outside the firehouse. Recognition and payroll deduction will help us to do that in a stronger, more sustainable way. I also want to make note this is not the first time we've had two unions. There were two unions in Atlanta back in 1966. The firefighters broke away from the IAFF Local 134 and formed the Atlanta Firefighters Union uh refusing to support a strike. The two unions stayed separate. The AFUI, which is the Atlanta Firefighters Union Independent, never rejoined. This eventually faded out. This is just a history lesson. And then in 19669, black firefighters were hired in 1963. They created an organization 1969 due to not being able to join the current local union. And this is how this organization was created. This is a very diverse organization at this date and we just look forward to professional development within the department serving the communities that each of you sit on and uh we thank you for your time. So we look forward to some meaningful conversations so we can move this forward. Thank you. Next up will be Viola Henry. You'll have up to two minutes. Oh, Viola Henry. Next will be Rodney Mullins. [Music] >> Duty yielded time. You'll have up to 10 minutes. Thank you, chairman. I'm honored to be here today. I thank all of you for your time and I would like to dedicate a portion of my words today to u a man named Shahed Dubois. Shahed Dwis was a freedom fighter. Shahid loved the community. he would have been here with me uh in a presentation like that like this which is very serious about the $15 billion that's proposed to be allocated to the TAD expansion. The reason I'm very concerned about this initiative is because based on the current policies of the Invest Atlanta organization, Invest Atlanta, it would displace over 10 to 15 communities that are already struggling throughout Atlanta. The invest Atlanta policies right now have led to several issues which is why Ryan Gravel who's the creator of the Atlanta belt line left the beltline board. Ryan Gravel uh who created a lot of the framework for what you're working with now with the latter belt line which is the biggest TAD and this TAD will impact a lot of the initiatives that we're discussing today. My concern is that the allocation of funding, if you approve this policy, this initiative, this will lead to the further elimination of additional communities throughout Atlanta based on the fact that the issues that I would like to raise today. Currently, the TAD allocates funding for affordable housing. The challenge is a lot of the funding that's being allocated to affordable housing is not low income. A lot of that housing is not allocated to people below the that make below 50% of AMI. So the challenge is the people that work in your office that make below $50 to $60,000, firefighters, police officers, they can't afford the housing that you are preparing to legitimatize with this expansion of the TAG because right now there are loopholes in your policy, which is my specialty when I work with the Obama administration is that one of the things I saw was the closing of communities ities. And the challenge is and one of the things I want to do today is to not stand by and watch communities close. Like a lot of you never heard of Lightning Community, Buttermilk Bottom, Sweet Auburn. These communities are in jeopardy. But they all given the sweet elixir of hope, community reinvestment. They were told, "We going to invite you back. You can come back now. You'll be able to come back. We got you." When I heard when I saw this 15 billion, it disturbed me cuz I said it reminded me of weed and seed. It reminded me the empowerment zone. It reminded me all things I read about before I did my volunteer work with a lot of the organizations here in Atlanta. And that is I it reminded me that it was money without a mission, without specificity. It was out it was money without objectivity, without metrics and it was an exogenous genus uh uh uh initiative that was going to influence the market. So I'll tell you what happened with Overlook Apartments and tell you why I'm concerned about what you're doing. A lot of you never heard of Overlook. Overlook was a beautiful place and my friend Shahed and I we work in the community. We got a call and they said, "Rodney," they said. They called Shade. They said, "Hey, they're getting ready to close without little notice. They got to get out." And we said, "What's going on?" So, Shah, I went down there. We want to advocate. We got some attorneys. We came with it. We said, "What can we do?" They said, "Well, they're going to close in 30 days because the belt line is coming." I said, "What? Well, why does it have to preclude, you know, why they have to close?" They said, "No, the property owner is going to shut them down. They don't know what they're going to do. The families are worried about the school children going to school. Chaos. Chaos. So what you did was you change the demographic profile of the community. That's the definition of gentrification. >> That's right. >> What happened is that Atlanta Belt Line, great initiative, great intention, which is why Ryan Gravel created it. But what happened that before they announced Atlanta belt line all these initiative they didn't protect the community. That's what you're getting ready to do now. When you announced this new reinvestment neighborhood reinvestment initiative you didn't you there's nothing in place to protect the community or mitigate the current policies that already hurting communities throughout the area. I'm here to issue a warning, to issue a plea that you look at the policy. This policy will lead to the elimination of many families from certain particular communities. Now, you look at the way you set up the TAD where you say in order to receive TAB monies, you have to cut off your left hand to keep your right hand. You have to take away APS funds to get these other funds. Well, the Washington cluster has a 74% graduation rate. So why would we want to take away funding from the school system that def desperately needs it? When I get calls and my colleagues get calls from teachers say, "We need money for supplies. Can we have a book drive?" When we know that all we have to do is implement the proper capturing of taxes from our commercial corporations. We're not capturing all that funds. That would be over hund00 million according to the AJ if we captured that commercial real estate. All of that property that we should be captured. We're not capturing that. So we're creating another Payton Road. What is Payton Road in 1962? There was a wooden barrier put on Payton Road that separated blacks from whites. Well, now you don't have wooden barriers anymore. You have economic barriers. Your policy that you will promote if you pass this legislation without any safeguards for the people, you will perpetuate the instability of those communities because what happens, Atlanta's on the global market. So they trade you putting these communities up for auction. When they hear that you have investment, then they're going to get start bidding on those communities. and you don't have any protections in place for a lot of these communities don't have the wherewithal to get lawyers, attorneys, and to fortify themselves to withstand the influx of of uh investors that will come into the community. So, they'll lose. So, the winners with the neighborhood reinvestment of all these initiatives is going to be developers, not so much the children, not so much the families, not so much the average working class. Because the AMI that you're using, you should be using an NMI, which is a neighborhood median income. Because you're including Roswell and Sandy Spring in your estimation, you're going to choke. Remember I said that you're going to choke these families who can't afford the AMI, the standard that you're setting that to move into these homes. I stood here last I sat here and heard someone say that a standard for developers to create housing 80% of AMI. Well 80% is like 80 to 90,000 if the AMI is 110 111,000. So most of the people that work once again that work in your office the firefighters they will not be able to afford the housing that you're creating. They won't be able to afford that. And the reason I say we focus on housing, housing is the biggest crisis. We all love parks, we all love transportation, but I've never heard anyone say that, you know, before I feed my child, let me go see if there's a trail I can walk on. They say, "Can I have job? Do I need a job?" They say, "I need a home." Let's look at Maslo's hierarchy of needs. If you have your finger on the pulse of what's going on in the community, you have to make a decision with the 15 million. The allocation for the belt line, the allocation should be reduced and the priority should be housing and preservation of these communities otherwise you won't see them again. Some like I said when I serve said the word lightning community no one knew what I was talking about. A lot of people didn't because they were promised urban renewal, but they got urban removal. So, I'm I'm requesting that you not finance the assassination of these communities. I'm requesting that you have take a humane look at these communities. These communities are struggling and they're mostly communities that are black and brown because we still have a wage gap. And then we're talking about building new trucks, new parks, and new trails. Well, one of the parks that I founded doesn't even have bathrooms. Most of the parks in West Atlanta and throughout the community, the Northwest community do not have restrooms. >> So, we're struggling to get the basics while we're talking about trails. So, I beg you to rethink this policy. If you pass it, it'll have detrimental uh impact on some of the most vulnerable populations in the city of Atlanta. Thank you. >> Next up will be Nikki Bugs. >> Due to healing time, you'll have up to 10 minutes today. [Music] >> Good afternoon. Yeah. All right. Um, so you know why I'm here and I I do want to start off with the Lamar condominium was a place that we called home with ease with no reservation. We called the place home. Judy Clement actually started that fight and a push two years prior to when we started and then the rest of us picked up 4.25 25 years later, August 1st made the fourth year. We're now in the third year going into the fifth year of this fight. What we asked for multiple times was your assistance to create an ordinance, a law, something so that we are protected because at this point we have propriatory um predatory property investors that are taking over the building at this point. This is where we are. So each time we speak, it just seems to be such a disinterest when we come up. These people come and speak in front of you every day, every week, various committees, and there seems to be no appetite, no intention to do the work. We are your constituents. We do pay taxes. We do. If I conducted myself in this matter, uh my outcome would be slightly different than what's happening with these people. But what it appears is that we're more concerned about the visitors coming in for FIFA, for the Super Bowl. We're building streets out and there's a a building, a new building on every piece of land that's available on every corner. And here we are losing our homes. That doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense. Code enforcement actually within the past two weeks placed warning signs, stop work signs. yellow first. Now there's a red one there. The building didn't have elevators, properly working elevators, and we only have three for about 3 weeks. One weekend we had no elevators and we have seniors in the building. What's interesting about it is that when we were in trouble and we initially started off sharing that we were in trouble, we were told to go to law enforcement. Then we were told to get an attorney and that turned out badly because each attorney just wanted money. Nobody really wanted to help. It was about money. Then we were told to go to city council, the Senate, anybody that'll listen, which is what we did then, too. And here we still are. It's the same fight. I'm disappointed when I spoke last week, kind of like what Miss Franklin said, because I was disrespected as I stood here talking. As I said, we come here day in and day out, not to give you a bad time. This is not personal. This is not about you. It's not because I hate STRs. That's not it either. What I don't like is the fact that they came in and took over a building in your backyard. We're we're right behind your building. We're right here. and they took over an entire building. So now we have leans and foreclosures. People are losing their homes. There are only a few of us left. So all of us in line now because of inaction. You attempted the passion ordinance multiple times, but you had to cogitate on it. That's all I heard. I need to think about it. I need one more session, one more break. I need to cogitate. Well, your cogitation is now stalled. We're out of time. The laws have to change. Something has to change. And I said, I'll be glad to help. Whatever I can do, I'll be glad to learn. I'll sit. I'll listen. I will learn from you. The laws have to change. This is unacceptable because again, if this happens in your neighborhood, in your backyard, most likely you wouldn't tolerate it. And as I stated, I visited a a wonderful um older condominium similar to the landmark, the same setup in Buckhead, and it was fantastic. Same setup. You you punch in, I call up to you, and you buzz me in and I go in. They have concierge and all of the cooatants that they deserve for their HOAs. For our HOAs, we have $1,300 a month, a double billing of water, electricity, gas, no security. Management doesn't even address us. The board doesn't even address us. But every month, they don't forget to send us an email reminding you to pay your HOAs. Not only this, we have over excess in and assessments each month. Now we're on the hook for a federal lawsuit that the homeowners did not do. We're on the hook for that. Our insurance has gone up from under $60,000 to over almost a million. We're on the hook for that. I a little bit bothered that everybody's looking down at something, but I just I it would just be great to get you to step in and do something. Not say that you can't do anything. And I know there's a very limited scope that you do have. I do understand that. But we're we're your constituents. We're your people. We're in your backyard of your job. So every day you have to pass us. We're there and we have nothing. This was a xenophobic packet I sent to you guys, all of you. Dead bodies, threats, lynchings of black people. This is what we have. Defamation lawsuit, foreclosures leans homeless persons walking in and out of the building through the parking lot, girls having a good time twerking in front of a mirror on my floor. [Music] That's not what I bought a home for. It It really isn't. I don't think anybody did in that building. Not only that, as I stated, the landmark is a a historic building. Now, it's operated as a motel. And again, this is not against you. This is not a personal attack. I don't know any of you. So, this this is not a personal attack. This is not a personal attack against STRs. We get there here. Definitely not that either. The problem is that they've taken over our building and we have no recourse and now they're working to expel us, the rest of us from the building through foreclosure and leave. We need an emergency stay, an emergency injunction. We need you to step up and help somehow someway. Not refers to another attorney who's going to keep billing us. Everybody's out of money at this point because that's all we've gotten thus far. I'm an advocate for people that are losing their homes, for people that are concerned for their safety and speaking up. I am now the number one target of the board in the building, me. So, as I stated in the past, and I'll say it a hundred more times, if I get sick, I die. I become incapacitated. I disappear. I hope if anything else you step up and you do your justice and you find whoever harmed me. But at this point, the city, the Senate, the government has failed, the landmark homeowners. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Nate Bailey. Due to yield to time, you'll have up to 10 minutes. [Music] Afternoon, council members. Nate Bailey, president of the Atlanta Professional Firefighters. I have a few things I want to talk about today. I hope I can get it all in in 10 minutes. Uh, last few weeks have been very eventful. We've had a lot of things happen and there's a lot of things to discuss. We're kind of at a crossroads uh for public safety and fairness and leadership. Over the past year, we've been tested by politics, um our own leadership, and a little bit of deception. And we want to get past all that. We want to be open. We want to communicate. And we want to make sure that we are one unified department. The first thing I want to talk about is the staffing. It's the foundation of safety. You got to have trucks and you got to have people to fight fire. We thank y'all so much. Thank you for supporting and putting in this legislation. Atlanta's wanted this for a long time. There was a study in 2011 that suggested four and four. There have been some periods when we had it when we were fully staffed, but we've needed it for a long time and it puts us on par with every major city in the southeast, even Greensboro and Charleston. So, please support this resolution. and it is a resolution. So that means we'll have to police it and reinforce it. So that means you may see some some more social media posts if we need to make sure that the hiring is happening. Um someone said that one extra person won't make a difference. We beg to differ. You know, one extra person, that's the difference between somebody making it home to be with their family or that family preparing a funeral. So it does make a difference. And our people are tired. The call volume has doubled in the last 20 years and Atlanta hasn't added really any new stations. We've rebuilt quite a few and we thank you all for that. Uh but the people are tired and they need this and it's going to lead to more rescues, more lives saved. [Music] Another thing um that we want to talk about is the engine orders. We're going to need y'all's help making sure that order for the apparatus in this year's budget is placed as soon as possible. Uh we really asked for it to be done when the budget opened. Um and it's October and I'm pretty sure if we don't place the purchase order, they will not start manufacturing the trucks. Um so it's been since 2021 that every engine and truck was in service. And you all know it's basic logic. You take one out of the mix and the others are going to take on more of a workload and that's going to lead to more repairs. So, please help us get that purchase order placed. I believe it's a very large order in the budget and it takes two to three years to get them. So, we're going to need your help with that. Uh the second thing, um oh, I do want to add that this is a legacy item for you all and this administration. This is something that we can keep forever. We'll have to reinforce it since it's a resolution. Um but this is going to lead to more lives being saved and more property saved. The second thing is the ordinance for dues deduction for progressive. I want to start with we fully support dues deduction for progressive. As President Nelson said and Vice President Scott, it's a storied organization and we know they're successful and they have been successful because Atlanta Fire Rescue is the only majority African-American fire department in the country. Our IFFF local 134 is the only majority African-American IFFF local in the country and we fully support their dues deduction. There is a pathway. Uh we had our attorneys craft up legislation that would put a new chapter amendment under labor dues for fraternal organization dues deduction. It's almost uh exactly the same as FPSC, Federation of Public Service Employees. They had an ordinance that was done and it just said it would be for dues, deductions in their services, but it wouldn't be for representation of employees. This is very important and this is why our attorney got scared because in that original ordinance there was a repeal all ordinances in conflict and they said we've seen this before. They won't say anything right now, but somebody tried to use the innocence of them wanting dues deduction to maybe plant a seed that they could mess it up for all of us, including Progressive IFFF and and all the unions. And it wouldn't come up right away, but maybe 6 months, a year down the road, the law department can say Title 25, the Firefighter Mediation Act, is enacted by local ordinance, even though it's a state law. If this is in conflict, then all it is is a legal interpretation and then it would be a huge legal battle. So, we're asking y'all not to do anything with that labor code. If other organizations want dues deduction, we fully support it and they need it. They have a huge huge party coming up in a couple months that they've been doing for for decades, you know. So, we need to make sure um that they have the support they need so they can do their community events and services. and we fully support it and anything else we can do just let us know. I'll send that amendment to you all for review and we look forward to making sure they get deduced deduction. But I do want to be clear, there can only be one representative for firefighters. That's why our attorney got really worried cuz if you put two in there, it's in conflict with the state law and that would put us into a real legal battle. Um and and some management wants fractured, you know, it's it's one of the oldest tactics out there. If you can fracture employees and keep them arguing with each other, then management wins. And we want to be strong, we want to be unified, we want to support each other, uh because if you have the only majority African-American fire department in the Southeast and we all come down here together, imagine IFFF Progressive and we start talking about that pay plan. What do you think's going to happen? You know, and the and some people in the building know that, so they're going to try to throw some some grenades at us. Um, but we want to make sure they get it and when I send it to you all, please review it and consult with them to make sure that they can get that so they can start building their organization. It is very difficult when you don't have dues deduction. The second thing I want to talk about is really the main thing I want to talk about today and it is about one of our members. Um, Shamari Owens came down here last year to ask for some back pay that he was owed. And when he left, no chief called. No one called. Someone from the mayor's office did call to get some more information, but there was no other followup. Then he got some charges put on him for truthfulness and public criticism. Shamari completed the grievance process. So that takes care of the public criticism because it says in the work rule, as long as you go through the chain of command, he went all the way through the chain of command. He got a letter from the fire chief saying he would be paid in 60 days. He wasn't. So we got an attorney for him. They sent a demand to the city. The city paid out about 10 grand. By our calculations, he's owed around 50,000. These guys did this out of class for four or five years. So if you look at the pay gap between firefighter and sergeant, it's more than 10 grand over 5 years. Um, I'm finding out now that a lot of guys didn't get the full amount, but Shamari did the last thing that he knew to do. He came here and said, "Hey, I need some help." I thought for sure the chiefs would call him, "Come on in. Let's review it." They filed charges on him. Then a week ago, he got a dismissal notice through his email, which we've never seen before. Usually they call you down to the OBS and you discuss it. He got in his email a dismissal notice and I'm going to use every single resource available to defend this member. If the chief follows through with this dismissal, we'll get his job back because the civil service board is going to look at the facts and get him back on the job. And we're also going to file a major lawsuit that's going to take a chunk out of this place because it's tied to the retaliation against all the other board members. Also, I want to add, and this is very important, y'all might want to take to the law department. Shamari went to the OIG's office to talk about the retaliation. How's it going to look if the chief terminates them and then the OIG releases a report of all the retaliation that's been ongoing against IFFF members? When I say people are retaliated against me, I had chiefs call in saying, "Don't send out an email asking your members to come down there today because I don't want them to get transferred." That's what's really going on in the fire department. And I put it on social media and I'll say it right here at this microphone. We're having a failure of leadership if someone is persecuted simply for asking for the money they're owed. He's got a wife. He's got a kid. And I'm going to use every resource available to make sure he keeps his job. And I need y'all's help with that. Please go to the law department and ask him to take another look at this before the chief sends this man home without a career. And then we're going to have to unleash hell to make sure we get his job back. And the chief might be racking up a bill for y'all because all these are starting to tie together. We put something on social media about staffing. He gets an email saying he's be being dismissed. There wasn't a disciplinary review panel that decided this. The chief unilaterally made the decision. Right at the same time we're making noise trying to get this staffing, you know, resolution through. So it's it's unfair. Um, it's got everyone in the department really pissed off right now, including me. And I'm trying to hold back the emotion right now. But this guy did a job that the chief asked him to do. City ordinance says after 30 days, you are given the salary and you're appointed to the position. Every other department does that, but for some reason in the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, they say do the work now, beg for the money later. And I should have filed that lawsuit as the president. I regret when y'all got that demand letter a couple years ago. If I could go back in time, we would have filed the suit if I known we were going to be treated like this. So, please fight for Shamari and continue to fight for us because y'all might be all we got. I'll let you know. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next will be Ashley Glass. >> Ashley Glass. You'll have up to four minutes due to yield the time. [Music] >> Good afternoon. Um, first of all, I just want to say that, um, I'm blind in this right eye, so this is why I have on a bandana, and everybody always wonders. So, um, good afternoon. My name is Ashley Wheeler Glass. I was born and raised right here in the city of Atlanta. The city has always been home to me. years ago, our family home burned down. And I'll never forget that night being in shock watching firefighters race in in our family home in Buckhead, risking everything to save what they could and to make sure that we were safe. That moment changed me because when you've seen firefighters up close, not in a parade and not on TV, but in the middle of the night when everything you love is in danger, you never forget what real courage looks like. That's the kind of bravery that Atlanta firefighters show every single day. They just go when they're called. They suit up. They step up. And they put their lives between danger and the rest of us. I worked at Grady for eight years, so I saw this a lot. I'm also married to a fireman. They do this out of love for their job and for the love of this city, the same city many of them were born and raised in. They miss holidays and they miss birthdays. They tuck their kids into bed over FaceTime. They carry trauma from calls they will never talk about. And yet they keep showing up for this city. That's what makes Atlanta strong. People who serve no matter what. They don't do this for the money. They do it to serve the citizens. This is why I'm here today because of one of those firefighters, one of the Atlanta fire family. That is what we call it. We call it a fire family. Has been treated unfairly. He worked and he earned those hours and still has not been paid for what he was owed. He showed up for Atlanta. He did his job with honor. And the city, the very city he served, is continuing to fail to show up for him. He's not just being ignored. Now he's being retaliated against. He's being retaliated against for standing up for himself and for asking what he rightfully earned. If one of your family members was owed money, wouldn't you expect them to be paid? Wouldn't you demand that they be treated fairly? It's not complicated. This is about respect. Respect for the people who run towards what the rest of us run away from. Respect for the men and women who make it home tired, bruised, and sometimes broken. and they still show up the next shift. We call them heroes when we need them. When there's smoke and when there's chaos and when there's fear, but when they need something as simply being paid, the system is forgetting them. I know Atlanta has values of honor and fairness. So, I'm just asking you to pay his debts, fix what's being ignored, and prove that Atlanta still honors the people that protect it. Because when the alarm sounds, our firefighters don't hesitate one second to show up for this city of Atlanta. It's time for this city that I love, that I'm a native of of 51 plus years to finally start showing up for them. >> Thank you. Next will be Shoa Swami. You'll have up to four minutes. On behalf of the Hindu American community and the coalition of Hindus of North America, Kona, good afternoon council members and namaste. My name is Shoa Swami and I'm here today representing the HinduAmerican community of Greater Atlanta. A community proud to call this region home. One that stands for service, civic engagement, and interfaith cooperation. Hindu organizations throughout Metro Atlanta have consistently given back, operating food and clothing drives, conducting health and blood donation camps, offering stress management workshops, providing disaster relief, and supporting families through the CO 19 crisis. These efforts have been inclusive, helping all members of our community, regardless of faith or background. This is the spirit of SAB or selfless service and it reflects the inclusive values that Atlanta cherishes. However, we are deeply concerned today that misinformation and hate speech have recently been brought into this very chamber in the last few weeks. This is very troubling pattern and we are seeing that HinduAmerican organizations and Hindu leaders are being targeted with misinformation, hateful imagery and rhetoric that seeks to depict them as extremists, threats or dangers to society. Now I would like to give you a few examples of incidents of hate right here in Georgia. Right here in 2021 of Foresight County in Foresight County, racist signs bearing the phrase no dot were posted along Kelly Mill Road and Bethl View Road. This brings back memories of the violent campaign in New Jersey called Dotbusters back in the 80s and 90s which targeted Hindus based on the dot or bindi worn on the forehead just for being Hindus. We must also not forget there have been confirmed attacks and vandalism against Hindu places of worship in Georgia such as the desecration of a temple in Monroe, Georgia. This combination of hateful signage, physical attacks, and fear-mongering rhetoric is precisely why it is essential to stand together to call out this bigotry and to support initiatives such as Georgia's House Bill 375 that aims to condemn Hindu phobia. In 2023, a resolution was passed by sage representatives from Foresight County, Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones that condemn Hindu phobia and anti-Hindu bigotry while celebrating the contributions of Hindu Americans in this great state of Georgia. We must also carefully examine the source of such hateful rhetoric. The Coalition of Hindus of North America has documented that Peter Friedrich has a long-standing history of spreading hindophobic, anti-semitic, and anti-LGBTQ history. For example, in 2022, prominent civil rights leader Jesse Jackson publicly condemned Friedrich's chant death to Congressman Raja Krishna Morti, labeling it as racist, bigoted, incendiary rhetoric and does not belong in a political or civic discourse. Friedrich has also targeted Hindu Americans in public office such as Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Maryland's Deputy Governor Aruna Miller and several others using the same trope of dual loyalty and false accusations of being foreign agents simply because of their heritage attacks meant to silence Hindus from public life. His own writings display openly anti-semitic claims and anti-gay hatred. This is not activism. It is bigotry masquerading as advocacy. >> Time is expired. >> I have four minutes. Right. >> You did. >> Give me just a few. I'm sorry. >> We cannot let voices like this derail a shared agenda of inclusion and civic engagement. >> Time is expired. >> Where Atlanta is built on a strong relationship with the Hindu American community. So thank you council members and we bring Diwali greetings to each one of you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up will be Peter Friedrich. Duty yield to time you'll have up to eight minutes. I want you to look at this photo. October 18th, 2025. 2 days ago, this building a Dvali celebration. And if you look closely at the backdrop, you'll see one organization's logo, Kona, Coalition of Hindus of North America. 23 times their logo repeated 23 times in this building. 12 days before this photo, I stood in these chambers and warned you about Kona. I told you about their ties to Hindu nationalist networks. I urged you not to partner with them. Mayor Dickens, you headlined this event. Your office co-sponsored it. Your name is on it. You were warned. You proceeded anyway. So now I'm back. Not to warn you, to show you the consequences. Let me tell you exactly who you partnered with. Georgetown University's Bridge Initiative has documented Kona. Their director of government relations is Suda Jagenatan. She uses Twitter to spread Islamophobia. She calls Islam hate and bigotry. When someone criticizes the RSS, a Hindu nationalist paramilitary or organization, she responds, "What else can one expect from someone whose community has produced ISIS, Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood, and many, many more." In 2023, a Muslim man was lynched in India's Bahar state. Sura Jaganatan saw the story and she called it part of a Saab story list. A man was murdered. She dismissed it as a Saab story. That is who you gave the platform to. That's whose logo is on that wall 23 times. Now, let me show you what Kona does. In September 2021, scholars organized a conference called dismantling global hinduta to examine Hindu nationalism as a political movement. Kono launched a campaign against it. Ruckers University documents what happened. 1.3 million coordinated emails demanding universities cancel the conference. Death threats, rape threats, doxing publishing professors home addresses. That was without Senate Bill 375. That was without Georgia law behind them. Now imagine what they can do with SB 375, with Georgia's civil rights enforcement machinery. That's what they want and you're helping them to get it. When you gave Kona that platform, you gave them a propaganda victory. They are using photos from this building to claim that Atlanta endorses their agenda. They use that legitimacy to push legislation like Georgia Senate Bill 375. SP 375 writes Hindophobia into Georgia Civil Rights Law. It claims to protect Hindu Americans from discrimination and actual bigotry against Hindu Americans is wrong. We already have laws against that. But SP 375 does not protect people from hatred. It protects Hindu nationalism, a political ideology from criticism. In here is now how you know that this is not about protecting people. In 2021, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act to monitor anti-Muslim violence globally, including in India. Hindu nationalist groups opposed it, calling it anti-Hindu. They did not want monitoring of Islamophobia in India where Muslims face documented violence, citizenship laws that target them, mob lynchings. But now they do want Georgia to criminalize Hindophobia to give them legal tools against critics. They oppose protecting Muslims from actual violence, but support weaponizing discrimination law against critics. This was never about civil rights. It's about silencing critics. Let me show you what this looks like in Atlanta. An Emory professor teaches comparative religion. One lecture covers cast discrimination. Hindu nationalist students file a complaint. Under SP 375, Emory must investigate. Other professors see this. They choose safer topics. Selfcensorship spreads. The Carter Center publishes research on religious freedom in India. Kona files a civil rights complaint claiming Hindophobia. Legal costs reputational damage. Future reports get watered down. academic inquiry, human rights research, teaching, all potentially criminalized. Now, let me tell you why India's government wants this so badly. The Indian-American Muslim Council, the largest advocacy organization for Indian-American Muslims, has documented India's transnational repression operations in the United States. Federal prosecutors have documented India's transnational repression in the US. In 2023, federal prosecutors charged Nikquille Gupta with conspiracy to commit murder for hire. He was recruited by Vikas Yadav, an operative in India's intelligence services. The target, an American citizen, a sick activist in New York who criticized India's government. The plot, assassinate him on US soil for political speech protected by the first amendment. murder of an American citizen in America for criticizing a foreign government. Nikquille Gupta's trial starts next month. Mayor Dickens, when that trial concludes, reporters will ask you, "Why did you give a platform to supporters of this ideology weeks before the trial? Why did you put their logo on city hall's wall 23 times? What will you say? India's government tried assassination. When federal prosecutors caught them, they want a cleaner tool. Lawsuits, legal harassment, civil rights complaints. That is what SB 375 gives them. Georgia law, Georgia courts, Georgia's enforcement machinery, all weaponized to silence critics of a foreign government. Atlanta calls itself the city too busy to hate. You honor Dr. King and John Lewis. Their portraits hang in this building. Dr. King did not march so that foreign governments could weaponize his legacy. John Lewis did not get beaten on the Edmond Pettis Bridge so civil rights law could shield authoritarian governments. They fought to protect the vulnerable from the powerful. SP 375 does the exact opposite. Mayor Dickens, council members, you have three options. One, issue a public statement. Clarify that hosting Dvali does not constitute endorsement of Kona's political agenda or their leadership's Islamophobia. Name Sura Jaganatan. Specifically, make clear does not stand with people who dismiss lynchings as Saab stories. Two, pass a resolution opposing SP 375. State clearly, Atlanta protects people from hatred, not governments from criticism. Send that to every Georgia legislator with Mayor Dickens signature. Three, do nothing. Stay silent and own what comes next. October 6, I warned you. October 18th, 2025. This photo, your decision. Today, October 20th, 2025, you have a choice. When SP 375 passes, and it will pass if you do nothing, every lawsuit filed under it starts here with this photo with Mayor Dickens name on the co-sponsorship. Every every professor sued for teaching about CAST, every journalist silenced, every researcher threatened, every activist harassed. Your fingerprints time is expired. You're already in this. The question is whether you're going to get out. >> Time expired. Thank you. >> And I have for the council an information packet on this issue. >> Next up will be Loretta Felts. Loretta Felts. Next up will be Esther Dunrage. Duty yielded time you have up to six minutes. Good afternoon council members. My name is Esther Dan Raj and I'm here as a concerned member of the Hindu community of the city of Atlanta in support of Hindu Swam Sewak USA known as HSS. It is a federally registered IRS recognized 501c3 nonprofit that has served communities across this country for nearly four decades. Uh Peter Frederick just mentioned about his speech on October 6th from this very uh podium and this speech of mine is this petition of mine rather is a rebuttal of his point by uh pointby-oint rebuttal of his speech. So, the self-proclaimed activist named Mr. Peter Frederick, who by the way is a resident of Sacramento, California, has been traveling to city councils around Georgia claiming that HSS is a terror outfit, quote unquote. These accusations are unfounded, defamatory, and dangerous. The reality is HSSUSA is an independent American organization governed entirely by US law. In the four decades of public life, not a single case or conviction has ever linked HSSUSA to hate, violence, or illegality of any kind. HSS appears on no US state department or homeland security list or treasure lists of extremist or foreign terrorist organizations. Uh has never been the subject of any US government investigation, indictment or terrorism related action. And uh all it teaches is it's engaged in uh youth character development, yoga sessions, blood donation drives, environmental cleanups, interfaith dialogues and community service projects such as SA Diwali which partners with local food banks and has even been commended by elected officials across party lines. It's precisely because of this culture of HSS, of discipline and character building that young Hindu Americans have grown into some of the most hardworking, law-abiding, productive citizens of this country. Men and women who contribute immensely to America's economy, innovation, and public life. There are these these are doctors engineers teachers small business owners who pay their taxes, volunteer in their neighborhoods, and raise families that enrich the American mosaic. And these are even our kids even go to the armed forces. Plenty of people that have kids that have graduated from HSS are in the United States armed forces. And to portray such an organization that produces such amazing kids and individuals that serve the American society as anti-pluralist is to misunderstand both America's constitutional ideals and the inclusive ethos of Hinduism. Now uh coming to uh whatever allegations and accusations Mr. Frederick presented in the 6th October speech, there is no factual or legal basis for labeling HSS as terrorist organization. Human Rights Watch, which he cited, whose reports are often cited by critics, has never designated HSS as a terrorist group. Miss Audrey Trusk and Mr. to Rohit Chopra. The two people Frederick cited in his accusations as sources to his accusations are entitled to their opinions, but their comments represent personal ideological interpretations and not verified research findings. Neither has produced peer-reviewed empirical studies establishing organizational wrongdoing or illegal activity by HSSUSA. More Moreover, Trushka's scholarship on South Asia has been widely criticized by other historians. Now, Mr. Frederick is not a scholar or policy expert in South Asian affairs. Neither is he a Georgian, much less Atlantan. His writings are primarily opinion pieces published through advocacy platforms with known ideological leanings. Multiple independent researchers have documented his affiliations with foreign political lobbies and his pattern of targeting Hindu organizations under the guise of anti-fascism. According to Z News, a major Indian national news network and findings cited by the New New Delhi police, Frederick has been at the center of a longunning disinformation network reportedly linked to Pakistan's ISI. An independent research organization group research group uh disinfol in its report the unending war from proxy war to info war against India describes him as an alleged kingpin of coordinated propaganda. Now between 2007 and 2014 his main target wasn't HSS or any Hindu organization. It was Mahatma Gandhi himself breaking Gandhi G's statues delivering hate speeches against a leader who is considered the father of the nation by 1.4 billion people and calling him a racist pedophile and child rapist were centerpieces of his so-called activism. Only after 2014, when the political winds shifted, did he rebrand his campaign to attack Hindu-American organizations such as HSS. This is the individual now asking American city councils to distrust law-abiding volunteers who feed the hungry and teach nation building values that align with American values to the next generation. When a few municipalities were pressured to revisit proclamations, it was not because HSS was found guilty of wrongdoing. It was due to coordinated political lobbying by a handful propagandists presenting selective unverified information. In cities where council members took time to meet HSS volunteers and verify activities, proclamations have remained or have been renewed based on HSS service record, not propaganda. Council members, I respectfully urge you to judge us by our work and not by a concerted propaganda who profit from division. To deny proclamations or partnerships on the basis of unverified propaganda would betray the very ideals of fairness and inclusion that this city cherishes. Let us instead celebrate what unites us. Our shared commitment to serve, to build character, and to strengthen this nation together. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Final speaker today is Alvin Rashad. Alvin Rashad. Okay, that concludes our speakers for today. I want to thank all the members of the public who've come down to speak before the council. And next, we'll move to the report of the journal. Madam clerk, good afternoon, Mr. President, members of council. I, Karen Windo, municipal clerk of the city of Atlanta, do hereby certify that the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, October 6, 2025 are true and correct. >> If there are no additions or edits to the minutes, I would uh entertain a motion to adopt. Moved by Juan, seconded by Lewis. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt the journal? Hearing none, I'm going to do this un consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sign the county consent on the motion to adopt the journal. 14 yay 14 >> 14 yay zero naysay >> 14 yay z nays motion to adopt the journal carries next we'll move to communications madam clerk >> that's 13 yays zero nays >> 13 yay z nays the motion to adopt the journal still passes next we'll move to communications >> first item is 25 C0117 this is communication from Donald Tova CPA chair audit committee submitting the performance audit report offboarding Staff recommendation to refer to finance executive committee. >> Let the item follow that course. >> Item number two is 25 C0118. This a communication from Donald T. Penovi CPA chair audit committee submitting the performance audit report moving Atlanta forward 2025 annual review staff recommendation to refer to transportation committee and finance finance and executive committee. >> Let the item follow that course. >> Mr. Press if I may take item three and four as a block. >> Without objection, please proceed. >> 20. Item number three is 25 C0119. This a communication for Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Miss Mon'nique Fields to serve as a member of the city of Atlanta development impact fee advisory committee. This appointment is for a term of two years. Item number four is 25 C0120. This is communication for Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Mr. Matthew Cartilage to serve as a member of the Atlanta Urban Design Commission in the landscape architect category. This appointment is for a term of three years for those for both those items. Staff have recommendation to refer to community development human services committee and committee on council. >> Both items fall in that course. >> If I may, Mr. President takes item five and six as a block. >> Without objection, please proceed. >> Item number five is 25 C0121. This is a communication from Donald T. Penovi uh CPA chair audit committee submitting the fiscal year 26 annual audit file. Item number six is 25c 0122. This is a communication for mayor Andre Dickens as appointing Mr. Van Hardon to serve as a member of the office of buildings technical advisory committee. This appointment is for a term of two years. Staff recommendation for both those items is to accept and file. >> Let both items follow that course. >> That concludes the communication items. >> Thank you. Is there any veto legislation? >> There are none. >> There's no unfinished business. Thank you, madam clerk. Next, we'll move to the consent agenda. Uh section one. These are items that begin on page four. They are items for second read. Therefore, the appropriate motion will be to adopt. But first, let me ask, are there any items to be removed from the consent? Council member Amos. >> Yes. I have one item, item number 20, page 14 to be removed. That's 25-R3742. Um, in reference to the stitch, it need to be substituted. 25R-3742 will be removed. Any other items for removal? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to adopt the consent agenda section one with one item removed. Moved by council one, seconded by council Baktiari. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt the consent agenda section one? Hearing no move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt the consent agenda section one with one item removed. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The both lost 15 yay z 15 yay z nay is the motion to adopt the >> pass. Council member Lewis brief comment. Uh >> I would like to send 1436 to the mayor's office post haste. Second. >> There's a motion to send >> 14 to 25. What is that? R 01436. Thank you to the mayor's office. Post haste. Motion by council Lewis. Second by council bond. Any discussion of the motion move this item post haste. We do this van consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please put sound the county unsent on the motion to move the item post haste. >> 15 yay z. >> 15 yay z. The motion move post haste carries. Council member Bond brief comment. You're >> I mean cousin >> I would like to congratulate the entire Langford family. Florence Langford, mother of Arthur and Michael Langford, the late Arthur Edward Langford who raised his family in the Joy Land community. Today, the city of Atlanta named a portion of Prior Road after the late Michael Langford, who was a civil rights icon in this city who cared about the least of these. So, congratulations to Gloria, Kathy, the late Joanne, Tracy, the boys, Arthur and Michael, and to a member that is like an extended brother, family who has cared for this entire family his entire life, the Honorable Derek Boseman, and to our warriors on the front row, Reverend Anthony Mley and Reverend Durley. If you all would please stand. If you all would please stand. Congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations. >> Thank you, Council Ben. Council Lewis. And I just want to say that our community voted for me because they had seen a organizer and seen people like me before. They had seen people in our community, young boys that they've raised that went to our schools, that went to college and came back to organize. So, I'm a direct beneficiary of the work of Mr. Michael Langford, Mr. Arthur Langford, Mr. Derek Boseman and I'm honored to be the council person to put that legislation in to make sure you can get off on Arthur Langford Parkway and hang a left on Michael Langford Drive Michael Lanford Boulevard and drive down to Shirley Franklin Shirley Clark Franklin >> to get to city hall because when you come from the southside and you come down to city hall you going to go through some stuff and the people the roads that you going to touch you going to know that they touched that they that they built it for you. So, I'm super excited to be a part of this. Thank you again. And if and if and if and if you and president, if you please, if you mayor, if you'll allow, if you'll allow, uh we do have council member Boseman who in who's here. I don't know if this is something you allow, but if you allow, we can go into committee hold and allow him to speak. He said >> he he is [Applause] >> I like him. >> He says, "Thank you for the offer." If I'm interpreting his hand signals, >> you >> all right. Thank you all for your work. >> Next move. Thank you. Next, we'll move to consent agenda section two. These are items that begin on page 30. They are for first read. Therefore, the appropriate motion will be to refer. First, let me ask, are there any items we remove from the consent agenda section two? Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to adopt the to refer the consent agenda section two. C. Motion to refer by council, second by councelor Shook. Any discussion on the motion to refer? Hearing no, move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to refer the consent agenda to section two. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> 15 yay. Zero nays. >> 15 yay zays. The motion to refer carries. Next, we'll move to the report of standing committees. First up today will be public safety and legal administration. Chair Boon. Thank you, Mr. President. Ordinance for second reading 24-0-1580. An ordinance by council member Alex one as substituted by public safety and legal administration committee to amend chapter 10 alcoholic beverages section 10-1 to amend the definition of lounge to amend chapter 10. Section 10-1 to add a definition of nonprofit performing arts theater and for other purposes. This item comes out of committee favorable on substitute three yays 1A accordingly. The recommend the recommendation is to a adopt as substituted. >> There's a motion coming out of committee to adopt 2401580 as substituted. It does not need a second. Is there 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 240580. One moment. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15 yay, zero naysay. Motion to adopt carries. >> Thank you, Mr. President. This concludes our report. >> Thank you. Next up will be city utilities committee. Chair Lewis. No report. >> Thank you. Next up will be Community Development Human Service Committee Chair Chair Winston. >> Thank you, Council President. We do not have a report. >> Thank you. Next up will be Transportation Committee Chair Amos. >> Yes, sir. Mr. President. Um, we have one for second reading. 25-1556, item number one on page 47, an ordinance by council member Byron D. The aim is to amend chapter 150 traffic and vehicles article 4 stop standing and parking vision 4 residential parking permit to expand the residential parking permit program title vine city residential parking area to wave certain requirements of the city of Atlanta code of ordinance section 150-148 and 150-149 and for other purposes motion is to file. It's a >> motion command committee to file 251556. It does not 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 open. >> Will everyone please vote? Will everyone please vote? The vote's closed. 15 yay, zero nays. >> 15 yay, zero naysay. The motion file carries. >> That's item 25-R3984. That's item number two on page 47. A resolution by council member Andrea El Boone authorizing the mayor or his designate to execute the first amendment of agreement listed landscaping and grounds maintenance with Russell Landscape LLC to add the Department of Aviation as authorized user to add funds to the agreement not to exceed $600,000. All contract work will be charged to and paid from the fund department organization and account number listed here and for other purposes. Motion is to file. Motion committed a committee to file 25 R3984. It 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 open. >> Will everyone please vote? >> The vote is closed. 14 yay, zero naysay. 14 yay zero nays. The motion to file carries. >> Thank you, sir. This the last item that was actually pulled off the consent agenda 25-R3742. Um, it needs to be substituted um for revisions and to add account information, but did not change the caption. A resolution by council member Michael Julian Bun authorizing the mayor or his designate to amend the project management agreement for the second time with Atlanta downtown improvement district for the I75 I85 capping study the stitch to authorize the mayor or his designate to execute the second amendment to the project agreement management agreement with Atlanta downtown Improvement District related to the stitch and for other po purposes motion to substitute. There's a motion to substitute by council customer Amos uh 25R 3742. Is there a second? >> Seconded by council over street. Believe that everyone has received the substitute in their email. Is that correct, Chair Amos? Yes. Uh is there any discussion on the motion to substitute? >> Hearing now move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to substitute. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> Okay. 14. >> The votes closed. 14 yay, zero naysay. >> 14 yay, zero nays. So motion to substitute carries. >> Motion to adopt as substituted. >> It's a motion by uh motion by council Amos to adopt as substitute 24 R 25 R 3742. Is there a second? >> Seconded by council member who was over here council member Shook. Uh is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item? Council member one. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um this is probably it's for the administration. I I see in the substitute um that as m as cherry has mentioned that we're adding or changing out um a funding stream and it looks like that funding stream is from the TLOS 2022 capital project list, specifically the Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard project. I want to ask if we are knocking that project out of the project list in order to fund this or is there something else happening here? >> Want to ask finance department if maybe they can weigh in on that. >> Um so that was the p funding list that was given to us from the uh department of purview. Let me ask for that specific detail if that is a project that is uh has been substantially completed and there was some um allocation dollars left over. Let me get that confirmation for you uh quickly. >> And I'm curious as to whose district that section is in. Is that you? >> That would be either IO4, >> the Ivan Allen project between Lucky and Stand down. >> Council, are you yielding the floor? >> Any other any other discussion on the motion to adopt 25R 3742 as substituted? I I I yield. Okay. Take the vote. >> All right. Hearing. No. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt as substituted. >> The vote is open. >> Will everyone please vote? The go's closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay z. Motion to adopt substitute carries. >> Mr. President, is my report. >> Thank you so much. Next up, we will have finance exec committee chair shook. >> Thank you, Mr. President. First of our three items is 25504. This is an ordinance by shook substituted by finance exec amending the charter um as indicated of the city of Atlanta under and by virtue of the authority of the municipal home rule act of 1965 etc as amended etc to update the requirement for budgeted anticipations not to exceed 99% of the normal revenue collected during the prior year uh to amend part one so part a uh article uh chapter 3 section uh 6304 which is budget amendments to update the processes for budget amendments and for other purposes. This comes forward favorably. Uh it's a charter change the second read first adoption. I move approval. >> There's a motion coming out of committee I believe correct. >> Yes. >> There's a motion coming out of committee to adopt for the first time to require for charter change 251504. does not need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item for the first time? 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 vote closed. 14 yay, zero naysay. 140 nays. The motion to adopt carries. Um motion to refer back to FEC. >> There's a motion by council member Shook to refer 251504 back to FEC. Seconded by council Wong. Is there any discussion on the motion to refer? We do this for unanimous consent without objection. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sound the count on unanimous consent on the motion to refer this item. >> 14 >> 14 yay zero nays. >> 14 yay z. Motion refer carries. >> Thank you. Item 2 is 251551, ordinance by Miss Boon to wave the sections of the code that are cited here to ratify the city of Atlanta's grant application with the United States Department of Homeland Security for the FY24 non-competing continuation funding for FY19, excuse me, securing um the city's program to authorize the CFO to accept the carryover funds of the NCC grant funding and to reallocate the FY25 budget in the amount of $687,180.76 to reappropriate grant funds from DHS to authorize the mayor or the director of the mayor's office of emergency preparedness as his designate to enter into any required amendments necessary for the implementation of this award and for other purposes. Uh the administration has requested that this be referred back to FEC. That is my motion. There's a motion by council shook to refer 251551. Correct? >> Yes. >> Yes. Uh and seconded by Juan to refer this back to committee. Is there any discussion on the motion to refer? >> Hearing none, we'll move to vote. Mad cler, please open the vote on the motion to refer this side. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? Will everyone please vote? The votes close. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay zays. The motion to refer carries. >> Lastly, 251565 is an ordinance by one authorizing the transfer of funds from various Atlanta city council carry forward accounts to the appropriate distribution expense accounts to replenish funds for the fiscal year 26 and other purposes. Uh this comes forward favorable on the condition of receiving a substitute. Now we'll move to bring the substitute forward. >> There's a motion by council member Shook, seconded by Wanda to bring forward substitute for 251565. Is there any discussion on the motion to bring forth substitute assuming everyone has it? Is that correct, Council Member Shook? >> Uh, they should. >> Yes. Okay. It was emailed. Um, any discussion hearing? No. Move to vote. Madam Cler, please open the vote on the motion to bring forth substitute. >> Okay. >> The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. Motion bring forth substitute carries. >> All right. And the nature of the substitute is that it plugs in the amounts. I will move approval on substitute. >> There's a motion by council shook, seconded by Juan to adopt 251565 as substitute. Is there hearing discussion on the motion to adopt substitute this item hearing? None. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to adopt. >> It's a one moment. >> The boat is open. The votes close. 14 yay, zero nays. >> 14 yay, zero nays. Motion subst carries. >> That is all. >> Thank you. Next up will be committee on council, chair Collins. All right. Thank you, Mr. uh council president. We have five items on the report. If there are no objections, um we would like to take items one and two together. >> The objection, please proceed. >> All right. Um, item number 25- C-000082, a communication from Jonathan Gails, PhD, professor and chair of the department of Africana Studies at Georgia State University, appointed Professor um Akile Emoja to to serve as a member of the city of Atlanta Reparations Studies Commission. the recommendation to excuse me. Um, in item number 25- C-0114, a communication from Adria Welchure, PhD, director of general education at Morehouse College, accepting service to the city of Atlanta Reparations Studies Committee um, study commission, excuse me. Both of these items come with a recommendation to file from community development and human services committee. Both appointees were confirmed by resolution 25-R3899 which was approved by this body on October 6, 2025. Accordingly, these individuals communications are no longer needed. And with that, our recommendation is to file these items. >> Motion come out of committee to file both 25c82 and 0114. It does not need a second. Any discussion on the motion to file these items? Without objection, we do this names consent. Any objection? Madam clerk, please sound on the county consent on the motion to file these two items. >> 14. Yay. Zero needs. Great. Thank you. Item number 25- C-000015. A communication from Mayor Andre Dickens appointing Miss Katie M. >> Oh, sorry. I have to announce the >> Oh, sorry. >> 14 days. Motion to file carries. >> Great. S. Sorry, Mr. President. Item number 25- C-0115, a communication from Mayor Andre Dickens, appointing Miss Katie Mohler to serve as a member of the Municipal Market Company Board of Directors. This appointment is for a term of two years. This item comes with favor favorable recommendation from community development and human resources and from the committee on council. Accordingly, our recommendation is to adopt. >> There's a recommendation coming out of committee to adopt 25 C115. It does not need a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to adopt this item given as communication? We do this van's consent without objection. Any objection clerk please sound the count on consent on the motion to >> 14 yay z. >> 14 z. The motion to adopt carries. >> Great. Thank you. These are our ordinances for second reading. Item number 25-1547, a substitute ordinance by committee on council to amend the city of Atlanta code of ordinances section 6 uh 66-2 precinct boundary lines and polling places by amending the 2017 precincts and polling places ordinance in Fulton County and Dicab County precincts as identified by attachment A City of Atlanta precinct values election day polling locations. As of November 4th, 2025 and for other purposes, this item becomes before the body favorable as substituted and committee on council and would like to just add that substitution included Decap County and therefore accordingly our recommendation is to adopt as substituted. >> There's a motion coming out of committee to adopt 251547 substituted. 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 and the motion to adopt. >> One moment. >> The vote is open. Will everyone know? Will everyone please vote? [Music] >> Okay, just >> the vote closed. 14 yay zero nays. >> 14 zero n motion to adopt carries. >> Great. Thank you. Um, our last is resolution number 25-R483, a resolution by committee on council appointing Mr. Kenneth Mitchell Jr. to the governing board of the office of the Inspector General as a 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. This item comes before the body with favorable um with favorable recommendation from committee on council and accordingly our recommendation is to adopt. There's a >> motion committee to adopt 25R483. It does not need a second. Is there 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. >> The vote is open. >> The votes closed. 14 yay, zero naysay. >> 14 yay, zero naysay. Motion drop carries. >> Great. Thank you. And just two one two two quick reminders. Just a quick reminder that early voting for the 2025 city of Atlanta municipal election has officially begun. And as we all know, election day is Tuesday, November 4th. So if you haven't already, please take advantage of early voting and help spread the words to your friends and neighbors. On another note, within the next two weeks, council members, you will be receiving letters from the office of the municipal clerk regarding the termination of bases, which is your boards appointments commissions and other um items. These will be for bases that have been created for more than a year or two for which there have not been any appointments. More information on this process will follow shortly, and please be on the lookout for that communication from the office of the municipal clerk. With that, Mr. President, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Chair Collins. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chair Collins. Finally, today we will have zoning committee. Chair West Morland. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Two items. Without objection, they can be taken as a block. The motion recommendation will be to file. >> Go ahead. >> 2308 U2301 553 Mobile Avenue Southwest. Specialies permit for rehabilitation center 2524 U2443 999 Dotto Street Northwest. Specialies permit for a place of worship. Recommendation out of committee is to file >> motion committee to file 230 11108 and 251024. Um does not need a second. Any discussion on the motion to file these items hearing? No. Move to vote. Madam clerk, please open the vote on the motion to file these two items. >> One moment. The vote is open. Will everyone please vote? >> The votes closed. 13 yays, zero nays. >> 13 yay, zero naysay. Motion to adopt to file these two items carries. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chair West Horn. That concludes the reports of standing committees. We will now move to personal papers. There are none that I see for immediate consideration. So we will move to those for referral. First up today will be council member Amos. Oh before that sorry before that if we just take one moment since we do have a full slate of 15 though we don't have everybody in the room. Jenna was trying to get our picture but that is not unanimously conceded. >> I think Mr. Lewis is >> we'll see if we can wrangle everybody in the room. We'll go ahead with personal papers. Council Amos you're up first. Yes, sir. Mr. President, I am number 39013, a resolution by council member Byron D. aim of authorizing the mayor or his designate to execute a cooperative agreement CP- AM- DOA number listed for the airport runway equipment at Hartsville Jackson Atlanta International Airport with the fourth brand on behalf of the Department of Aviation pursuant to section 2-1602 of the code of ordinance of the city of Atlanta, Georgia utilizing source whale contract airport runway equipment number listed. excuse me, for brand and for the term of 18 months in the amount not to exceed 1,500 to 924,000. Um, all contracted work to be charged to and paid from account number listed here and as for other purposes. >> Home ID 39013 will be referred to the transportation committee. >> HMS ID 39014, a resolution by council member Byron D. name was authorizing the mayor or his designate to execute a cooperative agreement listed with winter operation and maintenance services for Hartsfield Jackson International Airport with Sherin Industries Inc. on behalf of the Department of Aviation pursuant to section 2-10602 of the code of ordinance for the city of Atlanta, Georgia authorizing the source whale contract Alport Runway Materials number listed Sherean Industries for a term of 18 months in an 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. Council ID 39014 will be referred to the transportation committee. >> That's my last paper, sir. >> Thank you, sir. Next up, council member Bakiari. Thank you. Elms ID number 39032, a resolution by council member Liliana Bactiari requesting the mayor his designate to install traffic calming devices on East Lake Drive between Westfar Road and Memorial Drive Southeast in order to reduce speeding and for other purposes. House ID 39032 will be referred to the transportation committee. Council Boon. Thank you, Mr. President. Elm's ID number 38986 an ordinance by council member Andrea Boon waving part two code on ordinances general ordinances chapter 2 administration article procurement and real estate code division 4 of the Atlanta city code to authorize the mayor his designate to execute the first amendment to agreement IFBWM 2471250012A landscaping and grounds maintenance with the Russell Landscape LLC to add the Department of Aviation as an authorized user to add funds to the agreement in an amount not to exceed $600,000. All contracted work will be charged to and paid from the fund department organization and account number listed here and and for other purposes. >> House ID 38986 will be referred to the city utilities committee. >> Thank you. Thank you, Council Collins. >> Let's give a team player. >> Hello. Elms ID number 38990, an ordinance by council member Isa Collins, waving part two, code of ordinances, general ordinances, chapter 2, administration, article 10, procurement and real estate code, division 4 of the Atlanta city code to ratify services rendered in connection with agreement RFP- C-1220157, design build services for standby generators at remote pumping stations with Lakeshore Engineering LLC. This is retroactively effective March 6, 2025 through the execution of this first change order to authorize the mayor or his designate to execute the first change order on behalf of the department of watershed management to extend the term of the agreement by 939 days retroactively effective from March 6, 2025 to October 4th, 2027 for time only due to foreseen unforeseen operational delays and design changes and for other purposes. >> ID 38990 we refer to the city utilities committee. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Doer. [Music] Thank you. I have Elms number 39031. An ordinance by council member Jason Doers to authorize the removal of two privately owned billboard faces and their supporting structures permitted under part 16 chapter 28 of 1982's zoning ordinance of the city of Atlanta as amended in exchange for the right given to their owners to construct one digital changing billboard face in it supporting structures and for other purposes. Elves ID 39031 will be referred to the zoning committee. >> Come back to me on the second one. >> Yeah, I know. >> Okay, Council Hillis, >> thank you. First item is Elms 39029 resolution by council members Dustin Hillis and Mary Norwood requesting the mayor his designate to install stop signs at the intersection of Boulder Road Northwest and Cross Creek Parkway Northwest to create an allway stock controlled intersection after other purposes. Elms ID 39029 will be referred to the transportation committee. >> Second final item is Elms 38984, an ordinance by council member Dustin Hillis authorizing a donation in an amount not to exceed $25,000 cents from the district 9 carry forward account to the Atlanta Memorial Park conservancy to support the assessment and conceptual planning services study to support the Peach Tree Creek Restoration Project pursuant to section 6-306 of the city of Atlanta charter and for other purposes. House ID 38984 be referred to the FEC >> police items. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Norwood. Of course. A resolution by council member Mary Norwood elms 39028 to ensure fiscal responsibility and to allow for the conduct of appropriate due diligence by declaring it to be the desire of the Atlanta City Council that certain prerequisites shall occur prior to the adoption of any legislation to extend end or establish sunset dates of the eight active tax allocation districts of the city of Atlanta. That these prerequisites shall include that the fiscal year 2027 shall be adopted. That the Atlanta Independent School System Board and the Fulton County Commission shall agree to the extension of the sunset dates of the tax allocation districts. that the Atlanta City Council shall receive a report detailing the increment received, expenses generated, and fund balances for each tax allocation district during each year it has been authorized. and that the Atlanta City Council shall receive a report detailing showing the remaining funds raised through the 2022 moving Atlanta forward bond issuance and the Tesla and how such funds have been utilized to date and for other purposes. >> Elms ID 39028 will be referred to the CDHS committee. Thank you, >> council over street. >> Thank you, President Shipman. Elm's ID number 39010, an ordinance by council member Marcy Collier over street waving the competitive source selection requirements contained in chapter 2 article 10 division 4 of the procurement and real estate code of the city of Atlanta's code of ordinances to authorize the mayor or his design on behalf of the Atlanta Department of Transportation to accept donations and sponsorships supporting the safe routes to school program to authorize the mayor or his designate to execute agreement ments with the program sponsors to provide that all sponsor donations be deposited into and all related costs be paid from the safety and mobility capital fund finance fund and for other purposes >> ID 39010 will be referred to the transportation committee >> thank you council member shook >> uh elms 389 942 ordinance by Shook authorizing a donation in amount not to exceed $3,000 from the council president carry forward account to the Atlanta preservation uh center pursuant to the section of the uh charter cited here. Elms ID 38942 be referred to FC Elms 38978 resolution by Shook authorizing the CFO to refund customers for overp payments to water and sewer accounts in the amount of blank. All funds to be charged to and paid from etc. >> ID 38978 we refer to the FC. Uh, Elms 38979, resolution by Shook authorizing the commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management to adjust water and sewer service charges on certain customer accounts in accordance with the code section cited in the amount of blank and for other purposes. SH ID 38979 will be referred to the FC. >> Elms 390000. Uh resolution by Shook authorizing the mayor or his designate text amendment number two for the 2026 employee benefits contractual agreements for the RFP indicated with A. Anthem for self-insured medical and drug B Kaiser Permanente for fully insured medical and drug. C. United Healthcare for medical advantage prescription drugs plan one. D. United Healthcare for Medicare Advantage prescription drugs plans two and three. E. Kaiser Permanente for Medicare Advantage prescription drugs plan 4. F. Sigma for dental self-insured dipo plan. G. United Healthcare for dental fully insured DHMO plan. H. United Healthcare for vision plan one or I rather uh Anthem for life a D and D insuranceances uh J AFLAC for individual short-term disability K Sigma for group accident insurance critical illness and hospital indemnity plans L anthem for FSA health care and dependent care and M anthem for COBRA and retirey billing on behalf of HR to add the 2025 benefit rates to be paid from the council of city and further purposes. Elms ID 39 will be referred to the FEC >> and then ELMS 39009 ordinance by shook authorizing mayor's designate on behalf of uh the department of transportation to accept additional surface transportation block grant award funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation for the CS 434/ Lennox Road uh from the address indicated to the address indicated for the project indicated. ated to authorize the CFO to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget by adding to anticipations and appropriations such grant award funds in the amount of 1,765,758 to enter into any necessary agreements with project partners including the Georgia Department of Transportation for implementation of grant acceptance and participation and further purposes. That was ID 3909 will be referred to the transportation committee. >> And finally, an ordinance by Shook authorizing a donation and amount not to exceed $70,000 from the council president carry forward account to various nonprofit organizations pursuant to the section of the charter cited here and for other purposes. >> ID 39034 will be referred to the FEC. >> That is all. >> Thank you, Council Member Juan. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Elms 39035 ordinance by council members Alex Juan and Matt West Morland authorizing a donation in an amount not to exceed $5,000 from the district 6 carry forward account to Horizon's Atlanta pursuant to section 6306 of the city of Atlanta's charter and for other purposes ID 39035 will be referred to the FEC customer Morland >> hello helms 39036 ordinance by West Morland Winston Juan Doer Hillis Baktiari to amend the charter of the city Atlanta, Georgia 1986, Georgia laws P4469 adopted under the virtue of the authority of the municipal home rule act of 1965 to amend part one support a article 6 chapter 3 section 6-315 to more explicitly define the purpose of and uses for the dedicated affordable housing trust to provide for certain reporting requirements related there to and for other purposes. >> House ID 39036 will be referred to the CDHS committee. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Finally, Council Member Doer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, my other item is Elms number 38985, an ordinance by Council Member Jason Doer to amend the 1982 Atlanta zoning ordinance as amended by amending the SP21 sub area 1 section 16-18U.012 012 historic West End at Air Park development controls by increasing the allowable residential floor area ratio and for other purposes >> home ID 38985 will be referred to the zoning committee and >> that's all I have for all this time. >> Thank you. That concludes the personal papers for referral today. Final move to general remarks from the body. >> Any general remarks? Council member Bakiari. >> Thank you. Um, just wanted to draw attention to the fact that we are now seeing as a result of the government shutdown that SNAP and EBT benefits are going to be cancelled starting next month. For anyone who knows people that are dependent on SNAP and EBT for anybody who knows anyone who's dependent on Medicaid because there's now regulations that around able-bodied individuals um, not my language um, that now will discriminate against people and keep them from being on Medicaid and all of that is really going to kick up next month. So, if there are people that you know that are struggling feeding themselves, please make them aware that this is happening, especially going into the holiday season and for those who may need help, please reach out to us. Um, this is a really serious thing that is happening and it's not being circulated. Not enough people know about it. So, please be aware aware, please pay attention because this is going to affect a lot of lives. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Doer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I alluded to this during uh proclamation for October earlier today, but just want to remind folks to be sure to come out to Atlanta City Council Districts 1, 4, and 12 as part of the final Atlanta streets live event of the year. Uh it'll be a great event. Uh it's a great way to experience the city, experience Southwest and Southeast Atlanta, and to uh we'll have a lot of live music at our events, at least on the District 4 side of things. So, want to see you all this Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thank you, >> Council Amos. >> Yes, sir. Just want to say thank you to a couple of neighborhoods and congratulations to Grove Park who had their first annual Wild West fall festival. Um, congratulation to Hunter Hills who had their very first fall festival as well. And then also congratulations to Center Hill who partnered with Lincoln Cemetery to do their first annual Halloween um trunk or treat. All three events were successful. That was the first time that these neighborhoods have actually um produced these events and they were successful and a lot of community people engaged. So, congratulations to them. >> Thank you, Council Collins. >> Yes. Last but not least, wanting to celebrate also Baker Bakers Hill at Greenbryer Community Festival, but also celebrating and commemorating 75 years. So, that neighborhood and community ser celebrated 75 years with a really, really great event. And thank you so much for councilwoman over street and the team for supporting that effort. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any others? Just a couple of quick reminders. Uh council member following up on council member Collins around voting. Uh absentee ballot application deadline is October 24th to request your absentee ballot and it must be returned by the close of election day. Um Dicab will vote all week and Saturday this weekend. Fulton will vote all week and Saturday and Sunday this weekend and both of will early vote through a week from Friday and then election day November 4th. With that, C Madame Clerk, please sound the closing role. >> Council Council President Doug Shipman >> present. >> Council member Michael Julian Bum, post one at Council Member Matt West Mullen, post two at large. >> Council member Isa Collins, post three at large. here. >> Council member Jason H. Winston, District 1. >> Council member Cardon Woff, District 2. >> Council member Byron D. Amos, District 3. >> Council member Jason Dozer, District 4. >> Liliana Baky, District 5. >> Council member Alex Juan, District 6. >> Council member Howard Shook, District 7. Hi. >> Council member Mary Norwood, District 8. Council member Dustin Hillis, District 9. >> Council member Andrea Elon, District 10. >> Council member Marcia Color Over Street, District 11. >> Council member Antonio Lewis, District 12. >> Okay, we got Wow, that was >> With no objection, we stand adjourned. [Music]