[1:50] Good morning everyone. [1:51] My name is Byron Amos. [1:52] I'm chair of committee on council. [1:54] I'd like to officially call the meeting to order. [1:56] To my far, far left, we are joined by my colleagues. [2:00] Council member, Dozier, Council member, Berkshire, [2:03] which is moving to my right, and council member Senegal. [2:06] Therefore Council member Winston as well. [2:09] Since we are all here, we make a quorum. [2:12] I like to make a motion to adopt the agenda. [2:14] Motions to be made a second in the discussion. [2:17] Seeing. Now please open the vote to choose. [2:19] Your favorite [2:21] vote is open. [2:35] Vote is closed for a zero nays. [2:37] The agenda has been adopted. [2:39] Thank you. Make a motion to approve the minutes. [2:42] Motion has been made. [2:43] The second and discussion. [2:44] Seeing none. Please open the vote. [2:47] Vote is open. [2:51] Vote is closed for a zero. [2:52] Nays in the minutes have been approved. [2:55] Thank you. I make a motion to adopt the full council agenda. [2:57] Is there a second motion has been made? [2:59] The second in the discussion. [3:01] Seeing. Now. Please open the vote. [3:04] Vote is open. [3:07] Vote is closed for a zero nays. [3:09] The full council agenda has been adopted. [3:10] Thank you. That brings us to. [3:12] Next on the agenda is the public comment section. [3:15] I remind you have three minutes that'll be shown on the, [3:19] schedule, I mean, on the screens. [3:22] And please keep your comments directed [3:23] toward the committee and respectful. [3:25] Have first up, mr. [3:27] Devin Franklin. [3:36] Good morning, council members. [3:38] My name is Devin Franklin. [3:40] For those who are viewing, [3:42] I am your movement Policy Council [3:44] at the Southern Center for Human Rights. [3:46] This morning I come to offer comment [3:48] in support of legislation 2601483, [3:52] also known as the People's Voice Act. [3:55] This legislation was first brought before this committee [3:58] about two weeks ago on September 8th. [4:01] At that point in time, the sponsor for the bill [4:04] made a request for the bill to be held [4:06] for additional language to be to be put forth. [4:09] And today, as I understand [4:11] that that language has been reviewed by law. [4:13] There are no issues with that, [4:15] that language, that language that has been proposed. [4:17] And I again, I'm here [4:19] to advocate for the passage of the People's Voice Act. [4:22] The initial piece of legislation was very simple. [4:26] It simply sought to address the fact that [4:28] certain members of the public were being called, [4:33] not in the ordinance which they had signed up to speak at public comment. [4:36] The original piece of legislation [4:37] sought to ensure that if I signed up at 12:00, [4:40] regardless of whether or not I had [4:41] someone seed time to me or not, [4:43] that I would speak before someone who signed up at 1:00. [4:45] For example, the additional amendment [4:47] that has been introduced, [4:49] specifically goes towards concerns that were expressed by [4:53] Council President [4:56] Marcy Collier Overstreet and a conversation that she and I had [4:58] and specifically, we talked about kind of [5:01] what the genesis of the concern was for [5:04] people having to stay throughout council to raise their hands [5:08] at whatever point to show that they were present. [5:11] And they had, in fact, seeded time to, a chosen speaker. [5:15] The amendment here, that is, we expect to be [5:18] formally introduced today and to be considered. [5:21] Simply allows for that verification process [5:24] to be done earlier during City Council. [5:27] So in this way, the concerns about whether time and actually been seated or [5:31] are being met, as well as the inconvenience [5:33] that members of the public who are sitting time [5:35] have, are having, is also being addressed as well. [5:38] So this appears to be [5:40] one of the examples of what happens [5:42] when we're able to have conversations [5:44] about the things that are important [5:46] to us and impact us, and what it looks like [5:48] when we have an opportunity to work together. [5:49] And I'm simply here to watch and hopefully enjoy [5:52] the conversation and debate around the legislation. [5:54] And I hope to see us. Passage. [5:56] If any of you all have any detailed questions, [5:58] I am here [5:59] and able to answer questions that the sponsor otherwise [6:02] would be able to answer. [6:04] And of course, that sponsor is a council member, Kelsey Bond, as well as Liliana. [6:09] Thank you. Okay. Thank you sir. [6:11] The next to ladies on [6:14] our public comment is Miss Powell and Miss Shields. [6:18] But understand that you are here for appointments. [6:20] You still can get your three minutes if you want. [6:22] If not, I understand we can move on to the next people. [6:25] So you're going to speak during the appointment time? [6:29] Okay. Perfect. [6:30] Now we have Miss Thomas. [6:42] Oh, I could just start speaking. [6:45] Speaking to the mic for me. [6:47] There you go. There you go. Okay. [6:48] My name is Thomas, and I'm here today to talk to you guys [6:54] about the issue with Marta in the transportation. [6:58] And, like, on my street, they took our bus, [7:02] and now we have to in order for us to get where we're going, [7:05] we have to schedule a blast. [7:07] But the community so big, it's like the bus. [7:10] It's only one bus for morning, afternoon. [7:12] So it'll take like hours for us to get where we're going. [7:16] Like, even for school. [7:18] I couldn't get a ride one day and Missy had to come pick me up [7:21] because they said the bus was full in one letter. [7:23] Schedule a bus. And [7:26] it's very inconvenient [7:27] because people we can't get to where we need to go on time. [7:32] Sometimes I'm late for school. [7:34] Sometimes we like to go pick ourselves [7:37] up from school. And. [7:44] They really shouldn't have to like because [7:47] at first it was like two busses, [7:49] like two vans for like the morning and afternoon. [7:52] But now we're just one. [7:54] Even though it's like not a lot of areas that the bus come around, [7:58] like the Marguerite's come around and. [8:03] I don't know, I don't think they're going to fix that part, [8:06] but I feel like we [8:08] need our busses back because it's very inconvenient. [8:12] The busses come every like our that's closer to our house. [8:16] But our bus before that we had come like every 15 minutes. [8:20] So it'll help us, like get to school faster. [8:30] And get some places where we need to go. [8:31] I'm so sorry. [8:32] My head just everywhere. [8:36] You know. Good. [8:37] What else? Take your time. [8:40] Oh, yeah, I we had I think the bus was like [8:43] 183 on county line. [8:45] It took us to [8:48] want to say Lakewood station. [8:50] I don't I don't really remember being a minute, [8:54] but they took it like April 18th [8:57] and now like with the new Marta stuff, like, [9:00] we gotta do all this extra stuff just to get to where [9:05] we're going. [9:06] So yeah. That's it. [9:08] Okay. Thank you. [9:09] Thank you. Leave. [9:11] Miss Thomas. [9:12] You said it's county line is the area. [9:15] Yes, sir. [9:16] What's that? Wayne Martin 11, district 11. [9:18] Okay, because I won't. I won't get her to her. [9:21] You okay? [9:22] So this is Miss Collins, citywide. [9:25] So this will have a resident as well. [9:27] I know exactly what you're talking about. [9:30] Okay, so we want to make sure we get you to the right person to [9:32] to share your grievances with. [9:33] But thank you for coming down. [9:37] With that being said. Been joined by my colleagues, council member Boone [9:39] and of course, vice chair, Council member Collins. [9:43] That is [9:46] that's the end of public comment, [9:47] but yes, recognized council member. [9:49] Thank you. Chair, [9:52] you know, I wanted to thank you for coming down here. [9:55] It's not easy to come down to City Hall. [9:59] Marta made these changes [10:02] with the with the facade of community input. [10:06] They moved, they came, and they said community hearings. [10:09] And they got our feedback. [10:10] And the response was, we'll pray on it. [10:12] And then they didn't incorporate any of it. [10:14] So they were supposed to come and present to transportation, [10:18] I believe, this past week and rescheduled. [10:20] So they were supposed to present this week, [10:22] from my understanding, they rescheduled to October. [10:26] But I'll go ahead and say on the mic that I have had [10:28] so many busses removed from my community [10:30] where new infrastructure was just put in. [10:32] And this council has brought up a number of issues [10:35] with the bus program, including this app. [10:37] And if we are going to have true equity in the city, then they [10:41] actually need to start. [10:43] They have to do better. [10:44] And the bus situation is a big one. [10:46] My district has been complaining [10:48] about it and reaching out quite a bit, [10:50] and making it more difficult for students to get to class. [10:53] So I just want you to know that when they come [10:54] next month, there's going to be a lot of questions. [10:59] And you've been heard today and you did a great job at the mic. [11:03] Thanks. Okay. Thank you. [11:07] Is that it? So that takes us to communications, Mr. Overton. [11:10] Thank you, Mr. Chair. This brings us to item number 126 C 5076. [11:14] A communication from Council member [11:15] Dustin Hillis, district nine, reappointing Miss Johanna Powell [11:18] to serve as a member of the Atlanta Commission [11:20] on Women Disappointments for a term of two years, [11:22] to begin retroactively on February 5th, 2026, [11:25] and expire February 4th, 2028, and for other purposes. [11:28] Understand? [11:29] Miss Powell is here, [11:31] so step up to the mic, give us your name [11:33] and why you're interested in serving and continuously serve. [11:37] Good morning everyone. [11:39] My name is Joanna Powell [11:41] and I am a member of Atlanta Commission on Women. [11:45] And this is a great organization to be a part of. [11:48] I've learned so much and I've helped with the healthcare. [11:52] I was the vendor sponsor person who all the vendors [11:57] had to come to me in order to participate in our healthcare, [12:01] and I've never done that before. [12:04] So that was eye opening, and I appreciate learning all the different roles in that. [12:08] And, I just love Acle, [12:12] so I would like to continue my membership. [12:15] Thank you very much. Councilmember. [12:16] Yes, Joanna, just thank you so much for your willingness [12:19] to continue to serve this wonderful organization. [12:22] You all have truly, truly done tremendous work with town [12:26] hall meetings, health fairs, financial literacy seminars. [12:30] A special thank you to our attorney, [12:32] miss Amber Robinson, [12:33] who has helped with the bylaws and just procedures. [12:36] So thank you all so much and we look forward to continue [12:40] to support you all. [12:41] And miss TK who's in audience. [12:43] We do not take you all service for granted. [12:46] Thank you. Thank you. So, [12:49] I said that sounded like a motion that has been made [12:51] in second, [12:54] in the discussion saying please open the vote. [12:57] One moment. Yeah. [13:00] Vote is open. [13:06] Vote is closed. 680. And a is the item is favorable. [13:09] Thank you, Mr. Power. Staff will be in touch for the next steps. [13:11] Thank you. [13:13] Miss Overton brings us to item number 226 C 5077. [13:17] A communication from Council member Antonio Lewis. [13:19] District 12, reappointing Mr. Shields. [13:21] Serve as a member of the Atlanta [13:23] Commission on Women Disappointment [13:24] for a term of two years, to begin retroactively [13:26] on May 6th, 2026, and expire May 5th, 2028. [13:30] Miss shields, this year in the office. [13:32] Miss you. [13:39] Good morning. [13:41] Good morning. [13:43] Just give us your name and tell us why you want [13:46] to keep serving. Okay. My name is a shields, and I would like to continue [13:50] to serve on the Atlanta Women Commission. [13:52] As you see, we have again served [13:55] so many different women in each community. [13:59] The town halls, the mental health affairs, [14:03] the financial literacy and the importance [14:05] of bringing young ladies like this to be able to come in, [14:09] learn their community [14:10] and to be able to advocate on their community. [14:13] And Lana's Women's Commission gave me the opportunity [14:15] to share my voice and to share my voice is the reason why we [14:20] go out in the community, and we teach these young ladies to share their voices [14:23] and know who their community representatives are. [14:25] So having this opportunity to learn more, [14:28] consecutively, is very important to me, [14:32] and I truly appreciate all the opportunities [14:35] that you all have provided for me to myself. [14:39] Thank you ma'am. You, Councilmember Collins. [14:41] Yeah, I just want to just want to also, [14:44] echo TC's work and also really excited [14:47] to see you be reappointing to the Commission on Women. [14:51] I truly feel that you really, along with the other women, [14:54] but particularly for district 12, have really uplifted [14:57] what the issues and also how the how women can be [15:02] a part of the solution as well. [15:03] So just really excited and always going to champion [15:07] to have you at the table [15:08] because you are truly, truly representing district 12. [15:11] Well, so with that Mister chair, I make a motion to approve. [15:15] Oh, sorry. [15:17] There's there's a motion. Is there a second? [15:19] I second. So for the discussion, I just wanted to take [15:23] you have truly been the heartbeat of that organization. [15:27] You have truly, truly, gone out into the communities [15:31] where folks would not normally [15:33] want to go spreading the word about what [15:35] the Atlanta Commission on Women does. [15:38] Thank you, thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice and making all the meetings [15:41] and bringing all the suggestions and just bringing the podcast [15:45] to the organization. [15:46] And I invite all the council members to, [15:50] come to one of their meetings and see what they are about. [15:52] They are a truly, truly a spectacular group of women. [15:57] Thank you. Congratulations. [15:59] Thank you. That's a motion that has been made in the second. [16:01] Any more discussion? [16:03] Sinan, please open the vote. [16:05] Vote is open. [16:08] Thank you. [16:14] What is close? [16:15] 680 nays. The Ottoman favorable. [16:17] Thank you for being in touch with further directions. [16:19] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [16:22] Committee members, before we move forward. [16:25] I've been asked by our council chief of staff to make a presentation to us. [16:29] Miss Kempson, right there she is. [16:37] Good morning, Mr. Chair. Committee member. Santana. Right. [16:39] Just a brief update in this morning's [16:42] chairs meeting, Council President Overstreet [16:46] announced that during the full council meeting, you all will begin noticing [16:50] a basically a cohesive timer with the clerk's timer [16:54] that will be shown during proclamations. [16:57] It is somewhat of an overlay, a transparent overlay [17:00] that will be up during any videos that are shown. [17:03] Just making it public and on the record [17:06] so that everyone is aware you will notice it [17:08] starting today during proclamations. [17:11] Okay. Thank you. Are there any questions [17:14] saying thank you? [17:15] Thank you, Miss Overton. [17:21] This brings us to our communication resolutions. [17:23] Item number 326R4026A resolution by Committee, [17:28] Development and Human Services Committee appointing Mr. [17:30] William Clark, [17:31] the City of Atlanta Special Event Technical Advisory [17:34] Group as a city council appointee [17:35] representing Piedmont Park event [17:37] security coordination experience and for other purposes. [17:39] This item was favorable on the 15th of September [17:42] and the Community Development and Human Services Committee. [17:47] So is Mr. [17:49] Clark here? He appeared before his committee for the committee. [17:53] Motion has been made and second, to approve any discussion [17:57] saying please open the vote. [18:01] Vote is open. [18:08] Vote is close 680. [18:09] And as the item is favorable, [18:11] brings us to item number four under resolutions 26 R 3985, [18:15] a resolution by Finance [18:17] Executive Committee appointing Miss Alicia [18:18] More to the Ethics Board [18:19] as a representative of the Atlanta Planning [18:22] and Planning Advisory Board for a term of three years, said [18:24] term to commence upon approval of this resolution [18:26] and for other purposes. [18:28] This item comes to the Committee [18:29] on Council, favorable by Finance [18:31] Committee on the 16th of September. [18:33] Miss Moore appeared before the committee on that date. [18:35] Most to approve. [18:37] Is there a second? Second. [18:39] Most has been made in second in discussion. [18:42] I do have [18:44] I know we have, [18:45] members of the finance committee, [18:49] on this committee as well. [18:51] I just wanted to hear any additional conversation [18:55] about, in terms of the selection, [18:57] you know, selection of Felicia [18:58] more of former council member Felicia Moore, [19:01] the depth of the depth, the depth of involvement [19:04] with the ethics board and things of that nature. [19:07] But I also respect and recognize her [19:09] as a devoted citizen in Atlanta, [19:11] but very familiar with the work. [19:12] And just to be curious in terms of any feedback, that [19:16] any conversation that came from FEC in regards to this, so I can speak to that. [19:20] There was no conversation because Miss [19:22] Moore was the appointment by a PAP. [19:24] Okay. So we respectfully are. Yep. [19:27] Appointing her to that seat, if the body shall agree to it. [19:30] Got it. Yep. [19:31] And so a quick question, Mr. Overton. [19:33] Does she need to appear before us? [19:35] Will it come back on our. No, ma'am. This is the. [19:38] She appeared before finances equities. [19:40] Got it. [19:40] Sounds good. Okay. Thank you. [19:42] No, no. Sounds good. Thank you so much. [19:44] Council member Winston. [19:46] So there's a motion that has been made. [19:47] And second, in more discussion seeing. [19:50] Please open the vote. [19:51] Vote is open. [19:59] Vote is closed five years and the item is favorable. [20:02] Mr. Taylor brings us to our dual referred item, for which [20:04] we will take no action as the item remains held on FEC. [20:09] This brings us to our papers held in committee, [20:11] for which we have been requested to bring one off of held item [20:14] number 926 R I'm sorry. [20:17] 2601483. [20:19] There is a request to substitute this item. [20:23] A motion to bring forward a substitute [20:25] motion has been made in a second in discussion. [20:28] Seeing none. [20:30] Well, actually, Councilmember Dozier. [20:32] Okay, open a vote. [20:34] Vote is open. [20:39] Can repeat the seconder. [20:42] Oh. Vote is open. [20:52] Vote is closed. 680 nays. Substitute item is before the body. [20:54] This is number 92601483. [20:59] And ordinance by Councilmember Kelsey Bond, [21:01] as substituted by the Committee on Counsel [21:02] to amend the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances, [21:04] part two, chapter two, article two, [21:06] Division two, subdivision two, section 2-104. [21:11] To expand the opportunity to provide public comment [21:13] by allowing members of the public [21:14] to speak in order of sign up during public comment, [21:16] at city Council meetings, and for other purposes. [21:20] For the record, the substitute adds language allowing the presiding officer [21:22] to verify the presence of individuals, yielding time [21:25] at the beginning of public comment, [21:26] then excusing those individuals [21:28] after that point, and adds other language to improve [21:31] clarity and formatting throughout the legislation. [21:36] Council Member Dozier, you're up. [21:39] Thank you, Mr. Chair. [21:40] Colleagues, this is the legislation [21:41] that we discussed a couple of weeks ago. [21:44] I know we didn't substitute our men at that time, but this was the substitute [21:47] that we had discussed in the previous meeting. [21:49] I recognize that there's still some questions or [21:54] concerns about the legislation, what it will do, [21:56] and I'll defer to the author to clarify [21:58] any additional information about that. [22:00] So I'm I recognize in the respect [22:02] of having those giving providing opportunity in space for those [22:06] parts of conversations, [22:09] I'm okay with it being held, and I'm happy [22:11] to have a conversation with the author legislature. [22:14] I know they don't serve on this commission, [22:16] on this committee, but I want to make sure that y'all have an opportunity [22:18] to have those conversations as well. [22:19] So I want to make the motion to hold or or keeping on hold. [22:24] I guess we have to make a motion to keep it on health. [22:27] I'll make a motion to keep it on held. [22:29] And, well, if there's any, [22:32] continued reticence, all defer to the rest of the committee [22:34] to share that. But one of the. [22:37] Put that motion out there. Thank you. [22:38] There's motion that's been made I was seconded. [22:40] So we shall continue conversation. [22:43] Discussion. Great. Yeah, I wanted to [22:47] I was going to support that that that motion to hold as well. [22:50] Just wanting to I know I need to get back [22:53] with a couple of people to get more details. [22:57] And we were and and my apologies for that, just being tied up with [23:02] the other. But for I will say the questions that I do have and would love [23:06] to see in this legislation, there's a couple of things. [23:09] So in section A, [23:11] and co-sponsor Councilmember. [23:14] So section A which says that individuals wish to speak, [23:19] excuse me, that the clerk shall begin [23:21] accepting individuals to speak up. [23:24] 105 minutes prior to the start of the meeting [23:27] and shall continue with the new addition [23:29] until the commencement [23:31] of the public comment section of the Council member [23:35] for consideration. I would I'm just going to be public about that. [23:37] Would love any consideration to change. [23:39] Wish to sign up to speak 105 minutes [23:42] to 30 minutes before the start of the meeting, [23:46] knowing that proclamation time is allocated for an hour [23:49] and could possibly go over. [23:51] So in fact, where you're giving where, [23:55] you're still giving more time to sign up, however, [23:58] you are given additional individuals to come as well. [24:02] So in essence, it will be 120 minutes total to sign up. [24:07] If that's something. [24:08] And I'm putting that figure out for 30 to 45 minutes, [24:11] that also gives our clerk office to be, [24:13] you know, enough time to set up. [24:15] So still additional time to sign up [24:17] if it is agreement to go once the start of public comment. [24:21] We do know oftentimes the proclamation section [24:24] does go over a little more than an hour at times. [24:27] So so in this essence, [24:30] the community is still given more time to be able to sign up. [24:34] So that so we'll, you know, 30 to 45 minutes, [24:38] before the meeting starts up until the end of proclamation. [24:41] So that actually, again gives 125 plus more minutes [24:46] versus the 105 minutes to start the second piece. [24:51] I know that I wanted to have some questions about is also, [24:56] having individuals that are going to six [24:59] that's going to give time [25:01] and kind of doing this roll call strategy. [25:04] Also give this roll call strategy in terms of yielded [25:10] time, I do know there were some concerns [25:11] that was being expressed by council members and council [25:15] leadership in terms of if that is the roll, [25:18] the roll call at the beginning is what will what will happen, [25:22] what is the process in terms of reducing the ten minute [25:27] yielded time? Is it find and balance for eight minutes. [25:29] And so that allows a person for [25:31] you know, them and three other individuals to sign up. [25:34] And the yield at time [25:36] total will be eight minutes because you [25:38] you will have more people that's going to sign up [25:40] and have time yielded. [25:42] Now, you know, knowing that they're [25:45] their private constituency, I'll call that. [25:48] They're the group that they bring with them to support, [25:50] does not have to stay for the full, [25:51] you know, for the full public comment. [25:54] So that's two things I would just want [25:56] to publicly come out for consideration [25:59] that that has been shared. [26:00] And we could talk more about what that looks like, but I do. [26:03] We just want to put that out there. [26:05] Yes, that Mr. [26:06] Chair, I yield [26:08] all great questions. [26:09] I think it's wonderful [26:11] that you asked them on the mic so that people understand [26:12] that there's critical thinking going into it, [26:15] especially on public comment, [26:16] just the transparency of the discussion. [26:19] To the point that was made by Councilmember Dozier [26:21] with the amendment of the substitute [26:23] giving it another cycle, [26:24] because there are some colleagues [26:25] who haven't had a chance to give that a read. [26:27] And, I do think, [26:30] Councilmember Collins brings up, [26:33] brings up opportunities for debate [26:35] over the next two weeks and trying to [26:37] get those questions answered and, [26:41] seeing if any adjustments need to be made. So, [26:45] point taken. I'm going to pass all of this along as well. [26:47] And with that Mister chair, I yield. [26:51] Thank you. Seeing no more speakers, there's motion [26:53] has been made in a second in the discussion. [26:55] Open the vote, please. Vote is open. [27:03] Vote is closed. 680. [27:05] Nacional remains held in committee. [27:10] Overton. Mr. chair, that concludes our legislative agenda for today. [27:12] That concludes our legislative agenda. [27:14] Any more conversation, discussion, announcements? [27:17] Seeing. No. We stand adjourned. Thanks.