[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6235896,"mediaKeyId","3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46","parentId",3395583,"title","Council approves $6.49 million transfer to water supply tunnel project after brief delay","audioSeconds",221,"startMs",7668000,"endMs",7889000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46&start=7668&end=7889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46/thumbnail_7668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235896/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-approves-649-million-transfer-to-water-supply-tunnel-project-after-brief-delay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235896-24e26a340cac0e87c3bc4281417b259b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=XO9so8nvaj69T0foGp-VU7fIU-d~iTQI~03NYv7QCT5Gmsctc7D6EqE2OULr7MSWvQqhckRYNlYgKoMudfXR7YI3IeMSXnYnrbD5u5ltPqSizaT~fCK-0GExTYPIUyp7XGIKCGeR1kpIFaS~npGWeCAqBGvzh9Vxl7bZRVR6b146rc1uINi9N3V8fITonu8VlpZBcKBiIbKsjD98PMZblunVKEhfDtJcS-lAQmHkKWNE6rgqMZoorn2tM~nQ0npe3AOH6LuyPnjOuNIzUPV5ggOtScZlUVPhwVBqXTJfU25eiEZ-mAX37KuByfgcQSs3GiPmXmgbQMWFhf3y1zcjEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-20T05:03:08.533Z","article","The Atlanta City Council adopted a substitute ordinance authorizing a FY2025 budget amendment to move $6,493,699.41 from watershed reserves into the water and wastewater renewal and extension fund to add funding for the water supply tunnel project.

The item (substitute for 24‑0‑10‑78) was introduced by the City Utilities Committee. Councilmember Antonio Lewis said the substitute increased the funding amount; when Councilmember Howard Shook asked, “I'm curious as to why the amount changed from when we met last week to this week,” the finance representative replied, “I don't have any immediate information on the change to the the amount but I can get back to you before the end of the meeting.” The item was temporarily postponed for the meeting to obtain that clarification. Finance and legislative staff later confirmed the companion budget paperwork was in order and the body voted to adopt the substituted ordinance.

Vote and outcome: The council adopted the substitute ordinance in a recorded vote of 13 yeas, 0 nays (the meeting recorded some members present/absent across several items); the substitute passed and the transfer was authorized.

Why it matters: The transfer directs nearly $6.5 million into a specific water capital project (the water supply tunnel), increasing available funding for planning, construction or related work. Council discussion focused on ensuring transparent roll‑up of the companion paperwork and confirming the final amount before approval.

Next steps: The finance office and Watershed Management will implement the fiscal transfer; council members had asked for the finance staff to provide the rationale for the amount change and related paper trail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta City Council Regular Session May 19, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","The Atlanta City Council adopted a substitute ordinance authorizing a $6,493,699.41 transfer from watershed reserves to the FY2025 water and wastewater renewal and extension fund for the water supply tunnel project.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6235902,"Mother accuses on-duty officer of killing her son, urges answers from Atlanta officials",227,7351000,7578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46&start=7351&end=7578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46/thumbnail_7351000.jpg","/articles/6235902/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Mother-accuses-on-duty-officer-of-killing-her-son-urges-answers-from-Atlanta-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235902-4449359c8ad10b836b11f1bd6a06bdfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=UKgFAqRo~yIhvUOWoh0OGvBdigJcJPzLTTPPCgoU4NiVTsK3e7T95u~57kHhuNu3aeCNUfH8ksPoZS5Fxy6Yyl9RJlrmDB-BXeFZqwTa0akXial2pSBmAKhgAifTTZcTQ7Hy6KKL06stiRECA08qj6JONsvTmVH9hO3fqhq5oHx41dnv77hJGtUW5hnXb5Yd2ZSxCMtfrBaZ9-MmQzCGuc7j3bbm7twQXz0tnTRtDUyxMhiUEXD8qlJ04Je00LuzxhHrJd8ZhHZ7kaN54B0lA~wPUqTEuiLm~kkPCknASt34DuiLp0dE6JZY~Crvwh-j0NjvTqyKSuFSaeTuHKS4VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valerie Anderson used the council’s public comment period to accuse a named officer of killing her son and to demand accountability from city agencies.

Anderson said she is “at the mercy of a dysfunctional system” and repeatedly stated, “Melvin Potter murdered my son.” She described delays and a lack of communication with law‑enforcement and prosecuting offices and said she had not received answers nine months after the death. “If the plan is to wear me down, you all gonna be thinking a long, long time. Because I'm not going anywhere,” Anderson told the council.

Councilmember Michael Julian Bond responded from the dais with an explanation of funding differences affecting a separate transit program and later addressed the public speaker point of order: he said that the city had held talks about potentially applying for a federal grant and that “because of the change in administrations, that grant is no longer available,” adding that alternate funding sources would be pursued. Bond also suggested continuing one‑on‑one communication with the speaker to address outstanding questions.

Why it matters: Public trust and transparency in response to deaths involving law‑enforcement personnel is a matter of central civic concern. The speaker’s remarks requested accountability and clarity about the status of any investigations and administrative actions. The transcript records strong emotions and specific accusations but does not record council action to open or conclude an investigation during the meeting.

Outcome at meeting: The council accepted the public comment and members offered to continue communications with the speaker; no formal action, vote, or directive to a specific investigative body was recorded in the meeting minutes. The speaker said she will continue to attend meetings to press for answers.","At the council’s public comment period, Valerie Anderson demanded accountability for her son’s death and said the criminal justice system was failing her family; council members directed staff responses and noted ongoing investigations but no immediate action was taken on the floor.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6235907,"Rideshare drivers urge city action on airport pickups, vehicle eligibility; ask for TNC task force",266,7917000,8183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46&start=7917&end=8183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46/thumbnail_7917000.jpg","/articles/6235907/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Rideshare-drivers-urge-city-action-on-airport-pickups-vehicle-eligibility-ask-for-TNC-task-force","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235907-dbc376409c8641bdd8fcc5a9f88578b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=a6qXxPc~k6AAqfgTOxtpreqlWztE9gZvRPlgEn6JCpIJQRcJL0cPKCTnEurW-wBj38b4RQz26a5E6UN5OyQenuA42aOhkZDIxGiDWtCosuCxbsgWvDjrSmk0dFJ5xFhZhPG32HLKTTUx-GU-H~uxXycGzObXIgM6yP6l6pj7Dw75JwC3hTSG75tpf8-fcZVhszzy1HbMDBLMxaI-ooJtvCyLSWKZ1IzLA0Id8TT7jfr3odOja~K1CNhpv6K0TvUxM8BpE81VHpiGM5qBJgJIMlieXASKXXdeqg6qsUKWLC1Etzu8dJGve1PSOeADVh2caIBoOMp4BVfa4tITVlbHQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Atlanta rideshare drivers used the meeting’s public‑comment period to describe operational problems at Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport and to ask the council for an organized response.

Drivers said city and airport rules plus platform policy changes have created financial risk and operational confusion. Liza Ramsey, identifying herself as a professional driver and organizer, said, “Recurrent city regulations and platform rules are putting us in impossible situations,” and described drivers facing ticketing or loss of income when they wait for airport pickups.

Bhubendra Chauhan told the council he had purchased a new Tesla Model Y to qualify for high‑end service categories and said, “Uber recently announced that as of September, Tesla Model Ys will no longer qualify for Uber Black,” adding that change could slash earnings by more than half while operating costs stay the same. Felipe Martinez, a drivers’ organizer, said a similar practice is “exploiting people of color” and asked the council to form a TNC task force: “We urgently request, the formation of a TNC task force that brings together city, state officials, drivers, and platform representatives to ensure fair, transparent, and accountable practices in this industry.”

Why it matters: Rideshare services are a critical portion of Atlanta’s transportation network, especially for airport access. Changes by private platforms or inconsistent local enforcement can quickly affect incomes for drivers and service reliability for riders. Drivers asked the council to create a formal forum to review regulations (a “TNC task force”) with driver participation, airport staff, platform representatives and city agencies.

Council members did not vote on policy during the meeting. Three speakers requested concrete action from city government and asked for a designated waiting area at the airport, clearer certification guidance for premium vehicles, and protection from ticketing while drivers perform dispatched pickups. No formal city task force was announced at the meeting.","Multiple drivers urged the council during public comment to address confusing airport rules, ticketing and platform changes that threaten drivers’ incomes and asked the city to form a TNC task force to review rules and protections.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6235913,"Council confirms new aviation general manager and watershed commissioner",369,10223000,10592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46&start=10223&end=10592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46/thumbnail_10223000.jpg","/articles/6235913/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-confirms-new-aviation-general-manager-and-watershed-commissioner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235913-e313430650e11ead015dea7b73d716a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=Q2-mFSm9eZTApSU3mVfmuejy~NOd3V1npWi855Nq0OBsEs19FJ6QYNCdqSuYq6uza4q1h0mR1xAOckJVenrxH~S5O0T05Ay2Y4YpMs2aQKPcTiTVpZP3jMo81rjd6vWW8LU~RXKenQ6qRft4qQuIR64pZeG~ygXfG1LHMfNdPjv7HiwW1ptE5JIXATptSJg75rkHA61bot29D162J92GH5c1E8TnOZua1MSW-VOKM3GAlT3CyUDC2nQ1S15dnb5EBx9asnYEz~T3HLXonzwl069Bk5-VvMZpgwPi-DgZHV363ENApOK5V5jHc4aj5gSm55hsRBpkJmOj1Z-HUmrycg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atlanta City Council voted to confirm two senior executive appointments in a Committee of the Whole session held during the May 19 meeting.

Ricky Smith was confirmed as aviation general manager by a council vote recorded as 14 ayes, 0 nays. Smith told the council, “it is truly an honor to be here,” and thanked Mayor Andre Dickens and Department of Aviation staff. He said he has been meeting with council members and promised to work with the airport team to advance operations and resilience.

James Eyerly was confirmed as commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management by a council vote recorded as 14 ayes, 0 nays. Eyerly said, “I promise, in my tenure here as commissioner, if I'm so voted in that, I will tell you a %, transparency, what I believe is the right course ahead and give you my just honest opinion.” He emphasized the department’s mission to protect public health and cited the scale of billing operations as a challenge for accuracy.

Why it matters: The aviation general manager oversees Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the city’s largest revenue and transportation asset — while the watershed commissioner manages drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services affecting residents and businesses. Council confirmations place both nominees in roles that could shape infrastructure, service delivery and capital projects in the coming months.

Neither confirmation included changes to policy or budget during the meeting; both were approvals of mayoral appointments following the committee process. Newly confirmed officials committed to ongoing communication with the council and to improving operational performance in their respective departments.","The Atlanta City Council approved Ricky Smith as aviation general manager and James Eyerly as commissioner of Watershed Management during a Committee of the Whole session; both nominees spoke briefly to the council and each confirmation passed by recorded vote.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6235918,"Atlanta City Council honors Public Works as department cites near‑perfect curbside pickup rates",528,2495000,3023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46&start=2495&end=3023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395583-9f4517a237487a8861bcdba08b286d46/thumbnail_2495000.jpg","/articles/6235918/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Atlanta-City-Council-honors-Public-Works-as-department-cites-nearperfect-curbside-pickup-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235918-fe80487c02b7a3cf0a8ed5832ba70c51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=KEx9fE76hxrIIf4g7w-C8COOP9bsiLu6UOvHBj4TzciMNDkFgvbiekcFuRAaQFDIvXgNCMPOfToB2BhrRhKKzQy7oi3JtsE~PJnWuTRU6Qw~lZGf9wxQt6u~foJPBCVruLzBDOkdSNhCXS4fiFE4bfc~0TBmYb08nVliB~Y1azVZWcwPGwwdtrTYvxTKJk-oxd5G0dJ12pQ85kSaZF9fFlOTb5VGsD3HYYCSWrbYA6M-Hf7hF2I7agpuMgotmlarEhdMvct~S1~FeOVJLiwB6grQs4QSuxJ5q19aVCOI2RGb23ezQ7dTokbg6VjO4hGRpWayPXpSyAM2nM9M-fXaww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atlanta City Council presented a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week and used the occasion to highlight recent operations and performance by the Department of Public Works (DPW).

Councilmember Antonio Lewis presented the proclamation on behalf of the council. Mayor Andre Dickens and DPW Commissioner Garment addressed the council and attendees; both praised DPW staff for frontline service during the quarter and stressed the role the department plays in city operations.

DPW officials supplied specific performance figures during the presentation. Commissioner Garment said, “Our frontline heroes completed curbside collections... averaging a 99.5% garbage collection success rate.” He also reported the quarter included more than 1,000,000 curbside stops, over 5,000 new cart requests fulfilled and more than 70,000 public receptacle service stops. Garment noted the fleet team logged “more than 29,000 unified collected hours” supporting police, fire and other city services.

Mayor Andre Dickens added, “I see them out picking up trash, picking up litter, recycling, yard waste, doing a fantastic job,” and thanked DPW employees for keeping the city’s vehicles and equipment maintained and operational.

Why it matters: DPW provides daily, citywide services — garbage, recycling, yard waste collection, public receptacle maintenance, and fleet upkeep — that directly affect public health, cleanliness and mobility. The council’s recognition also publicly documents recent operational performance and gives visibility to near‑term priorities cited by staff, including fleet reliability and improving collection consistency.

Council members and the mayor emphasized continued support for DPW, and Commissioner Garment asked for continued backing while noting the department’s goal of continuous improvement. The proclamation and the performance figures were presented during the meeting’s proclamations segment; no separate vote on policy or budget for DPW was taken at that moment.

The presentation ended with the council and DPW staff taking photographs and thanking workers attending the chambers.","The Atlanta City Council presented a proclamation for National Public Works Week and Department of Public Works leaders highlighted recent service metrics including 99.5% garbage collection success and more than 1 million curbside stops in the quarter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $6.49 million transfer to water supply tunnel project after brief delay

Mother accuses on-duty officer of killing her son, urges answers from Atlanta officials

Rideshare drivers urge city action on airport pickups, vehicle eligibility; ask for TNC task force

Council confirms new aviation general manager and watershed commissioner

Atlanta City Council honors Public Works as department cites near‑perfect curbside pickup rates