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Utilities committee approves appointments, budget moves and contracts; several items held for review
Summary
The City Utilities Committee voted to approve several appointments and budget amendments and advanced multiple contracts and ordinances at its April 29 meeting. Committee members also moved one large contract to hold pending an IPRO report and asked administration to schedule follow-up briefings.
The City Utilities Committee on April 29 approved a string of appointments, budget amendments and contract items and—by the committee’s own request—held one major construction contract review pending an independent performance report.
The approvals included two public-appointments, budget transfers to fund watershed reserves and infrastructure projects, and first-reading ordinances authorizing annual contracts for on-call services. Committee members moved one large water‑supply tunnel contract to hold so the committee can receive an IPRO report before action.
Votes at a glance - Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission: Barbara Leith (appointment). Vote recorded in the meeting: “The vote is closed. Six days. Zero days. Item is favorable.” - Water and Sewer Appeals Board: Arlesia McMichael (appointment). Vote recorded in the meeting: “The vote is closed. 6J0 Nays. Item is favorable.” - Ordinance authorizing a special procurement (on‑call diving services with Salmons Dredging Corporation, retroactive option): Presented for first reading. (Committee discussion noted the procurement and fiscal details; committee did not record final adoption at first reading.) - FY2025 budget amendments: Committee approved amendments moving funds into the Water & Wastewater renewal/extension fund and into specific projects including small‑diameter rehab and the Green Infrastructure Valley of Hawks project. (Committee action recorded as favorable.) - Yard debris processing and hauling contract: Ordinance presented to authorize the mayor to exercise a renewal option for a Tag Grinding Services contract; the ordinance includes adding funds for Parks and Recreation. (Committee recorded the item and advanced it.) - Water Supply Tunnel — Chattahoochee connection (R3419): Committee members moved to hold the item. The stated reason was to receive the IPRO (independent performance review) report before taking further action.
What the committee asked for and next steps - Committee members asked administration to bring more detail and to schedule one‑on‑one briefings with the newly appointed Watershed commissioner. The chair asked staff to circulate materials ahead of future meetings so members can review large capital contracts before votes. - The committee noted several vacancies on the Water and Sewer Appeals Board and reminded council members to submit any pending appointments promptly.
Context and budget notes - Multiple items were fiscal amendments to the Water & Wastewater and Solid Waste budgets for FY2025 to transfer watershed reserves into specific construction and rehab projects. The committee record shows dollar figures tied to each amendment; department staff said all contracted work will be charged to the fund/department/org/account listed in the ordinances.
Ending - Committee members scheduled follow‑up briefings with Watershed staff and the new commissioner. Several items will return to committee after staff provides the requested reports and the committee receives the IPRO review of the tunnel contract.
