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City Utilities Committee approves contracts, budget transfers and grant applications; several items held or advanced on condition
Summary
During the meeting the committee approved multiple budget amendments, contract renewals and grant application waivers, held one decommissioning budget request, and advanced an ordinance expanding the definition of litter to include yard trimmings on condition of receiving further legal detail.
The City Utilities Committee voted on a slate of ordinances, budget amendments, contract renewals and grant applications. Key outcomes: multiple items were approved as presented or as amended; one budget amendment for a decommissioning project was held at the department’s request; and a proposed change to the city code expanding the definition of "litter" to include yard trimmings was advanced favorably on condition after committee questions about enforcement.
Votes and outcomes at a glance
- Ordinance (12501029): retroactive month-to-month extension and ratification of an OEM/aftermarket repair parts and services agreement for the Department of Public Works, Office of Fleet Services (retroactive to Nov. 25, 2024; up to nine months). Amendment to revise a whereas clause was accepted; the committee then approved the item "favorable as amended on condition." Motion to approve on condition moved by Council Member Buon, seconded by Council Member Shook; final vote 5 ayes, 0 nays.
- Budget amendment (250-1030): amend FY2025 Water and Wastewater Renewal and Extension Fund budget by $350,855.82 to transfer funds from watershed reserves to program management services team project. This item was taken to the regular agenda; final disposition recorded as part of consent items (favorable where noted in the meeting record).
- Ordinance / contract amendment (240-1700): ratify maintenance / vendor name update and exercise the 2nd renewal option for permeable pavers with Ed Cashel Landscape Incorporated; add funds not to exceed $400,000 and correct renewal language. The committee amended the item and approved the amendment. Motion to amend moved by a council member; vote 5 ayes, 0 nays; final favorable disposition as amended.
- Budget amendment (42401701): amend FY2025 Water and Wastewater Renewal and Extension Fund to add funds for the Entrenchment Creek WRC decommissioning project (amount in transcript: $2,029,007 $694.44). The department asked that this item be held; the committee held the item (vote 5 ayes, 0 nays where recorded for the hold).
- Stormwater annual contract package (items 5, 10, 12): budget transfer of $7,500,000 to fund stormwater annual contracts and resolutions authorizing annual storm sewer improvements contracts with named joint ventures (Integral Municipal Services Corp./Rockdale Pop Line Inc. JV; Southeastern Site Development Inc./Precision 2000 Inc. JV). Committee recorded these items "favorable" with vote 5 ayes, 0 nays.
- Waiver / grant submission (250-1002): waiver to authorize submission of an application for Bloomberg Philanthropies' 2025 Global Mayors Challenge for $1,000,000 to build a community curbside composting program. Moved by Council Member Andrea L. Boone; vote recorded 5 ayes, 0 nays; item favorable.
- Grant application ratification (72501003): authorize submission of a nutrition access, affordability and education grant application to the African American Mayors Association and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America in the amount of $175,000. Item recorded favorable 5 ayes, 0 nays.
- Ordinance (82501006): amend City Code chapter 74, article 9, section 74-605 to provide a definition of "yard trimmings" and include it within the definition of "litter." Committee members asked detailed enforcement questions; the law department did not have the author on hand to answer all questions. The item was advanced "favorable on condition" with a recorded vote of 4 ayes, 1 abstention; committee directed follow-up with law to clarify enforcement details.
- Resolution (25 r 3077): authorize exercise of the first renewal option for a one-year agreement (utility locating ticket management system) with Commonwealth Technology Group Incorporated for Feb. 18, 2025–Feb. 17, 2026, amount not to exceed $35,200. Motion moved and seconded; final vote 5 ayes, 0 nays; item favorable.
Other committee business
- The committee adopted its agenda and minutes and elected Council Member Howard Shook as vice chair at the start of the meeting (agenda adoption and minutes each recorded 4 ayes, 0 nays; vice chair election recorded 4 ayes, 0 nays). These are internal procedural votes recorded at the meeting start.
What it means: The committee approved multiple routine procurement and budget items that allow the Department of Watershed Management and Department of Public Works to continue operations, advance stormwater contracts, and pursue grant funding. The yard-trimmings ordinance was advanced with conditions pending legal clarification, and the Entrenchment Creek decommissioning budget amendment was held at the department’s request for further information.
The meeting record shows several items were amended or approved "on condition" and that staff and law department follow-up was requested where legal or procurement details were unclear. The transcript contains the specific motions and vote tallies summarized here.
