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Athens in Motion Commission unanimously backs parts of Reconnecting Communities letter, names representatives for June 2 meeting
Summary
The Athens in Motion Commission voted unanimously May 26 to support relevant portions of a previously circulated letter about Reconnecting Communities funding and appointed Commissioners Teresa Friedlander and Aaron Redman to represent the commission at a June 2 meeting; staff briefed the commission on grant awards and related transportation projects.
The Athens in Motion Commission voted unanimously May 26 to support portions of a previously circulated letter addressing Reconnecting Communities funding and to send two representatives to a June 2 meeting. Commissioner Art Edison moved the motion and Commissioner Aaron Redman seconded it; the motion passed with no recorded dissent.
The vote followed updates from Transportation and Public Works staff that funding had been awarded for the Reconnecting Communities project affecting Hawthorne Avenue (Prince to Baxter) and that the scope includes Oglethorpe Avenue from Prince to Mitchell Bridge; staff said contract negotiations are ongoing. The commission also heard related grant updates, including a RAISE Grant item for North Avenue and an application for Safe Streets for All implementation funding.
Why it matters: the Reconnecting Communities program funds projects intended to repair, reconnect or remediate past transportation decisions that separated neighborhoods. AiMC’s support and designated representation mean the commission will have formal input during the June 2 discussions and any ensuing contract‑negotiation phase.
What the commission decided: Art Edison’s motion instructed staff that AiMC supports the “relevant parts” of the previously circulated letter (the letter itself was not read into the record during the meeting). Commissioners Teresa Friedlander and Aaron Redman were appointed to represent AiMC at the June 2 meeting on the topic.
Staff context and next steps: Transportation and Public Works staff summarized several concurrent actions: a RAISE Grant update for North Avenue, an application for up to $15 million in Safe Streets for All funds for implementation, and the fact that the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan had been accepted by the Mayor and Commission earlier in April; staff said they are pursuing implementation funding. AiMC did not adopt substantive language of any contract or ordinance at the May 26 meeting; commissioners limited action to supporting parts of the letter and naming representatives.
The commission’s motion passed unanimously; no roll‑call votes naming individual yes/no votes were recorded in the meeting minutes. AiMC’s next meeting is scheduled for June 23.
