Ordinances / Resolutions of Note
- Approve Apartments Near Airport
- Give Public Land for a New Parking Deck
- Approve Apartments off Lexington Road
- Approve Taser contract
- Approve the Linnentown Resolution
- Extend the Firefly Trail to Winterville
- Fund the Athens Eats Together program
- Delay Eviction Prevention Program / Project Reset
- Approve FY 2022 Budget
- Approve Official Homeless Camp
- Establish Local Anti-Discrimination Protections
- Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for ACC Gov Employees
- Install Downtown Public Restroom
- Fund non-police crisis response team
- Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Approve AFDC to Run Eviction Prevention Program
- Establish Law Enforcement Oversight Board
- Establish Human Relations Commission
- Accept JAG grant
- Approve New Commission Districts
Approve Apartments Near Airport
The commission rejected a developer’s request to build apartments within the airport’s overlay zone, something that requires special approval. Despite offering to make twelve of the 112 units in the proposed complex affordable, and despite an amendment by Commissioners Parker and Houle to require extra sound proofing, the permit was denied. Commissioners voting no were concerned about safety issues or simply thought they could get a better deal from another developer.
Voting yes on approval: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle
Voting no: Wright, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby, Girtz
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Parker
Failed on January 6, 2021
Give Public Land for a New Parking Deck
In a joint deal between the local government, Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA), Classic Center and Landmark Properties, the commission considered granting land to the ADDA for a parking lot in-between Hickory, Willow and East Broad streets. ADDA would lease the land to Landmark Properties, who would build the deck and pay the ADDA $150,000 per year, which would go to the Classic Center.
Commissioner Denson added in an opt-out clause for the local government, and then made a motion to hand over the land to the ADDA, in anticipation of unspecified “community benefits” that have apparently been negotiated in private. However, a majority of commissioners chose to deny the request, and the entire deal was rejected.
Voting yes to give the land: Parker, Denson, Houle, Edwards
Voting no: Davenport, Link, Wright, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Denson
After this vote failed, there was a vote to deny the ADDA’s request. That vote passed 9-1, with Commissioner Edwards as the lone no vote.
Failed on January 6, 2021
Approve Apartments off Lexington Road
When a developer came to the commission with a rezoning request to build a large, 500-unit apartment complex off Lexington road, Commissioner Mariah Parker saw an opportunity. She asked the developer to include electric car charging stations and to set aside 15% of the units for affordable, workforce housing.
Despite the Planning commission recommending that the development be rejected, and despite opposition from neighbors, the vote to rezone barely managed to pass with advocacy from Parker. It also took a rare vote from Mayor Kelly Girtz, who broke a 5-5 commission tie in favor of the development. You can read more about this vote in the Flagpole article here.
Voting yes to give approval: Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Girtz
Voting no: Davenport, Wright, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Parker
Passed on February 9, 2021
Approve Taser Contract
As ACCPD’s contact with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Tasers ran out, the ACC Commission decided to sign a new Taser contact and merge that with the already existing contract for body cameras (which are provided by the same company). Commissioners Jesse Houle and Mariah Parker objected to the idea of continuing to arm police with Tasers and to the expense of doing so. Other commissioners disagreed and passed the contract with a clause letting them opt out at any time going forward.
Voting yes to approve Tasers: Davenport, Link, Wright, Denson, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: Parker, Houle
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Myers
Passed on February 16, 2021
Pass the Linnentown Resolution
The mayor and commission has passed the long-awaited Linnentown resolution, recognizing and apologizing for acts of “institutionalized white racism and terrorism” committed by the city of Athens and the University of Georgia against former Linnentown residents during the period of urban renewal.
Voting yes to pass the resolution: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Parker
Passed on February 16, 2021
Extend the Firefly Trail to Winterville on original route
The commission considered three alternate routes for the Firefly Trail in its approach to Winterville. The shortest and straightest route along the railbed was eventually chosen despite objections from some property owners in the proposed path.
Voting yes to extend the trail on the original route: Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Hamby
Voting no: Davenport, Wright, Thornton
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Myers
Passed on March 2, 2021
Fund the Athens Eats Together Program
Athens Eats Together is a food-assistance program run by the Athens Community Council on Aging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The contract to provide free meals to Athenians in need ran out at the end of January 2021. With this vote, the commission extended the contract another two months.
The vote was strangely contentious with emotions running high towards the end of a nearly six hour meeting. Wright voted no on the proposal, but did support an alternate proposal to provide the funding put forward by Hamby. Davenport voted no on both proposals.
Voting yes to fund the program: Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: Davenport, Wright
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Denson
Passed on March 2, 2021
Delay Eviction Prevention Program / Project Reset
APN explores the background behind this vote in detail here. In short, Project Reset is a program designed to prevent evictions which three commissioners (Allison Wright, Ovita Thornton and Mike Hamby) attempted to delay multiple times. This was their final attempt to stall the program, and they were joined by Commissioner Patrick Davenport for this particular effort, which failed 4-6.
Voting yes to delay Project Reset: Davenport, Wright, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Thornton
Failed on May 18, 2021
Approve FY 2022 Budget
The ACC Commission passed the fiscal year 2022 budget, which includes zero-fare transit, $15 an hour for all ACC workers, jobs training programs, support for the Athens-Area Homeless Shelter and alternative crisis response teams, in a 7-3 vote.
Three commissioners objected to the way the budget handled the subject of pay compression after raising all employees to $15 an hour. Read more about the budget here.
Voting yes to approve the budget: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers
Voting no: Wright, Thornton, Hamby
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Parker
Passed on June 15, 2021
Approve Official Homeless Camp
Railroad company CSX was preparing to evict a large group of people camping on their property when Bigger Vision, a homeless shelter, was forced to close due to COVID-19. The commission, seeing a rise in the number of unhoused people, decided they needed to help stabilize the situation. In consultation with the Athens Homeless Coalition, the commission agreed to offer a parcel of unused public land to a local homeless services provider for the creation of an officially-approved homeless camp. You can read more about this ordinance here.
Voting yes to approve the camp: Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Myers, Girtz
Voting no: Davenport, Wright, Edwards, Thornton, Hamby
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Houle
Passed on August 3, 2021
Establish Local Anti-Discrimination Protections
After years of advocacy by groups like the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, the commission established a local ordinance to provide increased protection for those who may experience discrimination. The ordinance protects a wide range of classes, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability and more. You can read more about this ordinance here.
Voting yes to establish the protections: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Wright
Passed on August 3, 2021
Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for ACC Gov Employees
Fearing that COVID-19 case numbers would continue to rise as the Delta variant swept through Georgia, the commission decided to mandate that all local government employees show proof that they had received a COVID-19 vaccination.
However, the policy as drafted by staff ended up steering away from actually requiring the vaccine and instead focused on incentives to try and get all employees vaccinated. On Sept. 7, the commission voted to approve that more lenient policy.
Voting yes to mandate the vaccine: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Edwards
Passed on August 3, 2021
Install Downtown Public Restroom
One recommendation from the 2016 Downtown Public Health and Safety Study was for a public restroom downtown. The commission decided on the “Portland Loo” concept, which was controversial. Some commissioners objected to its price tag of $314,000, despite it being the cheapest option if you include estimated maintenance expenses for a period of 20 years.
Voting yes to install restroom: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers
Voting no: Wright, Thornton, Hamby
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Houle
Passed on October 5, 2021
Fund non-police crisis response team
Responding to calls to reimagine public safety after the George Floyd protests of 2020, the commission approved an agreement with Advantage Behavioral to fund an alternative crisis response team pilot program.
Voting yes to install restroom: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Houle
Passed on October 5, 2021
Change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day
Commissioner Denson crafted a resolution in collaboration with the UGA Institute of Native American Studies to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The resolution recognizes that the “Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), and other Indigenous Peoples” have “endured centuries of cruelty, exploitation and genocide,” citing the need for the local government to oppose “systematic racism” as a first step towards making amends.
Voting yes to change the name of Columbus Day: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers, Thornton
Voting no: none
Absent: Wright, Hamby
Proposal made by: Denson
Passed on October 5, 2021
Approve AFDC to Run Eviction Prevention Program
When ACC staff put out a request for proposals to run Athens’ version of the Project Reset eviction prevention program, only one applicant responded. This applicant, Athenian First Development Corporation, had no experience in providing services or in running a similar program. ACC staff recommended denial of the contract and reissuing the request for proposals for a longer period, but commissioners decided to grant AFDC the contract so they could begin the program as soon as possible.
Voting yes to approve AFDC: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: Wright
Absent: Myers
Edwards was acting mayor and did not vote on this item.
Proposal made by: Denson
Passed on October 19, 2021
Establish Law Enforcement Oversight Board
The Public Safety Oversight Board (formerly known as the Police Oversight Board) would receive complaints about alleged police misconduct and review ACCPD internal investigations. They would also engage the public, holding regular meetings and would make recommendations about police policy to the mayor and commission. Their goal would be to provide accountability for local law enforcement and therefore help to improve community trust. Check out this article for more information.
Voting yes to establish the board: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Myers, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: Thornton
Proposal made by: Hamby
Passed on November 2, 2021
Establish a Human Relations Commission
A human relations commission is an advisory body that will act as a bridge between the community and the government. It will encourage dialog around equity and inclusion in Athens, both within the body itself and across the broader community. It will also assist residents with discrimination complaints and provide support as they seek redress. Check out this article for more information.
Voting yes to establish the commission: Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle, Myers, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: Thornton
Proposal made by: Wright
Passed on November 2, 2021
Accept JAG Grant
The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant gives the Athens-Clarke County Police Department a bit of extra funding every year ($139,460 in 2021) in exchange for our participation in the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force. This grant is routinely accepted by the commission, often without a second thought, but in recent years it has come under scrutiny by left-leaning commissioners who want the Athens government to stop participating in the drug war.
Voting yes to accept the grant: Davenport, Link, Denson, Edwards, Myers, Thornton, Hamby
Voting no: Parker, Houle
Absent: Wright
Proposal made by: Edwards
Passed on December 7, 2021
Approve New Commission Districts
A new set of commission district maps was approved by the commission based on data from the 2020 census. But this vote, which was not unanimous, may have serious ramifications. Learn more about this vote here.
Voting yes to approve the districts: Davenport, Parker, Link, Denson, Houle, Edwards, Myers
Voting no: Wright, Hamby
Abstaining: Thornton
Absent: none
Proposal made by: Thornton
Passed on December 14, 2021