Thursday, October 05, 2006
City
Accepts Federal Dollars Aimed at Helping to Prevent Homelessness
ATLANTA – The Atlanta City Council approved the acceptance of $3.4 million
in federal dollars that will be used to fund community-based projects aimed at
preventing homelessness under the Homelessness Prevention
and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). (Legislative
Reference No. 09-O-1121)
The
legislation was approved by a vote of 13-0. Nineteen local agencies and service
centers will share in the funding.
“The
problem of homelessness must be addressed through a collaborative approach,”
said City Council President Lisa M. Borders. “We would like to thank the
countless agencies, churches, mosques and synagogues
that are working hand in hand to end homelessness on the streets of
Atlanta. I am committed to continuing the plan to end homelessness in Atlanta
within 10 years and to work with the federal government to aid local
agencies."
HPRP
funds provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and
families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness
to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. The funds under this program are
intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this
assistance.
The
funds provide for a variety of assistance, including: short-term or
medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services,
including such activities as mediation, credit counseling, security or utility
deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and case management.
At
least 60 percent of funds must be spent within two years; all funds must be
spent within three years.
Funding
for the homelessness prevention fund ($1.5 billion) was made possible through
the
American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was signed into law on February 17,
2009
by President Barack Obama.
City
enters into agreement with GDOT and Norfolk Southern Railroad for the
replacement and maintenance of the Mitchell Street Bridge in downtown
In other news, the City Council today
approved entering into an agreement with the Georgia Department of
Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railroad for the replacement and maintenance
of the Mitchell Street Bridge. (Legislative
Reference No. 09-R-1316)
The agreement states that GDOT will
construct the bridge, Norfolk Southern will grant right of way and access for
construction and maintenance, and the city of Atlanta will assume ownership and
maintenance responsibility after construction.
The agreement also authorizes an agreement between the City and Norfolk
railroad for the demolition of the Nelson Street bridge at a later date.
The legislation was approved by a vote
of 13-0.
GDOT ordered the Mitchell Street
Bridge permanent closed to traffic on March 14, 2008 as a result of their
findings during a biennial inspection. The state agency has agreed to fund
complete replacement of the bridge which will allow for raised capacity to carry
all loads.
GDOT
is scheduled to advertise the project for construction this fall and
construction is expected to last two years at a cost of $17 million. An
estimated 10,000 vehicles used the bridge daily.
The
Mitchell Street Bridge was originally constructed in 1924.
Also on Monday, the City Council:
·
Approved an ordinance
changing the name of Coronet Way Park to the “Sara J. Gonzalez Park” located
in City Council District 9 on behalf of the Department of Parks, Recreation and
Cultural Affairs. (Legislative Reference
No. 09-O-1375). (Vote of 13-0)
The
late Mrs. Sara J. Gonzalez worked as Director for the Hispanic Community Affairs
and Liaison for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) during the
1996 Centennial Olympic Games. She
served as a bridge between ACOG and the Hispanic community by engaging the
community in the events leading up to and surrounding the Centennial Games in
Atlanta by working to accelerate the completion of venues utilized for the 1996
Olympic Games. Mrs. Gonzalez also served as the CEO of the Georgia Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2008.
·
Approved
a substitute ordinance defining a “Child in Need of Supervision,” creating
penalties for parents, legal guardians and persons who have custody and control
over minors found to be children in need of supervision. (Legislative Reference No. 08-O-0824)
(Vote of 11-3)
The
above ordinance as revised states that any
minor age six (6) through fifteen (15) years old
who loiters, wanders, strolls or plays in or
upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys,
parks, playgrounds or other public grounds,
public places, public buildings, places of
be at such places, between the hours of 8:30
a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on any school day shall be considered a “Child in Need of
Supervision” with some exceptions including minors who are enrolled in a valid
home study program, a minor who has completed all course study requirements for
high school graduation, a minor who has written proof from school authorities
that he/she is excused from school attendance
at that particular time; or a minor is participating in an approved school or
study activity which requires the minor to be off school property.
Upon
first conviction of a violation in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, a parent/guardian
shall not be fined. Upon further convictions, a
parent/guardian shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and costs, or
imprisonment in the city jail for not more than 60 days, or work on the public
streets or work on the public right of way of the city for not more than 60
days, or be subject to any one or more of the
punishments, according to the legislation.
The
above legislation and a complete list of other items on the council’s agenda
can be viewed in their entirety on the Web at: http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/2009/fca0817.htm
All
adopted legislative items and any amendments to those items or substitute papers
can be viewed at: http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/Captions/default.asp
City
council minutes can be viewed at: http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/minutes2.htm
Archived
video of Atlanta City Council meetings can be viewed at: http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/video.htm