Atlanta City Council Finance Executive Committee Meeting Notes – March 26, 2025

Action Items

Provide a balance sheet of available, allocated, and unallocated funds for all tax allocation districts.
Confirm the exact remaining balance from the original Enterprise Fund for the 143 Alabama Street project.
Bring back the ordinance for the Affordable Workforce Housing In Lieu Fee Trust Fund (Item 14) with more details on the governance structure and criteria for fund deployment.
Provide updates at least annually on the Carbon Credit Program and how the funds are being utilized.
Bring back the ordinance for water/wastewater account write-offs (Item 25) with the corrected amount.
Continue efforts to collect outstanding payments owed by DeKalb County and other municipalities for the sewage treatment plant, with a target of resolution within 2 months.

Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/XEaVxq2j1rg4Lq_MxL2GDNoGP9E?view=transcript

Overview

The Atlanta City Council Finance Executive Committee meeting on March 26, 2025, covered several key topics. The committee approved the agenda and minutes, discussed a legislation hold requested by former Chief of Staff Greg Fridgen, and reviewed a lengthy agenda. Dr. Louisa Clementich presented on the city’s tax allocation districts, highlighting $2.6 million in TAD increment financing leveraged to $431 million for the city in 2024. The committee also discussed the Stitch project, a $203 million federal and local funded initiative, and the potential for future bond issuance, with concerns about risk management and governance. The committee approved the ad valorem tax levy and the Stitch Special Services District on condition of further discussion. The Atlanta City Council Finance Executive Committee meeting on March 26, 2025, discussed several key items. Items 19 and 20 approved month-to-month contracts with T-Mobile and Verizon, capped at $652,254 and $2,202,619.55, respectively. Councilmember Juan’s ordinance authorized a $500 donation to Midtown Neighbors Association, and other donations ranged from $1,000 to $3,000. Resolution 20-5R-3286 authorized a $4.167 million sole source agreement with Schneider Electric. The committee also discussed a $232,908 contract with Urban Forest Carbon Registry and a $5.61 million write-off for uncollectible water and wastewater accounts.

Outline

Adoption of Agenda and Public Comment

Speaker 1 opens the meeting, motions to adopt the agenda, and seconds by one. The vote is open and closed, with the agenda adopted.
Speaker 1 moves to approve the minutes, and the unknown speaker confirms the minutes have been adopted.
Speaker 1 introduces public comment, mentioning Greg Fridgen, who is the former chief of staff for Mayor Franklin.
Greg Fridgen requests the committee to hold a piece of legislation until further dialog with the law department.

Introduction of Key Presenters and Initial Agenda Items

Speaker 1 mentions the need to update Miss Robinson on the legislation and thanks her for her time.
Speaker 1 notes the lengthy agenda and requests presenters to be concise.
Speaker 1 introduces Dr. Louisa Clementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta, for a presentation on the tax allocation district and small business programs.
Speaker 1 introduces Mr. Dargan Burns for reappointment to the city of Atlanta audit committee.

Invest Atlanta Presentation by Dr. Louisa Clementich

Dr. Louisa Clementich provides a summary of the tax allocation district, mentioning 10 tax allocation districts, with two dissolved, leaving eight.
Dr. Clementich highlights the goals and objectives of the tax allocation district, including promoting economic development and addressing food deserts.
Dr. Clementich discusses specific projects in 2024, including the transformation of a Family Dollar to a community food center and the development of affordable housing units.
Dr. Clementich introduces the Atlanta Local Legacy Program, which aims to recognize and support long-standing businesses in the city.

Discussion on Small Business Programs and Community Initiatives

Dr. Clementich explains the components of the Atlanta Local Legacy Program, including registry, marketing, empowerment grant, and small business improvement grant.
Speaker 1 asks about the percentage of businesses that make it to 30 years, and Dr. Clementich estimates it to be around 2%.
Speaker 15 inquires about the dissolution of the Atlantic Station TAD and the impact on tax increments.
Speaker 17 asks for updates on the section eight housing piece and the grocery store initiative in District Five.

Department of Procurement Quarterly Update

Speaker 1 introduces the Department of Procurement quarterly update and mentions handouts.
Speaker 1 welcomes Mr. Dargan Burns back to his position on the city of Atlanta audit committee.
Speaker 1 reads the captions of various ordinances related to procurement, including amendments to contracts and agreements.
Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 discuss the details of the ordinances, including funding amounts and departments involved.

Discussion on Budget-Related Ordinances

Speaker 1 introduces budget-related ordinances, including setting tax rates and adopting the FY 26 proposed budget.
Speaker 16 mentions the budget book will be produced by the first Monday of May.
Speaker 1 introduces an ordinance to amend the 2025 Capital Finance budget and the 2025 general fund budget.
Speaker 15 asks for clarification on the source of funds and the impact on the general fund.

Discussion on Affordable Workforce Housing Trust Funds

Speaker 1 introduces an ordinance to create the affordable workforce housing in lieu fee Trust Fund.
Speaker 3 explains the purpose of the trust fund and the need to update the in lieu fee schedule.
Speaker 17 expresses concerns about the lack of details and the potential for funds to be spent outside the original district.
Speaker 15 suggests holding the ordinance to work through the details and ensure proper governance and metrics.

Discussion on the Stitch Project and SSD Tax Increment

Speaker 1 introduces the Stitch project, a major infrastructure project connecting North Downtown over the I-85/75 interstate.
Speaker 6 explains the funding sources, including federal and local contributions, and the proposed SSD tax increment.
Speaker 17 asks about the source of funds for payment of bonds and the allocation of funds for the project.
Speaker 6 clarifies that no bonds are proposed for Phase One, and the SSD funding is for operations and maintenance.

Governance and Risk Management of the Stitch Project

Speaker 1 inquires about the governance process for debt issuance and the risk management of the project.
Speaker 7 explains the oversight by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the CFO, and the potential for monetizing SSD revenue.
Speaker 15 expresses concerns about the potential for future bond issuance and the need for Council approval.
Speaker 7 agrees to clarify the language in the IGA to require Council approval for any bond issuance.

Approval of Stitch Project Ordinances

Speaker 15 makes a motion to approve the ad valorem tax levy ordinance on condition of a substitute at the April 21 meeting.
Speaker 1 introduces the second ordinance related to the Stitch project, which is also approved on condition of a substitute.
Speaker 1 introduces the third ordinance to create the Stitch Special Services District, which requires a cleanup substitute.
Speaker 15 makes a motion to approve the substitute, and the vote is closed with the motion carried.

Approval of T-Mobile and Verizon Contracts

Speaker 1 introduces items 19 and 20, which include ordinances for T-Mobile and Verizon contracts.
Speaker 9 explains that the contracts with T-Mobile and Verizon are on a month-to-month basis until a new agreement is finalized.
Speaker 15 inquires about the procurement process, and Speaker 9 clarifies that the contracts are direct procurements.
The committee votes to approve the ordinances for both T-Mobile and Verizon contracts.

Council Carry Forward Papers

Speaker 1 reads through several ordinances authorizing donations from various carry forward accounts to local organizations.
The donations range from $500 to $3,000, with specific sections of the city charter cited as the authority.
A motion to approve the donations is made and seconded, and the vote is closed with unanimous approval.

Resolutions and Held Items

Speaker 1 introduces a resolution authorizing a sole source agreement with Schneider Electric Systems USA for watershed management.
Speaker 19 raises concerns about collecting payments from municipalities for capital upgrades and operations of a sewage treatment plant.
The committee votes to hold the resolution pending further updates on the collection process.
Speaker 1 introduces a resolution authorizing the re-employment of a city retiree as an executive assistant in the city auditor’s office.
The committee votes to approve the resolution, and the next three items are held for further discussion.

Collective Bargaining Agreement

Speaker 1 introduces a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a collective bargaining agreement with Local 134 International Association of Firefighters.
The resolution includes a term not to exceed one year and is contingent on the state firefighters mediation act.
A motion to approve the resolution is made and seconded, and the vote is closed with unanimous approval.

Urban Forest Carbon Registry Agreement

Speaker 1 introduces a resolution authorizing the mayor or his designee to execute a special procurement agreement with Urban Forest Carbon Registry.
Speaker 17 requests clarification on the source of funds for the agreement, and Speaker 10 explains the sustainable projects fund.
The committee votes to approve the resolution, and Speaker 17 requests updates on the program annually.

Water and Wastewater Accounts Receivable

Speaker 1 introduces an ordinance authorizing the CFO to write off water and wastewater accounts receivable.
Speaker 11 explains that an error in the addition was found and that a corrected version will be available in the next meeting.
The committee votes to file the ordinance on condition of receiving a substitute.

Final Legislative Items

Speaker 1 introduces a resolution authorizing the mayor or his designee to issue a task order for citywide architectural planning, design, engineering, and construction services.
A motion to approve the resolution is made and seconded, and the vote is closed with unanimous approval.
The meeting is adjourned, and Speaker 1 wishes everyone a happy Spring Break.

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