CCI Policy Updates: January 7, 2022

The Center for Civic Innovation's mission is to increase civic participation and elevate more effective solutions in Atlanta by inspiring people to take action, investing in the work of local community leaders, and advocating for policy change. We believe that informed and civically-engaged residents are the key to making Atlanta the city we all know it can be.

We started this Weekly Policy Update series to provide our community with important and relevant policy updates. Each post recaps the past week and provides a look ahead at what's on the agenda next week, including opportunities for everyone to engage within the community. We hope you’re inspired to take action, support and invest in local community leaders, and advocate for public policy that reflects the needs and voices of everyone who calls Atlanta home.

Policy Update – January 7, 2022

New Mayor & Council

Atlanta’s new mayor and city council were sworn in on Monday. Committee assignments were made and they will meet for the first time this week. One of their top priorities will be coming up with their goals for the year.

Andre Dickens sworn-in as Atlanta's 61st mayor (Atlanta Voice)

Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman Announces 2022 Committee Chairs and Appointments (press release)

Mayoral Transition Team

Mayor Dickens announced the leadership of his transition team – former mayoral candidate Sharon Gay and Dickens’ senior campaign strategist Howard Franklin. The full transition committee, which will be announced next week, will focus on: safe streets, ethics, youth & education, and neighborhood empowerment.

Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Transition Committee Co-Chairs (press release)

New School Board

The Atlanta Board of Education will be sworn on Monday. The board includes three new members.

Meet the Atlanta Board of Education

Back to School

Atlanta Public Schools restarts in-person learning next week after being virtual this week.

Atlanta schools to reopen with COVID test-to-stay measures (Axios)

Back in Session

The Georgia General Assembly's 2022 session starts on Monday. Since it's an election year with primaries in May, expect a lot of partisan politics. One of the hottest topics for Atlanta is the Buckhead cityhood legislation.

Issues to watch in the 2022 session (AJC)

Opportunities to Engage Next Week:

Monday, January 10

• 10:00am – Atlanta Board of Education Swearing-In Ceremony & Organizational Meeting

• 10:00am – Atlanta Housing Commission Meeting

• 11:00am – Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee Meeting

• 2:00pm – Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee Meeting

• 2:30pm – Atlanta Board of Education Meeting

• 4:00pm – Atlanta Water and Sewer and Appeals Board Meeting

• 6:00pm – Atlanta Board of Education Community Meeting

• 7:00pm – NPU V and NPU X

Tuesday, January 11

• 9:00am – DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting

• 10:00am – Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee Meeting

• 1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Community Development & Human Services Committee Meeting

• 5:00pm – Atlanta License Review Board Meeting

• 6:00pm – Atlanta Public Safety Training Center Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting

• 6:30pm – NPU L

Wednesday, January 12

• 8:30am – Atlanta Beltline Board of Directors Meeting

• 9:30am – Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Meeting

• 1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Commitee Meeting

• 2:00pm – Atlanta Riparian Buffer Technical Panel Meeting

• 4:00pm – Atlanta Urban Design Commission Hearing

• 7:00pm – NPU T

Thursday, January 13

• 12:00pm – Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment Hearing

• 12:00pm – ATL Airport CIDs Board Meeting

• 12:00pm – MARTA Board Working Session

• 1:00pm – Invest Atlanta & URFA Housing Committees Meeting

• 1:30pm – MARTA Board of Directors Meeting

• 2:00pm – Invest Atlanta TAD Project and Policy Review Committee Meeting

• 3:30pm – Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee Meeting

• 4:30pm – DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections Meeting

• 5:00pm – Atlanta Zoning Review Board Hearing

Friday, January 14

• 10:00am – Development Authority of Fulton County Board Meeting

• 2:00pm – Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority Grounds, Facilities, and Security Committee Meeting

Saturday, January 15

• 10:00am – Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (APAB) Meeting

At the NPUs:

• All of the Neighborhood Planning Units have returned to meeting this month after some took a break in December. Many have new leadership following elections back in November. Leadership – old and new – will be taking training classes from the Department of City Planning this month.

What We’re Reading:

• Why Did Keisha Lance Bottoms Quit? (New York Magazine)

• Would Buckhead cityhood worsen housing affordability? (Atlanta Civic Circle)

• Georgia Today: An effort to memorialize a historic Atlanta factory and mark its brutal Jim Crow past (GPB)

• Atlanta hopes to heal neighborhoods torn apart by a highway (Axios)

• Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens calls for unity and action during inauguration speech (Axios)

• As Buckhead City battle heats up, APD says don't drag us into a 'misinformation campaign' (Reporter Newspapers)

• Microsoft begins seeking intelligence, input on public safety concerns for Westside campus planning (SaportaReport)

• Unrigging democracy: campaign finance vouchers help level playing field for candidates, voters (Atlanta Civic Circle)

To make these updates better, we need your input! What was most informative or helpful? What did we miss? Please email us at policy@civicatlanta.org.