Letter to City of Atlanta Water Customers
On September 28, 2007, extreme drought conditions throughout Georgia prompted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to declare “Drought Response: Level Four” restrictions in 61 northern counties, including the City of Atlanta and all of Fulton County.
Cities, counties and water utilities throughout Georgia have the authority and responsibility to enforce these rules. The City of Atlanta’s Water Use Restrictions Ordinance, Atlanta City Code Sec. 154-73 et seq., grants authority to the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) to enforce city and state water use rules.
DWM will be monitoring the illegal use of water. After an initial written warning, customers will receive escalating administrative penalties ($100, $500 and $1,000).
All exceptions to the total outdoor watering ban are listed on the following websites: Atlanta Watershed; Georgia EPD; Conserve Water Georgia!.
Exceptions do not include fountains (including those that re-circulate water), athletic fields, swimming pools or most other uses. If you feel that you qualify for an exemption, you must provide adequate proof and documentation (for example, an invoice from a licensed professional landscape contractor with date of installation of new plant materials).
We are experiencing a drought of historic magnitude, one of the worst since this type of data has been recorded. It is a very serious matter, and we must all come together to protect and conserve our limited water resources. Thank you for doing your part to conserve water and protect the environment.
For the Complete List of Water Restrictions, Visit www.atlantaga.gov.
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Monthly Updates on BeltLine, Affordable Housing, Public Safety
Every month, the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA), the City agency charged with promoting economic development within Atlanta and the region, highlights public information opportunities on the BeltLine, affordable housing, public safety and small business development.
October 2007 Events:
BeltLine Quarterly Briefing
Thursday, October 11 from 6 – 8 pm
Atlanta Public Schools Auditorium, 130 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, 30303
www.beltlinecommunity.org
Workforce Housing Fair
Thursday, October 18 from Noon - 5 p.m.
City Hall Atrium, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, 30303
Learn the basics of buying a home and connect with builders who have affordable housing inventory to sell. Mayor Shirley Franklin will be in attendance at 3 p.m.
www.atlantapolicefoundation.org
International Council of Shopping Centers Southeast Conference
Monday October 22 – Wednesday October 24
Georgia World Congress Center
www.icsc.org
‘Crime is Toast’ Annual Breakfast
Tuesday, October 30 from 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Georgia World Congress Center.
Sponsored by the Atlanta Police Foundation, this breakfast provides an opportunity for business and community leaders to get an annual report on safety in Atlanta. For more information, or to purchase a table, call 404.586.0180 or athomas@atlantapolicefoundation.org.
Small Business Monthly Information Session
Wednesday, October 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Atlanta Development Authority. 86 Pryor Street, Atlanta, 30303
To RSVP, email cbrackett@atlantada.com or call 404.614.8295.
On Thursday October 11, the BeltLine Board of Directors will hold its quarterly update meeting at the APS Auditorium from 6-8 pm. |
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Atlanta Police, Municipal Court Partner to Restore Justice to Communities
In 2006, the Municipal Court of Atlanta (MCA) received a two-year grant from the US Department of Justice to develop a community-based, restorative justice curriculum for Atlanta Police Department (APD) recruits.
The Restorative Justice Center, the non-profit arm of the Courts, developed and designed the curriculum. It is designed to familiarize APD recruits with alternative sentencing programs used in Atlanta’s Community Court and teach them how to recognize, identify and refer offenders to the Community Court.
The Community Court uses the principles of restorative justice and is a problem-solving initiative similar to others that have been springing up across the nation in recent years. Problem-solving courts are designed to change the behavior of offenders, prevent future offending and make communities safer and healthier. Alternative sentences are designed to address the underlying causes that contribute to minor crimes. Offenders get the help they need, future crimes are prevented, and costly adjudication and jail space are saved for those who pose a greater risk to public safety.
To date, 22 APD officers have completed the two-day training curriculum. Training includes visits to Community Court and the Women for Women Program, as well as in-depth discussions with Municipal Court judges, City solicitors and public defenders on the concepts of restorative justice.
Atlanta’s police curriculum has been used by the national Center for Court Innovations in New York and shared with other restorative justice programs across the country. Monthly trainings are being scheduled for all APD recruits and planned for veteran officers. For more information on Community Court programs, visit here.
Public-Private Partnership Lands the City Tops in Fleet Efficiency
The City of Atlanta’s Motor Transport Services (MTS) was recognized among Government Fleet Magazine’s 2007 “100 Best Fleets in North America” thanks in large part to a successful public-private partnership with UPS.
In its September/October issue, the magazine applauded MTS, a division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) for its improved fleet and customer service operations. Improvements include restructuring of the division’s acquisition, maintenance and disposal policies; performance goal-setting; and revised customer service agreements.
As a result of the MTS/UPS partnership, MTS hit 20 major objectives in 24 months, said Jan West-McIntyre, MTS director. “UPS helped us develop a five-year vehicle replacement plan to get the department back on track while acknowledging the financial realities of the City’s budget,” McIntyre said.
Under the leadership of Mayor Shirley Franklin, the City of Atlanta has utilized public-private partnerships as an innovative way to achieve City goals. Among these are the acquisition of the MLK Jr Papers and the Center for Civil and Human Rights; the Mayor’s Youth Program, an education initiative for Atlanta public school students; the Clean Water Atlanta water and sewer rehabilitation overhaul; the Peachtree Corridor; and the BeltLine Project, among others.
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The City of Atlanta now offers an online employment application process for prospective applicants. This video explains the step by step process, including how to browse and apply for a job online. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage to watch the program.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) will call attention to the importance of quality after-school programs at the ‘Lights on Afterschool’ rally on Thursday, October 18 at Ben Hill Recreation Center. Atlanta’s celebration of this nationally recognized event will include games for youth, educational workshops for parents, and safety tips for communities. There are 1 in 4 youth – approximately 14.3 million children – alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs not only keep kids safe and help working families, but they inspire learning and provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults. For more information on the City of Atlanta’s after school programs, visit here.
- Mayor Shirley Franklin graces the current cover of Newsweek – alongside Rachael Ray and Arianna Huffington – for the magazine’s feature story on “Women and Power.” The cover story documents the journey of 11 women who are influencing policy, lifestyle and much more on the national stage. When Mayor Franklin, Atlanta’s first female mayor, assumed office in 2002 the City was in financial strains and trust in Atlanta’s leadership was low. Combining public-private partnerships with a transparent leadership style and sound fiscal judgment, Mayor Franklin transformed the City of Atlanta into a poster child for innovation.
Mayor Shirley Franklin graces the current cover of Newsweek Magazine’s issue on “Women and Power.” |
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Upcoming Events & Job Opportunities
- On Thursday October 18 from noon to 5 pm. the Atlanta Police Foundation will host the Atlanta Housing Fair in the City Hall Atrium located at 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, 30303. Learn about Atlanta’s affordable housing programs. At 3 p.m. Mayor Shirley Franklin will address the audience. For more information, visit www.atlantapolicefoundation.org.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
Email us at citynewsbytes@atlantaga.gov to provide your feedback about this newsletter or to nominate someone you know for Stakeholder Spotlight.