2018 Local Ordinances

Cedar Creek Solar Array Project

This investment in solar energy will help power the Water Reclamation Facility at Cedar Creek and is hopefully just one step on the road towards 100% renewable energy for all government facilities.

Voting yes on the moratorium: Dickerson, Link, Wright, Bailey, NeSmith, Bell, Girtz, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: Herod

Proposal made by: Wright

Passed on March 6, 2018

Moving Work Sessions to City Hall and Changes to Public Comments

Athens for Everyone has been pushing for years to have work sessions recorded and televised, which is why we are thrilled that Commissioner Parker successfully moved work sessions to City Hall with this vote. In their previous location, there was no recording equipment and our local government was unwilling to go to the extra expense, making it necessary to move the meetings for them to be recorded. Work sessions are important meetings which, due to their length, are difficult for the public to attend. Athens for Everyone strongly supports this vote for this reason, although we are less thrilled with the new public comment cards and countdown timer.

Voting yes on increasing transparency: Dickerson, Parker, Link, Wright, Bailey, NeSmith, Bell, Herod, Girtz, Hamby
Voting no: none
Absent: none

Proposal made by: Parker

Passed on August 7, 2018

Redesigning the Chase Street Corridor

This plan includes lane narrowing and roundabouts to slow traffic on Chase Street near the loop, as well as multi-use paths along Barber and Oneta streets. It comes after years of surprisingly contentious back-and-forth among commissioners and the public. Commissioner Link suggested an alternate plan for further study, and we certainly don’t want to fault her for that. However, A4E (as well as Bike Athens) does support moving forward with this plan to support these complete streets improvements and finally put an end to a nearly 3-year long debate.

Voting yes on the redesign: Dickerson, Wright, Bailey, Bell, Girtz, Hamby, Herod
Voting no: NeSmith, Link, Parker
Absent: none

Proposal made by: Girtz

Passed on September 4, 2018

Updating County Anti-Discrimination Policy

In a sweeping anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy update, the Commission improved protections for county employees. This policy includes race, gender, gender identity and a number of other categories. A4E is happy to see this update and hopes it will eventually be expanded further to include all residents of Athens and situations such as employment, public accommodations and housing, among others.

Voting yes on the redesign: Dickerson, Wright, Bailey, Bell, Girtz, Hamby, Herod, NeSmith, Link, Parker
Voting no: none
Absent: none

Proposal made by: NeSmith

Passed on September 4, 2018

Reject Concept Maps for Athens in Motion

Athens for Everyone supports the Athens in Motion plan as stated below. During the conversation on the plan before the next vote, there was an attempt to vote down the creation of concept maps (which were recommended as part of the plan) for certain complete streets projects. Athens for Everyone supported a ‘no’ vote on this motion and a ‘yes’ on the next to approve the Athens in Motion plan as is. This motion failed.

Voting yes on rejecting concept maps: Dickerson, Bell, Hamby, Herod
Voting no: Link, Parker, Wright, Bailey, Girtz
Absent: NeSmith

Proposal made by: Dickerson

Voted on October 2, 2018

Athens in Motion

Athens for Everyone supports the Athens in Motion plan (formerly known as the Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan). According to our friends at Bike Athens, the plan “will introduce a host of improvements: a clearer philosophical approach; best-practice designs; low-cost solutions; and perhaps most importantly, an updated list of community-approved priorities.”

Voting yes on Athens in Motion: Dickerson, Wright, Bailey, Bell, Girtz, Hamby, Herod, Link, Parker
Voting no: none
Absent: NeSmith

Proposal made by: Wright

Passed on October 2, 2018

Bike Lanes on Barnett Shoals

The protected bike lane trial along Barnett Shoals did not seem to work according to a survey done by the county. Another option would be traditional bike lanes on both sides of the street with a three-lane road configuration. Athens for Everyone supports complete streets and improving bike infrastructure throughout ACC, and we would have preferred that this vote had passed.

Voting yes on bike lanes: Wright, Parker, Link, Girtz
Voting no: Dickerson, NeSmith, Bell, Hamby, Herod
Absent: Bailey

Proposal made by: Wright

Voted on November 6, 2018

Delay Designating SPLOST Projects

The commission designated one-half of the money for the 2020 SPLOST before the citizen’s committee met to discuss the proposals and before a new commission took their seats. Athens for Everyone supported delaying this decision and allowing the new commission to decide. You can read more about this vote here.

Voting yes on delaying the decision: Parker, Link
Voting no: Dickerson, Wright, Bailey, NeSmith, Bell, Herod, Girtz, Hamby

Proposal made by: Link
Proposal to designate SPLOST projects (which passed) was made by: Girtz, NeSmith, Herod, Hamby

Voted on December 4, 2018