CITY of SOUTH FULTON, GA - News & Events
City Council Work Sessions
|
City Council Voting Meetings
|
CITY COUNCIL NEWSMayor Issues Veto of Online-Only Meetings, South Fulton Holds First Council Meeting on Old National March 8Next Council Meeting
|
|
The Black Man Lab
(312) 550-6364 marty@blackmanlab.org Meets Every Monday at 6:30 pm Southwest YMCA 2220 Campbellton Rd SW, 30331 Gangstas To Growers (The Come Up Project) (770) 609-5927 1555 S, Gordon St SW, 30310 Let Us Make Man (877) 538-1626 info@letusmakeman.net Urban Pro College Education https://www.upcen.org/ |
Next Level Boys Academy
(678) 800-1689 gdavis@nextlevelboysacademy.com Meets Every Saturday at 8 AM 6325 Shannon Parkway, 30291 I'm A Father F1rst (404) 951-8057 info@ImaFatherF1rst.com Summer Safe Atlanta (678) 800-1689 subscribers@summersafeatlanta.com Cure Violence Atlanta/Chris 180 (470) 562-8876 cureviolence@chris180.org 1700 Lakewood Ave SE, 30316 |
Mayor khalid's Inaugural Address
With the City of South Fulton’s 2022 Inauguration postponed indefinitely, new Mayor khalid used a semi-private Swearing-In Ceremony on January 4 to make his Inaugural address. While South Fulton’s other newly elected swore in behind closed doors, the “elected activist” Mayor invited citizens to meet him outside on the steps of City Hall.
In his fifteen-minute speech, Mayor khalid introduced four bold initiatives for his first 100 days in office:
1. Office of the Public Advocate
Mayor khalid is creating an Office of the Public Advocate whose sole job is to shepherd residents with issues and concerns through South Fulton's various departments and government agencies until their issue is completely resolved. "It is now going to be someone's full-time job at City Hall to take citizens' calls and emails and get them the things they need." says Mayor khalid. The Public Advocate will also work to educate residents on how to resolve their own issues.
2. Transition Commission
The Commission will research and recommend best practices for South Fulton's first and future transitions of power. In addition to developing transition protocols for elected officers and recommending transition-related charter changes, Mayor khalid is calling for an audit of all city finances and contracts. The Commission will work through the first 100 days of Mayor khalid's administration and present its finding in a Final Report, scheduled to be published on the City of South Fulton’s 5th Anniversary, May 1, 2022.
In his fifteen-minute speech, Mayor khalid introduced four bold initiatives for his first 100 days in office:
1. Office of the Public Advocate
Mayor khalid is creating an Office of the Public Advocate whose sole job is to shepherd residents with issues and concerns through South Fulton's various departments and government agencies until their issue is completely resolved. "It is now going to be someone's full-time job at City Hall to take citizens' calls and emails and get them the things they need." says Mayor khalid. The Public Advocate will also work to educate residents on how to resolve their own issues.
2. Transition Commission
The Commission will research and recommend best practices for South Fulton's first and future transitions of power. In addition to developing transition protocols for elected officers and recommending transition-related charter changes, Mayor khalid is calling for an audit of all city finances and contracts. The Commission will work through the first 100 days of Mayor khalid's administration and present its finding in a Final Report, scheduled to be published on the City of South Fulton’s 5th Anniversary, May 1, 2022.
3. Requiring Legislation to Go Through City Council Committees
According to Georgia House Bill (H.B. 1019, 2020), written by State Representatives Debra Bazemore and Roger Bruce to change South Fulton's City Charter, the Mayor now has the power to "appoint City Council committees... and appoint Councilmembers to oversee and report on the functions of various departments of the City." (City Code Sec. 3.22) In this month's Council Meetings, Mayor khalid is proposing to create the following Committees. 1) Admin, Comms, IT, HR
2) Zoning/Planning + Economic Development
3) Public Safety & Courts
4) Parks, Culture & Events
5) Public Works, Sanitation + Code Enforcement & Environmental Protection
6) Budget & Finance
7) Charter, Redistricting & Name Change (Temporary)
The meetings of these committees will be open to the public; and Mayor khalid promises, once these Committees have been set up, he will not allow any legislation on City Council Meeting Agendas that has not gone through this public, committee process.
4. Requesting Letter of Resignation for City Manager & City Attorney
Stating his belief that every new Mayor is entitled to create an administration that shares the vision of that Mayor and the voters who elected her or him, Mayor khalid has asked for Letters of Resignation for the City Manager and City Attorney. This is a common practice in transitions of government administration, from United States President to local mayors. In 2018, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms asked her entire cabinet to resign. Some of those department heads were later re-appointed. "But each Mayor should have that choice," says Mayor khalid.
According to Georgia House Bill (H.B. 1019, 2020), written by State Representatives Debra Bazemore and Roger Bruce to change South Fulton's City Charter, the Mayor now has the power to "appoint City Council committees... and appoint Councilmembers to oversee and report on the functions of various departments of the City." (City Code Sec. 3.22) In this month's Council Meetings, Mayor khalid is proposing to create the following Committees. 1) Admin, Comms, IT, HR
2) Zoning/Planning + Economic Development
3) Public Safety & Courts
4) Parks, Culture & Events
5) Public Works, Sanitation + Code Enforcement & Environmental Protection
6) Budget & Finance
7) Charter, Redistricting & Name Change (Temporary)
The meetings of these committees will be open to the public; and Mayor khalid promises, once these Committees have been set up, he will not allow any legislation on City Council Meeting Agendas that has not gone through this public, committee process.
4. Requesting Letter of Resignation for City Manager & City Attorney
Stating his belief that every new Mayor is entitled to create an administration that shares the vision of that Mayor and the voters who elected her or him, Mayor khalid has asked for Letters of Resignation for the City Manager and City Attorney. This is a common practice in transitions of government administration, from United States President to local mayors. In 2018, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms asked her entire cabinet to resign. Some of those department heads were later re-appointed. "But each Mayor should have that choice," says Mayor khalid.
Follow Us on Social Media
CITY CALENDAR
2022 CITY HOLIDAYS
City of South Fulton & Federal Governments Fiscal Year begins October 1
Georgia & Atlatna's Fiscal Year begins July 1
Georgia & Atlatna's Fiscal Year begins July 1
|
Monday, January 3
January 17 (3rd Monday) February 21 (3rd Monday) Saturday, May 1 May 30 (last Monday) Monday, June 20 (observed) Monday, July 4 September 5 (1st Monday) October 10 (2nd Monday) November 8 (1st Tuesday) Friday, November 11 November 24-25 (4th Thursday) December 23 & 26 Friday, December 31 |
New Years
MLK Day of Service President's Day City Anniversary Memorial Day Juneteeth Independence Day Labor Day Indigenous Peoples' Day Election Holiday Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas New Year's Eve |
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS at 4PM
(No City Council Meetings in June or July)
2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS at 4PM
(No City Council Meetings in June or July)
Work Sessions usually occur the 2nd Tuesday of each month (see 2021 schedule above). Work Sessions will not run longer than two hours, from 4PM to 6PM. City Council does not vote in Work Sessions, but uses them to discuss complex issues in deep detail.
Zoning Hearings now follow City Council's 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions (they were previously held before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meetings). They usually begin at 6PM. Zoning Hearing is where City Council hears requests from developers to rezone land for buildings or apply for liquor licenses or other Special Use permits.
In 2019, Councilman khalid worked with the Planning & Zoning Department (CDRA) to author the Moratorium Against Like Uses, which halted permits businesses already over-represented in our communities (beauty shops, dollar stores, tires shops, etc.) to come before City Council for a vote. Though Councilman khalid's desire was to make these restrictions permanent, they incorporated into our new Zoning Code as Special Use Permits, meaning that these business can still apply for and receive permits — but only by a vote of a majority of City Council.
The general public is allowed to weigh in on each and every individual Zoning. Click the link below to learn about pending Zoning requests and contact Councilman khalid with your questions or comments.
Zoning Hearings now follow City Council's 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions (they were previously held before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meetings). They usually begin at 6PM. Zoning Hearing is where City Council hears requests from developers to rezone land for buildings or apply for liquor licenses or other Special Use permits.
In 2019, Councilman khalid worked with the Planning & Zoning Department (CDRA) to author the Moratorium Against Like Uses, which halted permits businesses already over-represented in our communities (beauty shops, dollar stores, tires shops, etc.) to come before City Council for a vote. Though Councilman khalid's desire was to make these restrictions permanent, they incorporated into our new Zoning Code as Special Use Permits, meaning that these business can still apply for and receive permits — but only by a vote of a majority of City Council.
The general public is allowed to weigh in on each and every individual Zoning. Click the link below to learn about pending Zoning requests and contact Councilman khalid with your questions or comments.
Regular Meetings is where South Fulton's City Council votes on new laws and policies. These meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4PM. As is the case with many traditional government bodies, the current Mayor often places the most contentious topics at the end of the agenda. Regular meetings currently have no set end-time. Historically, Council Meetings of this nature last about 6-8 hours. They now begin with your Public Comments, followed by Voting on Zoning Issues heard at the previous 2nd Tuesday Work Session (see above),
Public Comment is the only point in Council Meetings where citizens can ask questions or make comments directly to City Council about any topics on the meeting agenda.
Emergency and Special Called Meetings may be called by the Mayor alone, or a supermajority of 5 City Council Members at any time as long as 48 hours notice is provided.
Text FULTON to 33777 to receive alerts and agendas for upcoming City Council Meetings.
SOUTH FULTON 101
Do I live in the City of South Fulton?
Who is My Councilperson?
City of South Fulton, GA (Zoomable PDF)
Step 1: Click the button below to find what Voting Districts you live in for City, County, State & Congressional Elections.
Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
Scroll down to see your City Voting District.
Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
Scroll down to see your City Voting District.
City of South Fulton
Councilmembers
Click on Concilperson's name to send an email.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Fulton 2022 Inaugural Worship Service
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Kingdom of God International Ministries
New South Fulton Mayor khalid hosts the city's 2022 Inaugural Interfaith Worship Service at Kingdom of God International Ministries in Welcome All Park, South Fulton, Georgia.
Mayor khalid's Campaign Theme Song
Now on Spotify & iTunes
Inspired by Councilman khalid's campaign, Old National rapper Big Dreamz turned the #BlackOnPurpose slogan into a theme song.
See the music visual for khalid's Black On Purpose Campaign Song by BigDreamsLOA, available now on Spotify & Apple Music.
|
|
#ShopSouthFulton
|
|
On April 1, April Fools Day, the City of South Fulton released a six-sentence statement, reading: "We have reviewed the findings of the GBI’s investigation into this incident and feel this to be a fitting resolution to the case."
Councilman khalid has requested the full GBI and Police reports, as well as all body camera footage of the incident |
|
Mayor Issues First Veto... Sort Of
Mayor's 1st Veto: Click to View Complete Document
Wednesday, January 26 — South Fulton Mayor khalid's First Veto is a display of both "power and restraint," in which he accepts his City Councils' reprimand even though he disagrees about the legal assumptions on which the Resolution was written. At issue is the Mayor's Inaugural Address, in which he announced a request for Letters of Resignation for mayoral appointees. (More on the Mayor's Inaugural Address below.)
Unlike Atlanta and many other large cities, the terms of most of the Mayor & Council's appointments do not end with the terms of the elected officials appointing them. Though South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards lost a citywide election in 2021, many of his appointees — including the City Manager, Development Authority Chairs and others — remain in place; and could stay in their seats for years to come.
Members of City Council who endorsed Edwards have been at odds with Mayor khalid since before he was sworn in. Their first Ordinance, presented just days after the election, seeks to reduce Mayor's khalid power to make appointments and changes the process for which he could be removed from office. City Council's first Resolution of the new term was a Resignation of Reprimand — in which they propose that simply asking for letters of resignation is a violation of South Fulton's City Charter.
Unlike Atlanta and many other large cities, the terms of most of the Mayor & Council's appointments do not end with the terms of the elected officials appointing them. Though South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards lost a citywide election in 2021, many of his appointees — including the City Manager, Development Authority Chairs and others — remain in place; and could stay in their seats for years to come.
Members of City Council who endorsed Edwards have been at odds with Mayor khalid since before he was sworn in. Their first Ordinance, presented just days after the election, seeks to reduce Mayor's khalid power to make appointments and changes the process for which he could be removed from office. City Council's first Resolution of the new term was a Resignation of Reprimand — in which they propose that simply asking for letters of resignation is a violation of South Fulton's City Charter.
Mayor khalid explains his request for resignations and promises not to contract with anyone past the end of his mayoral term.
Mayor khalid stated in multiple interviews that while he does not have the power to fire anyone, there is no law prohibiting him from requesting letters of resignation. "Every Mayor should have the right to assemble administration that shares a vision for the city created by that Mayor and the voters who sent him to that office." he said. "And to be bound to decisions made by previous Mayors and Council is to work with your hands tied."
Mayor khalid has responded with a line-item veto that challenges the allegations of violating the Charter while "recognizing City Council's hurt" over the disagreement. In an email to City Council, proposing this partial veto as a compromise, he laments that those who endorsed the previous Mayor are still fighting battles from the campaign. "It troubles me greatly that both the First Ordinance and First Resolution passed by our City Council in our New Year focused on us (City Council) and not our citizens, our People; are divisive and not unifying; and created negative and not positive press for our city," he writes.
Mayor khalid has responded with a line-item veto that challenges the allegations of violating the Charter while "recognizing City Council's hurt" over the disagreement. In an email to City Council, proposing this partial veto as a compromise, he laments that those who endorsed the previous Mayor are still fighting battles from the campaign. "It troubles me greatly that both the First Ordinance and First Resolution passed by our City Council in our New Year focused on us (City Council) and not our citizens, our People; are divisive and not unifying; and created negative and not positive press for our city," he writes.
Mayor's 1st Veto Email: Click to Read Entire Email
SOUTH FULTON'S 2021 BUDGET
A primary responsibility of every level of government — from Congress to your local City Council — is passing a Budget. The City Budget determines how tax dollars collected by the city are spent. The Calendar by which governments (and businesses) spend money is known as the Budget Year or Fiscal Year (FY).
The City of South Fulton's Fiscal Year begins each October 1 (just like a school calendar, where the 2021 School Year begins in Fall 2020).
The Federal Government's Fiscal Year also beings October 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County begins January 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County Schools begins July 1.
The Fiscal Year for the State of Georgia begins July 1.
The City of South Fulton's Fiscal Year begins each October 1 (just like a school calendar, where the 2021 School Year begins in Fall 2020).
The Federal Government's Fiscal Year also beings October 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County begins January 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County Schools begins July 1.
The Fiscal Year for the State of Georgia begins July 1.
FY 2021 Budget & Dec 2020 YTD Expenses
After holding several Public Hearings to get citizen feedback on the 2021 Budget, South Fulton's City Council will make final decisions on the budget at a Special Council Meeting this Tuesday.
Our 2021 Complete Budget is nearly $110 Million, including T-SPLOST, federal grants and special funds. Learn more on our Budget Page at the link below.
Our 2021 Complete Budget is nearly $110 Million, including T-SPLOST, federal grants and special funds. Learn more on our Budget Page at the link below.
GOOD NEWS from SOUTH FULTON
South Fulton Begins Demolishing Blighted Properties
Monday, March 15 — After an eighteen-month delay, the City of South Fulton finally demolished its first blighted property. The campaign to demolish blighted & abandoned properties has been a passion project for Old National Councilman khalid, who discovered shortly after taking office that no money had ever been specifically set aside in Fulton County or the City of South Fulton's budgets to address the issue.
In November of 2019, South Fulton's City Council unanimously approved an Ordinance authored by Councilman khalid to create a restricted, annual fund to support the "seizing... repairing... and/or demolishing" of blighted or abandoned properties. Much of the delay in getting started with demolition was due to Fulton County Courts closing for nearly a year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 60 blighted homes an other structures remain on the South Fulton's blighted property list. The cost of seizing and demolishing all of them is over $500,000. Voice your support for the continued, annual funding of Blighted Property demolition using the links below.
In November of 2019, South Fulton's City Council unanimously approved an Ordinance authored by Councilman khalid to create a restricted, annual fund to support the "seizing... repairing... and/or demolishing" of blighted or abandoned properties. Much of the delay in getting started with demolition was due to Fulton County Courts closing for nearly a year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 60 blighted homes an other structures remain on the South Fulton's blighted property list. The cost of seizing and demolishing all of them is over $500,000. Voice your support for the continued, annual funding of Blighted Property demolition using the links below.
Councilman khalid Promotes South Fulton at Facebook's NYC HQ
1 July 2019 — City of South Fulton, GA Councilman khalid tours Facebook/Instagram’s New York Headquarters with the company's Northeast Public Policy Director. khalid discussed how to build the City's brand and increase South Fulton's visibility on social media.
City of South Fulton is Hiring
Georgia's 5th Largest City from the day of its inception, Atlanta's new Twin City, South Fulton, is always hiring. Click the links below to view current job postings & sign up for new job alerts at the links below.