[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6208800,"mediaKeyId","3740636-9f8a4bfb54c28cac9fbe04c848b85a5d","parentId",3740636,"title","Council approves Watershed items including Cobb County IGA update and $61.3 million trunk sewer contract","audioSeconds",376,"startMs",2826000,"endMs",3202000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740636-9f8a4bfb54c28cac9fbe04c848b85a5d&start=2826&end=3202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740636-9f8a4bfb54c28cac9fbe04c848b85a5d/thumbnail_2826000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208800/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-approves-Watershed-items-including-Cobb-County-IGA-update-and-613-million-trunk-sewer-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208800-bc664745c10a246c30a73590d3e9c8d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219101&Signature=frmcWnyKt1rzXMqHeZDXg2U1XENNEwlf1Ao4jscziityVjjLX0L4LPax0mh5ozWi6qSIKDTpm~l10gnN-Z1p3RcGKEcjeEgbzQHmbegaSbHWD6K1QkfXILOgPmpN7gpPXM0JAZ9h-UQ7AWeRqQzGqHsbm-65OrPQvn5u-6noLvl7gtAL0KHzlWosifDtJF0GReBJ89FQaadOOWVVoYKGUL7TxfprREb2ti3wMGryJzm-7uqOO1O7Hg9fYJvsuMEf1ZY7Qyc0LDv~7pY6pco5ZsCru8e9a3qDJbjCTgv9PV3djtgDaC9uZPPDkdFOHi6hzjSAr~AABz3xbE0J88Cw7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-10T16:43:42.977Z","article","The Atlanta City Council approved several Department of Watershed Management measures on motions recorded 6–0, including an updated intergovernmental agreement with Cobb County to continue wastewater-treatment assistance, a $17.5 million amendment to the FY2025 water and wastewater renewal fund, and a $61,328,859 contract for the North of Utah Trunk Sewer Replacement 1A.

Why it matters: the actions authorize funding and contracts for major wastewater infrastructure and formalize an existing intergovernmental relationship that began in 1972. The items affect capital planning, operating costs and service arrangements in parts of the city near Cobb County.

Jonathan Williams, deputy commissioner of finance for the Office of Watershed, told council the Cobb County arrangement dates to 1972 and must be updated because the law has changed since the original agreement. “The reason for this legislation is to continue an agreement that was started back in 1972,” Williams said. He said Cobb County has proposed a rate increase and a “3 and a half percent escalator year over year.”

Williams described the update as a continuation of a long-standing arrangement and said the substance of service — Cobb County assisting with excess wastewater capacity — remains the same. He said the county reviewed rates and proposed the escalation formula to reflect inflation.

Council members asked for follow-up details on geography and cost. Williams said staff would provide a geographic breakdown of the areas served under the arrangement. On the question of current monthly payments to Cobb County, the transcript records two different figures during council discussion: Williams characterized the monthly payment as “about $20,000 a month,” while a council member later referenced a monthly figure of $220,000 in the discussion; the council requested staff to reconcile and provide the precise financial breakdown.

The council approved the Cobb County intergovernmental agreement amendment by a recorded vote of 6 yays and 0 nays. The council also approved an ordinance authorizing the chief financial officer to amend the FY2025 water and wastewater renewal and extension fund budget by $17,500,000 and a procurement waiver to exercise an option with Datamax Incorporated for bill printing services in an amount not to exceed $750,000 (retroactive term 01/27/2025–01/26/2026).

Separately, the council amended and approved a construction contract award for the North of Utah Trunk Sewer Replacement 1A to Ruby Collins Benchmark Joint Venture for an amount not to exceed $61,328,859; the award includes a 24-month notice-to-proceed window. Councilmember Dustin Hill sponsored the Cobb IGA resolution, and Watershed staff indicated Cobb County had provided the IGA document and appropriate approvals on their side for attachment to the legislation.

Next steps: Watershed staff committed to supply the council with a copy of the Cobb County IGA, a geographic map of the serviced areas, and a reconciled schedule of current and projected payments under the proposed escalator formula. The trunk sewer contract will proceed under the terms approved by council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee meeting June 10, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","The Atlanta City Council approved multiple Department of Watershed Management measures, including an updated intergovernmental agreement with Cobb County for sewer services, a FY2025 budget amendment, and a $61,328,859 trunk sewer replacement contract.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6208806,"Atlanta council hears update on Community Access Channel 24, makerspace and proposed oversight board",242,78000,320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740636-9f8a4bfb54c28cac9fbe04c848b85a5d&start=78&end=320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740636-9f8a4bfb54c28cac9fbe04c848b85a5d/thumbnail_78000.jpg","/articles/6208806/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Atlanta-council-hears-update-on-Community-Access-Channel-24-makerspace-and-proposed-oversight-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208806-afc70d7061c930c5d382eb87b8a0ba0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219101&Signature=OYGfdiLYWWoezYmMTp0Y4JCJofTlrceMH4K740RcTlvufaX5AMUCHA4e9wYzq3GjdEqQTmwkiJ1Pylm5WB1a4oIjKgpdXzamGM2oboTkvP7p024KkagqICKcJecVdr7lgLa3Zqbf8Noo3QHuqM1o-j4y11mP3dSYJqDhD8NGJMHp1RcJ5~z9-ovBZ9Y3HteM2DARTcsXVZwrW-L9xfs6Gth8k9F-ywBejoNO7pY9F-g7o5RRdBZ8qJzIVTlOOFYcTtP9uRktWIsi11KSnvi2UAzNnXjyidMpEOpyRtWpXcFiHjDQcHgLRMJ1rLw2JC-Lo3UAuCP-0T8RQleQGszsCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Chief of Staff Bob Wagner and Dr. Samama briefed the Atlanta City Council on a restart of the city’s Community Access operations, saying Channel 24 is open and a makerspace at 2 Peachtree is operating while legislation to create an oversight board and authorize a permanent operator is prepared.

Why it matters: the presentation outlined near-term policy steps and a governance structure for community access television that city leaders say is intended to preserve free speech protections while expanding production and distribution options for residents.

Bob Wagner, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Dickens, told the council the city has reopened the public access channel and distributed a fact sheet and FAQs to council members. “We’re excited at the progress that’s been made,” Wagner said. He said the next steps will be legislative: an oversight-board ordinance and later authorization to enter an agreement with a permanent operator.

Dr. Samama, who has been leading the effort for the mayor’s office, described operational progress and use. “The program is up and running and is open for business,” Dr. Samama said. He told the council Channel 24 has been accepting uploaded programming since December 2024 and “certainly by January of 2025” was at full capacity for citizens to place content on the channel. He said the makerspace at 2 Peachtree is in regular use and that some workshops and technical assistance are being offered virtually as well as in person.

Dr. Samama outlined recommended governance and complaint procedures. He said the proposed oversight board would handle complaints about access and facilities so such disputes would not “be burdening elected officials.” He recommended the board hold an annual public hearing and deliver an annual report to City Council. He also said the city should codify community-access principles and include content protections in any operator agreement: “If a entity is operating the program and the executive director somebody produces a program that’s critical of the executive director, can the executive director keep that person off the program, off the channel? And the answer is absolutely not,” Dr. Samama said.

On operator selection and staffing, Dr. Samama said the city is seeking a nonprofit permanent operator with fundraising capacity and community-collaboration commitments. He recommended a national search for an experienced executive director while keeping the operator organization local. He told council members discussions are underway with potential partners including higher-education media programs and public-media collaboratives.

Council members pressed on locations, staffing and funding. Councilmember Andrea Boone and others asked whether existing recreation centers and schools had been evaluated as neighborhood production sites; Dr. Samama said the mayor’s office and the recreation commissioner are discussing which facilities can connect to the main hub. He confirmed the mayor’s office and the law department are drafting legislation and said he expects the oversight-board ordinance to be before council at the June 16 meeting. Wagner and Dr. Samama said negotiations on a permanent operator were in late stages but not finalized and therefore not ready for full public disclosure.

The presentation included no formal council vote on the access program; council members thanked the mayor’s office team and requested follow-up details on funding, facility availability and the proposed oversight-board ordinance ahead of the June 16 meeting.

Looking ahead: the mayor’s office will return with proposed language for the oversight board and the legal agreement for a permanent operator. Council members asked that future materials include the draft legislation, clearer timelines for rollout to neighborhood sites, and details on proposed staffing and funding commitments.","Deputy Chief Bob Wagner and Dr. Samama told the Atlanta City Council that Community Access Channel 24 and a makerspace at 2 Peachtree are operational, and that legislation to create an oversight board and authorize a permanent operator is being drafted for upcoming meetings.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves Watershed items including Cobb County IGA update and $61.3 million trunk sewer contract

Atlanta council hears update on Community Access Channel 24, makerspace and proposed oversight board