(ATLANTA)--- A certain resolution passed by the Transportation Committee is under the microscope.
What resolution? Resolution 25R4282.
“A critical point of contention arose with Resolution 25R4282, which sought to amend a contract by increasing its value from $1.5 million to $10 million and correcting vendor names,” according to the Opgov.ai platform.
Despite the resolution being passed, there are some issues connected to it, which was brought to the Transportation Committee’s attention on the Nov.24 agenda. Interim Inspector General LaDawn Blackett led the discussion.
Experience in law, Blackett was appointed Interim Inspector General in February. She is the sole owner of The LBJ Law Group, LLC, according to her website.
LaDawn Blackett speaks during the Transportation Committee meeting (Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
“During our review process, well, this particular resolution 25R4282 actually did not complete the Integrity Risk Review (IRO) process when it first came through this body,” Blackett said. “The council did make a vote on that particular resolution and move forward a project of $1.5 million.”
Resolutions need to be reviewed and approved by an IRO to ensure they are correctly executed. Blackett is staying proactive and mentioned the next steps regarding the resolution.
“This project and this corresponding project will have an IRO,” Blackett said. “We will be continuously checking on the back end, post-award, that everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do.”
There is also a push to ensure that those involved are being fair, that parties are paying their share, and that they are being paid, according to Blackett.
Americans with Disability Act *ADA) was also brought to attention.
“Disability rights are civil rights,” according to the ADA.Gov website. “From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life.”
Resident Darren Given held the Transportation Committee accountable for ensuring public safety for those with disabilities.
Darren Given speaks at the Transportation Committee meeting( Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
“I’m really interested in making sure we follow through on making our all our sidewalks in the city ADA compliant,” Given said. “It’s important to me personally because I can’t drive or ride a bike.”
Given has attended multiple Transportation Committee meetings in the past. Stepping up to speak about public safety shows that Given cares about his community. Additionally, it shows he is thinking about others with disabilities.
The committee responded to Given’s comments.
Jason Dozier responds to Given during the Transportation Committee meeting( Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
"Thank you so much for your commitment to ensuring every pedestrian in the city of Atlanta has a safe passage through our city,” District 4 Councilmember Jason Dozier said.
"It was nice to see Dozier respond to Given, because sometimes residents don’t feel heard."
Dozier detailed that the Zoning committee passed legislation on Nov. 24 prohibiting the use of razor wire, concertina wire, and bar wire along public rights-of-way. Studies have been conducted on people with disabilities in America and Georgia.
Over 60 million people in America live with a disability, while 2.1 million Georgians have a disability, according to a study conducted by Georgia State University. Additionally, 13.5% of people in Georgia have a disability according to data from Statista. The numbers show the significance of disabilities in America and locally.
If you have any additional comments, questions, or concerns, email jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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