Mayor & Commission Meetings

Meeting Minutes Ad Hoc Committee: Public Right of Way October 10, 2025, 9:00 – 10:00 am City Hall 301B Members in Attendance: Commissioner Patrick Davenport, Commissioner Carol Myers, Commissioner Dexter Fisher Staff: Sarah George, Keith Kelly, Courtney Davis, Laura Cobb, Will Fleenor, Suki Janssen, Rani Katreeb,Vic Pope, Jack Reddick, Jeanne Connell Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:07 am. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Dexter Fisher made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Patrick Davenport seconded the motion. All 3 Committee members unanimously approved the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Carol Myers made a motion to approve the Friday, October 3, 2025 meeting minutes. Commissioner Dexter Fisher seconded that motion. The motion carried. The discussion began with updates from the Solicitor’s Office regarding data on sidewalk obstruction citations. It was clarified that the municipal court provided all citations under the obstruction ordinance within the county. Most violations occurred downtown, and committee members agreed that the current data is sufficient for analysis. Officers noted that many potential violations are resolved informally when individuals comply with verbal requests to move, which is why citation numbers remain low. Next, committee members reviewed proposed updates to the ordinance on obstructing sidewalks and public areas. Courtney Davis shared draft language adapted from other cities, including Rome and Gainesville. The new draft expands the definition of public spaces and clarifies what qualifies as obstructing sidewalks, bridges, and rights-of-way. The intent is to address both pedestrian safety and the issue of abandoned personal property in public spaces. The group also discussed including bridges for safety reasons due to previous incidents involving fires beneath overpasses. Committee members debated the use of terms such as “materially interferes” versus “reasonably appears,” with several expressing concern about vague language that could lead to subjective enforcement. Police representatives explained that enforcement generally focuses on obtaining compliance rather than issuing citations. Members emphasized the importance of fairness and avoiding language that could result in profiling or unnecessary arrests. Courtney and legal staff also reviewed language around storing personal property in public areas. The proposed updates would prohibit leaving items unattended for more than one hour, with exceptions for bicycles that are reasonably parked. The committee agreed to refine this section to ensure that residents who safely lock their bikes are not penalized. Exceptions were also discussed for people attending permitted events, waiting in lines, or sitting at bus stops. Committee members noted the importance of balancing public safety with reasonable public OFFICE OF THE MANAGER T H E U N I F I E D G O V E R N M E N T O F A T H E N S -C L A R K E C O U N T Y , G E O R G I A P. O. Box 1868 • Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3020 • Fax (706) 613-3029 www. ac cgo v. co m use and free speech rights. It was agreed that people sitting or standing peacefully, or participating in permitted demonstrations, should not be considered in violation of the ordinance. Later discussion focused on bus stops and benches. Transportation staff shared that some bus shelters have become gathering or storage areas, creating maintenance and safety challenges. Committee members acknowledged public complaints about loitering and storage of materials at bus stops but also stressed the need for compassionate enforcement, recognizing that some individuals have nowhere else to go. The group discussed how to include this issue within the ordinance while ensuring it does not criminalize individuals unnecessarily. Finally, the committee reviewed enforcement procedures. The draft language included an option for arrest, but legal staff advised removing this clause since it would conflict with existing local laws, which typically require citation rather than arrest for ordinance violations. Members agreed that citations and warnings are more appropriate for first offenses. The meeting concluded with a consensus to continue refining the ordinance language particularly regarding bus stops, benches, and bicycle parking and lastly to seek additional examples from other cities before finalizing recommendations. The Committee confirmed next meeting date of Friday, October 24 from 9:00 -10:30 am at City Hall. Commissioner Fisher made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Davenport seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to adjourn.