Express Lanes Approved for Airport

Travelers at the World’s busiest airport could soon avoid long and congested lines after the Atlanta City Council today gave the green light for a new test program to speed registered passengers through security checkpoints. The Council approved substitute resolution 08-R-1149 by a vote of 11-0. The measure allows the Mayor and the Airport General Manager to enter into an agreement with Clear Atlanta, LLC for the Registered Traveler (R.T.) Pilot Program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

“It is important that we look to new and innovative ways of speeding some of the 89 million passengers through our airport in a secure, safe and efficient manner,” said City Council President Lisa M. Borders.“ This pilot program has been successful in other international hubs and will benefit passengers here as well.” The program will adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Transportation Security Administration and the American Association of Airport Executives, which operates the Transportation Security Clearinghouse – an agency that facilitates biometrically-based and biographical background checks for the aviation community.

The R.T. program’s goals are to enhance security and allow registered travelers to pass more quickly through checkpoints and reduce the wait time for all passengers in line for screening. The R.T. Pilot Program will activate through a voluntary enrollment program that will serve qualified air traveler participants who meet Federal Transportation Security eligibility criteria and who agree to provide personal information to the TSA. The program is aimed primarily at business travelers willing to pay $100 or more annually and to undergo an extensive background check and provide biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans in advance. The TSA would be in charge of security threat assessments of these individuals.

Clear, operates R.T. lines in 17 other airports, including Orlando International and some terminals at New York's LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports. The primary location for the pilot program at Hartsfield-Jackson will be an enrollment area, located on the ticketing level of the airport, and security checkpoint kiosks, located near the airport security checkpoint area.

The above legislation and a complete list of other items on the council’s agenda can be viewed in their entirety on the Web at: http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/2008/fca0602.htm
City council minutes can be viewed at: http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/minutes2.htm

Atlanta City Councilmembers express outrage over recently signed concealed weapons law

Members of the Atlanta City Council are expressing their outrage over recently signed House Bill 89 which will allow concealed guns on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol and in state and city parks. Gov. Sonny Perdue signed the controversial gun bill Wednesday over the objections of local officials including Mayor Shirley Franklin, members of the Atlanta City Council, anti-gun lobbyists, and public transportation and public safety officials.

The City is considering fighting the new gun law, a city hall official said Thursday. “The new gun bill will be something that will have detrimental effects on the public safety efforts in every city in our state,” said City Councilmember Clair Muller. “There is not a sensible rationale for allowing the loosening of our current gun laws.”

The new law which will go into effect July 1, would allow for restaurant patrons to carry a firearm inside such facilities. Concealed weapons would also be allowed in state and city parks as well as on public transportation systems such as MARTA.

“It’s strange logic that the Governor believes that allowing hand guns in more public places will somehow make us safer,” said City Council President Lisa M. Borders. “This is poor public policy and a tremendous disappointment.”

Alice Johnson, executive director of Georgians for Gun Safety, said HB 89 sends a message that it is ok to assume law enforcement responsibilities if you are a civilian with a concealed weapons permit. “That is extremely dangerous for the community,” Johnson said. “Concealed weapons permit holders do not have to have training, they are not psychologically screened, they can have a conviction for a DUI or simple battery and still get a permit.” Johnson said her group has been fighting the new gun law since the idea first surfaced in January 2007. The legislation was originally written to allow concealed weapons in vehicles. “If the city of Atlanta would join in with other city to take this on, that would be an excellent use of our public safety resources,” Johnson said. “It could also save lives in the long term.”

Traffic Advisory:Roswell Road

What: Lane closures on Roswell Road

Where: Roswell Road

When: Monday, May 19, 9 pm – 5 am

Comments: City contractors are milling and paving Roswell Road between Wieuca Road and Meadowbrook Drive. The work will necessitate closure of two north-bound lanes between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am. Motorists are urged to exercise caution when traveling through the work area and to use alternate routes when possible.

Connect Atlanta

Results of the week long workshops are available for your viewing. See the transportation ideas that were developed by your community. http://www.connectatlantaplan.com/visioning.html

Northwest/Northside Design Workshop

http://www.connectatlantaplan.com/north.html

Southwest Design Workshop

http://www.connectatlantaplan.com/south.html

Intown, South & Southside Design Workshop

http://www.connectatlantaplan.com/southEAST.html

Northeast & Eastside Design Workshop

http://www.connectatlantaplan.com/images/Northeast%20Wrapup%20Post_sm.pdf

Sustainable Atlanta Initiative Gets a Boost with Emory Study

Student-researcher Jessica Wang works on a study as part of a partnership between the Department of Human Resources, Office of Sustainability and Emory University.

In a recent study conducted by the Emory University Service Learning in Environmental Studies program, student-researchers found that Atlanta City Government could become a leader in environmental sustainability by increasing awareness of and accelerating employee participation in its existing alternative commute programs. The study was intended as a pilot for future commute alternative programs to be implemented by the Atlanta Office of Sustainability. Emory worked with the Atlanta Department of Human Resources (DHR) to investigate how the City of Atlanta could encourage its employees to use its current alternative commute programs. The City partners with the Clean Air Campaign to provide the following alternative commuter programs to its employees:

• MARTA Card Subsidy and pre-tax deductions for Gwinnett and Cobb County public transit


• Guaranteed Ride Home program (up to five free taxi-rides home per year for employees needing an emergency ride home on a day they use an alternative mode of transit)


• Cash for Commuters (earn money for each time you carpool, tele-work, use transit, walk or bike to work for up to 90 days)


• Car Pool Rewards (earn money by carpooling with three or more people. Ride to work together and log your trips online to receive gas cards

From March 14 – April 4, 2008, Emory students conducted research with GIS mapping, mini case studies and interviews with City employees in the Departments of HR; Planning and; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Their research showed that more than 70 percent live outside of Atlanta and 78 percent drive alone to work. High gas prices are the main factor encouraging people to get out of their cars (58 percent), and nearly one-third of employees (31.6 percent) surveyed were concerned about climate change as a reason to switch to carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, or public transit.

About Sustainable Atlanta: This program is aimed at making our city more sustainable by improving “green” programs and policies, such as water and energy conservation, reducing solid waste and emissions, and improving the rates of recycling. For the first phase of Sustainable Atlanta, the City has focused on government operations and policies. By mid-year 2008, Sustainable Atlanta will shift to an external focus with public policies and programs designed to make the entire city a model for sustainability. Information for this article was provided by Emory student-researcher Gary Eddy.

Open House for BeltLine Draft Plans

On Saturday May 3 from 12- 2 pm, the BeltLine Team will host a public open house at Atlanta City Hall for residents to provide input into the ongoing BeltLine draft plans. Active public participation into the planning and implementation of the BeltLine is a tenet of the visionary project, which will ultimately connect dozens of Atlanta communities with housing, transit, development and parks and trails. BeltLine project managers will be available to discuss resident concerns and input. City Hall is located at 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, 30303. For more information, contact Rukiya Eaddy at readdy@atlbeltline.org or Roland Young at ryoung@atlbeltline.org.

Reminder: Annual Electronic Waste Recycling Day