Atlanta City Council

Grace Towns Hamilton, the first black woman elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, was instrumental in overhauling Atlanta's century-old city charter. In 1965, Atlanta had requested that the Public Service Administration of Chicago review its government; the PSA described the system of wards and aldermen as "unmanageable". After Hamilton tried unsuccessfully to make smaller changes in the late 1960s, she introduced a bill to establish an Atlanta Charter Commission, which passed in 1971. Additionally, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 meant that the Department of Justice was now filing lawsuits against cities with similar systems.[7]

The Atlanta Charter Commission, consisting of 30 members, began work on July 1, 1971. Its chairman was Atlanta attorney Emmet J. Bondurant, and Hamilton was vice-chairman. Charles F. Wittenstein was executive director, and Hazel A. Jacobs was administrative assistant.[8] A final draft was completed on December 1, 1972, and legislation adopting the new charter was signed by governor Jimmy Carter on March 16, 1973.[7] The new charter took effect on January 7, 1974.

The members of the Atlanta Charter Commission were:[8]

The 1974 charter resulted in many changes to Atlanta's government. The Board of Aldermen was changed to the City Council: the position of vice-mayor was replaced by the council president, and 12 council-members would be elected from individual districts, along with six at-large posts. Initially, the plan was to reduce the council to 12 seats of 8 districts and 4 at-large posts, but this was opposed by the Board of Aldermen as well as the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP, which was concerned fewer total members "would reduce the base of representation and thereby reduce the influence of the Negro vote."[7]

The administration of the day-to-day operation of city government was transferred to the executive branch, and legislative authority was vested in the City Council, effectively transitioning Atlanta to a strong-mayor system. The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled in Jackson v. Inman, 232 Ga. 566 (1974), that the new charter was legally valid and its enabling legislation did not violate the state constitution.[9]

Hamilton still believed that at 18 members, the City Council was too large, and worked to change it as long as she was in office.[7]

A new charter was enacted in 1996 that reduced the representation of Council to 12 districts and three at large posts—effective January 1998.

The legislative body, consisting of the Council, makes the laws that govern the city. It is responsible for the development of policies which serve as operational standards and establishes the parameters for the administration of city government.

Legislation can be introduced on the floor of Council by a Councilmember as a personal paper, or can come through a standing committee. In either case, almost all legislation goes before a committee for discussion at some time. After a paper has been through the committee process, it is voted on by the full Council. The Council may accept or reject the committee's recommendations. A majority vote is needed for adoption. When a paper is adopted by the Council, it goes to the mayor for signature. The paper must be approved or vetoed within seven days. If not signed or vetoed within that period, it automatically becomes law. If vetoed, the Council can override with a two-thirds vote.

The Executive body carries out the laws that have been instituted by the City Council. It is responsible for the day-to-day operations of city government.

This system allows the Council to maintain a strong system of checks and balances.

Legislation takes two forms—ordinances and resolutions. An ordinance establishes a permanent rule of government. Every official act of the Council, having the force and effect of law, must be an ordinance. Ordinances must be read before the full Council at two regular meetings. There are exceptions, for example, a Charter amendment requires three readings.

Resolutions usually express intent or support of various projects and enterprises or establish legislative policy of a general nature. Resolutions need be read only once and can be introduced and adopted at the same meeting.

The standing committees of the Atlanta City Council meet to consider legislation and to make recommendations on each item. The Committees then report their actions to the full Council. Approximately 150 pieces of legislation are handled per meeting. Citizens have the opportunity to appear before a standing committee and to express their views on any piece of legislation.

Comments from the public on matters related to zoning changes are heard by the Zoning Review Board, an independent body composed of appointed city residents. The Zoning Review Board meets once a month.

The Council is required by law to hold a public hearing on certain matters including changes to the City Charter, changes to the City Code of Ordinances, tax increases, etc. Notification must be provided to residents in advance of any public hearing.

There are a total of seven standing committees.

The 1974 council was the first to convene under the new city charter. The Atlanta Constitution described the group as "nine businessmen, four community activists, two lawyers, [a] coach, [a] housewife and [a] retired plumber".[10] Wyche Fowler was the council president.