Because of this, they ask for the choice of whether or not to take the vaccine. Their concern was that the current vaccines only have emergency use authorization from the Federal Drug Administration and have not been fully approved. Some public comment speakers opposed the mandate, including multiple employees of the local government. More: Athens hospitals to require COVID-19 vaccination for employees, with few exemptions “I just want to point out that we are simply following in the footsteps of major employers across the state and across the nation, both our local hospitals have mandated vaccination for their employees,” said Commissioner Melissa Link. The policy on how the mandate will work has not yet been written, but manager Blaine Williams has until Sept. Vaccine requirementĪthens-Clarke County employees will now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 8 but does have the possibility of being extended, rescinded or changed. This ordinance will stay in effect until Sept. Every subsequent offense is a fee of no greater than $50. Violators of the ordinance will be given a verbal warning and if they still refuse, there is a fee of no greater than $25. If this sign is not posted, it is assumed the business is following the ordinance and people not complying with the mandate will be in violation of the ordinance. Local businesses can opt out of the mask mandate by posting a sign in a suggested one-inch Arial font that reads, “This location does not consent to enforcement of any local face covering requirement upon this property.” The mandate will apply only to indoor areas, though Commissioner Melissa Link voiced concern for special events that will take place outdoors in Athens that have the potential to be “super spreader events.” 3.Īnother way the mask mandate could end is if DPH determines that 80% or more of Athens residents have been vaccinated.īackground: Athens to consider mask mandate, vaccines for ACC employees and cash incentive program The Georgia Department of Public Health displayed that there were 257 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks as of Aug. 2, showed that there were 147.28 cases per 100,000 during the past seven days in Athens. The mandate will use the CDC data to determine this, which as of Aug. With the new mandate, Athens will have a mask mandate so long as there are 100 cases (or more) per 100,000 residents over the last seven days, a metric used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine “high risk.” and local businesses have the ability to opt out. The mandate went into effect Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. More: Salary database: Here's how much Athens-Clarke County employees make Mask mandateĪthens commissioners unanimously voted to enact an indoor mask ordinance. The commission will now accept proposals from potential third-party operators for the encampment.Ĭommissioner Mike Hamby proposed voting on just the $50,000 to fund a strategic plan and to look at alternative solutions for a group of homeless who were recently evicted from a camp near the railroads, but that motion failed to pass.Ĭommissioners Jesse Houle, Carol Myers, Mariah Parker, Melissa Link,and Tim Denson voted “yes” on the encampment and commissioners Russel Edwards, Ovita Thornton, Mike Hamby, Patrick Davenport, and Allison Wright voted “no.” The general concern voiced was that homelessness in Athens is a problem, causing an excess of trash and waste, and the encampment will allegedly attract more of the homeless population to come to Athens to use the camp’s services.Īlong with approving the site for the encampment, commissioners also approved allocating $250,000 for site improvements and an additional $50,000 to fund a strategic plan on homeless services. Public comment during Tuesday’s meeting was filled with opposition to the encampment, with only a few speakers in favor of the site. More: 'We just need the help': Members of Athens homeless community share hope in new facility “What's clear is that what's proposed here is a continuum of services to provide a necessary safety valve,” said Girtz.Ĭommissioners will vote on keeping the camp operational for 22 months or until June 30, 2023. Mayor Kelly Girtz voted "yes" breaking the tie and approving the camp location. The vote was tied, with five commissioners for the encampment and five against.
Homeless encampmentĬommissioners voted to approve the North Athens School on Barber Street a s the spot for the government-sanctioned homeless encampment.
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission on Tuesday night held its monthly regular commission meeting, voting to approve a homeless encampment, nondiscrimination ordinance, and several COVID-19 related measures.