General Government Committee Meeting – August 10, 2026

The General Government Committee met on August 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda stated 4:00 p.m., minutes note 3:00 p.m. start) under Chair Mayor Pro Tempore Denise D. Adams. The committee considered consent items, a historic landmark designation, two affordable housing project extensions, and extensive council member comments on communication and code enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• C-1: Request for public hearing on UDO-CC36, National Flood Insurance Program Compliance Text Amendment. Approved and referred to City Council on August 17, 2026.
• C-2: Request for public hearing on demolition of 2608 Stockton Street (Southeast Ward). Approved and referred to City Council on September 8, 2026.
• C-4: Request for public hearing on demolition of 1511 Attucks Street (East Ward per agenda, Northeast Ward per minutes – discrepancy noted). Approved and referred to City Council on September 8, 2026.
• C-6: Resolution authorizing application and acceptance of Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Funds ($3,751,283). Approved and referred to City Council on August 17, 2026.
• C-7: Approval of General Government Committee minutes from June 8, 2026. Approved.

Items Removed from Consent

• C-3 (3005 Teresa Avenue demolition): Pulled by Council Member Joiner. Discussion revealed that citations had expired in May 2025, and the property owner had been provided resources but no response. Council Member Joiner questioned why the property at 2802 Trent Street was not included given its severity. Assistant Neighborhood Services Director Brian Chaney stated that property would be brought forward in September. The committee approved the public hearing (3-1 vote) and referred to City Council on September 8, 2026.
• C-5 (Rescinding $2,258,234 HOME-ARP funding to Step Up America): Presented by Shereka Floyd, Home Programs Manager. Money reverted to the pool for eligible activities (non-congregate shelter, rental housing, etc.). Council Member Burke asked about other potential projects; staff noted Burton Street Apartments were funded by other sources. The committee approved the rescission unanimously and referred to City Council on September 8, 2026.

Discussion Items

• G-1: Chatham Block Local Historic Landmark – Historic Resources Officer Michelle McCullough presented the application for 301-311 West 4th Street. The building, designed by Harold Macklin in Streamline Art Deco style, has architectural and commercial significance. The Historic Resource Commission recommended designation. Council Member Hall asked about design review standards. Chair Adams shared personal memories. The committee approved the public hearing unanimously, referred to City Council on September 8, 2026.
• G-2: Lofts at Motor Road Extension – Arisbett Adame Smith (Housing Development Program Coordinator) and developer Davis Ray (Wynnefield Forward, LLC) presented a request to extend completion deadlines. The project, approved in 2023 with $6.579 million in ARPA funds, faced delays due to site redesign and market conditions. New completion target: December 31, 2026 for closing, with construction starting after and full completion within 30 months (unit deliveries beginning month 18). Council Member Burke asked about materials, clubhouse, and community communication. The committee approved unanimously, referred to City Council on August 17, 2026.
• G-3: Residences at Indiana Extension – Similar presentation for a $4.85 million ARPA-funded project. The developer already started clearing the site. Chair Adams expressed frustration over lack of communication with the community (Stonewall neighborhood) about tree removal, train track proximity, and traffic. Council Member Burke noted she had voted against the site plan earlier due to missing community meetings. Developer committed to meeting with residents. Committee approved unanimously, referred to City Council on August 17, 2026.

Council Member Comments

• Chair Adams and Council Members Burke, Clark, and others voiced strong concerns about communication gaps between council and city staff, especially regarding code enforcement. Council Member Burke reported that a new policy prevents council members from speaking directly with code enforcement officers, leading to unresolved blight issues in the Northeast Ward. Chair Adams requested a dashboard with red/yellow/green status for all housing projects. Council Member Clark noted large developments (400+ homes) that began without council notification. Assistant City Manager Angel responded that an infographic was sent July 17, 2026, and improvements are being made. Council Member Hall thanked staff for handling a recent water main break. The committee requested a follow-up meeting to address process improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items approved with modifications (C-3 and C-5 discussed and voted individually).
• Public hearing set for Chatham Block historic landmark (September 8, 2026).
• Extensions granted for Lofts at Motor Road and Residences at Indiana.
• Direction given to staff to improve communication and provide a simplified project dashboard.
• A meeting requested to address code enforcement communication barriers.

Note: There was a discrepancy in the agenda vs. minutes regarding the ward designations for items C-3 (3005 Teresa Avenue listed as East Ward in agenda, Northeast Ward in minutes) and C-4 (1511 Attucks Street listed as Northeast Ward in agenda, East Ward in minutes). The meeting started at 3:00 p.m. per minutes, though the agenda indicated 4:00 p.m.