Atlanta, GA

What will Atlanta end up paying for the planned public safety training center?

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2023

What will Atlanta end up paying for the planned public safety training center?

Taxpayers may feel jaded by training center

Atlanta taxpayers are on the hook for nearly double the amount originally publicized for Atlanta’s planned police training center. While the total cost for the facility has not changed, and neither has the original plan passed by city leaders, some tax payers may be confused by what looks like a nearly $30M discrepancy. FOX 5 took a deep dive to explain the difference in numbers.

ATLANTA – A new level of outrage has been added concerning the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. Reports this week suggest the city of Atlanta will be on the hook for just over twice the original amount publicly stated.

The figure which has been widely reported is the nearly $31 million the city will pay upfront to build the center, while the Atlanta Police Foundation will be footing the remainder of the more than $90 million. However, the deal is a little more complex than that.

Council member Liliana Bakhtiari says the whole process has been opaque and confusing.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been a transparent process,” Bakhtiari said. “I am also very unclear about the funding. All I know is that the public was advertised one thing and now it’s come out that this is the case.”

GBI: 3 ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO PROTESTS AT ‘COP CITY’ SITE

Less widely reported is the resolution passed by the Atlanta City Council in December 2021 which deals with paying the APF for a loan the organization took out as part of its fundraising efforts. The city agreed to pay the APF $1.2 million annually for 30 years. This does mean, ultimately, the city of Atlanta will be on the hook for $67 million instead of just the $31 million taxpayers originally thought.

When asked if taxpayers would be on the hook for $67 million instead of $31 million, Bakhtiari answered: “Yes. It appears that is the case over the course of the next 30 years.”

This image shows a rendering of an academic classroom at the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. (City of Atlanta)

Bakhtiari, who sits on the finance committee, voted not to fund the center.

“This was the brain-child of the last administration. We’ve inherited something that has been mishandled from the very beginning in terms of messaging, in terms of community engagement, in terms of public trust,” she said.

The mayor’s office says the payments are considered revenue neutral and could even save the city 15% on training costs over the next 30 years, amounting to nearly $6 million. They say the city currently pays more than $1.4 million a year currently for all first responder training.

The mayor’s office also says its current leases are also at the whims of the market, which currently is extremely hot in Atlanta. So, having a fixed-rate would ensure the city is not paying anything more.

Bakhtiari said city leaders did a poor job of explaining the funding break-down and process overall to the public.

“People feel misguided, people feel confused,” she said.

ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER: MAYOR’S OFFICE BREAKS DOWN THE BUDGET

Inside look at police training center

FOX 5 gets an up-close look at the site of the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

When asked why the price tag seemingly jumped suddenly, council member Michael Julian Bond responded: “This was in the original ordinance we passed, that there would be a lease-back provision.”

Bond said the $67-million price tag was part of the original plan and once the 30-year lease is over, the city will take over full ownership of the training center.

“I know that’s not how the public is going to see it,” he responded. “And that’s a huge gaff, and that should not have happened.”

Bond admitted city council should have done a better job of fully informing the public of the total cost for the city’s contribution to the center.

“Given the huge mistake, we still have to make this investment. It’s still necessary for the future of Atlanta,” Bond said.

The overall cost for the training center has not changed. That remains at $90 million.

Funding approved for Atlanta training center

An Atlanta city committee approved funding for the site of the planned Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. This despite protesters’ last efforts to sway city leaders.

Last week, the finance committee voted 5-1 to approve a plan for Atlanta to pay its share of the more than $30 million.

Committee member James Winston abstained and Committee member Liliana Bakhtiari was the sole “no” vote.

Still, most in favor of the center say it is a much-needed facility which fulfills a multitude of needs, and fills the gaps of the training needs the city currently doesn’t have the capacity to handle.

The next full council meeting is slated for Monday, June 5 at 1 p.m. with additional budget meeting, including public hearings over the two days following.

The funding measure is expected to pass.

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Atlanta, GA

17-year-old shot in foot on Christmas Eve, Atlanta police say

Published

1 hour ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

17-year-old shot in foot on Christmas Eve, Atlanta police say

ATLANTA – A 17-year-old male is recovering after being shot in the foot on Christmas Eve, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

Officers responded to Grady Memorial Hospital around 10:39 p.m. on Dec. 24, after receiving a report of a gunshot victim. The teenager was being treated by medical staff for a gunshot wound to his left foot.

Preliminary information suggests the shooting may have occurred near 609 Thurmond Street NW. Investigators from the department’s Aggravated Assault Unit are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities emphasized that details are subject to change as the investigation continues.

AtlantaCrime and Public SafetyNews

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta police officer surprises 12-year-old with Christmas gift for good behavior

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Atlanta police officer surprises 12-year-old with Christmas gift for good behavior

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An Atlanta police officer made a 12-year-old boy’s Christmas a little brighter this year.

On Monday, Officer Sebastian Kertchaval surprised 12-year-old Amir with a PlayStation 5, police said in a social media post.

Atlanta Police Officer Sebastian Kertchaval surprised 12-year-old Amir with a Christmas gift.(Atlanta Police Department)

Police said Kertchaval met Amir and his family over the summer while “responding to a 911 call for an unruly child.”

During that visit, Kertchaval saw that Amir was upset with his mother and grandmother.

“And though tensions were high in their home, Ofc. Kertchaval remained patient with Amir, and took the time to positively connect with Amir and was ultimately able to de-escalate the upset child,” police said.

Since that first meeting, Amir’s grandmother has kept Kertchaval updated on Amir’s “increasingly positive behavior throughout the year.”

After hearing of Amir’s progress, Kertchaval bought Amir a new PlayStation 5 for both Christmas and as a reward for his progress.

“Thank you, Officer Kertchaval, for your dedication to community policing and for being a positive example during this holiday season,” police said.

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Atlanta, GA

Some Metro Atlanta Starbucks employees go on strike amid the holidays

Published

19 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Some Metro Atlanta Starbucks employees go on strike amid the holidays

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – You may experience order delays if you are headed to a Starbucks on Christmas Eve. Some workers in Metro Atlanta are on strike.

Representatives with Starbucks Workers United tell Atlanta News First they feel underpaid and understaffed and are protesting the lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company.

Starbucks union workers in Alpharetta are making their voices heard loud and clear. They allege unfair labor practices.

“When Starbucks workers first started to unionize, they gave non-union workers pay raises and the partners that were unionized didn’t get that until later and so they’re owed back pay,” said Danielle Stolton, Shift supervisor at the Alpharetta store.

Stolton said she has been a part of the bargaining process.

“Personally, last year was the worst year,” she said. “I had a mental breakdown, actually.”

Stolton and others planned this one-day strike to stand in solidarity with over 5,000 workers at more than 300 stores that are protesting.

Strikes have been going on in some places since last Friday. Some baristas said they want better pay and better benefits.

“I know baristas in my store personally who are having to choose between gas or groceries so when you see problems like that it’s really hard to not feel some type of way about the fact that Starbucks made 24 billion dollars in profit this year, two percent more than last year and we’re still seeing two percent pay raises,” said Vivek G, a Starbucks employee.

Starbucks Workers United said the company failed to honor a commitment made in February.

In a statement to Atlanta News First, Starbucks said:

“Workers United delegates prematurely ended our bargaining session this week. It is disappointing they didn’t return to the table given the progress we’ve made to date. Since April we’ve held more than nine bargaining sessions over 20 days. We’ve reached over thirty (30) meaningful agreements on hundreds of topics Workers United delegates told us were important to them, including many economic issues.
We are focused on enhancing the partner (employee) experience, with over $3 billion invested in the last three years. Starbucks offers a competitive average pay of over $18 per hour, and best-in-class benefits. Taken together they are worth an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week. Benefits include health care, free college tuition, paid family leave and company stock grants. No other retailer offers this kind of comprehensive pay and benefits package.
Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year year contract. This is not sustainable. We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements. We need the union to return to the table.”

“Only around 170 Starbucks stores did not open as planned. With over 10,000 company-operated stores, 98% of our stores and nearly 200,000 green apron partners continuing to operate and serve customers during the holidays,” the coffeechain added.

Some workers feel differently.

“It’s just basic living wages and also again to reiterate is just to have. We’re asking for minimum staffing and realistic expectations and just the ability to run our floors and run our stores in a way that makes the most sense. They say they want to hear us, they say they want to listen but every time we ask for help, we get told no,” Stolton said.

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