Got concerns about Atlanta’s bond package? This group could help ease your worried mind

Who’s ready for the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond Technical Advisory Committee?

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  • Eric Cash/CL File
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Atlanta residents are expected to head to the polls today to decide whether the city should take on $250 million in debt to fix its broken streets, bridges, sidewalks, and public buildings. But critics argue there hasn’t been enough transparency involved with the bond package, particularly with the lack of a finalized project list, to vote for it.

But Atlanta City Council wants to quell your fears! At yesterday’s Council meeting, elected officials unanimously voted to establish, take a deep breath now, the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond Technical Advisory Committee, or RAIBTA for short, to oversee the more than 220 projects taken on by the city. The group would only meet if voters cast enough ballots in favor of the bond package today.

The RAIBTA committee would help ensure that the city’s public works department is making adequate process toward completing the bond package list, prioritize which projects are tackled first, and listen to the concerns of residents. During yesterday’s meeting, Councilman Alex Wan said the group could also make minor tweaks to the projects to improve quality or reduce costs as needed.

According to Councilman C.T. Martin, the oversight committee would be led by Department of Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza or his designee. The RAIBTA Committee would be made up of 12 other members including a person appointed by Council President Ceasar Mitchell, three more Council-appointed reps, and an Atlanta Planning Advisory Board member.

Outside of City Hall, the group would also include reps from Georgia Tech’s School of Engineering, Clark Atlanta University’s School of Engineering, Georgia Department of Transportation, MARTA, Georgia Society of Professional Engineers’ metro Atlanta chapter, Georgia Power, and Atlanta Gas Light.

The committee will hold public meeting at least once every quarter for the next five years. Don’t you dare miss ‘em!