A longtime resident continued to advocate for the livestreaming of Riverdale City Council meetings at a June 8 budget meeting.

“I think that citizens would prefer that we do have livestreams,” Terri Benn said. She brought up her 90-year-old mother, as an example of a Riverdale resident who wants to be engaged but cannot physically attend meetings. “Just like she’s able to log on to see church on YouTube, she should be able to log on to see a city council meeting,” the resident said.

Donald Turner, the City of Riverdale’s interim director of finance and administration, told Canopy Atlanta over email that the timeline and final decision to livestream meetings “is in the hands of the City Council.”

The discussion over digital accessibility comes amid a broader question regarding civic engagement at budget hearings. Previously, not a single Riverdale resident or community member showed up to the June 1 budget hearing; Atlanta Documenter Dominique Huff was the sole audience member. 

“There were no residents, property owners, or business owners in this meeting to learn about the budget. So how did the city promote this budget hearing?” Huff wondered after the meeting. Huff also couldn’t find information regarding that specific hearing on the city’s website or social media channels.

Turner clarified that the city held three budget hearings for the public and fulfilled its legal obligations by advertising them on its website and in the local paper. He noted that attendance fluctuated throughout the process; while the second hearing saw only council members and employees, the third hearing had “multiple citizens in attendance” as the budget was officially adopted. 

(Documented by Dominique Huff; additional reporting by Madeline Goodheart)

Clayton County Board of Commissioners

🕵🏼‍♂️ The Board of Commissioners approved a free one-year license for Tranquility AI’s TimePilot software, which the Clayton County Police Department would use to improve the effectiveness of their criminal investigations. The Clarion Project gifted the license to the county through its grant program; continuing the license would cost about $20 thousand per year.

Also discussed at the meeting: 

• 👩‍💻The Office of Youth Services partnered with Clayton State University to launch a workforce readiness program, which would train young adults ages 14 through 24 on cybersecurity, coding, and artificial intelligence.
• 🏊🏼‍♂️ To combat weekend staffing shortages at Spivey Splash Water Park, the Parks and Recreation Department is offering an extra $250 per month to lifeguards who work all weekends throughout June and July.

(Documented by Dominique Huff)

Atlanta City Council Budget Hearings

🚞 Transportation

ATLDOT reports a 10 percent citywide decrease in fatal crashes, surpassing the department’s goal of 7 percent for the year. To build on this momentum—and looking ahead to major events, including the 2028 Super Bowl—ATLDOT is currently developing its first comprehensive transportation plan to guide long-term mobility, equity, safety and sustainability. (Documented by Dominique Huff) 

💵 Grants and Community Development 

After securing $23.4 million in federal funding last fiscal year, the City of Atlanta provided housing assistance to 3,168 residents, supportive services to 3,092 people through block grants, and aid to 1,393 residents experiencing homelessness. Moving forward, the city will prioritize providing low-to-moderate income residents access to decent, affordable housing. All spending follows the city’s five-year plan in compliance with HUD. (Documented by Dominique Huff)

June Jam 2026

📅 June 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
📍 Flat Shoals Park, 1915 Flat Shoals Road, Riverdale

Small Business Social

📅 June 25, 6 to 8 p.m.
📍 Flint River Community Center, 153 Flint River Road, Riverdale