10-20-2026 Mayor & Commission Agenda Setting Session

Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission monthly agenda-setting session, October 20, 2026. Procurement and capital items included a proposed third-party administrator award to Elevance Health (doing business as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia) for medical and pharmacy services, and a renewal of employee life and accidental-death insurance with Unum Provident. Commissioners requested clarification on administrative costs, pharmaceutical rebates, claims history, and contract terms; staff said it would provide follow-up information before the voting meeting. The HVAC replacement item was returned to the consent agenda after staff explained that, if approved, procurement would seek a design-build proposal for the system and price energy-efficiency upgrades separately, potentially using previously authorized energy-retrofit funds. The commission also reviewed the SPLOST 2026 project implementation schedule, a Habitat for Humanity project for Micas Creek Phase II infrastructure, and the judicial-center facilities modernization package, including design and project-management change orders and further parking-deck design. The fire station No. 5 schematic design was discussed, including approximately $2.5 million from unallocated 2020 interest; commissioners raised design and landscaping questions. No substantive contract-award or spending votes were taken at this agenda-setting session; items were being prepared for later consideration. The proposed lease of the former Fire Station No. 2 to National EMS was described as generating about $26,000 annually under a two-year lease, with dedicated ambulance and paramedic resources tied to the arrangement.

The commission also reviewed planning matters, including a proposed West Broad Street planned development with 181 apartments and a stated $2.2 million inclusionary-zoning payment in lieu, and proposed zoning text amendments on commercial building heights and inclusionary-zoning eligibility. Commissioners raised concerns about parking, neighborhood effects, fire-service capacity, and infrastructure, and requested further analysis. The meeting concluded with a proposed change to the Planning Commission’s ability to delay zoning items; no final action on these matters was recorded.