Athens City Council met Monday evening for a special session in which its committees discussed legislation concerning housing improvements, public transportation and funding for the Athens County Probation Department.
The City and Safety Services Committee met to discuss the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Application. The application, if approved, will provide grants to use toward repairing homes in Athens.
If the city receives the grants, Athens households can apply for assistance to repair their homes through the Hocking Athens Perry Community Action.
The Transportation Committee discussed an ordinance that would allow Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Programs to act as the city’s public transportation provider following the expiration of the city’s grants with Go Bus and Athens Public Transit at the end of 2022.
“I think it's similar to earlier programs where we've managed things internally on our own,” City Council President Chris Knisely said. "HAPCAP managed the Hocking County Transit System and was doing a good job at that and approached the city of Athens, and we've been involved with their management of our transit systems for quite a while.”
The Finance and Personnel Committee also discussed an ordinance to put funding toward the Athens County Probation Department. This funding will allow for texting abilities for those on probation and GPS ankle monitoring.
