Athens Reporter

In June 2024, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov)’s Mayor and Commission approved the FY25 budget, which included funding to make City Hall at 301 College Avenue a weapons-free facility similar to the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse at 325 East Washington Street. The courthouse has operated under security screening protocols for many years.

During discussions and planning for the enhanced security measures at City Hall, the Mayor and Commission moved most of its May and June meetings to the Clarke County School District’s Vernon Payne Auditorium. Meetings previously held at City Hall will return there beginning with the Mayor and Commission meetings on Tuesday, July 16.

As a result of these changes, new measures have been implemented as of Monday, July 15, 2024, for all visitors to City Hall in order to meet state law requirements.

During regular business hours, all visitors will enter City Hall through a security screening checkpoint at the ADA-accessible ground level entrance underneath the steps facing College Avenue. Regular business hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, except for holidays observed by ACCGov employees.

Screenings will be conducted by police officers or private security to ensure weapons do not enter the building. Security staff will not store any personal property of those visiting City Hall. Property that is prohibited in City Hall will need to be secured by the owner outside of City Hall prior to entry.

Security screenings will also take place for public meetings in City Hall that occur outside regular business hours. For meetings involving a quorum of the Mayor and Commission, the ground floor ADA-accessible entrance will remain open while an additional security screening entrance will be provided on the second-floor entrance to City Hall on College Avenue as staffing permits. Additional entrances may be opened based on circumstances and available security personnel.

“As we implement these new measures, we ask that visitors who are attending public meetings or appointments plan ahead and allow additional time to enter City Hall,” said Central Services Director Andrew Saunders. “We expect most screenings to be a relatively quick process, but in some cases, there may be a short wait in line to move through the security area.”

Visitors exiting City Hall will be required to exit through a security screening area or lower ground floor exits. As of July 15, second-floor doorways will only be used as emergency exits when not open as secondary security screening areas.

The ACCGov Central Services Department coordinated the new security screening measures in conjunction with the Manager’s Office, employees in City Hall, and the Attorney’s Office.

Additional information on Mayor and Commission meetings and other public meetings is available at www.accgov.com through the online calendar of events and meetings.

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