ACC-mail is now the ACCGov Mixtape

We are excited to share the first edition of the ACCGov Mixtape, the refreshed, remixed and updated e-newsletter of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. 

Formerly known as "ACC-mail," the new ACCGov Mixtape is a brief, yet informative monthly newsletter to keep you up to date on some ACCGov-related events, public input opportunities, initiatives, helpful tips, and more.

We hope you will find the ACCGov Mixtape to be a useful addition to your inbox, and we welcome your ideas and feedback by emailing the Public Information Office at info@accgov.com.

Since it's been a while since we sent a regular newsletter to this list, the new ACCGov Mixtape may no longer be of any interest to you. If that's the case, simply unsubscribe through the link on the bottom of this email.

Anyone can sign up to receive the ACCGov Mixtape at www.accgov.com/mixtape by text or email.

VIDEO: No Kidding - Pay Attention in a School Zone!

School is officially back in session. ACCGov reminds everyone to slow down, obey the speed limit, look out for kids, avoid distractions, and always pay attention in a school zone.

Watch the PSA video on YouTube

P.S. - Even if you aren't in a school zone, if a school bus is stopped with its stop lights on and stop arm extended, do you know what to do?

• Traffic from both directions must stop on a:
  • Two-lane road
  • Two-lane road with a center turning lane
  • Four-lane roadway without a median separation
  • Road of four lanes or more with a center turning lane
• Only traffic behind a bus in lanes on the same side of the median must stop on a:
  • Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation (dirt, grass, or barrier)

VIDEO: Tips for Preventing Pesky Mosquitoes

Pesky mosquitoes are most active this time of year and can transmit infectious diseases to humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. 

All mosquitoes require standing water for part of their lifecycle, so help prevent mosquito breeding areas by checking for standing water at work and home. It only takes a week for a mosquito to grow from an egg to an adult.

Dump out things like flower pots, toys, buckets, or tarps; pick up trash; and trim excess vegetation. Especially around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wear repellent, keep pets indoors, and wear long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes to cover exposed skin.

More tips at accgov.com/mosquito.

PUBLIC INPUT: Affordable Housing Investment Strategy through Aug. 30

ACCGov, in collaboration with HR&A Advisors, is seeking public comment through August 30 on recommended strategies to help address Athens residents' increasing housing affordability challenges. 

The Affordable Housing Investment Strategy provides a roadmap for strategic investments and policy changes to improve the availability of quality affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities across Athens-Clarke County. 

Two public forums on the strategy are also upcoming on Sat., Aug. 12 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Triangle Plaza Resource Center (585 Vine St., Suite 1) and Wed., Aug. 23 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the ACC Library (2025 Baxter Street).

The final draft of the plan, a virtual presentation, and the online survey are available at accgov.com/arpa.

PUBLIC INPUT: Memorial Park Improvements through Sep. 3

The Leisure Services Department seeks public comment on upcoming improvements to Memorial Park’s pedestrian and vehicle access, stormwater structures, and pond area through Sunday, September 3. 

A story map of options, virtual presentation, and online survey are available at accgov.com/memorial. 

Residents also have the opportunity to provide feedback in-person at drop-in sessions on Saturday, August 12 from 9:00-11:30 AM at the Memorial Park Picnic Shelter #2 and Bear Hollow Zoo entrance within the park.

"I Voted Early" Sticker Design Contest

Athens-Clarke County residents are invited to submit designs for an “I Voted Early” sticker that will be distributed during early voting periods for the 2024 elections.

 A panel of judges will select several design finalists from which residents will be asked to vote on their favorite design in September. 

Creativity is encouraged! Learn more about the contest and submit your design at accgov.com/votingsticker.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, August 27.

Proposed Polling Location & Precinct Line Changes for In-Person Election Day Voting

The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections is scheduled to make changes to precinct boundary lines and some polling locations that will go into effect beginning with the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary Election set for March 12, 2024.

Residents’ voting districts will not change as a part of the process – only the location at which some voters would vote in-person on Election Day.

Proposed changes include adjusting boundary lines for all voting precincts, moving six Election Day polling locations, and adding one new polling location.

The Board of Elections is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes at its regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 12 at the Athens-Clarke County Planning Auditorium (120 W. Dougherty Street) at 4:30 PM.

For full details and maps, visit www.accgov.com/elections. 

RESOURCE: Landlord Tenant Handbook

Curious about laws that govern residential rental properties and rights and responsibilities for tenants and landlords? 

The Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook, produced by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, may provide answers to your questions. Take a look through the electronic copy at accgov.com/landlord. 

The handbook is designed to provide an overview and answer common questions about Georgia residential landlord-tenant law. The information does not apply to commercial leases, and should not be a substitute for professional legal advice.

Storm Damage Cleanup

ACCGov staff continue to respond to damage from several severe weather incidents that have moved through our area over the past few weeks. 

As a result, ACCGov's regular mowing cycles and leaf and limb collection are delayed for several weeks while large amounts of debris is collected.

While some leaf and limb restrictions are waived for storm collection, a reminder that limbs cut and placed near the street by any person other than the owner of the property will not be collected by Athens-Clarke County. 

Individuals or companies under contract to remove trees or collect leaves and limbs should haul and dispose of all such debris.

For all of the current leaf and limb requirements and temporary changes due to storm pickup, visit www.accgov.com/leaflimb. You can also sign up there to receive weekly updates on schedule changes.

The ACCGov Mixtape is distributed monthly by the Public Information Office, accgov.com/pio, 706-613-3795