May 3, 2023 Board of Athens Alliance Coalition, Inc. C/O Brent Temple 15 Herald Drive Bethlehem, GA 30620 VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL AND EMAIL: Bdtemple@hotmail.com, sammydfree31@gmail.com, nikared94@yahoo.com, teresamhsmith@yahoo.com, E1949faust@bellsouth.net, and fsmithathens@gmail.com
RE: Continuity of Operations Plan Implementation On the evening of Monday, August 29, 2022, Charles Hardy and former First Step resident, Jada Prothro, were arrested for a physical altercation occurring on the 1 st Step Encampment site located at 1000 Barber Street. Section 9.1 of the project contract states “ACCGOV may suspend or terminate this Agreement immediately upon delivery of written notice to the Subrecipient if ACCGov loses funding or discovers any illegal conduct or allegation of illegal conduct on the part of Subrecipient,” and for Mr. Hardy to the opportunity to utilize the due process of the judicial system to demonstrate his innocence, no action was taken regarding the status of the contract. When this incident first happened, at my request, the Athens Alliance Coalition conducted an internal investigation and developed a Continuity of Operations Plan for the encampment. The board investigation reported no findings of wrongdoing, and on September 29, 2022, the board submitted a Continuity of Operations Plan for the encampment to Athens-Clarke County. On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Mr. Hardy was convicted of one count of battery, two counts of simple battery, and one count of disorderly conduct; resulting in a sentence of 24 months of probation, 72 hours in confinement, $1,000 fine + surcharges, a requirement to participate in anger management training, a requirement for a behavioral health assessment, and no further contact with the victims. As a result, the Athens Alliance Coalition is no longer meeting the contractual obligations of its project scope, which states: “AAC will provide service delivery across the encampment programs that accentuate the importance of treating persons experiencing homelessness with respect, displaying sensitivity, acknowledging the trauma and state of crisis being experienced by those who are homeless.” (Section 4.0.B) and “AAC will establish and maintain a professional work environment amongst staff and residents that promotes mutually respectful interactions between staff members and residents.”(Section 4.1.A.10). Since the concept was first envisioned, the goals for this project were that it be safe, sanitary, and supportive. As such, I am requesting that the Athens Alliance Coalition implement the following risk mitigating measures:
Office of the Manager Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia P.O. Box 1868 • Athens, Georgia 30603 • (706) 613-3020 www.accgov.com