Box 9, Folder 8, Document 19

Dublin Core

Text Item Type Metadata

Text





ATLANTA URBAN CORPS

30 COURTLAND STREET, N.E. / PHONE [404] 525-2662 / ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mr. Dan Sweat DATE: May 14, 1969

FROM: Sam Williams, Director
Atlanta Urban Corps

SUBJECT: "Home" for the Urban Corps

Pursuant to our discussions about the city department which would
sponsor the Urban Corps, I offer the following information as
justification for housing the Urban Corps under the Office of the
Mayor.

Since the program itself must cross into virtually every
agency and department, placing its administration at the
vortex of the city's structure simplifies considerably
the establishment of program guidelines and the enforce-
ment of program policy. Also, students and colleges seem
to respond more favorably to a program under the direct
aegis of the Chief Executive.

- + « « + » from the National Urban Corps
Organizational Manual
According to the National Urban Corps Office, 13 out of the 14 Urban
Corps now operating are under the Office of the Chief Executive of
each city.

This summer our payroll will total almost $270,000 which necessitates

a special payroll account in the city's Data Processing and Finance
Department. Since this account requires departmental sponsorship,

that means all employees of that department would be tallied on the

same ledger and bank account which could confuse an already complicated
system if lumped into a small department such as the Youth Council. The
accounting department is creating a special billing department due to

the size and number of checks to be issued. This can be done under no
presently existing department since we will be billing other city depart-
ments and private agencies.

In dealing with other city agencies it is easier to influence their

opinion and participation if they reélize the Mayor is sponsoring the program.
Also, this keeps us from inheriting inter-departmental conflicts that

virtually any department would have accumulated. Contacting colleges at

all levels is much easier from a formal relations point of view if it is

done through the Chief Executive's office. This advantage can save us valuable
time in Atlanta on certain campuses due to political problems. We will deal
with six other government units in Atlanta at the highest level; therefore,

our base in Atlanta City government should be known and respected.




public items show