At a press conference from the transitional offices at City Hall today, Mayor-elect Kasim Reed announced his choice for Chief Operating Officer for the city. Peter Aman will take the helm and lead the executive management of the municipal operating departments including Police, Fire, Corrections, Aviation, Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, Public Works, Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs, Watershed Management, and Planning and Community Development.

Personally, I think it’s an excellent choice. Peter Aman was a partner in Bain & Company who authored the Turnaround plan for Atlanta in 2002 and 2005 (otherwise known as “The Bain Report”). He certainly knows the city from the inside out.

Notes from the conference follow.

In Aman’s opening statement he said he is going to approach his duties as COO with 4 areas of concentration:

• a clear vision with clear targets
• hold people accountable
• assemble the best and brightest and create teams
• support city employees with the tools they need and better their morale

His priorities right out of gate will be:

• Public Safety
• Pensions/Fiscal Responsibility
• Service Delivery
• Re-open Recreation Centers

Questions were then asked from the press corps.

Morris Diggs asks, “You could make much more in the private sector. Why have you accepted this job specifically?”

Aman answered, he’s lived in Atlanta since 1996 and thinks it’s not only a unique city but also has unique potential. He wants the city to pull together to move forward. Plus, he thinks he will enjoy the work.

Question: What are your specifics for public safety?

To increase the police force and recruit new officers. He will first focus on the 50 officers that will be funded through the stimulus grant. From there, he will work with the Atlanta Police Foundation on best practices and improving the police department.

He also said he will be in daily discussions with Mayor Reed and the new police chief. He will also be involved with reviewing COBRA (crime statistics) and helping the APD better fight crime.

Question: What do you see as your biggest challenges?

Aman answered saying increasing revenue for the city and finding/creating efficiencies will be the biggest challenges. Property values are dropping and, therefore, city revenue from property taxes will decrease. He will explore revenue sources outside of these to help better Atlanta’s financial solvency.

Question: Will you increase taxes as Franklin did?

Aman answered with “no plans to” and said he will be more aggressive with collections (i.e. money owed to the city).

The reporter pressed, sensing an unclear answer as to yes or no. Reed stepped in and said “no, I will not raise taxes as mayor of Atlanta.” He then said if money is ever needed for police or fire he will ask the people of Atlanta to vote on it.

Question: How will you solve the pension crisis?

He said he is assembling an expert panel to look at the problem and together they will figure out how to address it. He said it is a very complex problem where 1 out of every 5 dollars that comes into the city goes towards pensions. He will be aggressive in finding a solution.

Question: What is in the works for a new police chief?

Reed responded that in 24-48 hours he will announce an acting Chief of Police. He said the search for a permanent replacement will take time but on Friday, December 11th he will announce his plan for the search and hiring of the new chief.

Question: In a follow up to a previous question, Channel 11 asks “You said you will hold city employees ‘more accountable.’ Are you saying the previous administration failed to hold them accountable before?”

Aman said he would not comment on the previous administration and will only look forward.

The last question concerned Norwood’s challenge of the election results and was addressed to mayor-elect Reed. “What is your response to Norwood’s claims that there were over 1300 irregularities in the election and her letter to the Fulton County Board of Elections as well as the Secretary of State for Georgia?”

Reed answered saying that there is very little time between being elected and becoming mayor and that he is focused on governing. He said to direct those questions to Ms. Norwood. He restated that “now is the time for Atlanta to come together.” He said he’s reached out to Norwood with an invitation to be involved but that the courtesy has not been returned. So for now, he will focus on governing.

The press conference then wrapped up and they left the hall for City Council. As the reporters wrapped up, a Fox News reporter shouts over to Channel 11 reporter and says, “hey, that was a ‘tough question!’” (Channel 11’s motto is “We ask the tough questions!”) So I got a little chuckle out of that.

I then went into City Council chambers were the last session of the old council was taking place. At one point along the way, mayor-elect Reed addressed Council and they all posed for a picture. I found it interesting that Mary Norwood hopped up and joined the photo.