In another battle over contracting at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, shuttle operators and other businesses are challenging the city over ground transportation contracts, after an investigation and the resignation of the airport's ground transportation manager.
And officials are worried about potential legal action against the city since putting the manager, Winston Cooper, on leave and investigating alleged inappropriate conduct, according to Atlanta city attorney Cathy Hampton.
Cooper, who was paid about $82,000 a year, was put on administrative leave with pay March 29 and resigned earlier this month. He has also resigned from his position as chairman of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce.
The city's investigation came amid reports by local TV station Fox 5 drawing business connections between Cooper and a ground transportation operator reportedly related to him.
Georgia Secretary of State records show that Cooper registered a company called Cooper Transportation Consultancy LLC in 2010, while he was ground transportation manager at the airport.
Since he was put on leave, the airport has begun an internal review of its ground transportation operations.
Hampton said the city hired law firm Baker Donelson to look into allegations "that we believe could lead to litigation against the city. We needed to know the answer — it could be a soft spot for the city if some of the allegations were true," Hampton said.
The city is not releasing the results of its investigation, saying it is protected by attorney-client privilege.
Meanwhile, ground transportation operators have also raised concerns about contracts at Hartsfield-Jackson held by A-National Limousine Service. A-National CEO Darrell Anderson and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are part-owners in an investment property off Fairburn Road.
A-National Limousine offers limo service and operates shuttles for airline crews. It has also been operating shuttles between the airport and Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead on an interim basis since the airport ended a contract for shuttles by Atlanta Link in August 2010.
The city solicited proposals for the work in 2011, then said this month that it would rebid the contract.
Jeff Greene, president of Greene Classic Limousines and the Greater Atlanta Limousine Association, said he thinks the city decided to rebid the shuttle contract because of "the pressures and the appearance of impropriety, the appearance of unfairness," along with other potential legal issues with language in the bid solicitation.
Greene also has raised concerns about a contract A-National won last year for airport curbside management to handle taxis, customer service, traffic congestion and management of the new international terminal's commercial vehicle holding lot, among other services.
He contends it's a conflict of interest to have a ground transportation operator also manage the curbside operation, in part because it opens up the possibility of that company directing customers to its own limos and shuttles.
Greene's association hired a law firm to address that and other issues.
"All we want is a level playing field," Greene said.
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