Apr 07, 2025 Work Session & City Commission

[00:00:03]

ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM.

[WORK SESSION – 7:00 P.M.]

AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF TONIGHT, I AM THE NEW COORDINATOR FOR DECATUR 101.

AND TONIGHT I AM HERE. I HAVE A FEW MEMBERS FROM THE 2025 DECATUR 101 CLASS.

AND ONE THING TO NOTE THAT I FOUND OUT DECATUR 101 STARTED IN THE YEAR 2000.

AND SO THAT MEANS WE ARE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF DECATUR 101 THIS YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] IT WAS IN THE FIRST CLASS. WE HAD ONE PERSON IN THE FIRST CLASS.

OH YES. WOW. EVERY 25 YEARS LIKE CLOCKWORK. AND BETWEEN THE MORNING AND EVENING CLASSES, WE HAD ABOUT 52 FOLKS WHO WERE CONSISTENTLY PARTICIPATING IN DECATUR 101 THIS YEAR.

THIS COHORT INCLUDED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD JUST MOVED TO THE CITY LESS THAN A MONTH AT THE START OF THE CLASS.

AND THEN WE HAVE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

AND AS YOU HEARD, WE HAD ONE PERSON THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE VERY FIRST CLASS OF DECATUR 101.

THE COHORT KICKED OFF THE PROGRAM WITH THE EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM LEARNING ABOUT ALL OF OUR EFFORTS AROUND COMMUNICATIONS ENGAGEMENT AND THE EQUITY WORK.

AND THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH EACH DEPARTMENT.

AND THEY ALSO, LIKE IN THE PAST, HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR BUILDINGS CITY BUILDINGS.

THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO LEARN ABOUT ALL OF OUR GREAT PLANS AND HOW WE ARE EXECUTING THOSE.

AND ALSO, THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE INPUT TO THE PARKS AND REC TEAM AROUND THE OAKHURST PARK UPDATES. AND THEN, JUST LIKE IN THE PAST, THEY PARTICIPATED IN THE SMART GROWTH WALKING TOUR.

AND THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAD A CEMETERY WALKING TOUR LED BY RHONDA WILDMAN, WHO IS ALSO ONE OF THE CLASS MEMBERS IN THE EVENING CLASS.

SO THAT WAS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE CLASS THIS YEAR.

AND THEY EXPERIENCE MUCH, MUCH MORE. AND I WILL SAY THIS CLASS HAS SET THE BAR FOR MY FIRST CLASS.

THEY WERE SO GREAT. IT'S BEEN AMAZING AND JUST PARTICIPATING IN THOSE CLASSES AND SEEING THE ENTHUSIASM FROM THE PARTICIPANT, IT JUST IT GAVE ME JOY. AND I WISH CLAIRE MILLER WAS HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE CLAIRE PRESENTED DURING THE FIRST CLASS WITH ME, AND SHE EXPRESSED THAT JUST AS A CITY EMPLOYEE, TO HEAR THE FEEDBACK FROM THE RESIDENTS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS, IT WAS JUST LIKE HEARTFELT. WE BOTH FELT LIKE JUST SO OVERWHELMED AND SO GRATEFUL TO BE TO WORK IN THE CITY WITH FOLKS WHO CARED SO MUCH NOT ONLY FOR THE CITY, BUT CARED SO MUCH ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES.

AND JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, THE CLASS ENDED WITH THE GRADUATION OVER AT THE HAMPTON INN AND SUITES.

SO WE DO HAVE A FEW MEMBERS HERE IN PERSON, AND I BELIEVE WE MAY HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS ONLINE.

AND SO I THINK, IF Y'ALL DON'T MIND, I WOULD LIKE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND SHARE HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN IN THE CITY. I CAN GO FIRST. I'M LINDA VALLEROY.

I CAME TO DECATUR. I WAS WORKING IN PUBLIC HEALTH UP IN WASHINGTON, DC AND HAD A CHANCE TO JOIN THE EPIDEMIC INTELLIGENCE SERVICE AT CDC IN 1991.

AND I HAD COME DOWN FOR MEETINGS AND I HAD STAYED IN THE DECATUR HOLIDAY INN AND REALLY WANTED TO LIVE HERE.

IT REMINDED ME OF TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, ACTUALLY, WHICH I READ WHEN I WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD.

AND SO I REALLY WANTED TO LIVE HERE, AND I'VE LIVED HERE NOW SINCE 1991, AND I'M ALWAYS REALLY, REALLY GLAD TO LIVE HERE. AND I'VE PARTICIPATED IN A LOT OF THINGS, AND I WAS IN THAT FIRST CLASS IN 2000.

I DON'T REMEMBER A LOT ABOUT IT, BUT THIS WAS GREAT.

AND SHE TALKED ABOUT THE JOY THAT IT GAVE HER TO SEE THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASS, BUT ALSO AS A STUDENT IN THE CLASS.

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE ENTHUSIASM OF EVERY SEGMENT OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE TALKED TO AND WE WERE EXPOSED TO AND THEIR COMMITMENT.

AND SO IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM. AND NEXT. I THINK THINGS HAVE MAYBE CHANGED SOME IN 20 YEARS, TOO. SO JUST YOU KNOW, LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE, THE.

YEAH. SO GREAT. YEAH. MY NAME IS ANNETTE LEWIS, AND I

[00:05:01]

AND WE USED TO COME TO DECATUR BECAUSE IT WAS, THAT WAS WHERE YOU CAME TO GET YOUR SCHOOL CLOTHES AT BELK'S.

IF ANYBODY'S OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THAT. AND, AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

AND THEN I, YOU KNOW, GREW UP AND I WENT AWAY.

I LIVED IN NEW YORK AND GERMANY FOR A GOOD BIT OF TIME.

AND WHEN I CAME BACK IN THE 70S, IT WAS EARLY, EARLY WELL, 69 ACTUALLY.

I MEAN, IT WAS IT WAS LIKE A GHOST TOWN WITH, YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY TERRIBLE.

AND THEN I WAS TEACHING AT ATLANTA BALLET, AND A LOT OF TIMES KIDS NEEDED A RIDE HOME.

AND I TOOK A KID HOME THAT LIVED IN DECATUR. AND I THOUGHT, OH, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, I'LL HAVE TO ROLL UP MY WINDOWS AND STUFF.

AND I CAME THROUGH AND IT WAS LIKE, WOW IT'S LOOKING GOOD.

THIS WAS LIKE IN THE 80S AND YEAH AND THEN I LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS FOR A LONG TIME, BUT I'VE BEEN HERE FOR TWO YEARS.

BACK IN DECATUR, I CAN'T SEE WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE, SO I CAN'T GO BACK AND FORTH ANYMORE.

SO I THOUGHT, WELL, I NEED TO LIVE IN A CITY, AND THIS IS IT.

AND IT WAS, IT'S JUST BEEN DELIGHTFUL. I TRIED A FEW OTHER PLACES FIRST, BUT, YOU KNOW, CAME ON BACK TO DECATUR.

AND JUST LIKE LINDA SAID, THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN THAT WERE TEACHING US AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES.

THAT WAS THAT JUST MADE IT. AND OF COURSE, RENEE'S ADORABLE AND I JUST LOVE IT.

AND I WAITED FOR A LONG TIME. I HAD READ ABOUT IT AND THEN I APPLIED AND THEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CLASS AND THEY SAID, WELL, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ONE UNTIL FEBRUARY. SO I SORT OF BOTHERED PEOPLE. EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS I WOULD CALL AND SAY, AM I STILL ON THAT LIST? SO I LOVE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND WELCOME BACK. TEAMWORK.

WE'RE PAIR. SO TEAM WILL COME UP. I'M DON LANG, I'M ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH LANG.

WE MOVED HERE IN OCTOBER. SO WE'RE ONE OF THE NEW RESIDENTS OF DECATUR FROM JOHNS CREEK.

WE HAVE BEEN IN JOHNS CREEK FOR 33 YEARS. AND HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION WE WANTED TO STOP DRIVING EVERYWHERE. WE HAD TO GO. AND SO WE MADE A DETERMINED PLAN TO GO TO A WALKABLE CITY. AND WE LOOKED AROUND THE AREA AND FOUND A HOUSE IN DECATUR THAT WE LOVED AND MADE AN OFFER THAT WEEKEND. AND WE WERE DONE, AND SO WE'VE LEFT THE CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY MOST OF THE TIME SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR. AND I'LL ECHO WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT CITY EMPLOYEES.

NOT ONLY I FOUND EVERYONE TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC AND IN WHAT THEY SHARED, BUT REALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND INFORMATIVE. REAL EXPERTS, COMPETENT, CERTAINLY COMPETENT PEOPLE.

AND I'LL HAVE TO SAY, I DON'T ALWAYS SEE THAT WHEN I'VE BEEN IN OTHER CITY KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS ON BUILDING A HIGH QUALITY TEAM.

THAT WAS MY WORK OVER THE YEARS WAS AROUND TALENT SELECTION AND TALENT MANAGEMENT AND SO FORTH.

SO WHEN I SEE TOP TALENT, THAT'S. I'M REALLY IMPRESSED.

SO CONGRATULATIONS THAT I'VE SEEN OF GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS.

I MEAN, Y'ALL MAY BE HIDING IT ALL FROM US, BUT YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

BUT WHEN I THINK OF FELIX THE CAT LEADING US AROUND PUBLIC WORKS, THAT'S WHO HE TOLD ME HE WAS.

FELIX THE CAT. OKAY. I THOUGHT SUCH A WHAT YOU WOULD THINK WOULD BE A BORING TOUR.

IT WAS VERY, VERY GOOD AND EXCITING. AND I FEEL LIKE I'M COMING BACK HOME IN A BIT BECAUSE I WENT TO AGNES SCOTT YEARS AGO.

SO I'VE BEEN COMING BACK AND FORTH TO DECATUR A LOT AND WE LOVE IT.

IT'S A AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY I THINK IS PRETTY AMAZING.

TERRIFIC. YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING TO. WELL. GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS EDUARDO SANTIAGO. I'VE BEEN HERE NOW FIVE YEARS.

I THINK PRE-PANDEMIC I TOLD THIS STORY TO TONI AND THE GRADUATION.

WE USED TO LIVE IN STOCKBRIDGE BEFORE THAT, AND WE ALWAYS USED TO COME TO DECATUR AND HANG OUT.

I MEAN, THAT WAS JUST ME AND MY WIFE BACK THEN. WE DIDN'T HAVE OUR LITTLE ONE, WHICH WE HAVE NOW, BUT WE ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE DECATUR. AND JUST EVERY WEEKEND WE WOULD DRIVE THE 45 MINUTES. AND FOR SOME REASON WE ALWAYS WANTED TO HANG OUT HERE. SO WORK MOVED US AROUND.

WE WENT DOWN TO THE SAVANNAH AREA AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY WE'RE COMING BACK FOR WORK AGAIN.

[00:10:05]

THAT'S WHERE WE HANG OUT THAT WE REALLY LIKED THAT SPOT.

SO WE RUSHED IN. WE ALMOST DIDN'T FIND A HOUSE.

SCHOOL WAS ABOUT TO START AND IT WAS A BIG MESS.

BUT BY GOLLY, WE'RE LIKE, NO, WE'RE GOING TO LIVE HERE SOMEHOW.

AND WE MADE IT HAPPEN, AND I DO NOT, WELL, MY WHOLE FAMILY DOES NOT REGRET THE DECISION AT ALL.

WE HAVE A TEN YEAR OLD NOW. SHE ABSOLUTELY ADORES THIS CITY.

WE ADORE THIS CITY. YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GREAT. OUR NEIGHBORS, SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NEVER THOUGHT TO BE IN MY LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN I MOVE.

IT WAS MY NEIGHBORS. I JUST MOVED IN A HEARTBEAT WITH THE NEIGHBORS.

LIKE OUR COMMUNITY AROUND US IS JUST LIKE NOW.

IT'S IN THE TOP. IT'S LIKE, DO WE WANT TO LEAVE THIS AREA? NO, I DON'T THINK SO. SO, IT'S JUST BEEN AN AMAZING THING.

AND LIKE I SAID, THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GREAT. THE FAMILY LOVES IT.

KELLY, I THINK OUR SECOND WEEK THERE, SHE BROUGHT US MUFFINS OR CUPCAKES, AND IT WAS JUST LIKE, WOW, WHO DOES THAT? AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW EVEN BACK THEN, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHE DID OR ALL THAT STUFF.

SHE JUST DROPPED US LIKE, OH, THIS IS GREAT. BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, I LEARNED SO.

SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE WE LOVE THE CITY, WE LOVE THE PEOPLE.

AND AT THIS POINT, I JUST WANT TO FIND WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I'M HERE ALSO. SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. SO EITHER I DID A REALLY GOOD JOB AND THE REST OF THE TEAM DID A REALLY GOOD JOB THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE, BUT I AM GOING TO ASK THE FOLKS HERE IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY COMMISSION.

AND IF YOU DO, YOU MAY COME UP AND FOR YOU ALL.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT TOO.

SO MAYBE WE SHOULD IF THERE'S ANYONE ONLINE THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM FIRST.

SO AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE QUESTIONS.

SO I SEE I THINK FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE HERE. SO IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING ONLINE, IF YOU CAN RAISE A VIRTUAL HAND, WE WILL UNMUTE YOU. AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE A COMMENT, TELL US SOMETHING YOU ENJOYED ABOUT BEING IN THE CLASS. SO WE'LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO TO DO THAT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S PAM. SO WE WILL UNMUTE. I THINK YOU'RE UNMUTED FROM OUR END.

THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT. HI, PAM. HI. HELLO. I AM, I MOVED TO DECATUR A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

I CAME I MOST RECENTLY FROM FLORIDA. I CAME AFTER HURRICANE IAN, AND I DID MY RESEARCH, AND I WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR A PLACE WHERE I COULD MOVE AND STAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND AGE HERE.

SO I WAS LOOKING FOR TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE, DIVERSITY WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.

WALKABILITY, GREEN SPACES CLOSE TO A METRO AREA.

AND I LOVE THE SMALL TOWN FEEL OF DECATUR. SO I JUST LOVE BEING HERE.

I LOVE DECATUR 101. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I'VE LEARNED, AND I THINK I'M GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD AMBASSADOR.

I'M PRETTY MUCH DRIVING EVERYONE CRAZY THAT I KNOW HERE, TELLING THEM ALL THE FACTS THAT I'VE LEARNED.

AND THEY'RE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT LEARNING ABOUT DECATUR ALSO.

AND I ALSO HAVE BEEN SERVING ON THE LIFELONG COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD, AND THAT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE HERE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. LET'S SEE IF ANYONE ELSE THAT IS JOINING US ONLINE.

WE'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER MINUTE OR SO. IF YOU WANT TO YOU CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF.

AND YOU PAM WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TURN ON HER CAMERA, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

SO BUT IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT YOU CAN LET US KNOW BY RAISING YOUR VIRTUAL HAND AND WE WILL UNMUTE YOU.

OR IF YOU WANT TO JUST LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE CONVERSATION, THAT'S FINE TOO.

WE'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER MINUTE. ALL RIGHT. I DON'T SEE ANY.

IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING, YOU CAN RAISE YOUR HAND, AND WE WILL CALL ON YOU IN A BIT, IF THAT.

IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK OR A COMMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE.

SO AND I WILL SAY TO RENEE, OH, I WAS LIKE, WHERE'S RENEE?

[00:15:02]

AND AS I TOLD MY THE MORNING CLASS THAT THEY PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS, AND WE HAVE A REALLY HARD GRADING SYSTEM.

SO BUT I HAVE TO SAY, THE MOST QUESTIONS I GOT WERE, WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE OF THESE GOING TO HAPPEN? SO THAT I CAN TELL MY NEIGHBORS, I MEAN, THEY WANTED A DATE LAST WEEK AS TO WHEN, AND I SAID RENAE IS THE BEST PERSON TO ASK THAT QUESTION, BUT I ASSURED THEM THAT IT WOULD BE COMING BACK.

YES. SO THE NEXT CLASS WILL START NEXT FEBRUARY, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE SIGNING UP FOR THE 2026 CLASS.

SO I TELL PEOPLE TO GO AHEAD AND SUBMIT THEIR INTEREST FORMS NOW SO THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND GET THEM ON THE LIST.

OKAY. AND THAT'S ONLINE THEY CAN FIND. YES. YEP.

AND I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE I SEND IT TO BECAUSE THE GRADUATES HAVE ASKED FOR THAT LINK OR HOW TO SHARE IT.

AND SO I'M MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE IT AS WELL.

AND THEN THERE WILL BE SOMETHING IN THE JULY AUGUST FOCUS ISSUE WITH INFORMATION OF HOW TO SIGN UP FOR DECATUR 101.

WELL, I THINK THE ENTHUSIASM THAT WE HAVE HEARD TONIGHT WAS VERY MUCH EVIDENT FROM THE PARTICIPANTS.

WHEN I MET WITH THEM AND I THINK THEY, REALLY COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY LEARNED THAT WERE ALMOST THAT WERE SOME THAT WERE UNEXPECTED, LIKE GOING TO PUBLIC WORKS THINKING THAT WAS GOING TO BE A BORING TOUR.

AND FINDING OUT WE HAVE A LOVELY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND GREAT PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE.

AND SO A LOT TO SEE. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE WHAT THE, WHAT PEOPLE TYPICALLY THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS, BUT AND I'VE NOT HEARD FELIX THE CAT BEFORE, BUT I LIKE IT.

LEAN INTO THAT, LEAN INTO IT. SO WE'LL HAVE TO SPEAK TO HIM ABOUT THAT.

SO I'LL OPEN IT UP IF ANYBODY IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO COME UP AND ASK A QUESTION.

AND I'LL ALSO OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE IF YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS OR MAYBE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY, I WAS GOING TO SAY I GOT TO, YOU KNOW, SPEND MY TIME WITH THE EVENING CLASS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS AMAZING TO GET THE RANGE OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY FROM, YOU KNOW, A FEW MONTHS TO, YOU KNOW, 20 PLUS YEARS. IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE COUPLES.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WHAT THIS REALLY DOES IS IT CREATES NEW AMBASSADORS.

AND I THINK SOMEONE SAID THAT EARLIER, IT'S JUST YOU'RE THE GREATEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION GOING FORWARD, THAT YOU GET OTHER PEOPLE ENERGIZED. BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THIS QUEST TO LEARN MORE, RIGHT? AND SO NOW WE GOT YOU PLUGGED IN, AND WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

AND WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, JUST BEING THERE TO BE THOSE GREAT AMBASSADORS.

AND I HOPE THAT IT WAS AS MEANINGFUL FOR YOU GUYS, BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO US THAT YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CITY, WHETHER YOU'VE BEEN HERE A MONTH OR YOU'VE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW, A THOUSAND MONTHS.

SO. I MEAN I THINK ONE THING I REALLY LIKE ABOUT DECATUR 101, I TALK A LOT ABOUT KIND OF TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY WITH GOVERNMENT, AND HOW THERE'S JUST A LACK OF TRUST AND JUST GROWING FOR OUR INSTITUTIONS.

AND 25 YEARS AGO, DECATUR SET FORTH AND SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP OUR CITY.

WE'RE GOING TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW IT WORKS AND BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND I THINK IT REALLY IS JUST A MODEL FOR HOW YOU BUILD COMMUNITY AND HOW YOU BUILD TRUST.

AND IT IS A TWO WAY STREET. SO WE CREATE THE PROGRAM AND INVITE FOLKS IN.

BUT THANK YOU GUYS FOR, YOU KNOW, STEPPING IN AND WORKING WITH US AND BEING PART OF THAT COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP.

AND AS THE MAYOR PRO TEM SAID, PLEASE BE THAT AMBASSADOR AND BUILD THAT TRUST.

BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, IF WE DON'T HAVE TRUST, WE CAN'T GET THINGS DONE.

SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR PARTICIPATING AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE GOOD AMBASSADORS FOR US.

SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HEARD THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM WAS PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAYS CAN THEY GET INVOLVED.

SO WE HAD OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSION DAY. WE TALKED ABOUT WAYS OF OTHER, YOU KNOW, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.

WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD YOU GIVE PARTICIPANTS ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE? I THINK THAT'S FOR ME. WELL, SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ALREADY OFF TO A GOOD START WITH PARTICIPATING IN SOME OF THE BOARDS. BUT I WILL SAY ONE THING ABOUT DECATUR IS THAT THERE ARE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER IN THINGS THAT REALLY PIQUE YOUR INTEREST. SO SPECIFICALLY WITH THE ARTS, THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER WITH PERFORMANCES,

[00:20:07]

IF YOU ARE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN NUMBERS.

I KNOW I LOVE TO HEAR FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THAT BUDGET WITH ME.

WHO ARE OPINING ON WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF OR LESS OF.

AND THAT IS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL TO ME AND TO US.

THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO, YOU KNOW, VOLUNTEER AND THEN HANG OUT FOR THE EVENT AFTERWARD.

IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, WE'VE GOT THE BOOK FESTIVAL.

IF YOU LOVE WINE, WE'VE GOT THE WINE FESTIVAL.

IF YOU LIKE BEER, WE'VE GOT A BEER FESTIVAL. WE'VE GOT A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYTHING.

BUT THOSE FESTIVALS DON'T RUN WITHOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TIME.

AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAS MADE DECATUR COOL ALL THESE DECADES.

PEOPLE COME TO DECATUR FOR OUR EVENTS. THEY COME TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND THEN THEY STAY.

SO AND AND WHAT MAKES THOSE EVENTS SO SPECIAL IS THEY FEEL LIKE COMMUNITY EVENTS.

THEY FEEL PARTICIPATORY AND THEY FEEL WELCOMING TO ALL.

SO IF YOU DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER FOR ANY EVENT THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WE CAN MAKE A SPACE FOR YOU FOR SURE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUILDING ON THAT, LIKE, FIND YOUR PASSION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD NONPROFITS HERE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THE UNHOUSED. WE HAVE NONPROFITS WORKING OUT OF DECATUR LEGACY PARK.

WE HAVE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. WE HAVE THE DECATUR HISTORY CENTER.

I MEAN, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE WITH GOVERNMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY GREAT NONPROFITS HERE IN DECATUR. YOU CAN WORK WITH DECATUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION. SO, YEAH, FIND YOUR PASSION AND THERE'S PROBABLY SOMEBODY WORKING ON AN INDICATOR.

ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM IS ABOUT THE CITY'S VALUES, AND HOW DO WE STAY TRUE TO THE CITY'S VALUES, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL ARE THINKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THAT? WELL, IT'S DEFINITELY ABOUT THE EQUITY WORK. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S UNDER ASSAULT IN SEEMINGLY EVERY CORNER.

WE WOULDN'T GET WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE WITHOUT VALUING EVERYBODY.

AND EVERYBODY'S GOT A CONTRIBUTION, RIGHT? AND, YOU KNOW, IF I WANTED TO LIVE IN A CITY THAT LOOKED VERY PLAIN OR THERE WAS ALL OF ONE OR NONE OF THE OTHER, YOU KNOW, I WANT SOME DIVERSITY IN MY CITY, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT'S AGE OR INCOME OR, YOU KNOW, SEXUAL STUFF, YOU NAME IT, DECATUR HAS IT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON THOSE PRINCIPLES.

AND WE SEEM TO BE GETTING AWAY FROM THAT. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S CONSIDERED A BAD THING.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY STRUGGLE WITH THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

LIKE, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THOSE VALUES ARE WHAT KEEPS ME SITTING HERE AND WHAT KEEPS US GROUNDED IN THE WORK THAT WE DO, BECAUSE AT OUR CORE, THAT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE IN.

I THINK YOU KNOW, TO THE MAYOR PRO TEM POINT.

WE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE A A WALK FRIENDLY CITY. WE'RE A BIKE FRIENDLY CITY.

WE'RE AN AGE FRIENDLY CITY. AND WE JUST RECEIVED THE DESIGNATION OF CHILD FRIENDLY CITY BY UNICEF.

AND SO I THINK WE'RE A WELCOMING CITY, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE DO TO EMBRACE THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME HERE ARE THINGS THAT WE ALL BELIEVE IN AND THAT WE WE DON'T JUST DO IT TO GET A PLAQUE OR TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE BUT IF WE IF WE BELIEVE IN IT AND THIS BODY DOES AND WE THINK OUR, OUR COMMUNITY VERY MUCH DOES, THEN WE WANT THE CITY TO REFLECT THOSE VALUES FROM IN INTERNALLY WITH THE STAFF AS WELL AS EXTERNALLY WITH OUR COMMUNITY. AND I THINK WE WILL CONTINUE TO SAY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS REALLY THE CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE, AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FEEL AND WE WANT TO BE.

AS COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY SAID, FIND SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND CONNECT WITH IT.

AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF CITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.

AND BUT WE HAVE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL. AND YOU'VE SEEN SO MANY, YOU'VE SEEN THE FACILITIES.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, SORT OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER AND, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATE IN ART OPENINGS, TAKE A CLASS IN THE ARTIST VILLAGE AREA AT LEGACY, IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, OR IF YOU WANT TO LEARN TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AT THE FRANK HAMILTON SCHOOL OF MUSIC, OR WE HOPE THAT YOU'VE SEEN THE WIDE RANGE OF

[00:25:10]

AND I THINK JUST GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS AND IS SOMETHING THAT WE LIFT UP AND FIND THAT PEOPLE DO WE HAVE PORCHES, WE TALK TO OUR NEIGHBORS, WE MEET PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, DOWNTOWN DECATUR FOR FESTIVALS OR JUST TO COME IN ON A, YOU KNOW, A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT OR AFTERNOON AND JUST HANG OUT.

IT'S JUST A FUN PLACE TO KIND OF BE. AND IN THE SQUARE IN OAKHURST AND, YOU KNOW GET TO KNOW ALL OF THE LIKE THE PLACES THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO GATHER IN THE, IN THE CITY.

AND, AND ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO GIVE US FEEDBACK WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING OR YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SOMETHING AND, YOU KNOW, THE STAFF PEOPLE TO CONTACT. BUT WE'RE ALSO, YOU KNOW, YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND IF YOU YOU KNOW, ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ANY OF US.

AND SO AND THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I GO TO CHURCH WITH DON AND ELIZABETH AND UNSOLICITED, THEY CAME UP TO ME BEFORE WE HAD GRADUATION JUST TO TELL ME WHAT A GREAT CLASS IT WAS AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE ENJOYING IT.

SO AND I THINK THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, AS ALL OF YOU.

I THINK WILL, TO GET YOUR NEIGHBORS TO COME. AND EVEN IF IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE YOU'VE TAKEN IT, I THINK WE I THINK PEOPLE YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND PUTTING TOGETHER AN INFORMATIVE AND FUN. I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER BIG PIECE OF DECATUR 101.

YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE, LIKE, GOING BACK AND, YOU KNOW, TO A CLASS WHERE IT'S BORING, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY. AND AS A PART OF THE LEARNING AND SNACKS AND WE KNOW.

WE KNOW HOW TO FEED PEOPLE, RIGHT. SO BUT THANK YOU.

ONE LAST QUESTION. AS WE PREPARE TO CLOSE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ASK PARTICIPANTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT MAKES DECATUR SPECIAL TO YOU? THE PEOPLE? YEAH. DEFINITELY COMMUNITY. WELL, THAT'S MY ANSWER, TOO.

[LAUGHTER] SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE UP HERE, IS WE LOVE THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE.

SO BUT YEAH, I WOULD JUST, I WOULD AGREE. I'LL SAY WALKABILITY.

I MEAN, IT JUST IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL PLACE. WE DON'T NEED A CAR TO LIVE, WHICH IS GREAT.

YOU CAN SEE THE TREES. RIGHT. THOSE TWO, CLEARLY THEY NEED IMPROVEMENT.

THEY CAN PROBABLY ANSWER BETTER THAN I CAN. SO IT'S AN ENJOYABLE WALK BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME TREES.

ANDREA. OH I MEAN, IT'S THE PEOPLE, BUT FOR ME, IT'S THE PEOPLE I GET TO COME TO WORK WITH EVERY DAY.

I MEAN, THAT IS THAT'S WHAT GETS ME UP AND GETS ME GOING EVERY DAY IS THE TEAM THAT I HAVE HERE.

SO AND THAT'S THE TEAM THAT THE PARTICIPANTS GOT TO MEET.

AND IT JUST IT MADE ME SO PROUD TO HEAR THOSE WORDS ABOUT THIS REALLY DYNAMITE TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE.

I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS FOR SIGNING UP AND LETTING ME KNOW THAT THEY HAD A GREAT TIME, AND LETTING ME KNOW IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME, NOT LETTING ME KNOW IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME. AND I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE DECATUR 101 PROGRAM.

AND THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE FOR THIS EVENING. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.

YOU ARE ALL FREE TO STAY FOR OUR MEETING IF YOU WOULD LIKE OR IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAY.

WE WILL CONVENE THE MEETING NOW, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

IT IS TIME TO DO SO. SO ALL RIGHT. I'D LIKE TO

[I. Call to Order by Mayor.]

[II. Approval of the Minutes.]

[00:30:02]

[III. Proclamation.]

SO WHEREAS EARTH DAY IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON APRIL 22ND, COMMEMORATES THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT AND SERVES AS A GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AIMED AT DRIVING LOCAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND COMBAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS. AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DECATUR'S VISION, AS ESTABLISHED IN THE 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN, IS TO FOSTER AN EQUITABLE, THRIVING AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR ALL TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.

AND WHEREAS ACHIEVING THAT VISION REQUIRES A HEALTHY AND THRIVING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN ADAPT TO, RECOVER FROM AND FLOURISH IN THE FACE OF ANTHROPOGENIC CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF DECATUR IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT CONSERVE, CONSERVE RESOURCES, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ADDRESS ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

IN ORDER TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE, JUST AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DECATUR HAS ADOPTED AMBITIOUS GOALS TO EQUITABLY AND EFFICIENTLY TRANSITION TO 100% CLEAN ENERGY, INCLUDING THE GOAL TO SUPPLY 100% OF COMMUNITY WIDE ELECTRICITY DEMAND WITH CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2035. AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DECATUR HAS ADOPTED A BOLD TREE CANOPY COVERAGE GOAL FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HELP COMBAT THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSERVE AND ENHANCE DECATUR'S KEY NATURAL RESOURCES.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF DECATUR IS HOSTING AN EARTH DAY CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2025 AT DECATUR LEGACY PARK, WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO LEARN ABOUT THE ACTIONS THE CITY IS TAKING TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. HEAR ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED AND CELEBRATE THE EARTH THAT WE ALL CALL HOME.

NOW, THEREFORE, I PATTI GARRETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR.

THE CITY OF HOMES, SCHOOLS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 2025 AS EARTH MONTH AND ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US IN CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES, REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS BY ELECTRIFYING AND IMPROVING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF HOMES AND BUILDINGS, AND REDUCING CONSUMPTION AND WASTE AND ELECTRIFYING TRANSPORTATION, AND OPTING FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.

SO I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING AS WE LOOK AT TONIGHT'S AGENDA, AND CERTAINLY AS WE CELEBRATE EARTH MONTH AND CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES IN SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY. SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THAT PROCLAMATION.

SO NEXT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER.

[IV. Presentations.]

HELLO, GOOD PEOPLE AND VIEWERS AT HOME. HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL AND STAYING DRY IN THIS RAINY WEATHER.

IT CLEARS UP AND THEN IT GOES BACK TO BEING RAINY.

BUT GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I AM PLEASED TO INTRODUCE, THOUGH YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN HIM AROUND, YOU'VE MET THEM MULTIPLE TIMES THIS BUSY PAST THREE WEEKS GOING ON IN PARKS AND RECREATION, BUT I WANT TO INTRODUCE KEITH STRONG AS OUR NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.

KEITH WILL BE LEADING THE RECREATION DIVISION, WHICH INCLUDES CENTERS OUT OF SCHOOL TIME, ATHLETICS AND AQUATICS. HE BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN FACILITY MANAGEMENT, ATHLETICS AND COMMUNITY CENTERED PROGRAMING, MAKING HIM A VALUABLE ADDITION TO OUR TEAM. SO AGAIN, YOU'VE SEEN HIM AROUND, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF SOME PEOPLE HAVE HIS BACKGROUND, BUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT KEITH. HE JOINS US FROM ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LEISURE SERVICES, WHERE HE SERVED AS FACILITY AND ATHLETIC SUPERVISOR, LEADING FACILITY OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMING.

PRIOR TO THAT, AS AN ATHLETIC SUPERVISOR FOR GWINNETT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION, HE WORKED CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENHANCE SPORTS PROGRAMS AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. HIS BACKGROUND ALSO INCLUDES MANAGING AQUATIC AND RECREATION FACILITIES AS AQUATIC MANAGER AND CENTER MANAGER FOR CLAYTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION.

KEITH OVERSAW THE STEVE LUNDQUIST. THAT'S A BIG WORD RIGHT THERE, AQUATIC CENTER.

SUPERVISING LIFEGUARDS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHILE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING RECREATION AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.

[00:35:05]

AND HE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT SERVE OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY HERE.

SO HE HAS BEGUN WITH US, BUT HE IS IN FULL SWING.

BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT WE'RE GOING INTO THE SUMMER SEASON.

SO KEITH IS ON BOARD WITH US. SO ANYTIME YOU NEED ANYTHING, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND REACH OUT TO US ANYTIME.

WELL, WELCOME. GLAD TO BE HERE. IF YOU'LL STEP TO THE MICROPHONE.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. AND I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF BEING WITH THE CITY OF DECATUR.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU AND WELCOME. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT A SPECIAL EVENT. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES.

[V. Special Event Alcoholic Beverage Licenses.]

YOU MAY RECALL AT OUR LAST MEETING THAT YOU UPDATED OUR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR READY TO DRINK BEVERAGES.

AND THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR PRO TEM, WHO POINTED OUT THAT EVEN PRIOR TO THAT, WE HAD APPROVED SOME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES, SOME TEMPORARY LICENSES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND THOSE SPECIAL EVENTS.

WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO SELL THE READY TO DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

SO WE DO NEED TO AMEND OR MODIFY THOSE TEMPORARY LICENSES THAT WERE ISSUED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

SO ONE OF THOSE IS FOR AMPLIFIED MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND THAT WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH AND SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH. AND THAT LICENSEE IS AMPLIFY MY COMMUNITY.

THEY WERE ALREADY APPROVED FOR BEER AND WINE.

AND SO WE'RE MODIFYING THEIR LICENSE TO ADD THE READY TO DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, AND THEN ALSO THE DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL.

AND THAT LICENSEE IS IT'S AN ARTS ALLIANCE EVENT.

THE LICENSEE IS ACTUALLY PREMIER EVENTS AND THAT IS FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MAY 2ND THROUGH MAY 4TH.

AGAIN, THEY WERE APPROVED FOR BEER AND WINE. AND THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO MODIFY THEIR LICENSE TO ADD THE READY TO DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE.

SO THAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION TO MODIFY THE LICENSES FOR THOSE TWO EVENTS.

TO ADD THE READY TO DRINK LICENSE. ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR MISS ARNOLD? DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MODIFICATION TO THE TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT? ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES FOR BOTH AMPLIFY MY COMMUNITY FOR THE AMPLIFIED MUSIC FESTIVAL AND THE DECATUR ARTS ALLIANCE FOR THE DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL. SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? THE CHAIR VOTES.

AYE. AND THAT MODIFICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED.

IN THE JUST IN TIME ALMOST FOR. WE'VE GOT AMPLIFY COMING UP SOON.

SO NEXT WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ACTION ITEMS TO CONSIDER THIS EVENING.

THE SPLOST TWO BOND RESOLUTION FOR FINANCING OF THE DECATUR SQUARE TRANSFORMATION.

WE HAVE EASEMENTS FOR THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH.

PHASE THREE FOR THE VILLAGE AT LEGACY. FOR THE LEGACY TWO, AND THEN THE EASEMENTS FOR SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH PHASE THREE. AND WE HAVE THE DECATUR SQUARE TRANSFORMATION PROJECT FOR MATERIALS TESTING, SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES.

WE HAVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT AND THEN THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES FOR ENERGY SAVING PERFORMANCE CONTRACT. THANKS TO MR. NIFONG FOR GIVING ME A MOUTHFUL AS WELL AS OTHERS FOR OUR AGENDA ACTION ITEM. SO WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE FLOOR FOR ANYONE WHO IS PRESENT IN OUR MEETING.

IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE FOR ANY OF THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, NOW IS THE TIME TO PLEASE COME FORWARD.

STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT.

WE'LL STATE THAT WE DO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT TOWARD THE END OF THE MEETING FOR UNDER REQUESTS AND PETITIONS THAT ARE NOT HAVING TO DO WITH THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. SEEING NONE, WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO THOSE WHO ARE PARTICIPATING ONLINE.

AND IF THERE'S ANYONE ONLINE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT ANY AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, IF YOU WILL RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL HAND. WE WILL UNMUTE YOU AND ASK YOU TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

[00:40:10]

AND WE WILL NOW BEGIN OUR AGENDA ACTION ITEMS.

[VII.A. SPLOST II Bond Resolution for Financing of the Decatur Square Transformation.]

SO I THINK WE HAVE I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MISS ARNOLD, BUT I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME EXPERTS IN THE ROOM WITH US AS WELL.

WE DO. SO THANK YOU, MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS. TONIGHT I AM VERY EXCITED TO BRING THIS RECOMMENDATION FORWARD.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. TONIGHT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION R-25-XX THAT PROVIDES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS. GENERAL OBLIGATION SALES TAX BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE $8.5 MILLION BUDGETED DECATUR SQUARE TRANSFORMATION CAPITAL PROJECT AND THE BONDS.

THE SOURCE OF REPAYMENT OF THESE BONDS IS SALES TAX PROCEEDS.

THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH A PRESENTATION SHORTLY.

JUST A REMINDER, BACK IN 2023 DEKALB COUNTY AND THE VOTERS OF THE CITY OF DECATUR DID APPROVE CONTINUING THE E HOST EQUALIZED HOMESTEAD OPTION SALES TAX, ALSO RENEWED THE SIX YEAR SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX.

OTHERWISE NOW KNOWN AS SPLOST TWO. AND THE SPLOST FUNDS OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAPITAL FUNDING.

CAPITAL OUTLAY. WE'RE EXPECTING JUST OVER $30,000,500 TO BE GENERATED BY SPLOST TWO OVER THOSE SIX YEARS.

OF THAT 30,500,000 11.5 MILLION IS ALREADY EARMARKED TO COVER DEBT SERVICE FOR PAST CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE REC CENTER, THE FIRE STATION, ONE, THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, AND THE BEACON MUNICIPAL CENTER.

THAT DOES LEAVE A BALANCE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SQUARE.

AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THOSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DO INCLUDE A NEW PERFORMING ARTS STAGE, RESTROOM FACILITIES, A CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA. EXPANDING AMENITIES ONTO NORTH MCDONOUGH STREET, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES TO THE MARTA PLAZA LANDSCAPING AND HARDSCAPING AND THE CONTRACTOR WAS SELECTED BY THIS BODY AT A PRIOR MEETING. JHC CORPORATION, THEY'RE READY TO GO AND WE EXPECT THIS PROJECT TO TAKE ABOUT TEN MONTHS. WE DID WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

AND COURTNEY ROGERS IS HERE FROM DAVENPORT, AS WELL AS CHRISTOPHER HOLT AND ALSO TERRY FINISTER.

IT'S ALSO OUR BOND COUNSEL. AND THIS PLUS SOME OTHER CITY STAFF REPRESENTS THE TEAM THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN.

AND SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COURTNEY FOR THE PRESENTATION AND SOME REALLY GOOD.

WE REALLY NEED SOME GOOD FINANCIAL NEWS TODAY.

THOSE OF US WHO ARE GETTING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT TO YOU. INDEED, I UNDERSTAND.

THANK YOU, MISS ARNOLD AND MAYOR. GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

MAYOR PRO TEM AND COMMISSIONERS, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN. AND DON'T WANT TO FORGET DOUG GEPHART, WHO IS MY PARTNER, WHO WAS HERE BEFORE. HE'S ON VACATION.

SO YOU GOT THE B TEAM TONIGHT? BUT, NO, IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS AGAIN.

SO FIRST I WANT TO START OFF ON PAGE ONE THERE JUST TALKING ABOUT AS PART OF THIS, OF COURSE, WE SOLD THESE AS PUBLICLY OFFERED BONDS. WE HAD TO GO BACK THROUGH THE RATING PROCESS.

AND SO PLEASED TO REPORT THAT BOTH S&P AND MOODY'S AFFIRMED THE VERY, VERY STRONG AA1 AND AA+ ISSUER RATINGS.

YOU MIGHT RECALL WE I THINK WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WORKING WITH YOU ALL, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE THOUGHT WAS VERY IMPORTANT WAS TO PUSH THOSE RATINGS. WE HAD THEM COME TO A TOUR, AND IN FACT, WE WENT OVER TO LEON'S IN APRIL, WHERE WE TOOK THE I THINK IT WAS S&P THAT DAY.

AND SO YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL REAPING THE GAINS OF THOSE RATINGS.

ON THE NEXT PAGE TWO, JUST A QUICK SUMMARY OF KIND OF THE OBSERVATIONS.

THERE'S A LONG REPORT OF COURSE, BUT SOME OF THE OBSERVATIONS THAT MOODY'S MADE IN TERMS OF STRENGTHS, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE A VERY AFFLUENT RESIDENTIAL BASE. YOU'RE IN THE RAPIDLY GROWING ATLANTA MSA AREA, OF COURSE, HEALTHY RESERVE LEVELS. SO FINANCIALLY THINGS ARE LOOKING VERY GOOD AND VERY PRUDENT.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, I THINK THAT WE KIND OF KNEW THIS GOING IN IS UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR CHARTER ALLOWS THE SCHOOLS TO ISSUE BONDS THROUGH YOU.

AND SO UNFORTUNATELY WITH YOUR QUOTE BACKING THOSE BONDS THAT YOU GET, THEY GET COUNTED IN.

EVERY TIME WE TALK TO THE RATING AGENCIES, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SAY BUT BUT, BUT BUT THEY DON'T REALLY GIVE US CREDIT FOR THOSE REVENUES THAT THEY ARE GETTING WHEN THEY GO OUT AND TAX TO PAY THAT DEBT SERVICE.

[00:45:02]

SO THAT'S THE ONE THING THAT'S REALLY HOLDING US BACK, TO BE HONEST. TO GET UP TO THAT NEXT LEVEL IS THE IS THE DEBT AMOUNT COMBINED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT THEY HAVE. SO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'RE DOING IS VERY, VERY STRONG.

S&P ON THE NEXT PAGE VERY SIMILARLY TALKED ABOUT INCOME LEVELS.

THEY SPECIFICALLY TALK ABOUT YOUR YEAR TO DATE RESULTS LOOKING VERY STRONG. AND ON THE HEELS OF THAT, OF COURSE, YOUR RESERVES HAVE BEEN STRONG OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AS WELL.

SO THAT IS VERY STRONG RESULTS FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

AND SO WHAT THAT LEADS US TO IS, YOU KNOW, THE RATING. THE RATINGS ARE SOMETHING THAT THESE BIDDERS ARE GOING TO LOOK AT.

AND IF YOU SEE PAGE FOUR, WE HAD TEN DIFFERENT BIDDERS TODAY.

WE PUT IT OUT, AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, ON THE INTERNET, WE SET THE TIME AT 11:00 ZERO, ZERO.

WE GET ON ABOUT TEN MINUTES AHEAD AND KIND OF WATCH THE BIDS COME IN.

AND LITERALLY SOME OF THEM COME IN THE LAST FEW SECONDS.

AND SO WE SAW THREE, WE SAW FOUR. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT POPPED UP TO TEN.

BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS YOU'LL NOTICE NUMBER ONE IS AT A 284.

AND THAT IS BELOW WHAT WE WERE PROJECTING. NUMBER TEN IS AT A 388.

YOU'LL NOTICE THERE'S A 1% DIFFERENCE. THAT'S A BIG GAP.

PART OF THAT'S THE VOLATILITY WE'VE SEEN IN THE MARKETPLACE. WE SAW IT IN THE STOCK MARKET IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

WE'VE SEEN IN THE BOND MARKET. SO HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF INTERESTING NEWS.

AND WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY SHARED THIS WITH MR. ARNOLD EITHER.

SO IF WE HAD BEEN TWO HOURS LATER WE WOULD HAVE ADDED ANOTHER 20 BASIS POINTS TO THAT NUMBER BECAUSE SOMETHING CHANGED IN THE MARKET LITERALLY RIGHT AFTER WE SOLD THESE BONDS. AND SO THERE'S A YIELD CURVE THAT A FIRM PUTS OUT BY LOOKING AT ALL THE BONDS THAT TRADE IN THE DAY.

ABOUT 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON THEY PUT OUT WHAT'S THE NEW TAX EXEMPT TRIPLE A YIELD CURVE.

IT WENT UP 30 BASIS POINTS TODAY. THAT'S HAPPENED SIX TIMES SINCE 1999.

BUT WE SOLD RIGHT BEFORE THAT. SO WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF IT WE GOT HIT WITH I'LL SAY ABOUT TEN BASIS POINTS MAYBE.

AND PART OF THAT WAS WHEN WE DID COME IN THIS MORNING THE TEN YEAR TREASURY WAS UP 15 BASIS POINTS.

SO WE DIDN'T GET ALL OF IT. WE ONLY GOT ABOUT TEN BASIS POINTS. THANK GOODNESS WE DIDN'T GET THE FULL 30.

SO WE ENDED UP UNDER 3% WHICH WAS A VERY GOOD RATE.

AND WHAT THAT ENABLED US TO DO ON THE NEXT PAGE IS YOU'LL SEE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO WE'RE ABLE TO PRODUCE $8.5 MILLION FOR YOUR PROJECT AND PAY COST OF ISSUANCE BY ONLY ISSUING 8.25. AND YOU SAY, WELL, HOW DID YOU DO THAT? THE BUYERS WANTED COUPONS HIGHER THAN THE YIELDS.

YOU'LL SEE THE YIELDS ARE IN THE TWOS. THE COUPONS ARE IN THE FIVE.

SO THEY'RE WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM TO GET A LITTLE MORE INTEREST BACK A LITTLE FASTER.

SO THEY'RE GETTING THEIR CORPUS OF COURSE, THE PRINCIPAL, BUT THEY'RE ALSO GETTING MORE INTEREST RATHER THAN A SMALLER INTEREST AT A 2.62.7 CLIP.

AND SO THEY'RE WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM FOR THAT. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE AS MUCH DEBT IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THAT 8.5 MILLION.

AND YOU'LL SEE THAT ON THE NEXT PAGE SIX. AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO PAY BACK ABOUT 9.5 MILLION.

THAT'LL ALL COME AGAIN FROM THE SPLOST DOLLARS.

BUT YOU'LL SEE ON THE USES SIDE THE PROJECT FUND IS 8.5 MILLION.

SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO PUT 8.5 MILLION IN THE BANK.

THAT WILL GO TOWARD THE PROJECT. AND THEN ON PAGE SEVEN, JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW, WHILE THE VOTERS AUTHORIZED YOU TO ISSUE 10 MILLION, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO ISSUE THAT 8.25. SO YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE'S REMAINING AUTHORIZED DEBT OF 1.75.

MOST OF THAT IS IN 2025. WE BACKLOADED IT SO THAT WE GAVE OURSELVES TIME FOR SOME OF THOSE FUNDS TO COME IN.

AND SO OBVIOUSLY THE PLAN AT THIS POINT IS NOT TO ISSUE THE REST OF THAT.

SO EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE PERMISSION, THE PLAN IS ONLY TO ISSUE THAT 8.25.

SO FINALLY ON PAGE EIGHT WITH YOUR. YES SIR, PLEASE.

YOU SAID MOST OF IT'S COMING IN 2025. NO, SIR.

SO IF YOU FLIP BACK. TO THE 1.7. YEAH. YEAH. THAT'S THE PART WE DIDN'T ISSUE.

YES. MOST OF THAT IS IN 25. SO ESSENTIALLY AFTER THIS YEAR YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ISSUE THAT.

OKAY. THAT WOULD BE CASH IN HAND THEN. OR IS THAT.

NO, WE JUST DON'T, IT WOULD BE MONEY YOU'D GO OUT AND BORROW AND WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO GO BORROW THAT AMOUNT.

I KNOW SINCE WE AREN'T BORROWING, ARE WE USING IT TO REPAY OUR DEBT ALREADY OR.

THAT'S SO THE VOTERS GAVE YOU THE PERMISSION TO GO OUT AND BORROW 10 MILLION.

BUT WE'RE ONLY GOING TO ISSUE 8.25 SO THAT 1.75 JUST GOES AWAY.

IT'S NOT CASH UNLESS WE BORROW IT. SO WE'RE NOT BORROWING IT.

WE'RE ONLY GOING TO BORROW 8.25. SO IT JUST IT'LL FADE AWAY AND IT'LL NEVER BE ISSUED.

AND WE'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO GO OUT AND ISSUE THE BALANCE OF THAT, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, 80,000, 40,000 A YEAR. BUT IF WE WANTED TO BORROW 1.5 MILLION, WE'D HAVE TO DO IT.

BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. RIGHT. YEAH. AND PROBABLY NOT GOING TO COME BACK AND BORROW THAT SMALL LITTLE AMOUNT.

SO I WANT TO LEARN SO I'M GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION ANYHOW.

SURE. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE WE YOU SAID THAT, WHY CAN'T WE ISSUE IT?

[00:50:04]

YOU COULD HAVE. WE COULD HAVE. WE COULD HAVE GONE OUT AND ISSUED THE FULL 10 MILLION AND USED THE.

WHAT FORECLOSES THE OPTION MOVING FORWARD? THE DEBT WAS AUTHORIZED BY YEAR.

CORRECT. WITHIN THE ACTUAL. YEAH. WITHIN THE ACTUAL REFERENDUM.

YOU IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE REFERENDUM, THAT FIRST COLUMN WHERE IT SAYS AUTHORIZED DEBT.

IT LITERALLY SAYS 25 1.47 AND SO ON. SO GOT IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YEAH. NO. GREAT QUESTION. SORRY I WASN'T READING ALL THE WAY INTO IT.

SO THE FINAL THING, WITH YOUR PERMISSION TONIGHT AND MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL HAND THIS OVER TO OUR BOND LAW TEAM AND LET THEM RUN WITH THE DOCUMENTS, AND WE'LL MOVE TO CLOSE AND ACTUALLY PUT THE MONEY IN THE BANK THERE ON APRIL 22ND.

SO HAPPY. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHERE THE STOCK MARKET IS GOING, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER OTHER QUESTIONS. DON'T WANT TO KNOW. GOT TO WORK ANOTHER FIVE YEARS. THAT'S RIGHT THERE WITH YOU, SIR. CAN'T BE THIS JOB, THOUGH.

DOESN'T PAY ENOUGH. THIS IS YES. THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD FINANCIAL NEWS OF THE DAY. WE NEEDED SOME. A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

HAVE WE CONSIDERED TRYING TO GET OUR MILLAGE CAP RATE LIKE INCREASED OR REMOVED.

I BELIEVE THAT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WILL BE WHEN WE DO THE CHARTER REVIEW, WHEN WE OPEN UP, BECAUSE IT'S IN THE CHARTER. SO WHEN WE OPEN UP THE CHARTER, THAT WOULD BE OUR TIME TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

SO SHORT ANSWER IS YES. GOOD. AND THEN THE SECOND PART WAS IS ALSO MENTIONED.

THERE ARE CHARTER THE WE GET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DEBT.

WE DON'T GET THE REVENUE WHEN WE ALSO OPEN UP THE CHARTER.

IS THAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THAT TOO? YES.

OKAY. SO WE COULD ADDRESS BOTH OF THOSE ISSUES.

THANK YOU. DOESN'T MEAN THEY'LL CHANGE, BUT WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

YES. I THINK TWO THINGS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT. SO TERRY IS GOING TO COME UP AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IS WHAT YOU'RE APPROVING IN THE BOND RESOLUTION.

GREAT. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS THE BOND RESOLUTION ITSELF.

SO THIS DOCUMENT BASICALLY APPROVES THE OFFERING DOCUMENT UNDER WHICH YOUR BONDS WERE SOLD.

AND ANDREA AND HER TEAM REVIEWED THAT VERY THOROUGHLY AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT.

SO THAT APPROVES THAT FINAL DOCUMENT. IT ALSO IMPROVES THE FINAL SIZE OF THE BONDS, THE INTEREST RATES, WHICH COURTNEY WENT OVER A LITTLE WHILE AGO AND ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE SALES TAX WILL BE USED TO PAY YOUR BONDS IN THE EVENT THE SALES TAX IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

THESE ARE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS. THERE WOULD BE LEVY TO TAX TO PAY THOSE.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN DECATUR. I DON'T KNOW ANY PLACES IN GEORGIA ACTUALLY WHERE THAT'S EVER HAPPENED. SO WE FULLY EXPECT SALES TAX.

AND IN FACT WE REPRESENT THAT WE REASONABLY EXPECT SALES TAX TO BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE BOND ISSUE.

AND THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT THIS BOND RESOLUTION DOES.

IT'S A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD BOND OFFERING BECAUSE IT'S A GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT.

SO BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. I'M LOOKING AT THE THIS IS BEFORE.

I THINK THE YOUR AGENDA HAS BEEN UPDATED. IT WAS UPDATED EARLIER WHERE WE DROPPED THE NUMBERS IN AFTER THE BOND SALE.

RIGHT. YEAH. THE DOCUMENT, I THINK THE DOCUMENT WAS PUT IN YOUR PACKAGE LAST WEEK IS IDENTICAL TO THIS EXCEPT FOR NUMBERS, WHICH WE GOT TODAY. YEAH, I PULLED IT UP AND LOOKED AT IT EARLIER, BUT. IT SHOULD SAY AT THE TOP. AND THAT ONE DID NOT.

RIGHT. THAT'S THE ONE THAT I'M LINKING TO ON THE REVISED AGENDA.

REFRESH AT THE TOP OF THE APP WILL. BE A 4 PAGE PDF.

YEAH, I, I GIVE OR TAKE. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE LINK DIDN'T TAKE YOU AUTOMATICALLY THERE.

SO THIS IS A STRAIGHTFORWARD ONE. 44 PAGES ON MY COMPUTER, BUT NOT ON MY IPAD.

IT DID REFRESH. AND HERE ARE THE NUMBERS WITH THE XX ON THE.

AND NOT JUST BLANKS FOR THE BIG NUMBERS. SO ALL RIGHT.

SO BUT THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT JUST MAKES IT CLEAR AS TO WHAT WE ARE APPROVING AND THAT THE THAT THERE IS, THERE IS THAT SAFEGUARD OR SAFETY VALVE, I GUESS.

ALTHOUGH WE'VE NEVER WE DON'T ANTICIPATE EVER HAVING TO DO THAT.

SO ARE THERE FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. DAVENPORT OR FOR MISS FINSTER OR FOR THE CITY MANAGER?

[00:55:11]

SO THEN THE WORK CAN BEGIN. SO INDEED. SO. MOVED.

MOVE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION R-25-XX. THAT DOES AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE, EXECUTION AND SALE OF CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA GENERAL OBLIGATION SALES TAX BONDS SERIES 2025.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF FINANCING THE DECATUR SQUARE TRANSFORMATION, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.

OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? THE CHAIR VOTES AYE. AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

AND COMMISSIONER WALSH IS COULD NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING, BUT I BELIEVE SHE WOULD.

WHOLEHEARTEDLY EXPRESS HER APPROVAL FOR THIS AS WELL.

SO. ALL RIGHT. NEXT, EASEMENTS FOR THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH PHASE THREE WITH THE VILLAGE AT LEGACY TWO.

[VII.B. Easements for South Columbia Drive Multi-Use Path-Phase 3 – Village at Legacy II.]

THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION IS APPROVING EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE DECATUR HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THEIR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

AND THAT IS THE VILLAGE AT LEGACY TWO. AND THIS IS THE THAT'S THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE SOUTH HOUSING VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT.

AND THIS WILL JUST PROVIDE THE CITY OF DECATUR WITH THE EASEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO INSTALL PHASE THREE OF THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH. AND SO YOU MAY ASK, WHY ARE WE GETTING EASEMENTS FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR WHAT IS CITY PROPERTY? WE ACTUALLY HAVE A JUST A REMINDER.

WE HAVE A GROUND LEASE WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT THE SOUTH HOUSING VILLAGE ON THIS PROPERTY.

AND SO REALLY, THAT THAT PROPERTY IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THEIR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

AND SO, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE GROUND LEASE, ANY ENTITY, WHETHER IT'S THE CITY OR A PRIVATE COMPANY, WOULD NEED TO GET AN EASEMENT TO GO ONTO THEIR PROPERTY.

AND SO THE MULTI USE PATH IT WILL BE PERMANENTLY ON THIS PROPERTY AS WELL AS WE DO NEED TEMPORARY EASEMENTS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CONSTRUCTION.

SO THE, THE EASEMENT AGREEMENTS ARE THERE IN FRONT OF YOU, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALREADY APPROVED THE EASEMENT AGREEMENTS AT THEIR MEETING ON MARCH 19TH. AND SO WE DO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THESE AGREEMENTS.

AND I JUST ADDED SUBJECT TO YOUR MINOR NON-SUBSTANTIVE ADJUSTMENTS, AS MIGHT BE RECOMMENDED BY LEGAL COUNSEL.

AND ALSO IN THE CASE OF THESE EASEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THEIR PROJECT LENDERS AND TAX CREDIT INVESTORS.

SO THAT IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT UNDER WITH, UNDER THE TAX CREDIT FINANCING THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS USED.

IF THERE ANY EASEMENT AGREEMENTS ALSO HAVE TO BE, HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THEIR INVESTORS AND THEIR LENDERS.

AND THEY'RE STILL RUNNING THROUGH THEIR REVIEW, BUT WE DON'T EXPECT ANY, ANY SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES TO THE EASEMENTS.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, BUT IF WE CAN GET THESE AGREEMENTS, THEN THE WORK CAN GET STARTED VERY, VERY SOON. QUESTIONS FOR MR. ARNOLD. I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE DECATUR HOUSING AUTHORITY VILLAGE AT LEGACY TWO FOR THE SOUTH COLUMBIA MULTI SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH. IS THERE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED. THE CHAIR VOTES AYE AND THE AGREEMENT IS APPROVED.

AND FOR THE EASEMENTS. AND NOW FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PFA.

[VII.C. Easements for South Columbia Drive Multi-Use Path-Phase 3 – Public Facilities Authority. ]

YOU MAY RECALL WHEN THE LEGACY PARK PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS ACTUALLY PURCHASED AND FINANCED THROUGH THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

[01:00:03]

WHERE WE WILL BE MAKING THE SAME REQUEST THAT THEY THAT THEY APPROVE PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MULTI USE PATH. QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH, WITH THE EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DECATUR PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY FOR THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. DEFER TO THE LADY.

AND SECONDED. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THAT ONE IS APPROVED.

AND WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT MULTI-USE PATH BECOME A REALITY.

SO, MR. YOUNGER. GOOD EVENING, DAVID YOUNGER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, EXCITED TO CONTINUE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE DECATUR SQUARE

[VII.D. Decatur Square Transformation Project-Materials Testing, Special Inspections and Geotechnical Services.]

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 AND AN AGREEMENT WITH MATRIX ENGINEERING GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,675 FOR MATERIALS TESTING, SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SQUARE. MATRIX ENGINEERING GROUP HAS DEMONSTRATED EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF GEOTECHNICAL AND SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONS, AND MOST RECENTLY HAS BEEN THE FIRM PROVIDING SIMILAR SERVICES FOR BOTH THE EBSTER FIELD AND LEGACY PARK PROJECTS.

THEIR TEAM OF CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS HAS TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO MANAGE COMPLEX INSPECTION NEEDS, AND ENSURING THAT OUR PROJECTS MEET BOTH REGULATORY STANDARDS AND HIGH QUALITY BENCHMARKS.

MATRIX WILL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INCLUDING SOIL TESTING, FOUNDATION INSPECTIONS, MATERIAL TESTING AND STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENTS. MATRIX THEY DO HAVE TECHNICAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE BOTH STANDARD AND SPECIALIZED INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS.

ENGAGING MATRIX FOR THESE CRITICAL INSPECTIONS WILL HELP MITIGATE ANY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTION, COMPLIANCE, SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE. THEY DID PROVIDE VERY DETAILED INSPECTION REPORTS THROUGHOUT BOTH OF THE PREVIOUS PROJECTS, AND KNOW THAT THEY WOULD DO THE SAME FOR THIS PROJECT AS WELL.

FUNDING FOR THESE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DECATUR SQUARE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT BUDGET.

THIS PROJECT WOULD BE FINANCED THROUGH THE ISSUANCE, AS YOU ALL HAVE DONE TONIGHT, OF GENERAL OBLIGATION, SPECIAL PURPOSE, LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX, BONDS OR RECOMMEND AWARD OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MATRIX ENGINEERING GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,675 FOR GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS A PROJECT BUDGET OF $30,000.

QUESTIONS. DID WE GET MULTIPLE BIDS? ARE THEY ON CALL OR WHAT WAS THE PROCESS FOR THAT? NEITHER. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DON'T REQUIRE THAT.

AND BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCES WITH BOTH THE EBSTER PROJECT, LEGACY PROJECT AS WELL AS THE TIMING AND BEING EXPEDITIOUS TO CONTINUE MAKING THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, KEEPING IT ON TIME, WE SOUGHT PROPOSAL FROM THEM.

THANKS. THIS WILL HAPPEN FAIRLY QUICKLY ONCE THE CONTRACT IS APPROVED.

IS THAT RIGHT? IS THIS. WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS GETTING ALL THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS PUT TOGETHER TO PROCEED.

SOMEBODY, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S GOING TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT ABOUT AN EVENT THAT WILL TAKE PLACE, SO. RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. SO WE ARE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STAY ON TASK AND ON TIME.

RIGHT. SO OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. YOUNGER. OKAY.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO AWARD AN AGREEMENT WITH MATRIX ENGINEERING GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,675 AND APPROVE THE PROJECT BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT OF $30,000? IS THERE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

[01:05:03]

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT.

[VII.E. Energy Efficiency Campaign Administrator Contract.]

A GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF EARTH MONTH. SO THIS FIRST ITEM IS TO RECOMMEND THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO BRIGHT SPACES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $320,082.56 FOR PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES OF THE DECATUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN.

I ALSO RECOMMEND A CHANGE ORDER FOR A REVISED COST OF $260,082.56, AND A REVISED PROJECT BUDGET OF $275,000. IF AWARDED, WORK WILL BEGIN IN APRIL 2025, WITH A FULL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH EXPECTED THIS SUMMER.

SO, AS YOU MAY RECALL, IN OCTOBER OF 2023, THE CITY WAS AWARDED A GRANT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT COMPETITIVE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT DID NOT RECEIVE A FORMULA BASED ALLOCATION THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW. OUR APPLICATION AIMED TO SUPPORT WHAT WE CALL THE DECATUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACCELERATOR PROJECT, WHICH WAS TO FUND MUNICIPAL HVAC IMPROVEMENTS AT THREE CITY FACILITIES, AS WELL AS A COMMUNITY FACING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE UPTAKE OF LOCAL, FEDERAL AND UTILITY REBATES FOR HOME WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES.

AFTER 12 LONG MONTHS OF AWARD NEGOTIATION, WE WERE ISSUED KIND OF A NOTICE TO PROCEED IN OCTOBER OF 2024, AT WHICH POINT WE BEGAN FINALIZING OUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THAT WORK THAT WAS ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 18TH OF 2024 FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF A COMMUNITY WIDE ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN INCLUDING CAMPAIGN PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION, MARKETING AND OUTREACH, CONTRACTOR ENGAGEMENT, AND PROGRAM REPORTING.

THE RFP CLOSED ON DECEMBER 18TH OF 2024, WITH THE CITY RECEIVING THREE RESPONSIVE BIDS.

SO AS YOU SEE, THE BIDS TOTALED BRIGHT SPACES, APPROXIMATELY $320,000.

TWO KB ENERGY SERVICES $286,130 FOR 16 MONTHS, AND THEN PIVOT PATH LLC, $140,000 FOR 12 MONTHS. AND I PROVIDED THE MONTHLY AVERAGE FOR EACH OF THOSE BIDS TO THE RIGHT.

BRIGHT SPACES IS A GEORGIA BASED COMPANY ESTABLISHED IN 2015 THAT OPERATES FAMILY OF CLEAN ENERGY PLATFORMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING SOLAR, CROWDSOURCE AND LET'S GO ELECTRIC, THE LATTER OF WHICH WILL BE THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN.

THROUGH THESE TWO PLATFORMS. THE BRIGHT SPACES TEAM OFFERS SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE MANAGING COMMUNITY ORIENTED CAMPAIGNS, INCLUDING HERE IN DECATUR. SO, AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY HAS ONE, HOSTED TWO SOLARIZE DECATUR DEKALB CAMPAIGNS, THE SECOND OF WHICH IS STILL THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN GEORGIA'S HISTORY.

BRIGHT SPACES IN THE LET'S GO ELECTRIC TEAM HAVE ALSO LAUNCHED THE ELECTRIFY ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE COUNTY OR ELECTRIFY ABQ CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. WHICH LAUNCHED IN 2024 AS A PILOT ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM TO ADVANCE THEIR COMMUNITIES 100% CLEAN ENERGY GOALS. THROUGH THESE PROJECTS, LET'S GO ELECTRIC IS DEMONSTRATED A DEPLOYMENT READY PLATFORM THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED TO OUR SPECIFIC NEEDS HERE IN DECATUR EXPERIENCE, ADMINISTERING PROGRAMS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND AN ESTABLISHED DATABASE OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT COULD HELP ACCELERATE PROGRESS TOWARDS OUR CAMPAIGN GOALS BASED ON THE MONTHLY COST, QUALITY OF THE PROPOSAL AND RELEVANT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE, STAFF DETERMINED THAT BRIGHT SPACES PROVIDES THE BEST VALUE TO THE CITY FOR THIS PROJECT.

AS ADMINISTRATORS OF THE DECATUR COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN, THE BRIGHT SPACES AND LET'S GO ELECTRIC TEAM WILL WORK WITH CITY STAFF TO PERFORM SEVERAL CRITICAL TASKS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEVELOPING DECATUR SPECIFIC BRANDING PACKAGES AND ALL NECESSARY CAMPAIGN MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT MATERIALS, ADAPTING THEIR EXISTING ONLINE PLATFORM TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE AND UPCOMING REBATES AND INCENTIVES HERE IN DECATUR, INCLUDING OUR UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENERGY REBATE PROGRAM.

COORDINATING WORKING GROUPS OF LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS TO GUIDE PROGRAM LAUNCH AND ONGOING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

ENGAGING AND VETTING LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO PROMOTE EFFICIENT PROJECT DELIVERY AND HIGH PARTICIPANT SATISFACTION.

PROVIDING ONGOING PARTICIPANT SUPPORT INCLUDING THE HOME ENERGY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM A FREE ONE ON ONE CONSULTATION SERVICE THAT WILL BE OFFERED BY THE BRIGHTSPACE

[01:10:04]

AND CONNECTING INTERESTED RESIDENTS TO FINANCING RESOURCES.

TO BETTER ALIGN THE OVERALL CONTRACT AWARD WITH THE CITY'S INITIAL COMPETITIVE GRANT BUDGET.

STAFF REQUESTED THAT BRIGHT SPACES ADJUST THE NUMBER OF HOURS DEDICATED TO CERTAIN TASKS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL COST CLOSE TO THE $260,000 AMOUNT AT THE REVISED COST. BRIGHT SPACES IS STILL ABLE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES RESPONSIVE TO THE CITY'S NEEDS.

THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY, OF COURSE, REGARDING THE LANDSCAPE OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS.

AND WITH THAT IN MIND STAFF STILL BELIEVE THAT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CAMPAIGN AS PLANNED IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR RESIDENTS.

TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF UNFORESEEN GRANT CANCELLATIONS OR OTHER POSSIBLE FEDERAL ACTIONS THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE CAMPAIGN.

STAFF WILL WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DEVELOP SOME PROTECTIVE CONTRACT TERMS. IN THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH BRIGHT SPACES.

ONE OF WHICH WOULD INCLUDE PROVIDING THE CITY AN OPT OUT OPTION FOR THE AGREEMENT AFTER 12 CALENDAR MONTHS.

THE SECOND WOULD ALLOW THE TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT SHOULD FUNDING BE RESCINDED FOR EITHER THE CITY'S CBG GRANT OR THE GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE AUTHORITY'S HOME ENERGY REBATES PROGRAM. WHICH IS THE SOURCE OF THE MAIN INCENTIVES THAT THE CITY IS HOPING TO IMPLEMENT WITH THIS CAMPAIGN.

I RECOMMEND THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO BRIGHT SPACES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $320,082.56 FOR PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES OF THE DECATUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN. I ALSO RECOMMEND A CHANGE ORDER FOR A REVISED COST OF $260,082.56, AND A REVISED PROJECT BUDGET OF $275,000. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT IS AVAILABLE IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2425 COMMUNITY ENERGY FUND, AND WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES PER THE CITY'S AGREEMENT WITH DOE.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. DON MORELAND, FOUNDER AND CEO OF BRIGHT SPACES, IS ALSO ONLINE.

HE COULDN'T BE HERE IN PERSON, BUT HE IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE FOR HIM AS WELL.

GOT MY FIRST ONE, WHICH WAS THE UNCERTAINTY OF SAID E.

GRANT. PROBABLY BUTCHERED SOME LETTERS THERE, BUT IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY.

WE DO HAVE A FULLY EXECUTED AGREEMENT. AND THEN ON THE GEFA SIDE, THEY'VE ACTUALLY FULLY LAUNCHED THEIR PROGRAM.

AND SO THEY'RE CONFIDENT THAT THOSE DOLLARS WILL STILL BE FLOWING TO THEM.

AND SO YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T KNOW EVERYTHING, BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT IT'S MOVING FORWARD IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

I PIGGYBACK A LITTLE BIT. IS OUR CONTRACT WITH DOE OR IS IT WITH GEFA? SO BECAUSE BEING IN THIS SPACE A LITTLE BIT, MYSELF AND MY OTHER JOB, WE HAVE EXECUTED CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT'S A BINDING LEGAL DOCUMENT. AND SO WE TALK A LOT ABOUT RESCINDING OR CLAWING BACK OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION DO [INAUDIBLE] HAVE NOT NECESSARILY BEEN UPHELD IN THE COURTS.

AND SO I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHILE IF WE ARE IF THEY DO RENEGE ON THEIR CONTRACT, I THINK THAT THAT'S A BREACH OF LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD NOT JUST ACCEPT IT AND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME COURSE TO WORK WITH GMA OR WITH NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES OR OTHER FOLKS ON THAT REGARD. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I DON'T THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO RENEGE ON THEIR CONTRACT, AND I HOPE THAT WE WOULD EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY TRY TO DO SO.

AND I MEAN, THE I'VE HEARD THE SAME THING. THAT IS THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THE FUNDS WILL COME THROUGH.

BUT I THINK I'M GLAD WE HAVE THIS PROTECTION IN HERE.

BUT I ALSO AGREE THAT IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN I HOPE WE WILL WE AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED, WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME RECOURSE IN PUSHING BACK.

SO HOME ENERGY NAVIGATOR, WHEN I LOOK THAT UP, IT WAS A CANADIAN BASED WEBSITE AND SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY ALSO HAVE A. YES. SO THAT'S AN IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY.

IF A DECATUR RESIDENT GOOGLED IT RIGHT NOW, THAT RESULT MAY COME UP.

SO IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE SAME IDEA THAT THE CANADIANS HAD.

BUT THE HOME ENERGY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM THAT WILL BE OFFERED BY LET'S GO ELECTRIC IS FULLY IN-HOUSE USING THEIR STAFF AND THEIR RESOURCES.

[01:15:08]

I WOULD EXPECT, BECAUSE I KEPT TRYING TO FIND A US BRANCH OR THE.

YEAH. SO THEIRS LOOK LIKE A GREAT PROGRAM AS WELL.

YEAH. AND I'M ASSUMING THAT IT SAYS ON ONGOING PARTICIPANT SUPPORT, REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY ARE WE CAPPED AT NUMBERS OR JUST BASICALLY. SO WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT SPECIFIC CONVERSATION.

THAT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS PROBLEM FOR US TO HAVE.

I THINK AS WE MOVE INTO THE PLANNING PHASE, WE CAN KIND OF ADJUST OUR INITIAL TARGETS.

OUR APPLICATION TO DOE INITIALLY TARGETED, YOU KNOW, COMPLETING PROJECTS AND AT LEAST 200 HOUSEHOLDS, 50 OF WHICH SHOULD BE IN LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

AND I THINK BASED ON LET'S GO ELECTRIC'S EXPERIENCE AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, IN ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, ADMINISTERING A SIMILAR CAMPAIGN, WE CAN REFINE THAT NUMBER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.

AND OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T THINK WE WOULDN'T EXPECT EVERYBODY TO PARTICIPATE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

I THINK THE OTHER BEAUTY OF THIS BEING A TWO YEAR PROJECT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE THAT TIME TO ADJUST AS NECESSARY AND BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE EARLIER STAGES. AND LET ME, IF I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE APPROVING THE TO AWARD THE CONTRACT, BUT THEN WE'RE APPROVING A CHANGE ORDER TO DECREASE THAT.

YEAH, THIS IS MY SECOND NEGATIVE CHANGE ORDER.

RIGHT? RECENTLY? YEAH. RIGHT. SO CAN WE APPROVE THESE? DO WE NEED TO APPROVE THEM INDIVIDUALLY? YES, PLEASE.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THREE SEPARATE MOTIONS AND VOTES.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ONE QUICK QUESTION BEFORE WE MOVE THERE.

SO I'M A HOMEOWNER. I HEAR ABOUT THIS. IT SOUNDS INTERESTING.

WHAT DO I DO AND WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? YEAH. SO THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD QUESTION.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WE WOULD GET SOME INFORMATION ONTO THE CITY'S WEBSITE POTENTIAL SIGN UP FOR A NEWSLETTER OR KIND OF ONGOING INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

CONCURRENT WITH THAT WILL BE FINALIZING THE DEDICATED CAMPAIGN PAGE.

THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE WHERE WE DIRECT PEOPLE TOWARDS GEFA'S PROGRAM.

THAT INFORMATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL.

BUT ESSENTIALLY, I THINK THE GOAL IS ONE HEARING ABOUT THE PROGRAM TO HEARING ABOUT WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.

AND THEN THAT'S REALLY WHERE PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HOME ENERGY NAVIGATOR OFFERING.

THEY WILL WORK WITH YOU, YOU KNOW, KIND OF HEAR ABOUT YOUR STATUS AS FAR AS ELECTRIFICATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN YOUR OWN HOME, WHAT MAY BE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SITUATION FOR FREE.

AND THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH GETTING A HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT COMPLETED.

AND THAT WILL REALLY DETAIL WHAT PROJECTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN YOUR HOME, THE EXPECTED COST SAVINGS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT, ETC.. AND THEN FROM THERE IDENTIFYING THE, A QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR THAT CAN COMPLETE THAT WORK.

WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING OFF OF GEFA'S LIST OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS THAT THEY'VE ONBOARDED TO THEIR HOME ENERGY REBATES PROGRAM, AND THEN TAKING A SUBSET OF THAT THAT'S SERVICING DEKALB COUNTY AND KIND OF MEETS OUR LOCAL EXPECTATIONS.

SO THERE WILL BE MORE CURATED LISTS, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET QUOTES FROM LIKE 15 DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS.

AND I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. YEAH. IT DOES.

THANK YOU. AND THIS LAST THING, GEFA IS GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE AUTHORITY. YES. YEAH.

AND WHEN YOU SAID HAVE A HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT, THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN A HOME ENERGY AUDIT, IS THAT CORRECT? WOULD IT WHERE THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME.

OKAY. SO IT'S THE SAME THING. WHAT WOULD PEOPLE COME OUT TO YOUR HOME? WAS IT MORE LIKE? THERE WOULD BE SOMEBODY PHYSICALLY COMING TO YOUR HOME REVIEWING YOUR WHAT YOU PUT ONLINE ABOUT YOUR APPLIANCES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO, OKAY. THAT'S GREAT. ALL RIGHT. SO THE FIRST ITEM TO CONSIDER IS AWARDING A CONTRACT TO BRIGHT SPACES IN THE AMOUNT OF $320,082.56 FOR PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION SERVICES OF THE DECATUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN.

[01:20:04]

AYE. AND THAT IS APPROVED. AND NOW WE WILL APPROVE A CHANGE ORDER, OR WE WILL BRING FORWARD A CHANGE ORDER.

NUMBER ONE, IN THE AMOUNT OF A -$60,000, REDUCING THAT CONTRACT TO BRIGHT SPACES TO $260,082.56.

SO DO I HEAR A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? SO MOVED.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MEYER.

AND IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? THE CHAIR VOTES. AYE. AND THAT CHANGE ORDER IS APPROVED.

AND NOW WE WANT TO ESTABLISH THE PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $275,000.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? SO IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? CHAIR VOTES AYE.

AND THAT IS ALSO APPROVED. AND SO YOU'RE STILL UP?

[VII.F. Owner’s Representative Services for Energy Savings Performance Contract.]

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL, THE PLAN IDENTIFIED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS A KEY PATHWAY BY REDUCING THE CITY'S ELECTRICITY DEMAND AND CONSUMPTION.

THE PLAN ALSO RECOMMENDED THE CONSIDERATION OF AN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, OR SPC.

WHICH IS A FINANCIAL MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH UPFRONT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS CAN BE FINANCED OVER TIME THROUGH ENERGY COST SAVINGS.

AS AN INTERIM STEP, STAFF IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR AN OUTSIDE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE TO GUIDE THE DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF AN SPC, WHICH IS AN INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE AND OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE, SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY PROJECTS BY PROVIDING KEY TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, LEADING THE NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS, SERVING AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE CITY AND OUR SELECTED ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, OR ESCO, COORDINATING PROJECTS SCHEDULES AND VERIFYING THAT EQUIPMENT IS INSTALLED AND PERFORMING AS SPECIFIED.

ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025, THE CITY ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST THE CITY WITH PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN SPC. THE RFP REQUESTED THAT BIDDERS PROVIDE COST PROPOSALS FOR EACH PHASE OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE TOTAL COST FOR THE SERVICES OUTLINED IN THE SCOPE OF WORK.

THE RFP CLOSED ON MARCH 7TH, 2025, WITH THE CITY RECEIVING FOUR RESPONSIVE BIDS, WITH ONE ADDITIONAL BID NOT MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE RFP.

THE BID TABULATION IS PROVIDED BELOW, SO YOU'LL SEE TKB ENERGY SERVICES AT THAT 102 $850 AMOUNT.

VANDERMEER MANAGEMENT $281,204. NV5 $123,202.

AND ARAMARK AT $97,586. DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, WE DID RECEIVE FEEDBACK THAT DEVELOPING COST PROPOSALS FOR THE FIRST TWO PHASES, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WAS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

WHILE THE PROJECT OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES DURING THE THIRD IMPLEMENTATION PHASE WERE MORE DIFFICULT TO PRICE DUE TO UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE SIZE OF THE ACTUAL SPC THAT THEY WOULD BE CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING.

THAT SIZE WILL BE FINALIZED DURING THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CITY.

SELECTED ESCO WHICH WILL IDENTIFY THE FULL LIST OF ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES TO BE COMPLETED AND ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS.

THIS UNCERTAINTY DID RESULT IN KIND OF DIFFERING APPROACHES TO THE COST PROPOSAL BY BIDDERS.

ONE BIDDER EXCLUDED THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION OVERSIGHT SERVICES FROM THEIR PROPOSAL ENTIRELY.

ANOTHER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATED COST FOR THOSE SERVICES WHILE ALSO REQUESTING FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST THAT PRICING.

AND TWO BIDDERS PROVIDED FIRM COST PROPOSALS FOR ALL SERVICES BASED ON THE QUALITY OF PROPOSALS.

RELEVANT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND PROJECT EXPERIENCE AND AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL TEAM MEMBERS.

STAFF ELECTED TO SHORTLIST TWO BIDDERS AND REVIEW THEIR COSTS FOR THE SAME SET OF SERVICES, ALLOWING THEM TO BE FAIRLY COMPARED. THAT COMPARISON IS BELOW.

SO AGAIN, TWO KB ENERGY SERVICES $102,850 FOR 686 HOURS OF WORK, OR APPROXIMATELY $149.93

[01:25:08]

2KB ENERGY SERVICES IS A MINORITY OWNED SMALL BUSINESS BASED IN ATLANTA.

FOUNDED IN 2015, 2 KB SPECIALIZES IN OWNER'S REP SERVICES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS, OVERSEEING APPROXIMATELY $400 MILLION IN ENERGY SAVINGS, GUARANTEED ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS THROUGHOUT GEORGIA AND THE SOUTHEAST.

THAT INCLUDES PROJECTS WITH THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND CITY OF SAVANNAH.

ASSISTING OUR PEERS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MEET SIMILAR 100% CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

2 KB PERFORMS ALL SERVICES IN-HOUSE AND HAS MULTIPLE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CERTIFIED EPC PROJECT FACILITATORS ON STAFF. AND THAT'S THE CERTIFICATION THAT ACTUALLY ALLOWS THEM TO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR OWN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE, CONTRACTING WORK, AND IT'S A VERY SELECT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THAT QUALIFICATION.

IF APPROVED, WORK IS ANTICIPATED TO COMMENCE IN MID-APRIL.

STAFF WILL CONDUCT A WORK SESSION WITH THE CITY COMMISSION IN JUNE, LED BY 2KB, WHICH WILL SUMMARIZE THE INFORMATION GATHERED DURING THE PLANNING PHASE OF THE PROJECT. INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO THE COMPONENTS OF AN SPC AND ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN RFP TO IDENTIFY AN ESCO.

IN ADVANCE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE, STAFF WILL SEEK COST PROPOSALS FOR ONGOING PROJECT OVERSIGHT AND BRING AN AWARD RECOMMENDATION BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

I RECOMMEND APPROVAL AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO 2 KB ENERGY SERVICES LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $102,850 AND A PROJECT BUDGET OF $110,000 FOR OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES.

FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT IS AVAILABLE IN THE CURRENT FY 24-25 GENERAL FUND BUDGET, AND ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE BEING REQUESTED IN THE FY 2526 BUDGET.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. SO WE HAVE INFORMATION LIKE FROM GEORGIA POWER THAT ALREADY TELLS US LIKE THE ENERGY USE BY BUILDING. AND DO WE HAVE LIKE PEAK ENERGY TIME USE.

AND SO WE WE WOULD HAVE THAT DATA FOR THEM TO START THIS I GUESS WORK.

YES. SO ONCE WE HAVE EXECUTED A CONTRACT, I IMAGINE WE WILL GET KIND OF A REQUEST FROM INFORMATION FROM 2KB TO DETAIL EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED DURING THIS PHASE. BUT THIS PHASE IS REALLY THE PLANNING PHASE IS MORE ABOUT IDENTIFYING WHAT THE CITY'S PRIORITIES ARE IN THE EXECUTION OF A PERFORMANCE CONTRACT. YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST ENERGY EFFICIENCY, BUT ALSO WE'RE LOOKING TO ELECTRIFY CERTAIN SYSTEMS. WE ARE CONSIDERING SOLAR AT THESE BUILDINGS. WE'RE, YOU KNOW, INSTALLING EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE, ETC.. SO GETTING THAT INFORMATION. AND THEN DEVELOPING AN RFP FOR POTENTIAL ESCOS TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AS TO WHY THEY SHOULD BE THE SELECTED ESCO TO ACTUALLY INSTALL COMPLETE THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.

AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT PHASE.

AND SO THAT'S PROBABLY THE BULK OF THIS CONTRACT WHERE THE ESCOS WITH OUR SELECTED OWNER'S REP WILL BE IN ALL CITY BUILDINGS, LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE LIGHT THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, LOOKING TO SEE WHERE EVERY SINGLE HVAC CONTROL SYSTEM IS, ETC.. AND THEN THAT WILL IDENTIFY REALLY KIND OF WHAT CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE BEST SUITED FOR THE CITY. SO I IMAGINE AT THAT PHASE WHEN WE'RE, WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP THE COST SAVINGS CALCULATIONS, ETC., THAT INFORMATION FROM GEORGIA POWER IS GOING TO BE MORE NECESSARY.

BUT WE WILL WORK ON GETTING THEM WHATEVER THEY NEED.

YEAH, THAT WAS A LONG ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, BUT I HOPE THAT MADE SENSE.

IT'S A PROCESS, AND I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO I THINK WE TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT ENERGY.

ENERGY CONSERVATION REALLY IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS.

CERTAINLY LOOKING AT ELECTRIFYING AND USING SOLAR PANELS AND ALTERNATIVE.

BUT WHAT WE. WHATEVER. IT'S WHY WE INSULATE HOUSES.

THAT'S WHY WE DO THINGS TO OVERALL CONSERVE. AND WE'LL HAVE THE DATA THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED ON THE GREATEST NEED.

AND I MEAN, AND THESE ARE THE, THE KINDS OF PROGRAMS, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND FORWARD IN A WAY THAT IT WILL

[01:30:05]

SO GIVEN THE OTHER CAPITAL NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED IN ALL OF OUR PLANS.

YOU KNOW, THE ABILITY TO POTENTIALLY DO WORK WITHOUT THAT UPFRONT CAPITAL OUTLAY AND HAVE THAT BEING PAID FOR OVER TIME IS VERY ATTRACTIVE.

I THINK IT ALSO MAKES SENSE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DOING THE SUITE OF PROJECTS AT THE SAME TIME.

SO WE'RE INSTALLING SIMILAR EQUIPMENT FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURERS WITH THE SAME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS, ETC., RATHER THAN HAVING TEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS AND TEN DIFFERENT HANDBOOKS THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED EVERY TIME AN UPGRADE OR, YOU KNOW, A CHANGE NEEDS TO BE MADE. SO YEAH, EXCITING TO SEE THESE THINGS COMING FORWARD.

SO ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR.? I HEAR A MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO 2KB ENERGY SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $102,850, AND ESTABLISHED THE PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,000 FOR THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES TO DEVELOP AN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? CHAIR. VOTES. AYE. AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. WE WILL BE BACK HERE IN JUNE. YEAH.

HEARING BACK. SO NEXT WE'LL OPEN UP THE MEETING FOR REQUESTS AND PETITIONS.

SO IF THERE'S ANYONE WHO IS AT OUR MEETING THIS EVENING THAT WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD ANY OTHER ITEM TO THIS BODY, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO. COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

OKAY. SEEING NONE IN THE ROOM, I WILL ALSO OPEN IT UP TO THOSE WHO ARE JOINING US ONLINE.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD, THIS IS THE LAST TIME DURING THIS PUBLIC MEETING THAT WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL HAND AND WE WILL UNMUTE YOU.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE REQUEST AND PETITIONS AND WE WILL MOVE TO REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS.

[IX. Reports and Other Business.]

HOMEOWNER HAS APPLIED FOR A VARIANCE FROM SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR A RESIDENTIAL ADDITION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 109 PARKWOOD LANE. AND MARIA LALO'S, HOMEOWNER HAS APPLIED FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE FIRST FLOOR ELEVATION REQUIREMENTS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW RESIDENCE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 121 HILLCREST AVENUE.

AND REMEMBER, THESE DO NOT COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION.

THESE ARE DECIDED AT THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING AND CAN ONLY BE APPEALED TO SUPERIOR COURT.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THESE, YOU MAY DO SO IN PERSON.

THESE MEETINGS ARE ALSO ONLINE. WE CAN'T ALWAYS GUARANTEE THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A COMMENT ONLINE, BUT YOU CAN ALSO ALWAYS EMAIL THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS ADMINISTRATOR, WHO IS CASEY KURTZ, AND SHE WILL BRING FORWARD YOUR COMMENTS AT THAT MEETING.

AND WE ALSO HAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL BE MEETING ON APRIL THE 15TH FOR THEIR REGULAR MEETING. THEY WILL ELECT NEW OFFICERS.

[01:35:01]

REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING. THEY HAVE SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM MAY 14TH, 2024.

AND THE NEW BUSINESS THAT THEY WILL CONSIDER IS MADELEINE HENNER.

ON BEHALF OF LEGACY, DECATUR AND THE CITY OF DECATUR HAS REQUESTED A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO PERMIT TO ALLOW MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREATIVE VILLAGE AT 500 SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS LEGACY PARK.

THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER NEW STREET, NEW STREET STREETSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES.

THE UPDATE FOR THAT. SO DECISIONS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION DO COME BEFORE THIS BODY WITH A RECOMMENDATION IN THE FOLLOWING MEETING, WHICH WOULD BE ON APRIL 21ST FOR THE CITY COMMISSION.

AND FINALLY UNDER REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF MARCH THE 17TH. AND THIS RESOLUTION STATES THAT ITS RESOLUTION R-25-YY, THAT THE CITY COMMISSION ENTERED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON MARCH 17TH FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING LEGAL AND PERSONNEL MATTERS.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION R-25- YY.

SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? CHAIR VOTES AYE.

AND THE MOTION PASSES. I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER TO SEE IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING FORWARD FROM THE STAFF SIDE.

I'M AWARE OF ONE ITEM RELATED TO AN UPCOMING BUDGET EVENT.

GOOD EVENING. I AM EXCITED, ESPECIALLY SINCE COMMISSIONER MEYER MENTIONED TO OUR DECATUR 101 GRADS HOW THEY COULD GET INVOLVED WAS IN A BUDGET DISCUSSION THAT I HAVE SOME DETAILS ABOUT BEVERAGES AND BUDGET BOOK CLUB.

WE'LL HAVE TWO DATES THIS YEAR NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH, AS WELL AS APRIL 28TH, WHICH IS A MONDAY FROM 530 TO 7 AT A LOCAL WATERING HOLE. SO THE 15TH AT THIS TIME WILL BE AT INNER VOICE BREWING AND ON THE 28TH WILL BE AT UNIVERSAL JOINT.

AND THESE ARE SORT OF UP FOR WE MAY HAVE TO MOVE THEM DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PEOPLE TELL ME THEY ARE INTERESTED IN COMING, THEY MAY ACTUALLY END UP BEING HERE IF WE GET LOTS OF INTEREST, WHICH I HOPE CAN BE THE CASE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE CITY MANAGER, ME, SOME OTHER STAFF ON THOSE TWO DATES TO TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING BUDGET.

BY WAY OF READING A COUPLE CHAPTERS IN THE CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGET TO WHET YOUR APPETITE ON WHAT IS INCLUDED.

SO THE 1ST APRIL 15TH WILL BE ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND AND JUST KIND OF VISION BASED BUDGETING IN GENERAL.

AND THEN ON THE APRIL 28TH WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND AND OTHER FUNDS.

SO IF THAT SOUNDS EXCITING TO YOU, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL COME OUT AND JOIN US ON THE 15TH AND THE 28TH.

DETAILS WILL BE ON OUR WEB PAGE FOR BUDGET ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ON ALL THE SOCIALS, AND THAT WILL BE GOING OUT LATER THIS WEEK.

SO THE TIME AGAIN, 530 TO 7 ABOUT THAT. THE 28TH MIGHT GET ADJUSTED BASED ON THE QUESTIONS AND THE PARTICIPATION WE GET AT THE 15TH. SO BE FLEXIBLE WITH US.

THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND NEW, AND WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE HOW IT'S GOING TO GO, BUT WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO WELL.

INDEED. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. WELL I LIKE THE CREATIVITY OF OUR BUDGET BLASTING OFF AND BEING HAVING THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE INPUT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SO IS THAT IT? THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

BUDGET AND BEVIES. I'M WORKING ON A THEME SONG.

WHAT COULD BE MORE FUN THAN DRINKING AND TALKING ABOUT MONEY? IT'S SO MUCH FUN. I LOVE IT. TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

SO IT'S BEEN A WILD TWO WEEKS. WE STARTED OFF IN A HIGH TWO WEEKS AGO.

STARTED OFF ON A HIGH NOTE FOR ME. I GOT MARRIED TWO WEEKS AGO ON MONDAY, SO I'M OFFICIALLY A WIFE FOR 14 STRAIGHT DAYS, AND IT'S GOING GREAT. SOMEBODY TELL MY HUSBAND THAT, WE'RE DOING GREAT.

THAT STREAK CONTINUES. THAT'S RIGHT. WOO WOO! ONWARD AND UPWARD. BUT IT WAS SO INTERESTING BECAUSE I WENT FROM, YOU KNOW, ENJOYING MY, YOU KNOW, BRIDAL MOMENT AND MY MINI HONEYMOON TO COMING BACK.

AND THEN YOU KNOW, HEARING ABOUT MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS LOSING THEIR JOBS AND BEING UNCEREMONIOUSLY LAID OFF FROM THEIR LIFE SAVING

[01:40:08]

AND AS SOMEONE WHO TENDS TO PUSH BACK OR BE AS DEFIANT AS POSSIBLE AGAINST OPPRESSIVE SYSTEMS, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF WONDERING WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MYSELF NOW.

AND SO THE TERM THAT KEEPS COMING TO MIND FOR ME IS RESPONSIBLE COURAGE.

RESPONSIBLE COURAGE IS WHAT I THINK EMBODIES US STILL HAVING THE FORTITUDE TO STAND UP FOR OUR VALUES AND OUR VIRTUES, AND CONTINUING TO NAVIGATE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES WITH THE SAME YOU KNOW, VALUE PROPOSITION THAT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD.

BUT WE DO SO IN A WAY THAT MAKES SURE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR CITY IS PROTECTED AND SAFE.

AND THAT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE, FOR ME BEHAVIORALLY, WHAT IT'S ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE.

I MAY BE A LITTLE LESS VOCAL THAN I TYPICALLY AM.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT MY REPRESENTATION OF MY COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IT HAS CHANGED.

I KNOW THAT SOME TOUGH DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE THAT SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS DON'T AGREE WITH.

I KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE DO NEXT.

I KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT COULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM US FROM A FUNDING STANDPOINT AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR US AS A CITY.

AND WHILE WE HAVE WATCHED, YOU KNOW, CHANGES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER AND THE JFK LIBRARY GETS SHUT DOWN TODAY AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT ARE TAKING AWAY INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND CULTURE IN OUR COUNTRY, I AM REMINDED THAT WE ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT CULTURE, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE MEAN SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

A LECTURE SERIES MEANS SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

A BOOK FAIR HELD BY A SMALL BUSINESS IN THE CITY IS A LITTLE BIT MORE MEANINGFUL NOW BECAUSE WE'RE DOING IT TO MAINTAIN AND FOSTER TRUTH AND CULTURE, NOT JUST FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT FOR ANYBODY WHO NEEDS IT.

AND WHILE WE AS A BODY, CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY IS AS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SAFE AND AND WELL MANAGED AS WE CAN.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE, AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A BODY, WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN TRUE TO OURSELVES AND TRUE TO WHAT WE COMMITTED FIVE YEARS AGO. IN YOUR CASE, 12 YEARS AGO, 16 YEARS AGO, 25 YEARS AGO COULD NOT THINK OF BETTER PEOPLE TO SERVE WITH AT A TIME LIKE THIS.

SO TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED OR HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEIR WORK WAS UNDERPERFORMING OR NOT MEANINGFUL OR NOT IMPORTANT, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE, THAT YOUR WORK DOES HAVE MEANING, THAT YOUR WORK HAS SAVED LIVES, AND THAT THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN THE FUTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MEANINGFUL AND SAVE LIVES.

THAT'S ALL FOR ME TODAY. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

LOVE, RESPONSIBLE COURAGE. SO THANK YOU. IT'S INTERESTING, ACTUALLY.

YOU MENTIONED A WORD THAT I WAS THINKING. I HEARD THE MAYOR PRO TEM TALK ABOUT IS THAT PEOPLE, FIRST OF ALL, NEED TO FEEL SAFE. I THINK WE TALK ABOUT A WELCOMING CITY, AN INCLUSIVE CITY, AND WHAT MAKES DECATUR THAT CITY IS THAT PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, OF ALL EXPERIENCES.

COMFORTABLE THERE. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I ALSO THINK ABOUT DECATUR 101 WHEN WE WERE ASKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR VALUES AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT. AND WE TALKED ABOUT DIVERSITY, WE TALKED ABOUT EQUITY, WE TALKED ABOUT INCLUSION AND BEING WELCOME, AND THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LEAN INTO THAT AND THAT WE WANT ALL PEOPLE TO FEEL WELCOME.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S JUST IMPORTANT IS TO CONTINUE TO BE OURSELVES.

AND I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE TERM RESPONSIBLE COURAGE? RESPONSIBLE COURAGE, I DON'T THINK, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE RESPONSIBLE COURAGE JUST TO BE WHO YOU ARE AND TO KEEP DOING RIGHT.

AND SO I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT I WAS DURING THE FIRST MONTH, NOT ONLY DID WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL, WE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT ANTHROPOMORPHIC CLIMATE CHANGE.

[01:45:02]

AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THE WORD TRANSGENDERED AT A PUBLIC MEETING WHILE I WAS AT IT.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOW. YOU TWO HAVE SET THE BAR PRETTY HIGH TONIGHT.

GOD, IT ALMOST MAKES MY COMMENTS FEEL SORT OF.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE SPEAKER SERIES THAT MAYOR MEREDITH ELIZABETH WILSON HAD A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, AND THIS ALL SORT OF PULLS IT ALL TOGETHER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE RESPONSIBLE COURAGE TO STAND UP TO A SYSTEM WHERE NOT EVERY CHILD WAS WELCOME IN CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR, OR AT THE LIBRARY OR ANYWHERE ELSE, FOR THAT MATTER.

AND WE SEEM TO BE HEADED, HEADED, HEADING BACK TO A TIME WHERE NOT ALL ARE WELCOME.

AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON'T FEEL TOO GREAT WITH THAT.

AND THAT IS NOT THE EXPERIMENT THAT AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON.

AND SO WE START HERE AT OUR LEVEL AND WE PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND MAYBE OTHER COMMUNITIES GET THAT COURAGE TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. AND PRETTY SOON YOU HAVE A DEMOCRACY AGAIN.

AND I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, WHILE SOCIETY'S DEFINITIONS SAY ONE THING, WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, THAT WE DETERMINE WHAT MAKES US HAPPY.

AND YOU CAN'T. THINGS DON'T CONVENIENTLY FIT INTO ONE BOX OR ANOTHER JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE SAYS THEY DO.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, OUR KIDS.

OUR KIDS AREN'T ALL THE SAME. OUR FRIENDS AREN'T ALL THE SAME.

YOU KNOW, NOTHING'S WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE. AND THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT WE SEEM TO GET NOWADAYS, IS THAT. NO, IT'S WHAT WE SAY IT IS. NO, IT'S WHAT WE, THE PEOPLE SAY IT IS.

AND WE THE PEOPLE ARE STILL. WE THE PEOPLE. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT AS WE, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD THAT VOICES CAN'T BE SILENCED.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A POSITION OF AUTHORITY THAT WE CAN AT LEAST AMPLIFY OUR VOICES JUST A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY GAVE US THE POWER TO DO SO.

AND SO WE SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY.

RIGHT. AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WELCOMING.

WE ARE DIVERSE. WE ARE INCLUSIVE. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE EQUITY WORK THAT WE DO HERE.

AND NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE THAT. SO I FELT I NEEDED TO SORT OF COMPLETE THE TRIAGE NOW.

CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. FRANK. YES, CONGRATULATIONS.

101 GRADUATES. THANK YOU FOR STAYING. THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR 25TH CLASS.

IT'S SO INCREDIBLE TO REALLY SEE AND ENGAGE WITH YOU AND ALSO LEARN FROM YOU.

AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT. I THINK COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY HAD IT RIGHT.

IT IS A TWO WAY STREET. AND SO LET'S KEEP THAT LINE OF COMMUNICATION OPEN BECAUSE WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

WITHOUT YOU, THERE'S NO REASON FOR US SO. AND LASTLY AT 10:30 ON 4/ 17.

SORRY, MAYOR. THERE'S A GROUNDBREAKING RIGHT ACROSS THE PLAZA THERE.

WE WILL OFFICIALLY GET THIS PROJECT STARTED WITH THE SQUARE TRANSFORMATION, AND IT IS GOING TO BE A TIGHT TIMELINE.

AND IF MOTHER NATURE IS GIVING US ANY INDICATION THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, WE'RE IN FOR A BUMPY RIDE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT. 1030 TO I'M GUESSING 1130 OR SO, MAYBE 12, I THINK.

NOON. SURE. SO, YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SQUARE, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT MIGHT, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT EVOLVE INTO SOMETHING OF A STREET PARTY, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS? IT'S DECATUR. WE GOT A FESTIVAL FOR THAT TOO.

BUT THANKS FOR A GREAT MEETING. THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR THE TIME.

THANK YOU. AND SPEAKING OF EVENTS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS, I ALSO WANT TO JUST LIFT UP AGAIN THE TRACK AND FIELD RIBBON CUTTING THAT WE CELEBRATED.

AND AS ALAN MAST, WHO IS ON THE LEGACY BOARD, SENT AN EMAIL SAYING IT WAS A JOYFUL COMMUNITY EVENT, AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION.

AND I, I'M GOING TO SAY THIS PUBLICLY BECAUSE A, I NEGLECTED TO DO SO AT THE RIBBON CUTTING.

[01:50:06]

AND SHE WAS THERE, ALL OF THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS AND THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND MANY CITY OF DECATUR EMPLOYEES WERE THERE.

AND IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT. AND I HAVE TO THANK MEREDITH ROARK FOR ALL OF THE BEHIND THE SCENES ORGANIZATION.

IT HAPPENED BECAUSE MEREDITH MADE IT HAPPEN. SO.

AND WE JUST SHOWED UP. AND SO BUT SHE WORKED TO PULL ALL THE EVENTS TOGETHER TO COORDINATE WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND JUST LIKE MANY THINGS THAT HAPPEN. SHE IS WORKING HARD BEHIND THE SCENES.

AND SO A BIG THANK YOU FOR THAT. I DO I'M EXCITED ABOUT GETTING MAKING PROGRESS ON THE CLEAN ENERGY PLAN.

AND I ALSO HAD SORT OF BEEN FOLLOWING THE THEME THIS EVENING.

I HAD THE HONOR TO WELCOME SOME GUESTS TO DECATUR TODAY THAT ARE HERE FOR AS PART OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL PARK, PARKS AND REC ASSOCIATION.

IT'S THE NATIONAL AS A GROUP. WITHIN THAT IS THE NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARKS ETHNIC AND MINORITY SOCIETY.

THEY'RE HOSTING A TWO DAY CONFERENCE HERE AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER.

THEY DID SITE VISITS AND CHOSE DECATUR TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND WAS ONE OF THE SPONSORS.

AND IT IS AN EQUITY SUMMIT. AND THE TITLE JUST STUCK WITH ME.

IT'S EQUAL PAY, EQUAL PLAY, EQUAL ACCESS, BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES.

AND WHAT A MAGNIFICENT ROLE THAT PARKS AND RECREATION CAN PLAY IN MAKING OUR CONTINUING TO ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT AN INCLUSIVE ONE AND CERTAINLY A MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR YOUTH.

SO I THINK WE CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT WE DO AND THAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN.

AND WITH THAT, THANKS, EVERYONE, FOR A GREAT MEETING.

AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 8:55 AND WE CAN WATCH A BASKETBALL.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.