>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
[00:00:06]
WELL, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS G.G.[WORK SESSION – 6:00 P.M.]
HOWARD. I'VE BEEN A DECATUR RESIDENT FOR 24 YEARS.I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE LIFELONG COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD, JULIE SMITH IS WITH ME.
SHE IS THE LIAISON WITH THE CITY, AND SHE IS GOING TO HELP ME MAKE OUR PRESENTATION.
I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD SINCE 2021 AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED IT.
THIS BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COMMISSION IN 2013, AND IT ADVISES YOU GUYS ABOUT LIFELONG COMMUNITY GOALS.
THE BOARD ADVOCATES, SUPPORTS, ADVISES, EDUCATES OURSELVES ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT IMPACT THE CITY AND BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN THE CITY, AS AARP PUTS IT FROM CRADLE TO RETIREMENT.
[LAUGHTER] THE BOARD IS A GROUP OF VOLUNTEER RESIDENTS, ONE OF WHOM IS HERE WITH US.
JUDY SUE IS WITH US FROM THE BOARD, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER VOLUNTEER.
WE HAD SOME VACANCIES, BUT WE HAVE A FULL BOARD WITH NINE MEMBERS RIGHT NOW.
AGE FRIENDLY CITY IS A PRODUCT OF AARP AND IS A NETWORK OF CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
OUR GUIDING FRAMEWORK FOR THE BOARD IS BUILT ON THE AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN THAT WE CREATED TWO YEARS AGO, AND YOU ALL APPROVED IT IN 2023.
IT FOCUSES ON EIGHT DOMAINS FROM THE AARP, AND THEN WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL DOMAIN AS WE WENT THROUGH AND DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HAVE ANOTHER DOMAIN.
THE NINE DOMAINS ARE OUTDOOR SPACES AND BUILDINGS, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, RESPECT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION, CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT, COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION, COMMUNITY AND HEALTH SERVICE, BUSINESS SERVICES, AND THEN WE ADDED WORK AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.
USING THIS AS OUR FRAMEWORK AND THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, THE BOARD CREATES A WORK PLAN EACH YEAR AND TRIES TO INCLUDE SOMETHING FROM EACH OF THE DIFFERENT DOMAINS.
OUR MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR.
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ONE THING THAT YOU MAY HAVE SEEN, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY SEEN IT, BUT SOME PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FOCUS, AND WE HAVE AN INSERT FOR AGE-FRIENDLY INFORMATION.
THIS CAME ABOUT BECAUSE A COUPLE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS WERE ACTUALLY INDICATOR ONE ON ONE.
THEY WERE TALKING TO SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS IN THE CLASS.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE NEW RESIDENTS GUIDE, WHICH APPARENTLY IS VERY POPULAR.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. I'M GOING TO BE RESIDENT, BUT I CAN SEE WHERE THAT WOULD BE USEFUL TODAY.
LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU COULD PULL IT OUT, HAVE IT AT THE VISITOR CENTER, BUT WANTED TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WAS AGE-FRIENDLY, AGE APPROPRIATE.
SOME OF THE MEMBERS ON OUR BOARD HAVE CREATED THAT INSERT AND LIKE I SAID, EVERYONE SHOULD BE GETTING THAT SOON.
THAT COVERS DOMAIN 7 UNDER COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION.
ANOTHER DOMAIN THAT JULIE HAS WORKED ON, THE HOUSING DOMAIN WITH THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN GUIDELINES.
THIS IS ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
IT'S GOING TO BE A TOOL THAT CAN BE USED BY CONTRACTORS FOR EITHER NEW BUILDS, I BELIEVE, OR JUST ANY REHAB AND REMODEL.
IT HELPS HOMEOWNERS AND BUILDERS DESIGN ACCESSIBLE HOMES FOR ALL THE AGES AND ABILITIES.
IT'S TAKING A LOT OF DIFFERENT CODES AND INFORMATION AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER SO THAT WE HAVE A WORKABLE SET OF UNIVERSAL DESIGNS, AND THIS IS BEING APPROVED BY STAKEHOLDERS AND DISCUSSED BY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE CITY, AND HOPEFULLY WILL BECOME PART OF WHAT WE CAN OFFER TO PEOPLE HERE.
[BACKGROUND] THEN THIS IS THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN GUIDELINES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW.
THE CONNECTIONS CAFE IS SOMETHING THAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF.
WE'RE DOING IT WITH THE DEMENTIA SPOTLIGHT AND PARKS & RECREATION PARTNERSHIP.
IT IS A MONTHLY SOCIAL CAFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IS SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WAS REALLY CRUCIAL IN DISCUSSING IT AS A BOARD, AND THE GOALS OF CONNECTIONS CAFE WOULD BE TO REDUCE ISOLATION,
[00:05:06]
INCREASE AWARENESS, PROMOTE INCLUSION.WE'LL START THAT IN JANUARY WITH PARKS & RECREATION AS OUR PARTNER.
AGAIN, FOR A YEAR AT LEAST WITH DEMENTIA SPOTLIGHT.
DEMENTIA SPOTLIGHT HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT AND SUCH A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO AS THE BOARD.
THEY'LL COME ON AND THEY'LL SCREEN PARTICIPANTS TO COME TO THE CAFE AND CREATE THE ACTIVITIES FOR THEM.
WE CAN LEARN WHETHER WE CAN DO THAT ON OUR OWN FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR NOT BUT WE'RE REAL EXCITED.
WE'VE BEEN PUSHING TOWARD THIS PROJECT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WILL BE GREAT FOR THE BOARD.
OUR OTHER IS INTERGENERATIONAL AFTER-SCHOOL READING PILOT.
THIS COMES UNDER DOMAIN 4, WHICH IS SOCIAL PARTICIPATION.
WE HAD A WOMAN COME TO OUR BOARD.
SHE WANTED TO BE ON THE BOARD SPECIFICALLY TO TRY AND IMPLEMENT THIS AS A PILOT PROGRAM.
IT IS LAUNCHED SO FAR WITH THE CITY OF DECATUR, DECATUR HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE OLIVER HOUSE RESIDENTS, VOLUNTEER TO READ WITH THE STUDENTS, THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE HELPING US WITH BOOKS TO MAKE AVAILABLE THAT FIT THE CURRICULUM OF THE STUDENTS AND WHAT THEY'RE LEARNING, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND PUSH THIS PROJECT OUT INTO CLAIRMONT OAKS TO SEE IF WE CAN GET MORE OF THE INTERGENERATIONAL READING BECAUSE I THINK OVER YEARS AS I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT IS TO PUT THE GENERATIONS TOGETHER.
SOME OF THAT USED TO HAPPEN IN THE CITY BEFORE COVID, SO IT'S GOOD THAT THAT'S COMING BACK.
THOSE ARE OUR BIG ACTIVITIES, BUT WE DO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.
AS A BOARD, WE'VE WORKED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE SMART911 PROGRAM.
WE'VE BEEN PUTTING INFORMATION IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS.
ALSO WITH THE FOCUS, WE HAVE PUT IN ARTICLES ALMOST EVERY MONTH THAT DIFFERENT ONES OF US WILL WRITE ON TOPICS RELATING TO AGING IN PLACE.
HEIRS PROPERTY PROJECT IS A REALLY INTERESTING PROJECT THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY EMERY UNDER A SPECIAL FELLOWSHIP.
WHAT IT DOES IS IT PAIRS PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LIVING IN THE CITY, BUT WHO HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE WAY THEIR DEEDS ARE WRITTEN UP TO CLEAR UP THE TITLE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT SO MANY PEOPLE MAYBE ON THE LAND AND YOU NEED SOME HELP WITH A LAWYER.
THAT'S EXPENSIVE, BUT WE'VE GOT SOME VOLUNTEER PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING ON THAT.
WE HAVE SENT BOARD MEMBERS TO VARIOUS DIFFERENT COMMITTEES LIKE THE SAFE STREETS COMMITTEE, THE TOWN CENTER 2 MEETINGS.
WE TRY TO HAVE SOMEBODY GO TO ALL THE MEETINGS TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS THAT WE SUPPORT AND WE THINK THAT'S BEEN GOOD BECAUSE WE CAN BRING BACK INFORMATION TO THE BOARD.
WE PROVIDED A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE RAISE GRANT.
WE PARTICIPATED IN BICENTENNIAL EVENTS.
WE HAD SOME BLANKETS MADE UP AND GAVE THOSE OUT TO KEEP OLDER PEOPLE WARM DURING THAT COLD BICENTENNIAL EVENT.
THEN WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS COME TALK TO US ABOUT JUST DIFFERENT EVENTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON LIKE THE MISSING MIDDLE INITIATIVE, KRISTEN ALLEN CAME AND PRESENTED TO US JUST TO KEEP US EDUCATED SO THAT WE CAN BE BETTER BOARD MEMBERS.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING.
A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE, I PROBABLY LET SOME OF IT OUT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE ON THE CITY COMMISSION FOR SUPPORTING US, THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, PARKS & REC, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE DEMENTIA SPOTLIGHT FOUNDATION, CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR, DECATUR HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND OF COURSE, OTHER PEOPLE THAT HELP US TO MAKE THEIR WORK POSSIBLE. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR QUESTIONS?
>> I'LL START. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU.
THANKS FOR THE NEW INITIATIVES.
ARE THERE THINGS THAT YOU SEE THAT COULD BE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED MORE SUPPORT FROM? BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S AN EVER MOVING, AND I KNOW IN SOME SPACES AND PLACES, PEOPLE WON'T JUST OPEN THEIR DOOR.
>> THAT IS VERY TRUE. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES OTHER THAN FUNDING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT WE DO HAVE FUNDING FOR THE CONNECTIONS CAFE, BUT IT IS CROSS JURISDICTION ISSUES THAT ARE PRESENTED BECAUSE WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN TRANSPORTATION IN THE SAFE STREETS INITIATIVE, BUT THEN YOU FIND OUT THAT GDOT IS IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING AT DECATUR COUNTY.
THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR US.
WE WANT TO CONQUER THE WORLD, BUT WE REALLY ONLY HAVE A SLIVER.
[00:10:02]
>> WELL, JUST ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE CAN PLUG PEOPLE IN BECAUSE I KNOW SO MANY TIMES, ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS FEEL LEFT OUT, BUT SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO GET THEM IS NOT TEXT OR EMAIL, YOU GOT TO GO.
>> YES, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT.
WE THINK THE FOCUS IS A GOOD WAY TO DO THAT, TOO, BECAUSE THAT COMES STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.
WE'RE WORKING TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS THE FOCUS BECAUSE AT SOME OF THE HOUSING PLACES, THE MULTI-APARTMENTS OR WHATEVER THAT IT'S HARDER TO GET IT APPARENTLY SO WE DO HEAR BACK ON THAT THING.
>> FOR INSTANCE G.G. WAS A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE SQUARE SHAKE UP MEETINGS, AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT WAS TO REPRESENT.
IT'S PARTICULARLY HARD FOR OUR SENIORS TO GET TO SOME OF OUR EVENTS.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SEATING. MAYBE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SHADE.
THAT WAS THE ROLE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADD OUR INPUT AS THERE ARE MORE MEETINGS, AND WE GET CLOSER TO MAKING SOME OF THOSE SMALLER DESIGN CHOICES.
>> WE TRIED TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT WAYS TO INVOLVE SENIORS.
WE THOUGHT ABOUT PRIORITY SEATING LIKE AT THE OKRS JAZZ NIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT REALLY WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE WORK, BUT SOME THINGS WE HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO MAKE WORK.
WHEN WE HAD THE BLANKETS AND I THINK WE HAD PRIORITY SEATING FOR SENIORS AT LESS THAN 10 YEAR WORK.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN DO THAT AND SOMETIMES IT'S JUST TOO CHALLENGING.
>> I REALLY LIKE THE INTERGENERATIONALITY READING PROGRAM. HOW BIG IS THAT? HOW IS THAT GOING? TO ME, IT SOMETHING HAS MULTIPLE BENEFITS, AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE OUR SENIORS AND KIDS WHO REALLY COULD BENEFIT FROM THAT, YOU PAIRING THIS TOGETHER.
>> BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'VE GOT ONE HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING AND THEN WE'VE GOT THE KIDS FROM [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU WERE ABLE TO MARRY THOSE TWO POPULATIONS BECAUSE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO?
>> YES. WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT PULLING KIDS OUT OF THE SCHOOL DAY BECAUSE OF THE DEMANDING CURRICULUM.
THIS WAS A WAY TO PUT THAT TOGETHER IN AN EASIER FASHION.
BUT LIKE WE SAID, WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND EXPAND IT TO OTHER PLACES.
THIS HAS JUST STARTED A MONTH OR TWO AGO BUT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
>> I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT AS YOU LEARN AND IT WOULD BE REPLICABLE OR EXPANDABLE, BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR KIDS THE GET THAT TYPE OF MEETING WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG.
THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE SENIORS WHO MAY FEEL A LITTLE ISOLATED.
>> YES. IT SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL SO FAR.
>> THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALSO LET US KNOW THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THE PARENTS AT THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT THEY REALLY VALUE THAT ACTIVITY.
>> YEARS AGO, I WAS A VOLUNTEER ADULT LEADER AT OAKHURST ELEMENTARY AND ACTUALLY WENT IN AND HAD KIDS READ TO ME AND I READ TO THEM, AND I WONDER IF THAT MAYBE A POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF OUR SENIORS COULD GO INTO THE SCHOOLS, AND IT WAS ACTUALLY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
I KNOW THAT TAKES MORE COORDINATION AND TRANSPORTATION AND THAT THING, BUT THAT IS ONE WAY TO MAYBE THINK ABOUT EXPANDING.
I ALSO JUST WANTED TO MENTION I REALLY LIKE THE CONNECTIONS CAFE.
I HAPPENED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION YESTERDAY WITH A RETIRED PHYSICIAN, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEMENTIA.
HE SAID THERE ARE ACTUALLY STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT IF YOU ASK SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA IF THEY ENJOYED THE VISIT FROM SO AND SO THIS MORNING, EVEN IF IT WAS A FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEBODY THERE WITH THEM, THEY TYPICALLY COULDN'T TELL YOU THAT SOMEBODY HAD BEEN THERE.
BUT WHEN THEY LOOKED AT WHAT THEIR DEMEANOR WAS DURING THE DAY THEY WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LIKELY TO HAVE MAYBE AN EPISODE OF BEING UNHAPPY OR THAT IT REALLY DID MEAN SOMETHING, EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO EXPRESS THAT, AND EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T REMEMBER IT, THEY SEEMED TO HAVE BETTER DAYS WHEN PEOPLE COME AND SEE THEM.
WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A REALLY PRETTY REMARKABLE THING TO STUDY AND TO SEE THAT.
JUST HAVING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS THAT WE AS A BOARD TOOK THE DEMENTIA TRAINING FROM THE DEMENTIA SPOTLIGHT FOUNDATION,
[00:15:05]
MAYBE A YEAR OR TWO AGO.THAT STARTED OUR JOURNEY ON THE DEMENTIA PATH.
IT WAS VERY USEFUL AND TAUGHT US A LOT OF THINGS OF THAT SORT.
THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR THE CAFE, WHICH WE'RE VERY PROUD OF.
>> I LOVE ALL THIS WORK AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE INTERGENERATIONAL WORK.
I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF TEENAGERS RIGHT NOW WHO ARE LOOKING FOR PURPOSE DRIVEN WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT IF THERE IS SOME INTERGENERATIONAL WORK THAT CAN BE DONE WITH SENIORS AND TEENS, THAT'D BE AWESOME, TOO, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ERRAND RUNNING OR HELPING OR HAVING A BUDDY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THIS GROUP DECIDES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BECOME A THING, I KNOW I'D BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT HELPING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> IS THE BOARD ACTIVE WITH OUR SEASON OF GIVING OR IS THAT JUST THROUGH YOUR OFFICE COORDINATES STAFF, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF THE BOARD HAD A ROLE IN THE SEASON OF GIVING THAT IS REALLY HAPPENING OR IS STARTING RIGHT NOW.
>> EXACTLY. WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AT THE BOARD MEETING LAST WEEK.
A NUMBER OF US VOLUNTEER FOR IT.
WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL ROLE IN IT, BUT IT CERTAINLY FITS WITH THE SENIOR PART OF THE GIFT GIVING.
>> IT'S ALSO A CHANNEL I USED TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT, NOT ONLY WITH JUST THE BOARD, BUT HAVING THE BOARD SHARE IT IN THEIR NETWORK.
>> THANK YOU TOO, FOR SERVING.
IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT BOARD THAT HAS A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME CROSS JURISDICTIONAL THINGS THAT MAKE IT SOMETIMES MORE CHALLENGING, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE WORK AND THE CREATIVE WAYS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO CONNECT ACROSS CRADLE TO RETIREMENT. [LAUGHTER].
>> CRADLE CAR KEYS GET TAKEN AWAY. [LAUGHTER].
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE LESS THAN 9 MINUTES TO OUR NEXT WORK SESSION.
>> READY TO GO SECOND WORK SESSION. WELCOME. GREAT.
[WORK SESSION – 6:30 P.M.]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, DAVID NIFONG, ENERGY PROJECTS COORDINATOR.
I AM EXCITED TONIGHT FOR US TO BE DOING THIS WORK SESSION ON ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING.
I'M JUST GOING TO SET THE STAGE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN HAND IT OVER TO OUR CONSULTANTS FROM 2KB.
AS YOU MAY RECALL, THIS COMMISSION IN 2022 ADOPTED DECATUR'S CLEAN ENERGY PLAN, WHICH SET THE GOAL OF SUPPLYING 100% OF ELECTRICITY DEMAND AT MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS WITH CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BY THE YEAR 2030.
PART OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THAT PLAN TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL WAS FOR THE CITY TO CONSIDER AN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, WHICH WE WILL GET INTO IN SOME PRETTY SPECIFIC DETAIL THIS EVENING.
IN SPRING OF THIS YEAR, THE CITY CONDUCTED AN RFP PROCESS AND HIRED 2KB ENERGY SERVICES AS A OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE TO HELP US PLAN AND DEVELOP AN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.
THEY ARE HERE TONIGHT TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR AND THEY WANT OUR NEXT STEPS ARE.
I'M PROUD AND HAPPY TO INTRODUCE GEORGE BUCHANAN FROM 2KB ENERGY SERVICES.
I'M GRATEFUL THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY IS HERE IN CASE THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT MAY BE BEST DIRECTED TO HER AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MARY COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME AGAIN.
I'M GEORGE MCKINNON, CEO AND FOUNDER OF QB ENERGY SERVICES.
I'LL GET INTO A LITTLE BIT OF WHO WE ARE.
I MEAN, ME AND MY BACKGROUND IS DEGREED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, DID MIAMI HERE AT GEORGIA STATE.
I'M ON THE BOARD OF SOUTH BASE.
MAR, THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE VISIONARY AWARDS LUNCH.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SOUTH BASE.
DAVID MENTIONED, MY PURPOSE HERE, WE ARE AN ESPC OR ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE.
[00:20:01]
I AM APPROVED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AS A PROJECT FACILITATOR FOR ONE OF THESE PROJECTS, ITS OF DOING TOO MUCH THAT.FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S COMFORTABLE ASKING QUESTIONS, PLEASE INTERRUPT ME AS WE GO IF SOMETHING'S UNCLEAR, OR I NEED TO DIG DOWN A LITTLE DEEP RIDGE SOMETHING, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE INTERRUPT ME.
JUST SO THAT THE OBJECTIVES THAT WE'LL COVER HERE.
AGAIN, INTRODUCING 2KB, GOING THROUGH THE ESPC PHASES, TALKING ABOUT SOME TASKS AND CONSIDERATIONS.
TIMELINE AND SCHEDULE, CONCLUSION, OPEN DISCUSSION, BUT AGAIN, AS THINGS POP UP, PLEASE DO, SO 2KB ENERGY SERVICES, I FOUNDED THE COMPANY JUST OVER TEN YEARS AGO, WITH A MISSION TO EMPOWER ORGANIZATIONS TO PURSUE A RESILIENT FUTURE.
I CAME OUT OF CORPORATE AMERICA WORKING ON PROJECTS LIKE THIS AND SO STARTED A FIRM, I WANTED TO BE MORE NIMBLE, SIT ON THE OWNERS SIDE OF THE TABLE AND REPRESENT OWNERS AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS AND OTHER ENERGY EFFICIENT RESILIENT TYPE PROJECTS, I GUESS WE JUST STARTED SAYING RESILIENT YEARS AGO, BACK THEN IT WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND THEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SO ON.
AGAIN, WE ARE AN OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS, OR THE SPECIAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARM WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE AND ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO COME IN AND ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS AGAIN.
THIS ISN'T WHAT FOLKS DO, WHAT YOU ALL DO EVERY DAY, WHAT YOUR CITY TEAM DOES EVERY DAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY, AND SO WE HELP AGAIN SIT ON YOUR SIDE OF THE TABLE.
INFRASTRUCTURE DE-CARBONIZATION, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, EV READINESS.
WE HAVE SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTA ACROSS FIVE CONTRACTS AND FOUR DIFFERENT GROUPINGS OF FACILITIES, WE'VE SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR THE CITY OF SAVANNAH.
IN FACT, WE'RE WRAPPING UP CONSTRUCTION ON AN ESPC PROJECT WITH THE CITY OF SAVANNAH RIGHT NOW.
ENERGY EVALUATIONS, WE WORK WITH ATHENS CLARK COUNTY.
I WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME IN THE SOUTHEAST AND RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA WHERE WE GOT OUR START.
THIS GRAPHIC THAT YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, AND I APOLOGIZE.
YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE DIFFERENT PHASES, STAGES OF AN ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.
YOU'LL SEE THIS THEME REPEATED THROUGHOUT THE PRESENTATION THIS EVENING.
WHAT IS OUR ROLE? AGAIN, I MENTIONED.
PLEASE CONTINUE. I'M WITH YOU.
>> I TALKED A MOMENT AGO ABOUT PROVIDING THAT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE AND EXTRA CAPACITY CAPABILITY TO MANAGE SOME OF THIS.
IT'S QUITE AN EFFORT, AS WE'LL SEE IN A MOMENT GOING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT STEPS THERE.
WE ADMINISTER PROTOCOLS, AND SO WE THINK WE APPROACH IT FROM SORRY WE APPROACH THE WORK FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CITY OF DECATUR HIRED US TO FACILITATE A SUCCESSFUL ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT THAT PRODUCES SUFFICIENT GUARANTEED SAVINGS TO PAY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, AND WE'LL LOOK MORE INTO WHAT THAT MEANS.
BUT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MEANS IS YOU SEE US PUSHING ON THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTORS TO GET TOWARD THIS GOAL, THE REASON THAT YOU HIRED US TO COME IN AND HELP FACILITATE A PROJECT.
TRANSPARENCY, AGAIN, MOST OF OUR WORK IS WITH PUBLIC SECTOR ENTITIES.
WE KNOW WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALL AREN'T BUILT TO BE PROFITABLE OR FAST, YOU'RE BUILT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND TO SERVE.
WHAT WE LIKE TO SAY, I WAS JUST TALKING WITH DAVID ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT AGO, ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS IS TO ALLOW OR ENABLE ANY INTERESTED STAKEHOLDER TO LOOK INTO THE PROJECT AT ANY TIME AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE.
I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE, BUT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT THERE.
MAINTAINING SCHEDULES AND TIMELINES IN A GUARANTEED SAVINGS ENVIRONMENT, DOING THINGS WITH THE THOUGHT THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE BECOMES PRETTY IMPORTANT.
WE WORK TO WORK TO MAINTAIN THOSE SCHEDULES.
FINALLY, MINIMIZING RISK, MAXIMIZING VALUE, NOTHING OF COURSE IS WITHOUT RISK, AND I'M GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT THE RISKS TO A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.
[00:25:01]
BUT OUR GOAL IS AGAIN TO CREATE A RESPONSIBLY SHARED ENVIRONMENT OF RISK BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR THAT'S SELECTED.FOR PROFIT COMPANIES DO THIS WORK.
YES, WE WANT THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS WELL, BUT, OF COURSE, NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CITY.
ALL THESE TERMS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE.
THE NOTION OR THE BASIC PREMISE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT OR ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, IT IS A MEANS OF PROCUREMENT.
FIVE, SEVEN, 10 YEARS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMING WILL BE PULLED INTO A SINGLE CONTRACT VEHICLE PULLED INTO A SINGLE CONTRACT VEHICLE IMPLEMENTED BY A MANAGED BY A SINGLE CONTRACTOR THAT HIRES OUT VARIOUS TRADES TO DO THE WORK.
AGAIN, THE ENERGY SAVINGS COMPONENT, IS THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE COSTS WITH NO CAPITAL OUTLAY FROM THE CITY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A DIVERSION OF OPERATING EXPENSES CURRENTLY GOING TOWARD UTILITY AND OPERATIONAL BUDGETS BEING SHIFTED TO PAY FOR DEBT SERVICE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ACHIEVE SAVINGS TO THOSE BUDGETS.
>> COULD YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE? I KNOW IT'S EARLY.
>> I WILL. I'M GOING TO GET THERE.
I DID, YES, I'M GOING TO GET THERE.
ESPC ADDRESSES DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND LEGACY EQUIPMENT.
ITS INTENT IS TO REPLACE ASIAN EQUIPMENT TO ADDRESS THOSE PAIN POINTS THAT THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TEAM HAVE HAD FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND REPLACE THOSE SYSTEMS, UPGRADE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES.
THIS IS A LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP.
I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS CASH FLOW MODEL OF UP TO PER STATE LAW, A 20 YEAR FINANCED TERM OF ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS OR SAVINGS GUARANTEED SAVINGS.
IT'S REALLY CREATING THIS THE ANALOGY OFTEN USE AS A MARRIAGE. IS THAT RIGHT? I MEAN, A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY INDICATOR AND A FIRM FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ESPC CAN BE.
I MEAN, THE CITY OF DECATUR IS ALREADY A VERY FORWARD THINKING, SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT CITY.
IN OTHER CASES, THERE ARE FOLKS THAT LIKE DOING THINGS, THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN DOING THEM FOR DECADES, BECAUSE IT WORKS.
MEAN IT'S THE BEST WAY, BUT IT WORKS.
EPC, BECAUSE THERE ARE GUARANTEED SAVINGS INVOLVED, IT CREATES THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR, HEY, LET'S DO THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY.
LET'S USE SOME OCCUPANCY SENSORS.
LET'S CHANGE OUR SET POINTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
I COULD REALLY [INAUDIBLE] IT OUT A LOT OF THIS STUFF.
CAN PAUSE OR CONTINUE RATHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NEW SYSTEMS, NEWER TECHNOLOGIES.
SO THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING CURRENT STAFF TO GET UP TO SPEED ON NEWER TECHNOLOGIES.
NOW THERE'S A LINE TO BE DRAWN, WE THINK, BETWEEN CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY LIKE LET'S BE OPEN TO NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUT NOT BE SO CUTTING EDGE THAT OUR GUARANTEE IS NOT WORTH MUCH BECAUSE THIS TECHNOLOGY IS NOT PROVEN.
BUT EVEN STILL IN GETTING UP TO MORE CURRENT, MORE EFFICIENT APPROACHES, EFFICIENT MODELS OF TECHNOLOGY, HVAC UNITS AND THE AGAIN, IT MEANS FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
I MENTIONED THAT THESE PROGRAMS TAKE YEARS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND PULL THEM INTO A SINGLE VEHICLE.
WELL, THEN LET'S MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL CONTRACTORS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THAT WORK TO DO THAT WORK BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOUR LOCAL CONTRACTORS, NO, THEY CAN'T.
THEY GUARANTEE THEMSELVES, THINK, I'M GOING TO BE GETTING THE LIGHTING WORK FROM THE CITY OF DECATUR FOR THE NEXT 70 YEARS.
WELL, UNDER A PROJECT LIKE THIS, ALL THAT'S GOING TO BE GONE.
IT'S GOING TO BE DONE IN ONE FELL SWOOP.
AGAIN, GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THAT WORK.
AGAIN, OF COURSE, TO THE RIGHT, I MENTIONED THE GRAPHIC.
THE PHASES. CURRENTLY, THE CITY IS IN THE PLANNING AND ESCO SELECTION PHASE.
I MEAN, THIS DISCUSSION WE'RE HAVING LOTS OF WORK THAT DAVID DAVIS AND IRENE ARE DOING ON REVIEWING THE DOCUMENTS, DOING THE PLANNING, PREPARING FOR A POTENTIAL SELECTION.
[00:30:02]
THEN YOU MOVE TO THE I'M GETTING AHEAD.I WANT TO JUST GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE AND WE'LL TALK NOW SO PHILOSOPHICALLY ON WHAT PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING IS, SO FUNCTIONALLY MECHANICALLY, IT IS A DESIGN BUILD PROJECT FUNDED FROM OPERATIONS THAT HAS A PERFORMANCE BASED GUARANTEE ATTACHED TO IT.
OF COURSE, YOU ALL DO DESIGN BUILD PROJECTS BEFORE.
YOU FUND OR YOUR APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT UNLIKE TYPICAL BID INSPECT WORK, THERE IS THAT PERFORMANCE COMPONENT WHERE IT'S PERFORMANCE BASED.
YOUR ESCO IS GOING TO PERFORM, CONDUCT AN INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT, WHERE THEY IDENTIFY DESIGN AND INSTALL CONSERVATION MEASURES SELECTED BY THE CITY TO THE MODEL OF HOW THAT WORKS IN A LITTLE BIT.
ESCO IS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR WITH SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE.
IT'S THE ONE THROAT TO CHOKE MODEL.
YOU GET ALL OF YOUR ECMS OR ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES GOING.
WHILE THE ESCO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THOSE TRADES, SUBCONTRACTORS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND SO ON.
BECAUSE I WORK IN A CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE ESCO BEING SOURCING AND PROCUREMENT OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE ESCO BEING A PROJECT MANAGER?
>> THE SELECTION PROCESS IS TO HIRE AN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY OR ESCO.
FROM THERE, THEY GO INTO THE FIELD AND CONDUCT HERE IN THE LIGHT BLUE BOX, THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT, WHERE THEY'RE IDENTIFYING ALL THESE MEASURES THAT COULD HAPPEN.
THE CITY ULTIMATELY MAKES A SELECTION ON THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES THAT'S FINALIZED.
THE ESCO GOES AND AS PART OF THEIR AUDIT, THEY OBTAIN THIRD PARTY SUBCONTRACTOR BIDS FOR THE WORK.
ASSUMING THAT THE CITY GOES FORWARD THROUGH NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, AND INITIATION, THE ESCO THEN SIGNS THOSE SUBCONTRACTS AFTER OF COURSE EXECUTING ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY, SIGNS THOSE SUBCONTRACTS AND THEN BECOMES THE PROJECT MANAGER OF ALL OF THOSE TRADES.
WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE AUDIT? THE SCOPE OF THE AUDIT.
IT IS IT BEGINS WITH A BASELINE ANALYSIS.
LET'S UNCOVER ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, WATER SEWER, COST AND CONFIRM A BASELINE.
USUALLY 36 MONTHS OF HISTORIC CONSUMPTION AND COST.
THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO LOOK AT OPERATIONAL COST EXPENSES.
NOW THESE ARE THIRD PARTY SERVICE CONTRACTS, THINGS LIKE THAT, TO TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS THE CITY SPENDING TODAY AND WHAT COULD WE SAVE? WHERE IS ALL OF THE ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING GOING IN THIS BUILDING, FOR EXAMPLE.
WHAT'S THE TOTAL MAKEUP OF THAT? NOW WE KNOW IF WE WERE TO CHANGE LIGHTING, THAT IS THE BASELINE FROM WHICH WE START OUR SAVINGS CALCULATIONS.
A BASELINE DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE, AND THEN AN EQUIPMENT INVENTORY.
WHAT ARE ALL THE ENERGY CONSUMING SYSTEMS IN THIS BUILDING IN THE CITY'S BUILDING PORTFOLIO? LET'S BEGIN TO CALCULATE SAVINGS.
WHAT CAN WE SAVE? NOW, LET'S BRING IN THIRD PARTY CONTRACTORS TO GIVE US FIRM SUBCONTRACTOR BIDS.
NOW WE KNOW WE HAVE ENERGY SAVINGS AND WE HAVE COSTS.
CITY, TELL US WHAT COMBINATION OF CONSERVATION MEASURES YOU WANT TO DO.
I'M GOING TO GET MORE INTO THAT.
BUT I'M ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? I GOT IT. PLEASE.
YES, THE ESCO IS THEY HAVE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER OVERSEEING ALL THIS WORK THAT'S BEING DONE BY THE SUBCONTRACTORS.
I THINK IDEALLY THE CITY WOULD ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THAT PHASE OF THE PROJECT ON OUR SIDE THAT IS OVERSEEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE MEASURES, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO FOR THE SQUARE SHAKEUP AND OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS.
THERE IS A POINT ON THEIR SIDE THAT'S MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION AND THEN A POINT ON OUR SIDE THAT'S ALSO DOING THE SAME.
>> YES. ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S A GREAT POINT.
I TALK ABOUT THE MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
[00:35:02]
SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO STRESS IS, HEY, YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION, NOT TO SAVINGS.YOU WOULDN'T. BUT HEY, THERE ARE AGAIN, THERE'S GUARANTEE.
WHAT THE ESCO IS DOING IS CREATING THE CONDITION FOR THE CITY TO SAVE ENERGY.
NOW, THEN THEY START WATCHING.
THEY STEP BACK AND BECOME A WATCHER, AND IT'S UP TO THE CITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT APPROPRIATELY TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THOSE [INAUDIBLE]
>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, LIKE THE BUILDINGS USED, ELECTRICITY, BUT HOT SOMETHING JUST AS SIMPLE AS ADJUSTING THERMOSTATS OR HAVING THOSE PROGRAMMED FOR A CERTAIN LEVEL THAT WE'RE NOT GOING IN AND OVERRIDING THAT.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE RISKS THAT WE'LL GET TO IN FACT.
UNFORTUNATELY, A COMMON OCCURRENCE, LOOK, SOME PEOPLE TEND TO HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, MORE POWER THAN OTHERS, AND HEY, IT'S HOT IN HERE, MAKE IT COLDER AND I'M NOT GOING TO UPSET DAVID.
I'M GOING TO MAKE IT. NOW I'M WORKING AGAINST THE SAVINGS GUARANTEE OR WORKING AGAINST THE SAVINGS PERFORMANCE.
THE GUARANTEE WOULD STILL BE MET BECAUSE, AGAIN, YOUR ESCO HAS CREATED THE CONDITION FOR YOU TO SAVE, YOU JUST DIDN'T DO IT.
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MANY QUESTIONS.
>> GREAT. I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
CONTINUING ON WITH A GRAPHIC EXAMPLE HERE.
ON THE FAR LEFT, YOU HAVE TODAY ALL THE WAY UP TO THE START OF THE CONTRACT, THE START OF THE CONTRACT BEING THE, IT'S NOT LIKE THIS SINGLE MOMENT IN TIME, BUT THE PROJECT IS ACCEPTED.
ALL OF THE ENERGY AND OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
THERE YOU HAVE GUARANTEED SAVINGS IN THE BLUE SHADED AREA ACCRUING TO THE CITY, BUT BEING USED TO REPAY THE DEBT SERVICE, AND THEN THE GREEN ON THE TOP IS JUST THE EXCESS SAVINGS.
THAT'S THE EXTRA, AND SO OVER THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT, AGAIN, UP TO 20 YEARS, WE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE 20 YEAR PROGRAM, BUT WE'LL GET INTO THAT A LITTLE LATER, UP TO 20 YEARS OF DEBT SERVICE REPAYMENT, AND AFTER THAT PERIOD, ALL OF THE SAVINGS ACCRUED TO THE CITY.
NOW, WE LOOK AT THINGS LIKE EQUIPMENT USEFUL LIFE AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THESE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT.
GETTING AHEAD A LITTLE BIT, BUT YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO INSTALL AN ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURE AND FINANCE OVER A 15 YEAR TERM, AND THE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT HAS AN EIGHT YEAR USEFUL LIFE.
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET SAVINGS.
GRANTED, IT'S NOT ALL GOING TO FAIL IN YEAR 8, BUT AT THAT TIME, YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET SAVINGS.
WE'LL GET TO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WE GO ALONG.
LOOKING AT IT AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONTRACTUAL SIDE HERE.
I KEEP REPEATING THE TIMELINE ON THE SLIDES, JUST TO SHOW HOW ALL THIS COMES TOGETHER.
THERE ARE THREE PARTIES TO THIS TYPE OF CONTRACT AND TWO AGREEMENTS.
THE CLIENT, THAT'S THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE LENDER, THE FINANCING INSTITUTION, AND THEN THE ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY.
THE ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY PROVIDES PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OR THE INVESTOR GRADE AUDIT AND DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES TO THE CITY.
THE CITY IS GOING TO PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES OVER BECOMES A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
OVER A SCHEDULE OF VALUES AS WORK IS COMPLETED, THE CITY PAYS THE ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY FOR THE WORK THAT'S TAKING PLACE.
THEN YOU SEE THE LINE ON THE BOTTOM, THE ESCO IS PROVIDING A GUARANTEE OF ENERGY AND OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS.
THIS GRAPHIC, IT COMES FROM THE INDUSTRY, BUT IT'S SOMEWHAT I SHOULD CALL IT ANTIQUATED.
THE NOTION THAT THE ESCO ARRANGES THE FINANCING, THAT DOESN'T REALLY HAPPEN SO MUCH ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU ALL KNOW HOW TO BORROW MONEY.
YOU ARRANGE FINANCING ALL THE TIME.
THE CITY IDENTIFIES A LENDER THAT PROVIDES THE LOAN, AND THEN THE CITY REPAYS THAT LOAN OVER THE PROJECT TERM, AGAIN, UP TO 20 YEARS PER STATE LAW.
>> THIS CHART, THE ARROW OF THE GUARANTEE OF SAVINGS SHOULD BE GREATER THAN THE LOAN ARROW.
>> YES. FROM A VOLUME PERSPECTIVE.
THE WAY THE CONTRACT IS WRITTEN,
[00:40:05]
WELL, THE STATE LAW IS WRITTEN, THAT THE ENERGY AND OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS MUST BE GREATER THAN THE PROGRAM COSTS.THAT INCLUDES THE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT AND SOMETHING CALLED CONTINUING SERVICES PAYMENT.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A GUARANTEE, ESCO SAYS, "HEY, YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE ME A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR EVERY YEAR OF THE GUARANTEE THAT ALLOWS ME TO LOOK INTO YOUR UTILITY CONSUMPTION AND COST." IT ALLOWS ME TO INSPECT THE EQUIPMENT PERIODICALLY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO, SO THAT WE CAN BE SURE THAT THE GUARANTEE IS MET.
>> THAT'S THE PAYMENT OF SERVICES ACCORDING TO ESCO [INAUDIBLE].
THAT ARROW IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
WHEN YOU BORROW THE MONEY, IT'S GOING TO GO INTO AN ESCROW, THE ESCO PERFORMS THE WORK AND THEN SAYS, "HEY, I SPENT $10,000 THIS MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED." YOU REVIEW THAT AGAINST WHAT THEY SAID THEY DID.
THEN YOU TELL THE ESCROW AGENT, YES, GO AHEAD AND RELEASE THE $10,000.
THE CONTINUING SERVICES, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A CASH FLOW MODEL IN JUST A MOMENT HERE THAT SHOWS HOW ALL THAT COMES TOGETHER.
>> BEFORE YOU GET INTO CASH FLOW, MR. BUCHANAN, I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HECK WE'RE BUYING.
[LAUGHTER] GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE'D BE FINANCING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. ON THIS SLIDE HERE, WE SEE THE TYPES OF ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES THAT ARE IN TYPICALLY INCLUDED IN THESE PROGRAMS. NOW, PLEASE DON'T LEAN INTO THE NUMBERS. I MADE THEM ALL UP.
>> FAIR [LAUGHTER]. THIS IS HELPFUL.
>> JUST ANYONE SAY, "WELL, YOU SAID." ANYONE SAID, YES, I DID, BUT I [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT I DIDN'T MEAN IT [LAUGHTER].
>> BUT THE TYPES OF MEASURES THAT ARE INCLUDED, YOU HAVE SOME COMBINATION OF ENERGY AND OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS MEASURES, WHERE YOU ARE WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THE CONSERVATION MEASURES THAT PAY FOR THEMSELVES RELATIVELY QUICKLY.
IN THIS EXAMPLE, THINK OF ECM 3, VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES ON VANS OR PUMPS, OR MOTORS, OR WHAT HAVE YOU ARE PAYING FOR THEMSELVES IN A LITTLE OVER SIX YEARS.
THE SAVINGS BEYOND THE SIX YEARS ARE BEING USED TO HELP FUND THE LONGER PAYBACK MEASURES.
>> THIS ESTIMATED SAVINGS COLUMN FIGURATIVELY WOULD BE ANNUAL OR OVER THE LIFE.
>> I'M GETTING IT. IT'S CLICKING. IT'S STARTING TO CLICK.
THE SECOND I SAW WINDOWS, I WAS LIKE, SOMETHING RELATABLE. I'M GETTING IT.
>> NOT THAT CITY STAFF DOES NOT LOVE TO BE UP HERE TAKING AGENDA ITEMS TO THE COMMISSION, BUT THE PROCESS OF AN ESPC ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY ALL THESE MEASURES AT ONCE AND NOT HAVE TO, WE HAVE OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES FOR A REASON, OBVIOUSLY, BUT GOING OUT TO BID FOR EVERY SINGLE LED LIGHTING, RETRO FADER, TILLER UPGRADE, OR BOILER UPGRADE, TAKES TIME, TAKES EFFORT.
THIS IS A WAY TO IDENTIFY THOSE MEASURES ON THE FRONT END AND GO OUT AND DO THEM ALL IN A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME, RATHER THAN ANNUALLY THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND THE BUDGET THAT YOU SEE EVERY YEAR.
>> THEY WOULD COME FORWARD PACKAGED ESSENTIALLY.
THEN THE WORK WOULD BE PROCURED BY AND ALSO PROJECT MANAGED BY THE ESCO?
>> THIS LIST IS ALL PULLED TOGETHER.
AGAIN, [INAUDIBLE] BUT WHAT THE CITY IS GOING TO SEE IS PER BUILDING THE LIST OF VIABLE ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES.
THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT IS THIS VERY ITERATIVE PROCESS WHERE THE ESCO GOES INTO THE FIELD AND SAYS, HERE ARE THE 30 THINGS WE THINK MIGHT WORK.
WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IS THE CITY TO SAY, WELL, WE DON'T WANT 10 OF THOSE.
THEY'RE JUST NOT FOR US AT ALL.
WELL, LET'S GO BACK AND WE FURTHER REFINE AND DEVELOP THE REMAINING 20.
WELL, WE'RE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU CAN REALLY PROBABLY JUST DO THESE 15 BECAUSE THE PAYBACKS ARE TOO LONG, THERE'S NOT SUFFICIENT ENERGY SAVINGS TO DO THIS WORK.
EVERY ESCO HAS THIS TOOL WHERE YOU BASICALLY TURN TOGGLE MEASURES OFF AND ON,
[00:45:06]
AND THEN IT ADJUSTS THE CASH FLOW BASED ON THE TOTAL COST AND THE TOTAL ESTIMATED SAVINGS.THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT AN EXERCISE WHERE A COMPANY GOES OFF INTO A LAB FOR THREE, FOUR MONTHS AND COMES BACK AND SAYS, "HERE'S YOUR PROGRAM." NO, THE CITY IS BUILDING THE PROGRAM ALL ALONG THE WAY.
I TALK ABOUT MEASURES IMPACTING A CASH FLOW.
WELL, HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A CASH FLOW.
THE CHART OR THE GRAPH OF WHERE WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT BEFORE, THE SUM OF ALL OF THOSE MEASURES IS $2,166,000.
HERE, I'VE ENTERED AN ANNUAL INTEREST RATE OF 5%.
NOW, BETTER THAN THAT? SURE IT COULD. COULD IT BE WORSE? SURE IT COULD.
NOW, BY THE TIME WE GET THERE, WHO KNOWS, BUT IF I KNEW, I WOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE [LAUGHTER].
IN THIS EXAMPLE, I'VE USED A FINANCE TERM OF 15 YEARS.
CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, AGAIN, JUST CREATING AN EXAMPLE HERE.
NOW, BEFORE WE GO DOWN, GO UP INTO THE RIGHT, ESCALATION RATES.
WE MODEL A UTILITY AND OPERATIONAL SAVINGS ESCALATION RATE TO SAY, WHAT IS THE VALUE OF OUR ONE MILLION KILOWATTS OF ENERGY SAVE? WHAT'S THE VALUE OF THAT YEAR OVER YEAR? KNOW WHAT IT IS TODAY.
BUT WHAT ESCALATION DO WE WANT TO ASSIGN TO UTILITIES? HERE IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO DRAW A DISTINCTION.
NOW, YOU CANNOT MEASURE SAVINGS.
WHAT YOU WERE MEASURING IS THE ABSENCE OF COST.
IT WOULD HAVE COST US $100 MORE NEXT YEAR IF WE DID NOTHING. WE DID SOMETHING.
HOW DO WE WANT TO VALUE THAT SAVINGS? ON THE CONTINUING SERVICES SIDE, I HAVE 1.5%.
THE ESCROW IS PROBABLY GOING TO PUSH FOR 3%.
THIS IS JUST THE COST OF THEIR LABOR FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
>> QUICK QUESTION WHILE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT.
DOES THAT ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY PROJECTED CHANGES IN THE COST OF OUR ENERGY?
>> YEAH. WHAT THIS IS TRYING TO MODEL IS TYPICALLY, WE SEE SOMETHING IN THE 2-3% RANGE ENTERED HERE.
NOW, GIVEN WHAT WE ALL KNOW, WHERE THINGS ARE GOING IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, THE RATE OF CHANGE WILL BE MUCH GREATER THAN 3%.
HERE, THIS IS THE CITY'S PREROGATIVE TO SAY, HERE'S WHAT I THINK THE VALUE OF MY UTILITY SAVINGS ARE GOING TO BE IN YEAR 8, IN YEAR 9.
>> BECAUSE WE'D HAVE THOSE COST INCREASES ANYWAY.
WHETHER WE MADE A CHANGE OR WHETHER WE DIDN'T, WE'D HAVE THOSE COST INCREASES ANYWAY.
>> WE'D BE DOING THAT AFTER TOMORROW'S GAC ELECTION [LAUGHTER].
>> I'LL TALK ABOUT THE TIMELINE IN A SECOND BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT, AGAIN, INTEREST RATES, RATE ESCALATIONS, THERE WILL BE SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT.
NOW LET'S GO BACK TO THE LEFT.
GUARANTEED UTILITY SAVINGS TO PROJECTED SAVINGS RATIO. WHAT IS THAT? IF I CALCULATE, I BELIEVE THAT A LIGHTING RETROFIT IN THIS BUILDING IS GOING TO SAVE $100,000 A YEAR.
WELL, I DON'T WANT TO GUARANTEE THAT.
YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GUARANTEE THAT.
LET'S BACK OFF OF THAT A LITTLE BIT.
YES, I THINK IT'S $100,000, BUT LET'S GUARANTEE 90,000.
LET'S BUILD A PROGRAM AROUND THAT.
YOUR MEASURES THAT ARE YOUR LOWER SHELF, IF YOU WILL, MEASURES LIKE LIGHTING, THEY TEND TO CARRY A HIGHER RATIO, CLOSER TO 95 PERCENT.
IT'S YOUR MECHANICAL MEASURES, HVAC MEASURES, THINGS WHERE HUMAN BEHAVIOR CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT.
WEATHER PATTERN, THINGS LIKE THAT.
LET'S BACK THAT DOWN TO 80, 85 PERCENT AS WE BUILD, AGAIN, THE GUARANTEED SAVINGS.
IN THE TABLE ON THE LEFT, UTILITY SAVINGS, OPERATIONAL SAVINGS, TOTAL PROJECTED, AND THEN THE TOTAL GUARANTEED IS SOME LEVEL,
[00:50:04]
SOME PORTION OF TOTAL PROJECTED.I TALKED A MOMENT AGO ABOUT THE MONITORING CONTRACT, THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO VERIFY SAVINGS AS A MEANS OF MAINTAINING A GUARANTEE.
DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS IS SIMPLY THE COST OF THE MONEY BORROWED, OVER THE TERM.
I USED IT ANALOGY A LITTLE BEFORE, OF NOT INSTALLING A MEASURE THAT HAD A SHORTER USEFUL LIFE THAN THE TERM.
THIS IS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THIS 15 YEAR PROGRAM, LET'S SAY THE CITY REALLY WANTED A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT HAD A 10 YEAR RATED USEFUL LIFE.
WELL, WE WOULD SAY, WELL, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE DOLLARS BUDGETED IN YEAR 11.
GRANTED, IT'S NOT ALL GOING TO FAIL IN YEAR 10, BUT LET'S BUDGET SOME MONEY TO EITHER REFRESH THAT MEASURE OR LET'S SEE THE UTILITY SAVINGS FROM THAT MEASURE DROP AWAY IN YEAR 11.
TOTAL COST AND THE DIFFERENCE OF COURSE IS THE NET CASH FLOW.
IN THIS EXAMPLE, THE PROGRAM IS NEGATIVE IN THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS, FIRST FEW YEARS, FIVE YEARS, AND IT SWITCHES OVER TO BEING POSITIVE AFTER THE UTILITY RATE ESCALATION CATCHES UP AND THEN IT'S POSITIVE OVER THE TERM.
SEEING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I'M GOING TO LET THAT SINK IN.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IF EQUIPMENT FAILS BEFORE ITS LIFE EXPECTANCY? LET'S SAY WE PUT IN A NEW CHILLER AND IT DIES AND IT'S NOT WARRANTIED, AND WE'VE GOT TO GO INVEST IN A NEW CHILLER SOMEWHERE ON TOP OF THE BUILDING.
IS THAT CAPTURED IN HERE OR WOULD THAT COME OUT OF NET CASH FLOW AT THE END?
>> IN THAT EXAMPLE, THAT WE WOULD SAY, WE WOULD HAVE DONE THINGS TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING TO BEGIN WITH.
A CHILLER HAS A MUCH LONGER LIFE [OVERLAPPING].
>> AIR CONDITIONER. HOW ABOUT THE AIR CONDITION?
>> I DON'T KNOW, THAT WOULD CAUSE A FIGHT WITH THE ESCO BECAUSE YEAH, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT COME ON, THIS THING IS BASICALLY BRAND NEW AND HERE IT'S FAILED IN YEAR 6.
YOUR ESCO IS THEY WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
THE CITY IS PERFORMING ALL THE PMS PROPERLY.
IT'S BEING OPERATED AND MAINTAINED CORRECTLY.
THE ESCO IS GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT YOU SAYING TO VALDOSTA, DON'T DO THIS.
IT WAS TERRIBLE. THIS ESCO DID THIS TO US. THEY DON'T WANT THAT.
>> MR. YOUNG IS COMING TO CHIME IN [LAUGHTER].
>> WHO HELPS DEVELOP THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD BE INSTALLED AT THE FACILITY? IF HVAC IS A PROJECT THAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THE SPECIFICATION IS WRITTEN TO A STANDARD OF HIGH QUALITY LONG LASTING MOTOR EQUIPMENT WARRANTIES TO LAST THAT.
DO WE HELP WRITE THAT OR IS THAT?
>> YES. IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, THAT'S ONE OF THE RISKS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO.
THE ESCO AND ITS DESIGN ENGINEERING PARTNER, THEY ARE PUTTING SEQUENCES AND SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGNS IN FRONT OF THE CITY.
THE CITY HAD REVIEWS THOSE AND IT'S ONLY AFTER APPROVAL THAT THE ESCO CAN ACTUALLY START BUILDING THE PROJECT.
IF IT AGAIN, I MENTIONED EARLIER, WELL, LOOK, ALL THESE AI DRIVEN HVAC TECHNOLOGIES, WE SHOULD INSTALL THEM EVERYWHERE.
WE'LL WATCH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
WE'VE GOT AN IDEA OF WHAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN, AND THEN WE'LL DO OUR OWN THING BASED ON WHAT WORKS FOR US.
>> I JUST WANT TO BE PRAGMATIC ABOUT EQUIPMENT BECAUSE IN MY WORLD, THINGS BREAK.
>>THAT QUESTION IS THAT THIS GUARANTEED SAVINGS, TWO GUARANTEES THE SAVINGS.
I THINK THAT TIES IN ON THE INTENSE QUESTION IS THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE INCURRING COST THAT WILL THEN EVEN INTO SAVINGS.
TELL ME ABOUT, IS THERE ACTUALLY A GUARANTEE?
>> THERE IS A WRITTEN GUARANTEE.
IN THIS MODEL, IF THE SAVINGS IN YEAR 1 SHOWN AS A LITTLE OVER $213,000,
[00:55:05]
AND WE GO THROUGH THE YEAR AND THE SAVINGS ARE ONLY $200,000.WELL, THE WAY THE CONTRACT IS WRITTEN, THE ESCO OWES THE CITY A CHECK FOR $13,200.
>> REMEMBER AGAIN, THE REPAIR REPLACEMENT COST WE CURRENTLY HAVE A ZERO.
WHEN THINGS BREAK THAT'S WHERE THEY MAY POP UP AND THAT'S WHERE WE SEE IT.
I HAVE A FEW QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
IS THE EQUIPMENT WE'RE INSTALLING ANY MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO BREAK THAN THE EQUIPMENT WE'RE REPLACING?
>> THE REMARK WAS MADE. THE ANSWER IS NO.
THE EQUIPMENT THAT YOU WOULD INSTALL AS A NORMAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS JUST AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FALLING OUT OF WARRANTY AND SOMETHING HAPPENING, AND YOU STILL GOT TO GO AND REPLACE THAT.
I MEAN, NOTHING IS WITHOUT RISK.
BUT, I MEAN, THAT'S JUST A DECISION THAT, 20 MINUTES.
OKAY. I'M SORRY, I'M GOING UP.
LET'S CONTINUE ON. DISCUSSION ON THE SAMPLE CASH FLOW.
I JUST HADN'T TALKED ABOUT THESE THINGS, SO I'M NOT GOING TO SIT TOO MUCH TIME HERE.
THIS SLIDE DECK OF COURSE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
OF COURSE, YOU CAN EMAIL IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
ARE THESE REAL SAVINGS OR IS IT JUST THE ESCO SAYING, "YEAH, YOU'RE GOING TO SAVE A BUNCH OF MONEY." WELL, LET'S UNPACK EVERY ASSUMPTION THAT THEY'RE MAKING.
LET'S UNDERSTAND WHAT'S INVOLVED IN THE SAVINGS GUARANTEE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE.
NUMBER 2 TALKS ABOUT CHANGE ORDERS AND PRICE FLUCTUATIONS.
THIS IS A ZERO CHANGE ORDER PROJECT.
THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT IS FOR THE ESCO TO IDENTIFY EVERYTHING THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO INSTALL THE ENERGY CONSERVATION VECTORS.
YOU CAN'T COME BACK AND SAY, "NO, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS IN THE CEILING." THAT'S YOUR FAULT.
ANY CHANGE ORDERS WOULD BE STRICTLY CITY DIRECTED.
I'D LIKE YOU TO DO THIS INSTEAD OR DO THIS IN ADDITION.
EQUIPMENT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, I MEAN, REVIEW OF DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS, EXCUSE ME, EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS, ADHERENCE TO CITY DESIGN STANDARDS.
THAT IS ALL PART OF THE FACILITATION PROCESS OF THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT OF STAYING ENGAGED.
IS THIS PROCESS GOING TO SLOW DOWN OTHER PROJECTS WE NEED? MAYBE. COULD A ROOF REPLACEMENT BE FUNDED BY THIS PROJECT? POSSIBLY. DO WE HAVE ROOF REPLACEMENTS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING RIGHT NOW AND SHOULD WE WAIT? I MEAN, THESE ARE JUST CONSIDERATIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS? MOST OF THESE OTHER RISKS INVOLVE COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT.
KEEPING EVERYONE ABREAST OF WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT'S BEING CONSIDERED, HOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THEM.
I MEAN, WE'RE DOING PROJECT FACILITATION AND OWNERS REP SERVICES WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RIGHT NOW.
WE GO AND WE TALK TO THE ACADEMICS AND TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE GO AND WE TALK TO THE LIBRARY TEAM AND THE RESEARCH TEAM AND TELL THEM WHAT'S BEING CONSIDERED, AND THEY SHARE WITH US THINGS THAT THE PROJECT TEAM WE'RE WORKING WITH IS LIKE, I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THAT.
WELL, IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS.
>> QUICK QUESTION. THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE THEY HAD WITH STAFF? WOULD THEY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION WHEN THERE ARE CHANGES? I FEEL THIS IS MY CONCERN.
I FEEL LIKE YOU COME TO US, WE APPROVE THIS BUCKET OF WHATEVER, AND IT IS MANAGED WITHIN THIS OVERARCHING YES.
THEN THERE ARE CHANGES WITHIN THAT OVERARCHING YES THAT ARE OCCURRING THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE VISIBLE TO US AND TYPICALLY, WHAT'S VISIBLE TO US IS WHAT'S VISIBLE TO THE FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WONDER WHAT'S THE MITIGATION FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BEING TRANSPARENT WITH CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE AFTER WE'VE MADE THAT BIG YES.
>> GEORGE MENTIONED, WE DON'T WANT TO BE MAKING ANY CHANGES AFTER WE'VE MADE THE BIG YES.
WE WANT TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS PROACTIVELY BEFORE WE FINALIZE THE SUITE OF MEASURES.
FOLLOWING THIS MEETING, WE WILL BE MEETING WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THEN STAFF AND THE USERS OF OUR FACILITIES TO DETERMINE WHAT ARE ISSUES YOU'RE EXPERIENCING WITH THE BUILDINGS.
ARE THERE ANY ROOMS THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TRY, WE CAN'T GET IT HOT OR COLD? WE WANT TO GET THAT INPUT AHEAD OF TIME.
THEN BEFORE WE FINALIZE THE LIST OF
[01:00:02]
MEASURES THAT THE CITY WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH GOING BACK TO THEM AND SAYING, HERE'S WHAT OUR ESCO HAS TOLD US, WE SHOULD CONSIDER IS THIS REFLECTIVE OF WHAT YOU HAD PLANNED FOR THIS BUILDING THAT YOU'RE USING.THEN HOPEFULLY, WE GET TO THAT POINT, WE HAVE A FINAL LIST OF MEASURES THAT ARE APPROVED BY THIS COMMISSION, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHANGE IT.
>> SAY NEXT YEAR, YOU'RE IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THESE CHANGES AND WE'RE REALLY FIRED UP ABOUT IT, BUT THERE IS SOME FAILURE IN THE PROCESS.
WHAT IS THE THRESHOLD THAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT TO COME BACK BEFORE US?
>> I'LL CHECK. I'LL NEED TO CHECK WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY.
I MEAN, AGAIN, WE'RE NOT PLANNING TO ISSUE ANY CHANGE ORDERS, BUT IF SOMETHING OCCURS, THAT WE WOULD NEED TO COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION, WE WOULD DO SO.
BUT I THINK ALSO JUST HAVING PERIODIC UPDATES WITH THE COMMISSION AS TO HOW THE PROJECT IS GOING IS GOING TO BE THE MAIN WAY THAT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION AND THEN THE SAVINGS ARE PROVIDED.
>> I'M SORRY I'M A PAIN. LET ME ASK THIS ANOTHER WAY FOR MYSELF.
OKAY. CERTAIN NUMBER OF PROJECTS, CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT EXPECTED TO SPEND FOR THEM, ANYTHING WITHIN THAT THRESHOLD WILL JUST BE MANAGED WITH THE ESCO AND STAFF.
THEN IF IT'S BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THAT, THEN THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION.
>> I ANTICIPATE THAT COMING TO THIS BODY.
>> IN ORDER CHANGES TO THE BUDGET, THEY'LL ALL COME BACK TO US.
>> AGAIN, ZERO CHANGE ORDERS IS THE WAY THAT THIS BOTTLE WORKS.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
WE HAD A PROJECT GOING IN THERE WAS A HYDRANT THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONNECT TO THIS HYDRANT AND IT'S GOING TO SUPPLY WATER WHERE THE ESCO OPEN THE HYDRATE AND GRAVEL SHOT OUT.
[LAUGHTER] WE SAID, NO, WE NEED A CHANGE OVER THERE.
YOU SHOULD HAVE TESTED THAT HYDRANT DURING YOUR INVESTMENT AGREE AUDIT PRIOR TO ASSUMING YOU COULD USE IT.
THIS IS ON YOU, FIGURE IT OUT.
THEY DID BECAUSE THE WORK, CAPITAL 'W' WORK, AND THE CONTRACT SAYS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, INSTALLATION, COMMISSIONING, AND TURNOVER OF THIS EQUIPMENT, PERIOD.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TEN YEARS I THINK.
>>TEN YEARS, HOW MANY CLIENTS, HOW MANY CITIES HAVE YOU WORKED WITH?
>> WELL, ACROSS CONTRACTS, RITHY, HELP ME.
[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE GOT RITHY, OUR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS.
I MEAN, BETWEEN AUDITS AND I'VE BEEN IN THE SPACE FOR 30 YEARS.
I MEAN, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN ALMOST $400 MILLION IN PROJECTS LIKE THIS, FROM THE ENERGY ENGINEERING ALL THE WAY THROUGH DEVELOPMENT.
>> SPEAKS OF THE CHANGE ORDERS AND YOU DON'T SEE CHANGE ORDERS.
WHERE CAN YOU GET THAT FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE.
>> NO. THERE'S NO CHANGE ORDERS.
NOW, YES, I WAS GOING TO SAY, WELL, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY FUND.
THAT'S FINE AS LONG AS THE SAVINGS PAY FOR IT.
>> WE STILL GET TO APPROVE, WE WANT TO APPROVE WHAT YOU SPEND THAT MONEY ON.
JUST BECAUSE IT'S A CONTINGENCY FUND, YOU CAN'T GO AND BUY NEW FORTH LIGHTNINGS WITH IT OR WHATEVER.
>> DOES THE ESCO SETUP ITSELF? IS IT NOT RELATIVELY NEW HOW THIS IS SET UP AND USE THE ENERGY SAVINGS TO, FUND AND YOU HAVE.
IS THAT NOT A RELATIVELY NEW PROCESS THAT IS ALLOWED IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
IS THAT WHAT I'M [OVERLAPPING] INTERESTED TO KNOW.
>> NO. THIS CONTRACT BILL HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE '70S.
I MEAN, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROUTINELY DOES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THIS TYPE OF WORK EACH YEAR.
THEY ALLOW FINANCING TERMS OUT TO 25 YEARS.
I'M NOT A FAN OF THAT, BUT THEY DON'T LISTEN TO ME.
HERE IN GEORGIA, I MEAN, THE STATE LAW, STATE AGENCIES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DO THIS FOR 14 YEARS.
BUT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THEY'VE BEEN DOING THESE PROJECTS FOR DECADES.
>> IN TERMS OF THIS MAY BE A QUESTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER WHEN WE THE CITY GOES OUT AND GETS A LOAN, CORRECT?
>> HOW DOES THAT IMPACT BUT THAT THEN BECOME PART OF OUR DEBT?
>> WELL, DEPENDS ON WHETHER THAT'S LIKE A BANK LOAN OR WHETHER IT'S WE'RE LOOKING AT LIKE A GO BOND.
AND I THINK IT'S ONLY IF IT'S A GO BOND, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERED OR PART OF
[01:05:02]
OUR [LAUGHTER] BOND AND WE HAVE THE FINANCE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT OR ANOTHER MATTER.BUT I THINK IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT AVENUE TAKE IN TERMS OF THEN HOW IT IS CLASSIFIED AS DEBT ON OUR FOLKS.
>> YEAH. I THINK ULTIMATELY THAT DECISION AS TO WHAT FINANCING VEHICLE IS THE BEST FOR THE CITY IS GOING TO BE DETERMINED BY THE ULTIMATE LIST OF MEASURES AND THE TOTAL COSTS.
>> WHILE WE'RE GOING ON THAT RABBIT HOLE, ANY IMPACT TO THE MILLAGE RATE, IF DEPENDING ON WHICH SCENARIO.
>> THAT SHOULD NOT BE. I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN.
USUALLY, THE MOST COMMON VEHICLE IS A TAX EXEMPT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
IF WE'RE ESSENTIALLY USING THE SAVINGS TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE, THEN THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY IMPACT ON THE OPERATING COSTS, THEREFORE, THERE SHOULDN'T BE AN IMPACT ON THE MILLAGE RATE.
>> I KNOW WE ARE SHORT ON TIME, SO I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE OFF RAMPS, IF YOU WILL.
AGAIN, THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESCO SELECTION IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WHERE THE CITY IS TODAY.
IF THE COURSE OF DISCUSSION, DECISION IS, THIS IS NOT ONE OF US, THERE'S AN EXIT RAMP.
YOU ENTER THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT PHASE, AT ANY POINT DURING THAT PHASE, SOMETHING CHANGES AND WE DECIDE THIS ISN'T FOR US TO PERFORM, [NOISE] THERE'S AN EXIT RAMP.
THE NEXT IS, AS THE ESCO COMPLETES THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT AND MAKES A PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING PROPOSAL, THE CITY SAYS, "YEAH, YOUR PROPOSAL IS FINE, BUT WE'RE NOT INTERESTED FOR WHATEVER REASON IT'S OUR PREROGATIVE." THEN THAT'S AN EXIT RAMP.
NOW, ONCE THE CONTRACT, THE ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, IS SIGNED, THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO ALLOW THE ESCO TO CONDUCT ITS PRE CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES.
THAT'S THE BIG DECISION WHERE ARE LOTS OF DISCUSSION, TOUGH QUESTIONS AND DELIBERATION SHOULD TAKE PLACE.
THEN THE FINAL IS DURING THE PERFORMANCE AND REPAYMENT PERIOD, LET'S SAY THAT THE PROJECT IS FINANCED OVER 12 YEARS, WE'RE IN YEAR 3, THE PROJECT IS THROWING OFF ALL EXCESS SAVINGS.
WE'RE HAPPY WE'RE COMFORTABLE.
WE DON'T REALLY NEED THE ESCO TO THE PROJECT, IT'S PERFORMING, THEN THERE'S ANOTHER EXIT RAMP.
BUT AGAIN, AT THAT POINT, THE WORK HAS HAPPENED, ALL THE STUFF'S BEEN INSTALLED.
FINALLY, NEXT STEPS, TIMELINE.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESCO SELECTION PROCESS, ASSUMING A DECISION IS MADE TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ESCO COULD BE SELECTED BY FEBRUARY OF 2026.
I CAN GO OF COURSE FASTER, OR GO SLOWER.
THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT AND THE CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT, I MEAN, THE NEXT TWO YOU THINK OF THEM AS ONE, BUT YOU'VE GOT YOUR AUDIT, WHICH IS CONDUCTING A BASELINE ANALYSIS, IDENTIFYING MEASURES, IDENTIFYING THE COST FOR THOSE MEASURES.
THAT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY NEXT SUMMER.
AGAIN, THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION, PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER, GETTING THE DECISIONS MADE, HAVING THE DISCUSSIONS, IDENTIFYING THE RISKS THAT THAT PROCESS USUALLY TAKES A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WE WOULD SAY AROUND THIS TIME NEXT YEAR IS WHEN EXECUTION OF THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT AND THE ASSOCIATED FINANCING AGREEMENT COULD TAKE PLACE.
>> FROM WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR IS CUTTING MONEY PERSPECTIVE.
WE FIRST PAY YOU TO DO DEVELOPMENT AND ESCO SELECTION.
CORRECT? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS, STEP 1.
>> THEN STEP 2 IS THEN YOU WOULD CHOOSE THE ESCO AND WE WOULD PAY THEM TO DO THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT, WOULD WE PAY YOU ANYTHING ELSE OR HELP ME UNDERSTAND THAT?
>> COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME RANGE OF COSTS WOULD BE HELPFUL TO DECIDE IF YOUR OFF SPEED.
WELL, THE COST OF THE INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT IS COVERED BY THE ESCO AT RISK BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IS THE AUDIT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PACKAGE IN THE FINANCED PROJECT.
WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBER 4 AROUND $2 MILLION.
THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE ESCO'S INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT FEE.
>> BUT IF WE WALKED AWAY AFTER THE AUDIT, WE WOULD OWED THE ESCO SOME AMOUNT FOR THAT WORK.
WE'VE HAD SUCCESS WITH GETTING THE ESCO TO DO IT COMPLETELY AT RISK.
[01:10:02]
>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT ULTIMATELY THE SELECTION OF THE ESCO IS GOING TO BE MADE BY THE CITY.
THROUGH KB IS HELPING US DEVELOP THE RFQ AND EVALUATE RESPONSES, BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO BE CITY STAFF COMING BACK TO THIS COMMISSION ASKING LIKELY AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO.
>> BUT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ALL THE RESEARCH IN THE OPENING BIDS AND IF THEY HEAR YOUR OPTION THEN THEY'LL GIVE THAT OVERBOARD.
>> YES. BUT IT'S A GOOD POINT.
WE DON'T SAY THIS IS GOOD, THIS IS BAD.
THIS IS WHAT THIS MEANS, THIS IS WHAT IT COULD BE.
NOW, WHAT WE WILL SAY IS, LISTEN, THIS ESCO SAID THAT THEY APPROACHED THIS THIS WAY.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY DO, OR THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY DID.
IT'S JUST POINTING THINGS AT LIKE THAT OUT, BUT THE DECISION IS COMPLETELY THE CITIES TO GO IN.
THE REALITY IS, ALL OF THE ESCOS CAN TECHNICALLY DO IT, BUT THERE IS A CULTURAL FIT, WHICH WE THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FIND THE CONTRACTOR THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE RIGHT LONG CORRECT BEST LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY.
>> I KNOW THAT WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.
OF COURSE, I AND OTHER CITY STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS.
IMMEDIATELY WE DO ANTICIPATE BEING BACK IN LATE JANUARY OR EARLY FEBRUARY WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ESCO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT.
THEN, AS GEORGE HAS HERE, ANOTHER SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE WE'RE BACK AGAIN WITH A FINAL LIST OF MEASURES AND TOTAL PROJECT COST TO CONSIDER.
THIS IS JUST ONE STEP IN THE PROCESS, BUT I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
>> [BACKGROUND] ONE IS WE'VE JUST BEEN LOOKING IT FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE, BUT THE ARE ALSO WITHIN PRIOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> YES. WE CAN CERTAINLY CAPTURE THAT IN THE INVESTMENT GRADE ENERGY AUDIT PHASE.
THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF UTILITY SAVINGS THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING.
HERE'S THE ASSOCIATED REDUCTION AND EMISSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS THAT WE CAN CALCULATE.
>> COME BACK. IF YOU REFER TO MR. BUCHANAN AS GEORGE B.
>> I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I HOPE WE WILL PROVIDE SOME CLARITY HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE QUESTIONS.
>> WHERE ARE YOU GOING? [LAUGHTER].
>> ORDER REGULAR MEETING OF THE DECATUR CITY COMMISSION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD.
[I. Call to Order by Mayor.]
COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU MINUTES AT THE REGULAR MEETING FROM OCTOBER 20.[II. Approval of the Minutes.]
ARE THERE ANY CORRECTION OR PROPOSITION [NOISE].>> OPPOSED? CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND COMMISSIONER WALCH IS JOINING US ONLINE, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
NEXT, I'D LIKE TO SHARE AN IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION.
[III. Proclamation.]
WE STARTED DOING THIS LAST YEAR, AND IT'S MY PLEASURE TO CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.WHEREAS THIS MONTH, WE CELEBRATE THE RICH TAPESTRY OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES, WHICH WE RECOGNIZE AS INEXTRICABLY WOVEN INTO THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE CITY OF DECATUR.
WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS WEEK BEGAN IN 1976, AND RECOGNITION WAS EXPANDED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH IN AUGUST 1990, DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH.
WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICANS ARE DESCENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF WHAT IS NOW THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT US HISTORY, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S, CULTURES, IDENTITIES, AND GOVERNMENTS WERE NOT ALWAYS SEEN AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS NATION, AND WERE FORCED FROM THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS, INCLUDING THE MUSCOGEE CREEK TRIBE FROM LAND OF WHICH A PORTION IS NOW INCORPORATED AS THE CITY OF DECATUR, WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE MOVING STORIES OF TRAGEDY,
[01:15:03]
TRIUMPH, AND PERSEVERANCE THAT NEED TO BE SHARED WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE ENRICHED OUR HERITAGE AND CONTINUE TO ADD TO ALL ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY THROUGH THEIR GENEROSITY OF CULTURE AND THE CONTINUED PRACTICE OF TEACHING ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY.WHEREAS, WE HONOR ALL NATIVE AMERICANS, THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMES, THEIR TRADITIONS, AND RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HISTORICALLY TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PATTI GARRETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, CITY OF HOME, SCHOOLS, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP, OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE AND DO PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2025 AS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, AND CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF DECATUR TO CELEBRATE THE RICH CULTURES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES, ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT NATIVE AMERICANS FACE HISTORICALLY AND PRESENT, AND CELEBRATE THIS MONTH WITH APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT FORWARD.
NEXT, WE HAVE SOME PRESENTATIONS OF THE DECATUR WINE FESTIVAL,
[IV. Presentations]
I BELIEVE ANGIE MACON IS HERE.I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE DECATUR ARTS ALLIANCE, AND MAKING PLACE FOR US ON SUCH A BUSY AGENDA NIGHT THAT YOU HAVE TONIGHT.
THIS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8 IS THE 23RD DECATUR WINE FESTIVAL.
THIS IS OUR DEDICATED FUND RAISER, WHICH FUNDS ALL OUR ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL BE A PART OF IT.
WE'RE SO EXCITED THAT WE HAVE GREAT SPONSORS THIS YEAR.
VISIT DECATUR GA, DECATUR PACKAGE STORE, KELLER KNAPP, HIGHLAND MORTGAGE, AND LAMAR LAW FIRM.
WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT WE HAVE OVER 350 WINES, 65 TABLES PLUS 11 LOCAL RESTAURANTS ALL FROM 30030, WHICH IS THE MOST WE'VE EVER HAD OF ALL OUR RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING.
THE FOOTPRINT WILL BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE PLAZA CONSTRUCTION, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ON EAST AND WEST PONDS, PART OF CLAREMONT AND IN FRONT OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE PLUS EAST COURT SQUARE.
IT'LL BE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT A FOOTPRINT, BUT SAME AMOUNT OF FUN AND FUN WINE DRINKING FOR THE AFTERNOON, AND THERE ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE, NOT VERY MANY.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO BUY TICKETS, FRESHTICKS.COM, $6 UNTIL SATURDAY, $7 AT THE DOOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND SEE YOU ON SATURDAY.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT. COMMISSIONERS CALLED HIM.
COME FORWARD. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER].
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M JACKIE MOORE, THE SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR.
TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE RADFORD FAMILY.
THEY'RE THE WINNERS OF THE DECORATE DECATUR COMMISSIONERS CONTEST THIS YEAR, AND THEY ARE WITH US TONIGHT.
>> I DID WANT TO JUST MENTION THE OUTSTANDING HONORABLE MENTIONS, AND THEN WE WILL CERTAINLY WELCOME YOU ALL, AND JACKIE ALWAYS DID A GREAT JOB AND PUTS A LITTLE POEM TOGETHER FOR RECOGNITION OF THE WINNER.
SO 508 DREXEL HAS ALSO RECOGNIZED ON ANOTHER OUTSTANDING [NOISE] IN 407 WESTFAIR ROAD.
I HOPE EVERYONE GOT OUT TO SEE ALL OF REALLY FUN AND CREATIVE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS.
BUT IN HONOR THE RADFORD'S DECORATIONS, SAVE US THE MESSAGE SCREAMS IN RED, A WARNING FROM THE HAUNTED DEAD.
SKELETONS CLIMB, THE LIGHTS GLOW BRIGHT.
TURNING THIS HOME TO A FEARSOME SIGHT.
CAUTION TAPE AND PURPLE LIGHT, TURN THIS HOME TO PURE DELIGHT.
SPOOKY FUN FROM YARD TO DOOR, WHO COULD EVER ASK FOR MORE? A PLAYFUL SCARE, A WICKED SHOW, THE KIND THAT MAKES THIS WHOLE TOWN GLOW.
[01:20:02]
WE SEE YOU SPOOKY CREW.>> THE ADDRESS OF THE HOME THIS YEAR WAS 124 CAMBRIDGE.
>> I'VE KNOWN THIS FAMILY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
I THINK I REMEMBER YOU ALL WERE ABOUT THIS TALL THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, SO IT'S MY HONOR, AS YOU KNOW, YOU WILL KEEP THIS COMMISSIONER'S CALENDAR FOR A YEAR.
THEN WE WILL GET IT BACK FROM YOU AND YOU SEE YOUR NAME.
>> IT STARTS ALL THE WAY AROUND HERE, AND IT'S ALREADY HERE.
SHE SAYS SHE SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE THE QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT. MR. MADISON.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, RUSS MADISON, WITH A FINANCIAL REPORT ON THE FIRST QUARTER OF OUR FISCAL YEAR, SO JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
IN THIS REPORT, THE NUMBERS ARE AUDITED, AND I'LL BE COMPARING THEM ALSO TO THE BUDGET THAT YOU APPROVED AS WELL AS YEAR OVER YEAR RESULTS.
IN TERMS OF REVENUES REMAINING, WE'VE GOT 94% OF BUDGETED REVENUES STILL REMAINING TO BE SPENT, QUITE A LONG WAY TO GO THERE.
WE HAVE MORE TO RECEIVE ME, EXCUSE ME, THAN WE HAD AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
PROPERTY TAX. THE TIMING OF DELINQUENT TAX PAYMENTS THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED.
AS WELL AS LAST YEAR, THE FIRST QUARTER WAS A STRONG QUARTER FOR BUILDING PERMIT REVENUES, AND THIS YEAR IS MORE MODEST WITH THE FIRST QUARTER.
THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THAT SO MUCH.
AS YOU KNOW, IT'S THE OFF SEASON FOR TAXES ANYWAY.
IT'S VERY COMMON FOR US TO HAVE THIS RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF REVENUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, AND YOU CAN SEE WITH THAT CHART AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE, THE EXPENDITURE SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDING REVENUES FOR THE QUARTER, WHICH IS NATURAL FOR THAT TIME OF YEAR.
EXPENDITURES REMAINING, WE'VE ALSO HAVE A WAY TO GO.
EXPENDITURES HAVE INCREASED YEAR OVER YEAR.
IT LOOKS FLAT ON THAT CHART, BUT IT'S ALMOST 2%.
I'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THAT LATER.
[NOISE] BECAUSE I ACTUALLY THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE BEHIND THAT NUMBER THAT LOOKS BORING, BUT I THINK THERE'S SOME ACTIVITY GOING ON THERE THAT I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF.
OUR PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION RATE, THIS IS FOR TAX YEAR 2024 THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER 99.6%.
I DON'T LIKE TO SEE 99.8%, WHICH IS WHERE WE WERE AT LAST YEAR.
BUT WE'RE NOT LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE.
IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A GREAT DELINQUENCY IN THE COMMUNITY OR FAILURE ON STAFF TO COLLECT.
IN FACT, THIS PICTURE AT THE TOP OF THE REPORT IS FROM OUR ANNUAL TAX SALE ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF AUGUST.
REVENUE TEAM WAS DILIGENT IN THEIR COLLECTIONS, AND WE'RE DOWN TO JUST TWO PARCELS ON THAT DAY AND THERE WASN'T VERY MUCH MONEY OWED ON THOSE.
I THINK THE ISSUE CONTINUES TO BE MORE SO, APPEALS, WHEN THEY SETTLE, AND HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS WHO HAVE APPEALED THEIR VALUE AND DCB AGREES TO A VALUE AT SOME POINT IN THE YEAR.
[01:25:01]
WE GET IT, IT'S TOO SOON TO HAVE BECOME DELINQUENT.SOME OF THEM MAY BE PAST DUE, BUT CERTAINLY NOT A PART OF OUR ANNUAL LIEN AND ESCALATED COLLECTIONS PROCESS.
THEY WILL BECOME THAT WAY IF THEY CONTINUE TO REMAIN UNPAID.
IT'LL JUST TAKE LONGER THAN WHAT I WOULD PREFER.
BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE THE TIME TO PAY OFF AN ADDITIONAL BILL THAT'S BEEN GENERATED BY A SETTLED APPEAL.
I'M GOING TO SKIP THAT SECOND PAGE.
I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A BIG AGENDA, SO I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THIS AS EFFICIENTLY AS I CAN, WHILE STILL MAKING YOU AWARE OF SOME THINGS THAT SHOULD BE BROUGHT OUT.
THIS CHART ON THE TOP OF PAGE 3, YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE IN REVENUES THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
THERE BOTH FOR PROPERTY TAXES AS WELL AS LICENSES AND PERMITS.
THE FIRST QUARTER WHEN OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT REALLY SHINES IN TERMS OF REVENUE LEADING THE WAY.
SINCE WE DON'T HAVE TAX REVENUE, YOU SEE THEY'RE THE BIGGEST CATEGORY, AND THEY'VE SUSTAINED YEAR OVER YEAR.
SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS LIKE FINES AND FORFEITURES, THAT'S UP AND IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT INCREASE AS WELL.
I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITY, WHICH IS ALSO POSITIVE.
WE HAD AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEWLY LICENSED BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS A NET INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY THOSE BUSINESSES, DID HAVE A COUPLE OF CLOSURES.
BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THOSE NUMBERS, THAT BUSINESS GROWTH DID NOT REALLY RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS TAX AND FEE REVENUE, IN FACT, WENT DOWN SLIGHTLY.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THAT NUMBER, THE VERY BOTTOM LINE ON THIS PAGE, YOU SEE IT'S A DIFFERENCE OF ABOUT $3,000 YEAR OVER YEAR.
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, OF COURSE, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY AND SMALL CHANGES CAN THROW OFF THAT FIGURE.
IS THERE QUESTION ON THIS PAGE BEFORE I GO ON?
>> I HAD ASKED ABOUT THE BEER AND WINE [NOISE] LICENSES.
I KNOW THIS ISN'T TYPICALLY WHERE [NOISE] THINGS ARE RENEWED YEARLY, BUT IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A PRETTY BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR AND ALSO LIQUOR SALES.
WE ASK THE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES TO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR 2026 BY NOVEMBER 15, BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S GOT TO BE IN ORDER BEFORE THAT AND REVIEWED, SO IT CAN WORK ITS WAY THROUGH.
WE GIVE THEM TWO MONTHS BEFORE THAT NOVEMBER 15.
THE RENEWAL SEASON REALLY STARTS SEPTEMBER 15.
IN TERMS OF THE FIRST QUARTER, IT'S ONLY TWO WEEKS OF RENEWAL SEASON WITHIN THAT QUARTER.
THE REST OF IT IS NEW APPLICANTS ALTOGETHER.
SOME PEOPLE WILL PAY IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU ANNOUNCE THAT IT'S RENEWAL SEASON, BUT OF COURSE, MOST BUSINESSES DO NOT.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THERE.
>> I'M GOING TO SKIP PAGE 5, AND GO TO PAGE 6.
OVERALL, DEPARTMENTS HAS SPENT 20% OF WHAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED.
YOU CAN SEE ONCE AGAIN, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IS LEADING THE WAY IN TERMS OF THE MAJOR DEPARTMENTS WITH SPENDING.
THAT IS PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE ANNUAL PROPERTY INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENT THAT'S DUE IN RELATED INSURANCE PREMIUMS THAT ARE PAID OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUDGET.
YOURSELVES ARE A LITTLE HIGH AT 25%, BUT STILL LESS THAN A QUARTER FOR THE YEAR, BUT I THINK YOUR DISBURSEMENT THAT YOU AUTHORIZED TO THE WILD CENTER WAS NOT DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, BUT IT WAS THIS YEAR.
IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU'RE SPENDING AT A FASTER RATE THAN PERHAPS YOU REALLY ARE.
PARKS AND RECREATION AT 15% IS THE LOWEST IN TERMS OF SPENDING COMPARED TO BUDGETED AMOUNTS.
I MENTION THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S ALSO A CONTINUATION OF SOMETHING FROM THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR THAT WAS IN THE LAST REPORT THAT I MADE TO YOU, WHICH IS THEY WERE AT THE LOWEST END COMPARED TO BUDGETED AMOUNTS AT THE END OF LAST FISCAL YEAR.
THAT WAS ALSO TRUE WITH THE REVISED BUDGET.
>> WHAT'S DRIVING THAT COMPARISON?
[01:30:07]
>> WELL, I KNOW THAT PARKS AND REC IS IN THE ROOM, SO MAYBE THEY COULD ADD, BUT I THINK INSTRUCTOR FEES ARE DOWN SOMEWHAT.
I WILL SAY THE REVISED BUDGET TRUED UP A LOT OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT WE SAW BY THE END OF LAST YEAR.
MOST DEPARTMENTS WERE ABOUT 5% TO 10% UNDER EVEN THE REVISED BUDGET.
FOR PARKS AND RECREATION, IT WAS MORE THAN THAT.
I HAD BEEN THINKING MAYBE IT WAS INVOICES IN TRANSIT, OR THAT TYPE OF THING, BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT IT'S JUST NOT AS MUCH AS WHAT WAS BUDGETED.
THE BOTTOM LINE ON THIS, I'LL MENTION WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, THIS DECREASE YEAR OVER 15%.
LAST YEAR, THERE WAS DISBURSEMENT TO DECATUR LAND TRUST IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THAT IS PART OF THE REASON IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT'S ON THE DECLINE.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THAT DECLINE, WITH THE PERMIT REVENUES GOING DOWN YEAR-OVER-YEAR, THAT'S ALSO LESS MONEY BACK TO SAFE BUILT FOR THEIR SERVICES. THEN-
>> GOING FORWARD, WHEN WE GET TO THAT LINE ITEM, COULD WE GET LIKE A BUBBLE AS TO WHAT THOSE BIG PROJECTS WERE? SO WE HAVE SOME IDEA OF SCALE, AND SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY SEES, WELL, THIS PROJECT GOT PERMITTED AT THAT TIME, AND THAT'S WHY THAT THERE'S A BIG DELTA FROM FISCAL YEAR TO FISCAL YEAR? BECAUSE WHILE WE MAY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
>> YOU'RE SAYING IN TERMS OF LARGE DEVELOPMENTS?
>> SPECIFICALLY WHICH SITES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THEM? YES, THAT'S FEASIBLE.
WITH THE ADMIN SERVICES, IN ADDITION TO THE INSURANCE THING WHICH I MENTIONED THERE, TO SOME EXTENT, OUR ANNUAL AUDIT, OUR AUDITORS WERE A LITTLE FARTHER ALONG IN THE AUDIT PROCESS THIS QUARTER THAN LAST YEAR.
PART OF THAT IS A LITTLE BIT INDICATION OF HOW QUICKLY THEY WERE ABLE TO INVOICE US FOR SOME OF THEIR WORK THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST.
ALL THAT IS ROLLING INTO WHAT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY BORING NUMBER OF 1.8% INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR.
YOU THINK, "RUSS, WHY ARE YOU WASTING OUR TIME WITH THIS? ADARE TOLD US THE BUDGET WAS 4.95% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR, SO 1.8%, THAT'S GREAT." REMEMBER, THOUGH, THAT LAST YEAR, THERE WAS NOT AN ACROSS THE BOARD PAY RAISE FOR EMPLOYEES, BUT YOU DID AUTHORIZE A ONE PAY PERIOD ADJUSTMENT.
THAT WAS DISPERSED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST FISCAL YEAR.
INSTEAD OF $9,047,000 LAST YEAR, IN THE FIRST QUARTER, THAT FIGURE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE LIKE $8.6 MILLION, AND THE GROWTH YEAR-OVER-YEAR, WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN 1.8%, IT WOULD BE MORE LIKE 7.5%.
IT'S, I WOULD SAY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH YEAR-OVER-YEAR IF YOU MADE THAT ADJUSTMENT.
IF YOU ALSO REMEMBER FROM THE FOURTH QUARTER REPORT I GAVE, THAT WAS LOOKING AT 7.3% INCREASE IN EXPENDITURES YEAR-OVER-YEAR.
WHAT AM I SAYING? THE EXPENDITURES, AS YOU HAVE THEM, THEY'RE MANAGEABLE WITHIN THE BUDGET, BUT I DO WANT TO JUST CONVEY THAT YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE IS LARGER THAN WHAT IT'S LOOKING LIKE IN THIS TABLE.
THEN TO OUR REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENTS.
I WANT TO COMMENT ON A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT CLEAR.
DON'T POP OUT FROM SUMMARY DATA AND CHARTS.
ON THESE REVENUES, YOU SEE A LOT OF BLANKS AROUND THE FRANCHISE FEES.
YOU KNOW THAT SOME OF THEM LIKE THE BIG ONE FOR ELECTRIC FRANCHISE IS AN ANNUAL ONCE A YEAR LATER IN THE YEAR.
THAT'S FINE, BUT NATURAL GAS IS QUARTERLY.
WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED SOMETHING BY NOW.
WE'RE FOLLOWING UP WITH THE GAS COMPANY ABOUT THAT.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT WE'RE ON TOP OF IT.
WITH OUR EXPENDITURES OVER TIME, I WANT TO TEASE THAT OUT.
WE'VE ALREADY SPENT 40% OF THE OVERTIME BUDGET ORGANIZATION-WIDE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, SO THAT'S A BIT HIGH.
THEN IF YOU LOOK FARTHER DOWN ON THE LAST PAGE OF SOFTWARE SUPPLIES,
[01:35:05]
THAT'S A BIT HIGH AS WELL.OPENGOV WITH ASSET MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS A PHONE SYSTEM RELATED SOFTWARE UPGRADE THAT WE HAD TO DO, THOSE ARE CONSUMING THAT SOFTWARE BUDGET.
WE STILL GOT MONEY ON THOSE LINE ITEMS, BUT IF YOU SEE THOSE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN A LOT OF THE OTHER CATEGORIES.
>> IS THAT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TEXTING, AND THE COMMUNICATION?
>> FOR THE DEPLOYMENT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YES.
THAT IS IT FOR MY PREPARED REMARKS.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO COMMENT.
SO NOT DETRACK FROM THE FIRST QUARTER, BUT, I THINK WE'RE ALL EAGER TO SEE THE AUDIT REPORT FROM THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE AUDITORS THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THE AUDIT, DEVELOPING THAT AUDIT REPORT, AND THAT WILL BE PRESENTED OR TO THE STATE BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, AND THEN THAT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THIS BODY IN JANUARY.
WE WILL HAVE THAT AUDIT REPORT FROM THE LAST FISCAL YEAR COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
>> COULD WE GET THE SECOND QUARTER OF FINANCIAL REPORT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AUDIT OR THAT WILL BE AFTER?
>> IF I CAN PULL IT OFF, YES, SIR.
>> NEXT FOR THE GO BOND REFUNDING.
>> RIGHT. I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK [INAUDIBLE] WITH DAVENPORT TO COME FORWARD, AND TALK TO THIS BODY ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REFUNDING OR REFINANCING OF THE GO BOND THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2016 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS.
THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY WE'RE LOOKING AT THE REFUNDING, AND I ASKED MR. [INAUDIBLE] TO COME TO THIS MEETING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PLAN TO MEMBERS.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION, MADAM CITY MANAGER, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COMMISSION, GREAT TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU HERE AGAIN TODAY.
AGAIN, DAVENPORT & COMPANY, WE'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE CITY OF DECATUR FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW.
I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF YOUR TEAM, AND IT'S FUN TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT SOME POTENTIAL TO SAVE MONEY ON DEBT OUTSTANDING, WHICH I'M LOOKING TO DO HERE TODAY.
IN THE PACKET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, WANTED TO GIVE YOU JUST KIND OF A BRIEF MARKET UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH REGARDS TO INTEREST RATES.
THIS PARTICULAR PAGE SHOWS THE AAA MMD, OR AAA TAX EXEMPT RATES FOR WHICH IS THE MMD MUNICIPAL MARKET DATA.
THEY ARE THE GROUP THAT PUTS TOGETHER THE YIELD CURVE FOR EACH ONE OF THESE MATURITIES.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS THE 1, 5, 10, AND 15 YEAR RATES.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE BASICALLY LATE SPRING, MID-SPRING OF THIS YEAR, IS THAT SHORT-TERM RATES HAVE REALLY COME DOWN PRETTY MATERIALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST ROUGHLY SIX MONTHS OR SO.
THE POINT WHERE WHEN WE BEGAN TO START TALKING ABOUT THIS PROCESS IN THAT MID-SEPTEMBER TIMEFRAME, THEY'RE REALLY THE LOWEST THEY'VE BEEN SINCE THE FED STARTED RAISING RATES BACK IN 2022.
THEY HAVE COME UP A LITTLE BIT OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
THE FED DID MAKE SOME COMMENTARY LAST WEEK ABOUT, THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE RATE CUT, BUT THEY'VE CREATED SOME UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE NEXT POTENTIAL RATE CUT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY AT A 94 PERCENT-ISH PERCENT CHANCE THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IS NOW DOWN TO THE 70-ISH PERCENT CHANCE.
THE MARKET'S BAKING IN A LITTLE BIT MORE RISK THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE THAT RATE CUT AT THE FED'S DECEMBER MEETING, WHICH REALLY ONLY AFFECTS THAT THOSE SHORT-TERM RATES, WHICH MAKES AN IMPORTANT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE LATER IN OUR REFINANCING.
THE LONG-TERM RATES HAVE REALLY BEEN COMING DOWN.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT PAGE IS WHERE THE TARIFFS WERE FIRST ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND CAUSED THE MARKET TO PANIC.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE SOLD IT ON APRIL 7TH, AND THAT SPIKE HAPPENED ON APRIL 8TH.
[01:40:03]
SOMETIMES YOU GET LUCKY.WE GOT LUCKY FOR THOSE FIRST BONDS WHEN WE WENT OUT THERE.
WE GOT OUT RIGHT BEFORE THAT PEAK.
JUST MORE COOL EVIDENCE THAN ANYTHING THAT SOMETIMES YOU GUYS PICKED THE RIGHT DATE TO MEET ON MONDAYS INSTEAD OF [LAUGHTER] TUESDAYS.
AGAIN, AS YOUR ADVISOR, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DECIDE TO DO IS, ONE OF THE SERVICES OF CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR YOUR EXISTING DEBT PORTFOLIO FOR REFINANCING OPPORTUNITIES.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PAST IN 2020, AND 2022 TO SAVE SOME MONEY.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO REFINANCE, BUT THERE'S A CERTAIN COST, NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF COST OF ISSUANCE, BUT STAFF TIME AS WELL, TO PURSUE A REFINANCING.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE INDUSTRY STANDARD IS TO PURSUE A BOND REISSUANCE IF THE NET PRESENT VALUE SAVINGS EXCEEDS 3% OF THE PAR AMOUNT THAT'S OUTSTANDING.
THAT'S REALLY THE INDUSTRY STANDARD TO SAY, THIS IS A WORTHWHILE TRANSACTION TO PURSUE.
WHAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED IS THE CITY'S OUTSTANDING 2016 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
THOSE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS WERE ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THEY'RE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY, THEY'RE ON THE CITY'S BOOKS, BUT THE PROJECTS THAT THOSE ORIGINALLY FINANCED WERE ALL SCHOOL RELATED PROJECTS, BECAUSE IT IS THE CITY'S DEBT, IT REQUIRES NO ACTION OR ANY INVOLVEMENT FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING.
WE'VE COMMUNICATED, AND THEY'VE SHARED THE GOOD NEWS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SAVINGS, SO THEY'RE AWARE THAT THERE'S NO FORMAL ACTION THAT'S NEEDED ON THEIR END FOR THAT.
TOTAL OUTSTANDING IS 56 MILLION, THE CALL DATE ON THOSE BONDS WAS AUGUST 1ST OF 2025.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WE CAN'T REFINANCE BONDS UNTIL YOU'RE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THAT CALL DATE.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE WERE MONITORING UP, AND THOSE RATES STARTED TO TRICKLE DOWN, AND IT DIDN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE, BUT ONCE WE GOT PAST THAT, IT NOW MAKES SENSE.
NOW THAT WE'RE PAST THE CALL DATE, WE CAN CALL THE BONDS AT ANY POINT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO HERE TODAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN THE PUBLIC MARKET IS WHEN BONDS ARE ORIGINALLY ISSUED, EACH INDIVIDUAL YEAR FOR MATURITY HAS A COUPON REPAYMENT ASSIGNED TO THOSE PARTICULAR REPAYMENTS.
WHEN THESE BONDS WERE ORIGINALLY ISSUED, THEY HAD A VARIETY OF COUPONS RANGING FROM 3% UP TO 5%.
ALL THAT GETS BAKED INTO THE YEAR, WHAT WE CALL YOUR ALL ENTRE INTEREST COSTS, ARBITRAGE YIELD OR NET INTEREST COSTS.
THERE'S A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT IT GETS CALLED.
WHEN YOU GO TO LOOK REFINANCE, YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING TO REFINANCE THE COUPON BECAUSE THE BENEFIT OF THOSE PREMIUMS, AND DISCOUNTS GET REALIZED UPFRONT.
AFTER THAT UPFRONT, YOU JUST PAY THAT COUPON RATE BACK FOR THE BALANCE OF THE LOAN.
WHAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON HERE AS PART OF THIS PARTICULAR REFINANCING IS THOSE HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE MATURITIES GOING OUT THROUGH AUGUST 1ST OF 2032.
THOSE ALL CARRY A 4% HANDLE COUPON WITH SOME WITH A 5 IN 27 AND 28.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON.
OF THE ROUGHLY $56 MILLION OUTSTANDING, APPROXIMATELY $19.2 MILLION IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO REFINANCE.
THERE'S A CHANCE THAT THOSE 33 AND 34 MATURITIES MAY PRODUCE SOME SAVINGS, BUT IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A GAME KIND OF DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THOSE GET LUMPED INTO THE REFINANCING, AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE TEN YEAR RATE FOR THIS REFINING.
EACH ONE YEAR, ROUGHLY SPEAKING HAS A TEN YEAR RATE, BUT EACH ONE OF THOSE BONDS WILL HAVE A YIELD ASSIGNED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL MATURITY.
WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO DO, THERE'S TWO WAYS TO GO ABOUT DOING BOND ISSUANCE IS, ONE, IS TO GIVE YOU A BANK LOAN, OR WHERE YOU CAN NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY WITH A SINGLE LENDING INSTITUTION, OR TWO, GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC MARKET.
RIGHT NOW, IN TODAY'S MARKET, THE PUBLIC MARKET RATES ARE DRASTICALLY OUTPERFORMING THE BANK LOAN RATES, PARTICULARLY ON THE SHORT END OF THE CURVE.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE LONG END IS WHERE BANKS ARE IS STARTING TO BE COMPETITIVE, BUT BEING THAT THE BANK MARKET IS MORE ABOUT WHAT THEIR COSTS ARE TODAY, THE FED HAS NOT YET CHANGED THOSE RATES, SO THEY'RE STILL RECOGNIZING THOSE COSTS, WHEREAS THE PUBLIC MARKET IS MUCH MORE FORWARD LOOKING.
[01:45:03]
THAT'S WHY THE SHORT-TERM RATES ARE BETTER ON THE PUBLIC MARKET SIDE, GENERALLY SPEAKING.WE'RE RECOMMENDING GOING OUT TO A PUBLIC MARKET.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO GO GET A CREDIT RATING, PREPARE AN OFFERING DOCUMENT CALLED AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT, AND SELL THE BONDS IN THE MARKET.
THEN, AT THAT POINT, WE WILL KNOW THE FINAL INTEREST RATES WHEN THOSE WILL BE LOCKED IN ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE SALES.
THE METHOD OF SALE IS WE'RE LOOKING TO DO THIS AS A COMPETITIVE BID, WHERE WE ACTUALLY GO, AND PUT THE BOND OUT TO ANY, AND ALL UNDERWRITERS THAT YOU AWARD THE BID, WHOEVER PROVIDES THE LOWEST TRUE INTEREST COST ON THE DAY OF PRICING.
>> THIS WILL GIVE A LOT OF THE KEY ASSUMPTIONS.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO IN GREAT DETAIL ON THIS, BUT ULTIMATELY, THIS IS THE POTENTIAL RESULTS.
AS WE MENTIONED, THE REFINANCING ROUGHLY $19 MILLION BONDS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE PAGE, NET OF ALL THE CLOSING COSTS IS ESTIMATED TO SAVE $735,000.
I WILL SAY THAT, SOMETIMES WE PUT IN A TINY BIT OF CUSHION IN OUR INTEREST RATES, BUT JUST DUE TO THE MARKET WE'RE ON THIS IS TRUE CURRENT MARKET RATES, AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK ON THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE FIRST PAGE, THE PERCENT SAVING IS 3.51.
SINCE THIS ANALYSIS IS DONE, RATES HAVE MOVED A LITTLE BIT AGAINST US.
IT'S CLOSER TO LIKE $700,000 OF SAVINGS, BUT IT'S STILL ABOVE THAT 3% INDUSTRY STANDARD.
WE ARE FLIRTING RIGHT ON THAT THRESHOLD, BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT, IT'S THE DIRECTIVE OF STAFF IS TO DAVEN PEP TO PURSUE IT, PROVIDED THAT WE ARE MEETING THAT THAT MINIMUM SAVINGS THRESHOLD, BUT WE PLAN TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION HERE IN THE COMING DAYS.
BUT AS A RESULT OF THIS, YOU'D BE SAVING ROUGHLY $100,000 A YEAR OVER THE REMAINING SEVEN YEARS.
>> WERE THOSE SAVINGS REALIZED? THAT QUESTION FOR YOU LIKE.
>> THE CITY COMMISSION SETS THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE DEBT SERVICE FUND FOR ALL GO DEBT.
>> INCLUDING FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
>> INCLUDING FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
ON THE BACK END, I KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT MILLAGE RATE IS FOR SCHOOL DEBT, FOR CITY DEBT.
BUT UNDER TAX BILL, I BELIEVE THE TAX BILLS JUST ONE LINE FOR THE DEBT SERVICE FUND, AND SO THAT WOULD BE [INAUDIBLE] RATE, IT COULD BE THE POSSIBILITY TO LOOKING AT $100,000, A POSSIBILITY TO SHAKE A LITTLE BIT OFF THAT MILLAGE RATE IF WE'RE ABLE TO STAY.
>> THAT MEETING BEFORE DECEMBER 18TH?
>> WE'LL GET TO THIS NEXT PAGE HERE.
[LAUGHTER] THE ANTICIPATED PRICING IS NOVEMBER 17TH, WHICH IS WHEN THOSE RATES WILL GET LOCKED IN.
THE FED IS MEETING I BELIEVE IT'S DECEMBER 8TH AND 9TH.
EVEN IF ACTION IS TAKEN POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY, THE RATES THAT WE WILL RECEIVE WILL BE LOCKED IN ON THE 17TH, AT WHICH POINT WE'LL BE COMING BACK TO YOU ALL, ASKING FOR FORMAL APPROVAL OF THE FINAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFERING AND REPORT BACK ON THE SAVINGS LEVELS THAT WILL BE REALIZED AS A RESULT OF THE REFUND.
WE DID HAVE GREAT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RATING AGENCIES LAST WEEK.
WE EXPECT TO GET THEM BACK AT THE END OF THIS WEEK AND LOOK TO MAIL THAT DOCUMENT OFFERING DOCUMENT EARLY HALF OF NEXT WEEK AND SELL BONDS ON THE 17TH AND CLOSE ON THE 18TH, JUST TO LET EVERYBODY GET TIME OFF BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
WITH THAT, THAT'S MY PRESENTATION I HAVE FOR YOU ALL TONIGHT.
I THINK IT'S A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD TRANSACTION, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY TRICK QUESTIONS THAT THE COMMISSION MAY HAVE AT THIS POINT.
>> WE JUST DID THIS TWO YEARS AGO? A YEAR AGO, WE REFINANCED SOME BONDS?
>> I KNOW WE DID IN 2022 WITH THE LEGACY PARK TRANSACTION, WE REFINANCED THOSE IN CONNECTION WITH THAT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THAT WAS VERY COMPLICATED WITH MULTIPLE ISSUING AUTHORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS, AND THAT WAS THE LAST ONE THAT WE REFINANCED OUTSTANDING DEBT.
[01:50:03]
>> THANKS CITY MANAGER FOR ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES.
>> THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU WELL TONIGHT BECAUSE WE DO INTEND TO MAKE OUR FINAL DECISION.
AFTER WE LOOK INTO OUR CRYSTAL BALL PROBABLY ON THURSDAY JUST TO DECIDE IF WE'RE GOING GO WITH THE SAVINGS THAT WE KNOW, OR IF WE THINK THAT WE NEED TO CALL AND WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
AT THE CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD THE DAVENPORT ANOTHER DAVENPORT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LEANING TOWARDS LET'S TAKE THE SAVINGS THAT WE KNOW OF AS LONG AS WE'RE MEETING THAT THRESHOLD.
>> I WILL SAY THAT IN TERMS OF TIMING AND FOR SOME REASON, RATES MOVE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THAT WE DON'T REALLY RECOMMEND COMING BACK IN PRICING IN DECEMBER.
THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS WITH THE LEGAL PROCESS AS WELL AS FOLKS SHUTTING DOWN THEIR BOND BOOK OR THEIR PURCHASING BOOK FOR THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAYS.
IF FOR SOME REASON THE SCHEDULE WILL GET DELAYED, IT WOULD LIKELY BE COMING BACK IN JANUARY THE START OF THE YEAR AS OPPOSED TO AT YOUR DECEMBER MEETING.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO WHERE THEY ARE AND EVEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN PRESENTED.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS AND THE CITY MANAGER AND FINANCE TEAM FOR HELPING SAVE MONEY WHEN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES COME FORWARD, SOON.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A STAFF INTRODUCTION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I SERVE AS ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS.
I AM PLEASED THIS EVENING TO INTRODUCE THE CITY'S NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING MANAGER, ERIC BYRNE.
ERIC IS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER AND DECATUR RESIDENT WITH 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MOST RECENTLY IN ENGINEERING CONSULTING WITH A FOCUS ON WATER RESOURCES, GEOTECHNICAL CONSTRUCTION, ADMINISTRATION, TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THEM JOIN THE TEAM.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE INTRODUCED, ESPECIALLY IN THAT WAY.
I'M JUST VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
I HAVE TO SAY A SHORT TIME I REALLY FEEL AT HOME ALREADY IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND VERY DYNAMIC TEAM, VERY DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE AND WORKING WITH YOU TO MOVE OUR CITY. THANKS.
>> IN A FEW MINUTES, WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. YOU CAN DO THE ALCOHOL.
[V.A. Recommend approval of an alcoholic beverage license for consumption on premises of beer, wine, and spirituous liquors to Charles Bridges for Home-Grown Industries of Decatur GA LLC dba Mellow Mushroom, 340 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 101]
THEN SKIP OVER IT. THANK YOU.>> THEY WOULD NOT BE HAPPY [LAUGHTER]
>> YES. TONIGHT, I'M RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES FOR A NEW BUSINESS.
IT'S REALLY AN EXISTING RESTAURANT THAT WE ALL KNOW.
MELA MUSHROOM THERE 340 CONST AVENUE.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO ISSUE THE LICENSE TO CHARLES BRIDGES, THE APPLICANT FOR HOME GROWN INDUSTRIES AT DECATUR, DOING BUSINESS AS MELA MUSHROOM.
THIS IS FOR BEER, WINE, SPIRITUALIST LIQUORS, CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES, AND APPROVAL OF THEIR APPLICATION IS RECOMMENDED. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> VOTES AYE, MOTION PASS. THANK YOU.
COMMISSION. NOW, WE'LL TALK ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ACTION ITEMS.
[VI. Public Comment on Agenda Action Items]
WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT IN A FEW MINUTES.I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT THE AGENDA ACTION ITEM THAT WAS FIRST PUBLISHED
[01:55:04]
AGENDA ACTION ITEM B FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES FOR THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI PATH, PAGE 3, YOU'VE BEEN ASKED TO TAKE THIS OFF OF OUR AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING.THAT WILL NOT BE COMING FORWARD.
WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, THE OAKHURST PARK RECREATION AREA MASTER PLAN, THE EV CHARGING STATIONS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY, AND THEN SECURITY CAMERA UPGRADES AT THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
I BELIEVE WE MAY HAVE A FAIR NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE THIS EVENING AND WE WILL ASK THAT YOU COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, AND YOU WILL ASK THAT YOU PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO TWO MINUTES, JUST SO THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH ALL OF THE COMMENTS AND HEAR FROM EVERYONE AND ANY OTHER THINGS TO COME FORWARD.
BESIDES THESE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, WE WILL HEAR UNDER REQUEST AND PETITION.
IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT.
>> TWO MINUTES. YES. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS JEFF GEPHARDT, 543 EAST LAKE DRIVE.
NO RELATION TO THE OTHER GENTLEMEN, [LAUGHTER].
JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS OF HOUSEKEEPING.
>> WAIT. SORRY. YOU'RE ADDRESSING US AS A BODY.
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S NOT AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION AS PART OF OUR MEETING.
>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF US ARE HERE TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF MAINTAINING THE CURRENT USES OF THE OAKHURST DOG PARK, AVOIDING A DRASTIC REDUCTION INSIDE, AND WE REQUEST THE COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE NO ON THE CURRENT PLAN AS PROPOSED FOR THE OAKHURST PARK MASTER PLAN.
THERE ARE MANY RESIDENTS FROM THE CITY, MANY GUESTS FROM OUTSIDE.
MANY OF US SUPPORT OAKHURST IN A LOT OF WAYS AND HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.
WE HAVE MANY DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESSES SUCH AS DOGS AND PITS AND SPOR DOGS THE PATIO UJ, PEOPLE BUYING COFFEE.
WE HAVE A DOG SPECIALTY STORE THAT'S BEEN THERE A VERY LONG TIME.
I'M HOPING SHE'LL COME AND SPEAK TONIGHT ABOUT THE IMPACT ON HER BUSINESS.
WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME ABOUT THE LONG TIME RESIDENT WHO ATTRIBUTED THE DOG PARK TO THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE THE 1980S.
JUST GETTING PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT, WALKING AROUND, MILLING AROUND IT.
INCREASES VISIBILITY, REDUCES CRIME, AND ALLOWS A LOT OF OTHER AMENITIES TO FLOURISH.
I WAS GOING TO BRING A PROP. I DON'T WANT TO BECAUSE IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE, AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE ME THROW A BALL. BUT THAT'S THE POINT.
THIS SPACE IS APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ACROSS. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
IT IS JUST TOO SMALL AND UNCOMFORTABLE.
IT'S ON TOP OF A HILL IN THE WOODS FOR THE PROPOSED REMAINING DOG PARK AREA.
THAT'S FETCHING, CHASING, A LOT OF THE USES OF THE DOG PARK WOULD BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT FOR US.
IT'S PRESERVING THE EXISTING USES WITH ENOUGH SPACE TO DO THE JOB BECAUSE WE ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR DOGS AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
LAST TIME, I SAID QUIBBLE VERY MUCH ABOUT THE PROCESS.
THIS TIME, I'M JUST GOING TO MENTION THAT PART OF THE ISSUE AND THE REASON WHY THERE'S SUCH A DRAMATIC REACTION IS BECAUSE WE'RE MISSING SUCH A LARGE STAKEHOLDER EARLY IN THE PROCESS.
THERE WAS ONE DECATUR FOCUS ARTICLE ABOUT THE MASTER PLAN. DID NOT SAY THE WORD.
>> MAY I MAKE A REQUEST? TWO MINUTES SEEMS REALLY TOUGH.
JUST RESPECTFULLY, IF YOU IF YOU SAY NO, THAT'S FINE, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE ALL NIGHT EITHER, BUT I THINK THAT REQUESTING THAT WE GET SUCH AN EMOTIONAL AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK DONE IN TWO MINUTES, BUT THOSE WHO CAN THANK YOU, BUT CAN WE PLEASE GIVE THREE SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST REALLY EXPRESS WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY AND NOT FEEL STRESSED, HURRY TO RUSH. PLEASE.
>> WELL, I'M HOPEFUL TO BY GOING A LITTLE LONGER, OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE MORE BRIEF AND JUST REFER BACK AND SAY, WE AGREE WITH THAT.
[02:00:01]
WE APPRECIATE THE EXPLANATION IF WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE THE CLEAN WATER.WE'RE ENGINEERING THIS GIANT, LARGE FLAT SPACE, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY THE USE THAT WE NEED FOR THE DOGS.
IF THE POINT IS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, WELL, WHAT ABOUT ADARE? ADARE HAS A GIANT CULVERT RUNNING RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IS ADARE NEXT? THE PROPOSAL IS NOT CONSIDERING THE CITY AS A WHOLE.
IT'S NOT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE RECREATOR. LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.
THE RECREATOR ON PAGE 168 DOES NOT SAY, LET'S SWAP IN A GIANT SOFTBALL FIELD.
IT SAYS THE EXISTING NO REGULATION FIELD SHOULD BE IMPROVED OF TURF MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION OF LIGHTING.
IT SAYS DOG PARKS ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACILITIES TO HOUSEHOLDS.
IT SAYS, DOG PARKS HAVE A MEDIUM INVESTMENT PRIORITY EVEN THOUGH THERE'S CURRENTLY HIGH SATISFACTION AND LOW NEED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. I'M REALLY SORRY, BUT WE DO WE HAVE A CIVIL DECORUM AND RESPECTFUL THAT WE REALLY ASK PEOPLE TO ABIDE BY.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT YOU NOT DO THAT BECAUSE THEN IT OPENS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR BACK AND FORTH FOR VARYING VIEWPOINTS.
I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU BEING RESPECTFUL TO US AND RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS AS PEOPLE COME FORWARD AND MAKE THEIR COMMENTS.
>> SORRY, I HAVEN'T SPOKEN. I'M SHEL RAMIREZ, 267/67 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE.
I AM REALLY GOOD FRIENDS WITH RYAN GERVAL WHO DEVELOPED THE FRONT LINE.
I SPOKE WITH HIM ABOUT IT, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR JOB IS AND WHAT THE JOB IS OF THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.
AFTER TALKING TO HIM AND TRYING TO FEEL LIKE MAYBE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMEBODY THAT'S IN THE MIDDLE.
THE THIRD SPACE IS A DEFINING MARKER FOR COMMUNITY BUILDINGS.
UNLIKE KID RELATED SPORTS TEAMS, THEATER, OR CHURCH, A DOG PARK IS A POINT OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR ALL.
EVEN PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY DECATUR, THE CURRENT PLAN REMOVE SPACE FROM AMAZING PARK.
I GET IT. PEOPLE NEED TO BE PLEASED.
I OWN A BUSINESS, I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO PLEASE SOME OF DECATUR RESIDENTS [LAUGHTER] I GET IT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT CHANGE WILL BE FOREVER.
AS I SPOKE WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE PLANS AND WHAT WE'RE DECIDED TO DO, I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES ARE.
I'M AT THAT DOG PARK EVERY MORNING.
I SEE THAT CREEK, I KNOW WHAT THAT CREEK DOES.
I KNOW HOW IT FLOODS, I'M THERE EVERY DAY.
I CHANGE THE WATER AND BLEACH OUT THOSE BULLS EVERY SUNDAY MORNING MYSELF TO KEEP THEM CLEAN.
HERE IS A CHANCE TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SPACE.
I CAN TELL YOU FROM BEING THERE, CEMENT IS NOT A GREAT OPTION.
HAVING TWO SIZES IS NOT BAD, BUT THEN IT LIMITS SPACES FOR LARGE DOGS TO EXPLORE.
OVERCROWDING CAN ALSO BE A PROBLEM, AND WE WOULD NEED TWO ENTRANCES, AN ENTRANCE AND AN EXIT TO PROVIDE A MUCH SAFER ENVIRONMENT TO HELP PREVENT FIGHTING.
IN SHORT, I WOULD LOVE TO RECOMMEND A DOG PARK COMMITTEE FOR THE CITY.
WE AS VOLUNTEERS TEND TO THE PARK ALREADY.
I'VE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS MOVING THE MULCH FROM THE TOP OF THE HILL TO THE BASE OF THE HILL, CREATING THAT WONDERFUL FLOODPLAIN WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
THIRD SPACES ARE WHAT DEFINED COMMUNITY.
THE PLACES WE CHOOSE TO BE AT CREATE THE FABRIC.
HOW MUCH WE ARE WILLING TO CHANGE THAT FABRIC FOR OUR FUTURE IS WHAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.
I WORK WITH THE KIDS IN THE CITY AND THE KIDS LOVE THE DOG PARK AND THEY LOVE TO WATCH THE DOGS AT THE DOG PARK, AND I UNDERSTAND THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
I'M DOING LEGALLY BLONDE AND THE STUDENT WHO PERFORMS AS L IS A SOFTBALL PLAYER.
I AM TOTALLY CONNECTED WITH BOTH OF THEM.
I FEEL THERE'S A WAY THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY KEEP THE ARRANGEMENT THAT YOU HAVE BUT HAVE ADDITIONS AND INPUT FROM US AS THE DOG PARK LOVERS THAT DO ALL THE WORK THERE.
I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT, AND I'M HAPPY TO HELP IN ANY WAY TO HELP US GET SOME CONNECTION BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW THERE'S A BIG DISCONNECT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES AND A LOT OF DISINFORMATION.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER LISA FOR YOUR UPDATE TO MAKE SURE I WAS INFORMED AND KNEW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN EVEN IF A NO VOTE HAPPENED.
I'VE READ ALL YOUR PAPERS, I'M UP TO DATE ON ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION AND READY TO VOTE TOMORROW, BUT I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR THE ENERGY THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US, AND I KNOW IT CAN BE A PAIN.
BUT I APPRECIATE THAT PAIN THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US BECAUSE I GRADUATED FROM AVONDALE HIGH SCHOOL.
I'VE LIVED HERE MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE. I LOVE TO DECATUR.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT?
[02:05:05]
>>I'M ON ANDY BIDEN I LIVE AT 169 WOODLAWN AVENUE DECATUR, AND ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO IN 2015, THE SAME PARCEL OF LAND CAME UP FOR DEBATE, NOT FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AS THE THIRD SPACE BOOK FOR PRIVATE CONSUMPTION, AND PRIVATE DEVELOPER WAS GOING TO TAKE THREE PARCELS OR SUBDIVIDE IT INTO THREE DIFFERENT PARCELS AND TAKE THAT ENTIRE RIDGE WHERE THE FOREST WAS.
THERE WERE MANY OF US THAT CAME FROM THE DOG PARK COMMUNITY TO OPPOSE THAT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT [NOISE] I WORKED WITH EARLIER THEY MENTIONED YOU PUT A LOT OF HOURS INTO THE DOG PARK.
A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE PASSED AWAY SINCE THAT TIME.
SOME OF THOSE WERE COMMUNITY CIVIC LEADERS THAT HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED IN YOUR HALLWAYS, AND THERE'S SOME OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS, THEY'RE MEMORIALIZED IN THE DOG PARK.
IT'S NOT JUST A PLACE FOR DOGS, IT'S A PLACE FOR HUMANS.
IT'S A PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S A PLACE THAT MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF US AND IT STINKS THAT AFTER 10 YEARS, I'M BACK UP HERE AGAIN, HAVING TO TALK ABOUT IT A PLACE WE'VE ALREADY SAVED ONCE.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT'S SO JOYFUL TO NOT BE PART OF SUCH CONTENTION EVERY 10 YEARS THAT I HAVE TO COME UP HERE AND DO THE SAME THING OVER. THANK YOU.
>> HI. I'M CANDICE BROWER, OR AS IS THE LAST MEETING, I WAS TATER TOTS MOM.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS WHO COME TO OAKHURST PARK EVERY DAY [OVERLAPPING] 541 QILI.
I'M SORRY. I'M WORRIED FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO COME TO OAKHURST PARK EVERY DAY, PEOPLE WHO JUST NEED A PLACE TO BREATHE AND TO CONNECT AND TO LET THEIR DOGS UNWIND.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE WILD LIFE THAT HAVE MADE THIS SPACE THEIR HOME.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TREES ARE COMING DOWN, BUT I DO KNOW THAT PLANTING 50 SAPLINGS CAN'T REPLACE MATURE CANOPY.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT DECATUR, WHO WAS NAMED THE FIRST BIRD CITY OF GEORGIA.
IF WE DON'T PROTECT GREEN SPACES AND MAKE THAT TITLE ACTUALLY MEANINGFUL.
I'M WORRIED FOR THE SENIORS WHO BRING THEIR DOGS HERE, NOT JUST FOR EXERCISE, BUT FOR COMPANY, FOR CONVERSATIONS AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT KEEP THEM FEELING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY DON'T GET OUT VERY MUCH.
I'M WORRIED THAT MOST RESIDENTS DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THAT'S SOMETHING SO SIGNIFICANT COULD HAPPEN WITH VERY LITTLE PUBLIC INPUT.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE SHRINKING OF THE DOG PARK.
WHEN DOGS LOSE SPACE, THEY LOSE PEACE, THE SMALLER THE AREA, THE HIGHER THE TENSIONS, FIGHTS BREAK OUT, TEMPERS RISE.
THE SPACE WE HAVE NOW WORKS BECAUSE IT GIVES DOGS MORE SPACE TO MOVE AROUND TO GET AWAY FROM A DOG THAT THEY MAY NOT LIKE.
I'M NOT AGAINST PROGRESS, BUT PROGRESS SHOULDN'T MEAN LOSING WHAT ALREADY WORKS.
WHAT ALREADY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.
I DO WANT TO SEE THE DOG PARK IMPROVE, 100%.
BUT WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER WITHOUT TAKING AWAY WHAT PEOPLE AND DOGS ALREADY LOVE ABOUT IT.
I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER WHAT THIS PARK TRULY MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> PHIL HODGES, 234 WEST BENSON STREET, DECATUR GEORGIA IN THE OAKHURST NEIGHBORHOOD.
I USED TO BE A REGULAR USER OF THE DOG PARK UNTIL OUR POOR LITTLE TUCKER DIED IN APRIL.
BUT I THINK WE'VE MISSED ON THIS PLAN. THAT'S MY SUMMARY.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF DECATUR THAN A REALLY GOOD DOG PARK.
IF WE NEED TO REMEDIATE THE STREAM AND WORK ON STORMWATER, 100% SUPPORTIVE, WHETHER WE HAVE TO LEGALLY OR NOT, WE SHOULD BECAUSE WHAT WAS DONE TO CREEKS IN OUR CITY WHEN THIS CITY WAS DEVELOPED IS A CRIME, AND I THINK WE DO NEED TO FIX THAT.
I THINK THE DOG LOVERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GET THE DOGS OUT OF THE MUD.
BUT ALSO HAVE A BIG PARK WHERE THE BIG DOGS CAN RUN.
MY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE TO REVISIT THIS PLAN.
IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT WATER QUALITY, RIGHT NOW, FOR THE FENCE IN THE DESIGN DIVIDING THE DOG PARK FROM WHERE THE CREEK AND THE DRAINAGE WILL BE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEEP HILL, WHICH IS REALLY NOT A USEFUL PART OF THE DOG PARK.
[02:10:03]
THE DOGS DON'T REALLY USE IT NOW.IF THE DOG BEGIN TO USE IT, IT WILL BE DEGRADED AND WILL CAUSE FURTHER EROSION DOWN THE STREAM.
I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T GET ANY ARROWS IN THE BACK, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE FENCE FOR THE DOG PARK, IF YOU MOVE FORWARD THIS PLAN, THE FENCE SHOULD BE MOVED UP TO THE TOP OF THAT HILL TO PREVENT USAGE OF THAT STEEP HILL AS PART OF THE DOG PARK.
WELL, THAT MEANS THE DOG PARK GETS EVEN SMALLER, WHICH IS REALLY NOT THE GOAL.
I ALSO THINK TO LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES IN THE REPORT TO SAY THAT FROM THE EXISTING PERCENTAGE OF THE PARK THAT'S DOG PARK, THAT WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY GET A LARGER PERCENTAGE, A BIGGER DOG PARK, I THINK IS SOMEWHAT DISINGENUOUS.
IT'S NOT TELLING THE WHOLE STORY BECAUSE USING THE DRAINAGE AREA, THAT IS EFFECTIVELY THE MOST POPULAR PART OF DOG PARK THAT IS USED.
THAT'S A PART THAT'S GOING AWAY, BUT IT'S NOT IN THE REPORT THAT'S BEING TAKEN AWAY.
THE REPORT ACTUALLY SAYS, NO, THE DOG PARK IS GETTING BIGGER, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY QUITE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I WOULD SAY IF THERE'S A DEMAND FOR TENNIS, IF THERE'S DEMAND FOR STAND VOLLEYBALL, IF THERE'S MORE DEMAND FOR SOFTBALL FIELDS, FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PUT THAT.
WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO TRY TO PUT EVERYTHING IN A 12 ACRE PARK.
WE'VE GOT LEGACY PARK WITH LOT OF SPACE.
I WOULD SAY REVISIT THE WHOLE PLAN, PUT BALL FIELDS, IF WE NEED MORE BALL FIELDS, OF THE LEGACY PARK, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO PLAY STAND VOLLEYBALL OR CRICKET, WHICH IS LOW ON THE LIST, BUT IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.
SEE IF WE CAN FIND A PLACE LEGACY PARK FOR THAT.
BUT OTHERWISE, THERE'S NOTHING MORE DECATURIST THAN TO HAVE A REALLY NICE BIG DOG PARK IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IN OAKHURST.
>> MY NAME IS LEA RENARD, AND I AM ACTUALLY FROM ATLANTA.
I'M A PET CENTER, AND THAT'S WHERE I STARTED MY BUSINESS IN THE LITTLE FAR POINTS AREA.
MY ACTUAL ADDRESS IS 124 PEACH TREE ROAD IN FLOVILLA GEORGIA, WHERE I BOUGHT A HOUSE.
>> NONE OF YOU KNOW WHERE FLOVILLA IS? BUT I DO COME UP HERE EVERY DAY TO RUN MY BUSINESS AND TAKE CARE OF MY DOGS.
IN OAKHURST DOG PARK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DOG PARKS TO GO TO.
I'VE BEEN TO ALL THE DOG PARKS IN THE AREA.
I DON'T REALLY GO TO PIEDMONT PARK DOG PARK BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET TO, THE PARKING IS DIFFICULT, ETC.
THIS DOG PARK IS ONE OF THE BEST.
YOU HAVE A OPEN SPACE, AND PLENTY OF ROOM FOR DOGS TO RUN AND PLAY, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE WOODED SPACE WITH TABLES AND BENCHES WHERE YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE SUN, YOU CAN RELAX, GET PRIVACY.
THERE'S A LOT OF VARIETY IN THIS DOG PARK.
IT'S IN A COMMUNITY THAT WHERE IT WORKS, THE CHURCH NEXT DOOR ALLOWS US TO PARK IN THEIR PARKING LOT.
THE REC CENTER ALLOWS US TO PARK IN THEIR PARKING LOT, LIKE WE'RE ALL PART OF THE SAME COMMUNITY.
I THINK THAT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS EASY TO PARK IN AS WELL.
I THINK THAT THIS PLAN WOULD JUST BE A HUGE DISRUPTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
SOME OF THE IDEAS TO ME ARE ABSURD.
I MEAN, WHY MOVE A STREAM? IT SOUNDS LIKE AN ABSURD IDEA TO ME.
THERE COULD BE SOME BETTER WAY TO CLEAN OUT THE GULLY, TO MAKE IT BETTER WATERWAY THROUGH THERE.
ME PERSONALLY I'VE BEEN GOING THERE ABOUT 10 YEARS.
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT FLOOD IN THAT PARK.
UNLIKE SOME OF THE OTHERS WERE SAYING, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I'VE DONE A LOT OF MOVING MULCH AROUND FILLING HOLES, MAKING SURE THAT IT'S SPREAD OUT SO THAT, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF MUD AND WATER.
I THINK THAT THE PARKING WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE FOR A BASEBALL PARK.
I THINK THE CONSTRUCTION ITSELF WOULD BE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CHURCH, THE REC CENTER, THE PARK.
I THINK THAT THE TRAFFIC WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE.
THERE'S A SMALL INTERSECTION, A THREE STOP INTERSECTION RIGHT THERE AT SECOND AVENUE AND EAST LAKE DRIVE,
[02:15:01]
AND IT WOULD BE ABSURD WHEN THERE'S A BASEBALL GAME FOR EVERYBODY TO COME THERE ALL AT ONCE, PLUS YOU'VE GOT 5:00 TRAFFIC, SCHOOL TRAFFIC.THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT EVEN BE A PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY COME IN TO SEE THEIR KIDS PLAY GAMES AND THEN THEY GO HOME.
>> I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE VOTE NO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I'M BOB BEACH WITH A 201 OWNER DRIVE INDICATOR, OF COURSE.
I'VE USED A DOG PARK A LONG TIME, AND I'VE ALMOST ALWAYS SEEN IT CROWDED WITH PEOPLE AND DOGS.
I THINK IF ONE OF THE OVERALL GOALS IS TO PROVIDE GOOD SERVICE FOR THE MOST CITIZENS, I SUSPECT THERE ARE A LOT MORE DOGS AND A LOT MORE DOG.
OWNERS USE THE PARK THAN YOU'LL EVER SEE A SOFTBALL FIELD.
THE SOFTBALL FIELD WILL BE ON USED MOST OF THE YEAR.
WHEN YOU COUNT THE NUMBER OF HOURS AND A DAY NUMBER OF HOURS COMPARED TO WHAT THE USE OF THE DOG PARK IS.
I THINK THAT'S ONE THING YOU OUGHT TO CONSIDER.
SOMETHING ELSE I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO, BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH LOOKING AT IS HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST TO EXPAND THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
THIS IS ABOUT MY RECOLLECTION, THIS MAYBE A 10 FOOT DIFFERENCE IN ELEVATION.
THAT'S A HUGE FIELD AFTER YOU MOVE TO CREEK TO MAKE THE SOFTBALL FIELD COMPLETE.
I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE DID ALL THESE WONDERFUL NOTES, I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL THEM.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY THOSE THINGS I WANT TO THINK.
I THINK THAT YOU'LL GET MORE USAGE, MORE PEOPLE USING THE DOG PARK ARE FAR THAN THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
>> HI MY NAME IS NANCY ISLAND.
I LIVE IN OAKHURST AT THE CORNER OF FED AND LAYDEN.
RIGHT NEXT TO THE DOG OR RIGHT NEXT TO THE WHOLE OAKHURST PARK.
AS A RESIDENT THERE, I'VE LOOKED AT THE PLAN, AND I SUPPORT EVERYBODY WANTING TO SAVE THE DOG PARK, [INAUDIBLE] UNTIL SHE PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND NOW WE HAVE A NEW PART PULL TOGETHER A YEAR OR SO, AND SHE'S ABOUT ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES SHE'LL GO WHEN SHE LEAVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SHE WAS A FOSTER OR WE GOT HER FROM THE SHELTER.
SHE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF AGORAPHOBIA, AND GOING TO THE DOG PARK IS ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES SHE WILL GO WHEN SHE LEAVES OUR YARD.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE WHOLE OVERALL PLAN.
I SEE THAT THIRD AVENUE IS POSSIBLY GOING TO GET CUT OUT AND I USE IT ALL THE TIME, BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE THAT UP AND FIND ALTERNATE ROUTES TO SAVE THE DOG PARK.
BUT I'M ALSO HERE. SOME OF YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE ME.
I AM THE FOUNDER OF WILDNESS BIRD REHAB AND LEGACY PARK.
I'M NOT HERE REPRESENTING THEM AT ALL IN THEIR OPINION.
BUT JUST WITH MY WORK WITH THEM GIVES ME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON HUMANS EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE AND OUR PROGRESS.
I JUST WOULD IMPLORE US TO MOVE FORWARD CAREFULLY.
THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF INCIDENCES AT LEGACY PARK WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND TREE CUTTING AND STUFF THAT HAS ACTUALLY AFFECTED US DIRECTLY.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF ORPHAN BABY BIRDS THAT HAD COME TO US THAT WERE DISPLACED AND EVEN KNOW OF THE DEATH OF A BABY REDHEAD WOODPECKER, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE HIS SIBLING.
I WAS VERY SURPRISED, BUT HE RALLIED.
JUST TO GO FORWARD CAREFULLY, MAYBE NOT DO MASS DESTRUCTION DURING BABY SEASON, ESPECIALLY FOR BIRDS, WHICH IS BASICALLY APRIL TO AUGUST, OR AT LEAST MOVE CAUTIOUSLY, IF YOU LIKE THE TREE THAT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO OUR BUILDING LITERALLY RIGHT THERE.
WE HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE GOING TO CUT DOWN THIS HUGE OLD OAK TREE THAT WE USED TO JOKE WAS THE WOODPECKER CONDO BECAUSE WE COULD SEE ALL OF THE HOLES.
I UNDERSTAND IT WAS A DANGEROUS TREE, AND THAT WAS JUST THE WORST TIME TO CUT IT.
ONE OF THE MOST HEARTBREAKING THINGS WAS LISTENING TO THE PARENT BIRDS CRY FOR THEIR BABIES FOR LIKE TWO DAYS IN OUR FRONT YARD, LOOKING FOR THEM.
MAYBE PUT A FENCE AROUND THE TREE OR PLAN AHEAD FOR ELECTIVE CUTTING, NOT TO DO IT DURING BABY SEASON.
TRY TO LOWER OUR IMPACT ON THE ANIMALS AND BE MORE COEXISTING WITH THEM.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
[02:20:06]
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALEX TOBER.
FREQUENTLY PAST GEORGE WHEN I'M WALKING MY DOGS.
I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO OAKHURST DOG PARK WHEN I MOVED HERE ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.
I BROUGHT TWO DOGS THERE, ANGUS AND LOLA, RIP, I HAVE OTHER DOGS.
THEY WERE TWO VERY DIFFERENT TEMPERAMENTS.
ANGUS LOVED RUNNING IN THE OPEN AREA, LOLA IN THE MORE SOLITARY FOREST AREA.
SHORTLY AFTER WE MOVED HERE, I LITERALLY CALLED FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN OTHER CITIES AND I WAS LIKE, YOU CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THIS DOG PARK IS LIKE.
LIKE, I HAD NEVER IN MY LIFE, I'VE LIVED IN RHODE ISLAND, VIRGINIA, NEVADA, I'VE NEVER SEEN PARKS LIKE WHAT WE HAVE HERE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY A TESTAMENT TO HOW WE CARE ABOUT COMMUNITY BECAUSE A DOG PARK ISN'T JUST A FENCED IN FIELD.
IT'S A SPACE THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.
IT PROMOTES EXERCISE, SOCIAL CONNECTION, AND A STRONGER SENSE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE.
AS MUCH AS SINCE I LIVE IN DOWNTOWN DECATUR, I WANT TO THROW SHADE ON OAKHURST.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THIS DOG PARK.
FOR OUR DOGS, IT MEANS FREEDOM, PLAY, AND HEALTHY ACTIVITY, ALL IN A SAFE DESIGNATED AREA.
FOR OWNERS, IT'S A PLACE TO MEET NEIGHBORS.
I MEET PEOPLE IN THAT PARK THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE MET OTHERWISE.
THERE ARE PARENTS, FAMILIES, VETERANS, SENIORS, ALL TYPES OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT ARE IN AND OUT OF THAT PARK, WHO ALL COEXIST AND LIVE IN DECATUR IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S A PLACE TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, BUILD FRIENDSHIPS.
FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT ALSO REDUCES OFF LEASH ISSUES.
THE MORE WE'RE SQUEEZING PEOPLE THERE COULD MEAN THAT WE COULD HAVE OTHER IMPACTS EVEN OUTSIDE OF THE PARK AND IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I THINK IT ALSO INCREASES RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP HAVING THESE REALLY WONDERFUL PLACES.
A DOG PARK IS A SMALL INVESTMENT WITH BIG RETURNS, HAPPIER PETS, HEALTHIER PEOPLE, WE REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR CITY OF DECATUR CITIZENS TO BE ACTIVE AND OUT.
WE KNOW THAT THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR HEALTH AS WELL.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE REALLY KEEP THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE CITY OF DECATUR IN PLACE.
I THINK THAT THE OAKHURST DOG PARK IS REALLY ONE OF THOSE REALLY CRITICAL PLACES THAT WE NEED TO SEE KEPT IN PLACE.
I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT I THINK THERE'S BEEN SO MANY GREAT SUGGESTIONS, AND I THINK WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO REALLY EVALUATE THESE SUGGESTIONS AND REALLY SAY, DO WE WANT A COMMITTEE? HOW DO WE WANT TO HANDLE THE WATER? I JUST THINK THERE'S STILL OTHER OPTIONS THAT STILL NEED TO BE TALKED THROUGH SO WE CAN COME UP WITH A BETTER PATH FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I LIVE AT 1381 CUSTER AVENUE, WHICH IS NOT INDICATOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, I DO LOVE DECATUR.
I USED TO BE A RESIDENT OF DECATUR AND HAVE SINCE HAD TO MOVE ON, AND I WILL KEEP THIS BRIEF JUST BECAUSE I LEARNED ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY AND DON'T HAVE STATEMENT PREPARED, BUT I DO THINK IT WOULD BE HEARTBREAKING TO LOSE OAKHURST PARK.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME BRILLIANT IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT TONIGHT FROM A COMMITTEE TO JUST CONTEXTUALIZING, RETHINKING THROUGH WHAT THIS PLAN COULD BE.
BUT MYSELF AND MY DOG, JOHNY, GO THERE ALL THE TIME.
WHEN I FIRST GOT HER, SHE HAD LOTS OF EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AND HAS REALLY COME A LONG WAY SINCE ME ADOPTING HER AND OAKHURST HAS BEEN A MAJOR PART OF THAT.
SHE IS ABLE TO INTERACT WITH OTHER DOGS AND IT REALLY HAS DONE WONDERS FOR HER BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND HER MENTAL HEALTH AND MY MENTAL HEALTH.
I THINK THAT'S THE CASE FOR PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY WITHIN DECATUR ITSELF AND ALSO PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO CHOOSE TO COME INTO DECATUR FOR EXPERIENCES LIKE THIS.
I ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO. THANK YOU.
>> I LOST MY VOICE. I'M SORRY.
MY ADDRESS IS 1410 LIVE RIDGE ROAD NORTHEAST.
I'M A NEW HOMEOWNER IN ATLANTA, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE OAKHURST PARK RECREATION AREA MASTER PLAN.
[02:25:01]
HE MOVED UP HERE WITH ME AND WAS MY ONLY FRIEND IN THE CITY WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED.OAKHURST DOG PARK WAS THE FIRST PLACE IN MY NEW TOWN WHERE I BECAME A REGULAR.
I GOT TO WATCH MY BEST FRIEND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND SOCIALIZE WITH OTHER DOGS.
THE PARK ALSO BECAME A PLACE WHERE I COULD SOCIALIZE AND START TO FORM A REAL COMMUNITY.
I LIVE OUTSIDE OF DECATUR, BUT I SPEND MUCH OF MY TIME HERE AS MY PARTNER IS A RESIDENT, AND I HAVE A REAL APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS AND FOOD AND NATURAL BEAUTY THAT ARE HOUSED HERE.
THE PARK IS DEFINITELY THE BIGGEST DRAW FOR ME TO DECATUR THOUGH.
EVERY TIME I VISIT I STOP BY THE OAKHURST MARKET FOR A SANDWICH OR AT THE COFFEE SHOP TO GET A DRINK.
I THINK IT'S THE CASE FOR DECATUR RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR OUTSIDERS, THE PARK DRAWS US IN, BUT WE BRING WITH US BUSINESS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
A BIG REASON I CHOSE ATLANTA AS MY NEW HOME IS ITS REPUTATION FOR BEING A DOG FRIENDLY CITY AND FOR ITS NATURAL BEAUTY DESPITE BEING SUCH A LARGE AND METROPOLITAN CITY.
IT'LL BE SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT TO SEE ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMMUNITY SPACES GET DEVELOPED OVER.
AS OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO BULLDOZE OVER OUTDOOR SPACES THAT ARE INTENDED FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THIS TREND, PRESERVE THE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT OF DECATUR AND KEEP OAKHURST DOG PARK A COMMUNITY SPACE FOR PEOPLE AND PETS ALIKE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SORRY, FOR MY TERRIBLE VOICE.
>> HELLO. I'M MAYER SCHNEIDER AND I LIVE AT 240 THIRD AVENUE.
THAT'S ABOUT A BLOCK NORTH OF THE PARK.
I HAVE A DOG, BUT HER NEEDS HAVE BEEN WELL REPRESENTED TONIGHT, SO I WON'T TALK ABOUT HER.
INSTEAD, I'LL TALK ABOUT MY THREE AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD SONS.
MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. WE GO TO THE PHOENIX SCHOOL, WHICH IS A LITTLE SCHOOL IN THE CHURCH LOCATED TO THE SOUTH.
WE ARE CROSSING THROUGH THAT PARK, EITHER I AM DRAGGING THEM IN A WHEELBARROW OR WE ARE ON BICYCLES, OR WE ARE IN ONE OF THOSE BIG WAGON ELECTRIC BIKES.
I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH CLOSING THIRD STREET OFF TWO CARS, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT HOW BIKES ARE MOVING THROUGH THIRD STREET.
RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A PRETTY BIG DROP, NO SLOPING TO ACCOUNT FOR A SMALL CHILD, TRYING TO GET DOWN THERE.
I THINK THERE'S ALSO CONNECTIVITY ISSUES AT OUR MID BLOCK CONNECTION OFF OF LIGHT IN THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED OFF FROM WHAT I CAN TELL FROM THIS PLAN.
RIGHT NOW IN FRONT OF THE REC CENTER, YOU'RE PINCHED BETWEEN A PARKING LOT AND THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE DOOR LIKE MAYBE A FOUR FOOT SIDEWALK.
I JUST ASK THAT THE DESIGNERS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD AND MATURE THIS PLAN, THAT THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE CONNECTIVITY AND IMAGINING A CHILD THAT'S THAT BIG, THAT CARS CANNOT SEE ON A BICYCLE, WEAVING IN AND OUT AND PLEASED TO THINK ABOUT SIDEWALKS AND SPACES THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THEM. THANK YOU.
MY ADDRESS IS 1867 LOMITA ROAD, SOUTHEAST.
I AM NOT A RESIDENT OF DECATUR PROPER.
I AM CURRENTLY WALKING THROUGH HOUSES TO BECOME A RESIDENT OF DECATUR PROPER.
BEING THAT I HAVE NO IMMEDIATE RELEVANCE ON THIS FLOOR, I AM GOING TO TRY TO PUT A FINER POINT ON A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT SOME OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE ECHOED BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE ARE THAT CAN BE CONNECTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THIS COMMITTEE.
FIRST, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THE LACK OF NOTICE.
I REGULARLY USE OAKHURST DOG PARK.
I AM THE PROUD PARENT OF A DOG NAMED SCOTT.
SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF HER NAME.
IF IT WAS A MALE DOG, IT WOULD'VE BEEN AN ATTICUS, AND IT WAS QUITE THAT SIMPLE.
THERE WAS NO POSTINGS OTHER THAN HAND MARKED SIGNS.
I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS MEETING THIS MORNING ON INSTAGRAM, SO WHOEVER BEHIND ME IS RUNNING THAT ACCOUNT, CONGRATULATIONS IT WORKED.
BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO RUN A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR PUBLIC SPACES.
WE'RE JUST THIS PART OF TOWN IS NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR THAT.
I WANT TO ORGANIZE MY THOUGHTS INTO TWO SEPARATE BUCKETS.
THE FIRST IS THE LACK OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE SPACE THAT IS BEING UTILIZED.
I AM NOT BEING HYPERBOLIC WHEN I SAY, THIS IS THE LITERAL ONLY DOG PARK IN A 30 MINUTE DRIVE FOR BIG DOGS.
I AM ALSO NOT BEING HYPERBOLIC WHEN I UNDERSCORE WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS WHEN I SAY, LOSS OF ANY AGGREGATE ACREAGE OF THIS PARK WILL RESULT IN HARM TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
IF WE ARE WILLING TO SIT HERE WITH YOU UNTIL 9:00 P.M. TO TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF A DOG PARK, SO TOO, ARE WE WILLING TO PUT OUR BODIES IN FRONT OF TWO DOGS THAT ARE FIGHTING.
[02:30:01]
IF YOU PUT DOGS IN A SMALL SPACE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.YOU WILL HAVE INADVERTENTLY CREATED A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME, TO EVERYONE AROUND THEM, TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY MANY INSTANCES OF THAT HAPPENING BEFORE PEOPLE SIMPLY STOP USING IT.
WELL, WE KNOW IN CITIES, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE STOP USING IT, YOU'VE CREATED A BLIGHTED CORRIDOR.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S IN LINE WITH WHATEVER THIS MASTER PLAN IS.
YOU'RE CHARGED WITH FINDING THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE.
I COMMAND YOU FOR NOT DOING WHAT'S IN VOGUE AND PUTTING PICKLE BALL THERE, BUT YOU LOSE ME AT SAYING THAT IT'S A SOFTBALL FIELD.
I WANT TO REVERT TO THE SECOND POINT OF THE USE THAT'S BEING SUBSTITUTED IN THE SPACE OF THE DOG PARK.
WHO IS IT THAT BENEFITS FROM THE SOFTBALL FIELD? FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, IT'S PRIMARILY YOUNG CHILDREN, MAYBE SOME ADULTS.
BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING THAT STANDS FOR THE IDEA THAT ANYBODY CONDUCTED A STUDY AS TO THE CURRENT USE OF ALL OF THE CURRENT BASEBALL FIELDS WITHIN THE CITY OF DECATUR.
I DRIVE AROUND A LOT BOTH DURING THE DAY AND IN THE EVENINGS.
I DON'T SEE THOSE BEING USED ALL THAT FREQUENTLY.
I DON'T THINK THAT THEY ARE AT THEIR CURRENT CAPACITY.
MAYBE THAT'S WRONG, BUT I THINK THAT THAT IS PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE EVALUATED BEFORE SPACE IS RELEGATED FOR A USE THAT LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER, BUT MAYBE ISN'T ACTUALLY WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.
THIRD. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HIGHEST AND BEST USE, WE THINK ABOUT SORRY.
THANK YOU. OBVIOUSLY, I WANT YOU TO VOTE NO.
>> GOOD EVENING. DR. KANIKA RICHARDSON, DIRECTOR OF AGNES ATHLETICS AT AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE.
>> FORTNIGHT, HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE.
>> ON BEHALF OF AGNES SCOTT 141 EAST COLLEGE A.
FIRST, I WANT TO CLEAR A MISCONCEPTION.
IT WAS STATED AT SOME POINT THAT WE WERE GETTING A PRIVATE SOFTBALL FIELD FROM THE CITY OF DECATUR.
I DO HAVE SOME CHARM, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH [LAUGHTER] TO DO THAT RIGHT THERE, BUT WE DO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST AS AGNES SCOTT HAS A 50 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DECATUR FOR OAKHURST.
WE DO PLAY OUR CURRENT SOFTBALL GAMES THERE.
NCAA DIVISION 3, WE DO PLAY OUR CURRENT SOFTBALL GAMES THERE.
WE DO ALSO PRACTICE THERE AS WELL.
WHATEVER HAPPENS EITHER WAY, WE ARE GRANDFATHERED IN WITH THE NCAA WITH THE CURRENT OAKHURST FIELD.
IF THIS IS TO MOVE FORWARD, OUR ONE CONCERN WOULD BE ENSURING THAT IT IS REGULATION.
OTHERWISE, IT PUTS OUR SOFTBALL TEAM PRETTY MUCH OUT.
WE ARE A FIRM BELIEVER IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.
THAT IS VERY MUCH IMPORTANT TO US AND OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AS A PART OF THEIR EXPERIENCE.
WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS MOVING FORWARD, THAT WE DO HAVE A SOFTBALL FIELD THAT THEY CAN COMPETE AT REGARDLESS.
I CAN UNDERSTAND THE SENTIMENTS OF, OF COURSE, WANTING TO KEEP THE DOG.
I HAVE TWO LITTLE DOGS MYSELF.
I ACTUALLY HAVE GONE TO OAKHURST DOG PARK A LOT, SO I UNDERSTAND THAT, OF COURSE.
OUR FIGHTING THIS IS NOT WHICH WAY TO GO NECESSARILY.
OUR FIGHT IS TO ENSURE WE HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME, WE GO PLAY SOFTBALL FOR OUR SCOTTIES.
[INAUDIBLE] YOU HAVE ANYTHING?.
>> WE ALSO DO SHARE WITH DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL, SO I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ALSO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS AS WELL.
BUT CURRENTLY OUR FIELD IS TO, TO SMALL, AND WE'RE ALSO HAVING SPLIT TIME.
THE IDEA OF THEM GETTING A BIGGER SPACE, WHICH IS GREAT.
AGAIN, WE DIDN'T WE WEREN'T VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE WHAT THE PLAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.
BUT EITHER WAY, IT'LL BE GREAT FOR US IF WE COULD GET A LARGER SPACE.
HOWEVER, I MEAN, AT THE CURRENT SPACE THAT WE DO HAVE, THERE ARE ALSO ARE ISSUES.
I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE REASON WHY THEY WENT DIRECTION THAT THEY DID.
>> THAT'S ALL FOR US. THANK YOU AND GO SCOTTIES.
>> OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE PUBLIC COMMENT? WE DO HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JOINED US ONLINE, AND WE WILL RECOGNIZE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THOSE WHO JOINED ONLINE.
>> MY NAME IS MARIAN SCHNEIDER.
ALMOST EVERYBODY HERE HAS SPOKEN ON BEHALF OF THE SAVING THE DOG PARK.
I'M ABSOLUTELY APPALLED AT THE PLAN FOR THE DOG PARK, BUT I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE REST OF THE MASTER PLAN, WHICH, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE TAKE MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE GREEN SPACE AND TURN IT INTO ASTRO-TURF FENTON SPORTS COMPLEX.
[02:35:02]
AS A RESIDENT IN OAKHURST, THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT. THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO SAY.
>> I'M STEVE JAESON, 122 WEST TRINITY PLACE.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THE NATIONAL RECREATION PARK ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS MINIMUM OF A HALF AN ACRE.
ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT THEY SAY IT'S LEADS TO OVERCROWDING, RAPID TURF DESTRUCTION, INCREASED SAFETY RISK BECAUSE DOGS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO PROPERLY RUN AND DISSIPATE ENERGY.
RIGHT NOW IN THAT CURRENT PLAN IS NOT NEARLY THAT SPACE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANGELA FUSARO.
I LIVE AT 132 EAST LAKE DRIVE, SOUTHEAST.
[NOISE] I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF DECATUR, BUT I PASS THROUGH OAKHURST EVERY DAY TO GO TO THAT DOG PARK.
I WAS DOING A QUICK CALCULATION.
I SPEND APPROXIMATELY $35 A WEEK IN OAKHURST VILLAGE AT EITHER THE COFFEE SHOP OR THE MARKET EN ROUTE TO THAT DOG PARK.
I THINK WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE COMING INTO DECATUR SOLELY TO GO TO THE DOG PARK, AND WHAT WE'RE ALSO SPENDING EN ROUTE. THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.
I GOT OUT OF BED TONIGHT WITH MY TODDLER WITH THE MANDATE OF SAVING THE DOG PARK, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO CONVEY.
I WAS ACTUALLY AROUND IN 2014.
THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A CHALLENGE IN THE VULNERABILITY TO THE DOG PARK.
THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I WAS IN THIS BUILDING.
I WAS REFLECTING ON HOW I'VE BEEN FRIENDS WITH FOLKS FROM THAT DOG PARK FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, SOME OF WHOM HAVE ACTUALLY PASSED AWAY AND WE'VE MEMORIALIZED THEM IN THAT DOG PARK.
I THINK THAT REALLY CAPTURES THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PLACE WHERE DOGS GO AND PLAY.
IT IS AN EXTREMELY SPECIAL COMMUNITY.
ONE THAT I FEEL CREATES MAGICAL CONNECTION.
I'M A PHYSICIAN, AND I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AN EPIDEMIC, NOT OF COVID ANYMORE IN THE SAME WAY, BUT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS.
IF WE TALK ABOUT PLACES THAT ARE REMAINING WHERE YOU CAN TRULY CONNECT WITH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, THAT DOG PARK IS ONE OF THEM.
JUST AS A TACTICAL POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT MORE TIME.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT ABOUT IS HAVE WE EXPLORED OTHER PARTS OF DECATUR? IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SOFTBALL FIELD AND THE NEEDS OF THE SOFTBALL FIELD ACCOMMODATION ARE A PRIORITY.
HAVE WE EXPLORED OTHER PARTS OF DECATUR WHERE THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT IMPACTING THE OAKHURST DOG PARK AREA? THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I WOULD HIGHLIGHT AS FAR AS HOW MORE TIME COULD BE SPENT EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> ARE THERE OTHERS IN THE ROOM? WE WILL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, AND I WILL ASK MS. WORK TO HELP ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
WE WILL ASK YOU TO RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL HAND.
WE WILL UNMUTE YOU, AND ALLOW YOU TO PLEASE MAKE YOUR COMMENT.
WE'LL ALSO ASK THAT YOU HAVE THE THREE MINUTE RULE AS WELL.
>> HELLO, CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?
>> GREAT. MY NAME IS MOLLY SULEN, AND I LIVE AT 211 SECOND AVENUE IN DECATUR.
I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON TONIGHT, BUT I AM PRETTY SICK AT THE MOMENT.
I ALSO WANTED TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE MASTER PLAN, WHICH REDUCES THE SIZE OF THE OAKHURST DOG PARK.
I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE DOG PARK WITH MY DOG BLUE SINCE I WAS 12-YEARS-OLD AND I GO MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK.
I HAVE A GREAT LOVE FOR THIS DOG PARK AND I KNOW I'M JUST ONE OF MANY PEOPLE THAT WOULD SAY THE SAME.
I WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE DOG PARK PETITION HAS HAD OVER 1,300 SIGNATURES AND GAINS MORE SIGNATURES EVERY DAY.
I WANT TO QUICKLY NOTE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THIS DOG PARK SPECIAL AND IRREPLACEABLE.
[02:40:01]
IT'S A VERY LARGE PARK THAT'S SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR THE DOGS AND FOR PEOPLE.THE SIZE IS PART OF WHAT MAKES IT A GEM OF DOG PARKS, AS PEOPLE HAVE SAID, THE LARGE SIZE AVOIDS POTENTIAL CONFLICT AND IT ALLOWS DOGS TO EXPLORE AND SOCIALIZE AND RUN FREELY, AND CERTAIN HIGH ENERGY DOGS LIKE HUSKIES AND GERMAN SHEPHERDS, HAVING LARGE SPACES LIKE THAT IS BASICALLY A BASIC NEED FOR THEIR HEALTH.
BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE, I THINK THAT THE DOG PARK REALLY ENHANCES OUR CITY AND SERVES THE DOGS AND PEOPLE OF DECATUR EVERY DAY.
I HOPE THAT THE COMMISSION CAN SPEND MORE TIME CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVES TO THIS PLAN PLAN IN A WAY WHICH WILL NOT DISRUPT THE DOG PARK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. I CAN SEE, ANDY ALLEN, [NOISE] CAN YOUR STATE YOUR VEIN AND STATE YOUR ADDRESS.
WE WILL YOU TRY AND UNMUTE YOU.
I LIVE AT 1662 SUGAR CREEK PLACE.
I AM NOT A RESIDENT OF DECATUR, BUT I AM A RESIDENT OF DECATUR COUNTY.
I ACTUALLY AM THE ONE WHO STARTED THE PETITION, AND I STARTED THE PETITION TO GIVE PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE NOT DECATUR RESIDENTS A VOICE IN THIS FIGHT.
AS MOLLY MENTIONED, IT HAS OVER 1,300 SIGNATURES.
I OBVIOUSLY OPPOSE THE SHRINKING OF THE DOG PARK.
I THINK THAT THIS SPACE HAS BEEN REALLY BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HAVE LARGE DOGS AND JUST NEED A PLACE TO GET THEM OUT AND TO SOCIALIZE.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT THIS PARK IS BOTH A FIELD AND A FOREST AND IT BRINGS TOGETHER NATURE AND DOGS AND PEOPLE AND ALL THE THINGS EVERYONE ELSE HAS ALREADY MENTIONED.
I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL DEEPLY CONSIDER THE INPUT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE ON THIS PLAN, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I LIVE AT 2116 MCCLENDON AVENUE, SO I'M IN [INAUDIBLE] ATLANTA, LAKE CLAIRE AND A LONGTIME OAKHURST DOG PARK USER.
I'M ONTO MY FIST DOG FOR ENJOYING THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M SPEAKING BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S SOME CASES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD IF THE MASTER PLAN IS TO BE TAKEN AT FACE VALUE.
IF THE SPACE FOR THE LARGE DOGS IS REDUCED TO THE SPACE INDICATED, IT RENDERS THE DOG PARK USELESS FOR THEM.
I'M NOT SPEAKING HYPERBOLICALLY WHEN I SAY THAT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF LARGE DOGS IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS WHO REQUIRE SOCIALIZATION.
THEY REQUIRE ADEQUATE EXERCISE.
THEY REQUIRE SPACE TO SOCIALIZE, BUT ALSO TO GET AWAY FROM DOGS THAT THEY AREN'T GETTING ALONG WITH.
FROM THAT LAND OAKHURST DOG PARK IS VITAL TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY NOT JUST OF THE DOG, BUT THEREFORE THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AGREE WITH THE POINT MADE, IT FEELS DISINGENUOUS TO SAY THAT THE DOG PARK IS JUST LOSING A THIRD OF AN ACRE.
IF YOU MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF SPACE FOR THE LARGE DOGS IN THE PLAN, IT REALLY JUST DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THEM.
ONE OTHER POINT I HAVEN'T HEARD.
IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME IF THE NEIGHBORS ARE THINKING HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE NOISE OF DOG PARK, WITH THE NOISE OF THE BALL FIELD.
THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER.
I LIKE MANY OF THE IDEAS AND THE POINTS THAT I'VE HEARD TONIGHT, SUCH AS DOG PARK ADVISOR, IS REVISITING THE PLAN OVERALL IN CONSIDERATION OF THE NEEDS OF LARGE DOGS IN PARTICULAR.
I DON'T THINK THE CURRENT PLAN WAS MEANT TO ELIMINATE THE DOG PARK.
BUT THE PLAN WE'RE LOOKING AT DOES JUST THAT.
IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE FENCED IN AREA AND A WALKWAY SURROUNDING IT.
I THINK REAL AND NOT ASPIRATIONAL IMPACTS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I THINK IT'S JUST BEEN UNDERESTIMATED.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
I THANK YOU. I'M GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR TAKING COMMENTS AND PERHAPS HEARING MORE NUANCED.
[02:45:02]
I ASK THAT YOU DON'T APPROVE THE CURRENT PLAN.THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND REALLY BASICALLY IN TERMS OF PLANNING, IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE WE ARE THERE YET.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HEARING ALL OF THIS.
>> HI, EVERYONE. I'M ON GREENWOOD PLACE AND OAKHURST, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY'S PLAN.
I HAVE A SON AND A DOG, AND WE LIKE THE PLANS THAT YOU HAVE.
HERE'S LUCY. TO THE OTHER DOG PARKS AND WE'LL BE OKAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND A GOOD NIGHT.
>> YES. WONDERFUL. THANKS. JUST WANT TO CALL BACK TO A MONTH AGO AND I MISSPOKE.
QUICK APOLOGY TO THE COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY.
I WASN'T TRYING TO MISQUOTE YOU WHEN I WAS USING THE TERM FLAWED PARK WHEN I WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE ACCESS AND JUST WANTED TO USE THAT TERMINOLOGY AND HIGHLIGHT THE INEFFICIENCY OF RESIDENTS ADJACENT TO THE PARK AND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE AND HOW I SEE HAVING A DRIVEWAY INSIDE OF A CITY PARKING LOT IS A PROBLEM.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE SOME OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE DRIVEWAY ACCESS, I JUST HOPE THAT COMMISSIONERS AND FUTURE USERS OF THE CONCEPT RECONSIDER THAT, AND THINK ABOUT WHAT'S THE BEST ACCESS FOR THE RECREATION CENTER AS FAR AS GETTING ACCESS OFF THE EAST SLIDE DRIVE.
ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED MUCH ABOUT TONIGHT.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT DOG PARK SO FAR, BUT ABOUT THE PLAYGROUNDS AND THE USAGE THERE AND JUST REITERATE HOW HOW MANY PERSON HOURS ARE USED IN THE PLAYGROUND AREA AND HOPE THAT THAT'S FACTORED IN IN FUTURE PLANS WITH IMPROVEMENTS AND POTENTIAL EXPANSION THERE.
I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CONCEPT AND NOT NECESSARILY A FULLY DESIGNED MASTER PLAN.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WASN'T CLEAR TO ME FROM THE FIRST FEW MEETINGS THAT I ATTENDED ABOUT IN THE CENTER AND SO I'M OPTIMISTIC.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR FUTURE DESIGN PHASES THAT IT'S WELL SOCIALIZED IN SIGNAGE AND ALL THINGS TO REALLY PULL IN THE PUBLIC INPUT FOR MYSELF, FOR THE DOG PARK USERS.
JUST I WANT TO KNOW WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PULL THIS PLAN OFF THE SHELF, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS WHEN DUE, AND JUST ASK THAT WE SOCIALIZE THAT AS BEST WE CAN AND IMPROVE ON SOME OF THE LESSONS LEARNING COMMUNICATION SO FAR.
THANKS. I APPRECIATE THE TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL OF HIS WORK, IS THAT IT? SORRY. [LAUGHTER]. CLEARLY, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHO I'VE BEEN CALLING MS. [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND].
I THINK THAT'S EVERYONE, SO WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[NOISE] [LAUGHTER] I DON'T WEAR A JACKET.
WILL TAKES CARE OF ALL OF OUR NEEDS, SO WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> [NOISE] LET'S MOVE TO HAVE STAFF
[VII.A. Oakhurst Park Recreation Area Master Plan.]
COME FORWARD TO ACCEPT OAKHURST PARK RECREATION MASTER PLAN.>> TECHNOLOGY TONIGHT. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
I AM THE DIRECTOR HERE WITH PARKS AND RECREATION.
[02:50:03]
TONIGHT, I HAVE WITH ME SEVERAL MEMBERS OF STAFF TO ANSWER ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.I HAVE ENGINEERS HERE, AS WELL AS OUR CONSULTANTS FROM ATKINSRÉALIS, AS WELL AS PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TONIGHT THAT MIGHT COME UP.
I AM HERE TONIGHT TO BRING BACK THE OAKHURST PARK MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATION, WHICH WAS TABLED IN OCTOBER TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME FOR REVIEW AND COMMUNITY INPUT.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND NOW ALMOST A YEAR, THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND CITY STAFF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CONSULTANT TEAM AT ATKINS, HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO CLARIFY QUESTIONS, ADDRESS FEEDBACK, AND ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSED PLAN BEFORE YOU TONIGHT REFLECTS BOTH THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES AND THE CITY'S LONG TERM GOALS FOR THIS SITE.
THIS CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN REPRESENTS IN OUR OPINION, A BALANCED FACT BASED APPROACH, PRESERVING THE CORE CHARACTER OF OAKHURST PARK, WHILE INTRODUCING LONG OVERDUE STORMWATER, SAFETY, AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS.
IT MAINTAINS OAKHURST ROLE AS A BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, NOT AS A SPORTS COMPLEX, WHILE ADDRESSING SITE CONDITIONS THAT HAVE LIMITED USABILITY AND SAFETY FOR YEARS.
TONIGHT'S ACTION IS CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL ONLY, NOT CONSTRUCTION.
THE PLAN PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR DESIGN, POTENTIAL FUNDING OPTIONS, AND FUTURE NEED FOR COMMUNITY INPUT.
THE FOCUS TONIGHT SHOULD BE ON LONG TERM SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND EQUITABLE RECREATION ACCESS.
SINCE OCTOBER, WE'VE REFINED THE MATERIALS, ADDING VISUALS THAT SHOW DOG PARK BOUNDARIES MORE PRECISELY.
WE'VE CLARIFIED HOW UNDERGROUND DETENTION MANAGES STORMWATER WITHOUT LOSING USABLE SPACE AND CONFIRMING THAT ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE TO THIRD AVENUE WOULD REQUIRE A TRAFFIC STUDY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE.
AGAIN, TONIGHT, THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT WILL ONLY BE TO CONFIRM THE LAYOUT AND PRIORITIES, NOT TO FINALIZE AMENITIES.
THE FRAMEWORK ALIGNS RECREATION, DRAINAGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS.
THE PARK FOOTPRINT REMAINS THE SAME, WE'RE IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, NOT EXPANDING.
>> MORE THAN 760 RESIDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED THROUGH SURVEYS, OPEN HOUSES, AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE WITH THE INPUT PROCESS, IT SHOWS ALL OF THE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'VE HAD.
RESIDENTS CONSISTENTLY EMPHASIZE PRESERVING OPEN SPACE IN THE PARKS NEIGHBORHOOD FIELD, FIXED DRAINAGE AND FLOODING, AND ENSURE FLEXIBILITY FOR YOUTH AND ADULT RECREATION LIKE THIS THING IS ON.
ONE WITH LET'S SEE, THE ONE THAT HAD ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE THAT WAS REVIEWED.
KEEP GOING THAT ONE. NEXT ONE.
WHEN IT WAS REVIEWED WITH THE URBAN NATURALIST SEMA, THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT.
ENGINEERING DPR FACILITIES, URBAN NATURALIST, ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND ATHLETICS. THANK YOU.
>> SECOND, WE IT'S ON ASSIGNED FOR SOME REASON.
>> I WAS WONDERING WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
>> TWO MINUTES. [LAUGHTER]. YOU GET 3 MINUTES SORRY.
>> I'M TRYING, I THINK WE SHOULD BE GOOD.
WITHIN THE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, RESIDENTS CONSISTENTLY EMPHASIZE PRESERVING OPEN SPACE IN THE PARKS NEIGHBORHOOD FIELD TO FIX THE DRAINAGE AND FLOODING AND ENSURE FLEXIBILITY FOR YOUTH AND ADULT RECREATION.
THIS PLAN REFLECTS THOSE THEMES, SHAPED BY MONTHS OF INPUT AND COLLABORATION.
NOW I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE EXISTING CONDITIONS.
I WANT TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PLAN HAS GENERATED PASSIONATE DISCUSSION.
RIGHTFULLY SO, AS A FELLOW DOG OWNER, I UNDERSTAND.
OKERS PARK HOLDS DEEP MEANING FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
IT'S A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WALK THEIR DOGS, WASH THEIR KIDS, PLAY BALL, AND CONNECT WITH NEIGHBORS.
BUT PASSION MUST BE PAIRED WITH PRACTICALITY, BECAUSE THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THIS SITE SIMPLY CANNOT SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF USE IT EXPERIENCES TODAY.
FOR YEARS, THE DOG PARK HAS BEEN LOCATED WITHIN A DETENTION POND, AND THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THE CASE.
DETENTION PONDS ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD STORMWATER, NOT PEOPLE OR PETS.
WHEN HEAVY RAIN FILLS THAT SPACE, IT BECOMES UNSAFE AND UNSANITARY, FOR BOTH DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS.
ACROSS THE CITY, OTHER ABOVE DETENTION PONDS ARE FENCED OFF FOR SAFETY, NOT USED AS GATHERING SPACES.
THIS MASTER PLAN ISN'T TAKING SOMETHING AWAY, IT'S CORRECTING A CONDITION THAT WAS NEVER INTENDED FOR RECREATION.
THROUGH THIS PLAN, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO BETTER TO CREATE A DOG PARK THAT'S DRY,
[02:55:03]
ACCESSIBLE, AND SAFE AROUND.A PLACE WHERE DOGS CAN RUN FREELY, WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER WITHOUT WORRY AND WHERE THE PARKS INFRASTRUCTURE ACTUALLY SUPPORTS THE WAY OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO USE IT.
HERE, THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN DURING REGULAR RAIN EVENTS ACTUALLY LAST WEEK, NOT EXTREME STORMS. YOU CAN SEE HOW WATER COLLECTS IN THE DARK PARK, AND LOWER FIELDS, CREATING MUDDY, UNUSUAL AREAS FOR DAYS AT A TIME.
EROSION ALONG THE STREAM BAK IS WORSENING EACH YEAR, THREATENING TREES, FENCING AND TURF STABILITY.
THIS LEADS TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR BOTH PARK USERS AND STAFF.
THE EXISTING DETENTION POND CONSUMES A LARGE PORTION OF THE SITE, AND LIMITS HOW FIELDS CAN BE ORIENTED OR USED.
BECAUSE THE POND IS ABOVE GROUND, THAT SPACE CAN'T SAFELY SUPPORT RECREATION, IT'S EFFECTIVELY OFF LIMITS.
THE STREAM BUFFER RESTRICTS GRADING AND FIELD PLACEMENT, LEAVING LIMITED FLEXIBILITY TO REDESIGN, WITHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
IN THE PAST, WE REPLACED FENCING OR ADDED MULCH, BUT THOSE ARE TEMPORARY FIXES.
WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE BENEATH THE SURFACE, THESE PROBLEMS WILL PERSIST, PERSIST, AND BECOME MORE COSTLY OVER TIME.
THE CITY HAS SPENT RESOURCES MAINTAINING A LAYOUT THAT SIMPLY DOESN'T WORK, WITH THE SITE'S TOPOGRAPHY OR TOPOGRAPHY OR DRAINAGE PATTERNS.
THE PROPOSED PLAN, SOLVES THESE ISSUES AT THEIR SOURCE BY RELOCATING DETENTION UNDERGROUND, BRINGING THE SURFACE FOR RECREATION WHILE STILL MANAGING STORMWATER EFFECTIVELY, RESTORING THE STREAM CORRIDOR, IMPROVING WATER FLOW AND PROTECTING ADJACENT PROPERTIES, STABILIZING PROBLEM AREAS TO REDUCE WASHOUT AND FLOODING, AND THESE CHANGES MAKE THE PARK MORE RESILIENT, ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SAFE FOR LONG TERM COMMUNITY USE.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE COMMISSION TO ADOPT TONIGHT, IS A CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN.
THIS IS THE VISION AND FRAMEWORK FOR HOW OKERS PARK CAN EVOLVE, NOT A CONSTRUCTION PLAN.
THIS MASTER PLAN SAYS THE LAYOUT AND GUIDING FRAMEWORK FOR HOW THE PARK FUNCTIONS OVER TIME.
IT HELPS US SEE THE BIG PICTURE WHERE FIELDS, COURTS, AND OPEN SPACES BELONG SO THAT EVERYTHING WORKS TOGETHER SAFELY, EFFICIENTLY, AND SUSTAINABLY.
THIS IS ABOUT BUILDING SMARTER, NOT BIGGER.
IT DOESN'T INCREASE PART INTENSITY, I IMPROVES HOW SPACE IS USED.
IN FACT, MORE THAN 55% OF THE SITE REMAINS OPEN OR PASSIVE RECREATION.
THE SMALL SHIFT IN ACTIVE SPACE, ROUGHLY 1% COMES FROM INCORPORATING FIELDS THAT FINALLY MET MODERN RECREATION STANDARDS.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A RE THAT THIS RECOMMENDED MASTER PLAN DOES NOT LOCK IN EVERY DETAIL.
FEATURES LIKE PAVILIONS, FENCING, AND WALKING PATHS WILL ALL BE REDEFINED LATER DURING THE DESIGN PHASE WITH ENGINEERS, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY COMING BACK TOGETHER TO SHAPE WHAT'S BUILT ON THE GROUND.
SIMPLY, WE'RE MOVING FROM CONCEPT TO INTENTIONAL DESIGN.
THIS PLAN SIMPLY GIVES US THE FRAMEWORK TO MAKE INFORMED COMMUNITY DRIVEN DECISIONS AS THOSE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.
IN TERMS OF THE LAYOUT, THE SOFTBALL FIELD, WILL FINALLY MEET CURRENT SAFETY AND RECREATION STANDARDS.
THE EXISTING FIELD IS UNDERSIZED FOR OLDER YOUTH AND LIMITS COMPETITIVE PLAY, OR ACTUALLY, IN THIS CASE, FOR RECREATION TERMINOLOGY HERE, IT PREVENTS US FROM HAVING OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGING YOUTH.
IT ONLY HOLDS EIGHT ONLY FITS EIGHT RECREATION ACTIVITIES RIGHT NOW.
ANY OLDER YOUTH THAT WANTS TO PLAY IN ANY SPORTS DO NOT FIT ON THAT FIELD.
THE MULTI USE FIELD IS DESIGNED FOR FLEXIBILITY, WHICH WOULD SUPPORT POTENTIALLY SOCCER, FLAG FOOTBALL AND ADULT LEAGUES.
HOWEVER, SPECIFIC LINES AND MARKINGS WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE DESIGN PHASE.
IT ALSO REFLECTS THE TREND OF YOUTH AGING INTO LARGER PLAY FORMATS, AND CONSOLIDATES ACTIVITY INTO ONE EFFICIENT FOOTPRINT THAT STILL PRESERVES OPEN GREEN SPACE AROUND IT.
THIRD AVENUE WILL BE STUDIED FURTHER THROUGH A TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE ABOUT ACCESS OR PARKING THERE.
THE VOLLEYBALL COURT WILL BE A PART OF THE PARTS RECREATIONAL MIX, PROVIDING INFORMAL PLAY OPPORTUNITIES AND BALANCING THE ACTIVE PROGRAMMING ACROSS THE SITE.
AMPLE PASS OF GREEN SPACE IS ATTENTIONALLY PRESERVED THROUGHOUT, PROVIDING AREAS FOR INFORMAL GATHERINGS AND QUIET RECREATION, MAINTAINING OKERS OPEN NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER, AND THE DOG PART IS NOT BEING ELIMINATED.
AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY, NOT SHORT TERM PREFERENCE.IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THAT TEN, 15, AND 20 YEARS FROM NOW, DECATUR FAMILIES WILL STILL BE ABLE TO FIND SPACE TO PLAY,
[03:00:03]
GATHER, AND CONNECT SAFELY, EQUITABLY, AND EFFICIENTLY.IN TERMS OF THE DOG PARK BOUNDARIES? THIS IS SOMETHING A SLIDE THAT WE ADDED IN HERE TO SHOW THE BOUNDARIES AT WHICH THE DOG PARK WOULD NOW EXIST.
>> ASK A QUESTION ON THE SLIDE, THE PICTURE ON THE RIGHT IN PARTICULAR.
WHAT ARE THOSE BLACK DOTTED LINES?
>> IN THE MIDDLE, LIKE THE T SHAPE?
>> YES. THAT IS THE FENCING AREA, THE PROPOSED DESIGN FENCING THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO BE CHANGED ON THE DESIGN PHASE. THAT IS NOT PERMIT.
>> IS THAT THE PROPOSAL OR IS THE PROPOSAL, THE RED DOTTED LINE, WHICH YOU CURRENTLY SAY IS A DOG PARK WITHOUT THE SCREEN BUFFER DETENTION.
>> THE BOUNDARY THE POLYGON SHAPE THING IS THE BOUNDARY OF THE ENTIRE DOG PARK.
THE INSIDE THE T SHAPE, IS THE FENCING OF WHERE ORIGINALLY COULD BE POTENTIALLY SPLITTING BETWEEN LARGER AND SMALLER, BUT THAT OF DOGS, BUT THAT CAN BE CHANGED DURING THE DESIGN PHASE, BUT THE RED POLYGON SHAPE WOULD NOT BE CHANGED, THAT IS THE BOUNDARY OF THE ENTIRE DOG PARK.
>> HOW YOU SPLIT IT IS THAT BLACK DOT LINE THAT YOU'RE REFERENCING IN CASE YOU WANT TO ENCLOSE SOMETHING? YES.
>> THIS IS C SHARE ASSISTANT SEED MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS, JUST TO CLARIFY.
THE RED POLYGON IS THE DOG PARK AREA.
EVERYTHING INSIDE OF THAT POLYGON, WOULD BE DECIDED WITH FURTHER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DURING A DESIGN PROCESS.
>> DOES THAT INCLUDE HOW YOU INCLUDING BOARD WALK GOING THROUGH THAT.
>> BE UP FOR ENGAGEMENT DURING DESIGN, WHETHER IT EXISTS OR DOESN'T EXIST, WHETHER THE PARK IS DIVIDED OR NOT.
THOSE ARE ALL DETAILED DESIGNS THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE SEPARATELY DURING A MORE FOCUSED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS CENTERED AROUND THE DOG PARK WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS.
THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONFUSION.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A SLIDE TO TRY TO HELP CLARIFY.
>> I HAVE ONE, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
WHAT IS DEMONSTRATED THE SLIDE TO THE RIGHT PROPOSED.
HOW MUCH OF THAT DOWNHILL DETENTION AREA IS INCLUDED IN THAT, IF ANY?
>> HERE ARE SPECIFIC NUMBERS IN CASE THAT'S HELPFUL.
ESSENTIALLY, THE DOG PARK WOULD REMAIN GREATER THAN HALF AN ACRE, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE RESIDENT COMMENT.
>> SOME OF THAT LOWER AREA WOULD STILL BE INCLUDED.
I CANNOT USE MY IMAGINATION WITH WE'VE ESTABLISHED THAT OVER THE LAST FOUR MEETINGS.
I REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.
IF I'M IN THE DOG PARK AND I'M WALKING IT AND I GO IN THAT FLAT PART.
ANY OF THAT FLAT PART BEFORE YOU HIKE UP TO THE HILL WITH THE TREES AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, ANY OF THAT STILL INCLUDED IN THAT O POLYGON?
>> YES. PART OF IT IS STILL IN. IN THAT POLYGON.
>> THE IDEA IS THAT THE STORMWATER MITIGATION AND IMPROVEMENTS WOULD MAKE THAT AREA NOT FLOOD ANYMORE, AND THEREFORE, COULD BE FREE RUNNING SPACE FOR PUPPIES AS WELL.
>> THE DETENTION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY PROVIDED IN THE AREA WITHIN THE EXISTING DOG PARK, COULD EXIST UNDER THE PROPOSED SOFTBALL FIELD? THE DETENTION POND WOULD NOT BE WITHIN THE DOG PARK.
THE DOG PARK WOULD BE THE DOG PARK.
THE STREAM WOULD BE THE STREAM WITH THE IMPROVED STREAM BUFFER AS IS STATE MANDATED, AND DETENTION COULD BE DESIGNED WITH SURVEY, ETC, IN AREAS SUCH AS UNDER THE PROPOSED SOFTBALL FIELD.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER THING I'M HAVING A HARD TIME IMAGINING.
WHEN YOU SAY UNDER THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
>> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] I'M LIKE IT'S THE FIELD FLOATING.
>> BUILD SISTER OR CONTAINER STORM GO IN.
WE CAN BUILD A STORM WE CAN PUT A SOFTBALL FIELD ON TOP OF THE CISTERN.
[03:05:01]
>> CAN WE PUT A DOG PARK ON TOP OF THE CISTERN? PICK A DOG PARK UNDER THE SISTER ON TOP.
I THINK THE CHALLENGE WITH THE DOG PARK, IS PART OF THE POINT SOURCE POLLUTION.
I MEAN, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
>> I MEAN, COULDN'T WE PUT A DOG PARK ON TOP.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A BEST PRACTICE RELATIVE TO POINT SOURCE POLLUTION.
>> COLIFORM WOULD SOMEHOW GET INTO THE CITY.
>> IT WOULD BE MORE CONCENTRATED, WE WOULD USE PROPRIETARY PROBABLY FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PRIOR TO IT GOING INTO THE TANK, BUT IT WOULD CERTAINLY NEED TO BE CLEANED.
IT'S CERTAINLY A DIFFERENT USE THAN A SPORTS FIELD.
>> WHERE IS THE WATER COMING FROM? IS THAT SEEPING THROUGH THE SOIL INTO THE CISTERN? IS IT BEING DIVERTED FROM SOMETHING ELSE?
>> YOU MEAN, WHERE'S THE STORMWATER FLOW COMING FROM? I DIDN'T DELINEATE THE DRAINAGE AREA.
I MIGHT BE MORE FAMILIAR, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT'S COMING, YOU KNOW, UPSTREAM TO THAT DETENTION POND.
>> WOULD BE DETERMINED IN DETAIL DESIGN, ALL TOGETHER WITH THE DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU'D WANT TO SEPARATE.
>> THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT HERE, YOU HAVE THE STREAM BUFFER 25 FEET, AND THE DOG PART PARTS HERE IS RIGHT AT 25 FOOT BUFFER, EVEN AS THE PROPOSED DESIGN.
THE SENSE IS, YOU CAN DESIGN THAT SCREEN BANG.
THE 25 FOOT BUFFER, WE'RE ADDRESSING THE FE CALL F. I SAY THAT CORRECTLY, ISSUES.
>> IMPROVING IT. BUT WE'RE PROPOSING IS BASICALLY TO HAVE A DOG PARK ABUTTING THE SET 25 FOOT BUFFER FOR THE SCREEN IS WHAT'S IN THE PROPOSAL FOR THE MAXIMUM?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. BALANCING NEEDS.
>> IF WE WERE SHIFTING THE SCREEN TO THE WEST AS PART OF OUR DESIGN, THAT'S OUR CHOICE TO ACCOMMODATE THE LARGER SOFTBALL FIELD.
>> WE COULD SIMILARLY SHIFT TO THE EAST IF YOU WANTED TO.
>> YES, PERHAPS THE TRADE OFF WOULD BE THIS PARKING LOT IN MILT FIELD.
>> KELLY WELSON. SORRY YOU ARE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE ME IF IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU CAN HEAR ME AND I CAN'T FIND THE HAND BUTTON.
ANYWAY, THANKS FOR LET ME JUMP IN.
DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE SWITCHING OR MIGRATING TO GRAY DETENTION FROM WHAT IS CURRENTLY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AS DETENTION RIGHT NOW?
>> NO, I DON'T THINK WE'RE SHIFTING.
>> THE DETENTION UNDER THE FIELD, WOULD THAT BE CONCRETE THAT WE BUILD?
>> I CALL THAT GRAY DETENTION.
I DON'T WANT TO BE PINNED DOWN TO THAT DESIGN SOLUTION IN THE SENSE THAT ANOTHER OPTION TO BE EVALUATED WHEN WE HAVE SURVEY AND INFORMATION FOR MODELING IS IF THERE'S A WIDER CULVERT UNDER EAST LAKE AND THERE'S MORE DETENTION TO BALANCE AT SUGAR CREEK.
BUT WE WOULDN'T DETAIN WITHIN A DOG PARK? I WAS JUST WONDERING LOOKING FORWARD, WOULD YOU HAVE TO LIKE WE DID WITH EPSTER, WHEN YOU RE TURF IN FUTURE, DOES THAT PROMPT A CLEANING OUT OF THE VAULT AND THAT WHOLE PROCESS? WOULD THAT BE THE SAME RELATIONSHIP NOW UNDER THE SOFTBALL FIELD WITH THE NEW DETENTION UNDERNEATH IT?
>> YES. THERE'S MAINTENANCE REQUIRED WITH UNDERGROUND VAULTS.
>> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
I ACTUALLY HAVE A STATEMENT THAT I WANTED TO READ, IF THE MAYOR SO PERMITS, AND I ALSO READ IT TO THE COMMUNITY FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD.
>> WE CAN DO THAT. THIS NOW SEEMS LIKE A GOOD TIME AT 82.
>> WE HAVE A LETTER FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD DATED OCTOBER 30.
IT SAYS DEAR DECATUR CITY COMMISSIONERS IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS REGARDING THE REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE OAKHURST DOG PARK REFLECTED IN THE OAKHURST MASTER PLAN.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD MET
[03:10:01]
WITH DECATUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, CARA CHERE AND SENIOR ENGINEER JULIE TREAT.>> TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED PLANS. I APOLOGIES.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECTS FOR BOTH THE EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS AND THE PROPOSED PLAN.
THE BOARD DOES NOT TAKE A POSITION ON THE SIZE OF THE DOG PARK, THE ADJACENT, SOFTBALL FIELD, OR OTHER PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS OF THE MASTER PLANS AS THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
FOLLOWING REVIEW AND DISCUSSION, THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE CURRENT DOG PARK IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO A STORMWATER DETENTION BASIN WITH NO PHYSICAL DELINEATION BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS.
AS A RESULT, THE DETENTION BASIN IS EFFECTIVELY BEING USED AS PART OF THE DOG PARK.
WHEN THE BASIN FILLS DURING RAINFALL AND SUBSEQUENTLY DRAINS, MATERIALS AND WASTE LEFT WITHIN IT ARE CARRIED INTO THE ADJACENT STREAM.
USING THE DETENTION BASIN AS PART OF THE DOG PARK CREATES SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS, INCLUDING EROSION, FECAL COLIFORM, INCLUDING E COLI, CONTAMINATION, AND DEGRADATION OF NATURAL HABITATS.
THE BOARD SUPPORTS THE PROPOSED PLANS EFFORTS TO RESTORE THE STREAM CORRIDOR AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.
THESE EFFORTS DIRECTLY ADVANCE THE CITY OF DECATUR'S 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS, INCLUDING CLIMATE ACTION GOAL NUMBER 12, HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND EXISTING POLLUTION LEVELS, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, PET WASTE, LANDSCAPING ALTERNATIVES, AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE LOCAL STREAM HEALTH.
CLIMATE ACTION GOAL NUMBER 31 REMOVE ALL CREEKS FROM THE LIST OF IMPAIRED WATERS.
THE PROPOSED STREAM BUFFER AND RESTORATION MEASURES REPRESENT MEANINGFUL PROGRESS TOWARD THESE OBJECTIVES.
DURING OUR REVIEW, THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REGARDING THE PROPOSED PAVILION AND WALKING PATH WITHIN THE DOG PARK.
WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE CURRENT DRAWINGS ARE SCHEMATIC, WE RECOMMEND RECONSIDERING OR REMOVING THESE ELEMENTS IN FUTURE ITERATIONS TO MAXIMIZE USABLE DOG PARK SPACE.
ADDITIONALLY, WE NOTE SOME COMMUNITY CONFUSION REGARDING THE PARK BOUNDARY.
THE PROPOSED WALKING PATH IS NOT THE EDGE OF THE DOG PARK AND THE ACTUAL AREA MAY BE LARGER THAN SOME RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND.
FINALLY, THE BOARD EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING DOG PARK AND ANY FUTURE FACILITY.
GIVEN THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW OAKHURST DOG PARK WILL TAKE TIME, WE RECOMMEND THAT A FENCE BE INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED AROUND THE CURRENT DOG PARK TO IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS.
A PERIMETER FENCE ALSO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE DOG PARK TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF THE RESTORED STREAM BUFFER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING DECATUR'S ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ENGAGE THE BOARD FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION OR QUESTIONS.
I WOULD LIKE THIS LETTER ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> I ALSO SAY THAT THERE WERE PLANTINGS DONE ALONG THE STREAM A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO TO PROTECT THE STREAM BUFFER.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT FLOW AND USE, THEY'RE BURIED AND ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT HAVING SOME BARRIER TO KEEP THE BARRIER WHERE THE FENCE IS NOW THINGS JUST CONTINUED TO FLOW UP TO THAT FENCE AS WELL AS DOGS ENTERING INTO THAT AREA.
THOSE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THOSE EARLY PLANNINGS, AS WELL AS IVY REMOVAL, THERE WERE EFFORTS THAT WERE DONE I THINK A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO THAT WITHOUT SOME PROTECTION OF THOSE EFFORTS, THEY CAN'T DO THE JOB.
>> TO COMMENT ON THE ESP BOARD, I THINK TWO THINGS.
ONE IS, I THINK THE DESIRE TO HAVE THE FEDS TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IS THE APPROPRIATE ONE.
THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT WE'RE DOING AN ENGINEERED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE A ENGINE POND THAT IS BEING USED AS A DOG PARKED GETTING WASTE, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
WE HAVE A COMPROMISED CAN BUFFER, WHICH BECAUSE IT IS COMPROMISED ALSO IS LEADING TO ADDITIONAL POLLUTION OF THE STORMWATER.
WE ARE TAKING ONE PROPOSAL WHICH SAYS WE'RE GOING TO
[03:15:03]
TAKE THAT STORMWATER AND WE'RE GOING TO DETAIN IT UNDERGROUND, AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE STREAM BUFFER TO THE WEST SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND THE SOFTBALL FIELD.THAT'S ONE ENGINEERED SOLUTION FOR THIS.
A SIMILAR ENGINEERED SOLUTION COULD BE, AGAIN, ASSUMING IF THERE'S $350,000 IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS, WE PUT THIS DETENTION FUND UNDER WHERE WE CURRENTLY EXIST AND WE CAN SHIFT THE STREAM TO THE RIGHT, EVEN MAKE THE DOG PARK BIGGER.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT WHILE THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE CONCERN ABOUT DOG WASTE IMPACTING THE SCREEN FROM THE LONG TERM, THE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO USE THIS LAND BECAUSE WE CAN ENGINEER A SOLUTION EITHER USE IT AS A DOG PART OR USE IT AS A FIELD.
THAT'S THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE TO HAVE, AND WE CAN ENGINEER WHATEVER SOLUTION TO MEET THE PRIORITY THAT WE WANT TO DO.
THAT WAS THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IN TERMS OF YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH PUT ANYTHING ON TOP OF DETENTION.
UNDERGROUND DETENTION IS LARGELY A SEALED VAULT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT STUFF INTO IT.
YEAH, YOU MAY HAVE SOME SEEPAGE.
MISS SHERRY, YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO CORRECT SOMETHING [NOISE].
>> I DON'T WANT TO I'M SAYING SOMETHING THAT FACTORY CORRECT. I WANT TO KNOW.
>> I MEAN, I DON'T THINK IT'S A BEST PRACTICE TO PUT A DOG PARK ON TOP OF A DETENTION JUST BECAUSE OF THE WASTE.
I MEAN, IT'S LITERALLY USED AS THE DOGS UTILIZE IT.
THEY DON'T USE A RESTROOM LIKE ATHLETES UTILIZING A FIELD.
I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S A BEST PRACTICE TO WASTE ON TOP OF A STORMWATER DETENTION POND.
BUT YOUR QUESTION IS FAIR, AND I THINK THROUGH THIS ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN WRESTLED WITH FIRST WITH THE STAKEHOLDER GROUP, WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY COMMISSION IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS A ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
THOSE ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE WRESTLED WITH HERE RELATIVE TO LIMITED SPACE AND COMPETED USES AND COMPETING PRIORITIES.
THIS PLAN, WHICH IS RECOMMENDED THIS EVENING, REFLECTS ALL OF THAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE PUBLICLY SAID.
I THINK WE ALL SUPPORT THE IDEA OF HAVING A DOG PARK.
I MEAN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEBATE THAT WE DON'T WANT A DOG PARK.
I GREW UP IN OAKHURST IN THE 70S.
I LOVE THE WAY IT'S BEING REUSED.
WHEN MY MOM HAS MY DOG, SHE WILL TRY TO TAKE HIM TO THE DOG PARK.
BUT THAT BEING SAID, WHAT WE HAVE TO ALSO DO IS MANAGE THE STORMWATER AND THE STRING.
THOSE ARE TWO SORT OF SEPARATE THINGS THAT, IT GOT BIGGER THAN WE EXPECTED.
HOW DO WE CREATE SOMETHING WHERE WE'RE ALSO PROGRAMMING THE PARK, PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THE DOG OWNERS LOVE AND REVERE, WHICH, AGAIN, WE'RE ALL IN FAVOR OF KEEPING.
HOW DO WE STRIKE THAT BALANCE? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE WHAT GIVES US THE BEST OUTCOME TO GIVE US THE BIGGEST DOG PARK? I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'VE HEARD RESOUNDINGLY.
THAT'S EVERY EMAIL I'VE ANSWERED.
YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE STRIKE THAT GREAT BALANCE OF DOING WHAT WE ARE LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO DO, BUT ALSO RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND KEEPING A COMMUNITY ASSET.
I THINK WHILE THIS DISCUSSION BRINGS THESE THINGS TO LIGHT, I DON'T THINK WE CAN SOLVE IT IN THIS ROOM.
>> I HAVE TONS OF THINGS TO SAY. [LAUGHTER].
>> I DON'T. BUT I'M JUST SAYING THAT I THINK THAT AT SOME POINT WE CAN GET THERE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE IN THIS ROOM BEFORE WE SAY, WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE A CONCEPT, AND THEN WE CAN START STUDYING IT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND FORTH FOREVER.
>> MAYBE WE SHOULD LET DOCTOR [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, IF I MAY, MAY LIKE BECAUSE I THINK SO THERE ARE TWO THINGS WE REALLY NEED TO DISCUSS.
ONE IS RELATED TO THE DOG PARK.
THEN THE REST IS ABOUT THIS MASTER PLAN, WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE REST OF THE PARK.
SINCE WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE DOG PARK RIGHT NOW, I JUST WANT TO I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY SOMETHING THAT I THINK I JUST HEARD TO MAKE SURE THAT I DIDN'T MISHEAR IT.
DID I JUST HEAR THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO GO AHEAD AND PUT UP FENCING IN THE AREA CURRENTLY IN THE DOG PARK TO PROTECT THE STREAM BUFFER AS A TEMPORARY OR NEAR IMMEDIATE SOLUTION,
[03:20:05]
DID I HEAR THAT OR DID I MISUNDERSTAND THAT?>> THAT'S A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ESB.
IT DOESN'T APPLY JUST AT OCRS, PER THE RESIDENTS COMMENT, A DEER PARK SIMILARLY IS POSITIONED WITH A DOG PARK INTO A CONCRETE STORMWATER CHANNEL.
>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW, AND IF THAT IS DONE, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD COME BACK BEFORE THE COMMISSION FOR DISCUSSION OR NO?
>> THAT IS NOT PART OF THIS MASTER PLAN.
THAT IS A STATE MANDATE THAT IS THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO COMPLY WITH AS A POINTED BY THE ESB.
>> THAT WAS THE ESB IS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
WHAT I HEARD THERE WAS THEIR ADVICE TO THIS COMMISSION.
MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION ABOUT THIS FENCE AS BEEN ADVISED OR RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
>> I JUST I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR BECAUSE I STRUGGLE WITH A LOT OF THIS PROCESS BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE USE LANGUAGE THAT I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF IS NOT ALWAYS CLEAR TO ME.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT A CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN IS.
IT'S EITHER A CONCEPT OR IT'S A MASTER PLAN.
I'VE SAID THAT IN SEVERAL MEETINGS.
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT WE'RE CREATING A MASTER PLAN, I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THAT PLAN.
IF YOU'RE ASKING ME TO VOTE ON A CONCEPT, IF YOU'RE SAYING, "HEY, I WANT YOU TO VOTE ON THIS CONCEPT." TO ME, THAT SPEAKS TO ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS, CHANGES, EDITS, PERHAPS THINGS BEING FLIP FLOPPED OR MOVED AROUND BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY A CONCEPT.
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS A MASTER PLAN, WHAT I'M VOTING ON IS THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE PLACED WHERE THEY ARE PLACED ON THIS DOCUMENT MOVING FORWARD, AND THERE'S VERY LITTLE VARIANCE IN WHAT COULD BE CHANGED WITH ADDITIONAL PUBLIC FEEDBACK BECAUSE THE PLACEMENT IS SET.
>> THE POLYGONS ARE SET? YES. GENERALLY.
>> THERE BEING A SOFTBALL FIELD HERE, THE MULTI PURPOSE FIELD HERE.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO GET THE OKAY FOR THAT CONCEPT.
THEN WHETHER THERE'S A WALKING PATH AROUND THAT MULTI USE FIELD, THAT'S GOING TO BE UP FOR DISCUSSION.
AGAIN, IT'S SIMILAR WITH THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
BUT I WE WOULD NOT HAVE A PLAN ADOPTED AND STAFF, SWITCHED THOSE USES.
THEY WERE YOU WERE SETTING SETTING IN PLACE THE GENERAL USE IN THE DIFFERENT THE PUZZLE PIECES OF THE PLAN IS WHAT YOU'RE PUTTING IN.
>> I THINK THAT WHEN WE SAY CONCEPTUAL, I WANT TO JUST MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO'S LISTENING OR EVERYONE WHO'S INTERESTED, THAT THAT CONCEPTUAL DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REDESIGN.
WHAT'S VOTED ON IS THE DESIGN BASED ON WHAT IS STIPULATED IN THESE DOCUMENTS WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND VARIANCES.
I STRUGGLE WITH THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN RAISING MY HAND, SAYING, IF WE DON'T CLOSE THIRD, WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THE STUFF THAT IS PLACED WHERE THE CLOSURE OF THIRD IS.
I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON SOMETHING I HAVE TO IMAGINE.
I WANT TO VOTE ON SOMETHING I CAN SEE SO THAT I CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO IT.
THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I STRUGGLE WITH EVEN JUST IN THIS DOG PARK DISCUSSION.
I ACTUALLY HAD TO GO BACK INTO THE MEETING MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS TO CLARIFY THAT THE STREAM BUFFER WAS MENTIONED BECAUSE I JUST MISSED IT.
I KNOW IT WAS SAID BY ONE OF THE CONSULTANTS IN THE VERY FIRST AND THE SECOND PRESENTATION THAT THE STREAM BUFFER HAD TO BE MODIFIED FOR REPAIRED.
FOR SOME REASON, I DIDN'T CONNECT THAT TO THE REDESIGN OF THE PARK.
I THINK I LOST SIGHT OF LOSING THE FLAT SPACE AND A GAZEBO THAT PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO AND A WALKING TRAIL THAT PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO AS OPPOSED TO REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE SPACE OF THE DOG PARK.
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SQUARE FEET TO SQUARE FEET AND HOW WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE DOG PARK, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO VOTE ON TODAY, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
GOOD CLARIFICATION RELATIVE TO THE WORD CONCEPTUAL.
THEN I WOULD JUST CLARIFY THAT DESIGN WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP WHEN THERE'S FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THANK YOU.
[03:25:04]
>> FOR A LITTLE BIT THAT THE PART OF THE CONFUSION IS [INAUDIBLE] HAD THIS WRONG, BUT WHEN THIS FIRST CAME WORK SESSION.
THERE WAS A VERY FORMALIZED DOG PARK AREA.
WE WERE WALKING PATH AROUND IT.
>> THERE STILL IS THAT PICTURE.
>> WHAT YOU'RE SAYING NOW THOUGH IS THAT NONE OF THAT NECESSARILY LIKE THE ESPS AGAINST THAT.
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PICTURE THAT.
>> LOOK AT THE WEATHER RIGHT HERE.
I THINK THE SENSE LIKE WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THIS COMMUNITY IS WHAT MAKES THIS DOG PARK CD GREAT, IS IT IS BASICALLY JUST A POLYGON WITH THE FENCE AROUND IT.
FUNDS S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THEM IS LIKE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND I'M LOOK AT HERE, WHAT WE LOVE TO SEE IS JUST A POLYGON WITH MAYBE A SMALL DOG FENCE INSIDE OF IT.
WHAT I'M SEEING IS LIKE A $300,000 TRAIL WITH A $50,000 PAVILION.
WE PROBABLY SAVED $350,000IF IT WAS TAKEN OUT AS DOG PARK PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPIER.
IT WAS JUST AN OBSERVATIONS THIS IS A CONFUSING IMAGE.
>> THAT'S THE SAME OBSERVATION AS THE ESB JUST TO ECHO IT AND SO JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> WELL, I THINK I HAD EXPLAINED IT TO SOMEONE IN AN EMAIL.
IF WE WERE BUILDING THIS TODAY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BUILT IT ON TOP OF A DETENTION POND.
IF SOMEONE HAS A DETENTION POND, THEY COULDN'T CONVERT IT TO ANY OTHER USE OTHER THAN A DETENTION POND.
SOMETHING HAPPENED, IT GREW ITS OWN LIFE, AND THEN HERE WE ARE, NOW WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING OUR OWN CELLS BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.
I THINK THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY I CAN STATE THAT.
HOW DO WE SATISFY WHAT'S MANDATORY, BUT ALSO WHAT'S BEING ASKED OF US? I THINK THAT'S THE BALANCE FOR THIS PART OF THE PLAN, IS TO MAKE THAT WORK, AND CLEARLY, WE WANT TO MAKE THAT WORK.
WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING THAT WORK.
HOW THAT WORKS, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL USE THE ENGINEERS FOR.
>> I THINK TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THE RED OUTLINE AREA, THAT PART WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, IF WE-RE PROTECTING THE STREAM BUFFER, AND GETTING RID OF OR NOT USING THE DETENTION POND AREA, THAT BASICALLY IF WE HAD USED AN ERASER, AND ERASED ALL THE PIECES THAT ARE INSIDE THAT RED POLYGON, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT IF THAT JUST WAS SHOWING LIKE THE GREEN SPACE IN THERE, IT WOULD BE FOR. YEAH.
>> I THINK IT'S A VESTIGE OF WHAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE WORK PLAN.
I'M GUESSING THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR CONSULTANTS WHO ARE DRIVING CRAZY BY DO ALL THESE DIFFERENT CHANGES, [INAUDIBLE] ERASER, BUT YES, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
>> BUT THAT'S HOW I VISIONED IT, IS THAT IT'S STILL THERE BECAUSE THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE THINKING THAT MIGHT BE AN AMENITY THAT SOME PEOPLE WANTED, BUT I THINK IF I'M HEARING CORRECTLY, THAT WOULD BE THE THING THAT THERE WOULD BE PUBLIC INPUT ABOUT, DO YOU WANT THIS? NOT THAT THAT PIECE CHANGES SIZE, OR MOVES, OR WHATEVER, BUT WHAT'S INSIDE OF IT WOULD BE UP FOR DISCUSSION BEFORE ANYTHING.
BUT THE FENCE MAY GO IN SOONER THAN THAT IF THAT'S BROUGHT FORWARD TO US FOR CONSIDERATION, AS IS RECOMMENDED BY ESP BY STATING THAT.
>> IF YOU DIRECT STAFF TO DO THAT, THEN WE COULD BRING A RECOMMENDATION BACK TO YOU.
BUT AGAIN, IF YOU DIRECT STAFF TO PURSUE THAT FENCE, THEN WE BRING SOMETHING BACK.
[OVERLAPPING] I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS PLAN.
>> I DO, BUT I WANT TO GET TO THE REST OF THE PLAN [LAUGHTER].
>> DR. REMY HAS MORE TO SHARE [LAUGHTER].
>> THE REST OF WHAT I HAVE HERE IS GOING INTO THE CURRENT LAND USE MAPS, MORE SO INTO THE NUMBERS,
[03:30:02]
AND AT THIS PART, I THINK IT WOULD BE BEST WHERE WE HAVE OUR CONSULTANTS TALK THROUGH THE NUMBER ASPECT OF IT.WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LAND USE COMPARISON, WE HAVE THE SLIDES UP HERE WHERE IT SHOWS WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED, AND THIS IS OUR CURRENT PREFERRED PLAN LAND USE OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR OVERALL FOR THE SITE FOR WHEN IT COMES FROM PASSIVE RECREATION VERSUS ACTIVE RECREATION, AND ALL THE OPEN UNPROGRAMMED SPACE, THAT IS THE YELLOW.
PASSIVE, WHAT'S GREEN, AND THEN BLUE IS WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED OUR ACTIVE.
PER IN OCTOBER, WE DID COME BACK WITH AN ALTERNATE PLAN IN CASE THAT WAS A CHOICE, BUT I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WANTED TO SEE WHAT THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY LOOK LIKE WITH THE ALTERNATE PLAN HERE.
>> THE ALTERNATE PLAN PUTS THE FOUR TENNIS COURTS IN, AND SO TWO HAS THE SAND VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
A TRAFFIC STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE DECISION ON THE CLOSURE OF THIRD AVENUE.
THERE IS SPACE ON THIS PLAN AND THEN KEEPS THE BASKETBALL COURT. THERE IT IS.
>> MAYOR, TO CLARIFY THAT STATEMENT, A TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE CONSIDERATION OR THE DISCUSSION OF THE CONSIDERATION OF THIRD AV, TO NOTE THAT.
I DON'T WANT IT TO BE TAKEN AS IF YOU DO THIS PLAN, IT WILL CLOSE, BUT YOU-ALL, OF COURSE, WILL BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THAT PENDING THE TRAFFIC.
>> IF THIRD AVENUE REMAIN OPEN, NOTHING IS PROGRAMMED IN THE SPACE THROUGH WHICH THE ROAD WOULD GO.
>> CORRECT. THAT WOULD BE IF IT STAYS OPEN, THE TRADE OFF WOULD BE THE PASSIVE SPACE, THE GREEN SPACE THAT IS THERE.
AGAIN, THIS IS WHAT THE LAND USE WOULD LOOK LIKE IF YOU DID THE ALTERNATE PLAN.
THEN THESE ARE THE CHARTS THAT WE PUT OUT AND WE HAVE THE CONSULTANT HERE THAT CAN TALK THROUGH IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BUT THIS IS THE COMPARISON OF LAND USE, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW VERSUS THE CURRENT PLAN THAT IS BEFORE YOU FOR CONSIDERATION, AND THEN THE ALTERNATE PLAN.
THEN WITH THIS, I WILL BRING UP OUR CONSULTANTS TO TALK THROUGH COST.
AGAIN, THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE ON HERE.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY FUNDS IDENTIFIED FOR THIS.
THIS IS JUST GIVING FOR THE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN EXPECT TOMORROW TO BE SPENDING MONEY ON, BUT I THINK IT IS GREAT AS PART OF MASTER PLAN TO HAVE THE ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU'RE LOOKING OUT ON THE MASTER PLAN.
AGAIN, MASTER PLAN IS A COMPLEX SUBJECT MATTER, AND SO WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS, AND SO WE HAVE OUR CONSULTANT HERE THAT CAN TALK THROUGH THAT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION. MY NAME IS JOHN LUDER.
I WORK WITH ATKINSRÉALIS, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
YOU BROKE DOWN THE COST FOR THE MAIN OAKHURST RECREATION AREA, AS WELL AS THE SUGAR CREEK, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE CURRENT PREFERRED PLAN, THE DOG PARK, WE HAVE OVER $700,000 ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE DOG PARK, WHICH INCLUDE SIGNAGE.
THE PAVILION, WHICH MAY BE DELETED AS DISCUSSED, THE BOARD WALK, WHICH COULD ALSO BE CHANGED, POSSIBLY DRAINAGE PIPE AND STREAM RESTORATION.
THE SECOND AREA IS THE SOFTBALL FACILITY, INCLUDES THE SYNTHETIC FIELD, THE UNDERGROUND DETENTION, BATTING CAGES, BULL PENS, AND BLEACHERS, CANOPIES, HARDSCAPE, AND LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING FOR JUST OVER $2 MILLION TO $2,375,000.
>> COULD YOU SAY THE NUMBER ALOUD/ I COULDN'T HEAR WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE.
>> THE THIRD AREA, WHICH IS THE OAKHURST RECREATION CENTER, WHICH INCLUDES THE NEW PARKING LOT, THE BUILDING, ENHANCEMENTS, LANDSCAPE LIGHTING AND SIDEWALK, JUST OVER 652,000.
THEN THE AREA 4, WHICH IS THE ACTIVE RECREATION CENTER, WHICH INCLUDES THE SPORTS FIELDS, THE PEDESTRIAN LIGHTING, BLEACHERS, SHADE CANOPIES, PLAYGROUNDS, PARKING, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER.
LIGHTING, UNDERGROUND DETENTION, AGAIN, FOR THAT MAIN WRECK CENTER, AND THEN PAVEMENT, INCLUDING SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENTS, THE SYNTHETIC MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS, THE FIELD LIGHTING, INFORMATION KIOSK AND LANDSCAPE FOR JUST OVER 4 MILLION, 4,580,000.
[03:35:02]
THEN THE EAST LAKE IMPROVEMENTS, WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING SOME POTENTIAL PARKING ON EAST LAKE, JUST WEST OF THE CHURCH ENTRANCE LOCATION, AND THERE'S SOME MINOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.JUST JUST ABOUT $10 MILLION FOR THE PREFERRED PLAN, THE ALTERNATIVE PLAN, VERY SIMILAR [INAUDIBLE], WITH THE EXCEPTION, IT ALSO INCLUDES ADDITIONAL TENNIS COURTS.
THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL COSTS THERE TO INCLUDE THE COURTS.
BUT BASICALLY, THE PLAN ONLY CHANGED IN THAT AREA 4, WHERE THE ACTIVE RECREATION, THE BASKETBALL COURTS WERE ADDED, AS WELL AS THE ADDITIONAL TENNIS COURTS.
AGAIN, THE LAST AREA INCLUDED THE SUGAR CREEK TRAIL EAST LAKE DOWN SECOND AVENUE, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED AT OUR LAST MEETING AND PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE REGARDING COST.
>> I BELIEVE THERE WAS MAYBE A DIAGRAM THAT SHOWED FLIP FLOP IN THE SPACING, IS THAT?
>> YES. I DO HAVE HANDOUTS FOR YOU ALL THAT SHOWS BECAUSE THERE WERE QUESTIONS WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD FLIP THE MULTI USE FIELD WITH THE PROPOSED SOFTBALL FIELD AND WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.
YOU CAN PASS THAT [INAUDIBLE].
>> MOVING PIECES AROUND TO SEE WHAT WILL FIT IN A FINITE SPACE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WITH THIS, WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS JUST THE DIAGRAM OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF YOU WERE TO SWAP THE FIELDS.
WHAT WE WOULD SAY IS SWAPPING THE FIELDS IS NOT FEASIBLE BASED ON THIS CURRENT AND PROPOSED DIMENSIONS.
WHILE A PROPOSED REGULATION SIZE SOFTBALL FIELD, WHICH IS POSSIBLY 45,000-50,000 SQUARE FEET COULD TECHNICALLY FIT WITHIN THE CURRENT FOOTPRINT, IT WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT REORIENTATION TO ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITIONAL 20 FEET NEEDED TO MEET THE FULL COMPETITION STANDARDS.
>> QUESTION. IS THE CURRENT SOFTBALL FIELD NOT REGULATION FOR AGNES SCOTT?
>> IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BACK FENCE, THE HEIGHT OF THE FENCE.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY. THAT IS HOW WE'RE GETTING AWAY WITH IT.
>> THE GRANDFATHER DID IT [OVERLAPPING].
>> GRANDFATHER. IF WE TOUCH IT, THEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> BY TOUCH, IF WE DO ANYTHING TO IT, LIKE ANY KIND OF RENOVATIONS?
>> YOU GOT TO BRING IT TO CURRENT REGULAR PER FEET, WILL YOU COME UP AND TALK TO THE MICROPHONE?
>> NO, IT'S NOT. IF ANYTHING WAS TOUCHED, WE WERE OUT OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHEN WE SAY TOUCHED, SO WHAT DO WE MEAN BY THAT [OVERLAPPING]?
>> IF WE CAN DO SURFACE, LIKE A WHOLE NEW SURFACE, ANY OF THE FENCE BEING MOVED, THE BACKSTOP WOULD BE MOVED.
>> IF WE TRIED TO UPGRADE WHAT'S THERE, THEN YOU WOULD NO LONGER BE IN COMPLIANCE AND WE WOULD NO LONGER BE MEETING THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNDERSIZED ALSO FOR HIGH SCHOOL.
>> WAS THIS SAID IN THE WORK SESSION? [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE TWO LIGHTING.
IF WE CHANGE THE LIGHTING, DOES THAT IMPACT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S ALLOWED TO BE USED?
>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE. IT WAS TOLD THAT ANYTHING WAS TOUCHED.
IF YOU WERE TO REPLACE A PART OF THE FENCING, THEN YES.
IF YOU WERE TO CHANGE THE SURFACE, THEN YES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW DEEPLY AS FAR AS SCAA IS CONCERNED, IF WE WERE TO MAYBE TO MOVE A LIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL BE SPECIFIC.
>> NO, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE BECAUSE WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE CONTEXT OF MOVING THE SOFTBALL FIELD, I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS IN THIS PLAN HAVE GROWN ON ME.
I HATED THE PLAN AT FIRST. I HATED IT.
BUT THEN I STARTED THINKING ABOUT AGNES SCOTT BUSES AND PEOPLE PARKING ON EAST LAKE CURRENTLY AND HOW PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAYS ON GAME DAYS AND CAN'T.
I'M LIKE, I DO SEE HOW THIS WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT FOR THOSE WHO
[03:40:01]
LIVE ON EAST LAKE AND ON SECOND AND THIRD AND BEHIND IT.BUT I FIGURED THAT WE COULD MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXISTING FIELD TO IMPROVE THE LIGHTING AND MAYBE IMPROVE THE SEATING AND MAKE IT JUST A BETTER FIELD AS IT IS.
EVEN JUST POTENTIALLY THE SEATING OR REPLACING THE FENCING PUT US OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTRACT WE HAVE WITH THE WITH THE COLLEGE.
>> BECAUSE THE FENCING IS TOO SHORT AND THE BACKSTOP AND THE DUGOUTS ARE A LITTLE TOO FAR AWAY, AND WE'RE MISSING A FEW KEY COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY WITH DISTANCE, ANYTHING TOUCHED WE'RE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF IT FIELD OF COMPLIANCE.
>> QUICK QUESTION. IF WE WERE TO BUILD A REGULATION SOFTBALL FIELD AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION, WOULD YOU GUYS BE HAPPY WITH THAT?
>> IT WOULD BE CONSIDERATION OF WHERE A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO DRIVE AND BECAUSE WE SHARE WITH DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO TECHNICALLY PRACTICE ON IT THE WHOLE TIME.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS HAVE THEM DRIVE, AND THAT ALSO PUTS US IN LIABILITY WITH HAVING TO TAKE THEM TO PRACTICE, AS WELL AS GET AROUND THEM GOING TO CLASS.
>> THEY'RE ALREADY DRIVING TO THE CURRENT LOCATION.
>> THEY'RE ALREADY DRIVING TO THE CURRENT LOCATION.
WE PRACTICE AT MCKOY PARK, WHICH IS TECHNICALLY AROUND THE CORNER.
BUT IF WE WERE IN US IN SOFTBALL, COLLEGIATELY, WE CAN'T SHARE WITH MCKOY BECAUSE BASEBALL DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL PLAYS ON MCKOY IN THE SPRING, AND IN THE SAME SAME SEASON.
>> IS MCKOY THE RIGHT SIZE VIEW OR IS IT SMALL TOO?
>> BASEBALL FIELD. PUT THE RIGHT SIZE, I WOULDN'T BE A TECHNICAL SOFTBALL FIELD.
WE WOULD HAVE TO EITHER TAKE UP THE DIRT OR PUT SOMETHING OVER THE TOP [OVERLAPPING]. YEAH.
>> DR. REMY, IN THIS DRAWING THAT I KNOW FOLKS CAN'T SEE THE CONFIGURATION OF AN ADJUSTED SOFTBALL FIELD OVERLAPS WITH THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND, AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WE CAN GIVE UP A PLAYGROUND?
>> CORRECT. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WAS JUST STATED WITH DUGOUTS AND SITTING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD TAKE OUT THE PLAYGROUNDS AND EXISTING SPACE.
THE BULL PINS AND THE BLEACHERS WOULD EXTEND FAR BEYOND WHAT THE EXISTING CENTER IS.
AGAIN, THAT SPACE IS RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT SOMETHING IN THERE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REORIENTED AND TAKE OUT.
>> ALSO ADDRESS THE MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD THAT HOW IT DOESN'T FIT.
THE MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD RIGHT NOW IS 23,000 SQUARE FEET.
THAT'S WHAT IS EXISTING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS 68,400 SQUARE FOOT FIELD.
THIS IS NEARLY THREE TIMES THE EXISTING SIZE.
IT FURTHER REINFORCES THAT YOU COULD NOT UP SWAP THAT DUE TO SPACE AND IT INFRINGING UPON EXISTING THINGS THAT ARE THERE, FURTHERMORE.
>> YES. IT GOES RIGHT IN EAST LAKE WITH THE BUFFER, WITH THE SAFETY ZONES, AND ALL OF THAT THAT IS NEEDED THERE AS WELL. IT WOULD NOT FIT.
>> I THINK THERE HAD BEEN A QUESTION ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE FIELD AND THE AREA FOR THE LIGHT GREEN AROUND THERE.
I THINK YOU HAD EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THAT'S REQUIRED TO HAVE THAT SPACE AROUND THE FIELD BY PARKS AND REC [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES. I'M JUST DOUBLE CHECKING HERE.
IT'S LOT OF INFORMATION FLYING THROUGH AS I'M DOUBLE CHECKING.
YES. IT IS REQUIRED AS BUFFER ZONE SAFETY BUFFER ZONES.
>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE OUTREACH TO DOG PARK COMMUNITY DURING THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS?
>> YES. I ALSO HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, THE STAKEHOLDER LIST THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION FOR THE STAKEHOLDERS TO SIT ON FOR THE MASTER PLAN. WOULD YOU LIKE ME?
>> I'LL TAKE IT. I REFRESH MY MEMORY.
>> IN THERE, THERE WAS A DOG PARK MEMBER THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MASTER PLAN.
IN ADDITION TO OUTREACH, WE WE DID SEVERAL OUTREACH ATTEMPTS.
I DON'T HAVE THE PAPER IN FRONT OF MY HAND THAT SUPPOSE ALL OF THE NUMBERS AND CRITERIA AND WHATNOT.
DO YOU HAVE THAT SLIDE. THE VERY FIRST LINE.
SORRY, TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE CHANGING OF SLIDES HERE PRETTY QUICKLY.
[03:45:06]
YES. BUT OUR PUBLIC INPUT WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING, WE DID PUT IT IN THE FOCUS.WE DID ADVERTISE IT ON OUR EVENTS CALENDAR.
OUR INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, AGNES SCOTT, DID GET IN THERE WITH FLIERS POSTING THEM AROUND THE CITY.
THERE WAS ALSO MAIL CHIP THAT WE USE.
WE DID DISTRIBUTED FLIERS AT OUR TATA TRUCK AND FAIR ON THE SQUARE.
SORRY, IT'S STILL ON THE TIME HERE.
BUT THERE WERE OUTREACH MATERIALS THERE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] DOG PARK REPRESENTATIVE WAS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS?
>> THAT I DO NOT HAVE THAT CORRECT INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW TO TELL YOU THE LOGIN SHEET IN FRONT OF ME.
>> JUST SOME OTHER THINGS JUST FROM A BIT PROCESS PERSPECTIVE IT'S NOT CREATOR PLAN IN FRONT OF ME.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SOME OBSERVATIONS REINFORCE IT.
BEFORE I DO THAT, I CAN T TWO THINGS.
MR. RIDING, I THINK I PRONOUNCED HIS NAME CORRECTLY, WHO SPOKE OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE [INAUDIBLE] MR. JONES, YOU DID NOT NEED TO APOLOGIZE.
BECAUSE I KIND OF CORRECTED IT'S SOMETHING YOU SAID IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN OF THE PART.
I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH, BUT THANK YOU FOR [INAUDIBLE] AND BEING PASSIONATE AND TALKING ABOUT IT.
IN THIS PLAN, PART OF THIS IS THERE'S A PROCESS WHERE THERE'S A DELINEATION BETWEEN WHAT THE COMMISSION ROLE IS AND WHAT STAFF ROLE IS.
WE APPROVED THIS RECREATED MASTER PLAN, AND HAD SOME SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.
[INAUDIBLE] THEM OUT HERE, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
BUT IN REGARDS TO THE DIAMOND FIELDS AND SOFTBALL, PERHAPS THEY SHOULD HAVE CONSULTED WITH AGA SCOTT BEFORE MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION.
THEY SAID THAT THE EXISTING REGULATION A ADULT FIELDS AT OKERS PARK SHOULD BE CONVERTED TO SYIC TURF TO MAXIMIZE USE.
PERHAPS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A RECOMMENDATION IF THAT WAS GOING TO AVOID WITH THE THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY IN THERE.
SIMILARLY, THE EXISTING NON REGULATION FIELD THAT OKERS PARK SHOULD BE IMPROVED WITH TURF MANAGEMENT IN THE RESTORATION OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM.
AGAIN, THAT WAS IN WHAT WE HAD APPROVED.
THE OKERS GOT PARK COURTS ARE DUE FOR RESURFACING.
I THINK OUR COURTS BRIEFLY HAVE THAT.
COMPLETE A MASTER PLAN FOR THE PARK IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT EXPLORES PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING A CONNECTION BETWEEN OKERS PARK AND SUGAR CREEK, REST ROOF IMPROVEMENTS THAT WAS ACROSS THE BOARD, I BELIEVE.
YOU NEED TO IMPROVE OUR RESTROOMS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THIS, BUT IT'S COMPLETE PLAN AND IMPLEMENT NATURE TRAILS, SEATING AREAS, PAVILIONS, INTERPRETIVE SCIENCE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THIS COMMISSION REVISITED THIS PARK THAT WAS A DIRECTION MOVING FORWARD.
WE'VE SEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THROUGH THAT.
I AS A COMMISSIONER DID NOT SEE THOSE CHANGES UNTIL SIX WEEKS AGO UNTIL THIS HEARING.
I'M REACTING AT THAT POINT IN TIME THIS IS MY FIRST TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
OVERALL WITH THE RECREATED MASTER PLAN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOP PRIORITY FACILITIES AND AMENITIES, UNPAVED WALKING HIKING TRAILS, NATURAL AREAS, NATURAL NATURE PARKS, RESTROOM DEPARTS, AND I DO WANT TO COMPLEMENT THE CITY MANAGER PUTTING RESTROOMS ON THE SQUARE BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART THAT NEEDED REST ROOM, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
[INAUDIBLE] PAVE BOTH, PURPOSE TRAILS, ETC.
TOP PRIORITY AREAS OF COMMUNITY CONCERN, PRESERVATION OF NATURAL AREAS, TOP PRIORITY ACTION, DEVELOPMENT OF WALKING AND BIKING FACILITIES, PURCHASE OF LAND OR EXPAND OR CREATE NEW PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES.
DEVELOP PARKS NOT PERMITTED FOR ORGANIZED SPORTS, DEVELOP A FIFTH [INAUDIBLE] RIGHT BEHIND THAT, DEVELOP ADDITIONAL POOR SPORTS FACILITIES FOR ORGANIZED SPORTS.
WHICH WHEN I WAS TALKING EARLIER, WE HAVE A PROBLEM, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKS.
WE HAVE TOO MUCH NEED, AND WE PUT THINGS IN A CONFLICT HERE.
THIS IS WHERE FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, HOW DO WE DO THAT? ONE WAY IS WE LOOK ALSO IF YOU LOOK AT OUR PARKS, OUR PARKS ARE THAT DAY SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN REC QUITE GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE RECOMMENDATION ABOUT SURFING THE FIELDS, WHICH WE COULDN'T DO.
LET ME SEE IF I FIND THE S HERE.
SORRY. I MIGHT JUST GIVE UP ON.
BASICALLY, WE ONLY HAVE FOUR, FIVE PARKS THAT ARE BIGGER THAN TEN ACRES,
[03:50:01]
AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO SQUEEZE EVERYTHING WE WALK INTO THAT.TWO OF THOSE PARTS ARE THE CEMETERY, WHICH WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE FACILITIES CEMETERY.
LEGACY PARK, WHICH MASTER PLAN SAYS, WE'RE NOT PUTTING ANYTHING BESIDES THE TURF AND THE TRACK.
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE DO THAT? WE WE ARE GOING TO PUT THEM IN LEGACY, THEN WE HAVE TO SQUEEZE THEM INTO THREE PARTS OF TEN ACRES OR MORE, OR WE COULD LOOK TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL LAND AND PUT THEM THERE.
JUST WE'VE NEVER HAD THAT CONVERSATION.
I KNOW WHEN YOU GUYS STARTED THIS, I SAID, THANK BAT AND GREEN BATING OBVIOUSLY DID THANKS FOR THAT.
BUT PERHAPS WE AS A BODY NEED BE THINKING BIGGER THAN THAT.
[INAUDIBLE] NEEDED SPORTS FIELDS AND THERE'S NO ROUND [INAUDIBLE] THEY WENT ACTUALLY BOUGHT LAND ACTUALLY SOUTH OF DECATUR, AND PUT A SPORTS COMPLEX THERE.
I JUST I'M HAVING IT I'M STRUGGLING WITH THIS BECAUSE AS I ALSO SAID, AS MR. JONES REMINDED ME THAT OUR PARK DESIGNS ARE FATALLY FLAWED, THAT THOSE 10 ACRE PARKS THAT ARE NOT THE CEMETERY AND ARE NOT NOT LEGACY PARK, AND AS MAYOR TE POWER SAID EVEN LEGACY PARK HAS HOUSES BACK ONTO THERE'S JUST THEY'RE BASICALLY PEOPLE'S BACK YARD.
THERE WAS SAY, LET'S PUT IT A SQUARE OF THE BACKYARD.
LET'S PUT A BASKETBALL COURSE IN VOLLEYBALL COURTS OF PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS.
I JUST IT'S A CONUNDRUM THAT I DON'T THINK WE AS A BODY HAVE HAD THAT POLICY DISCUSSION WE LOOK FOR MORE LAND OUTSIDE THE CITY TO MEET A RECREATIONAL.
DO WE MET OVER THE LAKES WORK FASTER PLAN? I KNOW I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO BRING IT UP.
OR DO WE DO THIS AND LAKE WILL BE NEXT AND WE AFTER THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A POINT BESIDES SAYING THAT IT IS [INAUDIBLE] TRY TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT. WE ARE LAND LOT.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PART LAND.
LOOK AT THE RECREATE MASTER PAN.
GENERALLY, THERE IS MORE PRIORITY IN TERMS OF THE NATURAL PAST US SPACE, BUT WE HAVE SOME SERIES OF RECREATIONAL [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M REALLY GLAD YOU SAID ALL OF THAT.
I GENERALLY DEFER TO ALL THINGS PARK RELATED TO YOUR EXPERTISE AND HAVE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERTISE.
I STRUGGLE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
I CANNOT BE AN ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN THIS COMMUNITY AND SAY THAT $10 MILLION ON FIELD IS OKAY.
WE BARELY HAVE A MIDDLE CLASS LEFT INDICATOR, AND EVERY SINGLE PENNY THAT WE SPEND BEYOND WHAT WE NEED IS DEEPLY AFFECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO HOLD ON.
NOW, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONTINGENT OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T IN THAT SITUATION, WHO ARE QUITE COMFORTABLE HERE INDICATOR AND WHO REALLY WANT FACILITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR BABIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I GET THAT, BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH AS WE'RE LOOKING AT PLANS THAT ARE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE DURING SUCH AN UNCERTAIN TIME, IT IS A ALMOST LIKE A VALUES QUESTION FOR ME AS TO WHETHER OR NOT AS MUCH AS I WANT, AS MUCH AS OAKHURST PARK NEEDS RENOVATION.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO END UP TABLING, OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSION AFTER THIS ONE, WILL MOVE FORWARD ON AND ULTIMATELY SAY AFFORDABILITY INDICATOR IS IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR US ANYMORE.
I HAVE TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT JUST BASED ON WHERE I STAND WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO PRESERVE WHAT'S LEFT OF ANY AFFORDABILITY HERE INDICATOR? THAT BEING SAID, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A MASTER PLAN, IT NEEDS TO MAKE SENSE.
THIS IS A HUGE DEPARTURE FROM WHAT THE RECREATOR, AS COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY SAID, FROM WHAT WE EVER EXPECTED TO SEE FOR THIS SITE.
I THINK I HAVE TAKEN AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK AND EVEN HAD PERSONAL ONE ON ONE MEETINGS WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING IN THIS ROOM GOING BACK TO SEPTEMBER TO DISCUSS CONCERNS ABOUT NOT JUST THE DOG PARK, BUT ABOUT THE FACILITIES THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE BEHIND HOUSES, ABOUT TRAFFIC ON THIRD, ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
I DEEPLY RESENT ANY COMMENT THAT SAYS THAT PARKS AND REC DID NOT NOTIFY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS HAPPENING.
[03:55:01]
I RESENT IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT TRUE AND I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE MAKING STATEMENTS IN THIS HOUSE THAT AREN'T TRUE. IT'S NOT TRUE.NOW, I DO THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE A HECK OF A BETTER JOB WITH NOTIFICATIONS SINCE ALL HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE JANUARY.
I KNOW I WAS ATTENDING MEETINGS WHERE I MET THE COACH AT AGNESCO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FEBRUARY.
THIS IS NOT NEW, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE NOT REALLY INFORMED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO BE PROPOSED UNTIL THE COMMUNITY WORK SESSIONS.
THEN THE WORK SESSION THAT WE HAD HERE AT THE COMMISSION MEETING, WHERE I THINK A LOT OF COMMISSIONERS SAW THIS PLAN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I HAD SEEN IT BECAUSE I HAD ATTENDED THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND SAID THEN THAT I HATED THE PLAN.
NO. I THINK I SAID THAT TO YOU ALL TOO, THAT I JUST REALLY DIDN'T LIKE THE PLAN.
BECAUSE IT'S A LOT IN A SMALL-ISH PARK THAT IS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE'S HOMES ON STREETS THAT ARE NOT REALLY DESIGNED FOR THIS TRAFFIC IN PLACES WHERE MOST OF THE AMENITIES HAVE BEEN CONTAINED.
BUT I ALSO STRUGGLE WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY WE NEED MORE TENNIS COURTS.
THERE ARE FOLKS THAT WANT PICKLE-BALL.
IF WE PUT MORE TENNIS COURTS IN OAKHURST PARK, PERHAPS PICKLE-BALL COULD GO AT SCOTT PARK.
I MEAN, THERE ARE SO MANY BIGGER PICTURE CONVERSATIONS WE COULD HAVE ABOUT FUTURE STATE AND COMPROMISES THAT WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE.
NOT FOR LACK OF YOUR EFFORT OR ANYBODY ELSE'S EFFORT TO MAKE WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A VERY, USEFUL AND GOOD FUTURE STATE PLAN.
I'M JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE PLAN AS DESIGNED AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.
IT'S AND THE CONSEQUENCE IT COULD HAVE ON OTHER SITE PARK SITES INDICATOR.
>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE AFFORDABILITY PIECE, LOOKING AT DOLLARS THAT WOULD NOT, NOT TAX DOLLARS, LOOKING LOOKING AT [INAUDIBLE] FUNDING, LOOKING AT THE GRANT POSSIBILITIES THAT WE CAN GET.
I THINK WE ALL KNEW IN JANUARY THAT A PLANNING PROCESS WAS STARTING FOR OAKHURST FOR THE PARK, WE ASK THOSE WHO DID PARTICIPATE? I HAVE S CAREFUL PEOPLE THAT WERE A PART OF THE GROUPS THAT SIGNED OFF ON THIS, SAID, WE SPENT NINE MONTHS ON THIS, AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT AND TRYING TO MAKE THOSE COMPROMISES WHERE AGNES SCOTT DOES GET A FIELD THAT IS AND THE HIGH SCHOOL GETS A FUEL THAT IS THAT CAN BE USED.
WE DO HAVE THIS TENSION BETWEEN NOT ENOUGH.
THE ONLY ADDED RECREATION SPACE WE ADDED IF WE LOOK AT THE PREFERRED PLAN OR TWO SAND VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST MAKING A REGULATION SOFTBALL FIELD AND IMPROVING THE SIZE AND USABILITY OF A MULTI PURPOSE FIELD THAT WE KNOW ARE BEING OVER USED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I THINK THE DOG PARK IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.
I THINK I RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR CLEANING UP, HAVING A STREAM BUFFER, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE COMMITTED TO AS PART OF SUSTAINABILITY AND WE'RE NOT IN COMPLIANCE.
I'M THINKING AS WE LOOK AT THIS, WE'VE ASKED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO GIVE US INPUT ON HOW THINGS CAN FIT TOGETHER AND THEY'VE GIVEN US IT'S LIKE, BRING ME A PLAN AND WE GET A PLAN.
WELL, WE DON'T LIKE THAT PLAN.
I MEAN, I GUESS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE GOT A BIG JIGSAW PUZZLE THAT WE HAVE PIECES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIT TOGETHER, AND HOW DO WE ET'S PUT THOSE TOGETHER.
IT IS A COMPROMISE. IT'S A BALANCE.
WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ENHANCE THE USAGE.
I DO FEEL LIKE LONG TERM, WE'RE ALSO NOT TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS TOMORROW.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS IN KNOW IN THE YEARS TO COME AND WE FROM OUR VANTAGE POINT,
[04:00:05]
I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TYPICALLY MICRO MANAGED MASTER PLANNING CONCEPT PROCESSES.WE'VE ASKED PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.
WE ALL LAM SOMEBODY TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WERE REPRESENTED, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE IN SOME WAYS, WE'RE SAYING, THANKS FOR WORKING ON THIS FOR SO LONG.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO DISCOUNT SOME OF MOST ABOUT WORK.
>> I ACTUALLY WHAT I ACTUALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT COMMISSION WALCH HAS TO SAY.
>> I HAVE UNMUTED MYSELF AND I DID NOT USE THE SNOWMAN MOG TO RAISE MY HAND.
I GOT MORE COMFORTABLE THIS EVENING ONCE I HEARD IT EXPLAINED OR CHARACTERIZED MORE AS A CONCEPTUAL PLAN, NOT CONSTRUCTION.
THE MAJOR PUZZLE PIECES HAVE REMAINED THE SAME.
I ALSO GOT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE EXPLANATION OF THE IMPAIRED OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT WITH THE DOG PARK AREA.
WHERE I HAVE TROUBLE IS THAT THIS HAS SHIFTED FROM WHAT IS OVER, ITS HISTORY FROM BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, A PARK WITH A LOT OF ATHLETIC FACILITIES, AND THIS DOES FEEL NOW MORE LIKE AN ATHLETIC FACILITY WITH SOME PARK.
THAT'S A NOT SO SUBTLE CHANGE.
I ADMIT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S UNREASONABLE FOR US TO MOVE SOMETHING ALONG THAT HAS HAD A LOT OF INPUT AND FOLLOWED THE PROCESS THAT WE'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO WHILE ALSO REMAINING OPEN TO PLANNING OTHER PARKS AND KNOWING THAT THERE'S NOT A LINEAR SEQUENCE, WE COULD VERY WELL PLAN GLEN LAKE AND FIND THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THERE BEFORE WE DO THIS THAT COULD INFORM AN UPDATE TO THIS.
JUST MY EXPERIENCE, I'LL WRAP UP IS THAT WE PASSED THE EAST LAKE LIVABLE CENTERS INITIATIVE, FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2018.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEBATE AND PROVOCATIVE TOPICS AND CONSTERNATION, AND WE GOT THROUGH IT AND WE PASSED IT.
I'M NOT SAYING IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO EXECUTE ON IT, BUT THAT CAN JUST BE THE NATURE OF LONG RANGE PLANNING AS WELL THAT WE'LL INK THIS AS BEST WE CAN TONIGHT WITH WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE UNDERSTAND AND WHAT WE'VE WORKED THROUGH.
BUT I DON'T THINK IT PRECLUDES US FROM DOING OTHER GOOD PLANS.
IN OUR OTHER GREEN SPACES AND BREAKING OPEN OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND CIRCLING BACK TO THIS.
IF THAT'S HELPFUL, I COULD VOTE ON SOMETHING THIS EVENING BASED ON WHAT WE'VE SEEN AND BE COMFORTABLE WITH IT NOW THAT WE'VE TALKED EVERYTHING THROUGH AND HAD THREE VERY LENGTHY CONVERSATIONS AS A COMMUNITY AND AS A BODY.
I REALLY DON'T WANT ANYONE WHO HAS PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROCESS TO THINK THAT I DO NOT VALUE THEIR TIME INVESTMENT.
I ALSO THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I HAVE MADE THE SAME OR SIMILAR TIME INVESTMENT.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE OBJECTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT ARE BASED ON A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PEOPLE WHO VISIT DECATUR'S FEEDBACK AND HAVE ATTENDED THESE MEETINGS MYSELF AND HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS MYSELF.
I DON'T DISCREDIT OR DEVALUE THE TIME INVESTMENT OR THE OPINIONS OR THE EXPERTISE OF THE PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THESE PLANS, AND SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.
I ALSO HAVE A REAL CHALLENGE WITH HAVING A CONVERSATION GOING BACK TO 2020, WHERE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, THE LEGACY PARK, MASTER PLAN, AND COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY AND I SAID WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO REVISIT IT AND WE WERE TOLD, NO.
THE MASTER PLAN IS THE MASTER PLAN AND IT'S SET.
NOW WE'RE HAVING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION FIVE YEARS LATER WHERE, HEY, THE MASTER PLAN CAN BE LOOSEY-GOOSEY AND WE CAN CHANGE IT IF WE WANT TO.
WE HAVE TO DEFINE WHETHER OUR MASTER PLAN IS A SET PLAN THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED WITHOUT DEVIATION, LIKE WE WERE TOLD ABOUT LEGACY PARK OR IT'S A CONCEPT THAT IS OPEN TO FEEDBACK AND OPINION AND CHANGES DOWN THE LINE.
IT'S ONE OR THE OTHER, IT'S NOT BOTH.
I TOO AM COMFORTABLE HAVING A VOTE TODAY,
[04:05:02]
BUT I THINK WE'VE REALLY GOT TO STOP TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF OUR FACES WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THIS.IT INFURIATES ME TO NO END, AND I THINK THAT IT REALLY DOES MAKE PEOPLE QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT WE REALLY MEAN WHAT WE SAY WHEN WE SAY IT.
WE'VE GOT TO STICK TO ONE OR THE OTHER.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CLICK SOMETHING.
>> FIRST, LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT LEGACY, JUST FOR A BRIEF SECOND.
AS WE THINK ABOUT PROGRAMMING, REALLY, LEGACY HAS FULFILLED EVERYTHING THAT WE WANTED IT TO DO.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN MAKE VERY MANY MORE CHANGES IN TERMS OF THE SPACE.
WE'VE PUT IN 110 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUT IN A COMMUNITY TRACK ASSET.
WE'VE GOT 23 ACRES OF PROTECTED CONSERVATION EASEMENT DOESN'T LEAVE A LOT.
THINKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING OVER THERE, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PARK ON. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT'S GOING TO COST A LOT, TOO.
>> I WASN'T USING LEGACY AS EXAMPLE TO REOPEN THE PLAN TO PUT MORE ATHLETIC FACILITIES IN THERE.
I WAS USING THAT AS AN EXAMPLE OF US DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A MASTER PLAN IS SET OR A MASTER PLAN CAN BE MANIPULATED IN THE FUTURE BASED ON FUTURE DECISIONS.
THAT'S IT. I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN LEGACY HAS ALREADY GIVEN US.
>> [LAUGHTER] NO I WAS JUST USING THAT AS AN EXAMPLE TO SAY, WE'RE 4.7 SQUARE MILES, AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PROGRAMMING AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF GREEN SPACE IN WHICH TO DO IT.
WE HAVE TO BE REALLY CREATIVE ABOUT HOW WE UTILIZE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
WE CAN'T GO BACK TO A BLANK SLATE AND SAY, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT THIS WAY.
IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE A HOUSE THAT YOU WANT TO RENOVATE, BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET SO MUCH OUT OF IT.
WE JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT OF LAND THAT WE'RE TRYING TO, FUTURE PROOF IT FOR ALL THE USES, WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE TWO AND THREE YEAR OLDS TODAY, WHAT ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE EIGHT AND 10 AND 13.
WE'VE GOT TO DO A LOT OF WORK IN A VERY TIGHT SPACE WITH NOT A BIG BUDGET.
IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT SIX YEARS FROM NOW, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT.
WE HAVE A CONCEPT IN PLACE THAT WE'RE GOING TO MASSAGE.
WITH LEGACY, IT WAS MORE WE KNOW WE WANTED HOUSING THERE.
WE KNOW WE HAD TALKED ABOUT A TRACK THERE.
YES, THIS IS A CONCEPT MASTER PLAN, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO CHANGE.
WHAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, WITH THE NEXT ELECTED BODY, THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO PEOPLE UP HERE NEXT YEAR AND PSA, IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED, GO VOTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[LAUGHTER] ONE OF MY COMMENTS FOR LATER THIS EVENING.
IT'S A CHALLENGE, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE ALL THIS STUFF FIT.
LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, AND SO MANY OF OTHERS SAID, IT'S A PUZZLE.
WE'RE TRYING TO PLAY PUZZLE, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO PLAY PUZZLE FIVE OR SIX YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE IN ORDER FOR US TO GET WHAT WE NEED BECAUSE THE RECREATED PLAN TOLD US WE NEED IT.
YOU SAID DREAM BIG, THEY DREAM BIG.
WE ALL POINTED PEOPLE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE. YOU SERVE.
WE ALL PUT THAT TIME IN HERE, AND SO NOW IT'S TIME TO SAY, HERE'S THE CONCEPT IN WHICH WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON.
IT'S GOING TO GET A LOT MORE EYES, A LOT MORE EARS, AND A LOT MORE ATTENTION AS IT GETS MASSAGED THROUGH.
IF YOU'VE EVER BUILT A HOUSE, IT NEVER LOOKS THE WAY IT'S CALLED CHANGE ORDERS.
WE APPROVED CHANGE ORDERS EVERY MEETING.
I THINK THAT SAME THING HERE, WE KNOW WHAT CAN FIT WHERE.
WE KNOW WE HAVE A 50 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH AGNES SCOTT, WHO ARE GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
WE DON'T WANT TO OVERLOOK THAT.
WE ALSO KNOW WE HAVE, DEMAND FOR BALL FIELDS.
EVERY SPORTS TEAM IN THE CITY THAT PART OF OUR CITY HAS A DEMAND FOR THAT SPACE.
LET'S JUST FIGURE OUT HOW, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T DO THE TENNIS COURTS.
WE TALKED ABOUT FOUR TENNIS COURTS.
WE HAD TO COMPROMISE. WE HAD TO CUT IT DOWN TO TWO.
>> I THINK THAT WAS A MESS ALSO. I DO.
>> NO. BUT WE WERE REACTING AND RESPONDING TO WHAT WE HEARD.
ALL OF THESE ARE REACTIONS AND RESPONSES TO WHAT WE HEAR TO TRY TO MAKE A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE AS BEST WE CAN WITH ALL THE INFORMATION WE HAVE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMANDS FOR THIS LITTLE SPACE, BUT IT'S THAT SAME SPACE EVERY PARK WE HAVE.
IF YOU GO TO GLEN LAKE AND TALK TO MY NEIGHBORS, YOU'RE GOING TO HIT THE SAME STORIES.
GOD, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE A FULL SIZED DOG PARK.
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE, A BIGGER SOFTBALL FIELD.
[04:10:01]
WHEN I WAS 10, THAT THAT WAS THE BASEBALL FIELD.I THINK WE HAVE DIRECTION, AND I THINK WE CAN KEEP WORKING ON THE DIRECTION AS LONG AS WE KEEP LISTENING TO THE INPUT WE GET. WE HAVE DIRECTION.
>> I NEED TO ASK ONE MORE PRACTICAL QUESTION, IF I MAY, DR. REMY.
SOFTBALL SEASON FOR AGNES SCOTT IS WHAT MONTH TO WHAT MONTH? BECAUSE I KNOW YOU TOLD ME BEFORE, AND I JUST COULDN'T REMEMBER AND I'M SO SORRY FOR PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.
I KNOW YOU ARE NOT A COMPUTER.
>> I GOT THE LIST HERE [INAUDIBLE] YES.
I ACTUALLY HAVE A WHOLE SHEET WITH EVERYTHING, SO I WAS JUST PULLING THAT INCASE YOU HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME, TOO.
>> FEBRUARY TO MAY IS AGNES SCOTT SOFTBALL SEASON.
DHS SOFTBALL SEASON IS INCLUDING PRACTICES, IS WHAT? SAME?
>> I HAVE KEITH STRONG HERE, MY RECREATION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR THAT HAS ALL OF THOSE DATES HERE, SO I DON'T GO SCROUNGED THROUGH HERE.
>> THANK YOU, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STRONG.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THAT SEASON PRETTY MUCH MIRRORS THE AGNES SCOTT'S SEASON IN REGARDS TO OUR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SEASONS IS SIMILAR TO AGNES SCOTT.
>> I'M ASKING BECAUSE THIS IS TO BUILD THIS SOFTBALL FIELD AND PUT THE RETENTION PONDS UNDERNEATH IT AND BUILD THE PARKING LOT IS ACTUAL MAJOR CONSTRUCTION.
AS I'M THINKING ABOUT APPROVING A PLAN, THE PLANS ALSO GOT TO BE PRACTICAL.
WE'VE GOT A SOFTBALL SEASON THAT'S FEBRUARY TO MAY FOR DHS AND A SOFTBALL SEASON THAT IS FEBRUARY TO MAY FOR AGNES SCOTT, WHICH LEAVES MAY TO JANUARY TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPLIANT WITH AGNES SCOTT'S AGREEMENT TO HAVE A FIELD?
>> OUR CONSULTANTS, I THINK SPOKE TO THIS TOO, BUT THEY'RE HERE TO TALK AS WELL.
>> GETTING THE UNDER SORT WITH AGNES SCOTT'S.
THAT'S EXACTLY ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE MOVED THE SOFTBALL FIELD TO WHERE THE MULTIPURPOSE FIELD IS NOW.
YOU CAN CONSTRUCT IT WHILE YOU STILL HAVE THE EXISTING SOFTBALL PLACE.
>> THEN WHERE DOES SOCCER GO OR WHATEVER IS BEING PLAYED ON THE MULTI PURPOSE FIELD DURING THAT CONSTRUCTION?
>> DURING THAT CONSTRUCTION. THAT'S A DIFFERENT SEASON. IT'S A DIFFERENT SEASON.
>> THEY ARE SAYING THE MULTIPURPOSE FIELD ISN'T BEING USED DURING THAT TIME?
>> I CAN ALSO JUST MENTION ABOUT, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LEGACY AND PARK PLAN, BUT MUCH OF WHAT WAS DECIDED WHAT THE TRACK AND FIELD LOOKED LIKE, HOW BIG IT WAS, WHETHER OR NOT IT HAD STEEPLECHASE, NOT STEEPLECHASE, WHETHER OR NOT THE GYM WAS GOING TO BE REDONE.
ALL OF THOSE WERE DETAILS THAT WERE DECIDED THROUGH A LATER PROCESS.
THE THE HOUSING, HOW MANY UNITS WENT IN THERE AND THE AMOUNT OF SPACE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THAT WAS FOR THE AFFORDABLE UNIT.
THERE ARE THOSE THINGS THAT DO HAPPEN WHEN WE BEGIN LOOKING AT ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND THE PUBLIC INPUT THAT GOES INTO WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE INSIDE THE MASTER PLAN.
I DO FEEL LIKE TO THE MAYOR PRO TEM'S POINT, ONCE WE HAVE THE CONCEPT THAT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE UNDER, THAT A PIECES OF IT COME OUT, WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S A TRAIL AROUND THE SOFTBALL FIELD, WHETHER THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT SIMILAR TO LEGACY PARK AS IT WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED.
THE MASTER PLAN DIDN'T CHANGE, BUT THE INDIVIDUAL PIECES INSIDE OF IT HAD TO ADJUST TO WHAT WAS WANTED BY THE COMMUNITY A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED JUST A COMMUNITY WALKING TRACK.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED THE COMPETITIVE TRACK.
DO WE HAVE A MULTI PURPOSE FIELD? IS IT ONLY GOING TO BE SO I DO FEEL LIKE THOSE DETAILS WERE DECIDED AS IT WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED.
>> FROM HOWARD. ULTIMATELY I DISAGREE WITH DIRECTION, AND IT'S FOUNDED IN MY DISAGREEING WITH THE LEGACY PARK MASTER PLAN.
WHEN ITS TO YOUR WHAT SPACE WAS AVAILABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR FINDINGS FOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES.
IT NOTED THAT WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING IN THE CEMETERY IS A CEMETERY, AND WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING IN LEGACY PARK BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN USED FOR BUILDINGS FROM THE 40S THAT ARE BEING REPURPOSED TO SUPPORT TON POPES.
IT'S A VISION AND IT'S A VISION A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE IN SPORT BUT WE'VE DEDICATED
[04:15:03]
A HUGE CHUNK OF LEGACY TO THESE BUILDINGS FROM THE 40S AND 50S THAT ARE TO BE REPURPOSED FOR PURPOSE.BECAUSE WE DID THAT, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RECREATION FACILITIES, WHICH MEANS WE'RE GOING TO PUT THE RECREATION FACILITIES INTO THESE COMMUNITY PARKS IN PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS AND DISRUPT THE NEIGHBORS FURTHER.
I DISAGREE WITH THAT DIRECTION, SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THIS MASTER PLAN.
I VERY MUCH HONOR AND RESPECT MY COLLEAGUES AND OUR DISAGREEMENT AND CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY FOR ME, THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH.
ELSE, DO I SAY SOMETHING, TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER MAYOR PRO TEM LAST [INAUDIBLE]
>> I DON'T REMEMBER IT EITHER.
>> I DON'T SPECIALLY [INAUDIBLE]
>> THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF ENGAGEMENT.
PEOPLE CAN ALWAYS SAY THEY WERE ENGAGED.
I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF EFFORT PUTTING OUT ARTICLE IN THE FOCUS AND YOU WANT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
I ALSO DO WANT TO SAY THAT PART OF THE REASON THIS IS CONTROVERSIAL IS BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING SOMETHING AWAY IN TERMS OF TRICK THE DOG PARK IS.
WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN EXISTING DOG PARK, WE'RE STRIKING THE DOG PARK.
THAT IS WHAT THIS DOES. THERE'S GOING TO BE DETENTION.
I DO THINK THAT IF WE WERE JUST TO PUT A FENCE AROUND THE SPACE, CALLING ON AS OPPOSED TO DOING THE STUFF WOULD BE A BETTER SOLUTION.
BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE TAKING SOMETHING AWAY FROM THE DOG PARK COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE SEEN SO MANY OF THEM HERE TODAY.
IT DOES GET YOU A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.
I CONFESS THAT I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE A PROBABLY HAVING DOGS.
>> I I'VE BEEN THERE. I'VE BEEN THERE WITH MY DOGS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT.
>> I DON'T THINK EVEN SHARE COMMENTING AT OUR LAST MEETING AND ALL OF US RECOGNIZING THAT IT PLAYS A IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS AND I THINK THAT I APPRECIATE YOU, SAYING THAT AND ACKNOWLEDGING.
UNLESS THERE IS FURTHER I DON'T SEE COMMISSIONER WALCH.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER IS ON OUR AGENDA.
WHAT IS BEEN RECOMMENDED TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO US IS THE CURRENT FASTER PLAN.
THE CURRENT PREFERRED PLAN AS PRESENTED.
THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE PLAN THAT MOVED THINGS BACK AROUND, ADDING TWO TENNIS COURTS, KEPT THE SAND VOLLEYBALL, AND BY THE WAY, I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF EMAILS FROM PEOPLE SAYING NOBODY WANTS SAND VOLLEYBALL.
THAT IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE BEEN LOBBIED BY THE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND BY LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING EMAIL SPORTS, AND I KNOW THE RED FOLKS HEAR IT AS WELL.
VOLLEYBALL IN GENERAL, AS WELL AS, HAVING A SAND VOLLEYBALL SPACE.
WHAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE US AS AN AGENDA ACTION ITEM IS TO APPROVE THE OAKHURST PARK RECREATION MASTER PLAN, THE CURRENT PREFERRED PLAN AS PRESENTED, RECOGNIZING THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME DECISIONS MADE ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFIC ASPECTS INSIDE OF THE VARIOUS AREAS THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
WOULD THAT BE A CORRECT ASSUMPTION?
>> DO YOU HAVE ONE CLARIFICATION QUESTION.
MISS SHERRY, YOU MIGHT BE THE ONE TO ANSWER THIS.
IF THIS PLAN IS NOT APPROVED, THERE WILL STILL BE CHANGES TO THE DOG PARK, CORRECT?
>> I THINK WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DOG PARK IS NOT RELATED TO THIS PLAN.
IT IS THE ESPS RECOMMENDATION THAT CHANGES HAPPEN.
>> WE WOULD BRING A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF TO THE CITY COMMISSION AS IT RELATES TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE RELATED TO THE SCREEN, RESTORATION.
>> WITH THE STAFF WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY ISSUES.
>> BEFORE WE VOTE, CAN I JUST MAKE ONE MORE QUICK COMMENT? I KNOW I'VE SAID A LOT OF WORDS TODAY.
I DO STILL THINK THAT IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR DHS SOFTBALL AND FOR AGNES SCOTT SOFTBALL,
[04:20:04]
WHILE I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS PLAN IS THE BEST PLAN FOR THIS SPACE.I DO NOT WANT TO GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT I RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A NEED THERE AND HOPE THAT WE CAN FIND SOME WAY TO MEET THAT NEED THAT IS BETTER SUITED TO EITHER THIS SPACE OR ANOTHER SPACE INDICATOR.
>> I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OAKHURST PARK RECREATION MASTER PLAN, THE CURRENT CARD PLAN AS PRESENTED?
>> I'LL SECOND. THIS IS KELLY WELSH.
>> COMMISSIONER WALCH HAS SECONDED.
IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> IN YOUR VOTES. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE CONVERSATION.
THESE ARE EASY DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE.
WE ALL ANSWERED MANY EMAILS, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE TO BE ON OF THE VOTE, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT WE ALL HAVE TO VOTE WHAT WE THINK IS THE BEST THING TO DO.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA THAT SHOULD WORK.
WE HAVE THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY.
[VII.B. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Police Department Facility.]
>> APOLOGIES. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
I'LL TALK TO THEM OUTSIDE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
IF THE POLITE THING TO DO IS SUSTAINS TO WANT TO.
THAT WOULD BE NICE. APOLOGIES. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MARY COMMISSIONERS.
THIS IS REBECCA BRYANT, INTERIM ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR APPROVAL FOR A CONTRACT OF 36,748 WITH VISPARK ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND TO ESTABLISH A 45,000 PROJECT BUDGET TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN THREE DUAL PORT CHARGERS, LEVEL TWO DUAL PORT CHARGERS AT THE DECATUR POLICE STATION.
THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT OUR CLEAN ENERGY GOALS AND THE OVERALL GREEN OF OUR CITY FLEET.
RIGHT NOW, THE DOWNTOWN POLICE STATION HAS TWO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT GOING TO INCREASE ANY MORE EVS THEY GET UNTIL THEY'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THAT.
WE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GEORGIA POWERS MAKE READY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM, WE HAVE THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE POOL, THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING MOVING FORWARD IN VI SPARK.
THIS IS THE SAME CONTRACTOR WE'RE USING FOR OUR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT AS WELL.
THEY ARE INSTALLING THREE DUAL PORT CHARGERS WITH US AT THAT FACILITY AND ARE DUE TO FINISH AROUND FEBRUARY.
WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE IT ON THE SAME HAVE OUR EVS REPORTING THROUGH THE SAME CONTRACTOR.
THAT WAY, WE HAVE A STREAMLINED DASHBOARD AND ACCESS TO DATA, PERFORMANCE REPORTING, AND MAINTENANCE TRACKING.
THE CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT IS ALSO USING VISPARKS AND HAS A POSITIVE APPROACH WITH THEM.
WE HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE IN OUR FINANCIAL YEAR 2025, 26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.
>> A MOTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH VISPARK INTERSOLUION FOR ATLANTA, THE AMOUNT OF $36,748 AND TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT OF $45,000 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE THREE DUAL COURT LEVEL 2V CHARGING STATIONS AT THE DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THERE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT.
>> SECONDED ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> PAUSE. COMMISSIONER WALCH IS VOTING. AYE.
[04:25:02]
NEXT SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM GRADE AT THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
[VII.C. Security Camera System Upgrade at Public Works Facility.]
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FELIX FLOYD, I THE ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I'M HERE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOBS CONTROLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,521.34 AND ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 FOR THE UPGRADE.
FOR THE UPGRADING AND OF THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM.
THE RECOMMENDATION QUOTE WAS GENERATED THROUGH A SOURCE WORD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT BY JOSH CONTROLS CONTRACT NUMBER 030421-TIS.
JOSH CONTROLS IS THE CITY'S PRIMARY SECURITY CAMERA VENDOR.
THE SECURITY CAMERAS AT THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES AT 26 35 TAL STE WAS INSTALLED IN 2014 AND IS OUTDATED AND HAS LIMITED COVERAGE.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL REPLACE FIVE EXISTING CAMERAS AND ADD FOUR NEW CAMERAS AND INSTALL SIX CABLING TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW CAMERA SYSTEM.
THE NEW CAMERAS WILL COVER AREAS THAT NEED VIDEO RECORDING, BUT NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL SYSTEM.
ALL CAMERA FEES WILL BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE FIBER RING TO THE CITY VIDEO SERVER AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHILE THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ACTIVELY MONITORED, IT WILL PROVIDE VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE BUILDING, THE PARKING LOT, FOR SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC.
IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT THE INSTALLATION WORK WILL BE COMPLETED AND AVAILABLE FOR USE 69, 90 DAYS AFTER APPROVAL.
FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE 26, 25 COPER IMPROVEMENT FUNDS.
BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
HERE MOTION TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH JOHNSON CONTROLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,521.34 AND ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 TO UPGRADE THE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AT THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
>> FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU. THE VOTES, AND THE MOTION PASSES.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE NEXT TO REQUESTS AND PETITIONS IF
[VIII. Requests and Petitions.]
THERE ARE OTHERS PEOPLE HERE THIS EVENING, WOULD LIKE TO BE ANYTHING ELSE FORWARD TO THIS BODY NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT FOR LAST TIME.PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND STAYING SO WELL.
>> SORRY. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS STEVE MONROE, AND FOR 37 YEARS, I HAVE LIVED AT 152 POPLAR CIRCLE IN THE MONONA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS WE'RE OVER 3.5 HOURS FOR THIS MEETING.
I RISE TONIGHT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MAYOR PATTI GARRETT.
I KNOW SHE HAS A FEW MORE COMMISSION MEETINGS, BUT I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE AN EASY ONE TO COME TO [LAUGHTER].
>> BUT TO THANK HER FOR 16 YEARS ON THE COMMISSION, AND 10 YEARS AS OUR MAYOR.
AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, AND HOPEFULLY THE AUDIENCE KNOWS AS WELL, WE DON'T DIRECTLY ELECT THE MAYOR IN THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE MAYOR IS CHOSEN EACH JANUARY BY THE CITY COMMISSIONERS TO HAVE THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO REPRESENT OUR CITY BOTH HERE AT PUBLIC EVENTS WITHIN THE CITY, BUT MORE BROADLY ACROSS THE STATE AND EVEN ACROSS THE NATION.
ALONG WITH THIS PRESTIGE BEING CHOSEN BY HER PEERS TO HAVE THE TITLE OF MAYOR COMES THE EXTRAVAGANT PERK OF AN EXTRA $250 A MONTH IN SALARY FROM THE CITY.
I HAVE TO SAY, SEEING WHAT WENT ON HERE TONIGHT, I DON'T THINK PATTI DOES THIS FOR THE MONEY.
BUT FOR THOSE OF US CITIZENS OF DECATUR, THAT EXTRA $250 A MONTH HAS YIELDED A TREMENDOUS RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
WE GOT A MAYOR WHO GUIDED OUR CITY FOR 10 YEARS WITH A CALM AND STEADY HAND, A HAND ON THE TAILER ALWAYS WITH AN EYE TOWARDS MAKING DECATUR MORE WALKABLE, BIKEABLE, AND LIVABLE.
SHE ALSO REPRESENTED OUR CITY WITH GRACE AND EMPATHY FOR EVERYONE SHE MEETS AT THE COUNTLESS EVENTS, AS I SAID ACROSS THE CITY, ACROSS THE STATE AND THE NATION.
FOR ME, THE MOST VISIBLE LASTING IMPACT OF HER WORK IS THE ACQUISITION AND TRANSFORMATION AT LEGACY PARK, INCLUDING THE VILLAGE FOR THE MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING.
IMPORTANTLY, AS WE ALL SHOULD TRY TO DO, SHE LEAVES THE CITY IN A BETTER PLACE THAN IT WAS WHEN SHE STARTED
[04:30:04]
HERE AS A COMMISSIONER IN 2010.I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK PATTI'S HUSBAND, GARY.
>> BASALLY SHARED PATTI WITH US FOR THESE PAST 16 YEARS.
I'M SURE THERE WERE COUNTLESS TIMES WHEN GARY WOULD PREFER THAT PATTI WAS DOING SOMETHING WITH HER INSTEAD OF ATTENDING SOME CIVIC EVENT.
I HOPE THAT STARTING IN JANUARY, THEY HAVE THE CHANCE TO SPEND MUCH MORE TIME TOGETHER.
PATTI, MY SINCERE THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU, AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU OFTEN WALKING OR BIKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR OVER AT LEGACY PARK. THANK YOU.
>> I KNOW WE DON'T CLAP AFTER REQUESTS AND PETITIONS, BUT [APPLAUSE].
>> I ESPECIALLY READING FOR ALL THIS [LAUGHTER] WE WILL MOVE
[IX. Reports and Other Business.]
TO [OVERLAPPING] I THINK I'VE SEEN ALL THESE PEOPLE.IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO WANT TO RECORD ANYTHING WE'RE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN IT.
THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE NOW TO REQUEST AND OTHER BUSINESS.
JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE DO HAVE A ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING ON NEXT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 AT 7:30.
THEY WILL HAVE ONE ITEM OF NEW BUSINESS, MIRIAM ORTEGA REYES IS REQUESTING A STRING BUFFER VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT AN ADDITION AND REPLACE THE EXISTING DRIVEWAY.
FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED 155 CIRCLE.
THESE DO NOT COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, SO THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING A COMMENT ABOUT THIS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO EITHER ATTEND THE MEETING OR CONTACT AS KURZIK, WHO IS THE STAFF MEMBER FOR THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.
AGAIN, UNLIKE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, DO NOT COME TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION.
SPEAKING OF PLANNING COMMISSION, THEIR MEETING IS CANCELED ON NOVEMBER 11.
THERE IS A DOWNTOWN A DECATUR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES MEETING ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER THE 14TH AT 8:00 A.M.
I WILL SEE IF THE CITY MANAGER HAS ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT SHE WOULD LIKE.
>> NO BETTER THAN TO HAVE ANY COMMENTS.
MS. JULIE GRETZ 30 SECONDS SO FAR AS MUCH AS NEEDED FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
JULIE GRETZ THE SENIOR ENGINEER FOR THE CITY.
JUST A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT PUBLIC WORKS COMMUNITY ROOM ON 26 35 TALLY STREET FROM 6:00 TO 7:00 P.M.
CITY STAFF AND PROJECT CONSULTANTS WILL PRESENT THE 30% DESIGN FOR THE CHAMPLAIN STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GREAT LAKES THE GREAT LAKES NEIGHBORHOOD.
PART OF THE 2020 STORMWATER MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ALONG SOUTH FORT PEACHTREE CREEK.
THIS INCLUDES AREAS INCLUDING CHAMPLAIN STREET, SENECA STREET, ENGINE STREET, SO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO ATTEND.
>> WILL THOSE PLANS ALSO BE AVAILABLE ONLINE.
>> WE DON'T TYPICALLY PUT THE 30% DESIGN PLANS ONLINE.
NO, IF REQUESTED SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK INTO.
>> ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE DOOR HANGERS, SO THEY CAN'T SAY.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING.
THANK YOU FOR THE DOOR HANGERS AND THE SIGNS IN THE STREET, SO MAYBE THAT'S THE PATH GOING FORWARD THAT WE DOOR HANGING. THANK YOU.
>> AS AN ADVOCATE FOR AFFORDABILITY, I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH DOOR HANGERS WOULD COST FOR EVERY EVENT WE HAVE HERE TOGETHER [LAUGHTER].
>> IN TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
>> I THINK WE'RE IN BABY SHARK MODE.
I MUST SAY THAT DR. RAINAPS I HAVE GREAT ADMIRATION FOR YOU.
I DO NOT REGRET VOTING AGAINST YOUR MASTER PLAN, BUT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB FROM START TO FINISH, MANAGING THOSE MEETING THOSE ORIGINAL COMMUNITY MEETINGS, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS, ANSWERING QUESTIONS, POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
[04:35:05]
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON YOUR TEAM WHO CONTRIBUTED WORK TO ALL OF THE ASPECTS OF THIS MASTER PLAN GOING BACK INTO LATE LAST YEAR, AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND THOSE MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM AND COMMEND YOU ON A JOB VERY WELL DONE.I HAVE PROBABLY SPOKEN MY ALLOTMENT OF THIS ENTIRE MEETING, SO I WILL JUST ALSO ADD TO REPORTS ANOTHER BUSINESS THAT THE REPARATIONS TASK FORCE IS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 11 AS WELL AT 5:30 P.M.
THIS MEETING IS GOING TO BE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION THAN USUAL.
IT WILL BE AT NORTH DECATUR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BECAUSE THERE IS ALSO A COMMUNITY MEETING THERE AS WELL AND SO BECAUSE MOST OF THE ATTENDEES, WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE.
WE JUST DECIDED TO HAVE THE MEETING IN THAT LOCATION, BUT TYPICALLY, THE REPARATIONS TASK FORCE FOR CITY OF DECATUR DOES MEET AT EPSTER.
THAT IS AN OPEN MEETING NOVEMBER 11 FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, MAKING A PUBLIC COMMENT OR JUST HEARING THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND WHAT THE REPARATIONS TASK FORCE IS DOING.
>> 5:30. LASTLY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, I'VE SAID IT 1 MILLION TIMES HOW MUCH I ADORE ALL OF YOU.
I HAVE THE DEEPEST RESPECT FOR EACH OF YOU.
I THINK THAT OUR HEALTHY DISAGREEMENTS ARE SOME OF THE THINGS I LOOK THE MOST FORWARD TO.
I NEVER WALK AWAY FROM A FIGHT WITH ALL WITHOUT LEARNING SOMETHING, AND I'M GLAD THAT PEOPLE GET TO SEE CIVILLY DISAGREE.
WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME OPINION ABOUT WHAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD FOR THIS CITY IS, BUT I KNOW THAT WE ALL CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE CITY'S OUTCOME AND FUTURE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTINUING TO BE SUCH GREAT PARTNERS IN THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE.
I DEEPLY ADMIRE, RESPECT, AND CONSIDER YOU ALL FRIENDS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU DR. RAINAPS I WRITE IT DOWN BEFORE BUT IT'S NOT EASY.
PEOPLE ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR PUBLIC SPACE, ABOUT THE PARTS, AND WHEN I WAS IN PART YOU DID A SURVEY.
I GO TO SAY, PEOPLE REALLY HATE THE STATUS ME HATES WORST CHANGE, AND SO ANYTIME YOU DO A MAP IN THE PLAN YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT OPPOSITION.
MISS THIS, BUT TOMORROW'S ELECTION DAY, SO WE HAVE A POST ELECTION.
I KNOW IT, BUT IT IS, SO PLEASE GO OUT AND VOTE.
I HAVE TWO CANDIDATES, ACTUALLY, TWO ELECTIONS HERE AT DECATUR, BUT ALSO WE HAVE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS.
NOVEMBER 11, IN ADDITION TO THE REPARATIONS TASK FORCE, THERE WILL BE THE SECOND DAY CEREMONY IN THE CEMETERY AT 11:00.
I WILL BE HERE AT OUR NEXT MEET MISS AT WORK IS POINTING OUT.
EMBER AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER KNOW ALREADY SAID IT.
IN REGRET, I THINK IT'S THE SECOND VIDEOS, AND THEN MAYOR I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST THREE TO VOTE I'VE BEEN PART OF, SO YOUR SECOND, BUT AS COMMISSIONER MARK BROWN SAID, I THINK THAT HAVING THE CIVIL ENGAGEMENT, HAVING EXTRA TIME, HAVE THE CONVERSATION, HAVING TWO, THREE DOZEN PEOPLE COME AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.
THE CIVIC CROSS AND I TALKED A BIT ABOUT IT, THAT'S ONE OF OUR SIX PILLARS OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT, AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE THAT YOU HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
YOU CREATE EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE DISAGREE, BUT AS COMMISSIONER MARK BROWN SAID, WE RESPECT EACH OTHER, WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM.
WE KNOW THAT WE ALL ARE COMING FROM A DESIRE TO WHICH WE THINK IS BEST FOR THE CITY, SO I JUST WANT TO HOLD THAT OUT. THAT'S MY COMMENTS.
>> FOR YOUR COMMENTS, WE CAN HEAR YOU, AND WE CAN SEE YOU.
>> [LAUGHTER] THE SCREEN IS BLANK WHERE YOU ALL ARE, BUT I CAN SEE MYSELF, SO I'LL TALK TO MY FACE [LAUGHTER].
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MAYER FRANK FOR YOUR OPENING STATEMENTS, AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE.
IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THE STING OUT FROM HAVING A 32 VOTE, WHICH IS NEVER PREFERRED BY ANY OF US, AND I'VE ONLY BEEN THIS IS JUST THE SECOND TIME.
I AGREE AND ALSO REITERATE WE DO ALL AGREE ON MAYBE NOT AGREE ON THE PATH FORWARD, BUT WE AGREE ON WHERE WE WANT TO END UP,
[04:40:01]
AND THAT ALWAYS HELPS ME SLEEP AT NIGHT, BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT.I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T BE WITH EVERYONE TONIGHT.
THAT'S ALSO DIFFICULT, BUT AND I MISS YOU ALL VERY MUCH, BY THE WAY, AND I WANT TO WISH THE FOUR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR CITY COMMISSION, THE BEST OF LUCK.
I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT JUST BY RUNNING YOU'VE SERVED OUR CITY IN THAT WAY THAT ALONE IT'S A STATEMENT, IT'S A SERVICE, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.
IF IT'S NOT YOUR DAY TOMORROW, I THANK YOU AND I VALUE THAT CONVERSATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR FROM YOU AND HAVE YOU MODEL WHAT IT IS TO BE A REALLY GREAT CITIZEN.
EVERYTHING I'VE SEEN HAS BEEN SUPER POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE, AND I THINK THAT'S ALSO A GREAT EXAMPLE THAT WE SET AS A CITY, AND I THINK AS A BODY FOR REALLY GOOD CIVIL SOCIETY, NON-PARTISAN AND PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST AND PUTTING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY FIRST.
AGAIN, THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES. HAPPY ELECTION DAY.
I HOPE EVERYBODY VOTES, TAKES A PLUS ONE, AND THANKS FOR A REALLY GOOD MEETING ALTHOUGH LATE. THANKS AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL SEE YOU BACK SOON.
>> THANKS, EVERYONE FOR, WHAT WE ALL KNEW WAS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT DECISION, BUT IT WAS STILL A GREAT MEETING, AND IT WAS REALLY GREAT CIVIL DISCOURSE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ALL THE SAME TIME.
I'LL HEARKEN BACK TO MY DAYS AS A TEENAGER AND YOUTH IN THE CITY OF DECATUR, WHERE WE HAD REALLY GREAT ATHLETES, BUT NOT GREAT FACILITIES, AND WE MADE THE MOST OF WHAT WE HAD.
OUR BASKETBALL TEAM WAS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION, AND WE DIDN'T PLAY IN OUR OWN GYM.
WE PLAYED AT THE CATO-MERIDIAN CENTER.
DIDN'T HAVE NO CAPACITY TO SEE EVERYBODY, AND SO IN ORDER TO SEE THE GAME, GET TO GET THERE FOR THE GIRLS GAME AT 4:00. WE WANT TO SEE THE BOYS GAME.
I SAY ALL THAT TO SAY, THIS LITTLE PIECE THAT WE ARE ADDING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE GOES ALONG WITH THE NEW STADIUM THAT WAS BUILT A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE NEW GYMNASIUM THAT WAS BUILT AND THE NEW TRACK, IT'S PART OF A BIGGER PIECE OF LEAVING IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT.
WHO KNOWS WHEN THE NEXT JORDAN WALKER, MELVIN HOLLYWOOD COWARDS, WHO WAS ONE OF OUR VERY FIRST MCDONALD'S AMERICANS.
WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT MIX KEY IS GOING TO STEP ONTO ONE OF THOSE FIELDS? WHILE WE ARE TORN ABOUT HOW WE GET THERE.
I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION AND WE'VE SET SOMETHING IN PLACE SO THAT THERE'S A FRAMEWORK, AND I THINK THE FRAMEWORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS HOW WE GOT TO THE FRAMEWORK.
LOTS OF DISCUSSION, LOTS OF POINTS TAKEN, LOTS OF COMMUNITY INPUT, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT MAY NOT BE THE FIVE OF US THAT SIT HERE AND DECIDE WHAT THE ULTIMATE FRAMEWORK LOOKS LIKE, BUT WE GAVE THE FRAMEWORK, AND WE DID THE HARD WORK TO PUT THE FRAMEWORK.
THAT'S WHAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LOOKS LIKE.
I JUST WROTE A PIECE ABOUT IT IN THE FOCUS.
IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, IT IS NOT ALWAYS POPULAR, BUT YOU GOT TO DO THE WORK IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS CITY THE PLACE THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME TO.
WE JUST KEEP PECKING AWAY AT IT AND PECKING AWAY AT IT, AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY I WILL LEAVE HERE WITH THE SAME OPINIONS THAT I HAD OF YOU ALL BEFORE I WALKED IN.
IF I HAD ONE PHONE CALL TO MAKE, IT'D BE TO THE GROUP MESSAGE TO ALL FIVE OF YOU.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT A I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT AS A SOME PEOPLE WON, SOME PEOPLE LOST.
WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THIS THE BEST COMMUNITY FOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE WHAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR TONIGHT WAS YOU HEARD THE PEOPLE THAT IT MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED.
WHAT WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM WE THE PEOPLE FROM THE OTHER PARTS OF DECATUR, AND THAT'S JUST PART OF IT.
THANK YOU ALL. MR. MONROE, GREAT COMMENTS TONIGHT.
I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TONIGHT.
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL HERE, AS YOU CAN TELL, WE CLEARLY I FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING DISCUSSIONS.
I CAN REMEMBER GOING TO MEETINGS AND HEARING MAYORS AND SOME OF THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES.
[04:45:03]
I REMEMBER SOMEONE TELLING ME ONE DAY THAT THEY ALWAYS HAD VOTES THAT WERE, I DON'T KNOW SEVEN OR WHATEVER 50, WHATEVER IT WAS, BECAUSE HE HAD EVERYONE IN HIS CHAMBERS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ALL WORKED OUT.WE CLEARLY I REALLY FOLLOW THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, BUT SO CLEARLY, WE FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING AND HAVING HARD DISCUSSIONS, AND WE DON'T ALWAYS END UP IN THE SAME PLACE, BUT THAT'S OUR JOB IS REALLY TO COME TOGETHER AND TRY TO USE OUR OWN CONSCIENCE AND WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SITUATION TO VOTE IN THE WAY THAT WE FEEL BEST SERVES THE COMMUNITY.
AS STEVE MONROE SAID, WE DON'T DO IT UP HERE FOR THE MONEY FOR SURE, AND I DO FEEL LIKE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALSO SEE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IS HAVING A MAYOR WHO ONLY VOTES TO BREAK A TIE.
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I EVER CAST A VOTE, IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE FOR PEOPLE NOT TO KNOW.
HOW A MAYOR FEELS ABOUT EVERY ISSUE THAT COMES FORWARD AND TO THINK YOUR ONLY VOTE IS A CONTENTIOUS ONE.
AGAIN, THANKS FOR YOU ALL COMING OUT.
I LOVE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT JORDAN WALKER, BECAUSE HE, I BELIEVE, WAS PITCHING WHEN I THINK RIGHT WHEN THE PANDEMIC.
I THINK HIT, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT HE GOT TO PITCH HIS LAST SEASON.
WE GOT ONE OF THOSE BALLS, AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO THROW OUT A PITCH.
I COULD NEVER THROW THEM 60 FEET.
HOW FAR IT IS, I WAS JUST TRYING TO THROW IT ACROSS MY DRIVEWAY.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I THINK ABOUT HIM AND ABOUT MANY OTHER WONDERFUL ATHLETES THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THE CATER AND WE ALL SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY, WE SUPPORT THE PRODUCTS THAT COME OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY WE'RE PROUD OF THE STUDENTS THAT ENJOY OUR RECREATION FACILITIES, OUR MORE COMPETITIVE FACILITIES.
I THINK THE THING THAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SERVING INDICATOR IS THAT WE RESPECT EACH OTHER'S OPINIONS AND THAT WE HAVE NEVER SERVED WITH ANYONE WHO WAS NOT WANTING THE BEST FOR THE OVERALL PUBLIC GOOD.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT I FEEL LIKE TO COMMISSIONER WALCH'S POINT, WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE TWO NEW LEADERS THAT WILL BE ELECTED TOMORROW.
IF THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THAT CLOCK SAYS AFTER 12, BUT WE ALL KNOW 11:07, AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.