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MAYOR, MAYOR PROTEM AND COMMISSIONERS.I AM ANGELA THREADGILL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
>> WE COULD HAVE YOUR ATTENTION.
[WORK SESSION #1 – 5:30 P.M.]
WE ARE STARTING A WORK SESSION. THANK YOU.>> I'LL START OVER. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MAYOR PROTEM AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM ANGELA THREADGILL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
YOU FIRST WORK SESSION IS ON DECATUR'S RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
TONIGHT'S TOPICS, WE ARE GOING TO COVER THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT OVERVIEW.
WE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT THE REVIEW OF THE CURRENT ORDINANCE AND WHY THAT IS NOT WORKING.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS, THINGS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO CONSIDER BASED ON BEST PRACTICES THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES INSIDE THE STATE, AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE STATE.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT FINANCIAL IMPACTS.
I WANT TO THANK TAMMY WASHINGTON, OUR OPERATIONS ANALYST IN THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
SHE HELPS TO OVERSEE THE CONTRACT WITH OUR PARKING MANAGEMENT COMPANY, SP PLUS, AND SHE WAS HELPFUL IN GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS IF WE ARE TO AMEND OUR RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
THEN WE'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IN STORE AS THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE PROGRAM.
FOR THE OVERVIEW, THE REASONS WHY AND WHEN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED IS PRIMARILY BECAUSE THERE IS SPILLOVER FROM COMMERCIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL USES.
ESPECIALLY HERE IN DECATUR, WE HAVE RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS VERY CLOSE TO OUR CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, AS WELL AS OTHER SEVERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS AROUND THE CITY.
WE ALSO HAVE INSTITUTIONAL USES AND GOVERNMENT USES SUCH AS THE MARTET TRANSIT STATIONS, SCHOOLS, PLACES OF WORSHIP, WHERE WE ALSO HAVE TO HELP TO MANAGE THE DEMAND ON THOSE STREETS.
ANOTHER REASON IS TO GIVE AREA RESIDENTS PRIORITY PARKING USE NEAR THEIR HOMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT DEMAND IS HIGH.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE PRIORITY TO THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE ON THOSE STREETS.
THE NEXT IS JUST THE EXPECTED RESULTS OF A PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
THE FIRST IS JUST THE REDUCTION IN NONRESIDENTIAL VEHICLES, AND ACCOMPANYING THAT IS THE AIR POLLUTION THAT, A LOT OF VEHICLES IF THEY'RE TRAVELING ON THOSE STREETS REPEATEDLY.
WE SEE A LOT MORE AIR POLLUTION.
WE ALSO WANT TO SEE A REDUCTION IN TOTAL VEHICLE MILES DRIVEN.
IF VEHICLES KNOW NOT TO PARK IN PARTICULAR STREETS, THAT WILL REDUCE THE VEHICLE MILES DRIVEN, ESPECIALLY EVEN WITH THE RESIDENTS, THAT THEY'RE NOT HAVING TO CIRCLE A BLOCK IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO PARK NEAR THEIR HOME, THEY'RE ALSO DRIVING THE BLOCK.
THEN WE ALSO SEE A REDUCTION IN TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND ILLEGAL PARKING WITH A MORE APPROPRIATE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
WE WOULD SEE THESE EXPECTED RESULTS.
THE LAST THING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO SEE IN A PROGRAM IS STAFF EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS THE PROGRAM BEING FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.
I'LL GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT.
THE KEY COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM, WE NEED TO DEFINE THE AREA TO WHICH EACH PERMIT APPLIES.
WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY PERMITS ARE ALLOCATED TO EACH RESIDENT, INCLUDING THE GUEST PERMITS OR FOR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.
IF THERE ARE YARD SERVICES OR OTHER TYPES OF PARKING USES THAT NEED TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR, THAT WE HAVE SOME LANGUAGE IN A TEXT AMENDMENT THAT SPEAKS TO THAT.
WE'D ALSO WANT TO SEE A FEE, IF ANY, THAT IS CHARGED FOR THE PERMITS, AND WHETHER PERMITS ARE ASSIGNED TO A PARTICULAR VEHICLE OR THAT CAN BE TRANSFERABLE.
WE'D ALSO WANT TO SEE WHAT PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND WHAT FINES WOULD APPLY TO UNPERMITTED VEHICLES, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES.
WHO'S ENFORCING IT AND WHAT SORT OF PENALTIES ARE IN PLACE.
THIS IS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE FROM OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
I'M HAPPY TO READ ALL OF THIS, BUT WHAT THIS IS SAYING PRIMARILY IS THAT THE RESIDENT PARKING ONLY DISTRICTS ARE THOSE STREETS OR PARTS OF STREETS AND RESIDENTIALLY ZONED AREAS THAT ARE DESIGNATED BY THIS BODY, THE CITY COMMISSION.
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IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT GUEST AND VISITORS OF SUCH RESIDENTS AND FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES MAKING DELIVERIES TO SUCH RESIDENTS WOULD ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARK ON THOSE STREETS.WHEN A STREET OR PART OF THE STREET HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS SUCH BY THE CITY COMMISSION, THERE WOULD BE SIGNAGE THAT'S PLACED ON THAT STREET AND THAT IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THOSE PERMITTED BY THIS PARTICULAR SECTION TO PARK ON THAT STREET.
WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THAT RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM, IT'S MISSING THE MAJORITY OF THIS.
WE KNOW, WE SEE THE STREETS, WE HAVE A LIST OF 37 STREETS IN THE ORDINANCE, BUT IT DOES NOT OUTLINE THE ENFORCEMENT, HOW RESIDENTS CAN ACQUIRE A PERMIT.
THERE'S NO KIND OF METHODOLOGY THAT IS IN OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE.
WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AND ALSO TALKING WITH OUR CITY SOLICITOR, THEY DEEM THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS UNENFORCEABLE.
THAT IF THE CITY WAS TO BRING A NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS TO THE COURT OR SOMEONE WANTED TO APPEAL THEIR CITATION, IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE THROWN OUT.
IF THE CITY WISHES TO CONTINUE THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM, WHICH I THINK IT DOES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF KEY COMPONENTS IN THAT ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD AND BE ENFORCEABLE.
TWO SLIDES HERE ARE JUST SHOWING AN OUTLINE IN BLUE THE STREETS THAT ARE CURRENTLY DESIGNATED UNDER THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
I CAN CERTAINLY MAKE THIS AVAILABLE IN A LARGER FORMAT OUTSIDE OF A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
AS WE THINK ABOUT PLANNING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT ZONES AND HOW THEY ARE CREATED, THAT HAS TO BE IN THE ORDINANCE.
TYPICALLY WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE SIMILAR RPP PROGRAMS. THERE IS TYPICALLY A RESIDENT PETITION THAT IS FILED WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE OR SAY A TRANSPORTATION OFFICE.
THEN THERE ARE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS THAT ARE APPLIED TO WHETHER OR NOT THE STREET IS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A RESIDENTIAL ONLY PARKING ZONE.
THEN THERE'S ALSO HOME RULES THAT WE NEED TO APPLY.
TYPICALLY, THAT IS AN ANNUAL RENEWAL.
THERE'S A PERMIT FEE, AND I'LL SHOW A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES ABOUT PERMIT FEES.
WE ALSO NEED TO DEFINE, WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF REGISTERED VEHICLES PER HOUSEHOLD? THEN ALSO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUEST PASSES, THERE'S QUITE A RANGE OF WHAT I'VE SEEN ACROSS DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS.
THEN OBVIOUSLY, WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF STAY FOR THOSE GUEST PASSES? IS IT A DAY? IS IT SEVEN DAYS? THESE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE.
THEN ALSO THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS, WHETHER IT'S AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY OR CERTAIN HOURS.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT USES SUCH AS MARTA, BEING CLOSE TO A MARTA STATION, THOSE HOURS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN SAY WHEN ANOTHER STREET IS CLOSE TO A SCHOOL OR CLOSE TO A PLACE OF WORSHIP OR A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
DEPENDING ON THE DEMAND, EACH ZONE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THEN THE LAST ONE IS THE PERMIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND HAVING A SELF SERVING PORTAL THAT'S ALL ONLINE.
IF WE DON'T USE TECHNOLOGY, WE'RE LOOKING AT HIRING STAFF TO MANUALLY DO THIS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT TECHNOLOGY.
MOST JURISDICTIONS, PRETTY MUCH ALL JURISDICTIONS THAT I LOOKED AT HAD AN ONLINE PORTAL FOR PEOPLE TO USE.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RESIDENT PETITION.
WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IS THAT THE PETITION IS SUBMITTED BY A GROUP OF THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN THE PROPOSED PERMIT DISTRICT.
TYPICALLY, THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT THAT COVER LETTER OR PETITION IS SIGNED BY AT LEAST 70% OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE WITHIN THAT PROPOSED DISTRICT.
THEY SUPPLY A MAP OF THE PROPOSED DISTRICT IDENTIFYING THE STREETS OR MAYBE CERTAIN BLOCKS OF A STREET AND THEN THAT PETITION SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE ALL OF THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF
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THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO HAVE FRONTAGE ON THAT STREET OR THE PROPOSED AREA.WHETHER THEY HAVE SIGNED THE PETITION OR NOT, THAT LIST IS TYPICALLY INCLUDED WITH THAT PETITION.
THEN ALSO THE HOURS OF DESIRED ENFORCEMENT FOR THAT DISTRICT AS PROPOSED BY THE RESIDENT PETITION.
TYPICALLY, THAT IS WHAT WE'VE SEEN AS A BASELINE TO GET STARTED.
THE PETITION WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND THEN THE CITY MANAGER AND OR THEIR DESIGNEE WOULD THEN EVALUATE THESE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF SLIDES THAT I HAVE AND I'VE ROUNDED UP WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE DONE.
THE FIRST THING IS THAT THE STREETS THAT ARE BOUNDED BY PROPERTY ARE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
IF YOU HAVE A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, BUT YOU HAVE A FEW SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES OR RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
TYPICALLY, THAT'S JUST A COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT, AND THAT'S OPEN TO EVERYONE, BUT IF IT'S A RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENCES HAVE ACCESS TO THE PARKING ON THEIR STREET.
IN MOST ALL OF THE ORDINANCES THAT I'VE REVIEWED, IT WAS THESE STREETS HAVE TO BE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
THEN LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR 37 STREETS THAT ARE ALREADY DESIGNATED, THAT WOULD BE THE CASE HERE.
THE NEXT ONE IS REVIEWING THE AVAILABILITY OF OFF STREET PARKING FOR RESIDENTS.
THAT COULD BE EXISTING DRIVEWAYS, EXISTING GARAGES, OTHER PARKING FACILITIES OR AMENITIES THAT MIGHT BE IN THE AREA TO HELP THOSE RESIDENTS FIND PARKING.
WHETHER IT'S ON STREET OR OFF STREET, WHAT IS THE AVAILABILITY FOR THOSE RESIDENTS? A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT IN OUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS, OUR OLDER SUBDIVISIONS, THERE WEREN'T DRIVEWAYS THAT WERE CREATED AT THAT TIME.
THEY WEREN'T PLANNING FOR CARS OR MULTIPLE CARS AT AN ADDRESS, OR THE LOTS ARE VERY NARROW OR A BIT SHALLOW, THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO CREATE ENOUGH OFF STREET PARKING, MAYBE FOR ONE SPACE.
THIS ALL COMES UP IN THE REVIEW.
THE THIRD IS, AND THIS IS PRETTY COMMON AMONG ALL OF THE ORDINANCES THAT I SAW IS THAT THERE'S TYPICALLY A THRESHOLD OF LOOKING AT SOME OF THE QUANTIFIABLE NUMBERS.
THE FIRST ONE WAS LOOKING AT THE CURB PARKING SPACE OCCUPANCY DURING THOSE TYPICAL ENFORCEMENT TIMES AND THAT IF THE OCCUPANCY EXCEEDS 75% DURING THE DESIRED ENFORCEMENT TIMES, THAT THAT WOULD BE A CLUE THAT OH, THERE'S A HIGH DEMAND HERE.
THIS IS THE TYPICAL THRESHOLD TO USE.
ALREADY THE OCCUPANCY IS ALREADY AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.
THE NEXT IS THE EVIDENCE THAT A THIRD OR MORE OF THE VEHICLES ARE NON RESIDENTS.
THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD NEED HELP FROM THOSE RESIDENTS, MAYBE EVEN PART OF THE PETITION, WHERE WE NEED TO LEARN HOW MANY OF THESE CARS ARE ALREADY NONRESIDENTS.
AGAIN, JUST QUANTIFYING AND JUSTIFYING THAT THERE ARE JUST NONRESIDENTIAL PARKERS ON THAT STREET, AND THEY'RE EITHER GOING TO THE SCHOOL OR GOING INTO THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO KNOW.
THE LAST FEW IS THAT A, THE RESIDENTS DESIRE A PARKING PERMIT SYSTEM.
THEN THE SECOND IS THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE WILLING TO BEAR THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST INCIDENTAL TO THE ISSUANCE OF THOSE PERMITS.
YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF RUNNING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
WE HAVE TO HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST, BOTH FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT, THE LABOR, THE START UP COST, AND IF WE WERE ABLE TO RECOUP THOSE COSTS THROUGH THE PERMIT FEES, THROUGH CITATIONS.
WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ALL OF THESE.
AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT HAVING A SUSTAINABLE PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
THEN, ULTIMATELY, WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DELIVERING ON THESE EXPECTED RESULTS.
ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE A REDUCTION IN NON RESIDENTIAL VEHICLES? ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE A REDUCTION IN TOTAL VEHICLE MEALS DRIVEN OR TRAVELED? THEN JUST AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY? THESE ARE SOME OF THE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS THAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER JURISDICTION ORDINANCES.
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>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE FEES.
IS IT GOING TO BE BASED ON, LIKE, IF ONE AREA IS TWO STREETS AND ANOTHER AREA IS LIKE THAT IMPACT? THE FEES, OR IS IT LOOKING AT ESTABLISHING A FEE THAT WOULD BE UNIVERSALLY CHARGED IN THOSE DISTRICTS?
>> YES. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT A UNIVERSAL FEE.
>> IN SOME STREETS, IT MAY BE LIKE THREE BLOCKS, AND OTHERS, IT MIGHT BE FIVE BLOCKS, SIX BLOCKS, OR WHATEVER? [OVERLAPPING]
>> IN ALL OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS, THEY DON'T REALLY BASE A FEE STRUCTURE ON HOW MANY STREETS OR BLOCKS OR RESIDENTS ARE WITHIN THAT PARTICULAR ZONE.
IT'S A PRICE PER REGISTERED VEHICLE, A FLAT FEE, TYPICALLY.
ARE WE THINKING WE'RE GOING TO TRY THIS PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE NETWORK, OR IS THERE GOING TO BE IS THERE GOING TO BE TEST BEFORE?
[OVERLAPPING] WHAT WE DO WITH OUR EXISTING RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS IS RETAIN THE EXISTING ZONES OR STREETS THAT ARE IN ANY FUTURE TEXT AMENDMENTS.
MY GOAL, AND THIS IS THE TIMELINE THAT I'M LOOKING AT, IS THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE TEXT AMENDMENTS AND ORDINANCE IN PLACE PRIOR TO WATCH FEST, PRIOR TO THIS SUMMER, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT HIGHER DEMAND, ESPECIALLY IN THE ZONES AROUND OUR CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
WE WOULD JUST WANT TO KEEP ALL THE STREETS THAT WE HAVE IN THE TEXT AMENDMENT.
DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, WE WILL BE REEVALUATING THE STREETS PER THE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS.
BUT ONE THING THAT I NOTICED IN OUR EXISTING ORDINANCE IS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION, IT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT THE CITY COMMISSION HAS THE REVIEW AND AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR RESCIND A DISTRICT.
I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CODIFIED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION DOES HAVE THAT AUTHORITY, SO THAT AFTER WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW ALL 37 STREETS AGAINST THE ADOPTED ELIGIBILITY FACTORS, THAT'S WHEN STAFF WOULD BRING FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS BODY WHETHER TO AMEND THE STREET OR JUST RESCIND THE PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM BECAUSE THE OTHER THE OTHER FACTOR THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER IS THAT THE RESIDENCES MAY NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM, THAT THEY MAY NOT NECESSARILY WANT THAT LEVEL OF ENFORCEMENT FOR SUCH AN ORDINANCE.
IT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER, AND THAT EVEN THE RESIDENTS, JUST AS THEY CAN PETITION TO BECOME A DISTRICT, CAN ALSO PETITION TO BE REMOVED AS A DISTRICT.
LATER ON, HE'LL ALSO SEE THAT WE'RE USING THIS TIME PERIOD THROUGH THE END OF CALENDAR YEAR 26 AS THE TEST PILOT.
WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS, OF COURSE, AND HAVE IT CODIFIED, BUT THEN ULTIMATELY BY THE END OF 2026, WE WOULD HAVE A REVIEW FOR THIS BODY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO APPROVE OR AMEND EITHER THE ZONES OR THE ORDINANCE ITSELF.
IF YOU REMEMBER THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING ORDINANCE, THERE WERE 18 MONTHS THAT WE ALLOWED, AS THAT NOT A PILOT PERIOD, BUT IT WAS THAT PHASE-IN PERIOD WHERE WE COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT ORDINANCE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THAT ORDINANCE, AND NOT OVERWHELM CERTAIN DISTRICTS.
I THINK WE COULD USE THAT SAME APPROACH TO ANY NEW TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE RPP PROGRAM AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS BODY TOWARDS THE END OF 2026.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT, I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY, AND WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TOWARDS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
WE'RE IN A LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
I WAS ENVISIONING THE WHOLE ORDINANCE, BUT IT'S NOT.
IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING, BUT IT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT.
>> IT IS. THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY MORE NEW SECTIONS TO THIS ORDINANCE.
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THE PARAGRAPHS THAT YOU SEE TODAY AND THE 37 STREETS THAT ARE IN THERE RIGHT NOW WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY NEW TEXT AMENDMENTS.IT'S JUST BUILDING THE FRAMEWORK AROUND RUNNING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM.
>> BECAUSE I STARTED, THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED A LITTLE BIT OF A CONFLICT FOR ME INTERNALLY, WHICH IS THAT YOU RETAIN THEM, KEEP THE OG LIST THAT'S IN THE AMENDMENT, BUT THEN RE EVALUATE AND THEN POSSIBLY RESCIND VERSUS A CLEAN SLATE OF A ALMOST FRESH START ORDINANCE, AND THEN GO TO EACH OF THE 37 AND INVITE THEM TO APPLY, AND INVITE THEM TO BE PART OF A VETTING PROCESS.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, AND WHY WOULD ONE CHOOSE ONE VERSUS THE OTHER?
>> WELL, IN THAT SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE ESSENTIALLY REVOKING THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT STREETS THAT ARE UNDER PRESSURE RIGHT NOW, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WHICH I THINK WOULD TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER, AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET THOSE UP AND RUNNING WITH THE PETITION AND ALL OF THAT BEFORE WATCH FAST.
WHEREAS WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME BY BRINGING THEM IN UNDER THE ORDINANCE, WE HAVE MORE TIME TO EVALUATE AND BRING FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY WHAT SOME OF THESE STREETS HAVE ALREADY DONE IN THE PAST WITH THEIR OWN PETITIONS, BECAUSE THOSE 37 STREETS HAVE ALREADY PETITIONED TO BE A PART OF THE ORDINANCE.
I THINK WE WOULD BE DOING A SERVICE.
YES. THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT.
>> I'M JUST ASKING. I'M JUST CURIOUS THE HISTORY OF PARKING.
>> I MEAN, THIS ORDINANCE WENT BACK TO 1967.
IT'S BEEN AMENDED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BY ADDING ADDITIONAL STREETS TO THIS LIST.
BUT REALLY, NO OTHER SECTION EXCEPT FOR THE LIST OF STREETS HAS BEEN AMENDED.
>> I FEEL LIKE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, LIKE WITH THE TREE ORDINANCE, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME PEOPLE WOULD HAVE SAID WE'RE TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO, BUT IN FACT, WE'RE INVITING THEM TO COME TO US TO ENGAGE ON A TOPIC THEY HADN'T ENGAGED IN A LONG TIME, FOR EXAMPLE.
THAT'S AN ANALOGY, BUT I JUST THINK THERE MIGHT BE SLEEPY STREETS THAT IT WILL BE HARD FOR THEM.
THEY MIGHT NOT NEED IT ANYMORE, AND THE PETITION WAS SO LONG AGO THAT IT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR BOTH SIDES TO HAVE STARTED FROM A NEUTRAL POSITION.
HOW DO YOU ADD THAT NUANCE TO THE REWRITE IS MY QUESTION.
IT'S GOING TO BE HARD, WILL BE PART OF IT PROBABLY BE TAKING IT AWAY.
GRANDFATHER IT IN AND THEN TAKE IT AWAY.
IT SOUNDS LIKE ALSO A A PROCESS FULL OF SURE TO.
>> AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT MY RECOMMENDATION TO RESCIND OR REVOKE ANY OF THE STREETS FROM THE ORDINANCE OR JUST DO AWAY WITH THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE.
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. YOU REWRITE CODE ALL THE TIME.
WHO PARTICIPATES HERE AND THERE IN THAT. THAT'S HELPFUL.
>> THERE IS GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT AND THEN ULTIMATELY ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM EACH OF THESE ZONES, BUT LATER ON, BECAUSE I NEED THE DIRECTION FROM THE CITY COMMISSION IN TERMS OF AN ADOPTED ORDINANCE AND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, SO THAT THEN WE CAN GO AND REEVALUATE THE STREETS.
>> I THINK PART OF IT TWO IS OF THE ESSENCE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. HAVE WE EVER DID HISTORY TO GET DENIED, DO YOU KNOW?
IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER AND OTHER ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, THEY COULD NOT RECALL ONE BEING DENIED.
I MEAN, IT WAS A DISCRETIONARY REVIEW BY THIS BOARD, AND IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED A PETITION WAS APPROVED.
MAYBE IN PART BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CRITERIA BY WHICH TO REVIEW A PETITION.
>> I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT COULD NOT SEE THE 37 STREETS ON THAT TEENY TINY MAP.
BUT, SO HOW MANY, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT ARE WE LOOKING AT 50% OF THE STREETS ARE NEAR COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, AND 50% OF THE STREETS ARE NEAR SCHOOLS, OR WHAT'S THE BREAKDOWN OF THAT?
>> IT'S A COMPLETE MIX, NO, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME STREETS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE MARTA STATION.
STREETS CLOSE TO AVONDALE MARTI STATION, STREETS CLOSE TO THE EAST LAKE MARTA STATION.
THEN WE HAVE STREETS CLOSE TO PLACES OF WORSHIP AND SCHOOLS,
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IN ADDITION TO COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.IT IS A MIX. I WOULDN'T SAY EASILY 50 50.
>> DO YOU KNOW OFFHAND IF ANY OF THOSE STREETS ARE NEAR TALLEY OR FAY?
>> [OVERLAPPING] I WANTED TO MAKE SURE OF THAT BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, THERE ARE OTHER PARKING OPTIONS.
WHEN THIS IS IMPLEMENTED, AND PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER PARKING IN THEIR FREEBIE SPOTS THAT THEY LIKED, THEY CAN GO PARK AT A DECK.
THEY CAN GO PARK IN ONE OF THE METERED SPOTS ON THE STREET.
I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SCHOOLS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN, AND HOW WE WOULD NEED TO PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO PARK DURING SCHOOL EVENTS, WHILE WE HAVE THAT YEAR-LONG EVALUATION PERIOD.
BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S NOT REALLY AN ISSUE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STREETS THAT ARE A PART OF THIS YEAR-LONG OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW ARE STREETS THAT ARE LIKE THE MARTA STATIONS, OBVIOUSLY, AVONDALE HAS PARKING NOW, EAST LAKE HAS PARKING NOW.
I THINK THE CHURCH LOTS ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO WHERE THEY COULD PARK AT THE COURTHOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T MISSING ANY OF THE STREETS THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS, WHERE THERE'S NOT A PARKING PLAN IN PLACE, AND CHAOS WOULD ENSUE.
>> I DON'T LIKE CHAOS. I FOLLOW UP ON THE 37 STREETS.
NONE AT THIS POINT HAS ANY PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHERS, WHICH CAN BE CONSIDERED MORE MATURE OR LESS, OR ARE ENFORCED THAN OTHERS.
THEY EXIST. THEY'RE ON THE ORDINANCE.
IT'S NOT BEEN ENFORCEABLE, SO IN THAT SENSE, THEY'RE ALL IN THE SAME TRANSITION OF IT. THAT'S OKAY.
>> IN LOOKING AT THE TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE LOOKING AT A PERMIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS WELL AS A LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION SYSTEM.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUANCE OF THE PERMITS TO ANY RESIDENTS IN THE ZONE, WE WOULD BE USING DIGITAL PERMIT OPERATIONS, WHETHER YOU KNOW IT'S THROUGH AN APPLICATION OR ONLINE ON THE DESKTOP, THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO COME INTO CITY HALL OR REALLY SPEAK TO STAFF UNLESS THEY ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO, IF THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES.
THIS TECHNOLOGY WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS TO APPLY, RENEW, AND UPDATE THEIR LICENSE PLATES.
IF THEY HAD TO SWITCH THEIR CARS OUT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN DO ALL THAT ONLINE AND ALSO PAY FOR THE PERMITS ONLINE.
WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE APPLICATION PROCESS, WHEREBY THEY COULD UPLOAD VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS, AND THEN THERE IS SOMEONE ON THE BACK END, A STAFF MEMBER WOULD BE ON THE BACK END JUST TO VERIFY THAT THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE CORRECT AND NEEDED TO FINALIZE THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND THEN MOVE IT THROUGH SO THAT THE PERMIT COULD BE PAID FOR AND SO ALL OF THIS IS AUTOMATED.
THERE'S RENEWAL MESSAGES, THERE'S BACK END REPORTING, AND THEN OF COURSE, WE CAN MESSAGE PERMIT HOLDERS THROUGH THE SYSTEM AS WELL.
THE TECHNOLOGY IS VERY HELPFUL.
>> WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR NON-COMPUTER-SAVVY SENIORS WHO LIVE ON THE STREET, AND WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD A PERMIT?
>> YES. WE DID TALK ABOUT THAT WITH OUR PARKING MANAGEMENT COMPANY, AND THAT STAFF MEMBER WHO WOULD BE ON THE BACK END TO VERIFY DOCUMENT UPLOADS COULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT TECH SAVVY OR NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT TO DO ALL THIS.
>> THEN, FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE FEE.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO JUMP RIGHT TO THE FEES.
>> THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN.
HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST?
>> THERE'S A COUPLE OF FEE STRUCTURES THAT I DID SEE.
ONE WAS JUST A FLAT FEE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ANY PERMIT THAT WAS APPLIED FOR.
THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS AN ESCALATING RATE STRUCTURE, SO THAT THE MORE PERMITS THAT ARE APPLIED FOR, EACH PERMIT DOES GET MORE EXPENSIVE.
THE VERY FIRST PERMIT, $25, THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT WE'VE SEEN, AND THEN ON UP TO THE FOURTH PERMIT, BEING $100.
>> THAT WOULD BE AN ANNUAL FOURTH.
I HOPE THAT WOULDN'T BE MONTHLY, GOOD.
>> THEN THIS SAME COMMUNITY THAT HAD THE ESCALATING RATE STRUCTURE
[00:30:01]
DID PUT IN FOR IF THOSE ARE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, THAT THEY HAVE A REDUCED PARKING PERMIT FEE STRUCTURE.WE COULD EASILY TIE A SIMILAR FEE STRUCTURE TO OUR HOMESTEAD EXCEPTIONS.
IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR A PARTICULAR EXCEPTION, THEY WOULD BE QUALIFIED FOR THIS LOWER RATE PARKING PERMITS. YES.
>> BUT ONE THING ABOUT THE ESCALATING PERMIT STRUCTURE, THE ONE COMMUNITY THAT DID HAVE THIS, IT WAS A TWOFOLD, IT WAS, JUST RECOGNIZING THAT YES, THERE ARE PERMITS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR HOUSEHOLDS, BUT USUALLY THEY HAD AT LEAST ONE OR TWO SPACES THAT THEY COULD PARK OFF STREET.
THEN, THEY COULD PARK ANY REMAINING VEHICLES ON THE STREET WITH, PERMIT NUMBER 1 AND PERMIT NUMBER 2.
BUT IT WAS TO REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THEIR OFF STREET PARKING THAT THEY HAD.
BUT THAT'S IN CASES WHERE, THE STREETS ALREADY PROVIDE OFF STREET PARKING.
THIS IT'S STRUCTURES WERE AN INTERESTING RESEARCH TOPIC.
WHAT HAPPENED SAY WE GET A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MORE REQUESTS FOR PERMITS THAN A LOT OF PARKING? LET'S SAY WE GET A 100 QUES.
BUT WE REALLY CAN ONLY STACK 50 CARS ON THE STREET.
>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL HAVE TO EVALUATE AS PART OF THIS PILOT PERIOD, IF YOU WILL, THROUGHOUT 2026 IS TO REALLY EVALUATE HOW THIS FEE STRUCTURE ALIGNS WITH SOME OF THE ACTUAL ON THE STREET PARKING SITUATIONS AND COME FORWARD WITH AMENDMENTS IF WE NEED TO.
>> AS WE BUILD THIS OUT, WE WOULD FIGURE THE CAPACITY FIRST.
>> THEN GO FORTH WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
>> BECAUSE, A NUMBER OF THE STREETS THAT ARE ALREADY LISTED HAVE PARKING ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREET ONLY THUS REDUCING, THE TOTAL OCCUPANCY THAT COULD OCCUR ON THAT STREET.
THIS IS ALL PART OF THOSE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REVIEWED AS PART OF THE PETITION, BUT ALSO A PART OF THE EVALUATION OF THE EXISTING 37 STREETS.
>> AT THIS POINT, DO WE WANT TO HAVE A PER HOUSEHOLD CAP, WHICH BASICALLY IS THE NUMBER OF SPACES DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF HOUSES?
>> POTENTIALLY. TYPICALLY, IT'S JUST A FLAT, EACH RESIDENT CAN HAVE UP TO FOUR.
IN SOME COMMUNITIES, IN SOME JURISDICTIONS, THEY CAN HAVE UP TO TWO PARKING PERMITS.
OTHERS WENT ALL THE WAY UP FOUR.
>> FROM ZONE TO ZONE IS WHAT I'M ASKING DEPENDING ON CAPACITY.
LOOKING AT OUR HISTORIC DISTRICT, CAPACITY MAY BE ISSUE. THE OTHER PLACES.
>> IT COULD BE DONE, BUT IT MAKES FOR A MESSY ORDINANCE. LET'S JUST SAY THAT.
BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE TYPICALLY IS WRITTEN TO BE EQUITABLE ACROSS ALL ZONES, AND SO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER ISSUED TO EACH RESIDENCE IS THE SAME ACROSS ALL ZONES.
SAME AS, THE PERMIT FEE BEING THE SAME ACROSS ALL ZONES.
THAT ONE ZONE DOESN'T HAVE MORE I DON'T KNOW, BENEFITS THAN THE OTHER ZONE.
>> THERE'S A CAPACITY OF 50 SPACES AND ONE STREET.
THE OTHER STREET HAS 200 SPACES IN THAT NUMBERS.
>> IF THE STREET AND 50 SPACES, EACH RESIDENCE MAY BE LIMITED TO TWO PARKING, TWO PERMITS.
THE OTHER STREET THAT MAYBE FOUR PERMITS THAT.
>> THE NUMBER OF SPOTS AND THE NUMBER OF HOUSES. RATIO SORRY.
>> NO, YOU'RE FINE. HERE'S WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE MESSY.
IDEALLY, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS THAT IN THESE ZONES, THE NEIGHBORS THAT DON'T HAVE A DRIVEWAY, SHOULD GET THEIR PASSES BEFORE EVERYBODY ELSE.
BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME NEIGHBORS, I'M GOING TO CALL IT OUT TODAY.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE TWO CAR GARAGES THAT THEY USE A STORAGE, PARK TWO CARS IN THEIR DRIVEWAY, AND THEN HAVE A TEENAGER THAT DRIVES WHO WANT THREE PARKING PASSES.
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ZERO OFF STREET PARKING ON THEIR PROPERTIES.
WHO NEED THOSE SPACES BECAUSE THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE FOR THEM TO PARK.
[00:35:03]
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SCENARIO WHERE IF A RESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE A DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN A HISTORIC HOME AND HAS KEPT THE CHARM OF THAT HISTORIC HOME THAT THEY ARE NOT PUNISHED BECAUSE ANOTHER NEIGHBOR FINDS IT INCONVENIENT TO CLEAN OUT THEIR GARAGE.I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MANAGE FOR THAT.
BUT ULTIMATELY, WE ARE A CITY WHERE SOME NEIGHBORS DO NOT HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT OFF STREET PARK ON STREET PARKING.
IN THOSE SCENARIOS, WHAT DO WE DO?
>> I'M HEARING GIVE PRIORITY TO THOSE RESIDENTS IN THOSE ZONES THAT DON'T HAVE ANY OPTION.
>> STREET PARKING. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD WANT TO SPEAK TO THE CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT AS THIS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT IS BEING WRITTEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING INTO A LEGAL ISSUE BY PRIORITIZING SOMEONE ELSE OVER ANOTHER.
I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT.
I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. YES.
>> IF YOU COULD ASK, SEE IF THEY COULD HAVE THEIR PATHS FOR FREE.
IT JUST SEEMS SO SO UNFAIR FOR SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A DRIVEWAY TO HAVE TO JOCKEY AND COMPETE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.
IT DOES NOT SEEM TO FOSTER GOOD NEIGHBORLY SPIRIT IF THEY ARE HAVING TO COMPETE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS FOR A PARKING PASS WHEN THEIR NEIGHBOR HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARK OFF STREET AND THEY DON'T.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
>> THAT'S A TECHNICAL QUESTION.
THE ORDINANCE WILL EXPLAIN AND DEFINE WHAT THE PARKING SPOT IS, HOW BIG AND IT'LL BE UNIFORM ACROSS THE CITY.
>> TYPICALLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO STRIKE PARKING SPACES?
>> YES. HOW DO YOU MEASURE CAPACITY IF IT'S NOT DEFINED? HOW DO YOU SAY HOW MANY CAR LENGTHS THERE ARE CAR SPOTS ON THE SHORE?
>> OUR ORDINANCE DEFINES A PARKING SPACE BY 20 FEET IN LENGTH.
>> THAT IS THEN THE 20 FEET,22 FEET IN LENGTH.
>> THAT WOULD BE APPLIED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
>> CORRECT? THEN THAT'S PRETTY FAST OUR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR.
IF WE COULD MEASURE IT 18 FEET, MAYBE, GAIN A LITTLE BIT OF FOOTAGE, BUT YES.
>> WOULD THAT HAVE TO BE A CHANGE TO THE ORDINANCE IF WE GO TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE 18 FEET IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT AS THE NUMBER?
>> IT'S JUST MORE OF HOW DO WE QUANTIFY THE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES AND THE OCCUPANCY.
BUT NOT NECESSARILY WE WOULDN'T NEED TO CHANGE OUR UDO THAT WOULD BE IN THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE.
>> I'M PROBABLY GETTING INTO THE WAYS AND I MAY NOT IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, BUT LET'S SAY SOMEONE HAS A CAR THAT THEY DON'T DRIVE AND THEY APPLY FOR A PERMIT.
HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO OUR EXISTING ORDINANCES WHERE IT HAS TO BE AN OPERABLE CAR? IS THERE ANY CONFLICT THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THERE?
>> YES, WE DO. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON OCCASION DOES GET THOSE CALLS.
THIS VEHICLE ABANDONED? WE WOULD CONSIDER A VEHICLE ABANDONED IF THERE ARE FLAT TIRES, OR THERE IS AN EXPIRED TAG, OR THERE'S THERE'S JUST EVIDENCE THAT IT'S IN OPERABLE.
THAT'S WHEN WE WOULD HAVE PD EVALUATED AS AN ABANDONED VEHICLE AND THEN HANDLE THAT THROUGH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT REMOVED? THEN THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS TO GUESTS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR RESIDENTS DO HAVE GATHERINGS OR GUESTS CERTAINLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS, WHICH ARE COMING UPON US, SO WE DO NEED TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THOSE GUEST PERMITS.
THAT COULD ALSO BE ISSUED ONLINE THROUGH THAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
IT WOULD BE UTILIZING THE GUEST LICENSE PLATE NUMBER.
IF THERE ARE SHORT TERM RENTALS IN THE DISTRICT, WE WOULD WANT TO WORK WITH THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER OF THAT GUEST SO THAT THEN THEY CAN GO ONLINE.
TO, INSERT THAT INFORMATION ABOUT ANY GUEST OF SHORT TERM RENTALS.
WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH GUEST OF SHORT TERM RENTALS AND GUEST OF THE RESIDENCE.
THEN JUST SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION SYSTEM.
INSTEAD OF A PHYSICAL PERMIT OR TAG THAT GETS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH TENDS TO GET LOST OR MISPLACED OR GIVEN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION VERIFIES THAT THE PERMIT IS TIED TO A VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE AND THAT IS INPUT BY THE RESIDENT IN THAT ONLINE PERMIT SYSTEM.
[00:40:01]
THEN THAT LPR SYSTEM IS AUTOMATED SO THAT THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE ENFORCEMENT CAN JUST RUN THOSE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS.THEY HAVE LICENSE PLATE READERS IN THE VEHICLES.
THAT AS THEY'RE DRIVING ALONG THE STREET, THEY'LL GET VEHICLES WILL GET FLAGGED IF THAT LICENSE PLATE ISN'T ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM.
GOING BACK TO THAT PARKING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IT IS A DATABASE WITH REAL TIME INFORMATION.
IF IT GETS FLAGGED AS NOT BEING IN THE SYSTEM, THEN THAT IS A CITATION.
AS I MENTIONED, WITH THE ENFORCEMENT, IT'S MONITORED WITH THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS.
WE ARE LOOKING AT A PROGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT POLICY.
ANY ORDINANCE THAT YOU ALL PASS WOULD INCLUDE HOW WE PHASE IN THROUGH EDUCATION.
WE'LL HAVE WARNING TICKETS, A FIRST TIME FREE EXEMPTION, IF YOU WILL, AND THEN START TO APPLY THE FINES.
IN SOME JURISDICTIONS, WE HAVE SEEN FINES THAT WOULD BE UP TO FIVE TIMES THE DAILY PARKING RATE.
THAT IS IN THE AREA OR UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR THE FEE THAT IS CHARGED.
WE SEE THAT WHEN I SAY UP TO FIVE TIMES IS THAT IF THERE ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS, IT GETS MORE EXPENSIVE.
>> WELL, THAT DEPENDS, BUT WE CAN LOOK AT OUR ON STREET PARKING RATES HERE IN THE CITY AND THEN APPLY THIS STANDARD.
BUT TYPICALLY, WHAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IS THAT THEY'RE APPLYING THAT THE ANNUAL PERMIT FEE AS $25 AS THE FINE.
THEN IF THEY ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS, IT CONTINUES TO GO UP AS LIKE A MULTIPLIER.
>> AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT, END UP GETTING INTO THE WEEDS AGAIN.
IS THERE AN APPEAL PROCESS AND WHO DO THE VIOLATORS APPEAL TO? IS IT THE PARKING MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR HOW DOES THAT GET HANDLED?
>> JUST WITH ANY CITATION, IT WOULD BE GOING TO MUNICIPAL COURT.
THERE IS A FIRST STOP, AND IN FACT, MISS WASHINGTON IS THAT FIRST STOP OF THE APPEAL.
SHE WILL REVIEW ANY EVIDENCE AND THEN MAKE A DECISION.
BUT IF THERE IF IT NEEDS TO BE ESCALATED, IT MAY GO TO THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
>> SAME AS A REGULAR PARKING VIOLATION.
WE CAN WRITE THE ORDINANCE IN ANY FASHION.
BUT TYPICALLY, WE TRY TO HANDLE ANY APPEALS TO CITATIONS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL.
THEN IF IF WE NEED TO ESCALATE IT, THEN WE WILL. YES.
>> WITH THE ENFORCEMENT IN THE LICENSE PLATE READER, YOU FIRED SOMEBODY TO TAKE A PICTURE, IS THAT WHAT IT IS?
YES. BECAUSE THERE'S THAT'S PART OF THE EVIDENCE.
>> ASSUMING THAT AS A PART OF THE START UP COSTS, THERE WOULD BE VISIBLE SIGNAGE AND MAKING SURE BECAUSE I KNOW SOME OF THESE STREETS MAY ME SOME OF THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING ONLY SIGNS GRADED AND MORE VISIBLE.
THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE AS WELL.
>> CORRECT. WHEN SO I HAVE THIS NEXT SLIDE ABOUT THE ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES AS PART OF OUR FINANCIAL IMPACTS.
THESE START UP COSTS DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR ANY NEW SIGNAGE ON THE STREETS.
MOST ALL OF THE STREETS THAT ARE IN THE CURRENT LIST, THOSE 37 STREETS ALREADY DO HAVE SIGNAGE.
WE MAY WANT TO UPDATE THEM OVER TIME, BUT THESE START UP COSTS DON'T ANTICIPATE REPLACING SIGNS.
>> DO THE SIGNS HAVE LIKE HOURS ON THEM BECAUSE IF WE'RE ENFORCING CERTAIN HOURS.
>> NO. THEY ARE THEY ARE NOT SWORN OFFICERS.
MUCH LIKE OUR DOWNTOWN PARKING ENFORCEMENT, THIS WOULD BE THE SAME PARKING COMPANY TO ALSO MANAGE THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT ZONES.
>> ARE THESE FIGURES BASED ON THE ENTIRE NETWORK THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS TODAY?
>> CORRECT. YES. WE DID AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE CURRENT STREETS THAT WE HAVE.
THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 390 RESIDENCES ON AMONG ALL THOSE STREETS IN TOTAL.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BASING A LOT OF THESE NUMBERS ON.
[00:45:02]
>> I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO UPSET SOME FOLKS, ESPECIALLY DURING WATCH VEST, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT ENOUGH TIME IN MAJOR CITIES TO KNOW THAT PARKING TICKETS ARE JUST A PART OF THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DISREGARD SIGNS OR DISREGARD $100 PARKING TICKETS AND JUST CONSIDER THAT A COST OF ATTENDING AN EVENT.
WHILE I APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT THIS, I DON'T KNOW WITH EVENTS THAT ARE AS BIG AS WATCH VEST, THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO DETER PEOPLE FROM PARKING, IT'S JUST GOING TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REVENUE, WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE, I THINK THAT WHILE THIS WOULD WORK FOR, ANY OTHER DAY WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST PARKING AND WALKING TO THE SQUARE AND HAVING DINNER, THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE A REALLY, AN ADEQUATE DETERRENT.
I THINK THAT FOR MAJOR EVENTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND MAYBE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE AFFECTIVE IN OUR DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS.
WE PROBABLY NEED TO START HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS ACTUALLY CAN PARK WHEN THE DETERRENT IS PROBABLY TO SOME FOLKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELING, JUST A COST OF TRAVEL.
>> I'M GLAD YOU BRING THAT UP.
THE WATCH US COMMITTEE IS DEVELOPING A MAP AND AN APPLICATION FOR PHONES.
FOLKS THAT ARE DRIVING INTO DOWNTOWN BUT WE WOULD MUCH PREFER THAT THEY TAKE MARTA TO GET HERE, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE GOING TO DRIVE.
WE ARE CREATING AN INTERACTIVE MAP FOR PEOPLE TO FIND APPROPRIATE PARKING AND NOT PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, SO MUCH SO THAT IN THIS APPLICATION, FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO RESERVE PARKING SPACES IN SOME OF THE PARKING FACILITIES IN OUR DOWNTOWN.
>> THE INCENTIVE TO PARK APPROACH?
>> THEN MY OTHER COMMENT, AND I'LL DEFER TO COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY.
>> I REALLY HOPE THAT ONCE THIS IS IMPLEMENTED, THAT THE NEIGHBORS WHEN THEY HAVE EVENTS OR GUESS, USE THE APP BECAUSE ANOTHER THING THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS MISS WASHINGTON GETTING INUNDATED BY NEIGHBORS WHO AREN'T ALWAYS VERY POLITE, DEMANDING THAT THEIR TICKETS BE WAIVED BECAUSE THEY TURNED OUT.
I WILL HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR THAT.
NONE. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, WE NEED TO DO IT ALL THE WAY.
>> THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SHARED WITH ME BY MY PREDECESSORS, IS THAT THE WAY THAT THIS PROGRAM OPERATED BEFORE REALLY FAILED BECAUSE WHILE RESIDENTS WANTED TO BE A LISTED STREET, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE BENEFIT OF HAVING PERMITS TO BE ABLE TO PARK ON THEIR STREETS.
YES, THEY WERE CONSISTENTLY ISSUED TICKETS AND IT JUST FELL APART.
>> IF YOU HAVE 10 FRIENDS OVER GETTING 10 FRIENDS TAG NUMBERS AND PUTTING THEM IN THE APP, THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR CREW TYPE PLATE DOWN I MEAN.
>> YES. PREVIOUSLY THIS PROGRAM FELL APART AND IN PART BECAUSE THERE THERE WERE THE FRAMEWORK WASN'T IN PLACE FOR A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
AS A PART OF THAT AWARENESS ACTIVITY, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN THAT, THERE WILL THAT WHILE THERE IS AN APPEAL PROCESS, SIMILARLY TO HOW WE HAVE AN APPEAL FOR OUR SCHOOL WE TICKETS, ALSO COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS OR YOU WILL BE FINED AND OR YOUR GUESTS WILL BE FINED OR WHATEVER OR WHATNOT.
>> IN ONE JURISDICTION, I SAW THAT THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE 100 DAILY GUEST PASSES FOR $25.
IT JUST TICKED DOWN EVERY TIME THEY USED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THOSE, 100 DAILY PASSES FOR THEIR GUEST OVER THE PERIOD OF THE YEAR.
BUT IF IT'S NOT LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER THAT CAN CONVENIENTLY BE PUT ON SOMEONE'S DASH.
I MEAN, I REALLY THINK THAT IN THEORY, THE IDEA OF GOING INTO AN APP AND PUTTING IN TEN GUESS TAG NUMBERS, I DON'T EVEN LIKE TO PUT MY OWN TAG NUMBER INTO PARK MOBILE.
THAT'S ONE TAG NUMBER. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> THIS IS THE TRADE OFF THAT THESE RESIDENTIAL ZONES HAVE TO CONSIDER, IS THAT THERE'S ADDITIONAL LEG WORKS THAT HAVE
[00:50:03]
THE BENEFIT OF YOUR STREET BEING A RESIDENTIAL ONLY PARKING.THERE'S THE OTHER PART OF THAT WHERE THEY HAVE TO PARTICIPATE AND, PUT IN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS AND THERE IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE THAT NEEDS TO [INAUDIBLE]
>> THINK THE ONUS IS ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT KNOCKING ON EVERY DOOR AND EXPLAINING, HEY, YOU LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT, AND I KNOW THAT SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO SAY, I DIDN'T SEE IT IN THE FOCUS, I DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THESE DISTRICTS UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO SO THAT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE UNINFORMED OR THAT WE WERE DUPING THEM OR DOING SOMETHING TO VIOLATE THEIR TRUST, EVERYBODY'S GOT TO KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO.
>> I WANT TO BE CAREFUL. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE KNOCKING ON PEOPLE'S DOORS.
>> I HEAR YOU. BUT I TRULY THE ORGANS THAT WE USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOT 100% EFFECTIVE.
I'M THE ONE THAT GETS CALLED AND I'M THE ONE THAT GETS THE UGLY EMAILS AND I'M THE ONE THAT HAS PEOPLE BANGING ON MY DOOR ABOUT IT, AND I TAKE THOSE HITS AND I'M EXHAUSTED BY IT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO COST PEOPLE MONEY FOR NOT ADHERING TO IT, THAT THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO AVOID BEING CHARGED $100 TICKET WHEN THEY HAVE A PARTY.
>> YES. I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
THEY'RE USUALLY LIKE ON THE STREETS, THERE ARE LIKE A STREET GAP AND THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT CAN THAT'S I THINK THAT'S MAYBE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RELY ON IS SOME PEOPLE INFORMING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND SAYING, LET'S HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING BECAUSE HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I THINK THE REASON THAT I'M SO ADAMANT ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE IT WILL COST THE MONEY.
I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT A COMMISSION MEETING TO SAY SOMETHING FOR OR AGAINST.
FINE. BUT IF YOU DON'T ADHERE TO THIS, YOU WILL BE CHARGED A FEE, THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT TO ME.
I WOULD JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE OPTING INTO THIS OR THAT WILL HAVE THIS OPTED IN FOR THEM, THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO AVOID BEING CHARGED, WHETHER THEY'RE ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR NOT.
WELL, THAT FIRST TIME WARNING CAN ALSO BE USED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO THE CITY TO EAT.
I MEAN, THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
WITH THE EXPENDITURES, I MENTIONED THE START UP COSTS, THAT'S GETTING OUR PERMIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE LPR SYSTEM, AND THE SOFT PLACE TO HAVE TWO ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES, AS WELL AS THE TOOLS AND RELATED SUPPLIES.
UNDER THE ANNUAL LABOR, THIS IS WHO WE'RE HIRING TO ENFORCE THESE CODES.
WE WOULD HAVE TWO PARKING OFFICERS.
THEY'RE NOT FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
BUT LOOKING AT, SAY, 13 HOURS A DAY FOR 312 DAYS A YEAR THAT EXCLUDES SUNDAYS, WE'RE LOOKING AT ROUGHLY AN ESTIMATE OF $155 OR $155,000 FOR THAT LABOR TO ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE.
I THINK AT OUR LAST MEETING, WHEN I REPORTED OUT AND ANSWERED YOUR EARLIER QUESTION ABOUT, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST FOR THE LABOR TO ENFORCE, 365 DAYS A YEAR, 24/7, THAT'S MORE OF A COST OF CLOSER TO $335,000.
THEN LOOKING AT OUR MAXIMUM ANTICIPATED REVENUES, THIS IS, AGAIN, MERTEN POWERS, WHERE WE'RE ASSUMING 390 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UP TO FOUR PERMITS EACH AT THAT ESCALATING FEE STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
WE'RE LOOKING AT, REVENUE OF AN ESCALATING FEE VERSUS A FLAT FEE WITH THE ESCALATING FEE, THAT WOULD BE A REVENUE OF MAXIMUM AT $97,500.
IF WE HAD GUEST PERMIT FEES, WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 19,500 PROCESSING FEES BECAUSE THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE A FEE THAT'S ASSESSED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING THAT THROUGH OUR SYSTEM.
THAT WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THOSE WHO ARE PURCHASING THE PERMIT.
THEN, OF COURSE, ANNUAL CITATIONS.
WE'RE ASSUMING APPROXIMATELY 2000 CITATIONS ANNUALLY.
[00:55:04]
THAT'S ALL OF THE REVENUE ALONG WITH THE TOTAL.LIKELY WE WERE ABLE IN TERMS OF REVENUE VERSUS EXPENDITURES TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE PERMIT PROGRAM.
IT'S JUST THOSE START UP COSTS, WE WOULD NOT RECOUP THOSE COSTS THROUGH THE REVENUES.
>> THE CHALLENGE IS NO STREETS DROP OFF.
TO MAKE THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT WORK BECAUSE IF WE LOSE HALF THE NETWORK BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED, THEN THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. YES. OR HAVE ADDITIONAL STREETS COME ONLINE IF SOME DO DROP OFF.
THE OTHER THING IS, THIS IS THE MAXIMUM REVENUE.
YOU MIGHT HAVE A HOUSEHOLD OR MANY HOUSEHOLDS THAT ONLY GET ONE OR TWO PARKING PERMITS, NOT ALL FOUR, THAT'S LESS REVENUE OVERALL.
>> BUT TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE NOT DOING THIS AS A REVENUE GENERATOR.
THIS IS TO IT IS THIS IS TO ALLEVIATE THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS, NOT AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
>> CORRECT. ALSO PASS OFF THE AMOUNT TO BE SUBSIDIZED BY OTHER RESIDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE THIS BENEFIT.
NO. WE IT NEEDS TO BE, BALANCED,
>> THERE SHOULD NOT BE A FLOOR GAP TO BE SUBSIDIZED BY THE REST OF THE FACILITY FOR TAXES.
>> OBSERVATION P [INAUDIBLE] DOWNTOWN, YOU TOUCHED ON THIS? IS IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND PEOPLE LOOKING FOR RESPONSE.
WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH DDA.
THEY TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COURTHOUSE DECK, AND MAKING THAT VERY VISIBLE, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE APP CONNOR ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE DEA PRESENTATION, DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DDA.
I USE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AND WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS REGARDING THE PARKING BEHIND THE LIBRARY, BUT THIS IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PARKING IN DOWNTOWN SPACE.
AS WE DO THIS, WE SHOULD APPROACH IT AS PART OF A HOLISTIC EFFORT.
I KNOW THAT I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS WHO REFUSE TO COME TO THE ODD DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY JUST SO CONFOUNDED AND FIN ABOUT PARKING.
THE PART IS FINE THEY HAVE TO PAY WHAT THEY EXPECT.
I'M PLEASED THAT WE ARE APPROACHING THIS THAT WE HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH DA HAD THIS CONVERSATION.
I KNOW YOU FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT.
SOMETIMES IT IS PERCEPTION BUT PERCEPTION IS REALITY.
I SIT ABOUT THAT APP, AND JUST HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN AND SHOULD BE PART WHEN THEY COME.
>> FOR THOSE FRIENDS WHO ARE WANTING TO VISIT THE DISTRICT, THEY SHOULD PARK AT THE ARLOW [INAUDIBLE]
>> I KNOW WE'RE DRIFTING AT A TIME, BUT ON THE EXPENDITURES AND THE START UP PESTS AND THE LABOR LINE ITES, DOES THAT INCLUDE STAFF, LIKE YOU OR MISS WASHINGTON?
>> MOVING FORWARD, IS THERE SACK LIAISON THAT MAYBE SHOULD BE IN THAT? ACCOUNT.
>> I MEAN, I THINK WE CAN PROVIDE THAT.
I MEAN, THIS IS CIRCLING THE ANTICIPATED ESTIMATED DIRECT COST, BUT, WE DID NOT GET INTO OVERHEAD CALCULATION.
>> I MEAN, IT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR MISS WASHINGTON.
THEN WE DO HAVE WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ASSISTING ON THE BACK END WITH SOME OF THE PARKING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE VALIDATION OF DOCUMENTS.
WE'D BE USING EXISTING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I STILL WANT TO UNDERRESTIMATE THE INPUT. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT ITEM THAT WE ARE WORKING ON IS AN ONLINE SURVEY.
I'M PRESENTLY WORKING WITH RENEE JACKSON AND HER TEAM AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR A SURVEY TO BE PUT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE, PROBABLY ON THE FRONT PAGE.
THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY, IT WOULD STAY OPEN THROUGH MID FEBRUARY.
THERE'S A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO GATHER INPUT FROM RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY AS WELL AS RESIDENTS WHO ARE A PART OF THE EXISTING ZONES, BUSINESSES, VISITORS, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE THE SURVEY CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.
WE WILL HAVE COMMUNICATIONS TO, DRIVE PEOPLE TO THIS ONLINE SURVEY.
WE'LL HAVE DIRECTED POSTCARDS TO THE CURRENT ZONED DISTRICTS.
EACH OF THOSE RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE A POSTCARD ALERTING THEM TO THE SURVEY.
MOST LIKELY WITH THE QR CODE SO THAT WE CAN COLLECT THEIR INPUT AND COMMENTS.
[01:00:02]
WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE OPEN COMMENTS SO THAT WE CAN SEE THE DIALOGUE THAT IS HAPPENING.MEANWHILE, WE ARE GOING TO BE INCORPORATING THAT INPUT IN THE COMMENTS THAT SUPPORTS THOSE BEST PRACTICES, LOOKING AT OTHER JURISDICTIONS AS WELL.
WE DO NEED TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW OUR TEXT AMENDMENTS AND THEN ULTIMATELY BRING THAT FINAL DRAFT TO THIS BODY FOR CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION.
THAT'S PROBABLY Q1, FIRST THING, Q2 OF 2026.
>> JUST A SUGGESTION, COULD YOU ALSO, IN THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, PUT A LINE ITEM FOR BETTER TOGETHER TO REVIEW? THANK YOU.
>> GIVE ABOUT SOMETHING COMMISSION WALSH SAID.
I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF SAYING THAT THE CURRENT ORDINANCE WILL END AT SUCH AND SUCH A DATE.
LET'S JUST SAY AT THE END OF 2026.
THEN BEGINNING, I'M JUST MAKING THIS UP ADJUST THE DATES.
BUT EITHER LIKE 6:09:12 MONTHS BEFOREHAND SAYING, IF YOU WANT TO BE IT, YOU START PETITIONING NOW.
YOU WOULD HAVE A PERIOD WHERE YOU'RE BASICALLY SAYING, THIS IS GOING TO END, AND YOU GOT TO GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW AND DO IT GIVEN A TIME FOR YOU TO DO IT BECAUSE BE CLEAR TO COME WITH HOLD ORDINANCE TO BE EFFECTIVE WHEN THE OTHER ONE SUNSETS.
>> BUT IF WE DON'T ADOPT THIS PROPOSAL AND WE SUNSET THE OTHER ONE, THEN WE HAVE NOTHING.
>> I HEAR, WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE ELIGIBILITY FACTORS AND HOW AND THE DEFINITIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMIT THE STREETS WANT TO APPLY OR PETITION.
WE GOT TO HAVE THOSE IN PLACE.
>> MAYBE WE SUNSET [INAUDIBLE]
>> IT'S THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG. I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
MAYBE WE ADOPTED FOR ALL 37, BUT BASICALLY THEY GOT A YEAR.
>> I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.
WE ADOPT IT AS IS AND THEN OVER THE SPAN OF NEXT YEAR, WORK ON THE MODIFICATION, SO ONE COULD BE SUNSET, THE OTHER COULD BE A VOTED TO ADOPT.
>> IN DOING THAT, THOUGH, ARE YOU SAYING THAT UNTIL THEY GET THAT END, THERE WOULD BE NO ENFORCEMENT? [OVERLAPPING] THERE MAY BE SOME STREETS THAT WE GOT THERE'S BECAUSE 10 POINT THE LABOR COSTS SHOULD BE LESS.
IF IT'S ONLY LIKE TWO STREETS [INAUDIBLE] I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
BUT IF IT'S 10 STREETS, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE COST WOULD BE.
>> IT'S A GREAT POINT BECAUSE THE LABOR COSTS ARE BASED ON THE EXISTING 37 STREETS AND THE ROUGHLY 390 RESIDENTS.
IF IT GOES DOWN, THOSE NUMBERS DECREASE, THEN POTENTIALLY THE LABOR COST WOULD DECREASE.
>> I WAS THINKING IT WAS BASED ON TIME TIME AND DAYS.
IF YOU'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE WORKING, 247365, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY'RE PATROLLING 12 STREETS OR 200 STREETS, WOULDN'T THAT STILL BE THE SAME COSTS.
>> BUT LET'S JUST SAY IT'S TIME FOR THAT ANNUAL CONTRACT RENEWAL AND WE HAVE LESS STREETS, THEY MAY ONLY NEED ONE.
>> THANK YOU ALL. I APPRECIATE IT.
THAT WAS REALLY GOOD. I WAS ALL VERY HELPFUL. [INAUDIBLE]
[WORK SESSION #2 – 6:30 P.M.]
WHAT FUN THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AT DECATUR THIS YEAR?
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M SHERI JACKLIN.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TOURISM BUREAU.
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND TALK A
[01:05:01]
LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TOURISM HAS DONE FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR THIS PAST YEAR.I WILL GO AHEAD AND SAY SHE'S BEEN ON THE TOURISM BOARD.
I THINK AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN THERE, AND WE ARE SAD TO SEE YOU LEAVE, BUT HAPPY FOR YOUR NEW JOURNEY.
COMMISSIONER WALSH, WE WILL BE SAD TO SEE YOU GO, BUT HAPPY TO SEE YOU ALONG.
>> FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT NUMBERS WITH TOURISM.
I WAS UNFORTUNATELY UNABLE TO GO THE GOVERNOR'S TOURISM CONFERENCES HERE, BUT WE DID HAVE KRISTEN LEACH ATTEND.
AGAIN, THIS YEAR, IT WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW THAT TOURISM IS THE NUMBER 2 ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
FORTUNATELY, THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS FINALLY TAKING NOTICE OF TOURISM.
THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT STARTED THIS PAST SUMMER THAT IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR MARKETING THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
WE AS A STATE, PUT VERY LITTLE COMPARED TO OTHER STATES LIKE MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE, THEY OUTSPEND US TREMENDOUSLY.
THE FACT THAT WE'RE NUMBER 5, THEY'VE REALIZED NOW, WE WANT TO BE NUMBER 1 NOW, THEY'RE REALIZING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM.
I HAVE A LITTLE GUIDE HERE AND THIS WAS PRESENTED AT THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE, LETTING YOU KNOW THE EXACT IMPACT.
I DON'T HAVE A DETAILED IMPACT FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR LOCALLY, WE'RE WORKING ON SOME THINGS TO HAVE MORE ACCESS TO THAT KIND OF DATA, BUT WE'RE SMALL AND MIGHTY.
WE HAVE A SMALL TEAM AND TWO HOTELS RIGHT NOW THAT FUND US AND JUST TO MAKE CLEAR AGAIN, TOURISM IS FUNDED BY THE HEADS AND BED TAX, THAT'S THE MOTEL TAX, IT IS NOT RESIDENT TAX.
>> YES, SIR. THEY DO. IT'S SUBSTANTIALLY LESS.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE FOR SALE AT THIS POINT.
>> YES. AIRBNB OR ANY HOUSING SHORT TERM RENTAL COMPANY WE RECEIVE AND AND IT'S QUITE NICE.
THAT WAS ONE THING THE STATE OF GEORGIA DID TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THEY IMPLEMENTED.
IF YOU RUN ANY SHORT TERM RENTAL, YOU HAVE TO PAY THAT TAX JUST LIKE A HOTEL.
HERE IS OUR LITTLE TAX REVENUE GUIDE.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A LITTLE DIP IN 2025, AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR ON HOW A LOT OF CONFERENCES COULD CONDUCT BUSINESS.
THAT AFFECTED A LOT OF EMERY AND CDC AND ACTUALLY GLOBAL HEALTH ALSO.
WE WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO LOST A LOT OF CONFERENCES THAT MAYBE DIDN'T SAY, WE'RE GOING TO CALL YOU IN JUNE AND RE-BOOK OR WHATEVER, BUT THANKFULLY, OUR HOTELS AND THE TOURISM BUREAU TOOK IT AS AN OPTION A TIME TO PIVOT AND LOOK FOR OTHER BUSINESSES AND STUFF.
WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT SO FAR SINCE JULY 1, MOVING FORWARD.
IT WASN'T QUITE AS BAD AS WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE AND IT'S IMPROVING EVERY MONTH.
IT'S GOOD NEWS AND IT'S EXCITING.
>> WILL YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE '21 AND '22 MAKE SURE IT ALIGNS WITH WHAT I THINK HAPPENED IN '22.
>> THE SECOND HOTEL AND POST COVID.
>> YES. [LAUGHTER] RETURNED TO TRAVEL. CONFERENCES ARE SLOWLY AND MEETINGS WERE SLOWLY COMING BACK FULL FORCE.
UNFORTUNATELY, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, WE DID TAKE A HARD HIT, AND THAT'S ACROSS THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY OF DECATUR, IT'S EVERYWHERE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TOURISM DOES.
WE SPONSOR A LOT OF EVENTS AND PARTICIPATE.
OUR TEAM THAT IS UNDER TOURISM THAT I HELP SUPERVISE, WE DO EVENTS, WE DO VOLUNTEER RECRUITING, WE DO FILM, AND WE DO A LOT OF OTHER LITTLE THINGS, BEAUTIFICATION, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
[01:10:01]
SMALL AND MIGHTY, AS I SAY.BUT HERE'S A LIST OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WORKED ON THIS PAST YEAR.
BIG THINGS WAS THE RETURN OF THE DECATUR BEACH PARTY, WHICH WE DID IT SMALLER THAN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
BUT AGAIN, THE RESPONSE AND THE RECEPTION TO THAT EVENT WAS OFF THE CHART.
I THINK THE CITY WAS HAPPY WITH IT.
OUR INTENTION IS TO CONTINUE THAT.
THIS YEAR WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OR THE REMODEL OF THE SQUARE AND ENTERTAINMENT AREA AND STUFF, WE'RE STILL NOT 100% SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK, BUT IT'S ON THE AGENDA, WE'RE JUST GOING TO PLAY IT BY HERE A LITTLE BIT THROUGH THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.
WE TRY TO BE VERY INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE IN THE EVENTS AND STUFF THAT ARE SCHEDULED.
WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW THINGS.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE A VERY WELL ROUNDED EVENT SCHEDULE, AND WITH THE CREATION OF THE ENTERTAINMENT PLAZA, WITH THE PERFORMANCE STAGE AND STUFF, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MANY MORE OPTIONS.
JACKIE MOORE, I THINK MIGHT BE HERE, HAS ALREADY STARTED LOOKING AT WHAT THINGS WE CAN DO AFTER WATCHFEST.
HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT IT'S UTILIZED THE FULLEST AND THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND USE THAT PARTICULAR STAGE FOR DIFFERENT THINGS WE HAVEN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT YET.
THE WINTER SEASON IS TRULY OUR BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR AT THE VISITOR CENTER WITH ALL THE EVENTS AND STUFF GOING ON.
A LOT OF GREAT EVENTS, AND WE'RE ALMOST TO THE END OF THAT.
I THINK WE HAVE A MOVIE THIS COMING THURSDAY, IF ANYBODY'S AVAILABLE, MEET US EPSTER AND WE'RE GOING TO WATCH.
IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE COLD SO DRESS WARM.
PART OF WHAT WE DID THIS YEAR IS WE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH OUR ECONOMIC TEAM AND DEPARTMENT WITH THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE SQUARE.
THAT INCLUDED WORKING WITH VICTORIA AND EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT TO PIVOT SPECIAL EVENTS AND FIND LOCATIONS THAT WOULD WORK TO MAKE SURE FOOT TRAFFIC AROUND THE SQUARE REALIZED ALL THE STORES WERE STILL WORKING.
WE PASSED OUT THE SHAKE UP CARDS, WE HANDLED THE PROMOTIONS THROUGH THE VISITORS CENTER BECAUSE WE'RE STREET LEVEL, IT'S EASY ACCESS, SO PEOPLE COULD COME IN AND GET THEIR REWARDS OR WHATEVER FOR SHOPPING, AND IT WORKS REALLY WELL.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR BLOCK BY BLOCK AMBASSADORS, WHICH IS A TEAM THING WITH TOURISM, DDA, THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF DECATUR, AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND THE GROUP AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE CITY.
I GET FEEDBACK CONSTANTLY FROM RESIDENTS WHO ARE IMPRESSED OR THEY GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT MAKES THEM FEEL SAFER, SAME THING WITH VISITORS, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING'S CLEAN AND SAFE AND TRASH.
I WILL GO THROUGH EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO, AND IT'S A LOT.
FOR THIS COMING YEAR, WE SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT, AND WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SERVICE, ADDITIONAL DAYS COVERED.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT BLOCK BY BLOCK OR? THEN SOME OF THE ONGOING THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING, WE ARE STILL DOING THE SPECIAL EVENT CALENDAR, THAT IS FOR VISITORS, BUT IT IS ALSO FOR RESIDENTS, AND WE'VE STRESSED THAT CONSTANTLY.
WE'VE MADE THE QR CODES THAT WE GIVE OUT ALL THE TIME FOR RESIDENTS TO PUT ON THE FRIDGE OR WHATEVER SO ANY GIVEN TIME, THEY CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON TONIGHT, THIS WEEKEND, WHATEVER.
THOSE ARE VERY POPULAR VISITORS A LITTLE BIT, BUT MOSTLY THAT'S FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
WE'RE STILL SUPPORTING THE E-BIKE RENTAL WITH THE JOURNEYMAN.
THEY HAVE SIX BIKES THAT THEY RENT OUT CONSTANTLY AND THAT PROGRAM WORKS VERY WELL.
TOURISM DOES HELP WITH SOME OF THE LANDSCAPING AROUND THE PLAZA, THE BASKETS AND THE BIGGER CONTAINERS.
NO. WE DON'T DO SURFACE, IT EITHER HAS TO BE IN A POT OR A HANGING BASKET.
COMING SOON. TOURISM IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE THREE HOTELS THAT ARE COMING.
[01:15:05]
ONE OF THE PRODUCTS IS A DUAL BRAND, AND BASICALLY THAT WILL BE ONE BUILDING WHEN YOU WALK IN THE FRONT, YOU CAN EITHER GO TO THE TEMPO, WHICH IS A LITTLE UPSCALE TYPE PROPERTY THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A ROOFTOP AND STUFF, OR IF YOU'RE HERE FOR A LONGER STAY, YOU CAN GO TO THE HOMEWOOD SUITES, WHICH OFFERS MORE AMENITIES FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF STAY.I THINK WE'LL FIND WITH SOME OF OUR CDC EMORY, GLOBAL HEALTH, THAT IT WILL BE UTILIZED MORE THAN WE CAN IMAGINE BECAUSE THEY CONSTANTLY HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN FOR LONGER STAYS THAT I THINK WOULD APPRECIATE THAT HAVING A LITTLE KITCHEN AND A SOFA AND STUFF THAT THEY DON'T HAVE IN SOME OF THE STANDARD ROOMS. I'M SORRY, I SAT ON THAT ONE.
THE POSSIBILITY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMING, IS A MARRIOTT BRAND, IT'S CALLED THE AC.
IT'S A LITTLE BOUGIER HOTEL, WHICH IS DEFINITELY HOPING FOR.
YEARS AGO, MAYOR PROTEM ASKED ME WHAT MY WISH FOR TOURISM WAS AND IT WAS LIKE A BOUGIE TYPE HOTEL.
YOU MISS CERTAIN CLIENTS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE ELEVATED, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A WELL ROUNDED OPTION FOR STAYS IN DECATUR.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'LL BE A ROOFTOP BAR AND RESTAURANT, WHICH FOLKS THAT I KNOW WHO'VE STAYED AT AC PROPERTIES IN OTHER PLACES ARE VERY EXCITED.
I HAVE PERSONALLY MISSED THIS ONE. THIS IS GOOD NEWS.
WITH THE NEW HOTELS, THE THREE NEW PROPERTIES WOULD BRING THE NEW ROOM COUNT UP TO A LITTLE LESS THAN 400, ABOUT 385, BUT WITH THE EXISTING PROPERTIES, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE UNDER 800.
JUST SO YOU KNOW THAT IS GOING TO BE SO GREAT FOR OUR CONFERENCE CENTER BECAUSE WE'VE MISSED OUT ON A LOT OF BIG CONFERENCES AND STUFF BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SPACE, BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE ACCOMMODATIONS.
THIS IS GOING TO OPEN UP A WHOLE NEW AVAILABILITY FOR CONFERENCES, MEETINGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT THAT WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE.
>> HEY, MS. JACQUELINE, I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER, BUT THERE'S AN ACCELERATOR HERE THAT'S MORE GLOBAL ECONOMIC IMPACT AT EACH HOTEL, I REMEMBER FROM THE DOWNTOWN.
WE'RE TALKING TENS AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM 800 ROOMS.
>> YES. IT WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL.
RIGHT NOW WITH OUR TWO HOTELS, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP, BUT WHAT WE RECEIVED THROUGH, WELL, FOR THE CITY PORTION OF THE TAX, THE DDA, WHICH USES THEIR PORTION FOR THE CONFERENCE CENTER AND FOR TOURISM, IT'S SUBSTANTIAL.
EVERY ROOM NIGHT, IT'S ADDITIONAL 8% ON THE COST OF THAT ROOM, AND THESE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES WILL ADD A WIDE RANGE OF ROOM RATES.
>> MY NUMBER IS ABOUT THAT AGGREGATE OF MORE PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN, MORE JOBS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. MORE OPTIONS, YES.
SOMETHING TOURISM HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON WITH A DEDICATED GROUP OF PEOPLE, I THINK NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR IS WATCHFEST.
I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT SOCCER, BUT I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT SOCCER.
I THINK THE WHOLE TEAM HAS THAT WASN'T ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH IT.
I DO WANT TO SAY WITH THE TOURISM ASPECT, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT 34 DAYS, BUT WE ALSO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THAT TO LET PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD SEE WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY WE HAVE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY, DIVERSE COMMUNITY, AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL SHARE THAT WHEN THEY GO BACK HOME WHEREVER THAT MAY BE, THEN PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE COMING TO THE ATLANTA AREA WILL REALIZE THAT THEY CAN STAY HERE AND STILL HAVE EASY ACCESS VIA MARTA TO SPORTS OR CONCERTS OR MEETINGS IN ATLANTA.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS LONG TERM.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE SHORT TERM, BUT IT'S LONG TERM. YES, SIR.
>> FOR WATCHFEST STRIKE ME NOW, ARE WE WORKING AT SIGNAGE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES?
>> WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW BEST TO WELCOME AND GUIDE PEOPLE IN OTHER LANGUAGES.
WHETHER IT'S SIGNAGE OR APPS OR PEOPLE, WE TALK ABOUT HAVING STUDENTS OR PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS, YOU LITERALLY WEAR IT WITH YOUR T-SHIRTS AS A SIGN, SO WHATEVER YOU WOULD SAY IN FRENCH.
[01:20:05]
YES. WE HAVE STARTED A LIST OF PEOPLE WITH LANGUAGE ABILITIES SO THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE CAN GO TO THEM AND SAY, GET HELP AND STUFF, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON TRACK, THAT WE'RE RECOGNIZING, IF IT'S WHATEVER TEENS COMING TO TOWN, THAT WE TAKE EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION TO MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME AND ACCEPT IT.
AGAIN, TOURISM IS PARTNERING WITH THE CITY AND DDA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GREAT KICK-OFFS.
BIG BOY IS THE FIRST KICKOFF AND THEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE EVENT, WE HAVE THE INDIGO GIRLS AND I ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE START SAYING, "CAN YOU GIVE ME A TICKET?" [LAUGHTER] TRY TO GET A TICKET.
WE DO SELL THE MERCHANDISE AT THE VISITOR CENTER ALONG WITH THE CITY LOGO STUFF.
JUST TO AGAIN LET YOU KNOW, VISITORS COME TO THE VISITOR CENTER, BUT MANY RESIDENTS COME TO THE VISITOR CENTER.
COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY IF WE STILL SOLD THE CITY TRASH BAGS, AND WE DO, AND THAT STARTED WHEN BABY KROGER CLOSED, AND WE HAD PEOPLE COMING IN SAYING, I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO GO TO PUBLIX OR WHATEVER, AND WE'LL CONTINUE DOING THAT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RESIDENTS FEEL WELCOME THERE ALONG WITH THE VISITORS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY KRISTEN IS NOT HERE, KRISTEN LEACH.
SHE'S IN CHARGE OF THE FILM PERMITTING FOR THE CITY AT DECATUR.
SHE TOOK IT OVER AT THE END OF 2024, AND SHE'S DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB.
SHE HAS MADE CONTACT, SHE'S NETWORKED, SHE'S GONE TO TRAININGS AND STUFF.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE APPLICATIONS, THEY'VE INCREASED, BUT NOT THAT MUCH, ALONG WITH THE DAYS THEY FILM, BUT BECAUSE SHE'S ON TOP OF IT AND SHE'S INVOLVED, THE REVENUE FROM FILM HAS INCREASED OVER 106%.
KUDOS TO KRISTEN, WHO'S NOT HERE, BUT SHE LOVES IT AND SHE'S TAKING IT SERIOUSLY AND SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB.
>> HOW MUCH IS THAT REVENUE AND WHAT'S AVAILABLE FOR?
>> THAT GOES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
IF I HAD TO SAY FROM THE TOP OF MY HEAD, MAYBE 750,000.
I BELIEVE THAT MIGHT BE WHERE WE ENDED UP, HUNDRED DIFFERENT NUMBERS 100.
IN 2025, SO FAR, WE STILL HAVE A FEW DAYS, AND SHE ACTUALLY GOT A GUN PERMIT TODAY.
>> WELL, SWEET MAGNOLIAS IS A GREAT SHOW.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS FILMING, WHETHER IT'S COMMERCIALS OR TRADITIONAL TV SHOWS OR MOVIES, SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THERE.
MARKETING, WE'VE PUT A LOT OF TIME THIS YEAR INTO DOING INFORMATION UPGRADES AROUND FREE SERVICES.
THE GEORGIA TOURISM WEBSITE, WHICH IS EXPLORE GEORGIA, WE SPENT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME UPDATING ALL THINGS DECATUR ON THAT WEBSITE, TAKING DOWN ALL THE OLD INFORMATION, PUTTING NEW PHOTOS, PUTTING LINKS.
IT WAS A VERY BIG PROJECT, BUT MOVING FORWARD, IT WILL JUST BE UPDATES, SO IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO MANAGE.
>> ARE YOU ABLE TO ATTRACT TRAFFIC ON THAT WEBSITE?
I DON'T HAVE IT WITH THE PROGRAM, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET THAT FOR YOU AND I KNOW WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>> OUR PRINT DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS, WE'VE HELD BACK A LITTLE BIT THE LAST FIVE MONTHS OR SO BECAUSE WE'RE PLANNING FOR WATCHFEST AND SOME OTHER EVENTS THAT ARE COMING.
WE ALWAYS WE DO SOME LOCAL STUFF, WE DO METRO ATLANTA, AND WE DO STATEWIDE PUBLICATIONS.
NOW AS WE TRY TO MOVE OVER TO MORE DIGITAL, WHEN WE DO A PRINT HUB, WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A DIGITAL COMPONENT TO THAT.
AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S MADE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE DURING THE CHANGE THIS YEAR FROM THE FIRST QUARTER,
[01:25:03]
NOT BEING AS HEAVILY BOOKED AS WE HAVE PLANNED.>> WE'RE HAPPY TO ADVERTISE ANYTIME WE GO OUT OF TOWN.
WE'LL MAKE SURE WE WEAR WATCHFEST STUFF AND T-SHIRTS.
>> WE'D LOVE TO USE IT AS A PROMOTION.
>> GRETA IS GREATER. [LAUGHTER].
>> EXCUSE ME. WE DID A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS THIS YEAR THAT WERE DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, TRYING TO TARGET AREAS WHERE WE FEEL LIKE WE COULD GET A LOT OF VISITORS, SO A LOT OF IT WAS FLORIDA, BECAUSE IT'S DRIVEABLE, IT'S FAR ENOUGH THAT IF THEY COME, THEY HAVE TO SPEND A NIGHT.
YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THAT LINK.
WE WERE LOOKING FOR DISTANCES THAT YOU COULD DO IT IN AND OUT, BUT IT'S NOT AS COMFORTABLE.
WE WERE MARKETING TO AREAS TO TRY TO GET THEM TO COME TO DECATUR, TO DO THE FOOD OR WHATEVER.
AGAIN, I THINK WE WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE DATA THERE IN A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> I'LL SHARE A QUESTION FOR YOU A FEW YEARS AGO.
IT SEEMS LIKE DESTIN SENT UP THEIR TOURISM BUREAU HERE TO ONE OF OUR FESTIVALS.
HAVE WE THOUGHT ABOUT DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR WHERE WE GO SOMEWHERE WHERE WE'VE DETERMINED A LOT OF VISITORS COME FROM A CERTAIN CIRCLE?
>> I THINK MOVING FORWARD AFTER WATCHFEST, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH A LOT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND ATLANTA, IT'S EXPANDING.
WE'RE DOING A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH DUNWOODY NOW AND FORMING LITTLE COMPETITIONS.
WE'RE SHARING INFORMATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I THINK MOVING FORWARD WHEN THERE'S A BIG SHOW IN CHICAGO, WE HAVEN'T NORMALLY PARTICIPATED BECAUSE IT'S A BIG BUY-IN, BUT I THINK MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NEW HOTELS AND STUFF COMING, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE OF THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
IT LOOKS REALLY CUTE, IT'S FESTIVE AND IT STICKS TO THE FRIDGE, AND IT'S WONDERFUL.
AGAIN, WE GIVE OUT TONS OF THOSE.
LET'S SEE. SOCIAL MEDIA, QUICK.
OUR INSTAGRAM IS UP TO OVER 10,000 FOLLOWERS, AND THAT'S ORGANIC.
WE DON'T PAY ANYBODY TO GO OUT AND GET US THE NUMBERS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IT LOOKS GOOD, THEY HAVE WHATEVER, 100,000 PEOPLE, BUT IT'S JUST NUMBERS.
IT'S NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY OR YOUR PRODUCTS.
WE'VE BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF THAT AND WE ARE REALLY STICKING TO MORE ORGANIC OPTIONS.
METRO ATLANTA, WE WENT FROM DECATUR BEING OUR TOP PLACE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, LIKE EVERYBODY AROUND TOWN.
THAT IS DEFINITELY SWITCHED OVER TO THE METRO ATLANTA AREA, AND OUR HOPE AS WE MOVE FORWARD FOR THAT TO EXPAND EVEN FURTHER STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY, AND WE'RE WORKING ON THAT NOW.
IT'S FUN STUFF, BUT THE ADS THAT WERE REALLY POPULAR, SOMETIMES IT'S SURPRISING.
YOU CAN DO A POST OR WHATEVER AND I THINK IT'S JUST A GENERAL POST AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S IN ON THAT.
THE BONFIRE LAST YEAR, WE GOT OVER 93,000 HITS ON THAT.
THE HEARTS AROUND THE CITY THAT JACKIE DOES, WHICH IS WONDERFUL WITH LITTLE SIGNS THAT REFLECT THE LOCATION AND WHETHER IT'S A RESTAURANT OR SHOP OR WHATEVER.
LODGING, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE MAHJONG GROUP AT CAFE LILY.
IF YOU LOOK ON HERE, THAT WAS ONE OF OUR TOP PERFORMERS.
EVERYBODY WAS ALL INTO THAT, I GUESS IT'S REALLY BIG.
>> AGAIN, PORCHFEST, THE DECATUR SQUARE SHAKEUP, SNOW DAY WE HAD LAST YEAR.
JUST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT RESONATE RANDOMLY WITH FOLKS.
SOMETIMES I'M SURPRISED OF WHAT HITS AND WHAT DOESN'T, BUT AGAIN, EXCITING.
INSTAGRAM THIS YEAR, BEACH PARTY.
WELL, ACTUALLY, IT LOOKS LIKE THE JAZZ NIGHTS AND OCHESTRAS WAS BIG AND THEN BEACH PARTY, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THE LIST OVER THERE.
TOTALLY DIFFERENT MARKETS OR AUDIENCES BETWEEN INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK, BUT WE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING BOTH.
[01:30:03]
WE WORKED WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THIS YEAR TO COME UP WITH SOME FUN THINGS WITH VICTORIA AND OUR TEAM DOING A SKELETON THAT FLOATED AROUND TOWN AND THE BUSINESSES COULD USE IT HOWEVER THEY WANTED TO DO SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUFF, AND THEN EVERYBODY WAS TAGGED.ALSO WORKED WITH VICTORIA AND TO DO THE GINGERBREADS THEME, AND AGAIN, THAT'S BEEN QUITE POPULAR.
THE ORNAMENT HAS REALLY BEEN EXTREMELY POPULAR.
THANK YOU TO VICTORIA AND KRISTEN FOR COMING UP WITH THE IDEA AND THEN KRISTEN FINDING AN ARTIST WHO COULD ACTUALLY MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I THINK I'M LATER THAN I THOUGHT.
THEN JUST SOME INSIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE STAT.
YOU CAN SEE HERE 4TH OF JULY WAS OUR BIGGEST DAY OF JUST PEOPLE GOING ON THE WEBSITE TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHERE TO GO, WHERE TO PARK, THAT TYPE OF THING.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AHEAD TO ARE THE NEW HOTELS.
WATCHFEST, EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH TO OTHER CITIES AND STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW WE'RE HERE AND THAT WE WANT THEM TO VISIT US.
I BELIEVE THE DECATUR CONFERENCE CENTER IS GOING TO BE DOING SOME RENOVATIONS AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT THAT WILL BE, BUT I'M EXCITED.
I THINK THAT WE NEED THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH NEW HOTELS ON THE HORIZON, BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT SPACE AS AN OPTION FOR THEIR GATHERING.
AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED, NEW PROGRAMMING ON THE DECATUR SQUARE, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS OF WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT NEW ENTERTAINMENT AREA AND STUFF, AND IT'S VERY EXCITING.
WE WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS THE FIRST OF THE YEAR WITH OUR FIVE MICHELIN RESTAURANTS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED THROUGH MICHELIN.
WE'RE ONE OF THE AREAS WITHIN THE MICHELIN FAMILY WHERE YOU CAN WALK TO FIVE MICHELIN RESTAURANTS WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND SO FAR WHITE BULL AND CAPPONI ARE VERY INTERESTED IN SITTING DOWN AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN TURN THAT INTO SOME TOURISM, WHETHER IT'S PROGRESSIVE DINNERS OR PROGRESSIVE APPETIZERS OR WHATEVER.
AT FIRST I THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE BUSY ENOUGH THAT THEY WOULD NOT REALLY WANT TO DO THAT.
THEY'RE VERY INTERESTED IN CARRYING THAT.
>> NO ONE'S GOING TO SAY NOTABLE CUSTOMERS.
>> ONLINE PARKING MAP THAT THE DDA IS WORKING ON, IS GOING TO BE REALLY HELPFUL.
JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE FOLKS THAT DO TALK ABOUT PARKING.
[LAUGHTER] WE JUST EXPERIENCE PARKING.
I THINK BY HAVING THAT ONLINE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AN APP IS AN APP OR? YES. IT WILL BE AN APP, AND THAT WILL LEND TO FOLKS THAT WANT TO COME OUT FOR DINNER, SHOPPING, AND EVENT, OR WHATEVER, HAVING THE INFORMATION TO MAKE A SMART DECISION THAT WORKS FOR THEM ON PARKING AND STUFF.
AGAIN, WE DO ENCOURAGE MODERNISM.
WE WILL BE WORKING ON THE EMAIL DATABASE, NEWSLETTERS, AND THAT TYPE THING.
OUR STAFF, AS YOU WILL SEE, WE HAVE THE BEST STAFF EVER.
WE HAVE A GREAT OFFICE, WE HAVE FUN, BUT WE WORK HARD THERE.
WE HAVE KRISTEN LEACH, WHO'S DOING TOURISM FILM AT THE VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM.
WE HAVE KATIE PAXTON, WHO IS WITH US TEMPORARILY AS AN INFORMATION SPECIALIST.
MARTY WOOD HAS BEEN WITH US FOR YEARS.
SHE WORKS A DAY OR TWO A WEEK AND SHE'S WONDERFUL.
SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING AND JACKIE MOORE'S HERE, AND SHE DOES SPECIAL EVENTS, AND SHE DOES AN AWESOME JOB OF BRINGING GREAT EVENTS TO THE CITY OF DECATUR.
THEN, OF COURSE, I GET TO WORK WITH ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE DID, AND THIS IS TRULY JUST A LITTLE BIT.
MYSELF, I'M DOING LEADERSHIP TO CAB, AND I WANT TO THANK MY SUPERIORS FOR ENCOURAGING ME TO DO IT.
AT FIRST, I DIDN'T REALLY THINK THAT IT WOULD WORK FOR ME, AND I LOVE IT.
I'VE MET SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE.
I THINK IT'S HELPING WITH MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
I'M LEARNING THINGS EVERY TIME I'M WITH THEM.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE GEORGIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU CONFERENCE AND MAKING
[01:35:03]
CONTACTS WITH THAT GROUP HAS BEEN REALLY HELPFUL ON SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD WITH.TOURISM DAY AT THE CAPITAL THIS YEAR WAS SPECTACULAR, BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY THEY TOOK NOTICE OF WHAT THE IMPACT IS FOR TOURISM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND IT'S REALLY STARTING TO BE A BUZZ ABOUT IT.
IT TOOK A WHILE THAT THEY'RE REALIZING TOURISM IS SOMETHING TO PAY ATTENTION TO AND SUPPORT.
>> I ALSO ATTENDED THE US CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL CONFERENCE, AND SO MY GOAL ON THAT IS WE HAVE A TRIBUTE TO JOHN LEWIS ON OUR SQUARE.
I WENT TO THIS CONFERENCE TO MAKE CONTACTS TO LEARN MORE BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ON THAT TRAIL.
THAT WILL BE WORKING WITH DECATUR GA COUNTY, AND I MET A LOT OF FOLKS THAT I THINK WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE US INPUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH DECATUR GA. WE DEFINITELY NEED SOME EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS AND STUFF BEFORE WE DO OUR NEXT APPLICATION.
I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE THIS YEAR, BUT HOPEFULLY IN 2026, '27, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUBMIT A SOLID APPLICATION TO GET ON THAT TRAIL, AND I THINK IT WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL FOR OUR TOURISM HERE IN THE CITY OF.
THEN CHRISTINE DIDN'T ATTEND THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE AND SHE'S PURSUING A FILM COMMISSION CERTIFICATION.
AGAIN, THAT'S HER NETWORKING, HER LEARNING THE BUSINESS.
SHE'S WORKING ON THAT NOW AND SHE'S FINISHED HER SECOND YEAR MARKETING COLLEGE AND PLANS TO DO HER THIRD THIS YEAR RIGHT BEFORE WATCH FEST.
JACKIE WILL BE GOING ON THAT TOO.
THIS YEAR, JACKIE TOOK A SPECIAL EVENTS.
SAFETY CROWD MANAGEMENT COURSE MY DAUGHTER'S CERTIFICATE.
[LAUGHTER] THAT IS TO GO ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR EVENTS, BUT LOOKING TOWARDS WATCH FESTIVAL BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.
SHE ALSO COMPLETED A WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AT HENRY AND SHE DID HER SECOND YEAR OF MARKETING COLLEGE.
THESE ARE OUR BOARD MEMBERS, ARE WONDERFUL BOARD MEMBERS.
I ASSUME WITH OUR NEW COMMISSION, THERE WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE THAT WILL TAKE MAYOR GARRETT'S PLACES THE LIAISON ON THE TOURISM BOARD.
BUT WE HAVE ANDREA ARNOLD, CITY MANAGER, ANGELA THREADGILL, NEIL DOBBS, AND KIZI PATEL HE IS ONE OF THE OWNERS OF KIMBALL HOUSE, ANGIE MACON WITH THE DECATUR ARTS ALLIANCE, AND THEN SHIRLEY SENIOR AT THE MARRIOTT.
WE DID HAVE ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER ON FROM THE HAMPTON INN.
BUT AS WE MOVE TOWARDS HAVING FIVE HOTELS, WE'RE REVISITING HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE THAT FROM HOTELS. WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND TOURISM IS MOVING ALONG.
THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THE FUTURE, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING, WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER OR WE WILL GET THE ANSWERS.
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR ME.
WITH THE RETURN OF EVENT PROGRAMMING ON THE SQUARE WITH A NEW STAGE, CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE COMING BACK, YOU THINKING ABOUT A REBOOT, THE SEPTEMBER CONCERTS AND THE MAY CONCERTS? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE THINK ABOUT PURSUING IT AGAIN?
>> I REALLY THINK IT'S UNLIMITED OPTIONS.
WE ARE HAVING EVEN SMALL BANDS THAT, HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF NOTORIETY IN THE DECATUR AREA CALLING SAYING, HEY, I'M SO AND SO IS MOM.
[LAUGHTER] THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IS THAT GOING TO LOOK? HOW WOULD IT OPERATE? WE NEED A PART TIME PERSON TO HELP FACILITATE THAT BECAUSE IT COULD BE ONGOING.
THERE COULD BE SOMETHING GOING ON.
I THINK WE'LL PROBABLY BE MEETING WITH SOME FOLKS TO GET IDEAS OF WHAT THE CITY, HOW THEY SEE THAT HAPPENING, PROBABLY THE EDA, AND TOURISM TOO. IT'S OPEN.
>> LAST FOLLOW UP QUESTION, I'LL LET EVERYBODY.
WHAT'S ON YOUR WISH LIST? BECAUSE I GOT YOU ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
>> I THINK RIGHT NOW PROBABLY MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE OUR CONFERENCE CENTER THE BEST IT CAN BE.
I JUST THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE GREAT PROPERTIES, THE MARRIOTT COURTYARD IS DOING AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION ON THEIR PROPERTY AGAIN.
I HAVE A FEELING HAMPTON INN WILL TOO.
[01:40:01]
WHEN WE HAVE ALL THESE TOP PROPERTIES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A CONFERENCE CENTER WHEN THEY WALK IN.WE NEED TO FIX THAT. IT'S CLUNKY.
THE PARKING MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT IT'S CLUNKY UNDERNEATH THE CONFERENCE CENTER.
I THINK THERE'S A FEW PICKUPS.
I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF SIGNAGE.
THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO THE CONFERENCE CENTER, THEY'RE PARKING AT THE PARKING DEBT THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE APARTMENTS AND STUFF.
WHEN THEY GO TO LEAVE, THERE'S THE CONFUSION OF, MY TICKETS NOT WORKING THAT YOU GAVE ME AND STUFF.
I THINK IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME CLEAR SIGNING SIGNAGE FOR THE CONFERENCE CENTER PARKING.
>> IS IT FOR ANY CONVERSATION LOOKING WITH THE WATCH FEST FOR TRYING TO, GET A SPECIFIC TEAM OR COUNTRY TO TRY TO, HAVE THIS S HOME BASE OR NOW THAT WE KNOW [LAUGHTER].
>> THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE RANDOMLY MEETING WITH DIFFERENT CONSULATES.
WE'VE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE ARGENTINE CONSULATE WITH THE BRITISH CONSULATE.
WE'VE BUILT BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ATLANTA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU WHO IS STRONGLY PULLING IN THE ENGLISH TEAMS OR WHATEVER MARKING TO THEM.
BUT WE'RE STARTING TO BUILD SUCH A GOOD RELATIONSHIP THAT THEY'RE THROWING US CRUMBS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT BUDGET THAN WE DO.
I THINK THAT THROUGH THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND STUFF, ABSOLUTELY.
JEN JOHNS IS HEADING THAT UP AND SHE'S LOOKING AT EVERY POSSIBILITY TO CONNECT WITH TEAMS COMING IN.
EVEN TEAMS THAT MAYBE AREN'T GOING TO BE PLAYING IN ATLANTA, BUT MIGHT WANT TO WATCH SPOT FOR A GAME THAT'S PLAYING IN GUATEMALA.
THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR VISITORS AND GUESTS DURING THE WATCH FEST, BUT I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING.
>> FOLLOW UP, REAL QUICK. IS IT A DAY THAT'S COMING.
ACTUALLY DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOWING HERE IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND MIGHT BE A SMALLER, INTERESTING TEAM THAT MIGHT BRING SOME FANS.
I THINK IT'S JUST KNOW I DON'T HAVE ANY CONNECTIONS HERE [LAUGHTER].
>> SEND THEM OVER BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN OPEN A DOOR TO A TEAM THAT MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE THAT CONNECTION, BUT THEY MAYBE FROM THERE OR THEY'VE WORKED AT A EMBASSY OR A CONSULATE OR WHATEVER.
IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU START TALKING HOW THINGS TRICKLE DOWN AND WHO KNOWS WHO AND STUFF.
DEFINITELY OPEN TO ANY LINKS TO CERTAIN.
>> PERFECT, SO DO EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIP, SO WHAT'S THE DELIATION AND HOW DO YOU DECIDE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS? I'M GOING TO POST AN EVENT, I'M ORGANIZE EVENT VERSUS I'M GOING TO SPONSOR AN EVENT?
>> THE CITY OF DECATUR HAS EVENTS THAT THEY HAVE TRADITIONALLY SPONSORED.
>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT DO YOU GUYS PUT ON EVENTS AS PUT IN YOUR QUESTION. LIKE THE BEACH PARTY.
WE DO THE BEACH PARTY. WHAT ARE THE EVENTS WE DO HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT TO DO NOT.
>> THERE ARE A FEW EVENTS THAT THE CITY HISTORIC THING HAS DONE, BEACH PARTY, 4TH OF JULY, AND THEN THE HOLIDAY EVENTS.
ALL OF THE OTHER EVENTS HELD IN THE CITY ARE HOSTED BY MALPRACTICE, AND THOSE ARE USUALLY THE ONES THAT WE OFFER A SPONSORSHIP TO WITH [INAUDIBLE].
>> ARE YOU LOOKING AT OTHER EVENTS OR ARE WE CONTENT WITH THE EVENTS? WE ALSO REMEMBER THAT GIANT SLIDE, THE BEACH PARTY WENT AWAY AND MR. TRACY?
>> YES. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW EVENTS THE PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES BANDWIDTH, SO USUALLY THE WAY IT WORKS AS AN ORGANIZATION APPROACHES THE CITY ABOUT HOSTING EVENT.
MOST OF THE TIME THERE ARE NON PROFIT CONNECTED TO THE CITY AND THEN THAT WAY, IF IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE CITY.
WE'RE ALWAYS LOOK AT HOST. DIFFERENT.
>> THEN THE OTHER QUESTION IS, A LOT OF BIG ALL ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO DECATUR SO THEY STAY HERE AND SPEND THEIR MONEY.
DO WE LOOK AT PHYSICAL INVESTMENTS TO LIKE KNOWS ANGIE WITH THE ART ALLIANCES ON YOUR BOARD.
I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF LIKE HAVING MY DESTINATION ARCH SO WE HAVE SOME ART,
[01:45:02]
BUT I THINK WE PIPER AND BIGGER.IF YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS LIKE THAT CAPITAL INVESTMENT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. YES, AND WE CONSTANTLY PARTICIPATE.
IF THERE'S A MURAL GOING UP, WE WILL FIND INVESTMENT MONEY TO BE A PART OF THAT BECAUSE THAT THEN BECOMES A TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WHO COME.
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR THINGS THAT THE ARTS ALLIANCE HAS DONE ARE THE DECATUR DOORS.
THE LITTLE DOORS, WE LITERALLY HAVE PEOPLE COME FROM OTHER STATES, ADULTS.
IT'S NOT ALL KIDS, TO GO AROUND AND FIND THE DOORS, SO THAT'S TOWARDS.
>> YES. WITH THE ADDITIONAL HOTELS COMING THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT A BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY DEDICATE MORE MONEY TO THE ARTS BECAUSE IT DOES DRIVE TOWARDS.
>> THE LAST QUESTION YOU PROBABLY GO TO THE ANSWER, BUT WE HAVE AN ETA ON THOSE HOTELS.
>> I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO OPEN THE END OF '27.
ALL THREE TO OPEN AROUND THE SAME TIME.
WHY TWO OBVIOUSLY OPEN THE SAME TIME?
>> I THINK ONE'S IN PERMITTING.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OTHER ONE IS IN TERMS OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM, OF COURSE, JACKIE, BECAUSE WHAT YOU DO AT SO MUCH VALUE AND NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY, BUT YOU RANT COOL FUND PACE TO LIVE IN MORE AND MORE A DESTINATION.
I LOVE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT LEADERSHIP DECATUR AND THAT'S EXCITING AND YOUR NETWORK GOING THAT WAY ONLY HELPS THE CITY DO EVEN MORE.
I WANT TO SHARE, MAYBE IT'S AN IDEA TO TEASE OUT FOR FUTURE WHEN I DID THE CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP WITH URBAN LAND INSTITUTE.
I WAS NETWORKING AND HEARING GREAT PRESENTATIONS AND EGGERT PERRY TALKED ABOUT ATLANTA'S PEACE ASSETS.
I WAS LOOKING AT IT WAS AROUND 2020 AND EARLIER TIME FRAME ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MOVEMENT STANDS, BUT THERE WAS A I THINK THERE'S A PENSION FOR IT, BUT IT MAY NOT BE FORM, BUT ABOUT ATLANTA IS A CITY OF PEACE, WHICH WE CAN RECOGNIZE IN A CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY, BUT NOW WE HAVE A PEACE ASSET, TOO, THAT I THINK COULD AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF THAT TRAIL AND PART OF THAT EXPERIENCE FOR ANYONE WHO'S TRYING TO EXPERIENCE GREATER ATLANTA AND HIT ALL THESE SPOTS, AND WE WOULD ALSO WANT TO BE.
THE MAPPING OF PEACE ASSETS WHICH, I THINK IS ANOTHER LANDS, THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND THEN PEACE AND THEY WOULD BE.
I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THAT. THAT AS SOMETIME.
ABSOLUTELY. MAYBE OUR QUESTIONS MIGHT ENERVATE THIS MOVEMENT THAT I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE DECENT, BUT I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT HE HAD TO SAY, WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GROWING MOVEMENT TO DEVELOP IT AND MAKE ATLANTA DESTINATION FOR VISITORS WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE RESEARCH AND BE PART OF A PEACEFUL CITY AND SEE THESE PLACES.
>> YES. THANK YOU. WHETHER IT'S MAYORS, COMMISSIONERS, MAYOR PRO TEAMS, OR RESIDENTS, IF YOU HAVE IDEAS OR WHATEVER, BRING THEM TO US.
I MEAN, BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND STUFF.
SOMEBODY'S ALWAYS THERE AT THE VISITOR CENTER.
WE'RE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 10-4.
IF WE'RE NOT OPEN, IT'S EMERGENCY STAFF OR WEATHER, SO IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO JUST STOP BY AND NEED SOMETHING. YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME.
>> IT LOOKS EDIBLE. BUT IT'S NOT.
ABOUT EIGHT OF NINE MINUTES BEFORE WE START OUR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO
[ I. Call to Order by Mayor.]
THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DECATUR CITY COMMISSION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 15.COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU THE MINUTES FROM
[ II. Approval of the Minutes.]
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2025.ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS OR ADDITION?
>> MOTION HAD BEEN MADE IN SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? A. OPPOSED CHAIR BASE CASEY AND THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED,
[01:50:05]
AND WE DO HAVE SOME REALLY WONDERFUL PROCLAMATIONS TO SHARE IN JUST A MOMENT.[ III. Proclamations.]
BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE JUST A MINUTE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND RECOGNITION OF THE TWO TRAGEDIES AND SHOOTINGS THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND.OUR JEWISH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS GATHERED HERE ON THE SQUARE TO LIKE MENORAH LAST NIGHT FOR THE BEGINNING OF HANUKKAH AND KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF HEARTACHE AND HAVING US WITH OUR JEWISH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND DECATUR FAMILIES ALSO HAD THE TRAUMA EXPERIENCED THE TRAUMA OF HAVING CHILDREN AT BROWN UNIVERSITY THAT WERE ON THAT CAMPUS WHEN THE SHOOTING OCCURRED THERE, SO I TAKE JUST A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEMBRANCE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UNFORTUNATELY, WE SEEM TO BE CUTTING THIS WAY TOO OFTEN.
I DO WANT TO READ SOME PROCLAMATIONS IN MEMORY OF TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST ONE IS IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOHN LEEK, AND I BELIEVE MISSES EEK IS HERE THIS EVENING.
I WOULD LOVE TO PRESENT IT TO YOU AFTER I READ IT.
ALL OF US HERE KNOW MR. LEEK AND REALLY APPRECIATED HIM COMING AND MAKING COMMENTS AT OUR MEETING AND HIS THOUGHTFUL WORDS, AND NOW WE HAVE THE JOHN LEEK RULE THAT WE ALWAYS SAY, WHAT TIME THE MEETING ACTUALLY ENDS.
BECAUSE HE SAID, MY WIFE CAN'T BELIEVE I MARRIED THAT.
[LAUGHTER] I NEED THE MINUTES TO WAS OVER. WE DO THAT.
WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DECATUR GEORGIA HAS LEARNED WITH DEEP SORROW OF THE PASSING OF JOHN MEYER LEEK, BELOVED RESIDENT OF DECATUR AND LONGTIME SON OF GEORGIA AND WHEREAS JOHN LEEK WAS BORN ON MARCH 24, 1947 IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND WAS A VALUED LONG TIME RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF DECATUR COMMUNITY, HAVING BEEN BORN AND RAISED HERE, AND AS AN ADULT, WIDELY KNOWN FOR HIS DEDICATION TO CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO USING HIS VOICE IN PUBLIC FORUMS. WHEREAS JOHN DEVOTED 37 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY AS A DECORATED UNITED STATES ARMY AVIATOR, INCLUDING FLYING COMBAT MISSIONS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR AND RETIRED FROM SERVICE AT FORT BRY IN 2008 WITH THE RANK OF CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 5.
WHEREAS JOHN BELIEVED DEEPLY IN THE POWER OF DIALOGUE AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, REGULARLY ATTENDED MEETINGS AND SIGNING UP TO SPEAK, ALWAYS ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO RAISE THEIR VOICES AS WELL.
WHEREAS THROUGH HIS THOUGHTFUL WORDS, RESPECTFUL DEMEANOR AND STEADFAST ADVOCACY, JOHN HELPED SHAPE, DISCUSSIONS THAT STRENGTHENED OUR CITY AND INSPIRED OTHERS TO TAKE PART IN PUBLIC LIFE.
AND WHEREAS JOHN'S PASSING ON DECEMBER AS, 2025 IS A GREAT LOSS TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND ALL BENEFITED FROM HIS EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP, WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION WISHES TO HONOR JOHN'S LEGACY OF CIVIC INVOLVEMENT AND HIS BELIEF THAT EVERY VOICE MATTERS IN BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I MAYOR PATTY GARRETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE CITY OF HOME, SCHOOLS, AND PLACE THE SPORTSHIP, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM DECEMBER 16, 2025, AS JOHN LEE REMEMBRANCE DAY TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE SERVICE SIT SPIRIT AND ENDURING LEGACY OF JOHN LEE, A DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVICE, SERVANT, A MAN OF COURAGE AND CURIOSITY, A LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, NEIGHBOR, AND ENGAGED RESIDENT, WHOSE VOICE STRENGTHENED OUR COMMUNITY AND WHOSE EXAMPLE WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE.
I BELIEVE WE'D LOVE TO VISIT THIS.
I KNOW MANY OF THE NEIGHBORS FROM PARKWOOD ARE HERE.
WE WOULD LOVE TO MR. LEE A HAND.
[01:55:16]
>> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. ENDS. HE WAS A FORCE THAT WE ALWAYS ENJOYED HERE.
HE LOVED HIS NEIGHBORHOOD. HE DID.
I HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION OF REMEMBRANCE FOR JOHN ABERCROMBIE, WHO WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT RESIDENT AND CONTRIBUTOR TO THE CITY DECATUR.
WHEREAS JONATHAN DAVID ABERCROMBIE WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 26, 1947 IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND THROUGHOUT HIS 77 YEARS OF LIFE, EXEMPLIFIED UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE CIVIC COMPASSION AND THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE.
AND WHERE JONATHAN ABERCROMBIE, ABERCROMBIE, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS JOHN, AND TO MANY AS A DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO FINDING COMMON GROUND AMONG PEOPLE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, ECHOING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION.
WHEREAS, AFTER GRADUATING FROM TERRELL HIGH SCHOOL, HE PURSUED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, EARNING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN GREEK, A MASTER'S IN SOCIOLOGY, AND A MASTER'S IN EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY COUNSELING.
PREPARING HIM FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE ROOTED IN DEEP HUMAN CONNECTION AND INSIGHT, AND WHEREAS HIS EARLY WORK AS A YOUTH MENTOR SHAPED HIS LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING OTHERS, AND WHEREAS IN 1980, JOHN FOUNDED KARIS COMMUNITY HOUSING, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PARTNERED WITH LOCAL CHURCHES AND VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD HOMES FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND WHICH WAS LATER RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF PRESIDENT GEORGE HW BUSH'S THOUSAND POINTS OF LIFE FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
WHEREAS, HIS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, CONTINUED AS A FOUNDING TRUSTEE OF THE ATLANTA TASK FORCE FOR THE HOMELESS, WHERE HE PIONEERED COLLABORATIVE MODELS THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER GOVERNMENT, FAITH, AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS AND EXPAND HOUSING SOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS JOHN'S INFLUENCE EXTENDED FAR BEYOND HOUSING INITIATIVES.
HE HELPED SHAPE CIVIC DIALOGUE AS A LEADER OF COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS, INCLUDING THE DECATUR ROUNDTABLES, EFFORTS THAT BECAME A MODEL FOR NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMEN, T AND WHEREAS JOHN SERVED ON NUMEROUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING THE DE CAB COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE DECATOR HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, AND THE CLARKSTON DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, ENHANCING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS WITH HIS INCLUSIVE VISION AND PRINCIPLE VOICE, AND WHEREAS HIS PERSONAL PASSIONS, POETRY, PAINTING, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND CREATIVITY, ENRICH THE CULTURAL LIFE OF HIS COMMUNITY AND REFLECTED A HOLISTIC COMMITMENT TO HUMAN FLOURISHING.
WHEREAS, AFTER A COURAGEOUS BATTLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE, JOHN PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 30, 2025, LEAVING A LEGACY OF COMPASSION, SERVICE, AND RESOLUTE ADVOCACY FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED VOICE AND POWER.
NOW, THEREFORE, I MAYOR PATTY GARRETT, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE CITY OF HOME SCHOOLS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP DO HEREBY PROCLAIM DECEMBER 15 AS JOHN ABERCROMBIE REMEMBRANCE DAY, TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE WIFE, SERVICE, CIVIC SPIRIT, AND ENDURING LEGACY OF JONATHAN DAVID ABERCROMBIE, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS, TO COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND THE BETTERMENT OF ALL PEOPLE.
TWO IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO RAISE UP IN OUR MEETING THIS EVENING.
NEXT, WE WILL HAVE SOME PRESENTATIONS.
[IV. Presentations.]
I'LL ASK JACKIE HILLER TO COME FORWARD AND TELL US ABOUT THE DECORATE THEATER CONTEST WINNERS.>> YES. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M JACKIE MORES, ESPECIALLY THIS COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR.
TONIGHT, I COME BEFORE YOU TO PRESENT THE 2025,
[02:00:03]
DECORATE DECATUR HOLIDAY WINNERS.THIS YEAR, WE HAD TWO OUTSTANDING WINNERS AND ONE HOLIDAY WINNER OF THE COMMISSIONERS COPE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY LET US KNOW THAT THE FAMILY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT, AND SO I'LL ACCEPT IT ON THEIR BEHALF AND DELIVER IT TOMORROW.
THE FIRST OUTSTANDING MENTION WAS 424 DREXEL AVENUE, AND I HAVE A LITTLE FOR YOU.
WITH LIGHTS THAT DANCE AND GLOWING ROWS, THIS HOME SPREADS CHAIR WHEREVER IT GLOWS, A HOLIDAY GYM, THE JUDGES SPOTTED AND PROUDLY MARKED OUTSTANDING AND WELL DESERVED.
THAT ONE WAS 424 DREXEL AVENUE.
THE SECOND ONE WAS ANOTHER FAVORITE.
IT WAS 241 FORKNER DRIVE, A PLAYFUL TWIST, A GRINCY GRIN, A HOLIDAY SPIRIT THAT STILL SNEAKS IN, A MERRY SHOW FROM PORCH TO LAWN, OUTSTANDING WORK SO BRILLIANTLY DRAWN.
THAT ONE WAS MARY GRINCH MISS.
THIS YEAR'S WINTER, AND THE FAMILY THAT WILL HAVE BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR THE 2025 COMMISSIONERS CUB IS THE BOARDING FAMILY AT 5:08 DREXEL AVENUE.
ON DREXEL AVENUE, THERE SHINES A SITE THAT STEALS THE SHOW THIS WINTER NIGHT, A DREADFUL HOME LET RED AND GREEN, THE BRIGHTEST ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCENE.
SANTA CLIMBS THE ROOFTOP HIGH WHILE GIANT BOWS REACH FOR THE SKY.
SNOW SNOWFLAKES DANCE, ALONG THE GATE.
LIKE THEY LINED UP TO CELEBRATE FROM FENCE TO ROOF, FROM YARD TO DOOR, THIS HOUSE BRING MAGIC AND MUCH, MUCH MORE, A FESTIVE WONDER, SHINING BRIGHT AND CROWNED OUR CHAMPION TONIGHT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] JACKIE, IT'S ALREADY BEEN FOR THEM.
YOU PROVE THIS PLAY IN THEIR HOME.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS TO JACKIE MOORE FOR ALWAYS COMING UP WITH A CLEVER LITTLE POEM TO RECOGNIZE THE WINNERS.
>> GOOD EVENING, AMY AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M TERESA DE CASTRO ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OVER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, AND IT IS MY PLEASURE THIS EVENING TO SHARE SOME WONDERFUL NEWS AND RECOGNIZE AN EXCEPTIONAL MEMBER OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
ON NOVEMBER 6, COURTNEY JACKSON WAS SELECTED AS THE 2025 COURT CLERK OF THE YEAR BY THE GEORGIA MUNICIPAL COURT CLERKS COUNCIL.
THIS HONOR IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL BECAUSE HE RECEIVED FOUR SEPARATE NOMINATIONS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE RESPECT HE HAS EARNED WELL BEYOND OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH MORE THAN 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE JUDICIAL FIELD, COURTNEY HAS SERVED OUR CITY WITH DISTINCTION, AS COURT CLERK, THEN CHIEF COURT CLERK, AND NOW COURT ADMINISTRATOR.
HIS LEADERSHIP HAS RESULTED IN MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR COURT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING PARTNERING WITH THE BRANCH, TO STREAMLINE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND REDUCE BACKLOGS.
COURTNEY'S INFLUENCE ALSO EXTENDED STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY THROUGH HIS CONTINUED SERVICE ON GEORGIA MUNICIPAL COURT CLERKS COUNCIL, AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COURT MANAGERS, WHERE HE HELPS SHAPE PRACTICES FOR COURTS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.
THIS EVENING, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND THANK THE JUDGES AND STAFF WHO ARE HERE WITH US TONIGHT TO SUPPORT COURTNEY, AND DECATUR MUNICIPAL COURT.
YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP ARE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR COURT SYSTEM.
THIS RECOGNITION, REFLECTS A TEAM EFFORT.
COURTNEY'S PROFESSIONALISM, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE EXEMPLIFY THE VERY BEST OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO CELEBRATE THIS WELL DESERVED HONOR WITH HIM TONIGHT.
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
[02:05:31]
THREE, TWO, ONE.THIS EVENING, WE HAVE JUDGE STROUD, OUR CHIEF JUDGE HERE, AS WELL AS JUDGE ANDERSON, JUDGE VAN LAND, AND JUDGE SATKINS WITH US.
AND WE HAVE JOSE VARGAS FROM STAFF AS WELL.
>> THE COURT DOES NOT WANT TO.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DESERVED.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE JOB THAT YOU DO IN THE TOP OF THE CITY AS WELL.
NEXT, WE HAVE AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE.
[V.A. Recommend approval to amend an alcoholic beverage license to permit consumption on premises of beer, wine and spirituous liquors for owner Joshua Johnson at Conspiracy Ale Society, LLC dba Inner Voice Brewing at 308 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite H.]
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT I HAVE WITH US, AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME ON UP BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS CALL YOU OUT WHEN YOU'RE HERE.
HAVE AUSTIN NOBLES AND ALLIE HOGAN, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES, AND PLEASE STATE THE GREATS YOU ATTEND AND SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT DIC.
>> HI. MY NAME IS ALLIE HOGAN.
I'M A JUNIOR AT DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT DIC IS BEING ABLE TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS THAT WORK TOGETHER TO RUN OUR TOWN.
>> HI, MY NAME IS AUSTIN NOBLES, AND ONE THING THAT I LIKE ABOUT LOVE ABOUT DIC IS ASKING QUESTIONS AND GETTING DEEPER INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS THE CITY WORKS.
>> THANK YOU BOTH. IF IT'S A LONG MEETING, YOU JUST HAVE TO STAY UNTIL YOU GET AN OFFICIAL RELEASE. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
NOW HAVE THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE.
>> YES, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU A REQUEST TO AMEND AN EXISTING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE, AND THIS IS FOR THE OWNER, JOSHUA JOHNSON OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CONSPIRACY A SOCIETY, WHICH WE ALL KNOW AS INTERVOYE BREWING.
THEY CURRENTLY HAVE A LICENSE TO MANUFACTURE BEER AND MALT BEVERAGES, AND ALSO RETAIL SALES IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING FOR BEER AND BEVERAGES.
THEY'VE REQUESTED TO AMEND THEIR LICENSE TO ALSO INCLUDE BEER, WINE, LIQUORS CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES.
I THINK WE'RE JUST ASKING TO AMEND THEIR EXISTING LICENSE TO ADD THAT ABILITY.
JUST AS A REMINDER, A BUSINESS FOR A RESTAURANT TO SERVE BEER LINE, SPEARS LIQUORS, AS A RETAIL SALE OF BEER LINE, SPIRITS, THEY MUST DERIVE AT LEAST 50% OF THEIR TOTAL RESTAURANT SALES FROM PREPARED MEALS OR FOOD, AND THEY DO COMPLY WITH THAT.
AT THIS POINT, OR AT LEAST THE PAST YEAR, FOOD SALES FOR 63% OF THE OVERALL SALES.
>> JUST REALLY, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT, IS THAT SELF-REPORTED OR IS THAT THROUGH A STATE AGENCY? [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT IS SELF-REPORTED, AND THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AUDIT IF NEEDED.
>> BUT WHEN THEY RENEW THEIR LICENSE, THERE IS A REPORT AS PART OF THAT RENEWAL PROCESS.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDING OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE PERMIT CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES, BEER, WINE, DISARAGE WITH LIQUORS FOR OWNER JOSHUA JOHNSON.
I REALLY LIKE CONSPIRACY ALE SOCIETY.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THE MOTION PASSES.
WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT NEXT ON THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS.
[VI. Public Comment on Agenda Action Items.]
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COMMENT ON THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS.[02:10:03]
WE WILL TAKE OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS LATER IN THE MEETING, UNDER REQUESTS AND PETITIONS.BUT THE FOLLOWING ARE THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. A ART BASED PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, CHARTER REVISIONS, AND IT ASSESSMENT, THE PLANNING SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DECATUR AND THE DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EQUIPMENT ON WEST HOWARD AVENUE, A CHANGE ORDER FOR SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE, MULTI USE PATH, AND RENEWAL CONTRACTS FOR LIFE GUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND POOL MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT AND THE UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE MEDICAL RESPONSE UNIT.
AT THIS TIME, IF THERE'S ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT ANY OF THESE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, AND STATE YOUR COMMENTS, AND THEN WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE JOINED US ONLINE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE COMMISSION ROOM NOW THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT ANY OF THESE MANY AGENDA ITEMS COUNT.
NOW IT'S TIME TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I HAVE A PREPARED STATEMENT AT FIVE.
I'LL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE ALL THE MEMBERS HERE A COPY.
I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE ELECTED MAYOR.
>> COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS?
I'VE BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. I'VE BEEN HERE A WHILE.
SERVED FOUR YEARS AT THE TABLE LIKE Y'ALL.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, ALSO SERVED ON THE COMMISSION.
I HAVE A PERSPECTIVE THAT MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MANY PEOPLE IN THE CAT WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CHARTER REVISION, AND I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THIS CHARTER THING.
IT DIDN'T START OFF VERY WELL.
BASICALLY, WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK WE'VE MISSED THE POINT THE REAL POINT OF HAVING THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION TO BEGIN WITH.
I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXCELLENT IDEA, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE OPENING PANDORA'S BOX.
THIS IS A 100-YEAR-OLD MESS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
A 100 YEARS SINCE THE CITY WAS CREATED IN 1922 BY AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND, AND I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND, AND I WANT ALL THE PEOPLE OF DECATUR TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS GOVERNMENT CAME FROM.
THIS IS FACTUAL INFORMATION, AND IF ANYBODY THINKS IT'S INCORRECT OR INACCURATE.
BY ALL MEANS, PLEASE SPEAK UP.
I DON'T WANT TO TRANSMIT ANYTHING THAT'S NOT ACCURATE OR FAIR.
I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR A CHANGE IN THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT AFTER 100 YEARS OF STIFLING AUTOCRACY, AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
THIS GOVERNMENT WAS INSPIRED BY THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION IN 1917, AND IN PART, IT WAS CREATED AS A REACTION TO THE PASSAGE OF THE 14TH AND 19TH AMENDMENTS, WHICH ARE EQUAL RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.
THERE'S A GREAT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, THERE'S A GREAT PHD DISSERTATION OUT OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY ON THE WHOLE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH AND HOW VICIOUS THE AMERICAN SOUTHERN OPPOSITION TO SUFFRAGE WAS ALL THE WAY UP TO PASSING RESOLUTIONS OF REJECTION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHICH GEORGIA DID.
SUFFRAGE WAS NOT A POPULAR THING IN 1922.
NEITHER WAS THE 14TH OF THE MOON.
AS WE ALL KNOW, AMERICA WAS STRUGGLING WITH EQUAL RIGHTS AT THAT TIME.
THIS WAS TO PREVENT WOMEN AND BLACKS FROM PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND A LINEN-INSPIRED SOVIET WAS CREATED.
THIS IS LINEN'S INSPIRED SOVIET.
SOVIET IN RUSSIAN MEANS IS A RUSSIAN WORD FOR A COUNCIL OR A COMMISSION-STYLE GOVERNMENT.
WHERE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE OFFICIALLY NOT ALLOWED,
[02:15:01]
AS IS THE CASE INDICATOR.IT'S ILLEGAL TO HAVE A POLITICAL PARTY INDICATOR.
>> MR. RIDLEY, IF YOU WILL, JUST ADDRESS THE COMMISSION.
>> I WILL ADDRESS THE COMMISSION.
>> WE HAVE OFFICIALLY NOT ALLOWED, OR THEY'RE RESTRICTED TO ONE PARTY.
AN EXECUTIVE AND MANAGERIAL AUTHORITY IS VESTED IN AN UNELECTED MANAGER OR SECRETARY.
VLADIMIR LENIN, THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WAS THE WAY TO FACILITATE A DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT.
IT'S WHAT YOU NEED IF YOU WANT TO RUN AN AUTOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.
TO CONTROL AUTOCRACY, PARTICIPATION OF THE CITIZENS AND ACTUAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNANCE SHOULD BE DIFFUSED AND CONSTRAINED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
I'VE NOTICED THIS GOVERNMENT LIKES TO USE RHETORIC, BUT USUALLY THE ACTIONS DON'T FOLLOW.
YOU ALSO NEED AN ONGOING MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGN LIKE PRAVDA.
WE HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE DECATUR FOCUS AND A WEBSITE.
IT'S NECESSARY TO DO THIS TO CONTROL AND DOMINATE THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE, USUALLY TO PERPETUATE SOME PUBLIC GRIEVANCE, A LIE, A MYTH, OR PROJECT SOME FORM OF DISTORTED INFORMATION OR IMAGE THAT YOU WANT TO DO.
IT IS A COMMON POLITICAL TACTIC.
NO, THE EDITORS ARE ALLOWED, BECAUSE THAT'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND WE CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING THAT OPPOSES THE AUTOCRACY.
NO POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ALLOWED.
THE CITY OF THE CATER HAS PRACTICED THIS ANTI DEMOCRATIC REPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
NOW I WANT TO QUICKLY GO THROUGH AND TELL YOU WHAT THAT HAS DONE FOR US AND WHAT THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT HAS BROUGHT US.
IT'S NOT VERY CRITICAL TO BE QUITE BLUNT.
I GREW UP HERE. THIS IS MY HOME.
CRITICISM IS ALSO WITH ME BECAUSE I ONCE SAT AT THE TABLE AND PARTICIPATED IN THIS.
IN THE LAST 100 YEARS, THE CITY OF DECATUR CHARTER HAS ALLOWED THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN AND A REPUDIATION OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT.
IT SUPPORTED AND NURTURED SATURDAY SCHOOL ANTI-SEMITISM, WHEN WE USED TO RUN SCHOOLS ON SATURDAY TO KEEP JEWISH PEOPLE OUT OF THE SCHOOLS.
WELL DOCUMENTED. THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT ALSO VERY ARTFULLY AND CRAFTFULLY SUPPORTED JIM CROW SEGREGATION.
IT CREATED A TOLERANCE OF REAL ESTATE REDLINING, WHICH WAS FAMOUSLY MADE ILLEGAL AFTER ABDI STATES WAS DRAGGED TO FEDERAL COURT AND IT WAS OVERTURNED.
THIS COMMISSION HAS HISTORICALLY REFUSED TO HAVE A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
I KNOW I WAS AROUND WHEN THE CONSTITUTION WAS CHANGED, AND THE SCHOOL BOARDS WERE ELECTED. I WATCHED IT ALL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ALL WERE HERE AT THAT TIME, BUT I WAS AN EYEWITNESS TO THE WHOLE THING.
WE'VE HAD SOME ABSOLUTE OPPOSITION.
WELL, COMMUNITY INSTABILITY ROLLER COASTER OF WHITE FLIGHT AND GENTRIFICATION DEMOGRAPHIC SWINGS.
LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST 100 YEARS WITH THE CONSTANT DEMOGRAPHIC INSTABILITY AND SWINGS IN REAL ESTATE VALUES AND ALL OF THAT.
PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AUTOCRACY THAT BENEFITS THEM, AND THEIR FRIENDS BENEFIT FROM THIS SYSTEM.
WE'VE HAD PERIODIC, FAST REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNISTS PREYING ON A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR SALE.
WE HAVE A POLITICAL CULTURE INDICATOR NOW THAT'S NO LONGER BASED IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES OF FAITH, UNLIKE WHAT WE WANT TO TELL PEOPLE.
WHAT WE HAVE, INSTEAD, IS AN INCREASINGLY TRANSITORY AND POLARIZING IDENTITY OBSESSED FACTIONS IN THIS SETTING.
WE HAVE COVER UP, AND WE USE THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT TO HIDE THE BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY, AND FULL DISCLOSURE IS NOT ALLOWED, AND IT'S COVERED UP.
ON TOP OF THAT, RECENTLY, WHAT I FIND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS AUTOCRACY IS THAT THE LEFT HAS LEARNED HOW TO USE THESE TOOLS OF AUTOCRACY AS WELL AS THE RIGHT.
OF LATE, WE'VE HAD SOME OF THAT GOING ON, TOO.
WE HAVE MALICIOUS EFFORTS TO DILUTE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS THROUGH ZONING, AND ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO EXTRACT FINANCIAL RETRIBUTION.
FROM DECATUR TAXPAYERS AS RETALIATION AND RECRIMINATIONS FOR A VAST CONSPIRACY OF IDEOLOGY OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.
REALLY? WE HAVE A MASSIVE DEBT IN THE CITY?
[02:20:03]
WE HAVE THE HIGHEST TAXES OF ANY MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND WE HAVE THE LEAST ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT IN THE ENTIRE STATE.PEOPLE OF DECATUR, AND I'VE HEARD IT HUNDREDS OF TIMES, AND WE HAVE THE SAME THING GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER.
WHO CAN I TALK TO? WHO CAN I APPEAL TO? WHO RUNS THIS PLACE? A HORSE BY COMMITTEE, SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT ELECTED, WHO RUNS THE PLACE.
DECATUR COUNTY WENT THROUGH THIS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
THEY USED TO HAVE A CHAIRMAN, WHICH IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED NOW, IS EFFECTIVELY A CHAIRMAN OF A COMMISSION.
IT'S NOT A MAYOR. IT'S NOT A MAYOR AT ALL, AND I FORGOT MY PROPS, BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT APPLES AND ORANGES ARE NOT THE SAME THING, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU TELL PEOPLE THEY ARE.
A MAYOR HAS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY.
THAT IS IN WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY, AND TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY AS A MAYOR IS SIMPLY AN ABUSE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE HOLDING AN APPLE OVER HERE AND IT'S REALLY AN ORANGE.
THAT'S CALLED GASLIGHTING, AND I QUITE FRANKLY HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF DECATUR'S GASLIGHTING.
THE SENIOR TAX EXEMPTION, THE BATES, THE FAMOUS BAIT AND SWITCH SENIOR TAX EXEMPTION.
WHO WAS GIVEN BY 85% OF THE VOTERS AND THEN TAKEN AWAY THROUGH A SLEIGHT OF HAND AND CRAFTY LANGUAGE IN THE BACK ROOM DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.
IT HAS COST ME PERSONALLY OVER $25,000 IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
YOU THINK THE GAS LINING IS NOT SEEN BY PEOPLE.
WHAT THE PEOPLE AT THE DECATUR NEED, AND WHAT I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL REALLY UNDERSTAND.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHO CHAIRS THIS MEETING.
THIS IS ABOUT HAVING AN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE.
THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE.
THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY DON'T WORK FOR AN ELECTED PERSON.
>> THEY WORK FOR AN APPOINTED PERSON.
I CAN'T VOTE THE CITY EXECUTIVE OUT OF POWER.
I CAN IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
I CAN IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT I CANNOT EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY, AND THE 20 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE ONLY 10 CITIES LEFT.
GAINES HAS A FEW YEARS AGO FINALLY GAVE UP AND SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
THEY GOT RID OF THEIR SIMILAR SITUATION TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF A COMPARABLE MUNICIPALITY, AND THEY'RE MUCH BIGGER THAN WE ARE. WE'RE ONLY 25.
I HAVE ONE MORE THING TO SAY, I THINK I'VE MADE THE POINT ABOUT THERE'S ABOUT GAS LIGHTING, CALLING APPLES, ORANGES, AND PRETENDING THAT A MAYOR IS NOT REALLY A MAYOR.
WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED AS A CHAIRMAN OF A COMMISSION, NOT A MAYOR.
THE PEOPLE OF DECATUR SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE OF WHETHER THEY WANT TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT THEY CAN VOTE FOR OR AGAINST TO RUN THE CITY.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S UNREASONABLE.
QUITE FRANKLY, I'M SURPRISED THAT THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT HADN'T BEEN EXPLAINED, THE MAOISM, ESPECIALLY THE MAOISM, BECAUSE IT'S STUNNING.
THE USE OF THE AUTOCRACY TO SUPPORT THIS THING.
WE AS THE VOTERS HAVE NO WAY TO HOLD THIS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE DIRECTLY.
I HAD TWO OTHER THINGS REAL QUICK.
ONE OF THEM IS YOU'VE GOT TO BE OUT OF YOUR MIND IF YOU THINK YOU WANT TO GIVE THE SCHOOL BOARD BONDING AUTHORITY.
FIRST OF ALL, IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
I ASSURE YOU THERE'LL BE LITIGATION IF ANYBODY TRIES IT, AND I WILL BE A SUPPORTER AND CONTRIBUTE TO THAT LITIGATION BECAUSE IT'S BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
FORGET ABOUT THAT. I MEAN, THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK WHAT YOU'VE ENDED UP WITH IS A HALF EFFORT LIMON.
I HOPE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESPONDS WITH THIS ESTABLISHING A STUDY COMMITTEE TO SIT DOWN AND LOOK SERIOUSLY AT THE IMPLICATIONS OF CONTINUING THIS FORM OF LINEN INSPIRED AUTOCRACY AND UNACCOUNTABILITY.
I'M NOT SURE THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO DO THAT.
THE OTHER THING IS, IT MIGHT BE HEALTHY FOR DECATUR TO WITHSTAND ALL THE OTHER STANDARDS THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO DO ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CREATE A CITY.
CAN YOU ACTUALLY AFFORD TO FINANCE THE FUNCTIONS THAT YOU WANT TO DO? CAN YOU REALLY HAVE ALL THESE FUNCTIONS, AND DO YOU HAVE A TAX BASE TO SUPPORT THEM? DECATUR SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO THAT MOLD.
IF YOU WANT AN UNACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT,
[02:25:03]
LET'S AT LEAST HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT MEETS THE STANDARD THAT ALL THE OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO MEET WHEN THEY WANT TO BE NEWLY INCORPORATED.QUITE FRANKLY, THE HONEST TRUTH IS, DECATUR WOULDN'T MET THAT STANDARD.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE HIGHEST DEBT AND THE HIGHEST AND THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE STATE.
IT'S NOT A LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE PROPOSITION.
ALL ALL KNOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO DO MATH JUST LIKE I DO.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A RAPID INCREASE IN APPRECIATION VALUES AND THE BACKDOOR TAX INCREASE WITH THE UPPER VALUE OF PROPERTY VALUES.
I KNOW I WILL BE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY.
I'VE DEED I'VE HELPED DEFEAT LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR THAT THIS THE CITY HAS SENT OVER THERE BEFORE.
I'M GOING TO WORK ON DOING IT AGAIN.
IF YOU SEND OVER SOMETHING THAT PERPETUATES THIS LINEN STYLE AUTOCRACY, THAT'S UNACCOUNTABLE TO PEOPLE.
IT'S WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
IF YOU I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF ABOUT GOVERNMENTS IS BUSINESS.
I KNOW A LOT OF WHAT GOES ON HERE LOOKS LIKE A GARDEN CLUB, BUT IT'S NOT.
I WOULD [NOISE] MUCH LIKE TO I'M ADVANCING IN AGE AND I HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE DECATUR WITH ACTUAL DEMOCRACY WITH WHERE I CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A REAL DEMOCRACY AND NOT A FOR DEMOCRACY. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ANY OF THE AGENDA, I CHANGE ITEMS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, PATTY GARRETT, FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO VICE MAYOR TONY POWERS AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
I KNOW THE WORK HE DID BECAUSE LIKE JOHN, I SERVED HERE.
I HAVE A PERSPECTIVE THAT WE ALL HAVE VALUABLE PERSPECTIVES, BUT I HAVE SOME VALUES AND PERSPECTIVES THAT SEEM TO ME PARTICULAR.
I HAVE TO FEEL LIKE I CAN'T HONESTLY SPEAK TO YOU TILL I OWN THOSE.
>> CAN YOU MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS?
>> I'M SO SORRY. MY NAME IS ANNE BRANSCOME, AND I KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW ME, AND I KNOW MOST OF THESE FOLKS DON'T KNOW ME.
BUT I CAME HERE AS THE AND I LIVE NOW AT 324 OAKLAND STREET HERE IN DECATUR, AND I JUST CAME BACK A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AFTER BEING GONE ABOUT 16 YEARS FROM THE AREA AND I MOVED BACK.
MY EXPERIENCE WAS THAT I CAME AS THE WIFE OF A YOUNG CITY MANAGER TO THE CITY OF DECATUR.
AT THAT POINT, THINGS WERE DIFFERENT.
BUT I HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE PROCESS THAN JOHN DOS.
I HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY FOR MORE THAN HALF OF MY LIFE AND WITH GOVERNMENT FOR WAY MORE THAN THAT.
I'M ALMOST 80, RIGHT ON THE CUSP.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE.
I WAS A WIFE OF A CITY MANAGER WHO BECAME PART OF ICMA, WHICH ALL OF YOUR MANAGERS HAVE BEEN A PART OF, WHICH REALLY WORKS HARD TO PROVIDE RESPONSIBLE SKILLED PROFESSIONAL, ETHICAL GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE THAT IN CITIES AND TOWNS LIKE OURS, NOT VERY LARGE METROPOLITAN AREAS, BUT IT IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FORM OF GOVERNMENT WE CAN, AND IT DOES REPRESENT DEMOCRACY.
I BELIEVE THIS CITY SHOWS US THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WAY OF GOVERNMENT THAT HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF THE CHANGE WE NEED, BUT NEVER ALL OF IT.
WHEN I CAME HERE, NO, PEOPLE A REAL ESTATE AGENT WOULD NOT TAKE US ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO SHOW US A HOME.
WE MOVED ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
BUT THAT'S WHERE WE WERE THEN.
YOU TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS.
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RELIGIOUS APPRECIATION AND RESPECT.
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE LISTENING, PEOPLE LISTENING, PEOPLE LISTENING, EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD AND FOR HOURS WHEN YOU WISH YOU WERE ALREADY HOME, AND YOU THINK YOU VISITED A SUBJECT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
WELL, I'M HERE TO SAY, I THINK WE'RE ABOUT TO TAKE A MISSTEP.
I BELIEVE VERY DEEPLY, AND I'M VERY SORRY.
I'M JUST NOW COMING TO THE TABLE.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF REASONS WHY I'VE HAVEN'T COME BEFORE, BUT I'M HERE TONIGHT, AND I KNOW WHAT I'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THAT THE DECISION IS MADE.
THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE MADE UP THEIR MINDS ALREADY.
[02:30:01]
I KNOW THAT IN YOUR OWN MIND, THAT I'VE SAT THERE AND I'VE COME TO THE TABLE AND THOUGHT THINGS WERE GOING TO GO ONE WAY AND THEN WENT ANOTHER WHEN YOU WERE TAKING A SECOND VOTE.I BELIEVE WE'RE ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING THAT WON'T HELP US AS MUCH AS WE THINK IT WILL.
THERE IS A REASON WHY WE HAVE CONTINUED TO BE A COMMUNITY IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE CHANGE WE'VE GONE THROUGH AND WHY PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND WHY THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH THAT POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE, TURN TO US AS A MODEL AND AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WE HEAR ABOUT IT EVERY DAY.
THE REASON IS THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT WE HAVE NOW.
YES, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME.
I THINK IT'S A MISTAKE TO MAKE THE MAYOR AN ELECTED POSITION.
I'VE STRUGGLED AND LISTENED AND TRY TO FIND OUT ALL THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE APPARENTLY ARE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION.
I THINK EVERYTHING INDICATOR THAT I HAVE REALLY WITNESSED THAT'S HELPED TO BUILD THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN BASED ON PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEN THE COMMISSIONERS ELECTED A GOVERNOR.
THEY DID IT BASED ON HAVING LEARNED ABOUT THE PROCESS, COMING TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND THEN DECIDING WHO WAS THE BEST PERSON AMONG THEM TO FACILITATE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY, TO FACILITATE WORKING WITH THEIR STAFF WHO HAVE SO MUCH PROFESSIONAL SKILL.
IT IS THE REASON THEY'RE RECOGNIZED ALL OVER.
I THINK WHEN IT ACTUALLY POLITICIZES THE MAYOR AND AS ANOTHER STEP IN A WAY THAT PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON IT.
I KNOW THINGS ARE COMPLICATED.
BUT THE ISSUES I MEAN, THE STRUGGLES ARE THE SAME.
WE HAVE FACED SHUTTING DOWN OUR SCHOOLS, WE ARE HAVING OUR OWN SCHOOLS, WE'VE FACED THIS, WE FACED THAT, WE FACED HAVING OUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF IT. CAN WE AFFORD IT? WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH TOUGH TIMES AND WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH TIMES WHEN WE HAD A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY.
BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS COME TOGETHER AND MADE IT THROUGH THOSE TIMES BECAUSE WE WERE HERE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, NOT OUR PERSONAL INTERESTS.
THE MAYOR WAS NEVER A STEPPING STONE TO ANOTHER POLITICAL OFFICE.
THE MAYOR WAS A PERSON WHO REPRESENTED THE NEXT LEVEL OF COMMUNITY AND WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO LISTEN AND TO LEARN AND TO EDUCATE AND TO HELP HAVE ALL THIS GOOD EXPERIENCE.
I JUST STRONGLY HOPE EVERYBODY I'VE TALKED TO AND TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE, THEY THINK THE DECISIONS MADE OR THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, OR THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING THIS.
I KNOW WE HAVE IT'S COMMON TO HAVE THE CHARTER REVIEW.
I KNOW THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS LONG TERM, NOT JUST FOR THE NEXT MAYOR, BUT THE MAYOR AFTER THAT AND THE MAYOR AFTER THAT AND THE MAYOR AFTER THAT.
THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT, WHICH I THINK IS THE VERY BEST FORM OF GOVERNMENT WE COULD HAVE TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
I THINK WE CAN CHANGE THE TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE MAYOR TO HELP WITH THE REGIONAL COMMISSION.
BUT THE FOCUS IS TO SERVE AND I'VE SERVED WITH REPUBLICANS AND I'VE SERVED WITH DEMOCRATS AND I'VE SERVED WITH WHAT PEOPLE I CONSIDER DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND PEOPLE, BUT WE HAVE COME TOGETHER.
I HOPE I DON'T THINK THE CITIZENS OF DECATUR, I THINK IT'S BEEN A TOUGH TIME TO COME TO THIS DECISION.
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PRESSURE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
THAT THIS IS WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN.
I KNOW YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO THIS TONIGHT, BUT I ALSO KNOW YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
AS A REALLY GOOD FRIEND OF JOHN ABERCROMBIE, WHO I WORKED WITH HIM WHEN I HELPED FOUND OUR HOUSE, THE HOMELESS CHILDREN SHELTER.
I WORKED WITH HIM WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO GET HELP AND MENTALLY ILL.
I'VE WORKED WITH THE LEADERSHIP DECA.
I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF ALL THOSE THINGS.
I JUST THINK THAT WE NEED MORE CONVERSATION.
I KNOW EVERY ONE OF YOU CAME HERE BECAUSE YOU WANTED PUBLIC SERVICE, AND YOU HAD A VALUE THAT YOU WANTED TO PROMOTE.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP US.
THAT'S JUST MY PERSPECTIVE AND WITH ALL RESPECT, AND WITH RESPECT TO EVERYBODY, I SERVED WHETHER WHETHER THEY WERE REPUBLICAN OR DECATUR, THAT WAS NOT WHAT IT REVOLVED AROUND.
IT WAS AROUND THE INTEREST OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I JUST HOPE YOU'LL AT LEAST VOTE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION.
I KNOW YOU'VE HAD A MILLION, AND I HAVE BEEN THERE. I KNOW IT'S HARD.
I'LL TELL YOU ONE OTHER THING, AND THEN I WILL I HAVE SINCE LIVING HERE,
[02:35:02]
MOVED IN SIMILAR AND DISSIMILAR COMMUNITIES, BUT VERY INVOLVED WITH ONE THAT IS ALMOST THE EXACT EXACT SAME SIZE AND HAS A CITY MANAGER COUNCIL FORM OF GOVERNMENT, AND THEY POLITICIZE THE MAYOR POSITION.THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE IT HAS BEEN A DISASTROUS PROCESS, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL.
AND I HAVE BECAUSE OF MY INVOLVEMENT WITH ICMA AND OTHER FACTORS AND MOVING AROUND THE COUNTRY, I'VE SEEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I LISTEN, I WAS PART OF A PARTNERS PROGRAM IN ICMA BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE SAYING THE WIVES AND THE FAMILIES WERE SAYING, WE NEED SUPPORT. THIS IS ARABLE.
IT WAS BECAUSE AND EVERYWHERE THERE WAS MORE PROBLEMS, IT WAS BECAUSE IT GOT POLITICIZED.
WE NEED TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC SERVICE.
WE NEED TO WE NEED THAT TO STILL BE OUR MANTRA, AND NOT ANY OTHER THING LARGER THAN THAT.
IF YOU WANT TO GO ON AND I CONSIDERED MOVING CAN ANYWAY, THEN I MOVED IN TWO OTHER PLACES, AND THEY CHANGED AND I TELL YOU IT IS AT THIS SIDE.
IT DOES NOT BECOME EASIER FOR A MAYOR TO GOVERN NO MATTER WHAT THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM IS.
PLEASE CONSIDER AGAIN YOUR DECISION TONIGHT AND THINK ABOUT IT SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> OTHERS WHO LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. SEE NONE IN THE ROOM.
WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO THOSE WHO ARE ONLINE.
IF THERE'S ANYONE ONLINE, WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. YOU'LL RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL HAND.
WE WILL YOU AND ASK YOU TO ALSO STATE YOUR NAME AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT.
>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CONFIRM.
AM I ABLE TO MAKE A COMMENT NOW ABOUT THE RESIDENT PARKING PROGRAM PRESENTED DURING THE WORK SESSION OR DOES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN LATER?
>> THAT WOULD HAPPEN LATER AGENDA.
>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT AGENDA ACTION ITEMS AT THE MOMENT.
WE WILL [INAUDIBLE] THE PUBLIC AGENDA ACTION ITEMS AND DO
[VII.A.Merit-Based Pay Adjustment for City Employees. Recommend approval of a one-time, merit-based pay adjustment for full-time and part-time employees equivalent to one-pay period for regular, full-time employees and the amounts of $500 for active, part-time employees who have worked 100-499 hours since July 1, 2025 and $1,000 for active, part-time employees who have worked more than 500 hours since July 1, 2025.]
TWO AGENDA ACTION ITEM A [INAUDIBLE] CITY EMPLOYEES.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
TONIGHT, I AM RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF A MERIT BASED ONE TIME PAY ADJUSTMENT, AND THAT WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO ONE PAY PERIOD FOR ALL REGULAR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, AND ALSO A SIMILAR MERIT BASED PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR OUR ACTIVE PART TIME EMPLOYEES BASED ON THE HOURS WORKED SINCE JULY 1 OF THIS YEAR.
DURING THE FISCAL YEAR '24, '25 BUDGET PROCESS, THE CITY CONSERVATIVELY PROJECTED TO USE MORE THAN $2 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUNDS FUND BALANCE.
INSTEAD, AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, THE CITY ADDED JUST OVER $2 MILLION TO THE FUND BALANCE, AND THAT RESULTED IN A TOTAL GENERAL FUND BALANCE OF OVER $17 MILLION, OR IS AROUND 38% OF OUR FISCAL YEAR '25, '26 GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
THIS OUTCOME REPRESENTS A SEEN OF MORE THAN $4 MILLION FROM OUR BUDGETED EXPECTATIONS.
BECAUSE DEPARTMENTS DID SUCCESSFULLY CONTROL EXPENDITURES WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY SERVICE LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE DID REALIZE THE BUDGETARY SAVINGS IN ALL MAJOR CATEGORIES.
NOW THE MAJORITY OF THE SAVINGS WERE IN THE SERVICES CATEGORY, PRIMARILY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, AND THEN THE SAVINGS WERE FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND THE PERSONNEL SAVINGS.
IN ADDITION TO HAVING THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY, ABOUT THE PAY ADJUSTMENT.
THIS RECOMMENDATION DOES RESPOND TO CONCERNS THAT WE ARE HEARING [NOISE] THAT IF WE ARE ALL AWARE ABOUT COST OF LIVING EXPENSES AND ALSO MARKET COMPETITIVENESS WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION.
THE NATIONAL ANNUAL INFLATION RATE AS OF SEPTEMBER OF 2025 IS APPROXIMATELY 3% THAT DOES EXCEED THE 2.5% MERIT BASED SALARY INCREASE THAT WAS RECEIVED BY MOST REGULAR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN JULY OF THIS YEAR.
UPON APPLICATION OF THE PAY INCREASE,
[02:40:02]
EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS INCREASED ON AVERAGE BY 12%.IMMEDIATELY THAT INCREASE WAS ERODED BY THE INCREASE IN THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTION.
ALSO, AS A REMINDER, REGULAR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES DID NOT RECEIVE SALARY INCREASES IN FISCAL YEAR '23, '24.
THEY DID RECEIVE A ONE TIME PAY ADJUSTMENT SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.
ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE TO BASE SALARY, A PAY ADJUSTMENT THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO ONE-PAY PERIOD CAN HELP OFFSET HIGHER COSTS FOR ESSENTIALS.
HOUSING, FOOD, UTILITIES, GAS.
FURTHERMORE, THE CITY DOES FACE COMPETITIVE PRESSURES AND RETAINING SKILLED PERSONNEL.
A MERIT BASED ADJUSTMENT THAT HELPS MITIGATE COST OF LIVING INCREASES, [NOISE] ALSO STRENGTHENS OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR HIGH PERFORMING WORKFORCE, DEMONSTRATES RECOGNITION FOR THOSE WHO CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE, AND ALSO REINFORCES OUR CULTURE OF EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION.
NOT REALLY JUST SHOWING HOW WE DO VALUE OUR CITY EMPLOYEES.
LIKEWISE, PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS OUR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, AFTER SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE CRITICAL TO CITY OPERATIONS.
UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT ACTIVE PART-TIME EMPLOYEES BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT OF EITHER $500 FOR THOSE ARE FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT WORKED 100-499 HOURS SINCE JULY 1 OR $1,000 FOR THOSE WHO WORKED MORE THAN 500 HOURS.
THAT PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES AND BASED ON THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT HAVE BEEN WORSE SINCE JULY 2025.
THIS MERIT BASED PAY ADJUSTMENT IS A ONE TIME ALLOCATION FROM FUND BALANCE, DOES NOT CREATE AN ONGOING OBLIGATION.
THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE USE OF FUND BALANCE VIA A NON RECURRING EXPENDITURE.
THE COST OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR REGULAR FULL TIME NON PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES, THE FEE OF ABOUT $512,000, AND THE COST FOR THE PART TIME EMPLOYEES, THE FEE AROUND 80,007- 592,000.
LET'S DO A LITTLE BIT OF MATH.
THE FISCAL YEAR '25, '26 ADOPTED BUDGET.
THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE IN NOW EXPECTS TO USE JUST OVER $1.5 MILLION OF FUND BALANCE.
THAT WOULD BRING THE YEAR IN FUND BALANCE AT THE END OF '26 TO APPROXIMATELY $15.7 MILLION.
THAT'S 35% OF THE OPERATING BUDGET.
THIS PAY ADJUSTMENT WOULD REDUCE THAT PROJECTED YEAR IN FUND BALANCE TO JUST AROUND $15.1 MILLION, STILL THAT WOULD BE 33% OF THE OPERATING BUDGET.
THAT'S STILL WELL ABOVE THE CITY'S POLICY OF HAVING A FUND BALANCE OF 20-30% OF THE OPERATING BUDGET.
SUFFICIENT FUND BALANCE IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THIS ONE TIME EXPENDITURE DOES NOT JEOPARDIZE THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY OR OUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE POLICY OR PROGRAM GOALS.
IT ALSO RETAINS AMPLE FUND BALANCE IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES OR OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE OR NEED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THE USE OF THE FUND BALANCE DOES NOT PLACE ANY ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON OUR TAXPAYERS AND STAFF AND ESPECIALLY FINANCE AND BUDGET RELATED STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO BE ATTENTIVE TO THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS AS WE DEVELOP THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
I DO RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THIS MERIT BASED ONE TIME PAY ADJUSTMENT AS PROPOSED FOR OUR REGULAR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS OUR ACTIVE PART TIME EMPLOYEES.
I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS RECOMMENDATION.
>> I'LL START BY SAYING THAT FOR ME, IT IS A BIT OF UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION AND PART OF IT IS THAT WE'RE BALANCING TWO FOLKS WHO WE RESPOND TO.
ONE IS WE HAVE VERY GOOD STAFF HERE, PROFESSIONAL REALLY GOOD WORK FOR US, AND WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THEY DO AND WE WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT THEY DO.
WE ALSO REPRESENT 25,000 PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION.
[02:45:02]
JUST AS OUR EMPLOYEES ARE SEEING STRESS FROM CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATIONS, SO ARE OUR RESIDENTS.UNFORTUNATELY, PARTICULARLY WITH SOME OF THE DECISIONS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE ARE SEEING FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY WORK WITH EXECUTIVE DISEASE PREVENTION LOSING THEIR JOBS.
FAMILIES SEE TWO PEOPLE LOSING THEIR JOBS.
WE HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE OUR TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE THEIR HOME VALUES ARE GOING UP.
SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY MAKE DECISIONS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN STAY IN THE CITY OF DECATUR OR STAY AS HOMEOWNERS IN THE CITY OF DECATUR BASED ON THOSE TAXES, AND THEIR PROPERTY VALUES.
WE SAY THAT WE WANT AN EQUITABLE, DIVERSE COMMUNITY, WHICH INCLUDES SOCIO-ECONOMIC, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE HIGH TAXES, WE MAKE IT HARDER TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.
WE HAVE THESE COMPETING VALUES GOING ON.
I SAY THIS JUST FOR CONTEXT BY CONVERSATION.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO FURTHER CONVERSATION ON THIS ITEM.
BUT IT ALSO IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE DIRECT AND SUPPORTIVE OF EMPLOYEES, THEY PROVIDE THEM THE JUST COMPENSATION BENEFITS, WHAT HAVE YOU, SO THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL AND BE VALUED BECAUSE THEY ARE THEY ARE VALUE HERE.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO, I THINK, AND I ASKED THE CITY MANAGER THIS TERM IF I GET IT WRONG, PAYING CLASS STUDIES THAT WAS?
>> WE DID A PAYING CLASS BASICALLY TO LOOK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE PROVIDING JUST COMPENSATION FOR FOLKS.
WE DID THAT, MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, AND WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR FOLKS.
AT THAT SAME TIME, BECAUSE WE ALSO WERE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS, WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES, SO WE INCREASED OUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN THE NEXT BUDGET ROLLED AROUND, WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OUR REVENUE WAS AND WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD DO THAT AND PROVIDE A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT WE COULD NOT BE THE CAUSE OF THE ADJUSTMENT.
WHEN WE COME BACK AND BUDGET WAS LOOKING, AND THEN WE WOULD ADDRESS IT EVERY WEIGH THE WEEDS AND I APOLOGIZE BUT I SOMETIMES WEED BUTT TO DISCUSS AND ANALYZE SITUATION HERE.
WE WERE ABLE TO LAST TIME BRING A MERIT BASED PAY INCREASE ALSO ONE PAY PERIOD, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS, WHICH IS ABOUT 3.85% FOR PEOPLE SALARY.
WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT WE DID NOT INCREASE THE UNDERLYING SALARY.
HAVING DONE THE PAYING CLASS STUDY, WE ACTUALLY WERE BEHIND AND FOLLOWING THE POLICY, RECOMMENDED IN THE PAY CLASS THAT YOU DID NOT INCREASE.
PLEASE CORRECT IF I SAY ANYTHING WRONG.
THIS YEAR, AGAIN, WE WERE STILL FIGURING OUT OUR FINANCES, AND AS THE CITY MANAGER DEMONSTRATED, OUR FINANCES ARE IN VERY SOLID SHAPE.
WE HAVEN'T MANAGED OUR FINANCES VERY WELL.
WE DO HAVE A FUND BALANCE THAT EXCEEDS OUR POLICY OF 20%, 30%, BUT WE RECOMMENDED 2.5%, 7% INCREASE, WE ACTUALLY DID NOT DO A QUALITY UPKEEP FOR THAT.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THAT, I DO NOT KNOW THE COST OF LIVING WAS IN 2024 UP TIME THE HEAD, BUT WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE SALARIES ARE BEHIND FROM THAT FOR EMPLOYEES AND A LITTLE BIT BEHIND HERE.
I'M JUST STRUGGLING WITH THIS BECAUSE I'M LOOKING AT THIS, AND I WANT US TO BE COMPETITIVE AND TO BE SUPPORTING OUR EMPLOYEES, BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE BURDEN ON OUR TAXPAYERS.
I KNOW THIS IS FUND BALANCE, SO TECHNICALLY, IT IS NOT DIRECTLY FROM PROPERTY TAXES, BUT I BELIEVE WE COULD HAVE A PROBABLY A VERY LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND IT IS OFF FUNGIBLE.
I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE THIS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE THIS IS WE COULD GIVE A LIKE A REFUND TO EMPLOYEES.
I HAVE EMPLOYEES THE RESIDENTS AND THE CITY OF DECATUR.
I SAY THAT FOR THE CONTEXT, AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE WANT TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION OR NOT, BUT JUST THAT AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION WITHIN THE COUNTRY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT FOLKS ARE FACING, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS HERE AND THAT THE PEOPLE PAYING FOR THIS ARE OUR RESIDENTS, AND TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CONTINUE TO LEAN INTO OUR RESIDENTS, WE ARE CREATING A SITUATION WHERE IT'S HARDER TO ACHIEVE THE DIVERSITY OF EQUITY THAT WE VALUE.
I SAY THAT. WE'LL SAY, I MAY SUPPORT THIS, HONESTLY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY SHARE WHAT I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT BEEN GOING ONTO MY HEAD AS I'VE BEEN TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONSIDER THIS.
[02:50:01]
THAT WAS IT. SORRY, I JUST THAT [INAUDIBLE].>> NO, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT THING.
I THINK WE ALL LOOK AT THAT SAME THING.
I REMEMBERED ASKING THE CITY MANAGER.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE LOSE HALF OUR WORKFORCE AND WE'VE DONE THIS PAY AND SCALE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE'RE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE NOW WE'RE HIRING PEOPLE AT THE NEW RATE BECAUSE ALL THE OLD PEOPLE HAVE LEFT, AND SO IT'S A CHALLENGE.
FROM OUR RESIDENTS, WE HEAR WE HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE, AND I THINK THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD NEW POSITIONS CREATED IN A NUMBER OF YEARS WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE AND POSITIONS THAT WE BUDGETED FOR, BUT WE HAVE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS, AND IT'S TOUGH.
BECAUSE WE WANT TAX RELIEF AND WE WANT TO KEEP THE MILEAGE RATE LOW WHEN WE CAN OR EVEN ROLL IT BACK WHEN WE CAN, BUT ALSO KNOWING THAT WE HAVE TO MEET ALL OF OUR OBLIGATIONS.
THERE'S THE CHALLENGE OF THE RIGHT MILEAGE RATE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN HONOR ALL OUR COMMITMENTS TO OUR RESIDENTS.
WHO'S HONORING THOSE COMMITMENTS? OUR STAFF AND OUR PEOPLE? OUR BIGGEST EXPENSE IN THE CITY AND AGAIN, IT IS A VERY DELICATE LINE.
I THINK YOU BRING UP A VERY VALID POINT AT WHAT POINT CAN WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WHERE WE OFFER SOME TYPE OF [INAUDIBLE], IT'S A ONE TERM RELIEF FOR TAXPAYERS.
I KNOW THAT'S A BIGGER DISCUSSION THAN THIS DISCUSSION TODAY.
[OVERLAPPING] WE CAN OPEN HANDLES THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO.
>> IF I DO A REBATE OR CREDIT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AGAIN FOR VIRTUALLY AGAIN, WE CANNOT GIVE MONEY BACK TO RESIDENTS, BUT IF THERE'S A THROUGH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, THERE ARE WAYS TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF, BUT A REBATE OR REFUND IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
>> THE STATE CAN DO IT THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.
>> THAT YOU'D BE RIGHT. AS I SAID [INAUDIBLE].
>> BUT I HEAR YOU AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT PLACE TO BE IN.
WE WERE ELECTED BY OUR CONSTITUENTS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO CITY EMPLOYEES AS WELL.
>> I THINK ALSO MAYBE PART OF THE DISCUSSION WOULD BE THAT WHAT IS ADDING TO THE FUND BALANCE EVERY YEAR, AND IS THAT THEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT IN BUDGETING FOR NEXT YEAR, RECOGNIZING IF THERE'S AN EXPECTED SURPLUS, BECAUSE WE TEND TO NOT SPEND AS MUCH FUND BALANCE AS IS PROJECTED.
IS THAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME TAX RELIEF? I KNOW THAT IS LOOKING AT A MILLAGE, AND DOES THAT NEED TO GO DOWN? I THINK IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO TAKE A MILLAGE RATE DOWN, AND THEN WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE HARD DECISION OF TAKING IT BACK UP AGAIN, IF YOU NEED TO, BUT THAT IS ONE WAY TO GIVE SOME TAX RELIEF.
I DO KNOW IT'S BEEN YEARS AGO THAT THERE WAS, I KNOW IT WASN'T A REBATE, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING BACK TO THE RESIDENT, WAS IT THE FEES THAT WERE WAIVED OR?
>> WE HAD WAIVED FEES BASED OFF AGE AND INCOME.
WE WAIVED THE SANITATION FEE AND THE STORM WATER FEE.
THAT'S IF YOU QUALIFIED FOR THE AGE 80 EXEMPTION.
THAT'S ONE DECISION THAT THIS BODY HAS MADE.
>> I WAS THINKING YEARS AGO THAT THERE WAS A ONE TIME $500 TAX.
>> CREDIT, THAT'S THE WORD I'M LOOKING FOR.
>> BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO AGAIN.
>> OKAY. WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS.
BUT I DO KNOW FEES ARE SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT AND WHETHER OR NOT.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE WAIVING FEES FOR THOSE WHO WERE MOST IMPACTED SO IF IT DOESN'T OFFER THEM ADDITIONAL RELIEF IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS CONSIDERED.
>> I'M JUST SITTING HERE STEWING.
[02:55:03]
AND EVERY SINGLE POINT YOU HAVE MADE, COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY IS CORRECT AND VALID.HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING HERE IN THIS SEAT ALL YEAR AND LISTEN TO US VOTE YES FOR FIRE TRUCKS, TRASH TRUCKS, PAINTING SIDEWALKS, FANCY TREES TO GO ON HOWARD, DOG ON NEW LIGHT, STOP LIGHTS, FLASHLIGHTS, EVERY LIGHT YOU CAN IMAGINE, AND WE DON'T GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT.
WE JUST HEAR THE REQUEST, VOTE YES, AND WE DON'T HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS AND WHO'S STRUGGLING AND WHO'S NOT STRUGGLING WITH THE ONE EXCEPTION OF THE HUGE PARK RENOVATION IN WHICH WE HAD A VERY SERIOUS DEBATE BECAUSE THAT WAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT STAKE.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD VOTE YES TO PAINTING FANCY PAINTINGS IN CROSSWALKS AND EVEN CONSIDER NOT VOTING YES WITHOUT A QUESTION TO MAKING SURE THAT OUR STAFF IS PAID REASONABLY, EQUITABLY FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
I'M A HUGE PROPONENT OF PAYING PEOPLE WHAT THEY DESERVE.
I HEAR ANECDOTALLY, I DON'T KNOW THIS FOR FACT, THAT WE MAY NOT BE THE BEST PAYING CITY IN GEORGIA.
HOWEVER, PEOPLE CHOOSE TO WORK IN DECATUR BECAUSE OF ITS CULTURE, AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT.
RETENTION IS FAR LESS EXPENSIVE THAN RE HIRING, THOSE OF YOU WHO OWN BUSINESSES KNOW THAT, THOSE OF YOU WHO MANAGE PEOPLE, KNOW THAT.
PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN WE'RE REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO THE POINT TO WHERE WE HAVE THIS UNEXPECTED EXCESS, IT PROBABLY CAME FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS MAKING SACRIFICES, NOT FILLING POSITIONS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO FILL TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE SAVING, NOT BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN BUDGETED FOR, NOT HAVING STAFF WORK OVERTIME WHEN THEY MAY HAVE NEEDED IT AND DOING A WHOLE LOT MORE WITH LESS.
THAT MONEY DIDN'T JUST APPEAR FROM THE SKY, PEOPLE MADE INTENTIONAL DECISIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR NUMBERS IN THESE DEPARTMENTS WERE BELOW BUDGET.
DO WE HAVE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION IN JANUARY WHEN THE BUDGET CONVERSATION START? ABSOLUTELY.
IF THERE ARE BUDGET LINE ITEMS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DON'T NEED, THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE RIGHT SIZING OUR BUDGET FOR ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE LOWEST POSSIBLE MILLAGE RATE THAT WE CAN HAVE.
WE FAILED AT PRESERVING DIVERSITY IN THIS CITY, IT DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE.
A SITTING UP HERE IN GRANDSTANDING, LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SAVE SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GONE FOR TEN YEARS IS SILLY.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS.
I THINK THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING CARE OF OUR STAFF, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET WHAT THEY NEED AND THAT WE SHOW THEM THAT WE APPRECIATE NOT JUST THEIR DEDICATION TO THE CITY, BUT ALSO THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY MAKE WITHOUT COMPLAINT, BECAUSE BELIEVE ME, I ASK BY MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE COMPENSATED APPROPRIATELY. I SAY THAT WITH LOVE.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS. ALSO, WITH OUR BUDGET PROCESS, ONE OF THE REASON, MAYOR, WE'VE BROUGHT UP WITH US THAT WE GENERALLY DON'T SEND THE FUND BONDS BECAUSE WE DO CONSERVATIVE BUDGET COMPENSATION, WE ASSUME THAT EVERY STAFF POSITION IS GOING TO BE FILLED 100% OF THE TIME.
AS THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED, BIG HALF OF THE SAVINGS IS BECAUSE THOSE POSITIONS ARE FILLED, AND THAT COULD BE YOUR REFLECTION BECAUSE WE AREN'T GETTING PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT'S MY THING, NOT YOURS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALIZE THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY RECOGNIZED THAT, BUT I'M VERY DRAMATIC.
>> I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT. YEAH. MY POINT IS ALMOST FOR A NUANCE BECAUSE DID NOT DO THE EMPLOYEE 3% COLA LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE'RE NOT DOING A 3% THIS YEAR.
PART OF ME IS LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS RIGHT, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING THE COLAS EVERY YEAR.
I NEEDED SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT.
I KNOW WE WERE MAKING DECISIONS WITH THE FACTS IN FRONT OF US BUT EXCEPT THAT WE DO THE PAYING CLASS STUDY, WE WANT TO DO THIS, I'M MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE, I UNDERSTAND THE DECISIONS WE MADE AT THE TIME.
DOING THE COLA, I KNOW IT'S A FUTURE OBLIGATION TO DO THAT,
[03:00:02]
BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO DOING THE PAYING CLASS STUDY, THEN WE SHOULD DO IT AND STICK WITH IT ALSO.THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE AND JUST ONE OTHER THING, A LOT OF THE FIRE TRUCKS AND LIGHTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, A LOT OF THAT'S IN THE BUDGET.
THIS IS NOT IN THE BUDGET, SO IT'S A GIVEN CONVERSATION, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS APPROACHING IT THAT WAY.
BUT AS I SAID, I'VE APPRECIATED THE CONVERSATION AND I HOPE WE'RE ALL COMFORTABLE DOING THE CONVERSATION.
>> I THINK ALL OF THIS DEMONSTRATES THAT WE DON'T SPEND MONEY LATELY AND WE BUDGET CONSERVATIVELY AND WE MADE VERY CONSERVATIVE DECISIONS, WHICH TO ME IS STILL A LITTLE BIT HONESTLY COMING OUT OF COVID, WHERE WE'VE JUST BEEN INCHING AND INCHING FORWARD, TRYING NOT TO GET OUT OVER SKIS.
ALTHOUGH THE ECONOMY'S BEEN PROSPEROUS, WE'VE SEEN PROPERTY VALUES GROW TREMENDOUSLY AND WE TRY TO KEEP MILITARY FLAT, BUT WE KEEPS GETTING A WASH WITH PROPERTY TAX REVENUE SURPLUS.
MY QUICK QUESTION IS OF THIS SWING, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE COMPONENTS OF SAVINGS VERSUS UNEXPECTED REVENUES?
THE REVENUES CAME IN RIGHT AND BUDGET THE REVENUE.
THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. THE FUND BALANCE WAS NOT NECESSARILY CREATED BY ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
IT WAS CREATED BY THE EXPENDITURE SAVINGS.
>> SO FOR TESTING IS GOOD. I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT SOMETIMES UNDERSPENDING IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM, THERE'S A QUESTION TO BE ASKED, HOW DO WE UNDERSPEND BY THAT AMOUNT? WHAT DID WE NOT DO AND WHY OR WHO DID WE NOT HIRE AND WHY? I APPRECIATE THAT COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY IS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE BODY IN THE NEW YEAR TO YOU'RE GOING TO FORWARD ENGINEER A PLAN AROUND MILITARY AROUND HIRING AND GETTING CLOSER TO THAT, HITTING A BULLET WITH A BULLET, WHICH IS WHAT YOU TRY TO DO EVERY SPRING, WITH THE BUDGET.
TODAY, WE HAVE TO RETROFIT A SOLUTION BASED ON WHAT'S HAPPENED.
WHEN I JUST SAW IT IN THE CONTEXT THAT WE HAVE, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, I WANT TO HELP AWARD EVERYONE WITHIN THE RATIONALE THAT YOU CREATED, BUT WITH AN EQUITY LENS WHICH YOU DID LAYER ON, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE HOW YOU TREATED THE PART TIME EMPLOYEES IN THIS EQUATION AND GAVE IT SOME NUANCE AND SOME TEARING RELATIVE TO HOW MANY HOURS THEY PUT IN.
IT MET MY THRESHOLDS AROUND WHO GETS WHAT AND WHY, AND THERE'S I THINK A LOT OF EQUITY IN HOW WE'RE OFFERING THE ONE TIME BONUS TO PARTICULARLY PART TIME EMPLOYEES, YOU MIGHT VERY WELL NEED IT AS MUCH OR MORE THAN THE FULL TIME, MAY HAVE A STEADIER SALARY, PREDICTABLE HOURS.
YEAH, EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, HEALTH CARE AS PART OF IT.
I THANK YOU FOR TAKING A PENCIL TO IT MORE THAN ONCE BASED ON A COUPLE OF EXCHANGES WE HAD AND SO GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW TODAY, HAVE YOU WANT TO RETROFIT THIS SOLUTION AND I'LL SUPPORT THAT ONE TIME.
USE THE FUND BALANCE, AND THEN I'LL LEARN SOME MORE LESSONS. IT'S AN ITERATIVE PROCESS.
>> JUST TO PUT THIS BACK ON THE TABLE, JUST REMEMBER THE SERVICES.
THE PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE POLICE, OUR FIRE, OUR PUBLIC WORKS, NOT ONLY CITY STAFF, BUT ALSO OUR CROSSING GUARDS.
THESE ARE VERY, VERY VALUABLE COMPONENTS AND THE REASON WHY A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE LIVE HERE, BECAUSE OF THE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE THEY GET FROM THOSE GROUPS.
TO PUT THAT INTO CONTEXT, IT'S NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN CITY HALL, IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE WORK THAT NONE OF US CARE TO DO, WANT TO DO, BUT THEY DO IT WILLINGLY AND WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE, AND THEY REPRESENT US WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT A FACE OR POSITION WITH THOSE NAMES.
>> I THINK ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER SAYING A LOT OF TIMES, WE AREN'T AN ORGANIZATION, WE DON'T MAKE WIDGETS, WE PROVIDE SERVICES, PEOPLE PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.
I THINK TO BOTH OF YOUR POINTS, IT IS MUCH IF SOMEBODY LEAVES TO TAKE ANOTHER POSITION ELSEWHERE BECAUSE OF A MORE COMPETITIVE SALARY, THE PERSON THAT WE HIRED COMES IN BEHIND THEM, IS GOING TO GET A MORE COMPETITIVE SALARY, AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS, AND THEN THERE'S TRAINING AND OTHER EXPENSES.
THIS HAS BEEN A STRATEGY THAT THE CITY COMMISSION HAS USED SINCE I'VE BEEN BASICALLY ON THE COMMISSION, IF THERE ARE SAVINGS THAT CAN GO BACK TO THE EMPLOYEES AND THAT ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN REASONS THAT IN PREVIOUS YEARS THERE
[03:05:01]
WASN'T THE MERIT INCREASES BASED ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THEN THERE'S BEEN A WAY TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR WORK AND RECOGNIZE THAT NOT ONLY THE CITY MANAGER AS THE CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION, BUT THIS BODY ALSO WANTS TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THEM FOR THEIR WORK.I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY, AND I THINK TO COMMISSIONER WALSH'S POINT, WE KNOW THE ABILITY TO SEE WHAT GOES FORWARD IN BUDGETING FOR NEXT YEAR IS A CONVERSATION THAT SOME NEW COLLEAGUES WILL ALSO BE A PART OF.
BUT I DO FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM COMFORTABLE SUPPORTING AND THAT I'VE SUPPORTED IT WHEN IT HAS COME BEFORE US ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND REASONS.
I WANT TO REITERATE THAT I ABSOLUTELY DO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER DUSENBURY'S POINTS.
AS WE APPROACH NEXT YEAR AND HOW WE BUDGET FOR SALARY, MY EXPECTATION GIVEN ALL OF THE JOB LOSS THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IN A CONCENTRATED MANNER HERE IN DECATUR, IS THAT WE WILL PROBABLY BE DOING MORE WITH LESS NEXT YEAR, EVEN MORE THAN WE'VE DONE THIS YEAR.
AND SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE BUDGETED APPROPRIATELY FOR OUR STAFF'S COMPENSATION ON THE FRONT END IS GOING TO BE THE BEST APPROACH BECAUSE IT'S FAR LESS LIKELY THAT WE'LL SEE THAT THIS WILL REPLICATE NEXT YEAR.
AT SOME POINT, PEOPLE ARE REALLY GOING TO START FEELING THE GREAT ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BEING FURLOUGHED OR OUT OF WORK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, AND THAT WILL HAVE A RESOUNDING EFFECT ACROSS THE CITY.
HE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE IN CONSIDERATION IN THE BUDGETING AS OPPOSED TO HOPING THAT WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO DO A ONE TIME PAYOUT.
>> FOR DISCUSSION, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE A ONE TIME ME FACED PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR FULL AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES EQUIVALENT TO ONE PAY PERIOD FOR REGULAR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND THE AMOUNTS OF $500 FOR ACTIVE PART TIME EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED 100-499 HOURS SINCE JULY 1, 2025 AND $1,000 FOR ACTIVE PART TIME EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED MORE THAN 500 HOURS SINCE JULY 1, 2025.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT?
>> DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
[INAUDIBLE] AYE AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR A GREAT CONVERSATION.
[VII.B. Charter Revisions. i. Recommend adoption of Ordinance O-25-11 amending the City’s Charter through home rule. ii. Recommend adoption of Resolution R-25-XX for the purpose of requesting that the Georgia General Assembly adopt local legislation to amend the City’s Charter to revise the method of electing the governing authority and to amend provisions related to the City’s independent school district.]
>> GOOD EVENING. WE HAVE TWO PARTS LIKE WE DID AT THE LAST MEETING.
WE'LL START WITH THE ORDINANCE.
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME YOU HAVE SEEN THIS ORDINANCE.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 0-25-11 FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING THE CITY'S CHARTER BY INCORPORATING CHANGES TO ARTICLE 1, ARTICLE 2, ARTICLE 4, ARTICLE 5, ARTICLE 6, AND ARTICLE 9, AS WELL AS ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 8.
OUR CHARTER IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT OUTLINES THE STRUCTURE OF OUR GOVERNMENT BY DEFINING THE POWERS, FUNCTIONS, BOUNDARIES, AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF.
THIS FALL, THERE WERE 29 PEOPLE ON OUR CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION.
A FEW ARE HERE TONIGHT, AS WELL AS ON ZOOM.
THEY MET SEVEN TIMES AND FOLLOWING HOURS OF WORK, THE GROUP DRAFTED THE PROPOSED CHARTER.
THE CHARTER INCLUDES CHANGES IN ALL ARTICLES AND MODERNIZES LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS SECTION NUMBERING.
IT ALSO INCLUDES A PREAMBLE AND A NEW ARTICLE 8 RELATED TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AND MANY OF THESE CHANGES WERE BASED ON THE NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE'S MODEL CITY CHARTER.
BECAUSE THE AMENDMENTS IN ARTICLES 1, 02, 4, 5, 6, 8 AND 9 ARE BEING ADOPTED BY HOME RULE,
[03:10:02]
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT ORDINANCE MUST BE ADOPTED AT TWO REGULAR CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS.YOU ADOPTED THE FIRST TIME AT THE DECEMBER 1ST MEETING, AND WE'RE ASKING TONIGHT FOR YOU TO ADOPT IT A SECOND TIME.
THERE WAS A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE CHAMPION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.
AFTER THIS PART. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LOOK AT A RESOLUTION FOR THE ITEMS THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
THE CITY MANAGER AND I, AS WELL AS THE CITY ATTORNEY WHO IS ONLINE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> MISS FORD. MY MOUTH GOT STARTED BEFORE I LOOKED AT THE MAYOR.
THERE WAS A QUESTION TONIGHT FROM A RESIDENT CONCERNING THE SCHOOL BOARD HAVING BONDING AUTHORITY.
COULD YOU ADDRESS THAT, PLEASE?
>> THAT'S PART OF THE RESOLUTION, BUT THAT IS NOT A CHANGE THAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED WITH THIS PROPOSED ADOPTION.
>> I'M NOT SURE THIS ONE TO THE RESOLUTION I'VE TALKED TO ANYHOW BECAUSE THERE'S I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT AS IT CURRENTLY EXIST AND WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.
WE HAVE A STRONG CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDERNEATH.
THAT WAS ADOPTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE 1920S IN REACTION TO CORRUPTION THAT WAS EXISTING AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL.
PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER, TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND OTHERS IN TERMS OF HOW WE COULD GET TOGETHER.
IN THE SENSE WAS WE NEED TO SPECIALIZE THE STAFF SO THE MAYOR WASN'T HIRING HIS EVERYBODY TO COME AND DO THE WORK AND STEER CONTRACTS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
IT'S WORKED WELL, IT'S ESTABLISHED BY [OVERLAPPING] NATIONAL CIVIC LEAVE IS THE BEST PRACTICE.
THEY COME UP WITH A MODEL ORDINANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT CITY CHARTER SHOULD BE A MODEL CITY CHART IN THIS CASE.
WHAT THAT CAME OUT IN 20 AND B, C WAS ON THAT PANEL RECOMMENDED A DIRECT ELECTION MAYOR.
THE CITY MANAGER IS STILL RUSIAL SERVICE.
HE'S STILL DOING THE MAJORITY OF WORK.
THERE ARE SOME SWEETS THAT THINK WE USE THE COMMISSION NOT JUST BETELS, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS SUPPORT MAKE SENSE DIRECTLY LIKE THE MAYOR, AND I HOPE WE SUPPORT THAT.
BUT THIS IS NOT SOME HUGE EARTHQUAKE CHANGE.
IT WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANGE OR WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANGE.
OUT OF POWERS RIGHT IN ORDER, BUT, THE MAYOR WILL BE RELY ELECTED, WE HAVE A TIGHTER BOND WITH THE CITIZENS, WHICH I SUPPORT IS GOOD.
BUT WE'RE STILL STICKING TO, I GUESS, THE COUNCIL MANAGER.
THE PROLETARIAT, WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE STICKING WITH THAT FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHERE WE'RE INVESTING OF THE CITY OF I WANT TO SAY THAT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPRESSED CONCERNS LIKE THIS IS A HUG IT IS CHANGING AND A HUGE CHANGE.
AGAIN, IT WAS A REACTION TO CORRUPTION IN THE 1990S.
A LOT OF THE BAD HISTORY THAT DECATUR DIDN'T LAST 20 YEARS, WE WEREN'T ALONE.
THERE WERE A LOT OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS WITH DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYORS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, OF COURSE YOU WERE DOING THE SAME POLICY, DO THE SAME SUPPRESSION, ENGAGING IN RACISM, SEXISM, SAY THAT.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY WHEN THE CIVIC LEAGUE WAS FORMED TO HELP PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL MANAGER FOR OF GOVERNMENT WHERE YOU HIRED PROFESSIONALS AND HAD ELECTED BODIES TO SET POLICY, BUT THAT IT WASN'T WHERE THE MAYOR WAS SIGNING CONTRACTS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND PAYING PEOPLE.
IT WAS IN REALLY RESPONSE TO POWER AND CORRUPTION, AND SO I THINK MISS FRANKENS POINT, THE THAT FORM WILL STAY WILL NOT BE IT WILL JUST BE THE MAYOR WILL BE ELECTED BY THE ENTIRE VOTING COMMUNITY.
I'VE MADE THIS STATEMENT A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEING MAYOR 10 YEARS AND ONLY HAVING HAPPY PEOPLE IN THE CITY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR ME.
IT FEELS LIKE THAT SHOULD BE A POSITION THAT EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO LOOK FOR.
[03:15:03]
WE HAVE AN EASY WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.WE ALREADY HAVE AN AT LARGE MEMBER.
MR FOK 10 POWER SURGE IS THE AT LARGE MEMBER AND SO I THINK THERE HAS BEEN.
THERE WAS STILL A LOT OF DEBATE ON THE PART OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION, APPRECIATE THEIR LONG AND DEDICATED WORK IN BRINGING THESE ITEMS FORWARD TO US, I THINK IT WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL PROCESS AND APPRECIATE THE OUTCOME THAT WE ARE ABLE TO LOOK AT TODAY, AND I'M ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS BEFORE I LEAVE OFFICE.
THANKS TO THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION FOR DOING A LOT OF WORK IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND GETTING THIS TO US. THANK YOU.
WE'RE DOING A LITTLE LEVEL SET SINCE EACH TIME WE'VE BEEN IN THE ROOM.
SOME FOLKS HAVE DIFFERENT EXPOSURE TO THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION AND OUR TWO-HOUR WORK SESSION AND THEN OUR HOUR CONVERSATION AT LEAST THE LAST MEETING.
WHEN I HEARD THE CONCERN, IT MIGHT BE A POLITICIZATION, IS THAT IT? TO POLITICIZE THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, I DO WANT TO REITERATE THAT ALL THE ROLES REMAIN NONPARTISAN, AND IT WOULD BE A NONPARTISAN DIRECT ELECTION, SO IT WOULDN'T BE A PARTY INVOLVEMENT IF THAT WAS THE CONCERN ABOUT POLITICIZING THE OFFICE.
I KNOW IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING ELSE, BUT IT WOULD REMAIN A NONPARTISAN ROLE AS WELL [INAUDIBLE]
>> WELL, AND ALSO, LET ME ADD.
THE ONE THING THAT WE CONSTANTLY TALK ABOUT AT THE TABLE, WE COULD HAVE A GREAT IDEA, BUT IF YOU CAN'T GET TWO PEOPLE TO AGREE WITH YOU, DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S A DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR OR A COMMISSION ELECTED MAYOR, YOU STILL HAVE ONE VOTE AND ONE VOICE.
IT REALLY DOES REQUIRE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WE ALL ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE THINGS WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
WE GET THESE DIRECTIVES FROM THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED US.
I LIKE TO SAY WE DIDN'T JUST WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND DECIDE LET'S CHANGE CHURCH STREET, THE TWO LANES.
I MEAN, THAT CAME OUT OF A MASTER PLAN.
IT'S UP TO EACH ONE OF US TO MAKE THOSE BIG POLICY DECISIONS, BUT ALSO TO LOOK TO EACH OTHER TO FORM A BOND AND COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTION, AND TO GET TWO OTHER VOTES TO SAY, IT'S A GREAT IDEA, OR THAT'S NOT A GREAT IDEA.
OUT AS YOU SAID, HAVING THE PEOPLE AT LEAST VOTE FOR THE MAYOR WE HAVE THAT AT LEAST FOUR YEAR CONTINUITY SO THAT IF IT'S A POSITION THAT THE MAYOR NEEDS TO REPRESENT OUR CITY OR OUR COUNTY IN THE BIGGER REGION, THEN IT GIVES US A BIGGER SEAT AT THE TABLE INSTEAD OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF, WELL, WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE MAYOR NEXT YEAR.
>> GIVES THE STAFF THAT CONTINUITY AS WELL [INAUDIBLE]
>> IF I MAY JUST ADD ONE COMMENT, I DID RECEIVE A CALL FROM MAROMA ELIZABETH WILSON THIS MORNING ABOUT THIS TOPIC, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH MAROMA ELIZABETH WILSON, SHE IS THE ONLY BLACK MAYOR THAT HAS EVER SERVED IN DECATUR IN OUR 200, IS IT 2023.
WE'RE GETTING OLD, YEAR HISTORY. IS THE PHONE THERE.
I WAS LIKE, THREE, WHAT WAS VERY INTERESTING ABOUT THE CONVERSATION WAS, SHE, LIKE MISSES BRANSCOM, WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PRESERVING THE CONSISTENCY OF THE CITY MANAGER IN CITY OF DECATUR AND HOW THAT HAS WORKED.
I DID HAVE A VERY DETAILED CONVERSATION WITH HER ABOUT WHAT THE EXPECTATION WOULD BE AND HOW LITTLE IS CHANGING.
BUT SHE DID MAKE A COMMENT THAT I THINK IS WORTH SHARING.
SHE BASICALLY SAID THAT SHE DID NOT WANT TO SEE THE FOOLISHNESS THAT SHE SEES ON THE NEWS IN OTHER CITIES BETWEEN AN ELECTED MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER.
THAT WAS A BIG CONCERN FOR HER, AND I THINK THAT IS A VALID CONCERN.
I THINK THAT GOING FORWARD, I HOPE THAT ANYONE WHO, IF WE DO HAVE AN ELECTED MAYOR GOING FORWARD, I HOPE THAT ANYONE WHO RUNS FOR MAYOR HAS THE HEART OF A PUBLIC SERVANT AND THE WILLINGNESS TO COLLABORATE AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO PRESERVE THAT GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER UNLIKE IN 1954.
[03:20:01]
>> I CAN SECOND YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE I ALSO HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MAYOR MERIT THIS MORNING AS WELL.
>> NO FOOLISH TO SAID NO FOOLISH.
>> I REGARDLESS OF BEING IN THE CHAIR.
>> JUST ONE OF THE COMMENTS. ALSO I WE DID ACTING, I APOLOGIZE IN THIS CASE, BUT THE CITY COMMISSION HIRES A CITY MANAGER.
WE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL FIRM, WE WENT OUT WHEN THERE'S A VACANCY TO DO THAT.
WE ENTER INTO A LAYER CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY MANAGER.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE SIT DOWN ONCE A YEAR, WE DO PERFORMANCE FOR YEAR PROVIDE FEEDBACK.
JUST I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT IT'S NOT LIKE I WE'RE VERY COLLABORATIVE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE I THINK ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED THROUGH THE CITY REVIEW PROCESS IS PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY AREN'T QUITE SURE HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS OR WHO DOES.
I JUST SAY THAT IN THE TRANSPARENCY WE HAVE CHOSEN MISS ARNOLD CITY MANAGER.
REPEATEDLY VERY HAPPY BUT THERE IS A PROCESS.
>> MR. [INAUDIBLE] WOULD YOU PLEASE CLARIFY THAT THE ELECTED MAYOR, IF A MAYOR WERE ELECTED, WOULD NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SINGULARLY HIRE BUYER THE CITY MANAGER.
>> PROCESS, SO SEE STATED THE MAYOR WOULD HAVE ONE VOTE NOT HAVE VETO POWER.
WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING THINGS FORWARD THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN JUST LIKE ANY I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANYBODY BEING TOO SHY ABOUT THINGS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO MATTER IF OF THAT ELECTED MAYOR.
WE SHOULD WORK WITH THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SIMILARLY TO WHAT A MAYOR ELECTED BY THE PEERS WOULD DO.
IT'S JUST THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THAT VOTE.
>> JUST TO NOT CONFUSE PEOPLE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON.
THAT'S THE NEXT LOU'S COMMISSIONER.IT IS A CHARTER.
>> THE NEXT CONVERSATION WAS SHORT.
>> ANY OTHER WE WILL VOTE FIRST ON THE ORDINANCE 25-11 THAT AMENDS THE CITY CHARTER RULE.
IT IS OUR SECOND VOTE ON THE VERY SAME ORDINANCE THAT WE TOOK ON DECEMBER 1ST.
MOTION ADOPT ORDINANCE DASH 25-11.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND IS A ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER FOG.
NOW, WE'VE HAD A BIT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE RESOLUTION, AND I WILL ASK MISS [INAUDIBLE] TO GIVE EVERYONE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THIS RESOLUTION.
>> MY PLEASURE. NOW, BEFORE YOU TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION R-25-XX FOR THE PURPOSE OF REQUESTING THAT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPT LOCAL LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CITY'S CHARTER TO REVISE THE METHOD OF ELECTING THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AGAIN, THE MEMBERS OF OUR CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION MET SEVEN TIMES OVER THE THREE MONTHS THIS FALL AND FOLLOWING THEIR HOURS OF WORK, THE GROUP DRAFTED THEIR ATTACHED PROPOSED CHARTER.
THIS TIME, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARTICLE 3 BECAUSE I SKIPPED THAT ONE IN THE LAST PART.
IT IS RELATED TO THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOLDING ELECTED OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE WAY THE MAYOR IS SELECTED AND THE TERM OF THE MAYOR, THE SPECIFIED POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MAYOR, AND AS A DEFINITION FOR A QUORUM AMONG OTHER THINGS.
THERE ARE ALSO PROPOSED CHANGES TO ARTICLE 7, THE OTHER NUMBER THAT WASN'T IN MY LAST LIST, THAT RELATE TO THE ADDITION OF A STUDENT MEMBER AND MAKING THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICE OF A BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER MATCH THOSE OF THE CITY COMMISSION.
THEY WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN OUR CURRENT VERSION.
THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION WAS UNABLE TO COME TO A CONSENSUS ABOUT HOW THE MAYOR SHOULD BE SELECTED.
AFTER HOURS OF ROBUST DEBATE AND DELIBERATION AND A VIRTUAL PUBLIC INPUT SESSION.
[03:25:03]
MEMBERS WANTED TO PUT FORTH TWO VERSIONS OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER AND LET THE CITY COMMISSION MAKE THE DECISION.AT YOUR DECEMBER 1 REGULAR MEETING, YOU MOVED TO PROCEED WITH AMENDING THE CHARTER TO MAKE SELECTION METHOD THAT OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR.
WITH THIS CHANGE, THE MAYOR'S DISTRICT WOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF THE AT LARGE COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT AND WOULD BE ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF 2027.
>> RESOLUTION R-25-XX INCLUDES EXHIBITS A AND B, WHICH OUTLINED THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO ARTICLES 3 AND 7, AS WELL AS EXHIBIT C THAT SHOW A RED LINE VERSION OF ALL THE CHANGES.
GEORGIA LAW SPECIFIES THAT AMENDMENTS TO A MUNICIPAL CHARTER WHICH AFFECT THE STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND/OR PROVISIONS RELATED TO AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SYSTEM REQUIRE ACTION BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF LOCAL LEGISLATION.
IF ADOPTED, THIS RESOLUTION WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE DCAP DELEGATION SO THE LOCAL LEGISLATION PROCESS CAN BEGIN AS SOON AS THE NEW SESSION BEGINS IN JANUARY OF 2026.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION R-25-XX IS RECOMMENDED.
>> DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR VERBAL DISCUSSION? THAT'S ALREADY.
WE HAVE HERE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION R-25-XX.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF REQUESTING THAT GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPT LOCAL LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CITY'S CHARTER TO REVISE THE METHOD OF ELECTING THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
>> OPPOSED CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. THANK YOU.
AGAIN, THANKS TO COMMISSION FOR THEIR HARD WORK, THEIR AMAZING WORK SESSION THAT THEY PROVIDED.
[VII.C. IT Assessment. Recommend authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Sumter Local Government Consulting, Inc. to provide an Information Technology (IT) Services Assessment in an amount not to exceed $71,500.]
IT ASSESSMENT.>> GOOD EVENING MY COMMISSIONERS.
TERESA DE CASTRO ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, AND I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SUMTER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTING TO CONDUCT AN IT SERVICES ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $71,500.
OVER THE YEARS, THE CITY HAS PERIODICALLY WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO PERFORM IT ASSESSMENTS AND EVALUATE INFRASTRUCTURE, VENDOR PERFORMANCE, AND FUTURE NEEDS.
WE HAVEN'T COMPLETED A FORMAL COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND STAFF HAVE RAISED INCREASING CONCERNS ABOUT RECURRING TECHNICAL ISSUES AND OUR ABILITY TO KEEP PACE WITH THIS EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY.
THIS ASSESSMENT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HOW IT SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY DELIVERED AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
THIS ASSESSMENT WILL ENGAGE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP, THE TECHNOLOGY TEAM, AND STAFF, AND INCLUDE AN OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF OUR CURRENT IT MODEL, INCLUDING OUR OUTSOURCE MANAGE SERVICES PROVIDER, OR MSP, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CYBERSECURITY POSTURE.
IT WILL ALSO RESULT IN A ROAD MAP FOR IT SERVICES AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FUTURE RFP.
WE RECEIVED FOUR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, AND SUMTER GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT PARTNERING WITH SCHEMES CONSULTING SUBMITTED THE LOWEST COST PROPOSAL, WHILE OFFERING STRONG MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCE AND A COMPREHENSIVE SCOPE OF WORK.
THE REVIEW TEAM WHICH INCLUDED LEADERSHIP FROM THIS TECHNOLOGY TEAM FELT THIS PROPOSAL OFFERED THE BEST OF BOTH WALLS.
SCHEMES BRINGS IT EXPERTISE WHILE SUMTER BRINGS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
FUNDING FOR THIS WORK IS AVAILABLE IN THE FY 25/26 BUDGET.
WITH THAT STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ARE THERE QUESTIONS? ASSUMING THAT ONCE THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED, THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FOLLOWING FOR WHAT REBIDDING THE IT SERVICES FOR THE CITY?
>> WE INCLUDE THE AUDIO VIDEO FOR THIS?
[03:30:01]
>> IN THE SENSE THAT IT'S IMPACTED BY THE NETWORK WHETHER WIRED OR WIRELESS, BUT NOT NOT NECESSARILY THE EQUIPMENT.
>> MAYBE WITH FRUIT BASKET TURNOVER UP HERE, THEY'LL BE MICROPHONE.
>> I WILL SAY I NEEDED TO GET TO SOME LIVE STREAMING, AND THIS ONE IS ALMOST INAUDIBLE.
I WOULD HOPE FOR THE FUTURE COMMISSIONER WHOEVER SITS HERE THAT IT'S IMPROVED BECAUSE YOU ALMOST CAN'T HEAR THE REPLAY.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTING TO PROVIDE AN IT SERVICES ASSESSMENT AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $71,500.
>> OPPOSED? CHAIR VOTES AYE AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. LOOK AT PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE COMP PLAN.
[VII.D. Planning Services Agreement for Comprehensive Plan. Recommend authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with TSW, Inc. in the amount of $274,000 and establishment of a project budget in the amount of $300,000 for planning services for the Decatur Comprehensive Plan.]
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM ANGELA RÉGIS-SERVICE, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS FOR ME TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TSW INCORPORATED IN THE AMOUNT OF $274,000 TO PROVIDE PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE DECATUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET OF $300,000.
THE CITY IS REQUIRED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO UPDATE ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EVERY FIVE YEARS.
THE DECATUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL BUILD UPON THE 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN, ALSO KNOWN AS DESTINATION 2030, WHICH SERVES AS THE CITY'S MOST RECENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE YEAR 2026 MARKS THE MIDPOINT OF THIS 10-YEAR PLAN, AND IT IS ALSO WHEN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE IS DUE.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO DO THIS MIDPOINT CHECK-IN TO ASSESS WHICH GOALS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, ARE IN PROGRESS, OR ARE INCOMPLETE.
WE'LL BE LOOKING AT SEVERAL GOALS IN THE AREAS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES, HOUSING, LAND USE, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE, HISTORIC RESOURCES.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF TOPICS WE'LL BE COVERING.
THIS IS FOLLOWING PLANNING STANDARDS THAT ARE SET FORTH BY THE STATE.
THEN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE WILL GUIDE AND SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAM, AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY HELP US WITH A STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR THE REMAINING GOALS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 10 MONTHS, AND WE'LL CONCLUDE BY OCTOBER 2026 WHEN WE NEED TO HAVE THIS TURNED IN TO THE STATE TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
THE CITY RECEIVED THREE RESPONSES TO ITS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ON NOVEMBER 17.
THE EVALUATION TEAM, WHICH IS MADE UP OF SEVEN DIFFERENT STAFF MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE CITY, EVALUATED ALL PROPOSALS, AND THEN WE HELD IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS FOR EACH OF THOSE THREE TEAMS. THEN TSW WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE MOST RESPONSIVE AND THE TEAM WHOSE PROPOSAL PROVIDED THE BEST SERVICES FOR THE BEST VALUE.
TSW WAS THE LOWEST BIDDER AMONG THE THREE PROPOSALS THAT WERE RECEIVED.
TSW, OF COURSE IS THE LEAD, BUT THEIR SUB-CONSULTANTS INCLUDE TOOL DESIGN.
IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, THEY HAVE ASSISTED US WITH OUR COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION PLAN, AS WELL AS THE SAFE STREETS FOR ALL ACTION PLAN THAT WAS RECENTLY ADOPTED.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE NEDRA DEADWILER CONSULTING.
HER PRIMARY FOCUS IS HISTORIC RESOURCES, BUT SHE HAS A STRONG BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS WELL.
THEN FIRMLEAF, WHICH WAS A FIRM THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 2014 IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.
THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN CLIMATE ANALYSIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS.
WE'RE VERY IMPRESSED WITH A TOOL THAT THEY DEVELOPED A SOFTWARE PROGRAM THAT THEY DEVELOPED.
[03:35:01]
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE ANALYSIS, SO WE'RE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT AS PART OF THIS PROJECT.THEN LASTLY PATNOUD CONSULTING.
SHE BRINGS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LAND USE.
SHE'S ALSO VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE AND THE ROLES THAT CAME OUT OF THAT THAT ARE NOW IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE HAD TWO OTHER TEAMS, KIM HLEY HORN.
THEIR SUB-CONSULTANT INCLUDED SYCAMORE CONSULTING.
THEIR BID CAME IN AT $299,123.
THE OTHER TEAM INSPIRE PLACEMAKING HAS THEIR SUB CONSULTANT WAS KATE ADVISORY GROUP, WHICH WE'VE ALSO WORKED WITH BEFORE, AND THEIR BID WAS AT $279,000.
IT'S STILL WITHIN A GOOD RANGE.
BUT WE DID FEEL THAT TSW'S TEAM WAS VERY SOLID IN TERMS OF THE EXPERTISE THAT THEY WERE BRINGING IN.
WE DO HAVE THE PRIMARY CONSULTANT ALLISON STEWART HARRIS IS ON ZOOM, SO IF THERE'S ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR TSW, THAT SHE HAS JOINED US TONIGHT VIRTUALLY.
I KNOW WE HAVE WORKED WITH TSW IN THE PAST FOR MANY OF OUR PLANS.
THEY HAVE NEW STAFF ON THEIR TEAM THAT BRING NEW LEVELS OF EXPERTISE, THAT WE THINK WILL BE VERY STRONG TO CONTINUE OUR GOALS FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
I KNOW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS THAT TSW IS BRINGING TO THE TABLE.
THERE'S TYPICAL THINGS LIKE A PROJECT WEBSITE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT FOCUS GROUP ROUND TABLES, A STEERING COMMITTEE, WHICH IS REQUIRED ONLINE AND WHAT WE CALL ANALOG ENGAGEMENT.
LOOKING AT WALKING AND BIKING TOURS, KIOSK AT CITY SPONSORED EVENTS, AND THEN TOPIC SPECIFIC WORKSHOPS AND CHARRETTES.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT A VERY ROBUST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A SHORT TIME FRAME, AND MOST OF THAT WOULD BE OCCURRING DURING THIS WINTER AND SPRING BEFORE WE GET KICKED OFF WITH SOME MAJOR SUMMER EVENTS.
THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 25/26 BUDGET, SO WE'VE ALREADY ALLOCATED THOSE FUNDS.
WE DO KNOW THAT THIS PROJECT WILL CARRY OVER INTO THE FISCAL YEAR 26/27, BUT MOST OF THE FUNDS WILL BE EXTENDED THIS PARTICULAR YEAR.
WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
>> I HAVE A NEPHEW WHO WORKS WITH KIMLEY-HORN.
I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD RECUSE MYSELF OR NOT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WILL SAY I APPRECIATED THE EXTRA MATERIALS BECAUSE IT REALLY GAVE US A GLIMPSE AND I HAD LOOKED UP ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT ARE PART OF TSW BID AND FELT LIKE IT OFFERED A WIDE RANGE TO COVER SO MANY AREAS THAT ARE GERMANE TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND TO REALLY WHO THE CITY IS.
I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE ALL THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPERTISE BROUGHT IN.
I DID NOTICE, I GUESS THAT IT WILL KICK OFF IN JANUARY AND SO HERE'S THE GROUND RUNNING FOR THE NEW PEOPLE COMING ON.
THESE ARE COMP PLANS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE AND EVERY FIVE YEARS.
WHEN WE DID OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, WE WERE ABLE TO COMBINE OUR COMP AND STRATEGIC PLAN UNDER ONE PLANNING UMBRELLA, WHICH MADE IT A LITTLE EASIER TO NOT HAVE TWO SEPARATE TYPES OF PLANS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.
I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN THE COMP PLAN.
>> MAKE A QUICK COMMENT THAT I DO THINK IF SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE WERE LOOKING AT THIS NUMBER AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S THE VALUE AND THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT AND IT COULD BE ABSTRACT FOR THEM, BUT TO LAYER ON TO WHAT THE MAYOR JUST SAID ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD GET FOR THE CONTRACT FEE, THERE'S THIS ANCILLARY BENEFITS OF THAT TYPE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT ARE HARD TO QUANTIFY, AND WE DON'T GET THAT MANY TIMES TO DO IT.
I DO THINK WE'VE GOT A LITTLE SHORT CHANGE IN 2021 TIME FRAME.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO GET SO MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER OTHER THAN ALSO AN ELECTION AND THE TYPE OF CYCLE THAT CAN CREATE FOR CONVERSATION AND CONVENING BUT
[03:40:03]
THIS IS A REALLY SPECIAL WAY TO DO IT THAT ALSO GETS PLANNED DONE.I VALUE THAT PART AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND TO SEE THAT, THEN YOU WOULDN'T KNOW.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BRING TOGETHER AND RE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY LIKE WE HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT IT'S ALSO A WAY TO BRING THOSE NEW RESIDENTS UP TO SPEED IN OUR PLANNING ACTIVITIES.
MAYOR TO YOUR POINT, WE ANTICIPATE BRINGING FORTH THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AT THE SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY.
AGAIN, THAT'S ONE OF THE STATE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR YOU ALSO.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS. HERE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TSW IN THE AMOUNT OF $274,000 AND TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 FOR PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE DECATUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSE THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THE MOTION PASSES.
>> I BELIEVE WE'RE STILL ON [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] AGENDA YOU'RE ASKING.
>> THE NEXT ITEM BEFORE YOU IS RELATED TO
[VII.E. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority. Recommend approval of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority for Decatur WatchFest26 expenditures.]
A MEMORANDUM BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND I'M HERE BEFORE YOU TO PRESENT A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THAT MOU WITH THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FORMALIZE ITS PARTNERSHIP IN REGARDS TO THE WATCH BS 26 AND THIS WOULD ENABLE US TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH VENDORS, CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, ARTISTS, PERFORMANCES, AND OTHER SUCH THIRD PARTIES IN REGARDS TO THE DECATUR WATCH FEST 26.THIS MOU ACKNOWLEDGES AN AGREEMENT TO COST SHARE AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO SET ASIDE BOTH IN FISCAL YEAR 25/26 AND FISCAL YEAR 26/27 BUDGETS AND SO THE CITY AND THE DDA HAVE EACH APPROPRIATED $300,000 EACH IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BUDGETS, AND WE MAY ALLOCATE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN FISCAL YEAR 26/27.
BUT THE MOU FURTHER RECOGNIZES THAT EACH ENTITY AGREES TO JOINTLY CONDUCT AN ACCOUNTING OF ACTUAL COST AND EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WATCH BEST 26, AND THAT THIS WOULD OCCUR WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CONCLUDING THE FESTIVITIES AND WORK TOGETHER IN GOOD FAITH IN THAT COST SHARING AND SETTLE ANY FINANCIAL DEFICITS BECAUSE WE DO ANTICIPATE SPENDING ON VARIOUS MARKETING AND SIGNAGE.
WE HAVE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT CONTRACTS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS SUCH AS THE PORT LET PROVIDERS AND TENTS AND DJS AND MUSICIANS, SANITATION AND SECURITY, AND WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE DRINK CUPS, AND THESE ALL COST, AND SO WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT COST SHARING AMONG A LOT OF THOSE.
WITH THAT, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THAT MOU, AND YOU DO HAVE A COPY OF THAT MOU.
I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
JUST TO ADD, THE DDA DID MEET LAST FRIDAY.
THIS WAS ON THEIR AGENDA, AND THEY DID APPROVE THIS MOU, SO THEY ARE READY TO SIGN PROVIDED THAT YOU ALL ARE. THANK YOU.
>> LET'S LISTEN TO QUESTION. ANY QUESTIONS? A MOTION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DECATUR AND CARE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR DECATUR WATCH FEST 26 EXPENDITURES.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
[VII.F. Pedestrian Signal Equipment on West Howard Avenue. Recommend award of a contract to Sunbelt Traffic LLC in the amount of $41,872 and establishment of a project budget in the amount of $48,000 for the installation of pedestrian signal equipment at two intersections on West Howard Avenue.]
WEST TOWER IS MOVING ALONG. [LAUGHTER].DAVID YOUNGER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
AM PLEASE TO RECOMMEND THIS EVENING AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO SUNBELT TRAFFIC, LLC OF TUCKER, GEORGIA IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,872 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EQUIPMENT AT TWO INTERSECTIONS ON WEST HOWARD AVENUE, AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,000.
THE IMPROVEMENTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ALONG WEST HOWARD AVENUE,
[03:45:04]
CORRIDOR, DO BUILD ON THE REIMAGINE WEST HOWARD AVENUE INITIATIVE.THE GOAL IS TO TRANSITION WEST HOWARD AVENUE FROM A FOUR-LANE THOROUGHFARE INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET BY IMPLEMENTING A COMPLETE STREET DESIGN THAT ENHANCES SAFETY AND COMFORT FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS WHILE REDUCING VEHICLE SPEED BETWEEN COMMERCE DRIVE AND THE WESTERN CITY LINE.
THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT DOES INCLUDE NEW CURVE CUT RAMPS AT INTERSECTIONS, AS WELL AS MIDBOCH LOCATIONS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST ACCESS ACROSS WEST HOWARD AVENUE, CONNECTING TO THE STONE MOUNTAIN TRAIL PATH, AND CYCLE TRACK.
THIS RECOMMENDATION PROPOSES INSTALLING PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNALS AT TWO EXISTING SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE WEST HOWARD AT COMMERCE DRIVE AND AT WEST HOWARD PAVE CIRCLE.
WHILE BOTH OF THESE INTERSECTIONS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN MARKED WITH CROSSWALKS, THEY LACK DEDICATED PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT VERY SAFE NORTH AND SOUTH CROSSINGS.
ADDING THESE SIGNALS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE SAFE PASSAGE FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND TO ENHANCE CROSSING GUARD SAFETY.
ONCE THE EQUIPMENT GETS INSTALLED, OUR STAFF WILL WORK WITH KCI, WHO IS OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONSULTANT FOR THE PROGRAMMING AND TIMING OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
WE DID ADVERTISE THIS AS A BID OPPORTUNITY.
WE HAD THREE FIRMS BID ON THE PROJECT.
SOME RATE OF THE BID TABULATION IS INCLUDED IN THE MEMO.
SUNBELT TRAFFIC WAS THE LOW BID.
WE ALSO HAVE GOOD COMPETITIVE BIDS FROM UNIX TRAFFIC AS WELL AS RIVERSIDE TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS.
THEY DID MEET ALL OF OUR SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS.
THEY'RE ALSO ABLE TO BEGIN THE WORK FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY OF 2026.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WE'RE ALREADY WRITING MEMOS WITH THAT.
SUNBELT TRAFFIC HAS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED SIMILAR SIGNAL UPGRADES FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR.
WE RECOMMEND AWARDING THE PROJECT TO SUNBELT TRAFFIC A BIDDER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $41,872 AND ESTABLISHED THE PROJECT BUDGET TO 48,000 TO COVER CONTINGENCIES.
FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SPECIAL-PURPOSE, LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 1 FUND.
>> PLEASE HAVE THE PEDESTRIAN READ ON THEM AS WELL?
>> THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE PROGRAMMING DONE BY KC, BUT THAT WOULD BE OUR RECOMMENDATION.
>> YOU GET A LITTLE EXTRA FINE.
>> CORRECT. THAT LEADING PEDESTRIAN INTERVAL.
>> I RECALL THERE ARE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.
THIS IS DEDICATED PEDESTRIANS.
>> THERE'S CURRENTLY PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL HITS TO CROSS EAST AND WEST AT THOSE INTERSECTIONS, BUT THEY'RE NOT TO CROSS HOW.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT THIS PROJECT IS.
>> WILL THESE HAVE THE AUDIO SIGNALS AS WELL, LIKE THE ONES WE HAVE DOWNTOWN?
>> NO, SIR. WE DID THAT, GIVEN THE FUTURE SIGNAL UPGRADE PROJECT FOR CONSIDERATION THEN.
BUT THIS IS WHAT I'LL CALL THE BARE MINIMUM SAFE CROSSING OF PEDESTRIAN.
>> QUESTIONS. MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO SUNBELT TRAFFIC, LLC AND THE AMOUNT OF $41,872 AND ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET AND THE AMOUNT OF $48,000 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EQUIPMENT AT THE TWO INTERSECTIONS AS DESCRIBED ON WEST HOWARD AVENUE.
>> OPPOSED, CHAIR VOTES AYE AND THE MOTION IS APPROVED.
[VII.G. Change Order #3 – South Columbia Drive Multi-Use Path, Phase 3. Recommend approval of Change Order #3 in the amount of $52,500 and a total not to exceed contract amount of $177,500 to AECOM for the extension of construction oversight services for Phase 3 of the South Columbia Drive Multi-Use Path Project]
>> GOOD EVENING. JULIE GERITA, SENIOR ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR.
I'M HERE TO RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $52,500 TO AECOM FOR THE EXTENSION OF CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES FOR PHASE 3 OF THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PATH PROJECT.
THIS EXTENSION IS NECESSARY DUE TO DELAYS CAUSED BY THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED REDESIGN OF THE NORTHERN SEGMENT OF THE PATH.
THE REDESIGN WAS INITIATED AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF POTENTIAL GRAVE SITES WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA, REQUIRING A REALIGNMENT AT THE NORTHERN ENTRANCE.
AS A RESULT, CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY AN ADDITIONAL 174 DAYS REQUIRING CONTINUED OVERSIGHT.
[03:50:04]
THE SCOPE OF THE PROPOSED EXTENDED CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT INCLUDES CONTINUED MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF SOLE CONSTRUCTION TO VERIFY DESIGN INTENT, AND THAT THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE BEING MET.IT WILL INCLUDE BIWEEKLY MEETINGS WITH FIELD DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTS, TRACKING OF THE CONTRACTOR SCHEDULE, AND REVIEWING OF SHOP DRAWINGS AND SUBMITTALS FOR COMMENTS OR APPROVALS.
THE PROJECT WORK WILL CONCLUDE WITH ONE-PUNCH LIST WALK-THROUGH, ONE FINAL CLOSE-OUT OF THE PROJECT WALK-THROUGH, AND WE ASSEMBLE ALL PROJECT RECORDS AND SUBMIT TO THE CITY FOR PROJECT CLOSE-OUT.
FUNDING FOR THIS CHANGE ORDER IS AVAILABLE THROUGH ARPA FUNDS.
THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT WITH AECOM FOR CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES WAS $125,000.
APPROVAL OF THIS CHANGE ORDER IS RECOMMENDED TO ACCOMMODATE THE NECESSARY DESIGN CHANGES AND ENSURE THE PROJECT REMAINS COMPLIANT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND MUNICIPAL STANDARDS. QUESTIONS.
>> THIS IS ARPA FUNDS, WHICH WE HAD TO COMMIT AND THE LAST YEAR TO SPEND BY THE NEXT YEAR, SO IT SAYS THERE'S FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE IN THAT BALANCE.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T SPEND THOSE FUNDS FIN SPEND?
>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND IT.
>> IF WE DON'T USE THOSE FUNDS, WE WOULD LOSE THEM, AND SO WE HAVE TO SPEND THEM ON PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE COMMITTED.
>> IF THE FUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN COMMITTED, THEN THEY MAY NOT BE SPENT.
>> BUT AS WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR THIS PROJECT, WE BUDGETED NOT ONLY IN ARPA, BUT I'VE GOT.
[OVERLAPPING] ARPA FIRST AND THEN SLOT SECOND.
WE'LL SPEND ALL OF ARPA AND REALLY NOT HAVE TO DIG INTO THE SLOT FUNDS OR NOT AS MUCH AS.
>> IT'S COMING ALONG. OTHER QUESTION.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 3 AND THE AMOUNT OF 52,500 AND THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $177,500 TO AD COM FOR THE EXTENSION OF CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES FOR PHASE 3 OF THE SOUTH COLUMBIA DRIVE MULTI-USE PAP PROJECT.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSE THE CHAIR VOTES AYE, AND THE MOTION PASSES, SO THANK YOU.
[VII.H. Renewal Contracts for Lifeguard Management Services and Pool Maintenance Management. i. Recommend approval to renew contract with United Pool Management for lifeguard management services for a one-year term in the amount of $712,838. ii. Recommend approval to renew contract with United Pool Management for pool maintenance management for a one-year term in the amount of $63,600.]
MY NAME IS DR. REMY ES, DIRECTOR OF PARKS RECREATION.I AM HERE TONIGHT TO RECOMMEND THE ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACTS WITH UNITED POOL MANAGEMENT FOR ONE LIFE GUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND TWO, THE POOL MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS.
THIS RENEWAL IS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE EXISTING CONTRACTS EXECUTED IN JANUARY 2024.
THE LIFE GUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES CONTRACT WAS AMENDED IN JUNE 2024, AND THE RENEWALS WOULD EXTEND THE CONTRACTED AQUATIC SERVICES FROM APRIL 1, 2026 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2027.
THAT TOTAL FOR THE LIFEGUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THE ONE-YEAR RENEWAL WOULD BE $712,838 WITH THE POOL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT RENEWAL AT 63,600.
THE CITY OF DECATUR ENTERED INTO TWO CONTRACTS WITH UNITED IN JANUARY 24.
TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF PROFESSIONAL AQUATIC SERVICES, INCLUDING LIFE GUARD STAFFING, POOL MANAGEMENT, FRONT DESK STAFFING, POOL MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE CITY'S AQUATIC FACILITIES.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE OKRS INDOOR POOL, GLEN LAKE POOL, MCCOY POOL, AND EPSTER POOL.
UNITED HAS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, AND THE CITY RECOMMENDS TO CONTINUE CONTRACTING WITH UNITED FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT.
THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACTS REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE ONE-YEAR RENEWAL PERIOD.
THE TOTAL COST TO RENEW BOTH CONTRACTS FOR THE ONE YEAR WOULD BE 776,438.
SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE INCLUDED IN THE FY26 PARKS AND OPERATING BUDGET TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDED RENEWAL.
>> THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONTRACTS AND TWO DIFFERENT SERVICES.
THE LIFE BAR SERVICES AND THEN THE FULL MAINTENANCE.
>> ARE BOTH OF THEM RUNNING FOR THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME?
[03:55:01]
>> THAT TIME. IT WOULD BE REBID OR OPEN BACK.
>> THIS WOULD ONLY BE FOR ONE YEAR AND WE WOULD HAVE TO REBID THE ENTIRE BOTH CONTRACT SERVICES BACK OUT UNLESS WE CAN GET ALL IN ONE, BUT IT WOULD BE REBIDD OUT IN '27.
>> BEFORE THE END OF THE CONTRACT?
>> WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION?
>> YES. WE WOULD BEGIN WORKING ON THE BID IN 26 TO PUT THAT OUT THERE SO THERE WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION COMING NEXT YEAR, WELL BEFORE THE CONTRACT [OVERLAPPING]. YES.
>> A MOTION TO APPROVE A RENEWAL CONTRACT WITH UNITED POOL MANAGEMENT FOR LIFE GUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM IN THE AMOUNT OF 712,838.
>> WE NEED TO CORRECT THAT. I WAS LOOKING AT THAT GOING, IS THAT 7 MILLION EXTRA? [LAUGHTER].
>> THERE WAS AN EXTRA ZERO IN THE CHANGE [OVERLAPPING].
>> MAKE A MOTION WITH THE CHANGE TO THE LETTERING THAT'S IN SUB LETTER I OR THE AMOUNT SUBLETTER I TO CORRECT THE AMOUNT.
>> THE INFORMATION IS CORRECT IN THE MEMORANDUM.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED CHAIR VOTES AYE AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT IS TO APPROVE TO RENEW A CONTRACT WITH UNITED POOL MANAGEMENT OR POOL MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,600.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE SECONDED.
FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED CHAIR VOTES AYE AND THE MOTION PASSES.
[VII.I. Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) Medical Response Unit. Recommend approval to purchase a UTV-Medical Response Unit from Williams Fire Apparatus in the amount of $58,500.]
I BELIEVE CHIEF WASHINGTON.>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TONY WASHINGTON, AND I AM THE FIRE CHIEF.
TONIGHT, I'M SEEKING APPROVAL TO PURCHASE A UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE, WHICH I WILL OFTEN REFER TO AS A UTV MEDICAL RESPONSE UNIT FROM WILLIAMS FIRE APPARATUS AND THE AMOUNT OF $58,500.
THIS PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE FY 25/26 SCHOOL SAFETY ZONE CAMERA PROGRAM FUND BUDGET.
WILLIAMS APPARATUS WAS SELECTED BECAUSE THEY ARE SO SOURCE VENDOR FOR THIS CUSTOMIZED UNIT AND THEY ALREADY HAVE ONE IN STOCK READY FOR DELIVERY.
WHILE AN ELECTRIC UNIT UTV WAS CONSIDERED, A GAS POWER UNIT IS BEING RECOMMENDED BECAUSE IT'S SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE NEEDS.
THE GAS POWER UNIT CAN ACCOMMODATE FOUR OR MORE PERSONNEL SECURELY TRANSPORTED PATIENT ON A BACKBOARD AND PROVIDES TOWING AND PAY LOW CAPACITIES.
IT ALSO OFFERS EXTENDED OPERATIONAL RANGE AND RAPID FUELING, WHICH IS CRITICAL IN PROVIDING INTERRUPTED EMERGENCY SERVICES.
THE MAINTENANCE WAS ANOTHER KEY FACTOR.
OUR CITY MAINTENANCE FLEET SHOP IS FULLY EQUIPPED TO SERVICE THIS UNIT, AND IT ENSURES COST EFFECTIVE UPKEEP.
WE DID LOOK AT THE ELECTRIC UNIT, AND THE OPTIONS PROVIDED SEVERAL LIMITATIONS, INCLUDING REDUCED TOWING CAPACITY, LIMITED TEMPERATURE CONTROL FEATURES, AND LACK OF ENCLOSED CABINS AND POTENTIALLY CHALLENGES IN TRANSPORTING A PATIENT ON A SECURED BACKBOARD.
THESE LIMITATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICT EFFECTIVENESS DURING EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE, SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, PATIENT EVACUATION, AND PUBLIC EVENT SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.
IF THIS PURCHASE IS APPROVED, WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DELIVERED AND IN PLACE AND IN SERVICE WITHIN 90 DAYS. ANY QUESTIONS?
[04:00:04]
>> YOU SEE WHAT A UTV LOOKS LIKE.
DO YOU SEE IT GETTING TO PLACES WHERE THERE MAY BE LIMITED ACCESS OR BIG CROWDS THAT CAN GET INTO A BIG CROWD?
>> CORRECT. YES. ESPECIALLY ON THE SQUARE WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR EVENTS.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSPORT THE UNIT CLOSER WITH A AMBULANCE, WHERE SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TO OUR PATIENTS IN THE SQUARE.
>> MORE ECONOMICAL TRANSPORT SANTA TOO [LAUGHTER].
[LAUGHTER] WE WON'T NEED IT, BUT I KNOW THAT'S THE THING I THOUGHT WAS WORSE.
I'D LOVE TO SEE A PICTURE, BUT I GUESS WE'LL SEE IT IN ACTUALITY IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
>> OH, TWO QUICK THINGS. I'M GOING TO REALLY MISS FIND FIRE EQUIPMENT.
[LAUGHTER] THE MOST SATISFYING, COOL STUFF.
I KNOW THAT IT SAVES LIVES AND WHO THE OPERATORS ARE IS ALWAYS JUST SATISFYING TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND WHAT YOU DO WITH IT AND THAT'S WHAT A FANTASTIC USE OF COOL ONE SAFETY CAMERA FUNDS.
THANKS FOR PUTTING THAT IN THE MIDDLE.
>> DO I HEAR MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A UTV MEDICAL RESPONSE UNIT FROM WILLIAMS FIRE APPARATUS AND THE AMOUNT OF $58,500.
THE OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD IN ACTION OR SEEING IT IN ACTION OR AT LEAST READY TO BE IN ACTION. THANK YOU.
>> HOPE WE DON'T SEE IT IN ACTION TOO MUCH.
[OVERLAPPING] I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WALK AROUND ALL.
>> WELL YOU COME WITH THE RIBBON CUTTING [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER]
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT, WE'LL MOVE TO REQUEST AND PETITION.
[VIII. Requests and Petitions.]
NOW IS THE TIME.WE WILL OPEN UP FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD ANY REQUEST FOR PETITION OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS.
THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC INPUT AT THIS MEETING, AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO THOSE WHO ARE ONLINE.
I KNOW WE HAVE ONE QUESTION, I THINK ONLINE, BUT IF THERE'S ANYONE INCLUDING US HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO THE COMMENT. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I KNOW HOW LONG IT FEELS SITTING THERE AND YOU GUYS HAVING A LONG DAY, SO I'LL TRY TO MAKE THIS REALLY QUICK.
FIRST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER.
TO THE BOLD SEE [INAUDIBLE] OF SERVICE.
BUT THIS ONE IS ABOUT MY TWO FORMER COMMISSIONERS.
MR. WALSH, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I KNOW IT'S WEIRD BEING IN THAT SEAT.
I CAN IMAGINE A LOT OF MOTIONS GOING THROUGH, BUT I THINK IN SERVING WITH YOU FOR FOUR YEARS, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I REMEMBER.
BUT SPECIFICALLY THE WAY YOU CHALLENGED ME AND THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS AND WE WORKED TOGETHER.
I SEE YOU WORKING TOGETHER WITH THESE COMMISSIONERS.
JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BRINGING A UNIQUE OPINION.
SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LOOK UP WHAT YOU WERE SAYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS EXTREMELY ASTUTE AND SPOT WITH EVERYTHING.
WHEN I THINK OF THE CITY, SO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CONTRIBUTED TO, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WHICH I KNOW YOU'RE VERY PROUD OF, AND I KNOW THE RESIDENTS ARE IS THE TRACK AT LAKES PARK.
THANKS FOR THAT AND SO MUCH MORE YOU DID. MAYOR GARRETT.
WAIT, CAME ON AND BECAME MAYOR.
YOU CAME ON THE HEELS OF GREAT MAYORS IN MY MINDS.
MAYOR WILSON, MAYOR FLOYD, WHO I THOUGHT WAS FANTASTIC ALONG WITH MAYOR WILSON AND SO MANY OTHERS.
I'M LIKE, I REMEMBER SITTING THERE THINKING VOTING YOU AS MAYOR, LIKE THAT'S REALLY TOUGH SHOES TO FILL AND YOU DID THAT AND DID EVEN MORE.
I'M GRATEFUL THE FRIENDS, AND A FELLOW COMMISSIONER.
THERE'S SO MUCH YOU'VE DONE, AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TONIGHT REMAINING COUPLE OF DAYS OF YOUR TERM.
BUT DEFINITELY WHEN YOU'RE SITTING BACK WITH GARY AND JUST THINKING AND WALKING AROUND THE CITY AS I KNOW YOU WILL.
YOU MADE SUCH AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BIGGEST ONE I THINK OF WITH YOU IS LAKES PARK, WHICH I KNOW IS NEAR AND DEAR TO BOTH OF US, AND RIGHT NEAR YOU.
[04:05:03]
I JUST WANTED TO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY FAMILY, THE CITY TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE GIVEN TO THE CITY, AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO RELAX.BUT I KNOW YOU WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING SESSION.
>> [INAUDIBLE] ARE THERE OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT AT THIS TIME? WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO THOSE WHO ARE JOINING ONLINE.
WE WILL UNMUTE YOU AND FEEL FREE TO ASK YOUR QUESTION.
I LIVE AT 215 NORTH CANDLER STREET.
NORTH CANDLER IS ONE OF THE 37 STREETS OR PARTS OF STREETS DEFINED IN THE RESIDENT PARKING ORDINANCE NUMBER 98.9.
I ATTENDED TONIGHT'S WORK SESSION ALONG WITH ABOUT 10 OF MY NEIGHBORS FROM NORTH CANDLER AND BERRY STREETS.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING THE RESIDENT PARKING PROGRAM, RPP.
WE APPRECIATE THE RENEWED ATTENTION ON THIS TOPIC FROM THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE RECENT EFFORTS OF CITY STAFF AND SPECIFICALLY ANGELA THREADGILL.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE ON A FEW KEY POINTS FROM TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION.
ANGELA STARTED THE PRESENTATION BY OUTLINING MANY OF THE ANTICIPATED POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF THE NEW RPP.
AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT THAT I WANTED TO MENTION IS IMPROVED SAFETY.
IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ONE WAY STREETS ARE OFTEN OVERCROWDED WITH NON RESIDENT CARS THAT PARK TOO CLOSE TO CROSSWALKS AND TOO CLOSE TO DRIVEWAYS.
THIS MAKES IT HARD FOR CARS TO SEE PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND ENFORCED RPP WILL HELP RELIEVE THE PARKING BURDEN ON OUR STREETS, MAKING IT SAFER FOR DECATUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
THE RPP PRESENTED TONIGHT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PROGRAM.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MODELED AFTER SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS IN OTHER CITIES.
HOWEVER, I'D LIKE TO RAISE A NOTE OF CAUTION ABOUT SELECTING THE RPP SOLUTION BEFORE ASSESSING THE NEED.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S HARD TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF STREETS AND THE NUMBER OF HOUSES THAT WILL BE PART OF THE NEW ORDINANCE.
IF THE DEMAND IS HIGH, THE RPP AS PRESENTED TONIGHT LIKELY MAKES SENSE FOR DECATUR.
IF THE DEMAND IS LOW, THE SAME RPP MAY NOT REACH A SCALE THAT IS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO FIRST ASSESS THE SCOPE OF RESIDENT ONLY PARKING NEEDS AND THEN DESIGN THE PROGRAM.
THE COSTS FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM ARE HIGH.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PROPOSED RPP WILL LEVERAGE THE THIRD PARTY OUTSOURCED PARKING MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT DECATUR ALREADY USES TO MONITOR PAID PUBLIC PARKING.
GIVEN THIS, I AM SURPRISED ABOUT THE NET NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR TWO VEHICLES AND TWO FULL TIME STAFF FOR ENFORCEMENT.
IN ADDITION, I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT WHILE THE ORDINANCE MUST PROVIDE FOR 24 BY SEVEN BY 365 RESIDENT ONLY PARKING AROUND THE CLOCK ENFORCEMENT IS NOT NEEDED.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS OPEN TO A REASONABLE ENFORCEMENT POLICY THAT EFFECTIVELY DETERS NON RESIDENTS FROM PARKING ON OUR STREETS.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO ANALYZE THE RPP COSTS AND DETERMINE WHERE WE CAN BENEFIT FROM ECONOMY TO SCALE WITH OUR THIRD PARTY VENDOR.
DURING TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION, RESIDENT ONLY PARKING WAS REFERRED TO SEVERAL TIMES AS A BENEFIT.
HOWEVER, IN MANY CASES, IT IS A NECESSITY, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REFRAME THE CONVERSATION ACCORDINGLY.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE HOMES ON NORTH CANDLER AND BERRY STREETS LACKS SUFFICIENT OFF STREET PARKING FOR RESIDENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, 10 HOMES SHARE DRIVEWAYS WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.
AN HISTORICAL APARTMENT BUILDING AT 221 NORTH CANDLER STREET HAS 16 APARTMENT UNITS WITH ONLY 12 OFF STREET PARKING SPOTS.
THE HOME AT 220 NORTH CANDLER STREET HAS NO DRIVEWAY AT ALL.
GIVEN THIS, I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO SET FEES SO THAT THE FIRST PARKING PERMIT FOR EACH RESIDENCE IS FREE.
[04:10:03]
I SHARED IN THE RPP PRESENTATION, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW PROGRAM ACCOMMODATES GUESTS, SERVICE WORKERS, AND OTHER VISITORS.I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO CAREFULLY DESIGN THE PROGRAM TO MEET THE PARKING NEEDS OF TEMPORARY VISITORS IN A WAY THAT IS BOTH EFFICIENT AND REASONABLE.
NEW SIGNAGE IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED UPON LAUNCH OF THE NEW PROGRAM AND NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PHASED IN LATER OVER TIME.
NORTH CANDLER AND BERRY STREETS, THE SIGNAGE IS OLD AND FADED AND MANY OF THE SIGNS ARE FALLING OVER.
THEY STATE RESIDENT PARKING ONLY OTHERS WILL BE IMPOUNDED.
THIS LANGUAGE DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE NEW ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL USE PERMITS VERSUS RESIDENCY FOR QUALIFICATION, AND CITATIONS VERSUS TOWING AS THE DETERRENT.
WITHOUT NEW SIGNAGE, WE SHOULD ALL EXPECT AN EXCESS OF EXCEPTIONS AND UNPAID CITATIONS.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO INCLUDE NEW SIGNAGE IN THE UPFRONT PROGRAM COSTS.
MY LAST POINT NUMBER 7, TIMELINE.
TONIGHT'S RPP PRESENTATION WAS VERY SIMILAR TO A PRESENTATION GIVEN IN NOVEMBER 2024, 13 MONTHS AGO.
WE HAVE LOST A YEAR OF PROGRESS, AND WE ARE NOW SIX MONTHS AWAY FROM WATCH FEST.
MAYOR GARRETT STATED TONIGHT, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
THE TIMELINE PRESENTED TONIGHT INCLUDES A SURVEY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 2026, BUT NO OTHER DATES WERE PROVIDED IN WRITING FOR THE REMAINING STEPS.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT A WORKABLE SOLUTION WILL BE IN PLACE BEFORE 2027.
THIS IS DISCOURAGING BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING ON THIS ISSUE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2023.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO PUBLISH AND COMMIT TO A TIMELINE FOR THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW RPP.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO CONSIDER A TEMPORARY PARKING SOLUTION DURING WATCH FEST FOR ORDINANCE 98-8 STREETS AND PARTS OF STREETS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO DOWNTOWN DECATUR.
IN SUMMARY, I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO FIRST ASSESS THE SCOPE OF RESIDENT ONLY PARKING NEEDS AND THEN DESIGN THE PROGRAM.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO ANALYZE THE RPP COSTS AND DETERMINE WHERE WE CAN BENEFIT FROM ECONOMIES OF SCALE WITH OUR THIRD PARTY VENDOR.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO SET FEES SO THAT THE FIRST PARKING PERMIT FOR EACH RESIDENCE IS FREE.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO CAREFULLY DESIGN THE PROGRAM TO MEET THE PARKING NEEDS OF TEMPORARY VISITORS IN A WAY THAT IS BOTH EFFICIENT AND REASONABLE.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO INCLUDE NEW SIGNAGE AND UPFRONT PROGRAM COSTS.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO PUBLISH AND COMMIT TO A TIMELINE FOR THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW RPP.
I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO CONSIDER A TEMPORARY PARKING SOLUTION DURING WATCH FEST FOR ORDINANCE 98-8 STREETS AND PARTS OF STREETS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO DOWNTOWN DECATUR.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE OTHERS WHO ARE ONLINE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THE LAST TIME DURING THIS MEETING THAT WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT POTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVE TO REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS.
[IX. Reports and Other Business.]
BUT FIRST, WE DO HAVE A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF DECEMBER 1, 2025.THE EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION CONFIRMS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEGAL MATTERS ON DECEMBER 1, 2025.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION?
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO READ AND RECOGNIZE THE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
THANK THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT ARE ROLLING OFF.
[04:15:01]
I ALSO WANTED TO COMMENT THAT THERE WILL BE SOME ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS COMING IN MID JANUARY AS THERE ARE STILL SOME SLOTS TO FILL.I THANK LANGSTON FOR ALL OF HIS WORK ON ROUNDING US UP TO GET THE INTERVIEWS, AND WE HAD A LOT OF INTEREST, AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN SERVING, AND WE HAVE SOME GREAT NEW ADDITIONS AND RE APPOINTMENTS.
TO THE BETTER TOGETHER ADVISORY BOARD, KAREN IS APPOINTED TO AN INCOMPLETE TERM THROUGH 12/31/2026.
BRADY RADFORD IS APPOINTED TO AN INCOMPLETE TERM THROUGH 12/31/2027.
RAGU CUCURELLA IS APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
MARLA TEPPER IS REAPPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND KATHERINE BEAN IS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
ALL OF THESE NEW APPOINTEES WERE NOTIFIED THAT THESE WOULD BE ANNOUNCED THIS EVENING.
THE DECATUR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CONOR MCNALLY WAS REAPPOINTED TO A THIRD FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2029.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD, STEVEN BUSH WAS REAPPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
CHRISTIE BIBLE WAS ALSO REAPPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND TONYA HARDY WAS APPOINTED TO YOUR FIRST FULL TERM 12/31/2028, ALL OF THESE WERE PARTIAL TERMS. ALEX STEWART WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/28, AND NADIA SCHRAGER WAS APPOINTED AS A YOUTH MEMBER THROUGH 12/31/2027 AND KENNY JACKSON.
ANOTHER YOUTH MEMBER WAS REAPPOINTED THROUGH 12/31/2027.
ETHICS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS, LINDA HARRIS WAS APPOINTED THROUGH 12/31/28, AND CHARLIE BAILEY WAS REAPPOINTED THROUGH 12/31/2028.
FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
ANDREW NEVERTIL WAS REAPPOINTED TO CHAIR ROLL OFF TERM.
HE WAS APPOINTED CHAIR THROUGH 12/31/26.
KATE BRESLIN WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND MAIA HAN WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
LEGACY DECATUR BOARD, ALLEN MAST WAS REAPPOINTED TO A FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND PAUL MITCHELL WAS REAPPOINTED TO A FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
THE LIFELONG COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD, LEE CASPER WAS APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND GG HOWARD WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND JUDY SUE WAS REAPPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD, AND WE HAVE THESE SOME BOARDS, HAVE LOTS OF APPLICANTS.
PARKS AND REC WAS THE REALLY POPULAR BOARD THIS YEAR.
THERE'S TYPICALLY A BENCH WAITING FOR SOME OF THESE APPOINTMENTS.
WHEN THE NEXT PERSON ROLLS OFF OR SOMEONE ROLLS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, THERE'S SOMEONE THAT CAN BE BROUGHT ON BOARD PRETTY QUICKLY.
PARKS AND REC, BRIAN ROBINSON APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
JAQUELINE LIPNIS APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028, AND ALY MALONE APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
DIANA D REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
PLANNING COMMISSION, TOMMY WONG, APPOINTED TO A FIRST FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
JASON FRIEDLANDER WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028,
[04:20:05]
AND JOHN MCFARLIN WAS REAPPOINTED TO A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY SINO AX REAPPOINTED THROUGH 12/31/2028 AND ROBERT KENNEDY WAS REAPPOINTED THROUGH 12/31/2028.
ON THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, KRISTIN MILLER WAS REAPPOINTED TO SERVE A SECOND FULL TERM THROUGH 12/31/2028.
THANKS ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO WILL BRING A VARIETY OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCES TO SERVE ON OUR APPOINTED BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WITH A FEW MORE TO GO TO HAPPEN IN JANUARY AND THANKS, I THINK DUE TO SOME VACATIONS AND EXPECTED OBLIGATIONS.
MAYOR PROTEM POWERS AND I DID A NUMBER OF THE INTERVIEWS, AND IT WAS REALLY DELIGHTFUL TO BE ABLE TO MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN SERVING THIS WAY IN THE CITY.
>> INCLUDING ROCKET SCIENTISTS.
>> EXACTLY, INCLUDING ROCKET SCIENTISTS.
>> DOES THAT COME FROM US AS A MOTION?
>> YES. WE DO NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THESE APPOINTMENTS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> OPPOSED? WE WELCOME AND APPRECIATE THEIR SERVICE.
THE 2026 CITY COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF ME THE PROPOSED DATES FOR 2026 CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS.
THERE WHILE OUR FORM WILL SCHEDULE IS THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS OF EVERY MONTH WHEN THERE'S A HOLIDAY ON THAT MONDAY, YOU'LL SEE IN A COUPLE OF CASES, THAT'S ONE, TWO, WHERE WE MOVE TO THE TUESDAY.
ALSO, WE HAVE MODIFIED THE SCHEDULE TO NOT CONFLICT WITH TWO OF THIS, 2026 IS UNIQUE.
WE ACTUALLY OUR RECORDLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE SCHOOLS WINTER BREAK, FALL BREAK, AND SPRING BREAK.
I THINK IT'S NICE IF WE'RE ABLE TO MODIFY THE SCHEDULE TO AVOID THE BREAKS.
IT'S NOT ALSO I SHARE WITH THIS BODY, BUT THEN IT CREATES TWO MEETINGS BACK TO BACK, WEEKLY BACK TO BACKS.
THAT'S PRETTY BURDENSOME FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT STAFF ARE FULLY PREPARED AND THE AGENDA MATERIALS ARE THOROUGH.
AGAIN, CERTAINLY THE PREFERENCES THAT WE HAVE A WEEK IN BETWEEN.
BUT THAT SAID, WE ARE RECOMMENDING AVOIDING THE CONFLICT WITH THE WINTER BREAK IN FEBRUARY.
MOVING THAT MEETING TO MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, AND THEN ALSO AVOIDING THE FALL BREAK AND MOVING THAT MEETING TO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.
THAT DOES RETAIN A CONFLICT WITH SPRING BREAK.
AGAIN, JUST RECOMMENDING THAT AS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE.
AGAIN, THIS IS THE MEETING SCHEDULE IN FRONT OF YOU.
I WOULD APPRECIATE THERE IS A MOTION AND VOTE ON THIS JUST SO WE CAN HAVE IT SOLIDIFY AND WE CAN COMMUNICATE IT TO THE PUBLIC AND WE CAN ALL PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
>> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO THE 2026 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> OPPOSED? THE VOTES AYE, AND MOTION PASSES.
OUR INCOMING COMMISSIONERS ALSO AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE SCHEDULE AS IT WAS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD.
[04:25:01]
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A REPORT ON 600.
>> JULIE SMITH PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON 600 COMMERCE.
>> HI. I'M JULIE SMITH, COMMUNITY MANAGER AT THE CITY.
I HAVE A REQUEST TO UPDATE YOU ON 600 COMMERCE.
YOU WILL REMEMBER, ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, WE DID SOME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ABOUT THE PROPERTY OWNS AT 600 COMMERCE.
WE HAD A WORK SESSION WHERE WE PRESENTED THE CONCEPT THAT CAME OUT OF THE DESIGN SHRED, WHICH WAS A QUADRUPLEX WITH AN ADU.
I KNOW IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME, BUT WE REALLY HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY WORKING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THERE'S BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT HOW TO TRANSFER THE PROPERTY AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH.
THEN AS WE'RE GETTING CLOSER AND GETTING CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES, WE THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH COMING BACK TO THE COMMISSION TO ASK YOUR SUPPORT TO RE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY ON THIS ISSUE.
THE QUADRUPLEX DESIGN IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WE HAD PLANNED.
I THINK THE COST WOULD BE ABOUT 2.4 MILLION.
THAT WOULD BE FOUR SELLABLE UNITS.
THE SUBSIDY WOULD BE QUITE HIGH.
THERE IS ROOM ON THAT LOT FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE GENTLE DENSITY.
WE ALSO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE FINANCING OF CONDOMINIUMS AT THE MOMENT, IS PRETTY DIFFICULT.
ALSO, THE HOA FOR THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL THE EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE FOR THAT BUILDING.
SHOULD BE PRETTY HIGH TO INCLUDE THE RESERVES FOR ALL OF THAT, WHEREAS A FEE SIMPLE DEVELOPMENT MIGHT MAKE MORE SENSE.
WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE ANOTHER COMMUNITY SESSION TO SEE WHAT OTHER ALTERNATIVES MIGHT MAKE SENSE.
THE QUADRUPLEX MIGHT STILL MAKE SENSE.
WE JUST WANT TO OPEN THE DOOR BACK UP AND SHARE OUR COST ESTIMATES AND SEE WHAT FEEDBACK WE GET.
WE'RE ASKING YOU FOR THAT PERMISSIONS READ TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVE PROCESS.
>> THINKING THAT AROUND THE CORNER, WOULD THAT BE?
>> WE MAYBE A LITTLE BIT LONGER SMALLER TOWN HOMES BE INTERESTED TO HEAR WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINKS.
THERE'S NO THERE IS NO SET PLAN.
BUT IN TALKING WITH DEVELOPERS, THE SENSE WAS THAT YOU'RE LEAVING A LOT OF LAND ON THE TABLE.
WE COULD HAVE MORE UNITS THAT WERE AFFORDABLE WITH LESS SUBSIDY IF WE WENT FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE DENSITY.
>> I'M SUPPORT TO THIS, I WAS ENCOURAGING TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT WAS MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND PERHAPS MORE THAN 40 UNITS THERE.
I DID HAVE SOME EARLY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THERE CONCERN ABOUT THE SCALE IN TERMS OF THE HEIGHT.
BUT IF YOU WERE TO DO RELATIVELY LOW, MAYBE TWO STORY TOWN HOMES, FIRST OF ALL, YOU BLOCKED THE SOUND FROM COMMERCE DRIVE TO PEOPLE, WHICH COULD BE NICE.
I ENCOURAGED. I PUT IT IN FOR TOWNHOMES LAST TIME REGARDLESS TO OPEN IT UP CONVERSATION.
>> I AGREE. THE MARKETS EVOLVED SINCE THOSE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS AND AFFORDABILITY NOW MORE NEVER BECOMES HARDER TO ATTAIN.
I'D BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT ELSE THE RESIDENTS WOULD SUPPORT.
>> I CAN ADD A LAS TALOR IN STATE OF GEORGIA, THAT THE CONDOMINIUM HOA MASTER POLICIES ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO GET TO MAINTAIN THEIR COSTS.
VARIOUS SHOCKS OF EXTREME WEATHER MIAMI CONDO COMPLEX, BUT YOU CAN SEE POLICIES TOWN I JUST GOT SOLD FOR MASTER POLICY WENT FOR 70 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLAR AND 23 TO ALMOST 270,000 IN A YEAR.
THEY'LL SPEND MANY YEARS TRYING TO GET THAT COST BACK DOWN THROUGH VARIOUS MEASURES IF THEY CAN, IT WILL NEVER GO BACK TO WHAT IT HAD BEEN.
BUT YOU HAVE A $460,000 TOWN HOME, WHICH IS ALMOST THE AVERAGE HOME PRICE IN METRO ATLANTA.
[04:30:03]
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT STARTER HOME.BUT THE NEW OWNERS WOULD BE SALTED WITH $875 A MONTH IN HOA, WHICH IS CRAZY AND IS A REAL ALBATROSS THEN ON VALUES AND YOU GET THE SPIRAL.
THE INSURANCE PIECE IS ABOUT AS CHALLENGING AS THE DEVELOPMENT COST AT THIS POINT OF CONDOMINIUM.
AS MUCH AS DEFINITE HOME OWNERSHIP THERE IN THIS NEW SCENARIO SOUNDS PRETTY COOL.
BUT I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE LOOKING TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE THE MARKET HAS EVOLVED AND PARTICULARLY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, WHICH IS A VERY CHALLENGING DECISION.
>> LIKE A VOTE OR JUST GENERAL DIRECTION.
>> TONIGHT WE'RE COMING FORWARD.
AGAIN, IT'S ON AN AGENDA ITEM.
WE JUST WANTED TO GET A GENERAL DIRECTION FROM THIS BODY.
WE HEARD ABSOLUTELY ON THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A QUADRUPLEX THAT WOULD SEND US ON OUR WAY.
BUT AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THIS BODY'S WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO STAFF AND UNDERSTAND OUR REASONING FOR SAYING ME TO PRESS POLLS AND GO BACK OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE IT'S REALLY EASY A STAFF TO SET OFF ON A MISSION.
EVEN WHEN YOU SEE THE WARNING FLAGS ALONG THE WAY, SOMETIMES IT CAN BE HARD TO STOP AND SAY, OH, WE NEED TO SWITCH UP, WE NEED TO PIVOT.
I WANT TO COMMEND STAFF FOR RECOGNIZING BEFORE WE GOT INTO DEEP TO SPEAK UP AND SAY THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE COURSE.
THAT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY [INAUDIBLE].
>> ALL RIGHT. GREAT. THANK YOU.
>> EARLIER THIS EVENING, THIS BODY DISCUSSED THE SETTLEMENT OF A LAWSUIT AND ANY SETTLEMENT AUTHORIZATION; HOWEVER, A VOTE FOR SETTLEMENT AUTHORIZATION MUST BE MADE IN A PUBLIC SETTING.
YOU ARE BEING ASKED TONIGHT TO AUTHORIZE A SETTLEMENT THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I'M LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE SETTLEMENT.
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO AUTHORIZE A SETTLEMENT OF THE LAWSUIT, BRADLEY RAY MCPHAIL VERSUS MICHAEL S COLANDER AND LILA C RAMIREZ, AKA LILA C RAMIREZ VARGAS, AND THE CITY OF DECATURGA GEORGIA, CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 23-CV-6474 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STORMWATER WORK AS DESCRIBED IN THE OAKHURST PARK DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PREPARED BY RAYMOND GLOBAL AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $35,000.
IN RETURN FOR MCPHILS' EXECUTION OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSE THE VOTES, AND MOTION IS ADOPTED. MISS ARNOLD.
>> YES. DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE] HAS SOME INFORMATION, SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE WITH THE PARTIES TO AN [INAUDIBLE]
>> DIRECTIVE PARKS AND RECREATION.
I'M HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRPA BOOST TWO-POINT GRANT, SECURING $60,000 TO ADVANCE OUR MISSION OF DELIVERING IMPACTFUL OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THIS GRANT IS PART OF GRPA'S BOOST TWO POINT, A STATE-WIDE INITIATIVE BY THE GEORGIA RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION, DESIGNED TO BUILD OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO LEVERAGE OUT OF SCHOOL TIME AND WHOLE CHILD SUPPORT TO ADDRESS LEARNING LOSS ACROSS GEORGIA.
THERE WAS MORE THAN 42 APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED, WHICH EQUATED TO OVER $4 MILLION, AND THEY HAD TO NARROW IT DOWN TO 1.4 AND SPLIT BASED AROUND A VERY COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS.
THIS COMPETITIVE AWARD IS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO OUR TEAM'S DEDICATION TO CREATING ENRICHING HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER YOU BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
>> ONE, JUST LETTING THIS BODY AND THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSING CITY HALL EARLY, TWO DAYS BETWEEN NOW,
[04:35:01]
THE END OF THE YEAR ON CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 24, AND NEW YEAR, DECEMBER.CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED AT 2:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR'S EVE.
SO GET YOUR TAXES PAID AND YOUR ADLS IN, AND YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE PAID.
AND SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE FORMALLY IN THE PAST.
I'LL SAY THAT IN THE PAST, STAFF MAY HAVE GONE HOME.
NO STAFF, JUST SUPERVISOR STAY BEHIND.
BUT A COUPLE OF STAFF FOLKS MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO ME A LITTLE BIT OF THEY DID THEIR FRAMEWORK, MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO ME.
BUT SOUNDED LIKE A GRAND IDEA, AND SO JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL WERE AWARE OF THAT.
AND WE WILL COMMUNICATE IT WITH THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY THERE AND TO THE LOCK DOORS.
OKAY. WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS TO FOCUS ON MY RIGHT TO MY LEFT.
I JUST WORK OUT A LITTLE BIT HERE, SO BEAR WITH ME.
I JUST WANT TO START BY STANDING.
AND, BOTH OF YOU, MAYOR, COMMISSIONER WALSH.
I ADMIRE BOTH OF YOU FOR TAKING YOUR OATHS TO THE OFFICE AND TO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE HIGHEST SINCERITY AND SERIOUSNESS.
YOU LEAD WITH INTEGRITY, ETHICS, AND COMPASSION.
AND I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY.
AND YOU'VE MADE SOME REALLY HARD DECISIONS.
THESE DECISIONS THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT BE FRUSTRATING TO A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
BUT ULTIMATELY, YOU'RE MAKING THOSE HARD DECISIONS BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THIS COMMUNITY TODAY AND MANY, MANY YEARS FROM NOW.
AND I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ALSO CARE AND THAT YOU CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES, NOT JUST THE EMPLOYEES THAT YOU SEE ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS OF EACH MONTH, BUT THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE BACK WORKING THE SIDEWALKS AND THE STREETS AND PICKING UP OUR TRASH AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE.
THEY ARE THE HEART OF THE CITY, AND THOSE EMPLOYEES MAKE OUR COMMUNITY THE SPECIAL PLACE THAT I BELIEVE IT IS.
AND THE FACT THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTED BY YOU AND GIVES THEM COMFORT PIECE OF MIND AND ULTIMATELY ALLOWS THEM TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN BE.
LEARNED A LOT FROM ALL ABOUT LEADERSHIP, SPECIFICALLY MENTORING AND LISTENING AND LISTENING SOME MORE, AND JUST BEING A GOOD HUMAN BEING.
WHILE I'LL MISS YOU ON RIGHT, MISS YOU ON MY LEFT, THE AREA IS MUCH BETTER OFF BECAUSE YOU HAVE SERVED, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
IF YOU DO START A GARDEN CLUB, SWEET FOR.
OKAY. EACH OF YOU, JUST A LITTLE MOMENTO, AND THANK YOU COMING FROM STAFF FOR YOUR SERVICE.
VERY BITTER SPEECH. SO AGAIN, VERY HAPPY AT.
I HAVE SERIOUS THINGS TO SAY, BUT THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO KEEP THE RULES TO BYE YEAH.
>> WE JUST BROKE, SO WE'RE AT IT. YEAH.
IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A WORTHWHILE LAST MEETING IF YOU WEREN'T ACCUSED OF DOING SOME DASTARDLY PUBLIC COMMENT.
OH, TAKE THAT WITH YOU WITH PRIDE.
[04:40:01]
[LAUGHING] WE HAD A HISTORY LESSON AND THE IMPLICATION OF ACCUSATION OF WRONGDOING.A IN ONE PUBLIC COMMENT. GOOD GRACIOUS.
NOT THE WAY THAT I WANTED YOUR TERMS TO END, BUT HEY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S COMING AT YOU.
SO JUST TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF BUSINESS OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE I MAKE MY HEARTFELT COMMENTS, AND WE'LL TRY MY BEST NOT TO MAKE YOU CRY TOO MUCH BY MAKING YOU LAUGH.
SO FIRST, I HATE THAT MISS BRESLIN DROPPED OFF BECAUSE I WANTED HER TO.
I WANTED TO RESPOND TO HER COMMENT.
WOW, ANGELA T. HADGIL IS AMAZING.
I THINK THAT WHILE THE IDEA OF THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM GETTING IMPLEMENTED BEFORE WATCH FEST WILL REQUIRE SOME COMPROMISE, I THINK THAT WHATEVER APPROACH IS TAKEN WILL BE ONE THAT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT THE NEIGHBORS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN TOTALITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE WON'T WORK TOWARD THAT.
I THINK THAT WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE'LL GET SOMETHING EFFECTIVE IN PLACE AND TWEAK IT AS IT GOES ALONG.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT 2023 NOW.
WE ARE SIX MONTHS AWAY FROM A WORLDWIDE EVENT AND NEED TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE EFFECTIVE, AND I TRUST THAT THAT WILL BE DONE BY THE CITY STAFF WHILE MAINTAINING ALL OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE FOR THE REST OF THE CITY.
IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE BRIAN SMITH IN HERE TODAY.
I REMEMBER SITTING WHERE MARK ARNOLD AND CHERYL KARIMIER IS SITTING IN DECEMBER OF 2019, WHEN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS CAME BEFORE YOU, AND THAT WAS THE LAST REALLY BIG VOTE OF THIS BODY.
SO IT WAS REALLY COOL TO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH A MONUMENTAL PIECE OF WORK AS FAR AS DECATUR'S GOVERNMENT GOES, ALL IN THE SAME ROOM AGAIN, TO HONOR BOTH OF YOU.
THE MEETING BEFORE THAT, OR MAYBE HAD BEEN THE MEETING BEFORE THAT, HAD BEEN THE LEGACY PARK MASTER PLAN.
AND THAT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, DECEMBER OF 2019.
I HOPE THAT IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF ALL THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE WHILE YOU HAVE SERVED ON THIS COMMISSION.
GEORGE, IT IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE THAT YOU CAN BE SO ELOQUENT AND MAKE SUCH GREAT STATEMENTS, DRESS LIKE WHAT IS IT, DASHER, DANCER.
[LAUGHING] JUST LIKE DANCER, THE REINDEER.
I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S DASHER DANCER, BUT THERE'S NO RED NOSE.
RACERS. THIS IS MY FAVORITE WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR COOL SWEATERS.
OH, KELLY WALSH, KELLY WALSH, KELLY WALSH, KELLY WALSH.
SO I'M GOING TO SAY SOME THINGS TO KELLY WALSH THAT PROBABLY ONLY KELLY WALSH WILL UNDERSTAND.
IT STARTS WITH FEEDING ME GUMMIES ON A WINDING ROAD IN NORTH GEORGIA, SO I DON'T GET SICK IN THE CAR.
MY FRIEND SAYS THAT I REMIND HER OF SARAH PALIN.
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST POUR OVER COFFEE.
THERE ARE SO MANY FUNNY MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE SHARED, AND I DON'T KNOW IF A LOT OF THE CITY KNOWS WHAT AN AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOR AND HOW HILARIOUS YOU ARE.
BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE ENJOYED MOST ABOUT YOU.
I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IN THE CITY KNOWS HOW IMPRESSIVE YOU ARE AND HOW SMART YOU ARE AND HOW MUCH YOU KNOW, AND HOW EXPANSIVE YOUR VOCABULARY IS.
BUT I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY HILARIOUS.
NOW, EVERYBODY, KELLY WALSH WILL BE GOING INTO A STAND-UP CAREER NOW.
IT HAS BEEN, I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME ONCE, STEAL SHARP AND STEEL.
IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE DEBATING WITH YOU, LEARNING FROM YOU, HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU, GETTING TO KNOW YOU, AND JUST FIGURING OUT HOW TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES IN THE CITY BECAUSE YOUR APPROACH AND MY APPROACH WERE SO DIFFERENT, AND YOU ARE ALWAYS SO WILLING TO SHARE WITH ME WHAT YOU WERE THINKING WITH GREAT CANDOR.
AND I HAVE SUCH AN IMMENSE RESPECT FOR YOU AND FOR THE WAY THAT YOU NAVIGATE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE PROBABLY COULDN'T BE MORE DIFFERENT.
[04:45:01]
I AM REALLY EXCITED FOR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO NEXT, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING INTERESTING AND SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT AND SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO INVOLVE VERY STRONG POUR OVER COFFEE.SO WHILE I WILL MISS YOU MAKING ME COFFEE TWICE A YEAR.
I HOPE THAT I CAN ALWAYS PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOU AND ASK YOU FOR ADVICE.
I REALLY HOPE THAT WHATEVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS YOU GREAT JOY AND AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF HAPPINESS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS CITY AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH ME.
I DON'T KNOW THE COMMISSION WITHOUT YOU.
I'M HAPPY FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT; IT'LL BE A GREAT CHANGE, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AND ALL WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER.
>> WORLDWIDE MAYOR PATTY GARRETT.
EVERYWHERE [LAUGHING] THERE IS THE MAYOR.
THE MAYOR IS AT A RIBBON-CUTTING.
THE MAYOR IS REPRESENTING THE CITY ON A TRIP.
PATTY GARRETT LITERALLY WAS WORLDWIDE.
AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO GET AS MUCH DONE IN A DAY THAT YOU COULD GET DONE.
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THIS CITY.
THIS IS NOT WHERE YOU ARE FROM, BUT THIS IS THE PLACE THAT YOU MADE YOUR HOME AND DEDICATED A CAREER OF SERVICE TO, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
I THINK THAT BEING AN APPROACHABLE MAYOR WAS ONE OF YOUR GREAT STRENGTHS.
PEOPLE FELT COMFORTABLE TALKING TO YOU.
PEOPLE LOVED SAYING, HEY, THERE'S THE MAYOR AND YOU JOINED [LAUGHTER].
AND NO ONE EVER FELT LIKE THEY COULDN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU, SEND YOU AN EMAIL, OR REACH OUT TO YOU.
YOU WERE TRULY THE MAYOR OF THE PEOPLE.
I REALLY HOPE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR TIME SERVING ON THIS COMMISSION, YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES.
BUT THAT YOU ALSO GIVE YOURSELF GREAT CREDIT, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN EASY.
THERE WERE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST TIMES IN HISTORY THAT YOU HAVE ACTUALLY HAD TO DEAL WITH AS A MAYOR OF A CITY, AND YOU DID IT WITH GRACE, AND YOU DID IT WITH PATIENCE.
LORD KNOWS YOU HAD TO HAVE A TON OF PATIENCE TO DEAL WITH ME.[LAUGHTER] AND YOU DID IT WITH OPEN ARMS. NOW WE'RE GIVING YOU BACK TO GARY GARRETT, YOUR BELOVED ASSISTANT, HUSBAND, [LAUGHTER] AND TO YOUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN, AND TO YOUR GRANDCHILDREN, WHO, IF YOU KNOW MAYOR PATTI, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HER GRAND-BABIES.
NOW WE CAN GIVE YOU BACK TO THEM A LITTLE BIT.
BUT KNOW THAT WE'RE STILL YOUR FAMILY HERE TOO, IN DECATUR, AND BOY, WILL WE MISS YOU.
I THINK FOR THE LAST TIME, THAT'S ALL FOR ME TODAY, MAYOR.
>> IS THAT VIDEO FOR THE PRESSING FROM OUT OF TOWN [LAUGHTER] I WAS CHEERING UP.
I WAS TALKING, THIS IS ACTUALLY I'M HONORING KELLY'S REQUEST, NOT FOR THOSE.
I WILL MISS WORKING WITH BOTH OF YOU GUYS.
I WILL MISS OUR WALKS AND TALKS, SOMETHING I'M NOT WALKED IN TALKS WITH KELLY OR LISA AT OTHER.
KELLY, TO ME, YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN SO PREPARED.
YOU ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH, DIVE DEEP, SHARE THAT, AND I JUST APPRECIATE YOUR SCHOLARLY APPROACH YOU'VE TAKEN TO BE THE BEST COMMISSIONER YOU COULD BE.
I ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP YOU'VE SHOWN, SPECIFICALLY, I WORKED WITH THE UNHOUSED HERE.
I KNOW IT'S A PERSONAL ISSUE FOR YOURS, AND I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO STEP IN AND TRY TO PICK UP SOME OF THE SELECTIVE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
MY WIFE WOULD HAVE MENTIONED THE TRACK, ON BEHALF OF DECATUR, WE HAVE MENTIONED THE TRACK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT.
>> I WAS SUPPOSED TO LAUGH WHILE YOU WORE THAT ON THE TRACK.
[04:50:02]
>> THIS IS THE MOST SERIOUS STEP YOU'VE EVER MADE.
I WANT TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU.
MAYOR PATTI, I FEEL THAT MY TIME ON THE COMMISSION, MY RESPECT FOR YOU HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND TO ADAPT AND TO EVOLVE AND TO REPRESENT THE DIVERSE OPINIONS OF THE FOUR PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION AND TO WORK FOR CONSENSUS.
THAT'S ALWAYS EASY BUT I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT, I INTERACT WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND THE AREA LIKE MYSELF.
EVER I MENTIONED DECATUR, THERE'S A SMILE ON PEOPLE'S FACES, AND THEY SAY, PATTI, YOU WORK WITH PATTI.
YOU JUST DO SUCH A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING THE CITY.
NOT JUST SHOWING UP, BUT IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, BOTH RELATIONSHIPS TO COLLABORATION.
AGAIN, THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION, YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND GROW AND EVOLVE FOR THE PROPER GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
>> I GOT TO STEP THEM OFF FOR NOW.
ARE YOU PUTTING ON A REINDEER BIGGER.
I'M COMING [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] TO SANTA CLAUS.
>> SO BACK TO MY DESK HERE AND MAKE SURE I GO THE RIGHT PACKAGES FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
LET'S START WITH COMMISSIONER WALKS.
NOW, IN BROOKHAVEN, I'VE BEEN TO BROOKHAVEN CITY, CITY/ TOWN HALL, AND THERE'VE BEEN OPENED BOTTLES.
SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING [LAUGHTER]YOU OPEN THAT BOTTLE, HOWEVER, FIRST OF ALL, ON BEHALF OF THE OG THREE, THAT'S OUR NEW NICKNAME.
WE'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO REFLECT YOUR TIME HERE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO BECAUSE YOU SPENT SO MUCH TIME SERVING OTHERS, THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE FOR YOU TO BE SERVED.
AND SO IN THE SPIRIT OF SUPPORTING LOCAL, WE HAVE PURCHASED YOU A SPA DAY AT JASMINE SPA.
ALONG WITH A NICE BOTTLE OF SOMETHING NOT WATER IN TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR SPA DAY.
I SERVED WITH YOU FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS.
AND I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE SITTING OUT THERE AND I WAS SITTING UP HERE GOING, BOY, SHE'S GOING TO MAKE US DO A LOT OF HOMEWORK.
BECAUSE SHE'S GOING TO BE WELL PREPARED.
AND THE ONE THING THAT I WILL ALWAYS SAY IS YOU WERE NEVER NOT PREPARED.
YOU MADE US ALL, REALLY TEST OUR LIMITS AND OUR ABILITIES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU CHALLENGED US TO DO.
AND FROM THE BIG POLICY DECISIONS TO ALL THE BABY SHARP VIDEOS THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE ON VIDEO AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE, YOU MADE US ALL BETTER, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU MADE THE CITY BETTER.
AND I'M GOING TO REALLY MISS OUR CONVERSATIONS, BOTH ONLINE AND OFFLINE ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT WE TRY TO DO UP HERE.
AND I THINK YOU WHEN I THINK ABOUT AN INCOMING COMMISSIONER OR WHAT A COMMISSIONER'S ROLE SHOULD BE AND HOW THAT LOOKS, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU.
AND SO YOU HAVE EXEMPLIFIED YOURSELF IN THAT ROLE AND DON'T CHANGE YOUR NUMBER.
BECAUSE WE WILL STILL RELY ON YOUR EXPERTISE FROM TIME TO TIME AT ON AN AD HOC BASIS AND SAY, HEY, KELLY, EXCUSE ME.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT? SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A SON PLAYING COLLEGE SOCCER AND THAT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU SO MUCH MORE TIME AND PROBABLY HAVE A DAUGHTER PLAYING COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL, SO THAT GIVES YOU ALL THAT TIME AND I KNOW WHATEVER YOU DO NEXT, YOU'RE GOING TO EXEMPLIFY WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE THAT SPIRIT AND COMMITMENT HERE.
SO THANK YOU. NOW, I CAN TRULY SAY THAT THERE'S NO OTHER MAYOR IN AMERICA.
THAT'S A TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN.
I CAN SAY IT WITH RESOLVE, BECAUSE I WAS THERE AND I SAW IT FOR MYSELF.
[04:55:02]
WE HAVE THE ONLY TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN MAYOR IN THE HISTORY OF ALL AMERICAN TREATIES, AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO NOT ONLY FOLLOW YOU ON THOSE JOURNEYS, BUT ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE, ALL THE CRAZY IDEAS THAT WE KIND OF COME UP WITH AND THINK ABOUT, ALL THE INTERVIEWS THAT WE'VE DONE AND ALL THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD, WHETHER IT'S A MONUMENT OR A MONUMENT OR WHETHER IT'S YOUTH COUNSEL OR WHETHER IT'S TRAFFIC CALM SPEED BUMPS OR I DON'T KNOW.WHAT TO DO WITH OUR CITY MANAGER. IN A GOOD WAY.
YOU HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION, A MENTOR, A FRIEND, A CONFIDENT, A LEADER, A HERO.
YOU HAVE BEEN ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE WHILE CONTINUE TO BE A WIFE? A MOTHER? A GRANDMOTHER/ AND A CAREGIVER TO WHOEVER HAD NEEDED IT# AND SO, PEOPLE SEE US AND SEE YOU IN THAT ONE LIGHT, BUT WE GET TO SEE ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT GOES INTO WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUELY YOU.
AND WE'RE ALL BETTER BECAUSE YOU SAT SEE.
AND I CAN TRULY SAY THAT I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU THAT I WILL CARRY THAT FORWARD WITH THE REST OF MY TIME ON THE COMMISSION.
AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW YOU LIKE WHITE WINE.
>> [LAUGHTER]. I KNEW THAT WAS GO TO.
>> BUT FOR YOU, ALSO, THE OG THREE DECIDED YOU NEEDED A SPA DAY AS WELL.
AND SO WE GOT YOU A SPA DAY AS WELL AT JASMINE, AND WE REALLY WANT YOU TO JUST TAKE THAT DAY AND DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING STARTED WITH A GLASS OF WINE AND FOR A GLASS OF WINE.
YOU NOW HAVE YOUR MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS BACK BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A ONE DAY A WEEK JOB.
AND YOU HAVE DONE IT FOR 16 YEARS.
THAT'S A LONG TIME TO GIVE UP.
AND GARY, I SAID THE OTHER NIGHT, THANK YOU FOR SHARING HER WITH MY HOMETOWN AND YOUR ADOPTED HOMETOWN.
IT MEANS SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN BE HERE AND YOU'VE BEEN HERE BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE, PATTI, HERE'S YOU SEE GAY AND SO I KNOW HOW THAT WORKS TO BE A PART OF A TEAM, AND YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT LEADER FOR THIS TEAM AND IT WAS A LEADER THAT WE NEEDED.
NOT ONLY WITH FOUR COMMISSIONERS, TWO NEW ONES, A PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, REMOTE ZOOM AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT WE WENT THROUGH FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
YOU WERE THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT TIME.
AND NO ONE ELSE COULD HAVE DONE THAT.
AND SO THE LAST TIME I GET TO SAY, MAYOR, THAT'S MY LAST REMARK.
BUT DON'T CHANGE YOUR PHONE NUMBER BECAUSE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS INSTITUTIONAL.
>> EXCEPT FOR THE SPA? [LAUGHTER]
AND THE TWO NEWBIES? WE SEND YOU OFF. THANK YOU.
NOT WITH A RECORD MEETING, BUT A PRETTY LONG ONE.
WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER WALKS.
>> LAST TWO [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU.
>> EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID IS TOO KIND AND TOO GENEROUS, BUT IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.
IT'S, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENTS FROM PEOPLE HOLD IN THE HIGHEST SCHEME. THANK YOU.
A FAMILY IS LISTENING, I BELIEVE.
THEY TOLD ME TO GET CLOSER TO THEM.
WE'LL SEE IF THEY CAN HEAR ME.
I HAVE KIDS AT HOME DOING HOMEWORK, I DO SPORTS, BUSY FAMILY AND DOG NEEDS WALK.
BUT WE STILL COME HERE ON MONDAY NIGHTS AND SPEND A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER. I KNOW IT'S LATE.
IT'S NOT QUITE MISSING LITTLE LATE AND ONLY A FEW OF US KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, AND BABY SHARK.
AND I DO HAVE SOME REMARKS AND PLEASE HUMOR ME.
WHEN I STARTED THIS, MY KIDS ARE TEN AND 11, AND THEY'RE NOW 18 AND 19,
[05:00:02]
AND IT'S JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY, SO ALTHOUGH IT'S ONLY EIGHT YEARS.IT'S A LOT OF GREAT TIME, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, BUT LO GARD AND HER [INAUDIBLE] HAVE CONTRIBUTED ACROSS 16, BUT IT'S THE BEST WORK.
AND BEING A REVOLUTIONARY TONIGHT SPEAKING OF REVOLUTIONS AND WHATEVER WE HEAR EARLIER WERE KIDS FOR THE FIRST TIME THROUGH A MEETING, WHICH I'VE NEVER DONE.
THE REVOLUTIONARIES FINALLY COME OUT IN.[LAUGHTER] ANOTHER QUICK THING WHEN I STARTED THIS EIGHT YEARS AGO, NINE YEARS AGO I DIDN'T WEAR READERS.
THAT IS ALSO THAT. BUT I DO NEED THE SPOT BECAUSE MY SHOULDERS HAVE BEEN PINNED UP AROUND MY EARS FOR A WHILE.
UM I HAD TO COACH MYSELF WITH SOME WARS THAT MY CAMPAIGN MANAGER SAID TO ME NINE YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS WHITE KNUCKLING IT THROUGH AN ELECTION NIGHT WITH FOUR CANDIDATES, WE RAN FOR SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS.
IT WAS A LONG YEAR, AND SHE COULD TELL I WASN'T BREATHING.
SHE SAID, KELLY TONIGHT IS NOT THE HUNGER GAMES, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT MU CH OF TONIGHT AND THAT'S BECAUSE I'M AROUND AND THE TIME WE'VE SPENT TOGETHER.
SO IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT A DEATH OR IT'S A CLOSING OF A CHAPTER, BUT WHICH WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO OPEN UP THE NEXT ONE.
AFTER NEARLY 180 MEETINGS OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AND DOUBLE THAT FOR THE MAYOR.
YOU CAN'T SUM THINGS UP, SO I WON'T.
BUT THERE'S ALSO FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY KIDS, WHO WILL HOPEFULLY BE HERE A LOT LONGER THAN I AM, THERE'S ABOUT 15 HOURS PROBABLY OF COMMENTS POST MEETING, IF EVERY MEETING I TOOK FIVE MINUTES.
SO THERE'S PLENTY FOR THEM TO GO REVISIT.
AND HERE WHAT I MAY HAVE SAID.
AND IF YOU HAVE INCREDIBLE ASANDIA OUT THERE AND YOU'RE GOING TO CITY COMMISSION ARCHIVES, A LOT OF GREAT MATERIAL BY ALL OF US.
SO I WANTED TO FOCUS ON TWO THINGS, GRATITUDE AND PRIDE.
>> I'M THANKFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE THE CITY IN THIS CAPACITY, AND I'VE NEVER HAD A CALLING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN MY LIFE.
WHAT A GIFT IT IS TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE'RE DIFFERENT HERE.
WE'VE HEARD THAT SAID A FEW TIMES TONIGHT.
I KNOW THAT FOR SURE BECAUSE I'M REMINDED OF EVERY PUBLIC MEETING AND EVERY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY, EVERY RIBBON CUTTING, EVERY LOCAL 5K, THAT WE'RE DIFFERENT, AND IT'S A PRETTY AMAZING PLACE TO LIVE.
I WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF DECATUR AND SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM THAT I COULD DO THIS JOB.
I GET TO DO THIS JOB FOR TWO TERMS. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO THE STAFF.
I HOPE ANYONE WHO'S HERE WILL BE A DIPLOMAT AND AMBASSADOR OF THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND YOUR STAFF, AND YOUR DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN SO PATIENT WITH ME, I THINK WITH ALL OF US, BUT IT'S A JOURNEY TO REALLY LEARN AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND, JUST A FRACTION OF WHAT YOU DO, JUST AN IOTA SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A BETTER DECISION UP HERE.
I KNOW THAT THE LEAD TO MONDAY NIGHTS IS VERY DIFFERENT FOR THEM AND FOR YOU THAN IT IS FOR US.
YOU'RE KILLING YOURSELVES TO GET AN AGENDA READY TO BE PREPARED FOR THE COMMENTS AND THE QUESTIONS, CRAZY QUESTIONS THAT WE MAKE AND WE HAUL EVERYBODY OFF TRACK WHEN WE TRY TO GET BACK, BUT IT'S ALL WORK WE NEED TO DO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, WHEN WE DO SLEEP AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT OUR DECISIONS.
I WON'T FORGET ANY OF YOU AND THE CONTENT I'VE LEARNED TO IN PARTICULAR.
BUT FOR US, I THINK, FOR THE ELECTATES, IS TO ME, THIS IS THE SHOW, S. IT'S MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.
IT'S A MULTI-EVENT ROLLER COASTER.
WE HAVE SUPER INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL HIGHS AND LOWS.
FOR ME, IT'S LIKE ATTENDING ALL AT ONE-TIME, CONCERT, A CHURCH, TO GO TO CHURCH, A TRIAL, SPORTING EVENT, IT'S EVERYTHING.
WE GO HOME AND GRAVEL AROUND FOR A WHILE AFTER WE GET HOME AND WIND DOWN, EVEN THE BEST MEETING, EVEN THE MOST FUN, THE MOST LAST.
IT'S HARD TO WIND DOWN, BUT BECAUSE IT'S JUST AMAZING WORK IT'S STIMULATING, AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY INSIDE.
IT'S A STRANGE HIGH IN SOME WAYS, I'M GOING TO MISS THAT OVER STIMULATION, BUT I DO THINK MAYBE MY SLEEP HABITS WILL BE BETTER.
MY FAMILY I THINK WE'LL APPRECIATE GETTING ME BACK A LITTLE BIT MORE, I THINK SO.
SPEAKING OF THEM, I'M SO PROUD OF THEM.
I GET TO CELEBRATE WITH THEM SOON, AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FAMILY VACATION OVER CHRISTMAS. HERE WE ARE.
I REALLY HAVE ALWAYS JUST WANTED TO MAKE THEM PROUD IN THE MODEL, BUT IT IS TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN, AND A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND A COMPASSIONATE PERSON.
I HOPE OUR KIDS GO ON TO BE HIGHLY CIVICALLY ENGAGED AFTER WATCHING WHAT WE'VE DONE AND HOW WE LIVED OUR LIVES THIS IS ALMOST HALF OF THEIR LIVES.
AT MINIMUM TO ALWAYS VOTE AND VOLUNTEER, WE TALK ABOUT THAT.
[05:05:04]
I KNOW THEY RECOGNIZE ALREADY SO MANY OF THE BENEFITS THEY'VE HAD LIVING INDICATOR FROM WALKABILITY AND OUR CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY, VALUES OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION, PHILANTHROPY, PUBLIC ART, MULTICULTURALISM, AND MORE.AS I BECOME AN EMPTY NESTER NEXT YEAR, AND I'VE NEVER HEARD THERE'S AN UNHAPPY EMPTY NESTER, BY THE WAY.
[LAUGHTER] I HAVE TO TAKE A PIECE OF DECATUR WITH THEM IN ALL OF THOSE SENSES AND GO OUT AND MAKE THEIR NEW COMMUNITIES BETTER FOR HAVING GROWN UP HERE.
THAT BRINGS ME TO MY BETTER HALF, MY HUSBAND, PAT.
WE'LL ALSO GET TO ENJOY SOME TIME WITH TOMORROW AND TALK IN FIRST PERSON ABOUT THIS, BUT WHAT A SOURCE OF PEACE AND GOOD COUNSEL, AND HE'S SOMEONE WHO GROUNDS ME AND LISTENS SO WELL.
HE'S A CREATIVE AND STRATEGIC THINKER.
HE THINKS HE'S FUNNY, BUT HE'S NOT AS FUNNY AS I AM.
[LAUGHTER] HE'S A GREAT CIS HIMSELF, AND HE DOES NOT EVER LOOK FOR ANY ATTENTION.
HE HAS COACHED REC BASKETBALL, SERVED ON THE DECATUR ARTS ALLIANCE OF THEIR TREASURER.
HE'S USED HIS POSITION AS A COMMUNITY BANKER TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS AND EVEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ACROSS ATLANTA.
HE'S A VERY QUIET LEADER, BUT I WANT TO PRAISE HIM FOR ALL THOSE THINGS HE DOES, AND HE'S RARELY IN THE SPOTLIGHT. DON'T LET HIM.
BUT NO, HE'S AN AMAZING PERSON AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT HIM.
I WANTED TO CLOSE WITH THAT AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME, BUT I ACTUALLY DIDN'T MAKE MY COMMENTS TO MY COLLEAGUES BRIEFLY BECAUSE EACH OF YOU MEANS SO MUCH TO ME.
RIGHT HERE YOU MAYBE UNCOMFORTABLE IN ME SHARING MY GRATITUDE, BUT LISA MAYA FROG, THANKS FOR BEING A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR AND MILLENNIAL SENSIBILITY TO THIS GROUP AND THE ELDER MILLENNIAL DESCRIPTION AND FOR BEING UNAPOLOGETICALLY AND UNABASHEDLY YOU AND ALSO FOR REMINDING US THE PRINCE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME.
>> DON'T YOU FORGET IT? [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU'RE A GREAT MOM, AND YOU KEEP ALL THE BALLS AND THE GLASS PLATES IN THE AIR ALL THE TIME, TOO, AND WE SEE THAT, I SEE YOU AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GET TO THE CITY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING THE HISTORICAL LIMBS THAT WE NEED TO OFTEN GROUND US IN THE LONGER HISTORY OF ACTUALLY BEING ON HERE, LIVING HERE, GOING TO SCHOOL HERE, SEEING THE CHANGE, AND BRINGING THOSE STORIES TO LIFE, BEING THE BEST CRITIC OF YOUR OWN HOMETOWN IN THE BEST WAY AND THEN SERVING IT BACK TO MODEL, WHAT THAT IS TO GROW UP HERE AND THEN GIVE IT BACK.
YOU'VE RAISED AN AMAZING FAMILY AND CHERISHED KNOWING ALL OF YOU.
I WISH EVERYONE THE BEST OF LOOK.
YOU'RE A PIN GUY, WHICH IS REALLY ABUSE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DECATUR TOO MUCH, AND HE HASN'T BEEN BACK IN A WHILE BECAUSE.
>> IT'S PRETTY TRUE. [LAUGHTER]
>> THE NEW COMMISSION WANTS TO SPEND MONEY, BUT IT PRETTY FUN.
ANDREA ARNOLD, SPEAKING OF HARD WORKING WOMEN, YOU'RE RELENTLESS.
I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU.
SOMETIMES I'M FANCY MYSELF, A BUDDING CITY MANAGER, A PLANNER, A PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I THINK I KNOW TOO MUCH, AND I GET DANGEROUS, BUT THANK YOU FOR SHARING SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME AND ENERGY AND WORKING WITH US.
YOU GUIDE US AND VEGAS BETTER, AND IT'S A PARTNERSHIP.
I FELT LIKE IT'S A PARTNERSHIP, AND I VALUE THAT.
I DID DREAM ABOUT OUR POST WORLD FRIENDSHIP, POST SELECTORAL FRIENDSHIP TO YOU.
GEORGE, MY NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND, AND YOU ARE OUR HEALTHY SKEPTIC AND OFTEN A MORAL COMPASS.
I VALUE WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE ABOUT THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, ABOUT LAND USE, ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, ABOUT TREES.
I LEARNED SOMETHING FROM YOU EVERY TIME WE'RE TOGETHER.
I JUST KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND EVEN IF IT'S CHAFING ME A LITTLE, I THINK PROBABLY RIGHT [LAUGHTER] I LEARNED THAT OVER TIME, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE WALKING AND TALKING IF YOU'LL HAVE ME, MORE TO LEARN AND ANY INSIGHTS THAT CAN GIVE FROM YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE ARE ALWAYS REALLY VALUABLE TO ME.
THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR.
THE MAYOR, YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
I'M GOING TO FIND YOU, BUT YOU'RE A MODEL OF WORK ETHIC AND INTEGRITY.
IF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW IT, YOU'RE SHORTER THAN I AM, BUT YOU'RE A GIANT.
[LAUGHTER] YOU'RE A GIANT IN THE CITY, AND YOU'RE REALLY A GIANT WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.
I CAN'T EVEN SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT.
[05:10:04]
I'VE SEEN YOU MEET SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OUR COUNTRY, AND THEY LOOK AT YOU WITH SO MUCH RESPECT.YOU ARE MY HERO, AND I'VE GOTTEN TO SEE YOU FOR EIGHT YEARS TO LEAVE THE WAY YOU DO WITH AN UNBELIEVABLE APPETITE FOR THE WORK AND ABILITY TO DO IT.
I MAYBE COULDN'T HUNG IN THERE SOME DAYS IF I HAD SEEN, YOU JUST JUST WE'RE ALL DRAFTING OFF OF YOU.
YOU RUN FROM THE FRONT, YOU DO THE WORK.
THAT'S WHY OUR COMMISSION HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT BODY, AND YOUR SELFLESSNESS IS IMPRESSIVE. THANK YOU.
I REALLY LOVE CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOU.
WHEN I GOT THROUGH THAT FAMILY PRESS SO GOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS.
GARY KNOWS THAT SOMETIMES THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE OF ME THAT I COME HOME AND I'M JUST LIKE I NEED TO NOT FROM WORKING WITH THIS BODY, BUT SOMETIMES JUST KNOWING THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AND SOMETIMES THAT WE DO HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS AND WE HAVE PEOPLE.
WE ALL I THINK THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE WANT TO DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, AND SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY HARD WHEN PEOPLE SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.
WE CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE, BUT WE DO OUR BEST TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE WHOLE.
AS I CAME IN CITY HALL THIS AFTERNOON, THE REALITY HIT ME.
THIS WOULD BE MY LAST MEETING TO SIT UP HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.
WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THROUGH A PANDEMIC TOGETHER.
WE'VE MADE GRAVE DECISIONS TOGETHER, AND IT'S BEEN MY HONOR TO BE A PART OF THIS.
I HOPE THAT I HAVE BEEN A CALM AND STEADY PRESENCE.
SOMETIMES MY FAMILY THINKS THAT WAY.
MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I RAISED THREE BOYS.
BUT CLEARLY, YOU ALL MEAN TO ME DOING THIS TWICE A MONTH.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU OUT THERE.
IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE MY LIFE POST-CITY COMMISSION, ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY I MAY NOT BE EATING AT 04:30 [LAUGHTER] MORE MAYBE A LITTLE MORE REASONABLE HOUR.
I FEEL LIKE THAT I'M NOT I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
I WILL MY PHONE NUMBER, I'M EASY TO FIND.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN I RAN FOR COMMISSIONER 16 YEARS AGO.
THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE IN CHAIR WAS NEVER ANYTHING THAT CROSSED MY MIND.
I'VE BEEN GIFTED BY BEING ABLE TO SERVE ALL OF YOU.
I'VE LEARNED FROM EACH OF YOU YOU EACH BRING DIFFERENT THINGS TO THE COMMISSION, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
WE ALWAYS KNOW THAT GEORGE IS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK HIS MIND AND TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT AS AS KELLY SAID, IS USUALLY RIGHT, BUT WE HAVE TO SOMETIMES WORK THROUGH HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK OUT IN THE LONG RUN.
HE'S PASSIONATE ABOUT TREES, ABOUT PROCESS, ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.
HE HAS KEPT US ALL ON OUR TOES, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
LISA IS ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND ABOUT SERVING THOSE WHO MAKING SURE THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT ALWAYS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE,
[05:15:05]
ARE BROUGHT IN AND REPRESENTED AND REMINDS US THAT IT IS ALL OF OUR JOBS TO INCLUDE EVERYONE IN OUR DECISION MAKING, EVEN IF THEY CAN'T ATTEND MEETINGS, BUT THAT EVERY PERSON THAT LIVES HERE IS IMPORTANT AND THAT WE ARE A BETTER PLACE, A MORE EQUITABLE PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORK AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THIS COMMISSION.KELLY AND I, WE'RE GOING TO STILL WALK AND TALK AND SOLVE GLOBAL PROBLEMS. [LAUGHTER] YOU'LL NEED TO CALL US AND WE'LL HAVE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP, THE ABILITY FOR US TO REPLACE CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS AT [INAUDIBLE] SOMETIMES.
BUT I KNOW THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN YOUR KIDS LIVES, YOU HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR SERVICE DID NOT KNOW YOU REALLY BEFORE YOU GOT ON THE CITY COMMISSION, AND I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER THING IS GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH TO GET TO KNOW ON BOTH A FRIEND AS WELL AS COLLEAGUE LEVEL.
I'VE SAT BETWEEN THESE TWO PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME.
IT IS GOING TO FEEL VERY DIFFERENT TO NOT DO THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS BOTH HAVE ENCOURAGED ME WHEN I NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE.
YOU ALWAYS THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS THAT YOU BRING FORWARD AND ALSO REMIND US OF WHO DECATUR IS WHERE IT WAS AND WHERE IT IS NOW AND HOW WE NEED TO HONOR OUR HISTORY, BUT ALSO KNOW THAT DECATUR CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND BE BETTER, AND I APPLAUD YOU THREE AS YOU CONTINUE TO LEAVE CITY.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU THAT ARE OUT THERE STAFF AND IT'S BEEN A JOY TO BE HERE AND TO KNOW YOU AND I WILL BRING A LOT OF THINGS FOR MID TO SHRED.
I'LL BE COMING IN THE FRONT DOOR INSTEAD OF THE BACK DOOR.
BUT IT IS TRULY BEEN IN ADOR AND ENJOY.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE, AND I APOLOGIZE TO NOT HOLD IT TOGETHER [OVERLAPPING]
>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
ENJOY TIMES WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, LOVED ONES, AND WE'LL CELEBRATE ALL THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED, AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL FIRST MEETING, JANUARY 5TH.
>> MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 11:00 [APPLAUSE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.