On the agenda for tonight’s Decatur city commission meeting: a new city website.

City staff is recommending that the city pay Vision Internet $46,630 to develop a new website for Decatur.  Aside from informing us that decaturga.com gets on average 3,960 page views a day, Linda Harris’ note to the commission (page 57 of agenda materials pdf) details many of the proposed site’s new features…

The redeveloped site will be user-friendly and make it easier to complete tasks such as paying parking tickets online or finding out the sanitation schedule.  It will have a number of programs that will enhance the website including the ability to forward content on a webpage through email; print-friendly webpages; automatic news updates on the homepage using RSS feeds; a survey creator; a high functioning events calendar; an image library; interconnected pages that can be updated simultaneously, preventing fewer chances for out-dated content; and, sign-up options to allow citizens to receive e-newsletters about specific topics (late breaking news, retail and restaurant info, upcoming festivals, etc)  It will be a place where the community can gather online through integrated social media and electronic feedback.  It will also include a platform that will allow the city to add a streaming video component to provide real-time viewing of commission meetings online and technologies to produce webcasts.  And it will also include a mobile application that will allow users to download the site easily on any type of mobile device.

As you’ve probably heard in the national press, cities across the country are pulling out all the stops to get Google’s attention in the company’s search for communities interested in participating in “Google Fiber“.

Thus far, the most successful way to get noticed has been to temporarily change the name of your city to “Google”.  Topeka, Kansas was the first to roll-out this eye-rolling, but eye-catching idea.  And Sarasota just renamed its “City Island”, “Google Island“.  Here’s a piece of Sarasota’s strategy…

A proclamation creating Google Island may be a little nutty, but the overall attempt to include Sarasota in the network is deadly serious. The Ringling College of Art and Design coupled with Sarasota’s eclectic collection of well-heeled snowbirds are key assets to the proposal, layered on top of a budding Net-oriented entrepreneurial sector that includes Inc. 500 growth leader IntegraClick and other vibrant technology companies.

But while a Google-renaming will get the attention of the press, what will ultimately sway Google?

Decatur has said it is looking into submitting an Request-For-Information form to Google on the project, but we’ve yet to hear the city’s decision.

If it does, the city has some tough competition, as evidenced by this unofficial list compiled on zettaphile.  Additionally, Google’s RFI states they’re looking to “offer the service to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people”.  Will Google entertain a small Georgia city of just 18,000?

And if that wasn’t enough, after the jump, read an excerpt of PC World’s David Coursey’s argument AGAINST jumping on the Fiber bandwagon.

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

Attached are some pics of students using your blogs. …Students were suppose to post comments using my email address. All found interesting stories on all three blogsites. I hope to have all comments posted by Wednesday.

Many students replied to your recent comments on their trip to the Capitol.  You can read through them HERE and HERE.

Over on the AJC, retired reporter Jim Walls of Atlanta Unfiltered writes of the ongoing difficulties of obtaining political campaign disclosures for various Atlanta metro candidates.

“Last week, I paid $6 to park and pick up disclosures for Atlanta’s mayor and City Council.

The municipal clerk’s office is supposed to open at 8:30 a.m. I sat on the floor outside until someone unlocked the door 20 minutes later. Then I was told that the guy who could burn the files to a CD wasn’t in, so I needed to come back later.”

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I’ve been thinking that my “Decatur Tips & Links” page needs a revamp.

But instead of just links to the city’s recycling page, I was hoping to create a comprehensive list of all the “inside scoops” about Decatur.  So, in addition to “Park in the Courthouse Deck after 6p!”, what other tips would/do you give to visitors (or new residents) about our fair city?

After we’re finished here, I’ll compile them all on a new and improved page!

From the Decatur Minute….

Today at 5:00 P.M. the City will conduct its annual test of the CodeRED notification system. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, the message will include a brief announcement about the tornado outdoor warning siren installation sounding on Friday, January 22nd. If you do not receive your call, please contact Police Captain Kris Boyett at 404-373-6551 or kris.boyett@decaturga.com.

Looks like last week’s CSD special, pre-meeting meeting wasn’t a one-time deal!

Blasted to the CSD mailing list this afternoon…

On February 9th from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education will hold a special meeting to address community questions and concerns in an informal setting. Due to the time constraints associated with this meeting, the number of individuals that the Board will be able to address may be limited. The meeting will take place at the Central Office at Westchester (758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur 30030).

I’ve learned many things about myself in the 2+ years of writing this blog.

And one of them is that while I may admittedly feel that left-leaning guilt on many social issues, I’m not married to any political party.  Instead, my most fundamental beliefs seem to congregate around the importance of local communities and a need for civil discourse between parties.

So imagine my total lack of surprise this morning when I “opened” AJC.com to see a lack of “communication” cited as the given reason for one of DeKalb’s most recent blow-ups.

In a great piece about DeKalb County Schools recent meltdown over the Superintendent Crawford Lewis’ $15,000 salary increase – you heard about teachers’ black outfits and shouting at school board meetings haven’t you? – Kristen Torres reports…

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The 2010 has come bearing gifts for the city of Decatur in the form of MORE online information!

Launching January 1st, Decatur News Online is the brainchild of resident Geoff Koski, which pledges to be a “journalistic internet news source for the citizens of the City of Decatur, Georgia— covering community events and issues” and already includes a variety of postings by contributing residents.

And just today, we received word via The Decatur Minute that the city was launching a third blog with the new year.  The Decatur Tax Blog promises to provide “fresh, non-partisan content about national & local tax and housing developments, timely reminders about tax deadlines for residents, special announcements, and educational posts about your tax bill.”

In his first post, city employee (and now “blogger”) Russ Madison makes one thing quite clear…

…this blog will in not be a political platform or forum about tax rates. For concerns about tax rates I would encourage you to contact your elected officials or visit privately-run blogs. Also, the information provided on these pages shall in no way constitute legal advice about your individual tax circumstances. Please seek the advice of a tax professional for dicey personal situations.

Agnes Scott College announced today that it has launched a new way for students, faculty and staff to communicate with librarians; via text message.  In addition to the increasingly popular librarian IM chat, students on-the-go can now ask their school librarian simple questions via text.

“Cell phones are so ubiquitous that it made sense to offer this convenience to students, faculty and staff,” said Elizabeth Bagley, director of library services at Agnes Scott. “We’re expecting it to be popular around campus and potentially with our students abroad.”

Other potential uses?

Beyond answering short questions, the library foresees future uses for texting such as being able to alert students or faculty when an interlibrary loan book has arrived for their research, [Director of Library Services Elizabeth] Bagley said.

Take note children looking for a career path, “librarian” may be the coolest job out there in about 5-10 years.