“The public hearing on the proposal to expand the Decatur city limits took place before city commissioners Jim Baskett, Fred Boykin, Bill Floyd, and Mary Alice Kemp and the city manager, Peggy Merriss, on Monday, December 1, 2008, at 7:30 pm in Decatur City Hall. The room was packed with people sitting, standing, and spilling out into the hall.

Decatur School Board members Valerie Wilson, Marc Wisniewski, and Bernadette Seals attended, as did CSD staff: superintendent Dr. Edwards, associate superintendent Dr. Van Soelen, director of technology Mary Farmer, and director of finance Theresa Link, but none of them spoke publicly. Similarly, DeKalb County commissioners Kathy Gannon and Jeff Raider put in a brief appearance but did not speak.

Of the forty-eight people who did speak, thirty-seven were opposed to the proposal, many “vehemently” opposed; seven were in favor; many said there was not enough data upon which to base a decision, but of that number, only one said she was neutral; and three other speakers were also neutral. The great majority of the speakers were not residents of Decatur, but resided in the areas being considered for annexation. Though these speakers were articulate, they are not likely to have much effect on city commissioners over whom they have no power. Further, it was explained that, if an area to be annexed has less than 500 residents, or is zoned less 50 % residential, its residents may not even have the opportunity to express their positions by referendum (this may explain the 5 versions of the map, attempts t o achieve that result).

A number of Decatur residents spoke in opposition to the proposal on the basis of its detrimental impact on the city schools, notably Tracy Heaberlin, Co-President of the Clairemont PTA, Judd Owen, and Pat Herold (whose analysis may be viewed on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCJP6v1k_8c). It is far more likely that opposition to expansion by Decatur residents will affect the city commissioners’ consideration of the proposal.

A basic script of talking points regarding expansion could be disseminated, along with telephone and email contact information for city commissioners. If residents of Decatur contact their city commissioners directly, it is quite possible the expansion proposal can be affected, and allow CSD time to grapple with the existing overcrowding, reconfiguration, and budget cuts.

We might also consider contacting those non-residents who oppose being annexed, to assure them that not all Decatur residents want the city limits expanded, either. It’s important to frame the proposal as an expansion of city limits, rather than adopt “annexation” language, which presumes that expansion is a given and that the discussion is about what areas

I just noticed that CSD has its regular monthly meeting set for 12-9, which may be another occasion to address the purported resolution re annexation. I’m not sure whether the meeting was just added, or if I overlooked it earlier.

From my perspective, a bombshell came at the end of the hearing, when
Mayor Floyd announced for the first time that the City was calling on
CSD’s board to issue a resolution supporting or opposing annexation.
Why is this a bombshell? To me, it seems the City is looking for
political cover to neutralize all CSD-related concerns, especially
those documented and expressed by Judd Owen and Pat Herald
(who presented their “YouTube” analysis of major flaws in Rosser’s
projections). CSD played no role in establishing the current
annexation map (which is why Rosser’s figures are largely irrelevant
at this point — the figures are based on map #1 of 5), CSD was
brought in at the last minute to attend a joint work session on 11-
17, and the City did not respond to CSD’s concerns on 11-17 that
annexation is likely to make a bad situation even worse.

So, now CSD is being invited to present a resolution? It appeared to
me that the City is making this up as they go along. The City will
vote on 12-15 re annexation, and the only CSD meeting between now and
then is a budget info session on 12-8. Will CSD now add an action
item for 12-8 re an annexation resolution? Who knows?

And what can CSD do, anyway? Is Dr Edwards really going to stand
alone in opposing annexation, or will she be diplomatic in accepting
annexation on the condition that CSD be given maximum lead-time and
money for capital improvements?

Now, here’s my rundown on the hearing. Most of those who spoke did
so on behalf of areas slated for annexation, and the vast majority of
them opposed annexation. Commercial property owners were strongly
opposed. Homeowners spoke of their purposely choosing homes outside
the City, in order to avoid the City’s tax burden. The handful of
folks who favored annexation were doing so because they wanted access
to CSD; in fact, I recall only one woman from Midway Woods saying she
wanted improved services, and one man who said the City would provide better traffic control near the intersection of N Decatur Rd and Superior Ave.

Decatur residents who spoke opposed annexation for now, primarily
because the City has produced such meager data supporting it. (I was
in the hallway for much of the meeting, and may have missed hearing a
Decaturite who supported annexation.) As I mentioned, Judd and Pat
carefully modified Rosser’s report to show that annexation was likely
to bring 1000 new students to CSD by fall 2011. An attorney was
sharply critical of the annexation report, saying the City never
would accept such a skeletal presentation from a developer looking to
do business in the City. Another resident had a somewhat pithy
remark for those in Forest Hills and Midway Woods who favor
annexation: there are lots of houses for sale in Decatur, so feel
free to buy one.

Next up: CSD meeting on 12-8 (including a resolution re annexation?)
and the City’s addressing annexation as an action item on 12-15.