At this evening’s Decatur City Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved a “one week pay period adjustment” for the city staff after the city reported better than projected revenues in the recently completed fiscal year.  Unlike the commission meeting a month ago, when some commissioners – in particular Commissioner Fred Boykin – showed reservations in providing a “pay adjustment” during a rough economic period, this time around it passed quickly and with little discussion at all.

At the meeting, one resident spoke in favor of the motion, while no one opposed it.  A couple commissioners mentioned offline conversations they had had with the City Manager about this issue, and it seemed pretty obvious from the general lack of discussion between the commissioners on the topic that they were all aware that this issue had been settled previous to the meeting.

Commissioner Boykin had this to say about the delayed decision. “I was interested in seeing what the [city staff] breakdown was. And when you see the numbers it’s obvious you see the vast majority of our staff are in public safety and public works and Active Living and things like that actually…impact the community directly. I’m not trying to belittle the administration or staff at City Hall, but the folks that people see in the street.  The police officers and the folks who pick up the trash…That’s who this money’s going to.  I’m supportive of it.  I just kind of wanted a little bit more time to think about it.”

If you’re wondering about that breakdown of City Employees, here it is:

• 99 or 49% – Public Service
• 59 or 29% – Public Works
• 16 or 8% – Active Living and Youth Services
• 29 or 14% – all other departments (courts, planning & zoning, revenue and accounting, community & economic development, general administration)

Among the items on tonight’s Decatur City Commission agenda is approval of a North McDonough “scoping phase report” that the city must submit to the Atlanta Regional Commission in order to receive the Livable Cities Initiative grant for streetscape improvements along the thoroughfare.

In his letter to the commission, Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon gives an overview of what the project is looking like after a couple community conversations…

The proposed concept receiving the most support includes reducing North McDonough to 2 vehicle lanes, widening sidewalks on both sides of the street, and a 2-way “cycle track” on the west side of the street, along with traditional streetscape improvements and on-street parking.

Have an indescribable love/hatred of any of these plans?  Mr. Saxon states there will be additional community meetings to refine this plan as the project moves forward.

Eye-witness accounts are beginning to come in.

An hour or so ago, Dave reported that he received a tip that the Wells Fargo location in downtown Decatur had been robbed around 1:30p this afternoon.  I sent a note into Decatur PD and while waiting on a reply I received this report from Clark…

I am guessing the Decatur Wells Fargo on East Ponce was robbed late this morning; 6 police cars with blue lights blinking parked curbside and branch closed “temporarily for an emergency” police and detectives inside the closed branch at noon, and yellow crime scene tape at one of the teller windows.

You may recall back in July, this branch – then a Wachovia – was the scene of a failed robbery attempt.   We’ll have to wait on official word to see if the crooks were successful this time.

Oakhurst Elementary’s new annual community marketplace event, “Junktique”, is back for a second year.

According to a press release I recently received, last year’s event raised $6,000 to meet the goal of buying the three remaining ActivBoards the School needed to outfit every classroom.  This year they hope to raise $10,000 to equip the School’s outdoor classroom with the necessary supplies and teacher training materials.  Here’s all the info…

The Junktique is back! The second annual event will be held Sunday, November 7, 2010 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Solarium in Oakhurst Village in Decatur. Junktique 2010 will feature a local artists’ market, a collectibles yard sale, live music, and tasty food and beverages. New this year is a “By Kids for Kids” yard sale where Oakhurst Elementary kids can experience the thrills of commerce.

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Missionary Court, Decatur, GA (pic submitted by Kristin)