As “The Place on Ponce” rises along West Ponce, you may be curious about the interior.  Well do we have the renderings for you!

A press release put out by Carter today also announces that leasing will begin next week and that rates for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units will be posted on their website then.  It also notes that phase 1 along West Ponce should be completed by November and that the much larger 234 unit phase 2 will be completed by next summer.

Also on the agenda for tonight’s Decatur City Commission, a proposed action plan for creating a “Compassionate Decatur”.  Asst. City Manager Linda Harris describes the effort in the meeting materials…

We propose a process that thoughtfully engages diverse community members in conversations which constructs new narrative and a shared action plan. The shaping of a new and shared narrative around diversity, inclusion, welcoming and compassion has always required a more in-depth approach than a typical community conversation process. We want to ensure inclusiveness and as much participation as possible from all segments of the community.

Therefore we propose engaging Mattice Haynes, Founding Principal and Chief Inclusion Officer at The Alt of Community, LLC, an organization that co-designs and facilitates inclusive community conversations. Mattice is a Decatur resident who also participated as a volunteer facilitator during the 2010 Strategic Planning Process.

…With Mattice and her team we propose a year long process with a total projected investment of close to $100,000 (cash and in-kind) to be phased over two fisca1 years. We propose to begin with ah initial $25,000budget to build the relationships and resources from September-December 2014. During that time we will establish a steering committee~ seek matching funds from foundation and community partners, and collaborate with the steering committee to create a dialogue process in order to officially launch the initiative in January 2015.

Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross reports that wanted man, Calvin Simms, was taken into custody by Decatur Police on August 31st in the 800 block of Commerce Drive.

DPD had previously put out an alert to residents to be on the lookout for Simms back on August 11th.

On the agenda for tonight’s city commission meeting – how Decatur will revise its policies in response to Georgia House Bill 60, known as the “Safe Carry Protection Act”.  Here’s Asst. City Manager’s summary to City Manager Peggy Merriss…

In response to HB 60, the “Safe Carry Protection Act”, which was effective July 1, 2014, City staff evaluated the requirements ofthe law and its potential impact on the City of Decatur. HB 60 allows a person with a valid weapons carry license to enter government buildings, unless the buildings are restricted or screened by security personnel. As a result of the City’s assessment, it is recommended that the following actions be implemented to address the security of City facilities to provide for the
safety of visitors, meeting participants, volunteers, elected officials and staff.

1. Conduct a “Physical Security Survey” of City buildings to identify reasonable security improvements for each building.
2.  Based on the results of  he security survey, develop a plan and budget for improvements at each site. At this point, improvements would be in lieu of installing physical screening devices and employing security personnel at each building entrance.
3.  Adopt the attached “Weapons at the Workplace” policy. O.C.G.A. § 16-11-135 allows employers to enact policies that prohibit employees from bringing weapons into the workplace. Weapons must be secured in a motor vehicle in a city parking facility.
4. Conduct employee training regarding the provisions of HB 60 in addition to other safety and security issues.
5. Create a Facilities Security Coordinator position to carry out the recommendations listed above in addition to managing courtroom security and working with the City’s emergency management team. A resolution amending the Pay and Classification Plan is attached for consideration and recommended for adoption.