At last night’s Decatur City Commission meeting, the commission gave their support to a grant application to the Atlanta Regional Commission Public Art Program to paint to a “community mural” on the MARTA overpass on West Trinity Place (Streetview).

According to the note from Asst. City Manager Linda Harris, the City of Decatur, the Decatur Housing Authority and the Decatur Arts Alliance are planning a collaboration with MARTA and the diverse communities in the area to create the mural.

The ARC grant is new in 2015 and is a competitive, matching grant program designed “to assist local communities in developing and installing public art in their communities across the region and was inspired by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the nation’s largest mural program.”, according to Ms. Harris’ note.

The Atlanta program has selected the following “shared value” to promote in 2015 – “Atlantans share the belief that there is ample opportunity to participate in making history in our region.”

The Decatur project would bring the area’s community together with the selected artist, and the artist would develop a mural “reflecting the community response to that statement in some way”.

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.

Do you walk like you mean it?  Do you talk about walking at parties?  While trying to speak over your (or other people’s) children at dinner?  While walking?  Well then Decatur has the Advisory Committee for YOU!

From the city’s Linda Harris….

Decatur has made great strides in creating a walkable community and received the 2011 Silver Level Walk Friendly Community Designation from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.   The Active Living Advisory Board is taking another important step by forming a new Pedestrian Advisory Committee.  This new subcommittee of the Active Living Board will focus on pedestrian safety, encourage walking for exercise and transportation, and promote a walk-friendly community for people of all ages and abilities aligning with Decatur’s Strategic and Community Transportation plans.  The Pedestrian Advisory Committee will work with Decatur’s bike community along with city engineering and police department staff liaisons to create and achieve its initiatives.

The Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet on the first Friday of every month from 8 – 9 a.m. and will have an expected workload of about four hours per month including meeting times.  If you are interested in joining the committee, please email [email protected]  with a brief statement describing your interest in the Committee’s work.  For more information about Walk Friendly Communities visit www.walkfriendly.org.

Pic of Active Living Director Greg White courtesy of the city’s website

The City of Decatur’s Linda Harris sends along a press release announcing this year’s budget process and schedule.

The following are important dates in the budget schedule for the City of Decatur’s Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget process, subject to City Commission approval.

• May 20, 2013 – Formal Presentation of Budget to City Commission and Adoption of Tentative 2013 Millage Rate
• June 3, 2013 – Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2013-14 Budget and Revised 2012-13 Budget and 2013 Millage Rate at 7:30 pm at Decatur City Hall
• June 10, 2013 – Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2013-14 Budget and Revised 2012-13 Budget and 2013 Millage Rate at 7:30 pm at Decatur City Hall (TENTATIVE)
• June 17, 2013 – Public Hearing and Scheduled Adoption of Proposed FY 2013-14  Budget and Revised 2012-13 Budget and Adoption of Final 2013 Millage Rate at 7:30 pm at Decatur City Hall

All public hearings on the City budget will be held at Decatur City Hall located at 509 N. McDonough Street.

Beginning Wednesday, May 22, 2013 copies of the FY 2013-14 Proposed Budget and FY 2012-13 Revised Budget will be available at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library on Sycamore Street.  After May 22^nd, the budget will be available on the City’s website at www.decaturga.com.

Following formal presentation of the budget to the Decatur City Commission, the City will publish a legal advertisement with more detailed information about the budget amounts and again identify the public hearing dates.

Please contact Meredith Roark, Budget & Performance Measurement Manager, at  or[email protected]   if you have questions or need additional information.

Check the City’s website at www.decaturga.com for updates to the schedule and the online budget.

From the City of Decatur’s Linda Harris…

With forecasted temperatures reaching above 100 this weekend, several City of Decatur locations have been designated as cooling centers:

Friday – June 29, 2012:

• Decatur City Hall, 509 N McDonough St., Commission Room

Friday – Sunday, June 29, June 30, and July 1, 2012 between the hours of 12 noon through 5pm.

• Ebster Recreation Center, 430 W Trinity Place – Theater
• Fire Station One, 230 E Trinity Place – Training Room
• Decatur Police Department, 420 W Trinity Place – Lobby

The Decatur Fire Department will have a limited number of “Box Fans” to distribute to those who demonstrate a need. Contact the Decatur Fire Department at 404- 373-5092 for more information.

Boys and girls, stretch those voting fingers.  Linda Harris found this baby in her spam folder 5 minutes before tonight’s commission meeting.

Decatur’s been nominated by Southern Living’s editors and “seasoned experts” for its “Tastiest Town Award” and the competition is FIERCE (see below).

Large metropolises like Houston and Baltimore made the list, along with already famous food meccas like Charleston and New Orleans. For a city of just 20,000, this is truly a case where it really is an honor just to be nominated.

But that doesn’t mean we’re going to take this online vote lying down, right?  Sheer population or regional reputation doesn’t account for everything when it comes to an online vote.  It’s all about passion (and online linkage).  So get ready, because we’re gonna give New Orleans and Charleston a run for their money.  Right Mr. Kessler?

Stay tuned for your first reminder about this vote on December 23rd.

The city’s Linda Harris has compiled a list of Decatur, GA honorees for this year’s Atlanta Magazine “Best of Atlanta” list over on The Decatur Minute.  So without further ado, let’s copy and paste!

Restaurant Relocation – Cakes & Ale
Best New Restaurants – No. 246
New Food Trucks – W.O.W.! – Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen
No Excuses Exercise – Walk for Lunch
New Tri & Cycle Spot – Decatur Bikes

Inducted into the Hall of Fame were:
Dine & Drink – Taqueria del Sol
Play & Thrive – Jazmin Spa
See & Scene – Eddie’s Attic

Reader’s Survey:
Gifts – Heliotrope
Yoga Studio – Decatur Yoga & Pilates
Sports Bar – Taco Mac

Three Arts-Related Events that originated in Atlanta but featured locations in Decatur:
City Art Project – Living Walls: The City Speaks
Pop-Up Culture – Flux Projects
Scavenger Art – Catlanta