In it’s own narrative section (pages 16-18), Decatur’s Active Living division discusses ways it will be cutting back (aka identifying “cost savings”) in the coming year, including finding more efficient options for large program registration events, reducing the use of paper and office supplies, and looking for more partner opportunities to share costs.

For the 09-10 budget year, the Active Living Division’s four budget priorities focus mainly on maintenance and repairs, along with a new storage building.  Here’s the quick rundown.  Full descriptions for each priority can be found after the jump.

1. Priority One: Storage building with restroom for Ebster Field.
2. Priority Two:Fencing for the small softball field at Oakhurst Park and a bin for special infield dirt material for both Oakhurst softball fields.
3. Priority Three:Re‐paint and fix cracks at the heavily used basketball courts at Oakhurst Park, Ebster Park, and Mead Road Park.
4. Priority Four: New fencing at the McKoy Skate Park.

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…oh wait, that’s “Pedicab.”

What a great creative exercise!  Every two weeks I could come up with a trippy, new pseudo-band name using City Commission meeting topics!  And YOU thought I got this job because I was devilishly handsome.  Ha!

So what exactly is on the agenda for this whacked-out Commission meeting?

Vinyl:  The City Commission will vote on authorizing $38,000 for HVAC improvements and $24,000 for replacing (or just covering over?) the lovely vinyl wall-coverings at the Decatur Conference Center.   This is in preparation of a full-fledged Holiday Inn makeover.

Siren:  The city has received a $108,000 grant from FEMA to install for city-run tornado sirens around the city.  If accepted, that will make 5 total within the city limits, including the existing Agnes Scott siren.  It requires only a 15% match by the city.

Skatepark:  Active Living Director Dan Magee is looking to get the go-ahead to purchase 6 new Spohn Ranch skate park pieces for McCoy’s Skate Park.  Magee has even gotten a thumbs up (or whatever the skateboarder equivalent is) from park users.  The $25,000 cost was already approved in the last fiscal year.

Pedicab:  Probably the most interesting agenda item.  A Wisconsin couple who recently moved here is looking for permission to run a “pedicab”  service in the city similar to the one they operated in Green Bay.  (Here’s what one MIGHT look like.)  Rides would start at $5 and would be free during festivals if they could obtain sponsorships.  There’s also talk about a $10 pedicab tour of Decatur.  The city recommends a six-month trial run and urges haste so the pedicabs are up in running prior to the start of festival season.

And if that weren’t enough!

Other sensational agenda items: David Junger wants 416 Oakland to clean up its act, East Decatur Station wants on-street parking on Sams Street, Amanda Thompson wants to apply for $500,000 energy efficiency grant, and Peggy Merriss wants approval to submit an application for a $360,000 grant that would be used to combat childhood obesity.