The Decatur Minute

The City of Decatur Planning and Zoning Division announces that Courtney Frisch has joined the department as the new Planner.  She comes to the City of Decatur from the City of Roswell, where she worked as a transportation planner. During her time with Roswell she worked on projects that included sidewalk inventory analysis and policy change, the Jones Road Corridor Study, and creating and maintaining the interactive online map and factsheets of current and future transportation projects for the city.

Courtney, a Decatur resident and graduate of Decatur High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Appropriate Technology and a double minor in Sustainable Development and Urban and Regional Planning from Appalachian State University.  Courtney also holds a Master of Science in Planning with a specialization in transportation planning from Florida State University.  She was awarded the Florida State University and Florida’s Department of Transportation transit fellowship allowing her to intern at StarMetro, Tallahassee’s transit agency.

“There is something to be said for working for the community in which I was raised and am now raising my own family,” Frisch says.  “I am so honored to be a part of the City of Decatur team and am passionately looking forward to continually improving the quality of life for both the residents and visitors of Decatur.”

Frisch will be responsible for assisting with the functions of the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, providing a plan review for subdivisions, commercial and multi-family developments, contributing transportation planning skills to the City’s Complete Streets Team, and other initiatives that support and fulfill the goals within the City’s Strategic Plan.

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The April 9 Trees 101 class has been canceled and will be rescheduled soon!

Trees give us shade, clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and beautify our landscapes. The City of Decatur recognizes that all of us can contribute greatly to the health and structural integrity of these living treasures if we are empowered to recognize common problems and take proactive steps. Our goal is to help you help your trees and to provide that empowerment through education.

When: 10:00 – 12 Noon Saturday April 2, 2016 and April 9, 2016
Where: Woodlands Gardens, 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA
How much: FREE (for 20 City of Decatur homeowners only)
How to sign up: Email India Woodson at India.Woodson@decaturga.com with your name, Decatur address and contact information (must have email response with seat number from me for verification)

City of Decatur Tree Ordinance Overview: This session will explain the new ordinance, what it means to the average homeowner and show you how to measure the canopy of your trees. I’ll explain the new Arbor Day Tree Planting, program offering trees to homeowners for their private property and scheduled maintenance for two (2) years.

Tree Identification: The first step in taking proper care of your trees is to know what you have. Decatur Trees 101 will guide you through the steps on how to develop an inventory of what is on your property. You will also learn the basic characteristics of trees that will help you identify the species of trees that you have.

Tree Planting and Maintenance: This information session will teach you how to choose the right species for your landscape and feel confident that you are planting it in a way that ensures success. If you have planted trees that are struggling with the transition to their new home, learn what it takes to direct your trees toward long productive lives.
Structural Pruning: Also known as ‘formative’ pruning, this method of care can provide surprising benefits. Decatur Trees 101 can take the mystery out of this technique and show you how easy it is to work pruning into your tree maintenance plan

Tree Walks (TBD): Get to know your local trees while getting to know your community. We will introduce the trees to you by name and explain the distinguishing features that make each species unique. These events are always interactive and participants are challenged to practice their newly acquired skills!

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Sunday, March 20
• Publix Georgia Marathon comes through downtown Decatur in the morning, see the course map here.
• Treehouse Kid & Craft: free Oli + Carol duck painting party, noon-1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, March 26
• Touch a Truck, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 120 W. Trinity Pl. in the  Callaway Building parking lot.
• Easter Eve Mingei at Duck’s – come for brunch and shop in the courtyard, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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The Decatur Police Department will be hosting bicycle registrations at two upcoming events.

When: Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 10:00am-1:00pm
Where:  Touch a Truck Event, Calloway Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Place

When: Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 12:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Earth Day Festival, Wylde Center, 435 Oakview Road

Bicycles are a commonly stolen item and are not registered like vehicles.
Bicycle registration includes bringing your bicycle, providing owner contact information, having the manufacturer and serial number documented and having a numbered decal applied to and a photo taken of your bicycle.

The process takes just a few minutes.  Registering your bicycle allows officers to look up recovered bicycles and contact the owner and allows for us to quickly look up the needed information about your bicycle if it were to be stolen.  The information is kept in a secured database only accessible by police department staff.

We will also register scooters that do not meet the size requirements for state tag registration.
*There is NO CHARGE to register your bicycle or scooter.

For additional information, please contact Lt. Jennifer Ross at jennifer.ross@decaturga.com or 678/553-6613.

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All Five Decatur Homestead Exemption Bills Move Forward To Governor For Signature

On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 the final City of Decatur homestead tax exemption bill passed the Georgia House of Representatives and the legislation will move forward for the Governor’s signature.  On March 8, four of the five homestead exemption bills passed but SB 343, the bill that provided the most significant tax relief from school taxes to citizens 65 and older was delayed.

The City of Decatur and City Schools of Decatur, along with members of the Lifelong Community Advisory Board, an active group of senior homeowners, and the business community worked together to encourage Decatur residents and other constituents to voice their opinion to the House of Representatives.

Decatur Board of Education Chair Annie Caiola said, “Today’s passage of Decatur’s senior homestead exemption was no small feat. The School Board is tremendously grateful to our City Commissioners, our State Legislators and our seniors who worked hard to get this important legislation passed. It just goes to show what our community is capable of when we work together.”

Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett added, “We especially appreciate Representative Mary Margaret Oliver for leading our efforts on the House side and Senator Elena Parent for sponsoring the legislation in the Senate.  We also want to thank our entire delegation including Howard Mosby, Rahn Mayo, and Karla Drenner, along with City Schools of Decatur and our activist seniors who were instrumental in getting a re-hearing for this bill.”

The next step is for the Governor to sign all five of the City of Decatur Homestead Exemption Bills.  After the Governor signs the bills, they will be voted on as part of a referendum on the November 8, 2016 ballot.

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Don’t forget the 2016 Publix GA Marathon is this Sunday, March 20, 2016.  There will be road closures and delays along the route as it weaves through the city between approximately 7:15 am – 11:00 am.  The marathon enters Decatur on West College Avenue at Park Place near the East Lake Marta Station and exits the city in the 1100 block of Clairemont Avenue near the Decatur YMCA.  Keep in mind the marathon starts and ends in downtown Atlanta and travels through parts of DeKalb County as well.

We are roughly the halfway point for the runners and regularly receive feedback about how great it feels to come through Decatur and have so many people cheering.  Aside from the fixed cheering stations at West College Avenue & Mead Road, Fellini’s on Commerce Drive and in front of the Old Courthouse on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, it is not uncommon for residents to pop up along the route and cheer.  So if you have Sunday morning plans that require driving, plan on heading out earlier or later or plot an alternate route.  If you have no plans that require driving, it’s a great day to walk into downtown Decatur for errands, brunch and to cheer!

Decatur Road Closures:
West College Avenue from Park Place to East College Avenue and Commerce Drive
East Ponce de Leon Avenue from Commerce Drive to Clairemont Avenue
Clairemont Avenue from East/West Ponce de Leon Avenue to Commerce Drive

Decatur Lane Closures:
Commerce Drive from East College Avenue to East Ponce de Leon Avenue
Clairemont Avenue from Commerce Drive to North Decatur Road

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Decatur’s Comprehensive Plan Update kicks off this week on Wednesday, March 16, with a close-up look at economic development, population growth, and transportation. As an Open House session, residents can pop in, review current data, ask questions, and provide input. Everyone is encouraged to attend and be heard.

Drop by the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, any time between 7 and 9 p.m. Count on 20-30 minutes to participate.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry. Visit our outreach booth on Saturday, March 26, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the city’s Touch-a-Truck event for a second opportunity to review and comment.

Comprehensive Planning is required by state law to ensure a minimum level of standards and procedures. Because Decatur’s culture of planning far exceeds what is mandated by the state, we use the Comprehensive Plan process as an opportunity to do a mid-term check up of the strategic goals and accomplishments spelled out in our far more extensive Strategic Plan, which is scheduled to be updated in 2020. Using the latest data, we’ll explore what we’ve accomplished thus far, what’s left to be completed, and what might require an adjustment based on unanticipated circumstances.

April will mark the second round of input opportunities, as we examine affordable housing, historic places, land use, and natural resources. Stay tuned for specific announcements.

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Tuesday, March 16
• Iberian Pig: Sweetwater takeover, featured beers are $5 each

Wednesday, March 16
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, March 17
• Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
• Brick Store Pub live music, special beer tappings and an inspired menu, 4-11 p.m.
• LEONs will be serving up Irish Coffees along with a full Irish fry.

Saturday, March 19
• Decatur Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur
• Jewelry Trunk Show at Squash Blossom Boutique, 2-5 p.m.

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