The Decatur Minute

This is a reminder that all city offices are closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. Regular trash and recycling service for Monday will be on Tuesday, June 1; regular service for Tuesday will be on Wednesday, June 2.

The complete 2020-2021 schedule may be found at decaturga.com/sanitation.

The City of Decatur is beginning to re-open its facilities and resume municipal activities in a phased approach. The city is tracking several COVID-related data points and trends and following CDC guidelines as it moves forward in providing COVID-safe activities and facilities. The re-opening plan will guide decisions to expand activities and facility access if the trends remain stable or improve.  HVAC upgrades are underway in all city buildings to keep employees and visitors safe when the buildings open to the public at a future date.

Currently city playgrounds and tennis courts are open and basketball goals have been re-installed in the parks. The pools will re-open on Memorial Day weekend. Outdoor sports activities are ongoing with safety protocols.

Planned Summer Opening Activities include:

June 1 – Opening several Legacy Park buildings and Decatur Recreation Center for summer camps for June and July.
June 1 – Opening the Oakhurst Indoor Pool (inside the former Boys & Girls Club facility).
June 1 – Scheduling Kids Activities at Ebster Recreation Center.
July 4 – Fireworks Display (no parade or concert)
July 19 – City Commission holding first in-person meeting since March 2020; public will remain virtual.
August 1 –Resuming Active Living programming.
August 1 –Phasing in special event permits, bandstand rentals and park pavilion rentals.

The three COVID-safe guidelines – wear a mask, wash your hands, and remain socially distant – will remain in place. Watch the website and other social media for updated announcements related to activities and events.

The vaccination rate influences our ability to re-open safely. Please get the vaccine and encourage others so we can gather together safely soon.

Meetings

– Lifelong Community Advisory Board Meeting| Monday, May 24 @ 6:30 p.m.

Events

– Join us for Truckin’ Tuesday at Legacy Park Tuesday, May 25. Gather your friends, family, blankets, chairs, and most importantly, appetites! The area’s best Food Trucks will be offering up their delicious fare. There is plenty of space for families to gather while remaining socially distant. The goal is to bring people together safely and at the same time, benefit local non-profit fundraising efforts. This event will repeat weekly every Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m.

– The draft recommendations for the Decatur Strategic Plan Climate Change topic will open this Friday, May 28. The pop-up survey will close on Sunday, June 6.

– The Economic Development Survey will close Sunday, May 30. Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to the draft recommendations for the Decatur Strategic Plans. Visit decatur2030.mysocialpinpoint.com/decatur-strategic-plan/activities/ to share your input.

– The Legacy Park Day Camp opens in June and we are now accepting applications for summer jobs. We hire staff members that enjoy working with campers (ages 5-11) and being a part of a camp community. Visit decaturga.com/jobs for more details about available positions.

– Decatur outdoor pools are opening back up for daily swim starting Saturday, May 29. Glenlake and McKoy will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ebster will open 10am – 3:45 p.m. during the month of June due to swim team practice. Oakhurst indoor pool will open on June 1. Visit decaturga.com/activeliving/page/aquatics-pools for more information.

– The city is beginning to reopen facilities and resume municipal activities in a phased approach. You can read the full detailed description of the city’s approach here: decaturga.com/covid and continue to visit our social media for updates.

Decatur outdoor pools will open for daily swim Saturday, May 29. Glenlake and McKoy will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ebster will open 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. during the month of June due to swim team practice. Oakhurst indoor pool will open June 1.

Admission is $5 for each person 1 year of age and older. Cash and in-state checks are accepted. Please bring exact change. No change will be given for cash transactions. Resident season family pool passes are available for purchase at Glenlake Tennis Center for $150. Individual passes are $45. Patrons will be asked to exit the facility after 2 hours when others are waiting in line to enter the pool. Pool rentals will remain suspended during the 2021 pool season.

For the safety of the community and staff the following guidelines are in place:

• Total occupancy at each pool has been reduced to the following bather loads: 106 people at Glenlake Pool, 62 people at Ebster Pool, and 50 people at McKoy Pool.
• Bathrooms will be limited to 2 people at a time or immediate family members
• Parents must supervise children and ensure that children are maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet social distancing from non-family members while on the pool deck and in the pool. Unsupervised children under 12 years old will not be admitted to the pool.
• No toys, noodles, balls, or kick boards will be allowed in the pool. The only inflatables allowed will be those designed to help beginning swimmers stay afloat.
• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by someone who is at least 15 years of age.
• The water fountain will be closed.
• Pool furniture will need to be disinfected by patrons before use. Patrons may bring their own chairs to the pool.
• Adult Swim will increase from 10 to 20 minutes to allow lifeguards time to wipe down high touch surfaces.
• Anyone displaying visible signs of an illness will not be admitted to the pool.
• 6 feet Social distancing guidelines must be maintained during check-in, on the pool deck, and in the pool. Any deck furniture will be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart.
• Lost and found items will not be kept. They will be thrown away each day at closing.
• Large groups and parties of more than 9 people are not allowed.
• Front desk staff will wear masks at all times
• Patrons are strongly recommended to wear masks while not in the pool.
• If a patron reports a positive test for COVID-19 and they have visited a pool within the last 48 hours, that pool will be closed for 24 hours.
• Patrons will sign themselves in before entering the pool deck. Hand sanitizer will be provided near the sign in station. Pens will be sanitized by front desk staff after each use. Used pins will be placed into a holder and will be moved to another holder after they are sanitized and are ready to use.
• No snack or food service. Patrons may bring their own food and drink to the pool. No glass.

If you need to report violations of social distancing guidelines or any other concerns, please call 404-377-7231 or email Jabari.Cole@decaturga.com. For additional information, visit decaturga.com/activeliving/page/aquatics-pools.

**UPDATE** The deadlines for input on Civic Trust, Economic Development, and Equity & Racial Justice draft recommendations have been updated 5.19.21

After 15 months of community conversation both in person and online, draft recommendations for Decatur’s 2020 Strategic Plan has taken shape. Each week you will have the opportunity to review and evaluate them. This week’s topic is Civic Trust.

Visit decatur2030.mysocialpinpoint.com/decatur-strategic-plan/activities/ to share your input.

Weekly schedule:

• Civic Trust: May 14-23
• Economic Development: May 21-30
• Climate Change: May 28-June 6
• Equity & Racial Justice: June 4-13

Meetings

– City Commission| Monday, May 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
– Active Living Board Meeting| Tuesday, May 4 @ 9 a.m.
– Better Together Advisory Board Meeting| Tuesday, May 4 @ 6:30 p.m.

Visit decaturga.com/bc for additional meeting details.

Events

– Starting this Tuesday, May 4, Truckin’ Tuesdays return to Legacy Park in Decatur. Gather your friends, family, blankets, chairs, and most importantly, appetites! The area’s best Food Trucks will be offering up their delicious fare. There is plenty of space for families to gather while remaining socially distant. The goal is to bring people together safely and at the same time, benefit local non-profit fundraising efforts. This event will repeat weekly every Tuesday at 5 p.m.

– Dine and shop outside at FAB First Friday! We’re re-imagining a night OUT in Decatur with expanded patios, curbside storefronts, sidewalk pop-ups, and an open-air tent market on the plaza. Wear a mask and join us outside on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 9 pm. Plus, look for “fab” deals as our retailers and restaurants partner up to support each other! Follow on Instagram (@visitdecaturga), Twitter (@Decatur-Tourism), and Facebook (@VisitDecaturGA) for deals and updates. This event will repeat on June 8.

– Story Walks kicks off this Friday, May 7. Decatur Story Walk is a fun, educational, COVID-safe activity for families. Pages from three children’s books – one picked by each of our three local bookstores – will be displayed in storefront windows in Downtown Decatur (along Ponce de Leon Ave.), the Old Depot District, and Oakhurst. Routes will be posted online shortly at https://www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com/…/decatur-story-walk. Each book is available for purchase at Little Shop of Stories, 133 East Court Square; Brave + Kind Bookshop, 722 W. College Ave.; or Charis Books, 184 S. Candler St.

– The DBA presents Concerts “In” a Square: Join the Decatur Business Association each Saturday in May for virtual concerts featuring up-and-coming artists. Unwind after a long week and enjoy music with your friends and family from the comfort of your own home. The concert series is free and open to attendees of all ages. For more information visit decaturdba.com.

– The Better Together Advisory Board, in partnership with the Little Shop of Stories, invites you to join in the Clue in a Haiku scavenger hunt!

The Board created the scavenger hunt for the three books introduced in the Decatur Focus: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell (for adults and high schoolers), I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal (for middle and high schoolers), and Nothing in Common by Kate Hoefler & Corinna Luyken (for elementary schoolers).

There are books placed in Little Free Libraries around town for you to find and enjoy, then pass along! Have fun trying to find the books! Please take a photo with the book you choose, read it, and then pass it on: hide it again in the same or another LFL and post a new clue in response.

The first Clue In Haiku to the first LFL is as follows:

Spanish explorer
Take a ride to Avondale
Outside of the gates

– Visit www.decatur2030.com to review the Decatur Strategic Plan draft recommendations. A new topic will be released every Friday from April 30- June 4. This week’s topic is mobility. Submit your input by Friday, May 7.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m. today.

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornados to occur. Stay tuned to a weather radio, a local TV/radio station or a weather app for updates.

If you hear the tornado sirens today (as you may have around 10:45 this morning,) seek shelter immediately.

Here are ways you can get prepared now:

• Keep updated on the latest weather by tuning in to your local weather channel and downloading a weather notification app so that it will notify you when a television or radio isn’t nearby.
• Sign up for the City’s Smart911 notification system to receive emergency weather alerts should your property be included in a storm predicting polygon.
• Determine a safe place to shelter in the event of a tornado. Look around your place for helmets, pillows, e.g. anything you can use to protect your head in the event of flying objects in high winds. As always, it’s good to be on the lowest floor of a house or structure since winds are less strong near the surface.
• Charge your devices including smartphones, laptops, etc. now, and leave them charging. 

The Decatur Lifelong Community Advisory Board invites our city’s residents to participate in the following survey on their quality of life. A critical aspect of a great community is the ability of its senior residents to have access to recreation, social, commerce and healthcare options.

The goal of this survey is to gather information from City of Decatur residents to help our advisory board make suggestions on needed changes to our city leaders.

We are using the results of this survey for the Decatur Strategic Plan, but some questions are asked specifically to provide the Lifelong Community Advisory Board with more community information to enhance and maintain Decatur’s designation as a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Your input is appreciated!

The survey is on the Decatur Strategic Plan Destination 2030 Virtual Forums page and will close Friday, April 16.

Be sure to check out the other surveys and input opportunites while you’re there!

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact:

Lee Ann Harvey- Lifelong Community Manager

City of Decatur

509 N. McDonough St.

Decatur, GA 30030

Phone: (678) 553-6548 or (770) 652-8593

Email: leeann.harvey@decaturga.com