August 8, 2023 – The Decatur City Council authorized partnerships with local mentoring programs to promote violence prevention and approved a new EV readiness plan at their August 7 meeting, among other business.
Since 2021, the City has partnered with Shemilah Outreach Center’s “Clean-Up Green-Up” initiative to promote youth action within the community. Through the program, Shemilah’s youth served are given employment opportunities—cleaning up litter and removing overgrown brush—in the city’s Johns Hill neighborhood, which then expose them to neighbors and community partners. Last night, the Council voted to extend an additional partnership to Old King’s Orchard Community Center, aiming to achieve the same goals.
“OKO Peace” is a proactive violence prevention program that aims to intervene before youth resort to violence or other destructive behaviors, according to the City. The program will connect targeted youth to alternative activities or provide them with appropriate mentoring and coaching. Unlike “Clean-Up Green-Up,” this is meant to be a one-time investment by the City as OKO plans to find another source for future funding if the program is successful. Shemilah Outreach Center will continue to receive funding through the city, through the end of 2024. Funding for the OKO program comes from a Community Development & Violence Prevention state grant, while “Clean-Up Green-Up” is supported by a local foundation.
Council also approved an agreement with engineering firm CDM Smith to create an electric vehicle readiness plan for the City. The plan will allow Decatur to more easily obtain future charging equipment for electric vehicles and other infrastructure grants and will provide an analysis of anticipated gaps in charging availability. The majority of the planning project is covered by a state grant.
In other business, Council authorized $25,000 from the Community Development & Violence Prevention state grant to pay for tips given to the Decatur-Macon County Area Crimestoppers that lead to felony arrests. The City is also working to create a new tax increment financing district and approved an agreement with PGAV Planners, LLC last night to prepare TIF development plans. TIF allows incremental property taxes to be directed toward development and site improvement across the city and does not raise taxes.
To see the full agenda packet from last night’s meeting, click HERE.
