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Decatur City Commission considers allowing vote on extending Sunday alcohol sales

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Decatur City Commission considers allowing vote on extending Sunday alcohol sales

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UPDATE: 8:56 p.m., July 16: All of the items mentioned in this story were approved, except the annexation tied to a rezoning proposal that would allow a storage facility on Clairmont Road. That item was deferred to the City Commission’s Aug. 20 meeting.

Here is our earlier story published Monday morning, July 16… 

The Decatur City Commission at its July 16 meeting will consider allowing voters to choose whether to start Sunday alcohol sales at 11 a.m. instead of the usual 12:30 p.m. start time.

The changes would apply to on-premises alcohol sales, meaning restaurants would be able to sell earlier in the day on Sunday. Sales for consumption off premises would still begin at 12:30 p.m.

State legislators approved a “Brunch Bill” in the most recent legislative session that would allow cities to call for a referendum on the issue.

If the City Commission decides to move forward, the referendum could be on the city’s Nov. 6 ballot.

The biggest item on the agenda will be an annexation tied to a rezoning proposal that would allow a storage facility on Clairmont Road. To read our in-depth story about that proposal, click here.

In other business:

 

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– Commissioners will consider raising the hotel motel tax from 7 percent to 8 percent effective Oct. 1, 2018.

The city wants to use the tax increase to provide additional money to the city’s tourism bureau, according to a memo from City Manager Peggy Merriss to the city commission.

The city expects a new 132 room Hampton Inn on Clairemont Avenue and Marshall Street to open in 2019.

“It is estimated that once the new hotel opens in 2019, initial annual proceeds from the hotel motel tax could be approximately $375,000 for the general fund, $438,000 for the Decatur Tourism Bureau and $187,500 [Tourism Products Development] activities,” Merriss wrote.

– Commissioners will consider approving a lease-purchase agreement for two new trucks to collect recycling. 

The city recently decided to part ways with a contractor who had been handling this service and take over the job of collecting recyclable materials.

“The total cost of the equipment, two 2016 Ford F-250’s with specialized dump bodies, is $57,400,” a memo from Assistant City Manager David Junger says. “The price is competitive and is below the price for comparable vehicles purchased via the Georgia State Contract. The city will be obligated to 4 annual payments of approximately $14,350.  The interest rate is expected to be close to 4.3 percent. The Solid Waste fund has appropriated adequate funds in the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget for capital purchases.

– Commissioners will consider approving an agreement to start an “e-permitting” program. 

The agreements would be with GovSense, LLC and Oracle America, Inc. The system would allow residents and contractors to submit plans and receive  permits electronically.

The three year contracts would cost the city roughly $94,457 in year one and  $35,267 in years two and three.

– Commissioners will consider awarding a $119,000 contract to Plants Creative Landscapes for landscaping on the Reimagine West Howard project.

The project, which got underway July 5, includes:

  • Reducing this section of West Howard from four vehicle travel lanes to two with dedicated turn lanes at key intersections
  • Additional cycling opportunities, allowing the PATH Trail to better serve pedestrians, recreational users, and the disabled
  • New midblock pedestrian crossings at Drexel Avenue, Adair Street, and Greenwood Circle
  • An adjusted pedestrian crosswalk at Atlanta Avenue

– Commissioners will consider approving a $21,000 contract with Breedlove Land Planning for design of a multi-use trail on South Columbia Drive.

The trail will connect with the City Schools of Decatur’s planned 3-5 Academy on Talley Street to the United Methodist Children’s Home property, which is now owned by the city. It will eventually connect to the East Decatur Greenway.

The Decatur City Commission’s July 16 meeting begins with a work session at 6:30 p.m. The regular meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 509 North McDonough Street, and it is open to the public.

To see the full agenda, click here.

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