Main Street group planning family event at Plaza on Oct. 6

A special event on Friday, October 6 from 4-10 p.m. at the Madison Street Plaza has been planned by the Decatur Main Street organization that will include events for the entire family according to information presented by Decatur Mayor Dan Rickord to the Decatur City Council this week.

Rickord said the event will have something for everyone and many of the downtown merchants will also be getting involved with the evening. There will be a variety of food and drink offerings for all ages as well.

In other action before the Council, they:

--approved an amendment on first and second reading that would codify an earlier ordinance that describes how police officers working overtime for traffic safety education and enforcement will be paid. Most of this extra work is paid for by federal grants.

--okayed a donation of $1,000 from city coffers for costs involved with the 2023 Highland Games.

--heard a presentation about the voluntary annexation of about 24.5 acres of land to the city that would involve the Meadows of Cross Creek being developed for new residences. A public hearing will be held at the October 3 Council meeting before members make any decision.

--hiked the city donation for the Haunted Trails activity during the Halloween season to $4,000. Council members said this event was extremely popular last year and is projected to have continued growth.

--learned that the coming week of September 11-25 will be a heavy trash week pick-up in Decatur. City Operations Director Jeremy Gilbert pleaded with citizens to follow established guidelines of what is allowed to the placed out for pick-up emphasizing no home improvement items, any potential hazardous waste items, and so on are allowed.

--the numerous intersection locations throughout Decatur that are blocked off due to construction should be wrapping up shortly.

This work is updating the handicapped-accessible areas, While talking about construction, Rickord said the Brooks Construction Company which won the bid to pave numerous city streets this year will be starting the milling work this coming week with paving soon to follow.

--heard the pickleball courts at Riverside Center are nearly ready and Rickord lauded the efforts of local volunteers who painted the courts. Work on the Dog Park on the site of the former Woodcrest Nursing Home at 1100 Mercer Avenue is “very close” to completion and work on the softball diamond at Kekionga Park will begin around the end of September and will include a new backstop along with safety netting to protect spectators from foul balls.

--a man appeared at the end of the meeting before the council asking for a change in a city ordinance the regulates what he can store on his property. City attorney Anne Razo said the request would more appropriately be handled by the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. He would have to fill out an application for the change, then a public hearing would be held and neighbors would be as well.

--passed on final reading ordinance 2023-23 that would designate a handicapped parking spot in the 300 block of S. First Street.