Mayor’s Message Welcome to the inaugural issue of the City of Decatur newsletter. For families, businesses, and cities across the nation, 2009 was tough. Yet even with the challenges, Decatur continues to move forward and we’re looking optimistically toward 2010. First, let me say we have some of the finest folks working to serve our citizens and to make our visitors feel welcome – and that makes me proud to call Decatur home. Next, let me share a few good news items with you. • The city’s budget is balanced. • Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association is relocating to Decatur in first quarter 2010. • Sidewalks at Ingall’s Harbor are completed. • Our sports and recreation facilities continue to generate tax revenues for the city; in 2009, the economic impact was $6.8 million.
• The Downtown Redevelopment projects, anchored by the establishment of a joint Calhoun Community College & Athens State University campus downtown, are moving forward and awaiting approval by the state. • The council is appropriating funding to expand sewer service on the Beltline to allow for more commercial growth on that major artery. • Judge Crow Blvd., connecting Auburn Dr. and Modaus Rd., will improve access to Julian Harris Elementary and the Jack Allen Complex. Business Updates • The home office for Academy Sports & Outdoors reports they are very pleased with the sales volume at the new Decatur store. • Longhorn Steakhouse is coming to The Crossings in Decatur.
• Daikin reports they are operating at 100%. • 3M reported hiring in December. New Projects We’re Exploring • Wenzell’s Oyster Bar has expressed an interest in adding a location in Decatur. • A new Italian restaurant • A new shopping center & theater • A new convention center As you can see, 2010 holds much promise and we are working hard to position Decatur for growth in 2010 and beyond. I hope you will enjoy reading about the positive things happening in our city.
Mayor Don Stanford
Your Money at Work in FY 2009* Building
$85,017.59 $722.41
Playground Equipment
$68,261.00
Sculpture - Delano Park
$17,500.00
Fire Station #1
$1,857,350.25
Garage Oil Change Bldg.
Fire Station #3
$1,235,929.33
Fire Station #4
$1,348,992.25
Railroad Park at Turner-Surles, Phase II
$11,560.60
Bike Trail Expansion
$31,577.67
Notable Notes for 2009
2nd Ave Enhancement Study
$64,400.00
The City of Decatur refinanced debt,
Princess Theatre Renovation
$170,977.00
Purchase of property to expand Turner-Surles
$37,279.13
IT Facility Upgrade
$14,100.00
Improvements
Ingall’s Harbor Parking Lot
$1,298.25
Jesse Lewis Smith Playground Groundwater Interceptor at Landfill
$8,645.00 $611.82
Handicap Parking at City Hall
$13,886.66
Install Sewer System at Fire Station #5
HVAC Sys/Dehumidifier Pt. Mallard Ice Rink
$25,205.33
$32,000.00
Sewer System at Pt. Mallard Campground
$96,000.00
8th Ave SW Drainage Project $226,205.61 Playground and Garden for All Children at Delano Park
$568,314.19
Parking Lot at Parks & Recreation Maintenance Facility $23,634.38 Construction in Progress - 2009 New Animal Shelter at Wilson Morgan Park
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Vine Street Depot Study
$1,355,973.21
Keeping You Informed Decatur
* These funds were spent in Fiscal Year 2009.
resulting in savings to taxpayers of $1,000,356 with an additional savings of $245,206 for Decatur City Schools. Decatur Utilities (DU) saved $904,959 for a combined present value savings of $2,150,521 for the City of Decatur. DU instituted a program to give the
Renovate & Resurface Pt. Mallard Wave Pool $61,380.88
City of Decatur first right of refusal on
EQUIPMENT
by the City of several vehicles at
Fire Dept. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
considerable cost savings. $273,854.00
Obtained $1.8 million from the Alabama
Grant Funds Police Dept. In-Car Camera System
used vehicles, resulting in the purchase
Dept. of Transportation for several area $35,709.37
road resurfacing projects.
High-tech Meets Historic Decatur’s Historic tours get modern mobility How do you entice a techsavvy population to think history is interesting? Go digital. With “staycations” on the rise and an ever-growing number of sportsrelated tourists visiting Decatur, providing unique experiences in the city is key to keeping visitors longer and making Decatur a destination they’ll want to visit again and again. We’ve taken a great asset Decatur has – two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places and that boast the largest concentration in the State of Alabama of Victorian-era, craftsman and bungalow homes – and applied a very modern twist: tours that can be downloaded to many of the latest smart phones. A few of the world’s largest cities like New York City have something similar, but Decatur is definitely leading the way with a new way to tour and will put the city on a different kind of destination map with travelers.
With the tours for Old Decatur and Albany downloaded from www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com to your mobile device, it’s like having a tour guide with you, only better. You can proceed at your own pace by foot or by car and stop or pause whenever you choose. With an introduction by Alabama State Tourism Director Lee Sentell, each tour includes a narrative with interesting facts about the history of the districts, photos and anecdotal stories about early residents and their homes and businesses, and an easy-to-follow map. If you don’t have an iPhone or Droid phone, don’t feel left out. Just visit www. DecaturAlabamaUSA.com to view the full tour presentation on the web site. Then use the newly designed brochure (also on the web site for viewing or downloading) to tour the districts. If you’ve never toured the historic districts in Decatur, now is the time. If you have, there are new stories and new buildings added to the tour. Get the download and get touring Decatur today.
“From its rough-edged beginnings to battle scars to preserved beauty that crosses generations, Decatur is rich with history that I think will fascinate you.” Mr. Lee Sentell Alabama Tourism Director
www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com
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“I work with the best people, and I work at the best department in the State of Alabama, if not the entire United States.”
The Decatur Police Department Powers Up New Recruiting Site Go online and check out Decatur Police Department’s new recruiting web site: DecaturAlabamaPD.com. To compete for the very best and brightest young men and women looking to enter the law enforcement profession, the department has developed an online site that conveys the challenges, rewards and requirements to be a part of Decatur PD.
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Keeping You Informed Decatur
Sgt. George Silvestri Recognized by VFW George Silvestri says he has the best job in the world! A sergeant with the Decatur Police Department, Silvestri was recently recognized as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Law Enforcement Officer for the State of Alabama and VFW Post 4190 Morgan County Officer of the Year for 2009. “I work with the best people, and I work at the best department in the State of Alabama, if not the entire United States,” Silvestri enthused. Silvestri has worked for the Decatur Police Department for more than 19 years. He has held several positions within the department, which has brought him accolades for a job well done. He came to work as a patrol officer in May 1990 and was later named fieldtraining officer in the patrol division. Serving in the traffic division for more than 10 years, he helped to spearhead the Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspector Program, which is still in place today. Silvestri also was one of the select few trained in Decatur as a traffic homicide investigator. Silvestri was assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division in January 2005. As a detective, he worked in the Property Crimes Unit before transferring to the Violent Crimes unit. Silvestri became the lead investigator for child sexual abuse cases within the city. He served on the Morgan County Child Abuse Team Review committee, working with local law enforcement and child advocacy groups in the prosecution of those who physically and sexually abuse children in the City of Decatur. During his tenure, Silvestri has received two medals of commendation, a medal of merit, a unit citation and the Top 10 Firearms Award five times. He was given the distinction of Master Patrol Officer by the department based on continuing education and performance requirements. “I won this prestigious award for doing a job I love,” said Silvestri. “I don’t think I did anything that merited winning it. I am not a hero; I am simply serving my God, country and community by doing the best job I can.”
Decatur Police Department to Build New Training Facility In the very near future, the 130 officers of Decatur Police Department will have a new training facility that should exceed academy standards, allowing them to be better trained in the specialized area of firearms. The groundbreaking was in November and Police Chief Kenneth Collier says he hopes to have the first phase ready in time for the 2010 spring qualifications. Officers are required to be tested annually on the firing range with the gun and/or rifle they are issued through the department. Collier estimates the cost of the facility when completed at $1.4 million. This first phase was financed with an estimated $400,000 in capital funding the police department managed to save over the past several years. More funding is needed for this project, Collier said, but he feels confident that it will come. He said he has several different sources for the money.
Pre-Evaluated Landing Areas Project
was awarded the 2009 America’s Crown Communities Excellence Award from American City & County
In a first-of-its-kind effort to
improve air ambulance response times, the Decatur Fire & Rescue Department has designated more than 170 “pre-evaluated landing areas” (PELA). Beginning in March 2007, Decatur firefighters began mapping a 120-square-mile area encompassing the entire city and parts of surrounding Morgan County that would be included in the PELA grid, a process that was completed in June 2009.
Using global positioning system
(GPS) technology, the fire department identified the PELA sites and entered each one into the Morgan County 911 CAD system and the city’s geographic information system (GIS) to create a Master PELA Grid. The grid is accessible
Collier said representatives of the department traveled across the state and surrounding areas to visit ranges of other cities and agencies. “We talked to those who operated the facilities and those who built them. We want to build the very best facility we can and we want it to last for years,” he added. The range is located on 13 acres and will include berms with pneumatic targets and perimeter fencing, according to Collier, along with a range tower where the range master can view the officers as they train. The next phase of construction will include a track and obstacle course for officers, a shoot house for live-fire training where S.W.A.T. team members can practice proper procedures for moving from room-to-room. There also will be several open pavilions, special lighting for nighttime training and classroom facilities. “We want our new officers to be better prepared before going to the Police Academy. We want to train all officers, teaching them survival techniques in an effort to keep themselves safe and to save the lives of our citizens,” stated Collier. Collier wants to be a “good neighbor” and plans to make the facility available to other law enforcement agencies in the area for their use as well. “This new facility is going to be such a resource for the community,” Collier said. “I can’t tell you how excited we are.”
to medical flight organizations and emergency responders throughout the region.
In November, the Alabama
Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Bureau contacted the city to discuss using the PELA project as a model for other jurisdictions throughout the state.
Excerpt from American City & County Online Issue, Dec 1, 2009
www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com
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Six Minutes That Save Lives EMTs and paramedics are committed to making the difference
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Did you know that Decatur Fire and Rescue’s average response time to an emergency is under six minutes, which is less than the national average? “Our fire and rescue program has been very successful,” Battalion Chief Darwin N. Clark said. “On average we resuscitate two patients each month and provide care to others who are
of 4,000 emergency calls each year, of which 75 percent are not fire related. “When it comes to an emergency in Decatur, all agencies – police, fire, and EMS – work as a team,” he added. “Our EMS response can be broken down to trauma and illness; we respond to as many trauma-related calls as we do illness.” The national
critically injured. You just can’t put a price on a person’s life.” Lt. Danny Engle, deputy fire marshal, concurs with Clark in saying the department’s emergency medical service (EMS) is making a difference in the community and in people’s lives. “Providing this type of service directly impacts the survival of a serious injury or illness,” said Clark. Advances in medical procedures and equipment allow first responders to deliver emergency care to patients in the field at the same level as emergency rooms. “We are the primary responders to all medical emergencies within the corporate limits of the city,” Clark said. The department answers an average
average for EMS agencies is about 80 percent illness and 20 percent trauma. Decatur currently has 108 firefighters trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Additionally, 31 of these are licensed paramedics. Clark said the goal of the department is for all firefighters to complete the paramedic training. “It
Keeping You Informed Decatur
is a very intense program we offer in conjunction with Calhoun Community College.” The program requires about 2,000 additional hours of training and takes two years to complete. Enrolled firefighters are allowed to leave the department during shifts to attend class; however, many additional hours of personal time are required for study and clinical participation. “Firefighters have to be very committed,” Clark added. “We train any firefighter who wants to go through the program.” Because technology changes so rapidly, the department continually offers continuing education courses to previously certified EMTs and paramedics to hone their skills as well. “The firefighters use a team approach to delivering care,” Engle said. “When you reach the emergency room there is a professional team to care for you,” he explained. “Your emergency, however, did not start when you reached the emergency room. It started on the side of the road or in your living room. We bring the emergency room to you and start your advanced care immediately. It can literally be the difference in whether someone survives.”
Blazing Trails Decatur’s Wayfinding system is underway!
Have you ever gotten lost while
visiting another city? Who hasn’t?
As you were scanning for signs you probably mumbled something unprintable. What you were intuitively searching for were wayfinding signs. Wayfinding is a navigational system that conveys directions to travelers by use of graphics, signs, maps and other means. Unfortunately, many cities and tourism professionals ignore their value or allow a hodge-podge of independently designed directionals to be placed wherever a sign maker chooses. The result is a frustrated visitor as well as missed opportunities to guide that visitor to our shopping districts and venues. Well, good news, Decatur! Our civic leaders have begun to fill this major need. They tasked the city’s marketing and public relations firm, McWhorter Communications, to develop a comprehensive program that can be implemented in phases. After a year of development, the result is a 70-plus page style guide that includes everything from grand stone and steel gateway structures to plant identifiers for walking trails. To help citizens and visitors alike, the signage program incorporates vehicle and pedestrian wayfinding directionals; area identifiers such as municipal buildings, sports venues,
parks and historic districts; gateway signage; event and celebratory banners; bike trail identifiers; and new hiking trail signs for Point Mallard Park. When are all of these going to be installed? As soon as we can afford to do so. Already, the first phase of the directional road signage program was built by another local company, J & M Signs, using grant funding secured by Alabama Senator Arthur Orr through the Alabama Department of Tourism. To save on costs, Parks & Recreation workers installed the signs. These signs have been strategically placed around downtown for Decatur’s tourists and visitors. In addition, a pedestrian informational kiosk has been constructed and installed at Rhodes Ferry Park. Hike-Bike Trailheads and directional signs have been installed on the Point Mallard Park section of the system. The next production phase will focus on our main corridor traffic routes to direct drivers to Decatur’s shopping districts and sports venues, like the Jack Allen Soccer Complex. Other phases we look forward to implementing include entrance signs into Decatur and historic district signs for Albany and Old Decatur. This type of project is not for the impatient or those needing instant gratification. It takes commitment
and vision; however, the payoff to our visitors and citizens by helping to shape Decatur into a beautiful, successful and thriving community is well worth a consolidated effort.
Did you know? The mission of the Master Plan is to provide the information needed for first-time visitors to comfortably access downtown Decatur, tourist destinations, attractions, parks, historic districts, municipal buildings and sporting venues. This is to be accomplished by directing traffic along appropriate corridors and by avoiding routes through residential areas. The system is designed to: • Be comprehensive & fluidly connect destinations • Be flexible so that it can be built upon • Warmly welcome Decatur’s visitors • Create a pleasant experience • Reduce instances of lost, frustrated or misdirected visitors • Guide travelers quickly & safely by improving access • Promote & direct visitors to “off-the beaten-path” areas • Improve identification of destinations • Reflect Decatur’s history & vision • Establish a unique sense of community • Help to brand Decatur’s new image with elegant graphics
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Million Dollar Jackpot How federal grants let you Play harder Okay, it’s not really a jackpot, but it is a big win for the city and our residents when we receive federal grants. In fact, in 2009, Decatur Parks and Recreation made well over $1 million in improvements to parks and recreational facilities – and, all of it has been done without any cost to the City of Decatur. “There were a lot of good things that happened in 2009 despite the slow economy,” said Jeff Dunlap, executive director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We are very fortunate to have Allen Stover (the city’s grant administrator) who successfully secured this money in the form of Community Block Grants to offset the expenses related to the much-needed upkeep and improvements at some of our city’s parks,” Dunlap added. Dunlap went on to explain that block grants target low-income neighborhoods. The Jessie Lewis Smith Park, situated at the corner of Somerville Road SE and Moulton Street, was one of the benefactors of this grant money in 2009. District 1 Councilman Roger Anders talked with residents about
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Keeping You Informed Decatur
needs and a safe play area close to home was a primary concern. A grant of $85,000 and manpower from the Parks & Recreation department resulted in new and refurbished playground equipment, renovated bathrooms, and a new pavilion roof, giving families a fun and safe place to spend time together in their own neighborhood. “Our parks are important. I believe that promoting family and community goes hand-inhand with building a strong, healthy Decatur,” Rogers stated. A block grant of $100,000 provided lighting improvements at Butch Matthews baseball field in Northeast Decatur, making night games possibe. Turner-Surles Park, which is located behind the Old Depot, was awarded $52,153 for landscaping in phase two of this beautification project. A Land and Water Grant brought more than half a million dollars to the city to complete yet another phase of the Delano Park Playground and Garden for All Children. Dunlap said in addition to these monies, they received another State Arts Grant in
the amount of $13,500 to be used towards a sculpture for the park. Dunlap praises the residents of our community who have pulled together to see this project to completion. He said many hours have gone into raising money for this public-private venture in addition to the grants that the city has been able to attain. The total spent last year on park renovations by Friends of Delano Park was $262,743.00 in addition to the grant. “This is a great example of a publicprivate facility, and it could not have been accomplished without the Jeff Dunlap drive on their Parks & Rec. Director end,” he added.
Delano Park: A Community Success Story
“There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to secure these federal dollars that let us positively impact every family in Decatur. And, we know we’ve only just scratched the surface,” Roger Anders Councilman While federal funds have financed each of these projects from playground equipment to lighting and landscaping, the city’s hospitality tax funded a new press box at Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Southwest Decatur. It also funded new sidewalks at Ingall’s Harbor. The combined budget for both was $250,000. Again, no city money was spent on these two projects, Dunlap reiterated. With the press box the city is able to bid for the 2012 men’s soccer national championship. Decatur is already host to the women’s soccer tournaments; however, to host the men’s event there was a bid requirement for a press box. Besides the obvious advantages these improvments have given our citizens, it’s most important to know that the women’s tournment generated more than $1.5 million in revenue for the city.
Kids laughing with delight, neighbors calling greetings as they walk their dogs, and the beauty of the rose garden that changes each season – you can find a wonderful sense of community at Delano Park. The park is a living example of the powerful changes that can occur when the entire community comes together to make a difference. What started in 2000 as a vision by Friends of Delano Park to revitalize the park, has grown into an exciting public-private venture that benefits all of Decatur’s residents and visitors alike. The latest phase of the plan is the educational garden surrounding the Playground for All Children. The garden, scheduled to open May 1, is designed to evoke excitement and wonder in children of all ages and abilities by telling the natural history and biodiversity of Decatur and the Tennessee River through rocks, sculptures, and plantings.
Volunteer leader Barbara Kelly from Friends of Delano describes her group’s vision of sculptures, gardens and educational areas from the Mr. Turtle Story Circle. What Makes the Delano Park Revitalization Work? Friends of Delano spokeswoman Barbara Kelly says it’s the partnerships formed between so many different types of groups – industry, civic clubs, community organizations, and government – that have led to the revitalization of the rose garden, the creation of the splash pad, the development of the Playground and Garden for All Children. Funding for all the projects in the Delano Park Master Plan has come from many sources. The Friends of Delano organization has raised money from private donors. The Junior League of Morgan County raised close to $150,000 for the playground. Federal and state grants have been a major source of funding. The City of Decatur has provided grant-matching funds and in-kind donations of $568,314. “We couldn’t have done any of this without the City’s help,” stated Kelly. “Jeff Dunlap and the Parks & Recreation and Public Works employees have been invaluable. Paul Floyd, P&R facilities and operations manager, laid out the path for the Children’s Garden to convey the flow of the Tennessee River. Melinda Dunn (Decatur Historic Preservation Commission coordinator) has helped with writing the grants, the rose garden project, and the history trail through the park. Besides manpower and funding, the city is maintaining the grounds and the structure, said Kelly. “That’s huge,” she said, for making Delano Park a much-used, family friendly place in Decatur. For more information about this project visit www.FriendsofDelanoPark.org.
www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com
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Bravo to the Partnership for Progress City pledges $500,000 support It’s not a secret that magic happens in a city when people work together to get things done. Decatur has a long history of successful public-private investment ventures to make the impossible, possible. Among Decatur’s success stories are Wilson Morgan’s Adventure Park, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts, Second Avenue Pocket Park, Delano Park Rose Garden, Splash Pad, and Playground and Garden for All Children. The next chapter in Decatur’s successes is about to take place as we collaboratively move into the first phase of the revitalization efforts for downtown. The master plan to revitalize includes not only beautifying the downtown shopping areas, but it encompasses the redevelopment of the old L&N Depot and the proposed museum district. There will be a pedestrian crosswalk linking Rhodes Ferry Park to Bank Street and the plan brings a fine arts school into the downtown hub of activity. “The Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority, headed by Rick Paler, canvassed the community, talked to investors to see what could be raised and prioritized the key projects that the community needed most out of the 2002 Envision plan,” stated Wally Terry, fund-raising chairman for the Partnership for Progress campaign. “While the central focus is on the downtown area,” Terry said, “the effects would benefit the entire community.” One of the recommendations was to “build a team” that has a passion for this community and one that could build confidence and optimism as we pull together to make a difference. The result is a public-private partnership between The Partnership for Progress and the City of Decatur, Morgan County Commission, Athens University and Calhoun Community College that is the catalyst for this vision becoming a reality. The enthusiasm from Athens and Calhoun has given the community leaders what they needed to move forward. Work has already begun on the architectural drawings and details of the fine arts school. Fund-raising efforts began in September 2009 and to date more than $2.1 million have been committed to the project by local investors in phase one, according to Terry. “Although it may be considered the worst time from an economic standpoint for implementation of this vision,” he
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Keeping You Informed Decatur
said, “it is the absolute best time to plan and create a new tomorrow. We are prepared to capture the rewards of BRAC and other developments that will flow to those communities that took time to reinvent themselves for the coming years.” “Senator Arthur Orr has secured federal stimulus money for our Streetscape Plan and the purchase of the L&N Train Depot from which we should see results later this year,” Terry said. Orr is also working to get other state and federal money to jumpstart some of the other projects related to the downtown revitalization.
“Our ultimate goal is to have a sense of place for our children, our grandchildren and classmates who want to come home, for tourists to spend their dollars, for technology-related industries to invest on our side of the river.” Wally Terry Partnership for Progress Fund-Raising Chairman
We continue to visit cities whose governments meshed with their citizens to rise up from the ashes to become bright destinations and thriving communities. So I ask, ‘Why not Decatur? If not us, then who? If not now, then when?’” Terry concluded.
Your Elected Officials and City Contacts City Clerk
Mayor Don Stanford 341-4502
Betty Marshall
Old State Bank/Historic Preservation Commission
341-4500
Melinda Dunn
City Council Billy Jackson District 1 wejackson@decatur-al.gov
Diane Wiley
Roger Anders District 2 randers@decatur-al.gov Gary Hammon District 3 ghammon@decatur-al.gov Ronny Russell District 4 rrussell@decatur-al.gov
Community Development 341-4960 Engineering & Public Works
350-5060 Parks & Recreation
Jeff Dunlap – 341-4930
Director
Mark Petersohn, P.E.
Personnel Department
341-4740
341-4890
Engineering Dept.
Planning Department
Carl Prewitt – Civil Engineer
Bobbie Carden
341-4875
341-4720
Finance Department
Police Department
Director
Linda McKinney 341-4550 Fire Department
Charlie Johnson – Chief
Ken Smith –
Director
Kenneth D. Collier – Chief 341-4600 Point Mallard Park 341-4900
Greg Reeves
341-4862
greeves@decatur-al.gov
Information Systems
Franklin Parham
Council members may be reached at 341-4500
341-4700
341-4740
City Departments
Rickey Terry – Director
District 5 / Council President
Animal Services
Carol Wicks – Director 341-4790 Beautification
Linda Eubanks 341-4775
Todd Russell – Director Landfill
Jimmy Brothers – Director
Superintendent Purchasing
Jeff Fussell
341-4992
341-4520
Legal Department
Recycling
Herman Marks
Emily Johnson
City Attorney 341-4513
Municipal Court
Building Dept.
Public Works/Street/Sanitation
Honorable Judge Bill Cook 341-4676
341-4570
341-4770 Revenue Department 341-4546 Youth Services
Bruce Jones – Director 341-4690
What’s New at www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com Digital downloads Expanded full-color Albany and Old Decatur Historic District tour brochures now available at www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com. Use the interactive online viewer or download printable pdfs to take and tour.
I Want … Feature The “I want…” addition to the top menu bar makes navigation on the web site even easier. The pull-down menu groups commonly requested items together, making it simple to find an application, form, or information – all from one page. For instance, a person wanting to hold a yard sale is only two clicks away from the form needed to apply for a permit. The new navigation
makes it easy to get to the right information even if you do not know which department is responsible for a particular area of service. Online Surveys The online survey feature makes it easy to submit requests and feedback to city hall. Citywide and department surveys are accessed from the home page of the web site through the “We Want to Hear from You” banner.
www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com
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City offers Free Prescription Discount Card to Residents Decatur residents who are without health insurance or a traditional pharmacy benefit plan or who have prescriptions not covered by insurance, now have a solution to obtain medications at a discount. The city adopted a resolution in 2009 to make available to all residents a prescription discount card that provides an average of 20 percent off the retail price of prescription medications. This discount card is free to all residents of the city and is made possible through Decatur’s membership in the National League of Cities. There are no enrollment or membership fees, no age requirements and no income requirements. All family members are covered. This discount card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. It can be used, however, when insurance does not cover the cost of a particular prescription. Persons on the Medicare prescription plan can use the card on non-covered medications only.
“This is not insurance; it’s a prescription discount program,” explained City Municipal Clerk Betty Marshall. Discounts are available at approximately 24 participating area retail pharmacies and at more than 59,000 nationwide. By using the card, participants agree to pay the cost of the prescription less any applicable discount. Savings may vary by drug and pharmacy, she added. “It’s easy to start saving on prescriptions,” Marshall said. “Each family needs only one card. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to how often you can use the card,” she said. To obtain program information, print a discount card, locate a pharmacy or look up a drug price, visit our website at www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com. If you do not have access to a computer, you can stop by the city clerk’s office at City Hall located on Lee Street in downtown Decatur to get information and to pick up a card. Call 256-341-4500 for more information. “This program does not cost the City of Decatur; it is simply a service to residents,” Marshall explained. “The council believes that this discount card provides a valuable benefit to Decatur residents. It’s all about meeting the needs of our residents.”
P.O. Box 488 • Decatur, AL 35602-0488
Help us keep costs down. Sign up to receive your Keeping You Informed Decatur newsletter by email. Visit www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com for more information.
Newsletter design & production by McWhorterOnline.com with special thanks to contributing writer Angela S. Hale.
“It’s All about meeting the needs of our residents”