2005-55 AMENDING CITY CODE - CHAPTER 24 - NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION

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, - , � As proposed, the Neighborhood improvement Commission would consist of 9 members, three from the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations, three from the local landlord's association, and three at-large members. The City has allocated $50,000 to fund a grants program through which the commission would recommend funding of projects supporting neighborhood improvement and development. At least one (1) of the grants awarded must be used to fund an education project which promotes City of Decatur funding sources and housing programs. POTENTIAL CONCERNS/OBJECTIONS: There was a suggestion that there be ten (10) members of the commission, seven from neighborhood groups, one (1) representative from the Decatur Landlord's Association, one (1 ) representative from the NAACP and one (1) member at large. And while it is definitely the council's prerogative to adopt this structure, conversations with CONO leadership indicated that the group would favor the original proposed structure (9 members) with three members coming from CONO. Additionally, it was staff's thought that adding too many members from any one group would dilute the board's purpose of giving all involved in or affected by local housing rules and conditions an equal say in how to best improve local housing and neighborhoods and members of the landlord association also expressed a strong desire to play an integral role with this group. It should also be noted that minority representation has always been a part of the plans for this group as minorities from various ethnic backgrounds have forever played an integral role in building our city's neighborhoods. This, in part, was the reason for the suggestion of three at- large members; it gives council the freedom to make sure that the board will be fair and balanced. While the NAACP has been and is seen as one of the premiere civil rights organizations in the world and for years has served in that capacity in the Decatur community, staff was not sure how other groups that either exist now in Decatur or could come to the city which are designed to protect the rights of minorities and other ethnicities (Rainbow PUSH, National Urban League, local ministerial alliance, etc.) would respond to being left off of the commission. This is by no means a suggestion that the NAACP not be made a designated member of the group, however, to designate any one group for membership could be seen as a snub to others. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: Neighborhood Task Force, CONO, various residents during neighborhood meetings. STAFF REFERENCE: Billy Tyus at 424-2753. BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: $50,000 would be allocated this year. Future allocations would come at the discretion of the Decatur City Council.