Anna outlines spring rec guide, public‑art pilot and work plan for neighborhood outreach

Anna Assistant City Manager Taylor Law updated the Neighbor Engagement and Inclusion Advisory Commission on the city’s spring recreation guide, upcoming events and the commission’s work plan.

The spring recreation guide is available online through the city’s parks and neighbor services pages and includes a plug for the city’s Neighbor Academy, which Taylor Law said will begin in late March. Taylor Law said the city will email signup notices to those who have registered for Neighbor Academy.

Taylor Law said the city will hold an Easter Extravaganza and a nonprofit fair on April 12. “We’ve had nonprofit fairs here in the lobby, with not a big turnout,” Taylor Law said, adding the city hopes a larger event at a different location will provide “good exposure for our nonprofits” for people seeking services or volunteer opportunities. Taylor Law said the event was organized in partnership with a local connector organization identified in the packet as Lift R and R.

The city also plans a public‑art pilot that would permit neighbors to propose and paint designs on select elevated manholes, with the city helping pay for supplies and applying a varnish to protect the work. Taylor Law described the program as a way to “beautify something that’s just concrete and metal” and said the city will develop application guidelines and prepare the manholes for painting before work is permitted.

Taylor Law highlighted ongoing arts work including a spring student art competition displayed between the high school and middle school, a Fourth Street mural project and other art programs the city expects to bring to the commission for review.

On the commission’s role, Taylor Law said the adopted work plan has three focus areas: engagement, community contribution and advisement. The commission was asked to act as an outreach arm for the council by attending events, soliciting neighbor input and sharing notable community activities so staff can offer formal recognition or recommendations to the city council. Taylor Law asked commissioners to forward requests for presenters with enough lead time so staff can schedule them on future agendas.

Taylor Law also reviewed the commission’s spring calendar and proposed skipping the May meeting because it falls on Memorial Day; the commission discussed moving the meeting to allow members to attend and volunteer at seasonal events.

Taylor Law thanked commissioners who attended a Jan. 28 volunteer reception where the board recognized volunteer of the year Elijah and other awardees.

The commission is scheduled to receive additional presentations in coming months from Neighborhood Services Director Mark Marchand on special events and from Community Enhancement Coordinator Olivia Demings on volunteer programs including Keep Anna Beautiful.

The commission did not take formal action on the programs update; the item was presented for information and to solicit commissioner feedback.