Decatur City Board of Works approves paid-on-call hire and renews Merit Center lease despite one objection

The Decatur City Board of Works voted to permit the fire department to hire Brad Row as a paid-on-call firefighter and approved a straight renewal of the Merit Center lease for Connor Bright’s Wild Flowers, board members said during a short meeting.

The approvals came as the board first moved to accept minutes from the Nov. 18 meeting; a committee member said, “I oppose. Same sign,” but the minutes were accepted after the motion and second. The board then considered a personnel request from the fire department to add Brad Row on a paid-on-call basis and voted to authorize the hire.

A staff member described the lease renewal for Connor Bright’s Wild Flowers, saying the group “has been involved with the Merit Center for the last few years; they are in room 416,” and that the renewal is a straight extension with rent adjusted for increases for the coming year. The board approved the lease and authorized the mayor to sign the agreement when required.

Board members moved and seconded the personnel and lease items; each motion carried. No detailed roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript beyond a single voiced opposition during the minutes vote. The meeting closed after a brief request for other business; Craig and Tyler had no additional items and members moved to adjourn.

The actions affect the fire department’s staffing options and keep a community program — described as offering music lessons to children — in the Merit Center under a renewed lease. The mayor’s signature is expected to finalize the lease when administrative steps are complete.