06-06-11 Personnel And Finance (2)

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Moving on, Gary Gilot listed the separate projects making up the$2.1 million request for paving. It breaks down like this: 1. $600,000 for resurfacing in the industrial parks. 2. $1,350,000 for paving in districts more or less split evenly. 3. $1.2 million for the Laurel-Western improvements at the Kroc Center. 4. $350,000 for street lighting including a limited re-start of the yard light program. Other projects mentioned were the sewer re-location at Riverside and Angela and lastly, repairing the river walkway near the new river condos off E. Colfax. Councilmember's Rouse and White both asked about the criteria and process that went into the prioritization of projects. Councilmember White asked Gary Gilot for a written report. The last item proposed under infrastructure was the Alonzo Watson Bridge over Chapin near the Kroc Center. The Mayor said he heard a clear message from the Council that the bridge was needed. Additionally, the Mayor said the bridge needed to be ADA compliant. Councilmember's Tim Rouse, Oliver Davis and Karen White all wanted more facts in the form of a cost study comparing fixing the old versus building a new pedestrian bridge comparing that to intersection improvement. The Mayor then sought approval of$12 million to acquire and demolish the Family Dollar Store with the intent to give it to St. Joseph High School for a part of their athletic fields. The Mayor cited the potential economic development ramifications of the new High School proposal. The Mayor said the$1.2 million proposal will leverage$35 million in economic development dollars. Various Councilmember's questioned the verity of the appraisals. Competing with the above is the acquisition and re-platting of the TRANSPO site for$ 1 million. Councilmember Varner asked if they could recoup dollars by selling lots. Jeff Gibney answering for the city said the payoff of these lots could be$2.4 million. Councilmember Varner asked why such a potentially lucrative project would not be pursued by private developers. Both Councilmember's Varner and Oliver Davis said they needed more details on the City's deal with TRANSPO. Under the public portion of the meeting 12 people offered comments on Bill No..27-11. 1. S.J. Szabo questioned the generous donation to the Catholic Church wondering about separation of church and state. He suggested TRANSPO sell their property to private developers. He also stated that Miracle Park and the bridge over Chapin Street was not needed He suggested the city keep the greenhouses to grow their own flowers. 2. Heidi Gray, Manager, Conservatory&Greenhouses stated that more public parking would help chances of attendance and rentals. 3. Catherine Hostetler, Director, Historic Preservation Commission, supports investment in Conservatory saying attendance is up 48% so far this year. 4. Dr. Fred Ferlic advocated public/private partnerships. Opposed public investment in the conservatory, the Chapin footbridge, and the value placed on the Family Dollar Store and doubted the potential of the TRANSPO site. 5. Jessie Davis opposed the footbridge, Miracle Park as well as the dollars for the TRANSPO site. Also advocated separation of church and state.