City Council Minutes 1995 10 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

expand South Boulder Road to four lanes. None of that money was committed to downtown improvements. At that time, there had been discussions with the downtown property owners about a special tax district for improvements, but nothing ever came from those talks. When Davidson became Mayor, he committed to implementing downtown improvements by creating a Citizen's Task Force to make recommendations to Council for the revitalization of downtown through streetscaping and basic improvements to the storm drainage system. This was to be accomplished through a multi- year period with appropriations each year, depending on funding availability. Concerning the source of the funds, Capital Projects Fund supported by the 1% sales tax was used from 1989 through 1992 to improve the downtown storm drainage at a cost of $1,059,399. From 1992 through 1995 funding has been expended from a variety of sources, including the Sewer Fund, the Combined Capital Fund, the Water Fund, to improve the streetscape, repaving, new sidewalks, and brick pavers. The power lines were undergrounded through the Public Service Underground Allotment Fund. The total from these funds is $1,441,429. Total funding through 1995 has been $2,327,981, not including the improvements done to the Library, this year's purchase of downtown parking lots, or the purchase of the building next to City Hall. The core of downtown improvements have been completed and about 40% of the funds expended had been supported by the 1% 1989 sales tax. He explained that as Council reviews the Budget each year, they look at the total City expenditures and prioritize them within the needs of the entire City. Peter Stewart, member of the Downtown Task Force, stated that their recommendation had been to phase the improvements over seven years +/-. He pointed out that there had been some cost savings. They felt that continuity was very important and that if the flow were cut off now, it may never be reinstated. They hoped Council would find funding for this project for 1996. Mayer suggested that, since four years of the project had been completed, Council and the Downtown Task Force re-evaluate the project. Howard had wanted the drainage and the core of Main Street fixed and these things had been done. He pointed out that there are a lot of local streets that are crumbling. Levihn wanted Council to attend the Downtown Task Force and Downtown Association meeting on October 26 and November 1 for further study. Lathrop did not feel Council had worked on this as a group and he felt they should. He wanted a study session with the downtown business people. Davidson pointed out that at no time was it stated that this project would be terminated. Sisk agreed with Levihn and Mayer. Davidson suggested a November 1 meeting with both groups.