CITY OF GRINNELL ELECTED AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS CITY LEADERS, MET LAST WEEK to discuss the work of the city for the coming years. a public document prepared by city staff summarizes the meeting.
THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS ON THE WASTE WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. THE GROUP ALSO TOOK UP STAFF ISSUES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
There was unanimous agreement that work on WASTE WATER COLLECTION is a high priority for both staff and elected leaders. Although the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will mandate work on this system, specific decisions regarding repairs, financing, and management will be made locally. The group decided to Conduct a rate assessment, including information about comparable cities and forecast the rate schedule for Grinnell through 2020 with supporting data. Factoring into this is a new waste water treatment facility that is a near certainty in five or more years.
streets were also a focal point for discussion at last week’s planning session…and it was decided to Put more effort and funding toward street repairs, maintenance and reconstruction. There was consensus that current maintenance and reconstruction will not sustain the city’s streets. There was also continued discussion on the possible need for a 2nd water tower in the city.
Concerns were raised regarding the city’s ability to manage and operate its new buildings impeccably while also addressing the older buildings. The latter include the veterans’ memorial center, the stewart building and the community center. It is apparent that the city can not finance the maintenance and operation of all of the current buildings short or long term without uses that generate revenues to cover operational costs.
Those at last week’s city planning session also resolved to Develop marketing and other plans that use the community’s existing assets to retain current visitors and events while also attracting new ones…and to Build a quality and significant commercial and light industrial presence at I-80 and Highway 146 in order to tap into the revenue potential of the many travelers on the two highways.
Various city council committees and city organizations were assigned to gather more information about these and other city priorities, with reporting deadlines. to see the city planning SUMMARY, CLICK ON THE DOCUMENT BELOW.
