City Council Weekly Update

McVay Trail Closure

McVay Trail will be closed between 9^th & 15^th streets as early as next Tuesday, November 13 for 3-5 weeks while the erosion repair work is being done in the waterway along the trail. Please notify anyone who may get inquiries about this. We have notified the schools, submitted a news release to the Record Herald, will be placing information on the cable TV channel & website and will be putting placing signs and appropriate barriers at each entrance to the trail in the area affected by construction.

Budget and Finance

TIF: The legislature enacted a new law during the 2012 legislative session requiring cities provide much more detail regarding their Urban Renewal Areas. The report requires city council approval and is due December 1 of each year. The 34 page report is complete and scheduled to be approved by council November 19.In addition, the city certifies TIF debt each December 1 to Warren County and this too is approved by council (resolution) on Nov 19.

Debt Issue: Issuing debt for the YMCA (2013B Series), New Ladder Truck, Street Department Dump/Plow trucks, Pickard Park improvements and McVay Trail (2013A). Bond sale is Dec 10 (special meeting to be held prior to study committee) and funds will be received on Jan 9, 2013.

Street Projects

J/K Street - A traffic study will be performed on November 20th or 21st to record movements on both north and south J and K Street to provide warrants for signalization of the intersection. We should know the results by November 27th if signals can be included in the project. Community Development will provide a real estate contract for Council approval for the purchase of the Champlin property on December 3rd. Community Development is still working with the Historical Society to obtain a portion of their property as well. Because of the delay in land acquisition and confirmation for traffic signalization, Chuck has requested federal funds for the project be rolled over and completed in 2014.

2012 Street Improvement Project - All paving on Howard north of Detroit has been completed. Contractor will be replacing driveway approaches later this week and next week. We are still encouraging the contractor to complete the remaining portion of North Howard between Ashland and Clinton this construction season.

Annual Iowa League Budget Workshops

The annual Budget Workshops help city officials prepare for the budget process by providing information on financial projections and strategies to maintaining a sound city budget. The workshops are designed for city administrators, city clerks and finance officers, but are open to all city officials.  The workshop will be held in Altoona on December 6^th from 10-3.  Workshop topics include: Budget Projections and Issues, Budgeting for Beginners, Advanced Health Care Plans and Costs.  Please let me know if you wish to attend so we can register for the event.