Budget meeting tonight at 5:30. Public works. We’ll be going through the CIP and hearing from the non-profit community. I’ll update this post after that meeting if I’ve got time and/or anything to report. The CIP stuff tends to be pretty straightforward.
UPDATE: Good presentation on the CIP. An increasing number of those projects are starting to look like deferred maintenance. I wouldn’t say that any of the public works projects are absolutely critical from a time perspective. However, capital maintenance is a hungry beast that is best tackled on a continuing basis at a lower level of spending rather than in huge chunks that the financial realities of the future may ever allow. Way better management to maintain some level of spending on it than to gamble on future revenues.
The only project that really gives me heartburn is opening up Dean Dr. at 28. Dean drive is a country road, not a suburban road section. I’m not a traffic engineer but it seems like it’ll have to be totaly re-done but that project is a year later….maybe we could re-order the projects.
The non-profit community also came out but there wasn’t really anything to report about that – pretty much by the numbers and no surprises. BTW, non-profit includes “humanities” such as SERVE and Habitat as well as the Arts folks.
March 8, 2011 at 7:51 am
If I was going to raise one of the road projects to the top, it would be Prince William Street between Grant & Wellington. Over time, that has become a frequently used connector – and is the way to run from the Museum to Dean Historical SIte and B&G Club. Heavy rains like the other day really make that a tough road.
Your right on opening Dean Drive all the way – even just running from Wellington to SERVE & the Dog Pound is “pure country”. Been on that road enough to think before extending it, widen a bit what is already there.
Had to chuckle as I left last night after presenting for IEC during nonprofit time. Noticed I was the only one asked about funding sources and budget. Confirmed to me IEC has not become a “household word” like ACTS, SERVE, etc etc. Tough though to talk Aging Agency & IEC in same presentation – my brain gets confused jumping between the two 🙂
March 8, 2011 at 8:18 am
Yeah, Prince William st. needs help. It’s always been bad. I remember riding the bus to Dean (back when it was a middle school) and going down that road. Always seemed like we were playing chicken. At least to a 12 year old.
It desperately needs a sidewalk as well.
March 8, 2011 at 9:10 am
Maybe once we get past the waste of money we are spending on the Arts Center that is outside of the CIty, we can revisit that issue. But for now, the folks who enjoy that kind of stuff can pony up the money.
Besides for personal benefit, has there been any evidence the wasted money we are giving the art center has generated any money for the City?
March 8, 2011 at 10:52 am
In terms of evidence, do you mean have we spend money to do a study?
March 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Rich,
Not really looking at a study, but just any evidence that we are seeing an economic benefit for the money we are spending on the art center that is not located in the City.
March 9, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Rich, think COM is looking for some evidence of a ROI for what we put into the place. For instance, the City Volunteer Recognition Event this year will be out there….does the City have to pay extra, or since we already fund it, is this event no “rental” fee?
Also, much hype has been on information about the resturants and stores in Old Town was to be placed out there in a location where people attending events could be directed back to here. I have only been in the Hylton Art Center once, and did not see it so do not know if it exists. OTBA and HMI were supposed to be handling this if I recall right.
March 9, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Ray,
Yes that’s what I’m looking for.
March 12, 2011 at 5:03 pm
I was told that the city can use the venue for no cost but they have to pay for staffing and clean up. I don’t know how much that is though.