Submitted by Jane McWilliams
At the Monday, June 2, City Council meeting, there will be a public hearing on the city’s planning for capital projects. Under the guidance of Finance Director Kathleen McBride, a committee of three council members, the mayor, and three staff members has designed a five-year plan that should provide an orderly and affordable approach to meeting the capital needs. The presentation Monday will concentrate on the 2008 and 2009 projects.
The plan ties in with the city’s long-range financial planning process and the City Council’s goals, and solicits broad community input as part of the annual review process. The City Hall, Public Safety Center, and Library, city streets and infrastructure, utilities, park development, and the ice arena are some of the areas included in the plan.
According to McBride, the hearing is a kick-off of a campaign to familiarize the public with the projects as well as the various financing options.. The city plans other public presentations. McBride said the CIP document will be available late Friday, May 20, at the city’s web site ( http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us ) as an attachment to the City Council Agenda.
This is a good opportunity for League members to get an overview of how the city capital needs are financed, and to learn more about how addressing the various components is being phased.
