Planning staff seeks endorsement of development update and asks council to amend budget for downtown property work

Amanda, planning staff, presented a development update and asked the council for endorsement of revised guidance statements and an updated cadence for reporting.

Amanda said the development update will be provided quarterly (not monthly) and that the planning commission will continue to provide an annual update. She described updated plan values and focus areas, including housing diversity, downtown development, green infrastructure and citizen participation requirements tied to federally funded grants. Amanda said the city is working on a citizen-participation plan required for grant compliance and intends to bring that plan to the council in February.

On downtown property and a related acquisition, Amanda told the council staff will ask at the next council meeting (a Monday on the 3rd, as stated in the presentation) to amend the budget and to authorize the mayor to execute loan documents required to proceed. Amanda said the budget amendment would cover several purchase agreements (for contents and real property) and that permits and ADA inspections were being scheduled. In the presentation Amanda referenced a planned expenditure this fiscal year; the transcript's dollar figure was unclear and staff will provide exact numbers in the formal agenda item.

Amanda also said staff seek to organize volunteer and contractor support for a spring cleanup and a downtown beautification effort and recommended creating a beautification board to coordinate work with Main Street priorities. She said the downtown plan is an attachment to the comprehensive plan and emphasized the need to remain flexible about the property's long-term use pending further community input.

Council members did not take a formal vote during the work session; staff said they will bring the budget-amendment request and loan-authority request to the upcoming regular meeting for formal action.