Council approves moving GO bond project list forward; Memorial Center historic designation work and boulevard tree removals included

The finance committee reviewed a consolidated list of General Obligation (GO) bond‑eligible projects and authorized staff to prepare a resolution enabling departments to draw on the bond fund as individual projects come in with quotes and documentation.

Items discussed included pole barn and dump truck purchases, playground and paving work at Spencer Park, a planned training center for fire and law enforcement, three police squad cars (procured through trade‑in savings), a code enforcement vehicle, and repairs or improvements at Mount Hope Cemetery's war memorial stage. The committee agreed a single resolution listing all line items would allow departments to request funds as invoices arrive; if costs exceed budgeted line items, departments must return to council for additional appropriation.

Separately, the committee discussed a request to pursue state and national historic designation for the Memorial Center. Staff said that designation would make the property eligible for additional grants; a consultant quoted up to $3,000 to document the building’s 1922 significance and prepare application materials. The committee approved using previously allocated funds (including ARP funds and a remaining grant balance) to pay up to $3,000 for the historic‑designation work.

Finally, staff proposed a $25,000 miscellaneous infrastructure line to remove dead boulevard trees and begin replacement. The committee authorized sending RFPs to licensed tree contractors to remove an initial set of trees and indicated replacement would be planned in a later phase, potentially leveraging tree donation programs such as Arbor Day Foundation distributions.