The City Council approved the design concept for the El Centro project at Tuesday's meeting, the mayor said.

The project is funded by a $4,780,000 Clean California grant and will bring improvements to Town Square and downtown Main Street, the mayor said. Planned work includes new turf and concrete work, upgraded electrical features, new downtown signage, decorated landscaping, stormwater inlets, BigBelly trash receptacles, benches along Main Street and murals. Funding is also set aside for a year of downtown security and community events.

According to the mayor's recap, the El Centro project builds on earlier downtown beautification efforts such as a facade improvement program, paving of downtown parking lots and other connections with local businesses aimed at creating a safer, cleaner and more vibrant downtown. The transcript does not include a recorded motion text, mover, seconder or vote tally for the design-concept approval.