Council hears results of CIP and operating-budget engagement; online poll drew ~250 responses

Robin presented the results of the city's public engagement for the capital improvement program and previewed plans for operating-budget outreach. Robin said staff held one in-person public input session (about a dozen attendees) and an online poll open for roughly three weeks in January that drew about 250 responses, which is lower than in prior years.

Products of the polling were aligned to council strategic priorities rather than traditional capital categories. Under economic growth, the top-ranked projects were People Drive (sports tourism facility/25-meter pool), infill residential development, and the housing improvement fund. In place-making, items such as Briarfield Park upgrades, Darling Stadium modernization and streetscaping scored highly; Buckroe Beach nourishment was the top water-related priority.

On the operating side, Robin said blight abatement was the top-ranked initiative and body-worn cameras for police officers ranked second, with staff noting the cameras involve both capital and operating costs. Robin said staff had also produced a printout of open-ended comments and found no clear common theme across those responses.

Staff described next steps and schedule: a Planning Commission briefing on March 3, distribution of the proposed capital budget to council and the public on March 18, a Planning Commission hearing on April 7 and a council work session/presentation on April 13. For the operating budget, staff announced an open town-hall style session on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. to solicit broader input throughout the year.