During the 9/24/2008 meeting, Council addressed trail grant money. Included in the Handout
The trail needs were identified during the 1997 City's comprehensive planning process. The City received a grant of approximately $700,000 to construct trail connections. The local match of $300,000-$350,000 will be paid from fees paid by developers in lieu of land for parks. These fees can only be used for park projects-capital construction. City property taxes are not planned to be used for the trail construction project.
"Currently, it appears that an assessment will not be needed to correct the grade and install a trail (Mill Rd), part of the reason I favor doing it now. It is still being investigated to be certain."
Email sent by council member Tom Lee 9/7/2008
Quad Press 8/18/2008
Discussed trail grant priorities on which council members voted earlier. The cost of the 26 trails is expected to be more than 1.7 million, much of which will be covered by the transportation enhancement grant.
The numbers don't add up. Who is going to pay the additional $700,000? Why does a City of our size need 26 additional trails? Why can't the Citizens get a straight answer?
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14 comments:
Wow- They have been telling us the trails will not cost the citizens a dime. It sure doesn't look that way to me.
My family is very much looking forward to an expanded trail system The promise of this, in fact, was a factor in our decision to buy our home in Centerville. This is a value-add that we're happy to pay for.
Hey anonymous number 2-
That's great. Sounds like you did your homework before you moved in. Funny, most people I've talked to weren't even aware of the trail grant or the council plans. So, you don't care that the City is already 7.8 million in long term debt and now they are adding an extra $700,000 to that debt that we will have to pick up for trail.Which is a WANT not a NEED. Ever hear of fiscal responsibilty? You don't spend it if you don't have it. Our taxes are ok with you also right?
Hello Anonymous #2.
Thanks for weighing in here! Do you think that the original plan for trails that was awarded grant money will accommodate your needs or do you think the council needs to expand it (mill road)? I am all for growth and beautifying Centerville but our city has a limit of what will pay back in the long term and there is still lots to be done.
Thanks for listening.
We all enjoy the exisiting trail system. The question to ask is, can we afford expanding it right now? It looks like we might be facing a financial crisis here.
The City Council meets at 6:30 every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. You can watch it on channel 16 if you have Public Access. Otherwise, drop by City Hall and sit in on a meeting. We all share some responsibility for where we find ourselves today. There are only two meetings left before election day. Get involved and ask questions!
Well anonymous, I agree the trails are "nice" to have, but the problem isn't with the trails as much as it is with the COST and maintenance of those trails. You see, our beloved city does not have a plan on how the trails, or the roads for that matter, will be maintained. The point is, we pay a ton of taxes here and they don't cover road maintenance or sidewalk maintenance - so tell me, who do you think will eventually end of maintaining a sidewalk?
Seems like folks are being purposely confused by people with huge chips on their shoulders. The $700,000 is a FEDERAL GRANT (money designated to go to OUR city or SOMEONE ELSE'S city). This money is NOT to be paid back or owed by Centerville. The local matching portion of $300~$350K is from development fees already collected. This easy way to not spend more money than this is to just do enough trails to spend the money. Which I understand the city intends. It is sad to see some folks fanning the flames of misunderstanding for their own purposes.
You might want to check the numbers again. To quote the paper...
Quad Press 8/18/2008
Discussed trail grant priorities on which council members voted earlier. The cost of the 26 trails is expected to be more than 1.7 million!
The 700,000 FEDERAL GRANT money in addition to 300-350K to not come near this amount.
The City has been invited to make statements here and correct any information that might have been misinterpreted. So far, we have heard nothing positive from our elected officials or staff.
To insinuate the people behind this blog have anything but the best interest of Centerville and the citizens at heart is incredible.
All information compiled on this blog has been backed up with a cited source. The personal stories are noted as such and have also been confirmed.
Mark Statz the City Eng. is quoted in the Quad as saying "The cost of the 26 trials is expected to be 1.7 million". Way more than the grant. Who's picking up the rest? City Council also asked him to investigate (does that mean design so we are paying him for this?) how much the Mill Road trail would be when it wasn't even included in the original grant application. So why, I ask, are we paing the Engineer to do this if they are not intending on spending MORE THAN THE GRANT MONEY???
I for one am disappointed in how we feel we NEED to spend money on top of the "grants" we get, Is the money truly "free" if we end up having to "kick in" to "finish the project". Poor choices from poor leadership.
Has any one thought about where the grant money comes from?? Do you think the feds just make a few extra million to pass out? Even grant money comes from our pockets. It would be nice if our council would see it that way. They might not be as eager to spend our 1 million plus dollars on trails, if you want trails then move to Shoreview!
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