All Wards meeting follow up from Sat.

Follow-up on the items requested at Saturday's meeting - thanks to staff for the quick follow up:

1) Having the city bus routes start earlier in the morning (5:00 a.m.) and later at night to accommodate second and third shift workers.

A) It is a goal to start service earlier, such as 5:00AM, and more importantly evening service. To accomplish this, the funding needs to be established via federal and state grants for operational costs, which are available through a competitive process. This is phase three of our improvements of our transit system. Phase one being restructuring our routes to go with our citys growth. Phase two is to improve our transit amenities, such as bus shelters and bus stop signage.

2) Is bus hub going to be built by St. Ambrose and then move all buses out to public works?

A) The St.Ambrose (Midtown) hub will be permanent. The proposed public works facility will be for maintenance and administration offices for transit.

3) Graffiti at 11th and 12th on Mound in alleyway.

A) Turned into DPD.

4) Graffiti north of 12th street, looking west whole back of garage is covered.

A) Turned into DPD.

5) Curbs on both sides of street this time on 11th between Mississippi and Spring St. Is this in CIP?

A) Curb replacement is a shared cost with the property owner. The program is funded at a 50-50 sharing. The property owner requests repair by using the action center or calling engineering at 326-7729.

6) Check on house on Jersey Ridge that has been under construction N of Elm.

A) CED Dept. is reviewing and in contact with owner.

7) What is happening to the Forest Block building?

A) The City has conditionally awarded Highland Investments $200,000 to assist in the redevelopment of the façade of the building through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Redevelopment Program. This program is for the removal of slum and blighted conditions in targeted downtown commercial buildings. Because the program is federally funded, we had to conduct an environmental assessment on the building. That environmental assessment has been completed and final clearance was received by the federal government approximately ten days ago. A commitment letter from the City to the company will go out later this week. The CDBG award will be contingent upon the company securing all financing for the project, which I understand the company is in the process of finalizing.


8) The old Ramada Inn at 67th and Brady near the old cinemas – is an eyesore, what is happening here?

A) The property is a focal point for the Brady/Harrison corridor planning. Plans for redevelopment are being considered. The corridor planning consultants have suggested that property plus the cinema should make for an attractive redevelopment parcel with a variety of possible uses.

9) Ref. the Linden apartments fire – did the city receive $80,000 from owner?

A) In December the FD billed it, we waited the 30 days to see if the bill was paid. I requested a copy of the file from the FD in January. Legal drafted the lawsuit and filed it in March. An appearance has been filed by their attorney but no answer to the petition has been filed. Legal will proceed through the discovery phase of litigation.

10) Need extra patrols in area of 3538 Bridge.

A) Sent to patrol division of DPD.

11) Tree limbs blocking sidewalk behind Star Medical.

A) Forestry dept. has taken care of this (4/26)

12) Walk signal at Kimberly and Eastern not long enough.

A) Traffic engineer to review.

13) Concern on money - re: class action lawsuit for cameras.

A) Click here