Excelsior City Council Sets Goals for 2012

Is a skating rink and warming house at in Excelsior’s future? 

This year the  City Council will attempt to answer that question as part of the 2012 city council goals, which were approved in February.

The skating rink and warming house are included at the top of the list under a category for enhancing The Commons. The category also includes the that the council approved last year, as well as the structural and financial aspects of the park.

The other goal receiving top priority is improvement of the Third Street fire lane.

According to city staff at the Feb. 21 city council meeting, the goals will be available on the city website. Here is a brief list of goals.

Second priority goals:

• Maximize tax capacity by utilizing city-owned assets in commercial districts.
• Increase revenues for capital projects with regional significance in the city.
• Assess additional parking recommendations.

Other goals include:

• Consider financial tools (grants, tax abatement, TIF, special service districts).
• Explore options for St. Albans Bay Bridge.
• Explore replacing the former Courtland Bridge with a pedestrian bridge.
• Finalize Assessment Policy.
• Investigate town square/pedestrian promenade for downtown area.

The city council may also investigate the development of a traffic calming policy.

“I don’t know if you need a policy. It’s already being engineered,” said Dave Wisdorf, public works superintendent.

He made the comment during the Feb. 21 city council meeting as city council members discussed whether traffic calming should go higher or lower on the list of priorities. He mentioned narrower streets and curves as ways to slow down traffic.